NCERT Geography Solution for Class 7: Life in the Deserts

Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Geography Chapter-7: Life in the Deserts, updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease. The content is written in simple, easy-to-understand language.

Exercise

1. Answer the following questions

(a) What are the two types of deserts found in the world?
There are hot deserts and cold deserts. Hot deserts, like the Sahara, experience high temperatures, while cold deserts, like Ladakh, have cold climates with limited precipitation.

(b) In which continent is the Sahara desert located?
The Sahara desert is located in Africa.

(c) What are the climatic conditions of the Ladakh desert?
The Ladakh desert has an extreme cold desert climate. Summers are short with warm days and chilly nights, while winters are long and bitterly cold with temperatures dropping well below freezing.

(d) What mainly attracts tourists to Ladakh?
Tourists are attracted to Ladakh for its unique natural landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, adventure activities, and cultural festivals.

(e) What type of clothes do the people of the Sahara desert wear?
People in the Sahara desert wear long, loose-fitting robes and head coverings to protect themselves from the sun, sand, and hot winds.

(f) Name the trees that grow in Ladakh.
In Ladakh, willows, poplars, and apple and apricot trees are commonly found due to their ability to survive in cold and arid conditions.

2. Tick the correct answer

(i) Sahara is located in which part of Africa

• (a) eastern
• (b) northern
• (c) western

(ii) Sahara is what type of desert

• (a) cold
• (b) hot
• (c) mild

(iii) The Ladakh desert is mainly inhabited by

• (a) Christians and Muslims
• (b) Buddhists and Muslims
• (c) Christians and Buddhists

(iv) Deserts are characterized by

• (a) scanty vegetation
• (b) heavy precipitation
• (c) low evaporation

(v) Hemis in Ladakh is a famous

• (a) temple
• (b) church
• (c) monastery

(vi) Egypt is famous for growing

• (a) wheat
• (b) maize
• (c) cotton

3. Match the following

Ans.

4. Give reasons

(i) There is scanty vegetation in the deserts.
Deserts have very low rainfall and harsh temperatures, which make it difficult for plants to survive. The soil lacks moisture, and the intense sunlight and high evaporation rates further limit the growth of vegetation, resulting in sparse plant life.

(ii) People of the Sahara desert wear heavy robes.
People in the Sahara wear heavy, loose robes to protect themselves from the intense sun and hot winds. The robes shield them from heat and sand while keeping their bodies cool by allowing airflow and reducing direct skin exposure to the sun.

Other Important Short answer Questions

Here are important short answer questions based on Chapter 7: Life in the Deserts from the NCERT 7th Class Geography book. These are designed to support students with clear, exam-relevant explanations suitable for NCERT and UPSC:

1. Describe the main characteristics of a desert.

Deserts are regions with extremely low rainfall, sparse vegetation, and extreme temperatures. These areas can be classified as hot deserts like the Sahara, with high daytime temperatures and cooler nights, or cold deserts like Ladakh, with cold temperatures and low precipitation. Deserts often have unique landforms like sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and gravel plains.

2. What is an oasis, and why is it important in desert regions?

An oasis is a fertile area in a desert where water is available, often from underground sources reaching the surface. These oases support vegetation like date palms and allow human settlements due to their water availability. Oases play a vital role in desert life by providing food, water, and shelter in otherwise barren landscapes.

3. Explain why the Sahara desert is considered the world’s largest hot desert.

The Sahara Desert covers about 8.54 million square kilometers, making it the largest hot desert in the world. It spans several North African countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco. Its climate is scorching hot with minimal rainfall, vast sandy areas, gravel plains, and rocky plateaus, representing classic desert characteristics.

4. What is the climate of the Sahara desert like?

The Sahara desert experiences an extremely hot and dry climate with temperatures often exceeding 50°C during the day. The nights can be freezing, nearing zero degrees. Rainfall is scarce, making the region one of the hottest and driest on Earth, with clear skies and very high evaporation rates.

5. Who are the Bedouins and Tuaregs, and what is their way of life in the Sahara?

The Bedouins and Tuaregs are nomadic tribes in the Sahara. They rear animals such as camels, goats, and sheep, which provide milk, hides, and wool for clothing and shelter. Their lifestyle includes traveling across deserts for grazing lands, and they wear heavy robes to protect themselves from sand and heat.

6. What economic activities are common in the Sahara desert?

Economic activities in the Sahara include livestock rearing, oil extraction, and agriculture around oases. The discovery of oil in countries like Libya, Algeria, and Egypt has transformed the economy, while crops like dates and grains are grown in areas with available water.

7. Explain the significance of date palms in desert regions.

Date palms are essential in desert regions for providing food, shade, and shelter. They thrive in oases where water is available. Dates are a nutritious food source, and the trees also offer materials for constructing roofs, mats, and baskets, making them invaluable to desert communities.

8. Describe the climatic conditions in Ladakh.

Ladakh is a cold desert in the Himalayas, with extremely cold temperatures due to its high altitude. Summer temperatures are slightly above zero, while winter temperatures can drop below -30°C. The region receives minimal rainfall, around 10 cm annually, as it lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas.

9. How do the people of Ladakh adapt to their environment?

The people of Ladakh have adapted by practicing seasonal agriculture, growing crops like barley and potatoes in summer. In winter, they focus on festivals and ceremonies. They wear woolen clothes for warmth and use yak and goat wool for blankets and clothing. Houses have sloped roofs to handle snow.

10. What attracts tourists to Ladakh?

Ladakh attracts tourists with its breathtaking landscapes, including high mountains, rivers, and glaciers. It is also famous for Buddhist monasteries like Hemis and Thiksey, as well as adventure activities such as trekking, river rafting, and cultural festivals, offering a unique experience in a cold desert environment.

11. Why is Ladakh known as a cold desert?

Ladakh is termed a cold desert because it has arid conditions with very low rainfall (about 10 cm annually), extremely cold winters, and high altitude. It lacks vegetation except for sparse grasses and shrubs, making it similar to deserts in terms of dryness and lack of dense plant life.

12. What types of vegetation grow in Ladakh?

Vegetation in Ladakh is limited due to high aridity and cold climate. Trees like willows and poplars grow in valleys, while fruit trees such as apples, apricots, and walnuts bloom in summer. Grass and shrubs provide grazing for animals in certain areas.

13. What is the significance of the Indus River in Ladakh?

The Indus River is crucial in Ladakh, as it provides water in an otherwise arid region. It forms valleys and supports agriculture and settlements. The river enables some amount of farming and is vital for the region’s ecosystem and livelihood.

14. Explain why there is scanty vegetation in deserts.

Deserts have limited vegetation due to extremely low rainfall and extreme temperatures. Soil in deserts lacks moisture, and plants must withstand intense sunlight, low water availability, and harsh climatic conditions. Only specially adapted plants like cactus and acacia survive here.

15. Why do people in the Sahara desert wear heavy robes?

In the Sahara, people wear long, heavy robes to protect against the intense sun and sandstorms. The loose robes allow airflow, keep the body cool by shielding the skin from direct sunlight, and prevent dehydration in the hot desert climate.

16. What are gompas, and why are they important in Ladakh?

Gompas are Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh that serve as religious and cultural centers. Monasteries like Hemis and Lamayuru host festivals and offer spaces for prayer, meditation, and learning, preserving Ladakh’s spiritual traditions and attracting visitors interested in its unique Buddhist culture.

17. How do oasis settlements benefit people in deserts?

Oasis settlements provide water for drinking and irrigation in desert regions. People grow crops like dates and grains around oases, supporting stable settlements and agricultural activities in otherwise barren areas. Oases enable permanent habitation in harsh desert climates.

18. What is the cultural landscape of the Sahara undergoing change?

The cultural landscape of the Sahara is changing due to oil exploration and modernization. Traditional camel routes have been replaced by superhighways, and modern buildings are constructed alongside ancient structures. Nomadic lifestyles are transforming, with many people moving to cities for employment in the oil industry.

19. Describe the traditional festivals celebrated in Ladakh.

In Ladakh, festivals such as Hemis Festival are celebrated in monasteries with music, dance, and rituals. These festivals, held in summer, provide a cultural gathering for locals and tourists alike, reflecting the deep-rooted Buddhist traditions and offering a colorful glimpse into Ladakhi heritage.

20. Why are resources like water and fuel used sparingly in Ladakh?

Due to the scarcity of resources in Ladakh, people have learned to use water and fuel carefully. These resources are valuable, as water sources are limited and winters are harsh. The people have developed sustainable practices to conserve what they have, using them with respect to avoid wastage.

MCQs: Chapter 7- Life in the Desert

Here are 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers from Chapter 7: Life in the Deserts in NCERT Class 7 Geography, crafted to help with preparation for exams such as NCERT-based tests and UPSC.

MCQs on Life in the Deserts

1. The Sahara desert spans how many countries in Africa?
   a) 5
   b) 8
   c) 11
   d) 13
2. What types of deserts exist in the world?
   a) Sandy and Rocky
   b) Cold and Hot
   c) Mild and Wet
   d) Coastal and Inland
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of desert climates?
   a) Heavy rainfall
   b) High humidity
   c) Low rainfall and extreme temperatures
   d) Dense vegetation
4. What type of desert is the Sahara?
   a) Cold desert
   b) Hot desert
   c) Coastal desert
   d) Rainforest desert
5. What is an Oasis?
   a) A desert animal
   b) A water body found in deserts
   c) A type of cactus
   d) A traditional desert house
6. Which region has the world’s largest desert?
   a) Asia
   b) Australia
   c) North America
   d) Africa
7. The main inhabitants of the Sahara desert are:
   a) Bedouins and Tuaregs
   b) Sherpas and Tibetans
   c) Mongolians and Eskimos
   d) Native Americans
8. Which crop is commonly grown around the Nile Valley in Egypt?
   a) Barley
   b) Wheat
   c) Cotton
   d) Corn
9. The Sahara desert includes not only sand dunes but also:
   a) Dense forests
   b) Elevated plateaus and gravel plains
   c) Large lakes
   d) Ice glaciers
10. Which of the following animals is known for its ability to survive in the Sahara desert?
    a) Camel
    b) Panda
    c) Elephant
    d) Penguin

MCQs on Life in the Ladakh Desert

11. Ladakh is located in which part of the Himalayas?
    a) Western Himalayas
    b) Eastern Himalayas
    c) Great Himalayas
    d) Northern Himalayas
12. Which river is the primary water source in the Ladakh region?
    a) Ganga
    b) Indus
    c) Brahmaputra
    d) Yamuna
13. What type of desert climate does Ladakh experience?
    a) Hot and humid
    b) Cold and arid
    c) Warm and wet
    d) Temperate
14. Which of the following is a famous monastery in Ladakh?
    a) Lamayuru
    b) Golden Temple
    c) Jagannath Temple
    d) Mahabodhi Temple
15. Which tree is commonly found in the valleys of Ladakh?
    a) Willow
    b) Pine
    c) Oak
    d) Redwood
16. Ladakh is also known as:
    a) Land of Sun
    b) Snow Land
    c) Land of Gold
    d) Land of Rain
17. Which endangered species found in Ladakh is known for its wool?
    a) Yak
    b) Chiru (Tibetan Antelope)
    c) Ibex
    d) Snow Leopard
18. The main religions practiced in Ladakh are:
    a) Buddhism and Islam
    b) Hinduism and Christianity
    c) Buddhism and Hinduism
    d) Islam and Christianity
19. What agricultural crops are grown during summer in Ladakh?
    a) Barley, potatoes, and beans
    b) Wheat, rice, and corn
    c) Sugarcane and maize
    d) Cotton and tea
20. The traditional large communal house found in the Amazon Basin is called:
    a) Pagoda
    b) Maloca
    c) Igloo
    d) Tipi

Answers

1. c) 11
2. b) Cold and Hot
3. c) Low rainfall and extreme temperatures
4. b) Hot desert
5. b) A water body found in deserts
6. d) Africa
7. a) Bedouins and Tuaregs
8. c) Cotton
9. b) Elevated plateaus and gravel plains
10. a) Camel
11. c) Great Himalayas
12. b) Indus
13. b) Cold and arid
14. a) Lamayuru
15. a) Willow
16. b) Snow Land
17. b) Chiru (Tibetan Antelope)
18. a) Buddhism and Islam
19. a) Barley, potatoes, and beans
20. b) Maloca

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