Life in the Deserts Class 7 Worksheet Geography Chapter 7

Q.1. What is a Desert?

It is an arid region characterised by extremely high or low temperatures and has scarce vegetation.

Q.2. Where an oasis is formed?

In the depressions where underground water reaches the surface, an oasis is formed.

Q.3. What is Tafilalet?

Tafilalet is a large Oasis in Morocco with an area of about 13,000 sq.km.

Q.4. Write the names of some famous monasteries of Ladakh.

Some famous monasteries of Ladakh are Hemis, Thiksey, Shey and Lamayuru.

Q.5. Why people of the Sahara desert wear heavy robes?

They wear heavy robes as protection against dust storms and hot winds.

Q.6. How did the Sahara become a desert?

Sahara once used to be a lush green plain. Cave paintings in Sahara desert show that there used to be rivers with crocodiles. Elephants, lions, giraffes, ostriches, sheep, cattle and goats were common animals. But the change in climate has changed it to a very hot and dry region.

Q.7. Why do nomadic tribes of Sahara desert rear livestock?

Nomadic tribes of Sahara desert rear livestock because these animals provide them with milk, hides from which they make leather for belts, slippers, water bottles; hair is used for mats, carpets, clothes and blankets.

Q.8. Where is Ladakh desert located?

Ladakh is a cold desert lying in the Great Himalayas, on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. The Karakoram Range in the north and the Zanskar mountains in the south enclose it.

Q.9. Name some common birds of Ladakh.

Several species of birds are sighted in Ladakh. Robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, raven and hoopoe are common. Some of these are migratory birds.

Q.10. Name the countries that touch the Sahara desert.

The Sahara desert touches eleven countries. These are Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara.

Q.11. Write about the people of Sahara desert?

People of Sahara desert

(i) The Sahara desert despite its harsh climate has been inhabited by various groups of people, who pursue different activities.

(ii) Among them are the Bedouins and Tuaregs. These groups are nomadic tribes rearing livestock such as goats, sheep, camels and horses. They wear heavy robes as protection against dust storms and hot winds.

(iii) The oasis in the Sahara and the Nile Valley in Egypt supports settled population. Since water is available, the people grow date palms. Crops such as rice, wheat, barley and beans are also grown. Egyptian cotton, famous worldwide is grown in Egypt.

(iv) The cultural landscape of the Sahara is undergoing change. Tuaregs are seen acting as guides to foreign tourists. More and more nomadic herdsmen are taking to city life finding jobs in oil and gas operations.

Q.12. Write a short note on flora and fauna of Ladakh desert.

Flora and Fauna of Ladakh desert:

(i) Due to high aridity, the vegetation is sparse. There are scanty patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze. Groves of willows and poplars are seen in the valleys.

(ii) During the summers, fruit trees such as apples, apricots and walnuts bloom. Several species of birds are sighted in Ladakh. Robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, raven and hoopoe are common.

(iii) The animals of Ladakh are wild goats, wild sheep, yak and special kinds of dogs.

Q.13. What mainly attracts tourists to Ladakh?

Tourism is a major activity with several tourists streaming in from within India and abroad. Visits to the gompas, treks to see the meadows and glaciers, witnessing ceremonies and festivities are important activities. Some famous monasteries such as Hemis, Thiksey, Shey and Lamayuru also attract the tourists.

Q.14. What are the summer and winter activities of the people of Ladakh?

In the summer season the people are busy cultivating barley, potatoes, peas, beans and turnip. The climate in winter months is so harsh that people keep themselves engaged in festivities and ceremonies. The women are very hard working. They work not only in the house and fields, but also manage small business and shops.

Q.15. Write a short note on flora and fauna of Sahara desert.

Vegetation in the Sahara desert includes cactus, date palms and acacia. In some places there are oasis – green islands with date palms surrounding them. Camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions, many varieties of snakes and lizards are the prominent animal species living there.