The Temperate Grasslands: Prairies - 1 Class 5 Worksheet SST

Q1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(ii) The two rivers that flow through the Prairie region are
(a) Michigan and Manitoba.
(b) Mississippi and Missouri.
(c) Mackenzie and Ontario.
(d) Colorado and Rio Grande.
Ans: (b)
Rivers in the United States: Prairie River (Michigan), a tributary of the St. Joseph River in southern Michigan. Prairie River (Mississippi River), in northern Minnesota.

(iii) Very few trees are found in the Prairies because
(a) of the soil.
(b) they were cut to make farmlands.
(c) ranches were built.
(d) of an unsuitable climate.
Ans: (a)
Because of the low annual precipitation, temperate grasslands have very few trees. Grasses are the dominant vegetation; their roots and rhizomes provide increased fertility to the soil.

(iv) In the Prairies, most farm work is done by
(a) machines.
(b) labourers.
(c) animals.
(d) foreigners.
Ans: (b)
Most of the farm work is done by hired contractors, or the land is rented out to a third party. In 2006, more than half of all Prairie farmers earned at least some non-farm income.

Q2: Fill in the blanks

(ii) Animals found in the Prairies ___ I ___ ___ N and C ___ Y ___ T ___
Ans: Animals found in the Prairies BISON and COYOTE

(iii) Minerals mined ___ ___ ___ D.
Ans: Minerals mined GOLD

(iv) Two countries bordering USA ___ A ___ A ___ ___ and ___ ___ X ___ ___ O
Ans: Two countries bordering USA CANADA and MEXICO

(v) Crops grown in the Prairies ___ A ___ ___ ___ Y and ___ O ___ ___
Ans: Crops grown in the Prairies BARLEY and OATS

Q3: Answer these questions.

(ii) Why are the Prairies called the ‘Wheat Basket of the World’?
Ans: The soil and climate of Prairies are the most suitable for the cultivation of wheat and maize. So the production of wheat is so large that USA exports surplus wheat to other countries. Therefore, the Prairies of North America are called the 'Wheat basket of the world'.

(iii) In the Prairies, machines have almost replaced manual labour. Explain.
Ans: In the prairies the entire farm work of ploughing, sowing, harvesting, threshing, winnowing and storing of food grains is done by machines. Cultivation of thousands of hectares of farmland needs very few workers. Big dairy farms also use machines.

(iv) Write the names of some animals found in the Prairies.
Ans: Many animals share the prairie. Prairie animals are badger, beaver, blackfooted ferret, bobcat, bison/ buffalo, squirrel, vole, white-tailed deer.

(v) Why is cattle reared in the western part?
Ans: Animals are reared on the western side of the prairies because that area consists of extensive grasslands on which animals can graze. That area is also not very suitable for farming as it is comparatively dry.

Q4: Think and answer.