Class V

Session 2023-24
Chapter 5
Democratic Republic of the Congo - Land of Dense Forests

Amazing fact – Kinshasa is the world’s second-largest French-speaking city.

Tsetse Fly

They are the size of a large housefly and feed only on blood.

The tsetse fly (Genus Glossina) is notable for two things: it carries parasites called
trypanosomes, which cause sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle in sub-
Saharan Africa; and it gives birth to live young.

I. Dictation words

1. Torrid Zone
2. Pygmies
3. Tropical rainforest
4. Savannahs
5. Hippopotamus
6. Tsetse fly
7. Cassava
8. Primitive
9. Inhabitants
10. Hydroelectricity

II. Assessment Platter (WRITE THE ANSWERS ONLY)

1. The region lies between the ___________ and the ____________ is called the
Equatorial region, Tropical region, or Torrid Zone.
2. This region (DRC) experiences a ______ and ______ climate throughout the
year.
3. ________ River flows through the Democratic Republic of Congo and is the
 second largest river in Africa.
4. ___________ is also called the Highway of Central Africa.
5. The highest point of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the
Ruwenzori mountains is ___________.
6. ________ is the staple food of the people in DRC.
7. Cocoa, Coffee, Rubber, Cotton, and Palm are the main ___ crops of DRC.
8. ________ is the DRC’s third most important export after Copper and Crude
oil and is the agricultural export.
9. The country has poor ________ as they have dense forests, and pose
difficulty in the construction of roads and rails. ___________ and
______________ become popular modes of travel.
10. __________ are the original inhabitants of the DRC. They are nomads they
keep moving in groups from one place to another in search of food.

III. Do It Yourself:

Q1. Name some important cities of DRC. (Page no. 36)

Q2. Name some lakes in the DRC. (Page no. 33)

Q4. Name this endangered mammal that lends its name to the Okapi Wildlife
Reserve. (Page no. 34)

IV. DEFINE:

1. Savannah- It is grassland with tall grasses and scattered trees.

2. Rainforest-Dense Forest found in the tropical zone, where it rains heavily.
These forests are rich in biodiversity.
3. Humid- The air that has a high level of water vapor.
4. Cassava- A staple food of the people of DRC, which has long roots and can be
eaten raw or cooked.
5. Torrid Zone – The region lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the
Tropic of Capricorn.

V. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Q.1 Why are most parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo covered with
Tropical Rain Forest?

Ans: Most of the parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo are covered with
Tropical Rain forests because of the climate.

a) DRC lies on the equator, it receives direct rays of the sun, so the
temperature is high.
b) It rains almost every day, so the level of humidity is also high.
c) The hot and wet climate is suitable for the growth of rainforests.

Q.2 Describe the wildlife of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 Ans: The rainforests and grasslands are home to a large variety of wildlife.

a) Many rare species of gorillas, chimpanzees, and baboons are found here. The
area near the river is home to hippopotamus and crocodiles.
b) The country is also home to a wide variety of birds and butterflies.
c) The grasslands have lions, giraffes, elephants, antelopes, and a variety of
snakes.

Q3. The Democratic Republic of Congo is considered to be the richest country in

the world in terms of natural resources. Explain this statement.

Ans:

a) The DRC has vast deposits of mineral resources such as copper,

cobalt, gold, uranium, and diamonds.
b) About 48% of the land is covered with forest with a variety of
plants and animals.
c) Water is another important natural resource, as the second largest river in
Africa, the river Congo flows through DRC.

Q.4 Describe the life of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ans:

a) The Democratic Republic of Congo is thinly populated.

b) The main occupation of the people of DRC is agriculture.
c) Most people live in the villages. Villagers live in thatched huts in
tribes or groups
d) About 30% population lives in cities.
e) Modern facilities are available in cities, but the poor live in slums.

Q.5 Write a short note on the tribes of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ans 6.

a) The two types of tribes found in DRC are- the Bantu tribe and Pygmies.
b) Bantu people are tall and have curly hair.
c) They wear colorful dresses and enjoy music and dance.
d) Pygmies our country's original inhabitants.
e) They are short-sighted nomadic people who lead primitive life.

VI. Complete the following statements-

1. The people of Congo export minerals instead of manufacturing things out of

them due to a lack of industries, technical education, and facilities like transport.

2. DRC has a poor transport system as the dense forests covering most parts of the
country pose great difficulty in the construction of roads and
 rails.

VII. MAP WORK

Mark the Torrid zone on the world map, and also mark the continent of Africa
and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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