Important Questions: Life In The Temperate Grasslands - UPSC MCQ

The Mississippi River System, also referred to as the Western Rivers, is a mostly riverine network of the United States which includes the Mississippi River and connecting waterways. The Mississippi River is the largest drainage basin in the United States. In the United States, the Mississippi drains about forty-one percent of the country's rivers.

Velds are rolling plateaus with varying heights ranging from 600 m to 1100 m. It is bound by the Drakensburg Mountains on the east. To its west lies the Kalahari desert.

The grasslands of Prairies were the home of native Americans often called “Red Indians”. They were the actual habitant of the continent. The Prairies were home of other tribes also like the Apache, the Crow, the Cree and the Pawnee. Prairies are practically tree-less.

• Chinook: The correct answer is D, Chinook. Chinook is a hot wind that blows in winter, particularly in the Rocky Mountain areas of North America.


• Temperature Increase: Chinook winds can cause a rapid temperature increase within a short period of time due to their warm and dry nature.


• Effect: These winds are known for their ability to melt snow quickly and raise the temperature significantly, providing relief from the cold winter weather.


• Geographical Region: Chinook winds are most common in regions like Alberta, Canada, and parts of the United States like Montana and Wyoming.


• Local Impact: In these areas, residents are familiar with the sudden warm spells brought on by Chinook winds, which can have both positive and negative effects on the environment and daily life.

• Location: Winnipeg is a city located in the province of Manitoba, Canada.


• Incorrect Options:
  
  
  
  • Cuba is a country in the Caribbean, not where Winnipeg is located.
  
  
  • Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, not where Winnipeg is located.
  
  
  • Moscow is the capital city of Russia, not where Winnipeg is located.
  
  
  
  


• Correct Answer: The correct answer is C, Canada, as Winnipeg is a city in the country of Canada.

• Alders: Alders are commonly found in prairies, especially in wet areas.


• Willow: Willow trees are also common in prairies, especially along waterways.


• Sal: Sal trees are not typically found in prairies. They are more commonly found in tropical regions.


• Poplars: Poplar trees are also found in prairies, particularly in riparian areas.

• Alders, willows, and poplars are all common trees found in prairies.


• Sal trees, on the other hand, are not typically found in prairies but are more commonly found in tropical regions.


• Therefore, the correct answer is C: Sal trees do not grow in prairies.

• Maize: Maize, also known as corn, is the major crop grown in the prairies due to its adaptability to the climate and soil conditions of the region.


• Climate Suitability: Maize thrives in the warm summers and moderate rainfall of the prairies, making it a suitable crop for the area.


• Soil Conditions: The fertile soils of the prairies provide the necessary nutrients for maize to grow successfully, leading to high yields.


• Economic Importance: Maize is not only a staple food crop but also has various industrial uses, making it a valuable commodity for farmers in the prairies.


• Cultural Significance: Maize has cultural significance for many indigenous communities in the prairies, further emphasizing its importance as a major crop in the area.

A ranch is a large farm for raising cows, horses, sheep or other livestock.

Red grass grows in the bush velds and trees such as accacia and maroola grow in the high velds.

• Lion: Lions are commonly found in the veld, known for their majestic appearance and hunting skills.


• Kudu: Kudus are large antelopes that roam the veld, known for their spiral horns and graceful movements.


• Leopard: Leopards are also inhabitants of the veld, known for their stealthy nature and beautiful spotted coat.


• Golden langur: Golden langurs are not typically found in the veld. They are actually native to the forests of India and Bhutan, not the grasslands of Africa.

Therefore, the correct answer is D, Golden langur, as it is not one of the animals commonly found in the veld.

Bison are found in North America and Europe. Both bison and buffalo are in the bovidae family, but the two are not closely related.

Sheep rearing is the most important occupation of the people. Sheep are reared mainly for wool and this has given rise to the wool industry in the velds. Merino sheep is a popular species as their wool is very warm.

• High velds: High velds are grassy plateaus located in South Africa.


• Location: The high velds are primarily located in the northeastern part of South Africa.


• Climate: The high velds have a moderate climate with warm summers and cool winters.


• Vegetation: The high velds are characterized by grasslands and some areas of shrubs and trees.


• Wildlife: The high velds are home to a variety of wildlife species including antelope, zebras, and birds.

• Machine Description: The machine described in the passage is a versatile piece of equipment that is capable of performing multiple tasks such as sowing, ploughing, and threshing.


• Three-in-One Functionality: The key feature of this machine is its ability to combine three different agricultural tasks into a single unit, making it a cost-effective and efficient solution for farmers.


• Benefits: By combining these tasks, farmers can save time, labor, and resources, ultimately increasing their productivity and profitability.


• Efficiency: This three-in-one machine streamlines the farming process by eliminating the need for multiple machines and reducing the overall workload for farmers.


• Convenience: Having a single machine that can perform multiple tasks simplifies the farming operation and allows farmers to focus on other aspects of their business.

• Latin word: The word "prairie" originated from the Latin word "pratum" which means meadow or grassland.

• Adoption into English: The word was later adopted into English to refer to large expanses of flat grassland with few trees.

• Usage: Prairies are typically found in North America, particularly in the Midwest and Great Plains regions.

• Characteristics: Prairies are known for their fertile soil and diverse grass species, making them important ecosystems for wildlife and agriculture.

• Human impact: Many prairies have been converted to farmland or urban areas, leading to the decline of this unique landscape.

The climate of the veld is highly variable, but its general pattern is mild winters from May to September and hot or very hot summers from November to March, with moderate or considerable variations in daily temperatures and abundant sunshine. Temperatures are slightly higher than in South Africa.

• Gophers: Gophers are small burrowing rodents commonly found in prairies.


• Monkeys: Monkeys are not typically found in prairies, as they are more commonly associated with tropical forests and jungles.


• Rabbits: Rabbits are commonly found in prairies, as they are well-adapted to the grasslands and open spaces.


• Coyotes: Coyotes are also commonly found in prairies, as they are skilled predators that are well-suited to the open terrain.

Therefore, the animal that is not typically found in the region of prairies is Monkeys.

• Prairies: The Prairies are vast grasslands located in North America, primarily in the United States and Canada.


• Granaries of the world: The Prairies are often referred to as the granaries of the world because they are highly productive agricultural areas, known for their fertile soil and ability to produce a variety of crops.


• Agricultural Production: The Prairies are major producers of wheat, corn, soybeans, and other crops that are essential for feeding populations around the world.


• Contribution to Food Security: The abundance of food produced in the Prairies plays a crucial role in global food security by supplying a significant portion of the world's food supply.


• Economic Importance: The agricultural products grown in the Prairies contribute significantly to the economy of both the United States and Canada, generating revenue and supporting livelihoods.

Therefore, the Prairies are rightfully known as the granaries of the world due to their immense agricultural productivity and contribution to global food security.

The Prairies are also called the 'Granaries of the world' due to surplus wheat production. Dairy Farming: It is another major industry in this region. The dairy belt extends from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast in the east.

B is the correct option.Dairy Farming contains dairy products including milk, processing and milk based products. Extensive farming or extensive agriculture (as opposed to intensive farming) is an agricultural production system that uses small inputs of labor, fertilizers, and capital, relative to the land area being farmed.