CHAPTER – 9: LIFE IN THE DESERT

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The world’s largest desert is

a) Sahara desert b) Ladakh desert c) Kalahari desert d) Thar desert

2. Which group of countries is not touched by the Sahara desert?

a) Algeria, Chad, Egypt b) Libya, Mali, Morocco

c) Zimbabwe, Lesotho, South Africa d) Sudan, Niger, Tunisia

3. Which nomadic tribe live in the Sahara desert?

a) Bedouins b) Tuaregs c) Masaais d) Both A & B

4. The finest cricket bats are made from the wood of the
a) Poplar trees b) Sal trees c) Willow trees d) Shisham trees

5. Where is Drass located?

a) in Ladakh b) in Sahara c) in Egypt d) None of the above

6. The Nile river is a major river of ___________

a) Asia b) Africa c) N. America d) S. America

7. The major crops of Sahara region are

a) Rice and Wheat b) Dates & Barley

c) Apple & Jute d) Coffee and Sugarcane

8. The people of Egypt grow all types of crops. This is possible due to the _______ river.
a) Ganga b) Kaveri c) Nile d) Amazon

9. Which of the following is not a river flowing through Ladakh?

a) Indus b) Zaskar c) Shyok d) Karakoram

QUES1. What are the two types of deserts in the world?

ANS1. Depending on the temperatures there can be hot deserts and cold deserts.

QUES2. In which continent is Sahara desert located?

ANS2. Sahara desert is located in Africa.

QUES3. What are the climatic conditions in Ladakh?

ANS3.

 Ladakh is a cold desert lying in the great Himalayas.

 The altitude in ladakh varies from 3000m in Kargil to more than 8000m in the Karakoram.
 Due to its high altitude the climate is extremely cold and dry.
 Day temperatures are just above 0° and the night temperatures are well below -30°
 It is freezing cold in the winters and the temperatures remain below -40° most of the time.
 There is little rainfall, as low as 10cm every year.

QUES4. What mainly attracts tourists to Ladakh?

ANS4. Tourism is a major activity with 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.

QUES5. What type of clothes do people in the Sahara desert wear?

ANS5. People in the Sahara desert wear heavy robes as protection against dust storms and winds.

QUES6. Name the trees that grow in Ladakh.

ANS6. Groves of willows and poplars are seen in the valley. During summers, fruit trees such as apples, apricot
and walnuts bloom.

QUES7. How is present day Sahara different from its past?

ANS7. Present day Sahara used to once be lush green plain. 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.

QUES8. Describe of the climate of the Sahara.

ANS8.

 The climate of the Sahara is scorching hot and patch dry. The sky is cloudless and clear.
 Days are unbelievable hot with temperature as high 50° C. the nights are freezing cold with
temperatures nearing 0° C.

QUES9. Describe the Flora and Fauna of Sahara.

ANS9.

 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, jackals, foxes, scorpion, lizards and many varieties of snakes are the prominent animals found
here.

QUES10. Describe the people of the Sahara desert and their activities.

ANS10.

 The Sahara desert despite its harsh climate has been inhabited by various groups of people, who
pursue different activities. Among them are Bedouins and Tuaregs.
 These groups are nomadic tribes rearing livestock like goats, sheep, camels and horses.
 The animals provide them with hides, from which they make leather for belts, slippers, water bottles etc
and milk. They also collect the animal hair for carpets, woolens and blankets.

QUES11. Give an account for agriculture in Nile valley.

ANS11.

 The oasis in the Sahara and the Nile valley in Egypt supports settled population.
 Since the 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 here.

QUES12. What changes can be seen in the Sahara desert?

ANS12.
  The cultural landscape of the Sahara is undergoing change. Gleaming glass cased office buildings
tower over mosques and super highways crisscross the ancient camel paths.
 Trucks are replacing camels in the salt trade. Tuaregs are seen acting as guides to tourists. More and
more nomadic herdsmen are taking to city life findings jobs in oil and gas operations.

QUES13. Write a brief note on oasis.

ANS13. Depressions are formed when wind blows away the sands. In the depressions where underground
water reaches the surface an oasis is formed. These areas are fertile. People may settle around these oasis and
grow date palms and other crops. For example Tafilalet oasis in Morocco.

QUES14. Describe the Fauna of Ladakh.

ANS14.

 Several species of birds are cited in Ladakh. Robins, red starts, Tibetan, snowcock, raven and hoopoe
are common.
 The animals of Ladakh are wild goats, wild sheep, yak and furry dogs. The chiru and Tibetan antelope is
an endangered species hunted for its wool.

QUES15. Mention winter and summer activities in Ladakh of the people.

ANS15. In the summer season, the people are busy cultivating barley, potatoes, peas, beans and turnip. Winter
is so harsh that people keep themselves engaged in festivities and ceremonies.