Textbook Solutions: Life in the Temperate Grasslands | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

A. Choose the correct answer.

1.
Ans: (d)

2.
Ans: (b)

3.
Ans: (a)

4.
Ans: (d)

5.
Ans: (a)

B. Fill in the blanks.

1.
Ans: The tributaries of the rivers Mississippi and Saskatchewan drain the prairie.

2. Large cattle farms in the prairie are called____________.
Ans: Large cattle farms in the prairie are called ranches.

3. The prairie is also known as the '__________________ of the world'.
Ans: The prairie is also known as the 'granary of the world'.

4. The ______________ sheep, reared in the veld, is known for its fine wool.
Ans: The Merino sheep, reared in the veld, is known for its fine wool.

5. ________________ in South Africa is said to be the gold capital of the world.
Ans: Johannesburg in South Africa is said to be the gold capital of the world.

C. Give reasons for the following

1.
Ans: The natural vegetation of grasslands consists mainly of grass and shrubs because these regions receive moderate rainfall, less than forest regions but more than desert regions, with a long season of drought. This semi-arid climate is suitable for the growth of grasses and shrubs but not for large trees.

2.
Ans: The prairies no longer contain large herds of bison because they were hunted extensively by the inhabitants of the region. This extensive hunting has led to the near extinction of bison in the wild.

3.
Ans: Mining is an important occupation in some parts of the veld because this region is rich in minerals like coal and iron. South Africa, which has a major part of the veld, has rich deposits of gold and diamonds, making mining a significant activity.

D. Answer in one or two sentences

1.
Ans: The prairie can be divided into three regions based on vegetation— the tallgrass prairie is found in the wetter eastern parts, mixed-grass prairie is found in the central parts, and shortgrass prairie towards the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

2.
Ans: The animals found in the prairie include prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers, ferrets, bison, squirrels, gophers, and rabbits.

3.
Ans: The Chinook, a strong, warm, dry wind, blows down from the Rockies during winter in the prairie.

4.
Ans: The Drakensburg Mountains and the Kalahari Desert lie to the east and the west of the veld respectively.

5.
Ans: The main crops grown in the veld include maize, wheat, barley, oats, potato, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton.

E. Answer in a paragraph

1.
Ans: The climate of the prairie is marked by extreme conditions due to its interior location on the continent. Summers are warm with temperatures around 20°C, and winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures falling below -20°C. Rainfall is moderate and occurs mainly in early summer. On the other hand, the climate of the veld varies in different parts but is generally colder in winters from May to September and warm, rainy summers from November to March. The Lowveld region is warmer and receives more rainfall than the Highveld.

2.
Ans: The prairie was originally inhabited by various nomadic communities, some of which later settled in villages. They lived in grass huts or tents, practiced agriculture, hunting, gathering, fishing and various handicrafts. They hunted bison for practical and cultural uses. The communities include Anishinaabe, Manitoba, Apache, Cree, Blackfoot, and Dakota. Europeans began to settle in the prairie from the 19th century and today, they make up the majority of the population, while the indigenous people mainly live in reservations.

3.
Ans: The economy of the prairie region is largely agricultural. The use of modern farming technologies has raised the level of production, earning the region the title 'granary of the world'. Main crops include maize and wheat, along with potato, soya bean, cotton, and alfalfa. Cattle rearing is also practiced in areas with low rainfall and short grasses. The region also has rich deposits of iron ore and coal, making mining an important activity. The dairy, meat, and leather industries are also prominent, supported by a robust transport network.

4.
Ans: Human activity has significantly damaged the ecology of the prairie, as exemplified by the Dust Bowl event in the 1930s. Farmers, ignoring the ecology of the grasslands, started using tractors to plough the land. This removed the original prairie grass and exposed the soil. Then, during a prolonged period of drought, crops failed, and the soil turned to dust and was blown away by the winds. This greatly damaged the ecology of the prairies, destroying agriculture, causing deaths, and rendering millions homeless.

5.
Ans: The people of the veld region engage mainly in agriculture, cattle rearing, and mining. They grow food crops like maize, wheat, barley, oats, and potato, and cash crops like tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton. Sheep-rearing and cattle-rearing are also important occupations. The region is rich in minerals like coal and iron, making mining an important occupation. South Africa, a part of the veld, is known for its deposits of gold and diamonds, contributing to the importance of mining in the region.