ICSE Solutions for Class 7 geography

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Recording of Weather

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

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Discuss

How are dew drops beneficial for plants ?
Answer:
In the early morning dew surrounds the leaves of plant with moisture and plant does not close its stomata.

EXERCISES

A. Answer the following questions in brief

Question 1.
What is relative humidity? How does it differ from absolute humidity ?
Answer:
Relative humidity is the ratio of the actual amount of water vapour present in the air and the total amount the air can hold at a given temperature. It is expressed in percentage.
While absolute humidity is measured in grams per cubic metre.

Question 2.
What does a large difference between the temperatures of a dry bulb thermometer and a wet bulb thermometer of a hygrometer indicate?
Answer:
A large difference between the readings of the two thermometers means low relative humidity and a small difference between them means high relative humidity.

Question 3.
Differentiate between precipitation and condensation. Give one example of each.
Answer:
Condensation – Dew is a form of condensation. Condensation is the process by which water vapour in the air gets converted into tiny droplets of water or ice. Dew formsin winters when the temperature is very low but not below 0°C. Moist air comes in contact with the cold surfaces near the ground. The water vapour in the air changes to water and we see it as dew drops on grass or on plants. Dew drops are beneficial for plants. Precipitation – Precipitation is the falling of atmospheric moisture as a result of condensation. It has many forms such as rainfall, snowfall, and hail.

Question 4.
What are nimbus clouds?
Answer:
Nimbus are real rain clouds-thick, dark and black and spread out in layers. They cause continuous rain or snow.

Question 5.
What is the Beaufort scale?
Answer:
Beaufort scale is the scale that is used to estimate wind speed. The scale is based on the effect of the wind at different speeds.

B. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1.
What is a hygrometer ?
Answer:
The instrument used for measuring relative humidity is called hygrometer. The hygrometer consists of wet and dry bulb thermometer. The dry bulb thermometer is an ordinary thermometer while the wet bulb thermometer is kept wet by a wick that dips into a container of distilled water. The wet bulb thermometer shows the lower temperature than the actual temperature as evaporation from the moist wick has a cooling effect. A larger difference between readings of two thermometers means low relative humidity and small difference means high relative humidity.

Question 2.
Describe the various types of clouds.
Answer:
The four types of clouds are :

(a) Cirrus clouds — These are feathery, fibrous clouds which form at very high levels of 5 to 10 km. They consist of tiny crystals of ice and look like wisps of cotton floating in the sky.
(b) Cumulus clouds — These are cauliflower-shaped clouds that have great vertical height and a flat base; they cause rainfall with lightning and thunder, and are usually white or grey in colour.
(c) Stratus clouds — These are sheet-like clouds that spread out 42 Arundeep’s Self-Help to Voyage-7 over the whole sky. They usually form at low levels, less than 2 km. They are uniformly grey and dull.
(d) Nimbus clouds — These are the real rain clouds – thick, dark and black, and spread out in layers. They cause continuous rain or snow.

Question 3.
What is wind? What precautions must be taken while placing a wind vane?
Answer:
Wind is air in motion. A wind vane indicates the direction of the wind and consists of a rotating arm pivoted on a vertical rod. The arrow of the wind vane always points in the direction from which the wind blows and the wind is named accordingly. For example, if the pointer is pointing to the East, the wind is blowing from East to West and, therefore, this wind is called an easterly wind. Wind vanes are usually placed away from obstacles such as high buildings, trees, etc.

Question 4.
What are isohyets and isotherms ?
Answer:
Isohytes : A weather map, which shows, by the help of lines, the amount of rainfall a place receives. Each of these lines is made by joining points that show the same amount of rainfall received in a given period. These lines are known as isohyets.
Isotherm : On the map, places experiencing the same temperature at a given time are connected with a line. This line is known as an isotherm. Each of these points on the line reflects one temperature reading, or an average of several readings, over a period of time.

Question 5.
What is a weather report ? How is weather forecast made? Why is weather forecast necessary ?
Answer:
When the weather conditions of the previous day are published, it is called a weather report. Weather forecasting is the application of science and technology to predict the state of the atmosphere for a given location. Nowadays it is made with the help of data gathered from weather satellites and radar systems. Forecasts help to plan what to wear, when to travel or which products to stock in super markets. It’s specially important for farmers, builders, sailors or anyone else who works out doors.

C. For a week, gather information on the weather conditions of your city using simple instruments or from weather reports published in newspapers. Present this information in a table. One has been done for you here. My observation of the weather at for a week.

D. This could be a classroom activity. If your school laboratory has an anemometer, use it to record your city’s wind speed for a week. Use the Beaufort Scale to find out the character of wind during these days. Record your observations carefully in your notebook. You could even draw small neat sketches to show the effect of the wind.
Answer:
Do it Yourself

E. From the weather report published in your local newspaper, record the time of sunrise and sunset for a month in your notebook, as shown on the next page : My observation of the time of sunrise and sunset for the month of ______ 20, ______

F. Picture Study

1. Identify the four types of clouds shown in the photographs.
2. Which of these causes heavy rainfall?

Answer:

1.(a) Cirrus clouds
(b) Cumulus clouds
(c) Stratus clouds
(d) Nimbus clouds

2. Nimbus clouds causes heavy rainfalls.

 

 

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Africa: Climate, Natural Vegetation, Wildlife; Minerals

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

THINK AND ANSWER

The northern and southern parts of Africa have opposite seasons at any time of the year. Why ?
Answer:
A large part of Africa lies between the tropics, and, therefore, most of the continent has a warm or hot climate. However, the amount of rainfall and humidity varies from area to area.
Anoteworthy feature ofthe climate of Africa is that the northern and southern parts of the continent have opposite climates at any time ofthe year. In other words, when the northern part experiences summer, the southern part experiences winter.

Discuss

Discuss how the location of Africa has affected the climate ofthe country.
Answer:
Since most of Africa lies within the tropics, the temperatures are high throughout the year. The variations between summer and winter temperatures are only slight.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Africa rainforests are one of the densest forests on earth. A large number of trees grow in a relatively small area because the region receives a lot of rain and sunshine, both importance for the growth of plants. Human being also fourish when they get the right conditions.
Can you enlist a few factors that affect the growth of human beings ?
What factors adversely affect the growth of people in an area ?
Answer:
The factors that affect the growth of human beings are :

1. Proper balanced and nutrionational diet.
2. Proper health and sanitary facilities.
3. Proper temperature.

The factors that adversely affect the growth of people in an area are :

1. Poor or unhealthy diet.
2. Poor sanitation
3. Poor water facilities
4. Lack of awareness.

EXERCISES

A. Write True or False. Correct the false statements.

1. Nights are very hot in the Sahara Desert.
Answer. False.
Nights are very cold in the Sahara Desert.

2. The cold Canaries Current washes the north-west coast of Africa ?
Answer. True.

3. Savannah is another name for the Sudan type of climate.
Answer. True.

4. Temperate grasslands have dry, tall grasses.
Answer. False.
Temperate grasslands have green, short grasses.

5. The Kalahari Desert is located in north Africa.
Answer. False.
The Kalahari Desert is located in south-central Africa.

B. Give geographical reasons.

Question 1.
The equatorial region has dense forests.
Answer:
The equatorial region has dense forests as trees grow in this region to different heights, giving an impression of a three-tier formation. The topmost layer is the emergent layer. The giant trees thrust above the dense layer of trees and have huge mushroom shaped crowns. The trees in this layer receive a lot of sunlight and rain. The second layer is the canopy layer. The broad irregular crown of these trees form a tight, continuous canopy 20-30 m above the ground. The branches are often densely covered with other plants and tied together with vines.
The third layer is the understorey, which receives very little sunlight and is very dark. It has young trees, shrubs, ferns, creepers, and orchids. The forest floor usually has a layer of decomposed leaves, branches, and fruits that have fallen from the trees above. As there is very little sunlight here, the growth of plants is poor. Thus, these forests are very dense and gloomy.

Question 2.
The grasses of the savannah and the veldt are different.
Answer:
Veldts or temperate grasslands are found in South Africa. The vegetation consists of short grasses, less coarse and green than those in the savannahs. On the hill slopes, poplars and willows are common.

Question 3.
Plants in the Sahara are thorny and dry.
Answer:
Plants in the Sahara are thorny and dry as these plants have thorny leaves, thick waxy stems, and long thin roots which penetrate deep for underground water.

Question 4.
Not much wildlife is found in the Mediterranean region ofAfrica.
Answer:
Not much wildlife is found in the Mediterranean as the forests in the Mediterranean region are not extensive and most of the natural vegetation has been cut down, not much wildlife is found in the this region.

C. Answer the following questions in brief.

Question 1.
Most ofAfrica is hot. Why ?
Answer:
A large part of Africa lies between the tropics, and, therefore, most of the continent has a warm or hot climate. However, the amount of rainfall and humidity varies from area to area.

Question 2.
What factors influence the climate of Africa ?
Answer:
The factors that affects the climate of Africa are latitudinal extent, land and sea contrast, ocean currents, and altitude.

Question 3.
Name a cold and a warm current that affect the climate of Africa.
Answer:
The cold Canaries Current washes the north-west coast of Africa, while the cold Benguela Current washes the shores of south-west Africa and has a cooling influence on the adjacent land. Winds blowing over these cold currents become cold and do not pick up moisture.

Question 4.
What are 4 o’clock showers ? In which climatic region of Africa do they occur ?
Answer:
This type of climate is found in the lowlands on either side of the equator in the Congo Basin, the coastal region around the Gulf of Guinea and coastal Kenya. The climate is characterized by a high temperature of 27°C throughout the year and heavy annual rainfall of200-250 cm. Thus, there is high humidity all through the year and there are no clearly marked seasons. There is a daily occurrence of convectional rainfall. This type of rainfall is the result of intense heating of the land surface. During the day, there is a lot of evaporation. By afternoon, when it starts cooling, the water vapour condenses and falls as rain. Since it pours around 4 o’clock every day, it is known as ‘4 o’clock showers’.

Question 5.
Which region is called an open air zoo ? Why ?
Answer:
Savannah or Tropical sub-humid type of region is often referred to as an open air zoo.
The savannah has vast grassy plains with tall, coarse grasses. Many herbivorous animals such as giraffes, elephants, and zebras and carnivorous animals such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards are found here in large numbers and, therefore, this region is referred to as an open air zoo.

D. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs.

Question 1.
Describe the three-tier forest of the equatorial region.
Answer:
The equatorial region has dense forests. Trees grow in this region to different heights, giving an impression of a three-tier formation. The topmost layer is the emergent layer. The giant trees thrust above the dense layer of trees and have huge mushroom shaped crowns. The trees in this layer receive a lot of sunlight and rain. The second layer is the canopy layer. The broad irregular crown of these trees form a tight, continuous canppy 20-30 m above the ground. The branches are often densely covered with other plants and tied together with vines.
The third layer is the understorey, which receives very little sunlight and is very dark. It has young trees, shrubs, ferns, creepers, and orchids. The forest floor usually has a layer of decomposed leaves, branches, and fruits that have fallen from the trees above. As there is very little sunlight here, the growth of plants is poor. Thus, these forests are very dense and gloomy. The hardwood trees are valuable for making good quality furniture as the wood is heavy, but the trees are difficult to exploit as they do not grow in pure stand.

Question 2.
Give examples of herbivorous and carnivorous animals found in the savannah grasslands.
Answer:
Herbivorous animals such as the elephant, deer, giraffe, and zebra and carnivorous animals such as the lion, cheetah, and leopard are found in large numbers.

Question 3.
Identify the hot deserts of Africa and briefly describe the climatic conditions in terms of temperature and rainfall.
Answer:
Summers are hot and winters are cool in the hot desert regions. The daily as well as annual range of temperature is large-due
to the absence of cloud cover and the sandy nature of the soil. There is hardly any rainfall. These climatic conditions are found both in the northern and the southern hemispheres. In north Africa it is mainly experienced in the Sahara Desert and in south-central Africa in the Kalahari Desert.

Question 4.
Why is the camel called ‘the ship of the desert’ ?
Answer:
The camel is called ‘the ship of the desert’ for the following reasons:

1. It carries goods and people across the vast sandy deserts.
2. It stores fat in its hump.
3. Its padded feet prevent it from sinking in the sea of sand.
4. It has double eyelids and long eyelashes to protect its eyes from sand during storms.
5. It can close its nostrils during sandstorms.

Question 5.
Describe the Mediterranean climate.
Answer:
The coastal areas of north-west Africa and a small area in the south-west of South Africa experience the Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot with plentiful sunshine but no rainfall. Winters are mild and wet. Shifting Westerlies bring rain to these regions in their respective winter seasons.

E. In the outline map of Africa give here, mark the features and answer the questions.

Question 1.
Colour dark green the area where equatorial forests are found. What difficulties were faced by the explorers because of rivers and natural vegetation of the region ?
Answer:
The equator passes through the middle of the continent and most of Africa lies within the tropics. It is, therefore, the hottest continent.
People faced many difficulties while exploring Africa. In the north, the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, was impenetrable due to severe heat and dry conditions. Most of Africa consists of undulating plateaus, so it was difficult to reach the interior from the coastal areas. The rivers of Africa have many rapids and waterfalls, and are not fit for navigation. The extensive equatorial forests and swampy lands teeming with dangerous tsetse flies and poisonous insects discouraged explorers from entering the heart of the continent.

Question 2.
Mark the area that is called an ‘open air zoo’. Name thevegetation of this region.
Answer:
These vast grassy plains with tall, coarse grasses are called the savannahs or tropical grasslands. Several varieties of grass, including elephant grass, grow here. Some acacia and baobab trees are found interspersed between the grasses. Please check Map given on Textbook page 126 (Africa : Climatic and vegetation regions)

Question 3.
Mark the Sahara Desert. Name a plant that best survives in the climate of this region. What are the characteristic features of this plant that help it survive ?
Answer:
The trees have long roots, small waxy leaves, and thick spongy bark, which help them survive in the dry summers. Examples include cork, oak, laurel, olive, and fig. Forests are not extensive as most of them have been cut down and replaced by orchards of citrus fruit trees such as oranges, lemons, and grapes.

Question 4.
Mark the area north of the Atlas Mountains where the Mediterranean climate is found. Which crops does this climate support ?
Answer:
The trees have long roots, small waxy leaves, and thick spongy bark, which help them survive in the dry summers. Examples include cork, oak, laurel, olive, and fig. Forests are not extensive as most of them have been cut down and replaced by orchards of citrus fruit trees such as oranges, lemons, and grapes.

F. Picture study

Question 1.
What kind of climate is experienced in the region shown in the picture ?
Answer:
Summers are hot and winters are cool in the hot desert regions. The daily as well as annual range of temperature is large due to the absence of cloud cover and the sandy nature of the soil. There is hardly any rainfall. These climatic conditions are found both in the northern and the southern hemispheres. In north Africa it is mainly experienced in the Sahara Desert and in south-central Africa in the Kalahari Desert.

Question 2.
What kind of vegetation grows in such a climate ?
Answer:
The trees have long roots, small waxy leaves, and thick spongy bark, which help them survive in the dry summers. Examples include cork, oak, laurel, olive, and fig. Forests are not extensive as most of them have been cut down and replaced by orchards of citrus fruit trees such as oranges, lemons, and grapes.

Question 3.
Fill in the blanks : The animal seen in the picture is often referred to as the _____ of the _____
Answer:
Fill in the blanks: The animal seen in the picture is often referred to as the ship of the desert.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Study of Weather

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Many people leave their pets in parked cars. They think they will be gone for a few minutes, or it will be alright to leave a window open. The temperature inside a parked car can rise up to more than 50°C in a matter of few minutes, irrespective of it being a hot or a cloudy day.
What would be the right thing to do if you see a pet locked inside a car on a hot day ?
Answer:
Leaving pets locked in cars is never safe. But when the weather gets warmer, it can be deadly. High temperatures can cause irreparable organ damage and even death. Protecting animals from an unnecessary death is a problem we can all agree to prevent.

EXERCISES

A. Write true or false. Correct the false statements.

1. A rise in temperature causes more condensation while a fall in temperature results in evaporation.
Answer. False.
Correct : Arise in temperature causes more evaporation while a fall in temperature results in condensation.

2. ‘4 o’clock showers’ are caused by cyclonic rainfall.
Answer. False.
Correct : ‘4 o’clock showers’ are caused by convection currents.

3. Heavy rainfall occurs on the leeward or rain shadow side of a highland.
Answer. False.
Correct : Little rainfall occurs on the leeward or rain shadow side of a highland.

4. The direction of wind blowing on the surface of the earth is affected by the Coriolis force.
Answer. True.

5. Cyclones and anticyclones are examples of variable winds.
Answer. True.

B. Fill in the blanks.

1. The temperature of a place depends upon its latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, ocean currents, winds, cloud cover and slope and aspect.
2. Pressure difference causes horizontal movement of air called wind and vertical movement of air called current.
3. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture or water vapour present in the air.
4. Planetary winds are also called permanent or prevailing winds.
5. The amount of cloud cover in the sky is expressed in discs (shaded in different proportions).

C. Answer the following questions in brief.

Question 1.
What are the elements that determine weather and climate?
Answer:
The elements that determine climate are the same as those weather, namely temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, precipitation, wind direction and speed, cloud cover, and sunshine.

Question 2.
Name the factors that determine the temperature at a place.
Answer:
The factors that affect the temperature of a place are latitude, altitude, distance from the sea, ocean currents, winds, cloud cover, and slope and aspect.

Question 3.
How do the following elements influence the weather of a place :

1. temperature
2. pressure?

Answer:

1. Temperature : When the temperature of a place increases, the air gets heated, expands and rises. This leads to a decrease in air pressure in the area. When the temperature falls, the air gets cold, contracts, and descends downwards. This leads to an increase in air pressure. Thus, air pressure decreases with an increase in temperature. This is the reason why areas close to the equator generally have low air pressure.
2. Pressure : Atmospheric pressure is the pressure that the atmopshere exerts on the surface of the earth because of its weight. There is a close relationship between pressure and temperature — high temperature means low pressure and vice versa. Pressure difference causes horizontal movement of air called wind and vertical movement of air called current, which together cause circulation of air in the atmosphere.

Question 4.
Name the various forms of precipitation.
Answer:
Rain, drizzle, snow, sleet, and hail are all different forms of precipitation.

Question 5.
How is cloud cover shown on a weather map? Give examples.
Answer:
The cloud cover in the sky is expressed in eighths of the total sky or oktas, which are shown in weather maps as discs shaded in different proportions.

D. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraph’s.

Question 1.
How is weather different from climate?
Answer:
Weather and climate are closely related terms but have different
meanings. Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions of a small area for a short period of time, usually 24 hours or one day, while climate is the average of the atmospheric conditions of a larger area, over a long period of time, usually 35 years.

Question 2.
What is condensation? Explain these different forms of condensation: fog, mist, and dew.
Answer:
Condensation is the process by which water vapour in the air gets converted into tiny droplets of water or ice. It is the opposite of evaporation. Evaporation takes place when air is dry, but condensation occurs only after air is saturated.
Fog and mist are formed at night, when air cools below its dew point near the earth’s surface. Fog is denser than mist and often dangerous because it reduces visibility. Dew forms in winter when the temperature is very low, but not below 0°C.

Question 3.
What do you understand by the term ‘4 o’clock showers’?
Answer:
In regions closer to the equator, the rate of evaporation is very high. Air gets heated because of the high temperature and starts rising in the form of convection currents. As it rises, it expands and cools. The cooling causes condensation, which results in heavy downpours. This rain is accompanied by thunder and lightning and since it mostly occurs around 4 p.m., it is often called the 4 o’ clock showers’.

Question 4.
What are planetary winds? Give a brief description of the Westerlies in the northern hemisphere.
Answer:
Planetary winds are also called permanent or prevailing winds as they blow the year round in the same areas. Westerlies blow in the middle latitudes between 30° and 60° latitude, and originate from the high pressure area in the horse latitudes towards the poles. Under the effect of the coriolis force, they become the South Westerlies in the north hemisphere and Northern Westerlies in the southern hemisphere.

Question 5.
What are local winds? Give a few examples.
Answer:
Local Winds blow for a short period of time over a very small area. Some local winds like Loo, Simoom, Chinook, and are warm winds. Others such as the Bora, Mistral, Buran, and Pampero are cold winds.

E. With the help of your atlas,encylopaedias, and the Internet, find out about the climate of these places.

1. Mumbai
2. Delhi
3. Kolkata
4. London
5. New York
6. Sydney

F. In your notebook, draw neat, labelled, coloured sketches of the three different types of rainfall. Alongside each diagram, briefly describe in your own words, how each type of rainfall occurs.
Answer:

(a) Convectional Rainfall : In regions closer to the equator, the rate of evaporation is very high. Air gets heated because of the high temperature and starts rising in the form of convection currents. As it rises, it expands and cools. The cooling causes condensation, which results in heavy downpours. This rain is accompanied by thunder and lightning and since it mostly occurs around 4 p.m., it is often called the 4 o’clock showers’.

(b) Relief or Orographic Rainfall : Sometimes moisture-bearing winds are forced to rise because of the presence of a physical

expands and cools, and the moisture in it condenses to form clouds. These clouds bring rainfall.

G. Picture study

Question 1.
The diagram alongside illustrates one of the factors that affect temperature. What is it ?

Answer:
Aspect refers to the direction of a slope with respect to the sun’s rays. In the northern hemisphere, all the south-facing slope receive the direct rays of the sun and are, therefore, warmer, while the north-facing slopes are cooler. In the southern hemisphere, all the north-facing slopes receive more sunlight than the south-facing slopes.

Question 2.
Which side of the mountain is likely to have houses and be covered with trees ?
Answer:
Side B.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Africa: Location, Area, Political & Physical Features

ICSE SolutionsSelina ICSE SolutionsML Aggarwal Solutions

APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

THINK AND ANSWER

Why did Africa remain unexplored for a long time ?
Answer:
The equator passes through the middle of the continent and most of Africa lies within the tropics. It is, therefore, the hottest continent.
People faced many difficulties while exploring Africa. In the north, the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, was impenetrable due to severe heat and dry conditions. Most of Africa consists of undulating plateaus, so it was difficult to reach the interior from the coastal areas. The rivers of Africa have many rapids and waterfalls, and are not fit for navigation. The extensive equatorial forests and swampy lands teeming with dangerous tsetse flies and poisonous insects discouraged explorers from entering the heart of the continent.

Discuss

Deforestation rate in Africa is twice the average for the rest of the world with more than four million hectares of primary forest disappearing every year. What could be the reasons for this.
Answer:
The reasons would be :

1. Conversion of forests for subsistenance and commercial agriculture.
2. Deforestation done because of commercial logging
3. Other activities such as cattle rattling, cash crop plantations, and the construction of dams, roads and mines.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

The Sahara Desert forms a large part of Africa. This desert extends from the Atlantic in the west to the Red Sea in the east.
Suppose you were going to the Sahara Desert. List the things you would take with you.
What kind of problems are you likely to face ?
How would you cope with them ?
Answer:
The things one should carry and the problems we can face are discussed below :
1. Preparing for Desert Emergencies —
(a) Wear clothing that minimizes sweat loss : Most of your body’s water loss happens through perspiration. Cover as much skin as possible with loose, light-weight clothing. This will trap the sweat against your skin, slowing evaporation and therefore water loss.
(b) Bring lots of extra water : Whenever you enter a desert, bring more water than you expect. While walking in sunshine and 40°C (104°F) heat, the average person loses 900 mL (30 oz) of sweat every hour. In an emergency situation, you’ll be thankful for any water you carried.

1. Divide the water you’ re carrying among several containers. This minimizes the amount of water you can lose to one leak.
2. Store the excess in a cool spot in your vehicle, away from direct sunlight.

(c) Bring food that packs the most nutrition in the least size and weight: Energy bars, pemmican, jerky, and trail mix are popular choices. Do your research, experiment beforehand, and be prepared. When wheeled vehicles break down, it’s just your two legs and the path to the next town, and you don’t want to be carrying anything nonessential.
(d) Pack survival equipment: Here are the bare essentials for a survival kit:

1. Sturdy emergency blankets
2. Cords or rope
3. Water purification tablets
4. First aid kit
5. Fire starters
6. Powerful flashlight or headlamp. LEDs last longest.
7. Knife
8. Compass
9. Signal mirror
10. Goggles and a dust mask or bandana (for dust storms)

2. Survival Tactics :
(a) Become nocturnal: In a desert survival situation, you do not want to be moving around during the day. The cooler night air enables you to travel farther and faster with minimum danger of heat exhaustion. In hot climates, this single decision will save your body about three liters (three quarts) of water per day.
(b) Stay in a shelter during the day: If you don’t have a shaded car to stay in, string cords between a pair of objects in a place that gets shade most of the day. Drape a sturdy emergency blanket over the cords. Place a few pieces of brush on top of the blanket, then cover it with another emergency blanket (this one can be a thin Mylar sheet). The gap of air between the two blankets insulates the shelter, keeping it cooler.
(c) Signal for help : Building a fire is a great way to make a signal, creating smoke during the day and light at night. While in transit, keep a signal mirror in reach to reflect light at passing aircraft or distant cars.
(d) Decide whether to stay in place : If you have a supply of water and someone knows where you are, staying in one place may be your best chance of rescue. Traveling to find help will exhaust you much faster than staying in place, and water loss will cut your survival time way down if you can’t find another supply. That said, if your water supplies are low, you will need to look for more. You cannot expect to survive more than a couple of days if you run out of water.
(e) Find water sources : If there’s been a rainstorm recently, you may find pockets of water in rock outcrops or flat stone surfaces. More often, you’ll need to search for areas with possible groundwater:

1. Follow animal tracks leading downhill, birds circling around something, or even flying insects.
2. Walk to the greenest vegetation you can see, especially large plants with wide leaves.

3. Recognizing Dangers
(a) Watch out for signs of dehydration : Many people make their journey much harder by underestimating their water needs. Trying to ration your supply is a mistake that can cost your life. If you notice any of the following symptoms, drink more water:

1. Urine with a dark color or a noticeable smell.
2. Dry skin
3. Dizziness
4. Fainting

(b) Rest if you experience heat exhaustion : If you feel lightheaded or nauseous, or if your skin feels cool and clammy, seek shade immediately. Rest and treat yourself as follows:

1. Remove or loosen your clothing
2. Sip a sports drink or slightly salty water (about 5 mL salt per liter water /1 tsp per quart).
3. Apply wet cloth on your skin to aid cooling evaporation.

(c) Stay away from dangerous animals : Most mammals and reptiles will stay away from you, especially if they are alone. Follow the same practice and be aware of your surroundings to avoid accidentally cornering something.

EXERCISES

A. Choose the correct answer :

1. The strait that separates Europe from Africa is the

1. Palk Srait
2. Bering Strait
3. Strait of Gibraltar
4. trait of Magellan

2. A large portion of Africa lies in the

1. desert
2. tropics
3. temperate region
4. marshy land

3. The area in a desert where water can be found is called a/an

1. pond
2. well
3. depression
4. oasis

4. The Sudd is a

1. lake
2. swamp
3. gulf
4. cape

5. The largest lake in Africa is

1. Lake Chad
2. Lake Tana
3. Lake Victoria
4. Lake Tanganyika

B. Identify who I am

1. i am a country through which the Tropic of Capricorn passes: Namibia.
2. I am the southernmost tip of Africa: Cape of Good Hope.
3. I am a snow-capped mountain near the equator: Mt. Kilimanjaro.
4. I am the longest river of Africa: Nile.
5. I am a river that flows into Lake Chad: The Chari.
6. I am a lake that does not lie in the Great Rift Valley of Africa: Lake Victoria.
7. I am a river that flows through the Namib Desert: Okavango

C. Match the following:

Answer:

D. Give geographical reasons

Question 1.
People faced many difficulties while exploring Africa.
Answer:
It was difficult to explore Africa because of deserts like Sahara which have severe heat and dry conditions, the undulating plateaux, non-navigable rivers, extensive equatorial forests, swampy lands and poisonous insects.

Question 2.
The rivers of Africa are not very suitable for navigation in their lower course.
Answer:
The rivers have many rapids and waterfalls making them unfit for navigation.

Question 3.
The river Nile flows through a desert and yet has water throughout the year.
Answer:
River Nile has water throughout the year because its source is Lake Victoria which lies in the rainy equatorial region.

E. Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
Give the latitudinal extent of Africa and explain why it is mostly a tropical continent.
Answer:
Latitudinal extent of Africa is 37°N to 35°S. Africa is known as mostly tropical continent because a large portion of Africa lies in the Tropics, the Tropic of cancer (23 1/2° N) in the North and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 1/2° S) in the South.

Question 2.
Name three great explorers connected with the African continent.
Answer:
David Livingstone, who discovered Victoria Falls in 1855. Mungo Park followed the course of the river Niger. Henry Morton Stanley traced the course of the river Congo from Lake Tanganyika to its mouth.

Question 3.
Name the major mountain ranges of Africa.
Answer:
The Atlas Mountains lie in north-western Africa. They are young fold mountains consisting of three parallel ranges—the Tell Atlas in the north, the High Atlas in the middle, and the Sahara Atlas in the south. The highest peak in the Atlas Mountains is Mt Toublkal, which remains snow-capped most of the year.

Question 4.
Name the lakes found in the Great Rift Valley.
Answer:
The lakes found in the Great Rift Valley are Lake Malawi, Lake Mobutu, Lake Edward and Lake Turkana.

Question 5.
How much time does it take the cocoa tree to yield cocoa pods ?
Answer:
An evergreen tropical plant, the cocoa tree grows to a height of 4 to 9 m. It begins to yield cocoa pods after about 5-7 years. Cocoa pods grow on the trunk and main branches. Each pod is about 18-25 cm long and contains pulp with beans.

F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1.
Elaborate on the achievements of the great explorers in opening up the continent of Africa.
Answer:
Explorers like David Livingstone discovered Victoria Falls. Mungo Park discovered the course of river Niger. Henry Morton Stanley traced the source of river Congo from Lake Tanganyika to its mouth.

Question 2.
Name the major physical divisions of Africa. Describe any one.
Answer:
Africa can be divided into the following physical divisions: the Atlas Mountains, the low central plateau, the high plateau of the south, the Great Rift Valley, the Nile and Congo-Zaire Basins, and the coastal plains.

1. The Atlas Mountains lie in north-western Africa. They are young fold mountains.
2. There are three parallel ranges – the Tell Atlas in the north, the High Atlas in the middle, and the Sahara Atlas in the south. The highest peak in the Atlas Mountains is Mt Toubkal, which remains snow-capped most of the year.
3. The low central plateau extends from the Atlantic Coast in the west to the Nile Valley in the east. The Sahara Desert forms a part of this plateau. This desert extends from the Atlantic in the west to the Red Sea in the east, and covers an area of 8.6 million sq.km.
4. The Great Rift Valley of Africa is a special physical feature of the southern plateau. It is a long narrow valley formed as a
   result of vertical cracks that developed because of the movements within the earth. It extends for a total distance of 5,000 km from Lake Malawi to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to the Dead Sea in Jordan.

Question 3.
Describe the three important deserts found in Africa.
Answer:
The three important deserts are Sahara, The Namib, The Kalahari.
Sahara is part of the low Central Plateau. It is the largest desert in the world covering the area of 8.6 million square km.
The Namib, desert runs along the Western Coast in South-West Africa.
Kalahari desert lies in the Southern part of Africa forming part of High Plateau of South Africa.

Question 4.
What is a rift valley? How is it formed?
Answer:
The Great Rift Valley is a long narrow valley formed as a result of vertical cracks that developed because of movements within the earth. It extends for a total distance of5,000 km from Lake Malawi to Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to Dead Sea in Jordan. Many freshwater lakes, such as Malawi, Tanganyika, and Turkana are found here.

Question 5.
Give an account of the major lakes of Africa.
Answer:
Lake Victoria is the largest lake of Africa. The river Chari flows into Lake Chad. Lake Tanganyika is one of the longest freshwater lake in the world. Other large lakes in Great Rift Valley are Malawi, Mobutu, Edward and Turkana.

G. Map work:
On a blank outline map of Africa, mark the following:

1. The Cape of Good Hope
2. The Drakensberg Mountains
3. The Victoria Falls
4. The Atlas Mountains
5. The Nile River
6. The Libyan Desert
7. The Suez Canal

Answer:

H. Picture Study

This is a photograph of Victoria Falls.
Question 1.
Name the explorer who discovered it.
Answer:
David Livingstone discovered Victoria Falls in 1855.

Question 2.
On which river is this fall located ?
Answer:
Victoria Fall is located on Zambezi River.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

On a blank outline map of Africa

(a) Mark with brown lines the Atlas and the Drakensberg Mountains.
(b) Shade with yellow and label the Sahara Desert and the Kalahari Desert.
(c) Shade with light brown the plateau region of Africa, the Ethiopian and Adamawa Highlands.
(d) Colour with blue and label neatly all the surrounding water bodies, oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, and straits.

Answer:
Do it Yourself.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

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DISCUSS

Collect rainfall data from the website of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) for Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata and discuss how rainfall patterns have changed in the last 5 years.
Answer:

Mumbai receives maximum rainfall in 2016 and minimum rainfall in 2012.
Chennai receives maximum rainfall in 2013 and minimum rainfall in 2012.
Delhi receives maximum rainfall in 2013 and minimum rainfall in 2014.
Kolkata receives maximum rainfall in 2013 and minimum rainfall in 2014.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS :

We need to understand that global warming, climate change, acid rain and ozone depletion are all happening because of our dependence on fossil fuels and CFC-based technologies. Therefore, the need of the hour is to reduce
our dependence on them.
What can you do in this regard ?
Answer:
The ways to reduce our dependency on them are :

1. By using materials such as bamboo, recycled metal and organic paints in construction of buildings.
2. By using solar energy to heat and light homes and offices.
3. By using clean fuel like CNG and unleaded petrol to run vehicles.
4. By making changes in everyday practices such as
   (a) choosing to travel in public vehicles, biking, walking or using a car pool.
   (b) buying energy efficient household appliances.
   (c) replacing light bulbs with CFL bulbs.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks.

1. Carbon dioxide and methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour and CFCs are examples of greenhouse gases.
2. Global Warming is a major cause of climate change.
3. The increase in earth’s temperature is called global warming.
4. The layer of atmosphere where ozone is found is called stratosphere.
5. The ozone layer protects us from the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

B. Write True or False.

1. Aeroplanes flying in the sky cause global warming.
Answer. True.

2. Forest fires do not cause global warming.
Answer. False.
Correct : Forest fires do cause global warming.

3. Ozone is found in the troposphere.
Answer. False.
Correct : Ozone is found in the stratosphere.

4. The ozone layer is harmful for humans and animals.
Answer. False.
Correct : The ozone layer is not harmful for humans and animals.

5. CFCs and BFCs protect the ozone layer.
Answer. False.
Correct : CFCs and BFCs deplete the ozone layer.

C. Choose the correct option.

Question 1.
Oxygen/Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
Answer:
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.

Question 2.
Use of fossil fuels/hydroelectricity causes global warming.
Answer:
Use of fossil fuels causes global warming.

Question 3.
Cattle release methane / CFCs.
Answer:
Cattle release methane.

Question 4.
Global warming will reduce/increase climate change.
Answer:
Global warming will increase climate change.

Question 5.
The ozone layer is found between 20 and 40/40 and 60 km above the earth’s surface.
Answer:
The ozone layer is found between 20 and 40 and above the earth’s surface.

D. Match the following

Answer:

E. Answer the following questions in brief 

Question 1.
Why do we call carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas?
Answer:
Carbon dioxide is called greenhouse gas because it absorbs
Infrared radiations. A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range.

Question 2.
Name two more greenhouse gases.
Answer:
Methane and water vapour are other greenhouse gases.

Question 3.
How will countries like Bangladesh and Thailand be affected by global warming?
Answer:
Climate change will cause melting of polar ice caps with huge chunks of icebergs several kilometres across breaking off from the mainland. This is already taking place around the Arctic and in Antarctica. The result will be an increase in the volume of ocean waters. Countries like Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia and the Southeastern parts of USA like the States of Florida and Louisiana would be swamped by flood water along its shores.

Question 4.
What is responsible for causing a hole in the ozone layer?
Answer:
The release of large amount of CFCs or chlorofluorocarbons and BFCs or bromofluorocarbons by industries are responsible for the formation of holes in the ozone layer.

Question 5.
Name some diseases that are caused due to exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Answer:
Exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn, cataract, hair loss, skin cancer and birth deformities.

F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs 

Question 1.
How is the greenhouse effect created?
Answer:
The ‘greenhouse effect’ takes place when the ‘sun’s rays heat the earth. This heat is absorbed by the surface of the earth and some of it is radiated back into the atmosphere. However, a part of this heat is trapped in the atmosphere by gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane while the rest escapes into space. These gases let in light from the sun but prevent the heat from escaping like the glass walls of a greenhouse. They also act like a mirror and reflect back to the earth some of the trapped heat energy. The more greenhouse gases (GHGs) are present in the atmosphere, the more heat is trapped, subsequently making the earth warmer.

Question 2.
State three causes that have led to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Answer:
The causes that have led to the increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) are:

1. Increase in industries
2. Increase in deforestation
3. Increase in atmospheric pollution due to emissions from chimneys of factories
4. Increase in natural disasters like floods, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes that release large amounts of smoke, dust and gases into the atmosphere
5. Increase in the methane content of the atmosphere because of large-scale cattle rearing, since cattle release methane
6. Expansion of cies and towns

Question 3.
What do you understand by the term ‘global warming’?
Answer:
The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap a part of the heat radiated back by the earth, increasing its temperature. The increase in the earth’s temperature is called global warming.

Question 4.
State some anthropogenic (man-made) causes of global warming.
Answer:
Man-made causes of global warming ‘include burning of fossil fuels, cutting of forests, using refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosols, factories belching smoke, increase in methane content of the atmosphere because of large-scale cattle rearing, expansion of cities and towns.

Question 5.
Global warming does not augur well for our planet earth. State at least three reasons to support this statement.
Answer:
Global warming is not good for our planet as

(a) It will worsen climate changes leading to food shortages.
(b) Many forms of wildlife are now’ at risk and since climate change and deforestation are causing disappearance of their habitat.
(c) Climate change will cause melting of polar caps resulting in the increase in the volume of ocean waters.

G. Picture study.

Question 1.
Which region of the world is seen in the picture?
Answer:
Antarctica and Arctic Poles.

Question 2.
How is it going to be affected by global warming?
Answer:
Global warming causes melting of polar ice-caps with huge chunks of icebergs several kilometres across breaking off from the mainland resulting in increase in volume of ocean waters. The increase in the volume of ocean waters will result in rising of sea levels. Countries like Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia and the Southeastern parts of USA like the States of Florida and Louisiana would be swamped by flood water along their shores.

LETS DO SOMETHING

Question 1.
Imagine that you are an active member of the Greenpeace. Write a two-page appeal addressed to the Prime Minister of India stating why you think that increasing number of vehicles on roads will be disastrous to the nation in the long run.
Answer:
August 25, 2017,
Mr. Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India
Dear Prime Minister Modi,

It is with great optimism and hope that we are following news about the meeting you will have with U.S. President Trump, at this critical time in our planet’s future. 2017 is the year for making decisive commitments towards tackling climate change together. As the elected leader of the world’s largest democracy, and a country with much to lose from run away climate change, the hopes of 1.3 billion Indian citizens rest on you. Along with them, and the millions of people worldwide who will inevitably be affected by decisions made this year, we hope you will successfully push the United States, and the developed world, towards an ambitious and equitable global agreement to rein in climate change.

We congratulate you on setting new and ambitious renewable energy targets, and urge a focus on decentralized renewable energy as the fastest, most cost-effective way to tackle India’s energy poverty challenge. At the same time, we believe that continued growth in coal power is not in the interests of common Indians as it imposes a significantly higher cost on people’s health, livelihood of communities and the environment, and will prove far more expensive than renewable energy. We hope you will secure much-needed support from global partners, civil society and investors – including the United States administration – to realize these renewable energy goals.

Being the member of the Greenpeace, I would like to bring in your kind notice that I found that the number of vehicles has increased considerably in India in the past five years, which is one of the sources of pollution. In the recently released World Health Organization (WHO) report on pollution, the situation of the city is not so encouraging in terms of pollution in the air.
Due to increase in number of vehicles over the years, the city roads witness frequent traffic congestions, but above all, the vehicles emitting pollutants are affecting environment badly. The recently-released WHO report shows that India has 2.5 microns of diameter (PM2.5) concentration of 68 micrograms particulate matter per meter cube. However, the WHO guideline values for particulate matter is 10 microgram per meter cube for PM2.5.

“The air pollution consists of many pollutants, among other particulate matter. These particles are able to penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract and therefore constitute a risk for health by increasing mortality from respiratory infections and diseases, lung cancer, and selected cardiovascular diseases,” says the WHO report.

New patients with respiratory problems are constantly being reported in hospitals. Recently, the many big cities are witnessing a flow of traffic on city roads consisting high end cars too. Moreover, as far as public transport is concerned, the government-owned low floor buses could be seen plying on the road emitting black smoke causing problems for pedestrians, bikers and other roadside vendors. Mr. Avinash Chowdhry senior member of Greenpeace took out a rally of school children at Statue

Circle (Mumbai) on the eve of World Environment Day said, “Men’s health is determined by his environment. He is greatest enemy of his own health. Environmental pollution is one of the reasons of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes.”
Collaboration between the government and civil society is essential to secure a bright future for India and the planet. Greenpeace looks forward to working with the Indian government on our common objective of ensuring clean, affordable renewable energy for all.

Sincerely,
VeenuGopal,
Interim Executive Director, Greenpeace

Question 2.
Make a collage using pictures or a chart to show the various causes and consequences of global warming.
Answer:
You can take idea from the picture given below and can make a collage of your own.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Europe: Climate, Natural Vegetation, Wildlife; Forest, Minerals & Power Resources

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THINK AND ANSWER

Why is London at 51°N not so cold in winter as New York at 41°N ?
Answer:
Ans. In the winter, London is wanned by prevailing winds from the south west, warmed by warm water from the Caribbean by the gulf stream, whilst new york has a more continental winter.

Discuss

Discuss the importance of ocean currents and winds for the climate of Europe.
Answer:
Ocean currents : The warm North Atlantic Drift helps to keep parts of western Europe warm. The ports here are open for trade even in winter.
Winds : The South-Westerlies that blow across the North Atlantic Ocean towards Europe are warmed as they pass over the North Atlantic Drift. These warm winds from sea to land pick up moisture and cause rainfall, which decreases eastwards. They also help to raise the winter temperatures of coastal and central European countries.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Several factors affect the climate of a place. Similarly, several factors affect the personality and nature of human beings.
Can you name a few factors that affect the nature and personality of people ?
Do you think people can remain unaffected by their surroundings ?
Answer:
(a) The factors that affect the nature and personality of people are:

1. Environment
2. Heredity
3. Culture
4. Particular experiences

(b) No, people remain affected by their surroundings.
People change their personality and nature according to their surroundings.

EXERCISES

A. Write true or false. Correct the false statements.

1. Eastern Europe receives rainfall throughout the year.
Answer. False.
Western Europe receives rainfall throughout the year.

2. Softwood trees such as pine, fir, and spruce are found in the taiga belt.
Answer. True.

3. Mixed forests consist of grass, moss, softwood trees, hardwood trees, and thorny vegetation.
Answer. False.

4. Only mosses, lichens, and small colourful flowers grow in the steppes of Eurasia.
Answer. False.
Only mosses, lichens, and small colourful flowers grow Tundra Vegetation.

5. Wild cats and large fur-bearing animals are not found anywhere in Europe.
Answer. False.
Wild cats and large fur-bearing animals are found in Tundra region.

B. A list of names of wildlife and vegetation species has been provided. Write them in the appropriate columns
given below.
pine, oak, lynx, lichen, myrtle, olive, squirrel, seal, moss, spruce, beech, laurel, penguin, short grass

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer.

1. An ocean current that keeps the coasts of northern Europe frost-free in winter:

1. Labrador Current
2. Canary Current
3. North Atlantic Drift
4. North Pacific Drift

2. A major part of Europe has moderate climate because it is located in :

1. the torrid zone
2. the temperate zone
3. the frigid zone
4. none of these

3. Onshore winds that bring rainfall in winter to the countries around the Mediterranean Sea :

1. the North-Westerlies
2. the South-Westerlies
3. the North Polar Easterlies
4. the North-East Trade Winds

4. A region of extensive evergreen trees, with needle-like leaves and home to small fur-bearing animals :

1. tundra
2. Steppes
3. Taiga
4. Desert

5. A region well-known for olives, oleander, and orange trees:

1. western Europe
2. northern Europe
3. eastern Europe
4. southern Europe

D. Answer the following questions in brief.

Question 1.
How does the climate of Europe change from :

(a) east to west
(b) north to south

Answer:

(a) east to west — Winters and summers are more severe in the east than in the west. The annual rainfall is highest in the west and decreases steadily eastwards.
(b) north to south — North European countries experience longer, colder winters and shorter, cooler summers than south European countries.

Question 2.
List the factors that affect the climate of Europe.
Answer:
Factors Affecting the Climate of Europe :
Latitude — Most of Europe lies within the temperate latitudes, which are neither too hot nor too cold. Only a small part of the continent lies north of the Arctic Circle in the frigid zone.
Nearness to Water Bodies — Except for eastern Europe, all other parts of Europe are close to the sea. There are oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, straits, and even lakes which have a moderating effect on the climate.
Relief Features — The east-west arrangement of most highlands, especially the Alps, allows the rain-bearing winds to enter places in the interior and cause rainfall there.
Ocean Currents — The warm North Atlantic Drift helps to keep parts of western Europe warm. The ports here are open for trade even in winter.
Winds — The South-Westerlies that blow across the North Atlantic Ocean towards Europe are warmed as they pass over the North Atlantic Drift. These warm winds from sea to land pick up moisture and cause rainfall, which decreases eastwards. They also help to raise the winter temperatures of coastal and central European countries.

Question 3.
How is the vegetation of the Mediaterranean region able to withstand the summer drought conditions ?
Answer:
Mediterranean Vegetaion: The vegetation which consists mainly of trees with thick spongy barks and leaves, and long roots as well as shrubs and bushes with small, waxy leaves and thorns. The long roots, small waxy leaves, and thick spongy bark help the trees survive in dry summers.

Question 4.
What changes have human beings brought about in the temperate grasslands of Europe ?
Answer:
As large parts of the forest of this region was cutted down and now used for the cultivation of wheat and other cereals. As land development drives animal away from populated areas and changes the condition of environment.

Question 5.
Name a few minerals found in large quantities in Europe.
Answer:
Europe has fairly large deposits of iron ore, coal, petroleum, natural gas, bauxite, zinc, copper, lead, nickel, and manganese.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs.

Question 1.
Explain how relief features, winds, and ocean currents affect the climate of Europe.
Answer:
The following factors affect the climate of europe:
Latitude — Most of Europe lies within the temperate latitudes, which are neither too hot nor too cold. Only a small part of the continent lies north of the Arctic Circle in the frigid zone.
Nearness to Water Bodies — Except for eastern Europe, all other parts of Europe are close to the sea. There are oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, straits, and even lakes which have a moderating effect on the climate.
Relief Features — The east-west arrangement of most highlands, especially the Alps, allows the rain-bearing winds to enter places in the interior and cause rainfall there.
Ocean Currents —The warm North Atlantic Drift helps to keep parts of western Europe warm. The ports here are open for trade even in winter.
Winds — The South-Westerlies that blow across the North Atlantic Ocean towards Europe are warmed as they pass over the North Atlantic Drift. These warm winds from sea to land pick up moisture and cause rainfall, which decreases eastwards. They also help to raise the winter temperatures of coastal and central European countries.

Question 2.
What is the difference between maritime and continental climates ?
Answer:
Continental climate :
As the name suggests, this climate is experienced in the eastern parts of Finland, Poland, Russia, the Baltic states, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Great variations in summer and winter temperatures and low amount of summer rainfall are features of this type of climate. Thus, it is also called the continental climate.
Mediterranean Climate :
As the name indicate, this climate is mainly experienced in the regions bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Since these regions are near the sea, they have warm summers and cool winters, with rainfall through – out the year.

Question 3.
With the help of two examples from Europe, show how the vegetation of Europe is closely related to climate.
Answer:
Though a small continent, Europe has a great variation of climate. The main types of climates are Arctic and Sub-Arctic, west European or maritime, central European, east European, desert, and Mediterranean climates.
The main vegetation types of Europe include tundra vegetation, taiga or coniferous vegetation, mixed vegetation, temperate grasslands or the steppes, and Mediterranean vegetation.

Question 4.
What do the terms ‘tundra’, ‘taiga’, and ‘steppes’ refer to ? Explain each of the terms and state where each is found.
Answer:
Tundra : A vast, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia and North America in which the sub soil is permanently frozen.
Taiga : Taiga is the largest terrestrail biome on earth: It extends in a broad band across Europe, North America and Asia to the Southern border of the arctic tundra.
Steppes : A large area of flat unforested grassland in South¬East Europe or Siberia.

Question 5.
How has the wildlife of the tundra adapted to the climate?
Answer:
The wildlife of tundra specially reindeer has wonderfully adopted to the extreme cold. Its thick hair protects it from the cold. Its long, flat hoofs are suited for walking over snow and for digging in the snow to look for buried vegetation.

Question 6.
Why has the area under forest in Europe dropped from 80 per cent to 30 per cent in recent years ?
Answer:
The area under forest in Europe dropped from 80 per cent to 30 per cent in recent years because of cutting down of trees to make and available for cultivation and industries as the continent has high population density. Today there are only three main forested areas—the Scandinavian mountain region, the Alpine mountain region, and the taiga region of Russia. A few mixed forests and Mediterranean forests are also found in southern Europe.

F. Map work.
On the blank outline map of europe do as directed.

1. Use different colours to show the various climatic regions of Europe.
2. Mark the areas that have (i) Steppes and (ii) Mediterranean forests.

Answer:

1. See map on page 104 (Europe: Climate) of your textbook.
2. See page 106 (Europe : Vegetation) of your textbook.

G Picture study.

Question 1.
In which vegetation belt is this bird mostly found?
Answer:
Temperate Grasslands

Question 2.
Name two other animals from this vegetation belt.
Answer:
Roe dear and the saiga antelope.

Let’s Do Something

Collect pictures and information on the natural vegetation and wildlife of Europe from encyclopaedias and the Internet, and make a scrapbook.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Composition and Structure Of The Atmosphere

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Discuss

Question
Discuss the importance of the different layers of the atmosphere ?
Answer:
The earth is the only planet in the universe that has life. One of the reasons why life exists on this planet is an encompassing blanket of gases called the atmosphere. It is like a blanket of air that protects the earth from the harmful rays of the sun. It also controls the temperature and, most important of all, it contains oxygen, which is essential for every form of life. This almost invisible blanket is kept intact around the planet by another invisible entity called gravity.

THINK AND ANSWER

Question
What would happen to the earth if the atmosphere disappeared ?
Answer:
If you would like to see what the earth would look like, take a look at the moon, with all its craters. Another thing that would happen if the earth had no atmosphere is the oceans would boil away, leaving no water here on earth because there is not atmosphere to help complete the water cycle.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Question
We often leave the lights switched on and fans running when we are not in the room. We switch on the air-conditioning even though we don’t really need it. We insist on being dropped to school in the car every day. Thus, we waste valuable energy which is generally produced by burning coal and petroleum. As you know, the burning of these fuels release gases that pollute the atmosphere.
Make a list of the similar things that we do without realizing that we are destroying the environment. Think of the ways that we can behave differently.
Answer:
The list of the similar things that we do without realizing that we are destroying our environment and the ways that we can behave differently and save are :

1. Leaving The Lights On :
   You’ve probably heard this a million times before but turning the light off when you leave the room, even if you’re only going for a few minutes, really does make a difference to the environment, since it saves a finite source of energy that can’t be replaced.
2. Boiling The Kettle :
   Many people guess the amount of water they need when they boil the kettle, and they end up boiling too much. Boiling a kettle actually uses a lot of power- enough to light a whole household- which also costs the householder money. There are energy efficient kettles available that can help to reduce energy usage, and kettles that measure how much water is needed for a single mug or a pot of tea.
3. Eating Farmed Meat :
   Maybe you’re not ready to take a step in the veggie or vegan direction, but if you’re eating farmed meat, you’re supporting an incredibly environmentally damaging industry. Many acres of rainforest are cleared to grow soy crops and grains to feed cattle, and overgrazing of cattle is a major reason for global soil depletion and source of climate pollution.
4. Commuting :
   Whether you’re flying away on business trips or commuting to work on a daily basis, the way we travel is one of the biggest environmental polluters in our lives. You may not be able to
   give up these habits, but taking steps to reduce them will impact the environment, local pollution levels, and your health.
5. Wasting Paper :
   We live in a world of mass paper usage, where recycling can easily ease an otherwise guilty conscience and prompt even the most devoted re-users to waste paper. We may all be guilty of throwing away pieces of paper that could otherwise be reused at least once, if only for note-taking purposes and to-do lists, but it’s easy to forget that recycling still uses energy, which can be reduced if you decide to reuse.
6. Leaving The Tap Running :
   Whether you’re washing the dishes or brushing your teeth, leaving the tap running while you do so wastes a vast amount of water. It may seem like a small water saving, but soaking dishes before washing them and turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth really does reduce the amount of water you use.
7. Using Plastic Bags :
   It’s hard to make the connection between the single plastic bag you get at the grocery store once a week, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. However, there is a strong likelihood that the plastic bags you bring home end will end up in the ocean, or worse. Consider buy a cloth bag instead and make a habit of keeping it in your pocket or bag.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks.

1. 78% per cent of the atmosphere is made of nitrogen.
2. Along with carbon dioxide and methane, water vapour is a potent greenhouse gas.
3. The rate at which the temperature drops in the troposphere is 1°C per 165 metres.
4. The thermosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that help in radio transmission.
5. The upper part of the thermosphere is called the ionosphere.

B. Match the following.

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer.

1. This per cent of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen.

1. 99
2. 78
3. 21
4. 76

2. 21 per cent of the atmosphere is composed of

1. Helium
2. Oxygen
3. Nitrogen
4. Hydrogen

3. This gas protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiation.

1. Oxygen
2. Ozone
3. Helium
4. Hydrogen

4. The rate at which the temperature drops in the troposphere is called

1. lapse rate
2. loss rate
3. less rate
4. drop rate

5. This layer of the atmosphere has the lowest temperature.

1. Mesosphere
2. Thermosphere
3. Tropopause
4. Stratosphere

D. State whether the following are true or false.

1. The earth’s atmosphere contains 99 per cent oxygen, which is essential for life.
Answer.  False.
Correct : The earth’s atmosphere contains 21% per cent oxygen, which is essential for life.

2. The stratosphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
Answer. False.
Correct : The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere.

3. The temperature drops at the rate of 1°C per 185 metres in the atmosphere.
Answer. False.
Correct : The temperature drops at the rate of 1°C per 165 metres in the atmosphere.

4. The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere up to 80 km above the surface of the earth.
Answer. False.
Correct : The stratosphere extends from the top of the troposphere up to 50 km above the surface of the earth.

5. Communication satellites orbit in thermosphere.
Answer. True.

E. Answer the following questions in brief.

Question 1.
How is the atmosphere kept in place around the earth?
Answer:
The atmosphere is kept in place around the planet by another invisible entity called gravity.

Question 2.
Name the important gases that are found in the atmosphere.
Answer:
The important gases that are found in atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon-dioxide, hydrogen, helium and argon.

Question 3.
How is carbon dioxide a useful gas for life on earth?
Answer:
Carbon dioxide exists in the earth’s atmosphere as a colourless
and odourless gas. Carbon dioxide is produced by all animals, fungi and microorganisms during respiration and is used by plants during photosynthesis. It is also useful gas as it creates the greenhouse effect. It would have been too cold for life to exist on this planet without greenhouse effect.

Question 4.
What is the troposphere?
Answer:
Troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. It protects us from the heat of sun during day and keeps the earth warm at night ozone. This is the densest layer of the atmosphere and its thickness varies from 8 km over the poles to 18 km over the equator.

Question 5.
What is the difference between the troposphere and the tropopause?
Answer:
The lowest layer of atmosphere is called troposphere where as the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere is called tropopause.

F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs.

Question 1.
Write briefly about the layers of the atmosphere.
Answer:
The atmosphere is divided into five layers starting from the Earth’s surface

1. Troposphere — Its average height is 13 km. The air we breathe exists here. Almost all the weather phenomena like rainfall, fog and hailstorm occur in this layer.
2. Stratosphere — It lies above the troposphere which extends up to a height of 50 km. This layer is almost free from clouds and associated weather phenomenon, making conditions most ideal for flying aeroplanes. It contains a layer of ozone gas.
3. Mesosphere — It lies above the stratosphere. It extends up to the height of 80 km. Meteorites bum up in this layer on entering from the space.
4. Thermosphere — In thermosphere, temperature rises very rapidly with increasing height. Ionosphere is a part of this layer. It extends between 80-400 km. This layer helps in radio transmission. In fact, radio waves transmitted from the Earth are reflected back to the Earth by this layer.
5. Exosphere — This upper most layer. This layer has very thin air. Light gases like helium and hydrogen float into the space from here.

Question 2.
State any three characteristics of the stratosphere.
Answer:
The main characteristics of stratosphere are:

(a) There are no clouds or weather changes so it is safe for air travel.
(b) It extends from the top of troposphere up to 50 km above the surface of earth.
(c) This layer has a band of ozone gas which protects us from sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

Question 3.
What is ozone? What is the ozone layer? How is the presence of ozone layer essential to preserve life on earth?
Answer:
(03) is present in the earth’s atmosphere in stratosphere and helps to protect the earth from the ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Question 4.
State any three characteristics of the mesosphere.
Answer:
The main characteristics of mesosphere are :

1. It extends from the top of stratosphere upto a height of 80 km above the earth.
2. This layer has lowest temperature in the atmosphere reaches -100°C at its end.
3. Most meteors from space burn up in this layer.

Question 5.
Why is the thermosphere important ?
Answer:
The upper part of the thermosphere is called the ionosphere. The ionosphere contains electrically charged particles called ions, which help in transmitting communication signals.

Question 6.
Explain the significance of the earth’s atmosphere.
Answer:
Significance of the Atmosphere :

1. It gives us air to breathe.
2. It forms a protective shield against extreme heat.
3. It also protects us against falling debris from space.
4. It supports the formation of clouds and rain.

G Picture study :
This is a picture of a supersonic aircraft.

Question 1.
In which layer of the atmosphere does this airplane normally fly?
Answer:
A supersonic aircraft fly in stratosphere.

Question 2.
This layer of the atmosphere is also known to protect living beings from the harmful rays of the sun. How?
Answer:
It has a band of ozone gas which protects the sun’s harmful U.V. rays to reach the living beings.

LET’S DO SOMETHING
In your notebooks, draw a diagram showing the layers of the atmosphere. Mark clearly the ozone layer, the height at which a jet plane can fly and also the height up to which birds can fly.
Answer:

 

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Europe : Location, Area, Political & Physical Features

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

THINK AND ANSWER

Why doesn’t Europe have a cold climate more similar to that of Alaska and northern Canada though it lies on the same latitudes ?
Answer:
It is because most of Europe has advantage of warm ocean currents coming north from tropics. There is little interaction with colder air masses and colder ocean currents so overall. Europe remains warmer than Alaska and Northern Canada.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. The Swiss government has taken many steps to make the country attractive for tourists from all over the world. The people also help to keep the country clean and secure.
What does it tell us about the Swiss people ?
What can you learn from them ?
Answer:

1. Switzerland is one of the major tourist attractions. People residing in the Swtizerland are brilliant as they are taking advantage of the god gifts which are in the form of scenic beauty. They are smart enough to make money out of these scenic places. They keep their places neat and clean.
2. We can leam many moral values from the people of Switzerland. They keep their place cities neat and clean. They are smart enough to make money by attracting touristers.
   However, one should keep their place neat and clean and always take out the full oppurtunity whenever we can.

EXERCISES

A. Give geographical reasons

Question 1.
Europe is rightly called the ‘peninsula of peninsulas’.
Answer:
Europe is called ‘Peninula of Peninsulas’ as whole Europe containing 50 countries juts out westward from Euraisa and surrounded by Arctic Ocean in North Atlantic in West and Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea in South.

Question 2.
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries.
Answer:
Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called the Low countries because they lie in the low-lying plains in the west.

Question 3.
The Central European Plains are densely populated.
Answer:
As the lands are very fertile and good for agriculture, so it is most densely populated.

Question 4.
The Caspian Sea is a lake.
Answer:
The Caspian Sea is a lake as it is surrounded by land on all sides.

B. Give two examples from Europe for each of the following

1. High peaks
2. Long rivers
3. Large freshwater lakes
4. Young fold mountains
5. Mediterranean countries

Answer:

1. Mont Blanc (4,807 m), Mt. Elbrus (5,642 m)
2. Volga, Danube, Rhine
3. Lake Ladoga in Russia, Vanem, Vattern and Malaren in Sweden.
4. The Alps, Sierra-Nevada.
5. Spain and Portugal.

C. Answer the following questions in brief

Question 1.
What are the chief physical divisions of Europe?
Answer:
There are four main physical divisions of Europe. They are :

(a) The Northern Mountains.
(b) The Central European Plains.
(c) The Southern Plateaux and Highlands.
(d) The Alpine Mountain System.

Question 2.
Why are the Ural and Caucasus mountains important?
Answer:
The Ural Mountains in the east and the Caucasus Mountains in the south-east separate it from Asia.

Question 3.
Name four countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Also name the capitals of these countries.
Answer:
The countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea are Spain, Portugal, France and Italy.
The capital’s of these countries are :
Spain – Madrid
Portugal – Lisbon
France – Paris
Italy – Rome

Question 4.
Identify two countries that belong to each of the following groups and state why they are so called:

1. Low countries
2. Balkan states
3. Scandinavian countries

Answer:

1. Low countries — The countries that lie in the low-lying plains in the west – Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
2. Balkan States — The countries in the Balkan Peninsula — Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro.
3. Scandavian countries — the north European countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.

Question 5.
Name any four major important cities of Europe.
Answer:
Some important cities of Europe:

1. London – is the capital of the United Kingdom, a major centre of international trade and a flourishing port.
2. Paris – is the capital of France and an important centre of science, technology, culture, and art.
3. Berlin – Berlin is the capital city of Germany and also its largest city. It is an important river port.
4. Moscow – Moscow is the capital of Russia and is situated on a tributary of the Oka River which joins the river Volga.

Question 6.
What are fiords? How are they formed ?
Answer:
Fiords are narrow but deep inlets of water with steep sides that break and indent the coastline Scandinavian making it irregular. In the coastal regions, fiords have been formed because of the drowning of glacier valleys.

D. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1.
Briefly describe the location of Europe in relation to the other continents. What special advantage has Europe enjoyed due to its location?
Answer:
Europe lies almost in the middle of the northern hemisphere with North America to its west beyond the Atlantic Ocean, Asia to its east and Africa to its south. It stretches from 35°N to 73°N and most of its lies within the temperate zone. Longitudinally, it stretches from 25° W to 65° E.

Question 2.
Write a short note on the capital city of Russia.
Answer:
Moscow – Moscow is the capital of Russia and is situated on atributary ofthe Oka River which joins the river Volga. The city has a dozen rail routes and the terminus of the Trans- Siberian Railway. Moscow is a great administrative centre as well as the centre of a large industrial region. Red Square is the heart of Moscow.
On one side ofthe Red Square are the colourful onion-domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral erected by a Russian master architect in the 16th century. On the other side is the tomb of Lenin.’
Also located in Moscow is the Kremlin, an incredible complex which encloses the offices of the Russian Government, palaces, churches, and towers. There are over 100 museums in Moscow.

Question 3.
Describe the Northern Mountains of Europe.
Answer:
These old fold mountains in the north and north-west extend from Norway and Sweden to Scotland. They are made up of very hard crystalline rocks and were once very lofty and rugged. However, after facing the erosive action of glaciers for millions of years, they have been reduced to low hills with gentle slopes.
In the coastal regions, fiords have been formed because of the drowning of glacier valleys. Fiords are narrow but deep inlets of water with steep sides that break and indent the coastline, making it irregular.

Question 4.
Write a note on the Central European Plains.
Answer:
These plains are partly covered with glacial deposits and partly by alluvium deposited by the many big rivers such as the Don, the Dneiper, the Volga and the Ural. These plains are not absolutely flat but are rolling lands with hills. However, they are very fertile and good for agriculture. Some of the most densely populated parts of Europe lie in this region.

Question 5.
Describe briefly the major young fold mountains of Europe.
Answer:
The Alpine Mountain System consists of chains of young fold mountains that lie south of the above mentioned plateaux, from the Atlantic Coast in the west to the Caspian Sea in the east. They have high peaks, deep valleys and rugged slopes. They are made up of several parallel ranges. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common here. The Alps is the most important mountain system which extends like an arc separating Italy from France and Switzerland. Mont Blanc (4,807 m) is the highest peak in the Alps. In the west are the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain and the Pyrenees, which form a natural boundary between Spain and France.

Question 6.
What is the significance of the many big and small rivers of Europe?
Answer:
There are many rivers that radiate out in different directions from the Alpine Mountain System in southern Europe. The rivers are navigable and are inter-connected by canals to form an efficient system of waterways. Thus, several big towns and cities have sprung up along the banks of these rivers. The rivers are important for industries too. Large rivers such as Volga, Danube and the Rhine flow through many countries and are considered ‘international rivers’.
There are many small rivers in Europe too. They are important for navigation in the countries through which they flow

E. In your atlas, locate the major and minor rivers flowing through Europe. Note the names of important cities/towns that have developed on the banks of these rivers. Then tabulate your observations in your notebook using the headings given here :

1. Name of the river
2. Countries through which it flows
3. Important town/cities situated on its banks.

Answer:
The Volga, the Danube, the Rhine flow, the Don

F. The Scandinavian countries are generally considered to have a separate cultural identity. Form groups in your class and search the Internet to gather information on these countries and then hold a discussion under the following points.

1. employment
2. education
3. law and order
4. care for the aged

Answer:
Do it yourself.

G Map work:
On the outline map of Europe, use different colours to mark and label the following:

1. Oceans—Arctic, Atlantic
2. Seas—Mediterranean, Baltic, North Sea
3. Straits—Dover, Gibraltar
4. Plateau—Central Massif, Meseta
5. Mountains—Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians
6. Rivers—Danube, Rhine, Volga
7. Lakes—Ladoga, Onega, Vanern
8. Capitals—Paris, Moscow, Berlin

Answer:

H. Picture Study:
The photograph shows the highest peak in Europe.

1. Name the peak.
2. Name the mountain range in which it lies.

Answer:

1. Mt Elbru
2. Caucasus Mountains.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

Refer to the physical map of Europe in your atlas. Moving in an anti-clockwise direction starting from the Arctic Ocean and the White Sea, observe and note down the names of all the surrounding water bodies such as seas, bays, gulfs, straits, etc. Then mark each of them on an outline map of Europe.
Answer:

 

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Scale and Distance

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

THINK AND ANSWER

Question
Why do you think that the knowledge of scale is important for reading a map ?
Answer:
The two cities in the space of an inch will be found on a map where the scale is used. e.g. 1 cm on map =100 km on ground. Scales are important as without scales distance between places can’t be judged.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Question
Your friend has invited you to his house. He has drawn a rough sketch on a paper showing the direction to his house for you.
How does the sketch help you ? What quality of your friend is shown through in this gesture ?
Answer:
Sketch will help to reach friend’s house easily and early.
A friend is showing a genuine interest and is real. He actually wants a friend to visit his house.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks. one has been done for u

B. Match the following

Answer:

 

C. Choose the correct answer.

1. This is the ratio of distance between two places on a map to the actual distance between the same two places on the ground.

1. scale
2. map
3. globe
4. atlas

2. This scale is stated in words:

1. Verbal
2. Statement
3. Both of these
4. None of these

3. The distance between two points along a straight line can be measured by this method

1. Twine
2. Ruler
3. Compass
4. Stick

4. In this fraction, the numerator is always 1.

1. Representative Fraction
2. Refractive Fraction
3. Reduction Fraction
4. Reorganization Fraction

D. State whether the following are true or false.

1. Verbal scale is stated in words.
Answer. True.

2. A statement scale consists of a straight line which is divided into lengths.
Answer. False.
Correct : A linear consists of a straight line which is divided into lengths.

3. The numerator in a Representative Fraction expresses the actual distance between two places on the ground.
Answer. False.
Correct : The denominator in a Representative Fraction expresses the actual distance between two places on the ground.

4. The distance along a curved line is measured by a ruler.
Answer. False.
Correct : The Distance along a curved line is measured by a divider.

E. Answer the following questions briefly

Question 1.
What is meant by the scale of a map ?
Answer:
A scale is the ratio of the distance between two places on the map to the actual distance between the same two places on the ground.

Question 2.
Which three ways are used to represent the scale of a map?
Answer:
The three ways used to represent the scale of a map are :

(a) Verbal or statement scale — The scale is stated in words. The units are usually mentioned in this type of scale, for example, 1 cm = 10 km or 1 cm to 10 km. It means that 1 cm on the map is equal to 10 km on the ground.
(b) Graphical or linear scale — This consists of a straight line which is divided into lengths that represent given distances on the earth’s surface.
(c) Representative fraction (RF) — This is a fraction in which the numerator expresses the distance on the map and the denominator represents the actual distance on the ground. It must be noted that the numerator is always 1 and both the numerator and the denominator are expressed in the same unit.

Question 3.
Convert the statement scale 1 cm = loo km into R.F. scale.
Answer:

Question 4.
What method would you use to measure the length of a river ?
Answer:
The rivers are curved. To measure length of rivers we use either the divider method or the twine methods.

F. Answer the following questions in detail.

Question 1.
Describe any two ways of representing a map scale.
Answer:
The map scale can be represented as :

(a) Verbal or statement scale — The scale is stated in words. The units are usually mentioned in this type of scale, for example, 1 cm= 10 km or 1 cm to 10 km. It means that 1 cm on the map is equal to 10 km on the ground.
(b) Graphical or linear scale — This consists of a straight line which is divided into lengths that represent given distances on the earth’s surface.

Question 2.
Describe the method by which the distance on a curved line is measured.
Answer:
The distance on a curved line is measured using a piece of twine or a divider.
In divider method, a divider whose pointed ends are 1 or 2 cm apart is used. Beginning at one end of the feature to be measured, the divider is turned continuously till the other end is reached. The number of turns are counted and then using the scale of the map, the actual distance on the ground calculated.
In the twine method, a twine is placed along the feature to be measured from one end to other. The length of the twine is then measured in cm or inches using a ruler or linear scale and then converted into km or miles using the scale of the given map.

Question 3.
How is distance on a map measured by a piece of twine?
Answer:
Take the piece of the twine, make a knot at one end and place
the knotted end on the starting point of the distance to .be measured. Now move the twine along the object to be measured by slowly placing the twine bit by bit along the route following each bend or curve as closely as possible. When you reach the end of the route you are measuring, mark that end with ink. Now place the twine on the scale with the knotted end at 0 and see how far the ink-marked end reaches on the scale. Measure the length and convert into kilometres. If the distance to be measured is longer than the printed scale on the map, place the twine on the ruler in the same way, calculate the number of centimetres it covers and convert that into kilometres.

G Picture study
Look at the picture and answer the questions

Question 1.
What type of scale is shown alongside ?
Answer:
A graphic scale or linear scale.

Question 2.
State a feature of this scale.
Answer:
This consists of a straight line which is divided into lengths that represent given distances on the earth’s surface. It is usually drawn near the lower portion of the map.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

Question
Look at the plan of a school given here and note the scale given at the top of the plan : 1 cm to 8 m. This verbal scale means that 1 cm on the paper represents 8 m on the ground. Use this scale to find out the length and breadth of the different places shown in the plan.
Answer:
The length and breadth of different places is as follows:
(a) Playground
Length of the playground = 3.5 cm = 3.5 × 8 m = 27 m
Breadth of the playground = 4 cm = 4 × 8 m = 32 m
(b) Office
Length of the office = 1.1 cm- 1.1 × 8 m = 8.8 m
Breadth of the office = 0.8 cm = 0.8 × 8 m = 6.4 m
(c) Library
Length of the library = 1.1 cm= 1.1 × 8 m = 8.8 m
Breadth of the library = 0.8 cm = 0.8 × 8 m = 6.4 m
(d) Classroom
Length of the Classroom = 4.35 cm = 4.35 × 8 m = 34.8 m
Breadth of the Classroom = 2.1 cm = 2.1 × 8 m = 16.2 m
(e) Tennis Court
Length of the Tennis Court = 1.7 cm= 1.7 × 8 m = 13.6 m
Breadth of the Tennis Court = 2.7 cm = 2.7 × 8 m = 21.6 m
(f) Gym
Length of the Gym = 1.5 cm= 1.5 × 8 m= 12 m
Breadth of the Gym = 1.7 cm = 1.7 × 8 m= 13.6 m
(g) Canteen
Length of the Canteen =1.5 cm=1.5 × 8m=12 m
Breadth of the Canteen = 1.75 cm = 1.75 × 8 m = 14 m

 

 

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Renewable and Non-renewable resources

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

DISCUSS

Discuss the ways by which you can conserve energy, especially petroleum and electricity, in your homes and school. What changes do you need to make in your daily routine to save these precious resources ?
Answer:
I would preferably follow all the ways mentioned in the question to conserve energy.

1. Careful use of petroleum and electricity : One should preferably use bicycle or barefoot for shorter distances instead of cars. One must switch off the switches when lights/fans are not required.
2. Careful use of water when washing and gardening : One should properly utilise the water while washing clothes and gardening. Do not keep the taps open and waste water.

THINK AND ANSWER

Hydroelectricity is considered a good energy option for the future. Why ?
Answer:
Hydropower is fueled by water, so it’s a clean fuel source, meaning it won’t pollute the air like power plants that bum fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas.
Hydroelectric power is a domestic source of energy, allowing each state to produce their own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.
The energy generated through hydropower relies on the water cycle, which is driven by the sun, making it a renewable power source, making it a more reliable and affordable source than fossil fuels that are rapidly being depleted.

VALUE AND LIFE SKILL

Electricity is very important for all of us. We need it for our homes, offices, industries and agriculture.
Make a list of five different ways in which you can save electricity, for instance, switching off fans, ACs, light at home and in school when these thing are not required.
Answer:
The ways in which we can save electricity are :

1. Using natural light whenever possible instead of using artificial light
2. Replacing our bulb with CFL or LED bulbs.
3. Turn off the lights wherever it is not required.
4. By unpluging the appliances that are not in use.
5. Replacing old appliances with new energy saving models.
6. Using less air conditioner and less hot water.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks.

1. Sun, water, wind are examples of renewable energy resources.
2. Solar cells use the power supplied by the Sunlight.
3. Geothermal energy is the heat of the earth.
4. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are fossil fuels.
5. Anthracite is the coal with the highest percentage of coal.

B. Match the following.

Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer.

1. Photovoltaic cells use the energy of

1. sun
2. wind
3. water
4. tides

2. Hydroelectricity is obtained by using

1. wind
2. water
3. coal
4. natural gas

3. Wind mills have been used for many centuries in

1. the USA
2. the Netherlands
3. Russia
4. India

4. The coal that has the highest percentage of carbon is

1. anthracite
2. bituminous
3. lignite
4. peat

5. The Bhakra-Nangal Dam is situated on the river

1. Yamuna
2. Beas
3. Ravi
4. Satluj

D. State whether the following is True or False.

1. Coal and petroleum are renewable energy resources.
Answer. False.
Correct : Coal and petroleum are non-renewable energy resources.

2. Renewable energy resources have limited supply in nature.
Answer. False.
Correct : Renewable energy resources have unlimited supply in nature.

3. China, USAand Spain are major producers ofwind energy.
Answer. True.

4. Coal takes millions of years to form.
Answer. True.

5. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is built on the river Narmada.
Answer. True.

E. Answer the following questions brief.

Question 1.
What are renewable energy resources?
Answer:
Renewable energy resources are those that come from natural sources and are naturally replenished. These include solar energy (sunlight), wind energy from windmill (wind), hydroelectricity (rain), tidal energy from waves (tides) and geothermal energy (energy from the heat of the earth).

Question 2.
What is the main difference between renewable an non-renewable energy resources?
Answer:
Renewable Resources

1. These are those resources which can be renewed in a short time.
2. These do not cause any pollution to the environment.
3. These are the free gifts of nature.
4. Air, water and solar energy are the examples of renewable resources.

Non-Renewable Resources

1. These are those resources which cannot be renewed in a short time.
2. These cause pollution to the environment.
3. These are not the free gifts of nature.
4. Coal, Petroleum and some minerals are the examples of the non-renewable resources.

Question 3.
What is tidal energy ?
Answer:
Tidal energy is an inexhaustible source of energy. It is energy generated from ocean tides. High tides in coastal areas are used to generate power. Tidal energy is generated free of cost.

Question 4.
Which countries are major producers of wind power in the world?
Answer:
China, USA, Germany, Spain and Netherland are the leading wind power producing nations.

Question 5.
What is biogas ? How is it useful to us ?
Answer:
Animal waste and all other kinds of organic waste material generated by households each day converted into biogas. This gas is an excellent source of cheap power for small-scale usage.

Question 6.
What are fossil fuels?
Answer:
Fuels formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms and plants etc. Examples of fossil fuels are coal, petroleum and natural gas, etc.

Question 7.
Name a few major producers of petroleum in the world.
Answer:
The main oil-producing areas are the Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, USA, Venezuela, Algeria and Russia.

F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraph.

Question 1.
Give an account of the use of solar energy.
Answer:
Solar energy is the energy that we receive from the sun. It is readily available in nature and in unlimited quantities.
While there are several ways to obtain solar energy, one way is by the use of solar cells or photovoltaic panels. These panels are made from very thin semi-conducting materials which, when exposed to sunlight, use the heat and light of the sun to shake the electrons loose and create an electric current.
Solar cells are used for lighting street lamps, in electronic calculators, watches, smart phones, camera, traffic signals, water pumps and home lighting. Solar energy is being used to heat ovens, cook food and heat water.

Question 2.
How is hydroelectricity generated?
Answer:
The word ‘hydro’ means water and hydroelectricity is the energy obtained using water. It is produced when water falls from a height under the force of gravity. The falling water then turns the wheels of a large turbine that generate electricity.

Question 3.
Explain briefly geothermal energy.
Answer:
Geothermal energy is the energy generated by harnessing the heat in the interiors of the earth. The earth has very hot materials below the crust. They heat up groundwater to produce hot water and steam. This hot water and steam gush up in many places as springs and geysers, which may be used to run turbines to generate electricity.

Question 4.
What do you know about wind energy?
Answer:
Wind is used to produce electricity. When the wind blows, it turns the three large blades of the windmill which are attached to the turbine. The turbine, which is connected to the generator converts the energy of the wind into electrical energy.
Wind, like the sun, is nature’s gift to the earth. It is free and widely available.

Question 5.
Describe the four major types of coal.
Answer:
Depending on the carbon content, there are four types of coal: Arundeep’s Self-Help to Voyage-7

(a) Anthracite is the best quality coal since it has almost 90% carbon.
(b) Bituminous coal is the second-best coal with 65% to 70% carbon.
(c) Lignite is a poor quality coal with a carbon content of around 60%.
(d) Peat has very little carbon, is not fully formed and gives little heat and a lot of smoke on burning.

Question 6.
Write a short note on nuclear power.
Answer:
Nuclear power is also known as atomic energy. The disintegration of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium releases nuclear power. Nuclear power is the energy obtained either through fusion or fission.

Question 7.
Write about hydroelectric projects in India.
Answer:
India ranks fourth in terms of number of dams. India has more than 4800 completed large dams and many more are being built. Some important dams in India are:

• Bhakra-Nangal dam — on river Satluj.
• Damodar Valley Project — on river Damodar in West Bengal
• Farakka Barrage — on river Ganga in West Bengal,
• Sardar Sarovar dam — on Narmada,
• Hirakuddam — onMahanadi.
• Nagarjuna Sagar and Idukki dams — on Krishna
• Idukki dam — on Periyar in Kerala.

Question 8.
Why do we need to conserve our energy resources ?
Answer:
Conservation of energy is important, especially the conservation
of conventional energy resources that may get exhausted in this century itself. With growing demands due to increasing population, we are overusing and wasting them. It is important that we soon find ways to use non-conventional sources of power as there is no danger of them being exhausted in our lifetime. In our daily life, we need to conserve energy. By remembering the 3 R’s and practising reuse, recycle, and reduce,
we can save a lot of resources, utilize them judiciously, and conserve them for future generations.
It should be realized that if all life-supporting resources are indiscriminately used then our very existence on earth would be in danger.
Car pooling, turning off lights and fans when not required, cycling and using public transport are effective ways of saving energy. Alternative sources of energy, such as the sun, wind and water, must be extensively used.

G. Large – scale hydroelectric projects have an impact on the environment. Search the Internet to find out how these projects affect the flora and fauna, and people’s lives in the area.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

H. Picture Study
Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

Question 1.
What type of energy is generated at this site?
Answer:
Wind Energy.

Question 2.
Where is this type of energy generated in India?
Answer:
India has several wind forms especially in the South.

I. Map work.
On the outline map of India given here, mark and name any five hydroelectric projects in India.
Answer:
The five hydroelectric projects in India are :

1. Lower Jhelum
2. Salal
3. Ramganga
4. Harduaganj
5. Sardar Sarovar

LET’S DO SOMETHING

Where does your water come from ?
Each city has a different source for its water supply like reservoirs, rivers or wells. Find out where your town or city gets its supply of water from.
Answer:
I live in Jalandhar City, Punjab and Jalandhar Water come from ‘The Bist Doab Canal System
Note for Students: Please check the source of water of your city and write that.

 

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Topographical Sheets : Colours, Signs and Symbols

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

THINK AND ANSWER

Question
If maps were only black and white, will they be difficult to read ?
Answer:
If the maps were only black and white it would be difficult to understand as we would be unable to know the natural and man-made features of the region e.g. the rivers, roads, railways, sand dunes, jungles, etc.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Question
Using colours and symbols is an intelligent way of providing information. It helps cartographers to make beautiful and easy-to-read maps.
Can you think of a situation where you can use this method in your day-to-day life ?
Answer:
Yes, we use different colours and symbols while preparing notes. We use green or black colour pen for writing questions and blue colour pen for writing answers. We also use symbols like Q. for questions and Ans. for Answers.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks

1. Mountains, hills, rivers, etc. are natural features shown on a map.
2. Roads, rail tracks, wells, etc. are man-made features on a map.
3. Contour lines on a map join points of equal height on the surface or the earth above or below a reference point.
4. The colour white is used to show barren land on topographical sheets.
5. The colour yellow is used to show cultivated land on topographical sheets.

B. Match the following

Answer:

C. Write True or False. Correct the false statements.

1. The distance between the two tracks in broad gauge is 1 m.
Answer. False.
The distance between the two tracks in broad gauge is 1.67 m.

2. A metalled road is shown by two blue lines.
Answer. False.
A metalled road is shown by two Red parallel lines.

3. Settlements can either be temporary or permanent.
Answer. True.

4. In permanent settlements, houses are build for a short period of time.
Answer. False.
In permanent settlements, houses are build for a long period of time.

5. Terrace farming is undertaken on hilly slopes.
Answer. True.

6. Land use refers to the way a piece of land is used in the area.
Answer. True.

D. Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
What are topographical maps ?
Answer:
Topographical maps are large-scale maps that show both natural features such as mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, plateaus, cliffs, etc., and man-made features such as settlements, roads, railway tracks, wells, and embankments.

Question 2.
What is a contour line ?
Answer:
A contour line is an imaginary line on a map connecting points at the same height above sea level.

Question 3.
Explain why colours are used in topographical maps.
Answer:
The colours are used to represent certain physical, economic and cultural features. In the absence of colour it would become impossible to interpret the map so colour are integeral part of topographical maps.

Question 4.
Name the features shown in blue, green and brown colours on a map.
Answer:
Blue colour depicts all perennial water bodies like rivers, wells, tanks, ponds, lakes, seas, etc.
Green shows all forests and jungle areas including woodlands are shown in green.
All contour lines are brown in colour. The figures denoting the height of the contour line are also in the some colour as the contour lines, eg. Sand hills, sand dunes etc. And shifting sands are also indicated by brown colour

Question 5.
How would you recognize a metalled road and an unmetalled one on a topographical map ?
Answer:
A metalled road means a tarred road. It is shown by two red parallel lines. A metalled road indicates that the region is developed.

Unmetalled roads (or Kutcha roads) are shown by a set of ! broken parallel lines in red on the map. They indicate that the area is underdeveloped.

Question 6.
What do you understand by settlements ?
Answer:
Settlements are groups of houses, usually in villages or towns, where people live. The size of settlements depends on the availability of roads, railways, hospitals, police stations, administrative buildings, rest houses and so on. Settlements grow over a period of time. The location and type of settlements are determined by various factors such as the terrain, presence of water, suitable climate, presence of employment opportunities, etc.

Question 7.
Distinguish between a temporary settlement and a permanent settlement.
Answer:
Temporary Settlement

1. These settlements are built and occupied for a short period of time.
2. People practice hunting, gathering, shifting, cultivation.
3. Due to climatic conditions or circumstances, people need to change their homes.

Permanent Settlement

1. These settlements have permanent houses.
2. People practice manufacture, trading and other services.
3. People build permanent house

E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs.

Question 1.
How can the occupation of people be inferred directly from a topographical sheet ?
Answer:
OCCUPATIONS — Occupations of people can be inferred directly from a topographical map. The type of settlements in the region as well as the way in which the local people use the land can give you an idea in this regard. Some of the common ways by which the local inhabitants use the land are:

1. Agriculture: If large tracts of land indicate cultivation of crops then most of the people are farmers or cultivators.
2. Mining : If there are indications of mines and quarries (especially marble and stone quarries) then mining or working in quarries can be inferred as the main occupation.
3. Fishing: If a settlement is near a large river or the sea coast, fishing will obviously be the main occupation of the inhabitants.
4. Manufacturing: Large settlements such as towns will indicate the presence of factories and hence manufacturing will be the main occupation.
5. Trading: A large settlement with many cart tracks, roads and railway lines converging will indicate that the town is a market town with access to trade and commerce.

Question 2.
How can topographical maps help us to know about the transport and communication of an area ?
Answer:
TRANSPORTAND COMMUNICATION — When we look at a topographical map we will notice many different red lines of varying width running all across it There are also some black lines that go across the map. These lines are symbols of roadways and railway tracks. These lines indicate the type of communication present in the area. They also reflect file various modes of transport that are being used in the area.

Question 3.
How does relief of an area affect land use ?
Answer:
Land use refers to the way a piece of land is used in the area. The relief of the land determines the type of activity that takes place on the land. In highlands, such as hills, mountains and plateaus, where the slope of the land is generally steep, the land is used for grazing sheep and goats.
Most of the land is covered by forests which facilitates economic activities such as forest harvesting and lumbering. Terrace farming is also undertaken on hilly slopes to grow crop such as rice, barley and tea. Various agricultural activities take place on lowlands since cultivation of crops is easier on a flat surface than on a sloping surface.

F. Draw a sketch map of your neighbourhood using different colours for different areas, for example, red for residential areas, green for parks and playgrounds, and yellow for commercial areas. Use symbols to mark out roads and special places like temples, post offices, old monuments, or railway stations. Make a proper key for it.
Answer:

G Picture study
Look at the symbols given here and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1.
What does symbols 1 and 2 show?
Answer:

Question 2.
How do the features shown by these two symbols differ?
Answer:
Temporary huts that could be pulled down at any time in the foreseeable future.
Permanent huts will not be taken down in the foreseeable future and has been built on a permanent basis.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

Form a group in your class and obtain a topo sheet from the Geography Department of your school. Look at it carefully and identify the following features :

1. settlements
2. railway lines
3. agricultural fields
4. roads

Answer:
Do it Yourself

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Antarctica: Location, Physical Features, Climate, Natural Vegetation

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APlusTopper.com provides step by step solutions for ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage. You can download the Voyage Geography ICSE Solutions for Class 7 with Free PDF download option. Geography Voyage for Class 7 ICSE Solutions all questions are solved and explained by expert teachers as per ICSE board guidelines.

ICSE Solutions Class 7 Geography History & CivicsMathsPhysicsChemistryBiology

THINK AND ANSWER

Question 1.
Why is Antarctica considered to be a desert ?
Answer:
Antarctica is a cold desert and very few plants can survive here. There are only a few plants that can survive the harsh climate of Antarctica, with its extreme temperature, fierce winds and lack of rain. Simple plants like algae, mosses, liveworts, lichens can survive and can grow in Antarctica.

Question 2.
Antarctica is a far more dynamic place than anyone could have imagined a century ago. Why ?
Answer:
Antarctica is a far more dynamic place than anyone could have imagined as what happens in Antarctica can have dramatic consequences for millions of people around the world. The Scientists are seeking to map the inner workings of the strange forces at play in Antarctica Most of its research is focussed on the ice — what is happening under it, in it and to it as whole of earth’s atmosphere, climatic changes, etc. are dependent on this.

Discuss

Discuss the importance of the many research stations in Antarctica for the global community.
Answer:
At present scientists, researchers, and their support staff from 30 different countries live on about 70 scientific bases with a population of around 4000 in summer and around 1000 in winter. The main purpose for people living in antarctica is to undertake scientific research in atmospheric studies, glacilology, medicine, biology, environment, human impact, etc. Other people like lumbers, electricians, mechanics, and carpenters also live at these stations to support the scientific research work and keep these research stations running.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

The scientists working at the research stations in Antarctica face very harsh and difficult conditions. Still they have chosen to work at these stations.
What lessons do you learn from them ?
Answer:
We should learn to adapt every situation in our life.

EXERCISES

A. Identify who I am

1. I am the largest reserve of fresh water in the world : The Antarctic Ice Cap.
2. I am the highest point in Antarctica : Vinson Massif.
3. I am the most active volcano : Mt Erebus (3,794 m)
4. I was discovered in 1820 : Antarctica
5. I was one of the earliest explorers from England: Capt. Robert Falcon Scott.

B. Unscramble the letters to form correct words and briefly describe each
LIKLR, LZBADIZR, LEAS, HELWA, NAICATRTAC, CHELNIS, ONSIRP, EGNPINU
Answer:

1. LIKLR — KRILL — Wildlife
2. LZBADIZR — BLIZZARD — an intensly cold and strong
3. LEAS — SEAL — Wildlife wind
4. HELWA — WHALE
5. NAICATRTAC — ANTARCTICA — Continent
6. CHELNIS — LICHENS — Plant
7. ONSIRP —PRIONS —BIRDS
8. EGNPINU — PENGUIN — Birds

C. Fill in the blanks

1. Greater Antarctica lies to the east of Lesser Antarctica.
2. Thick permanent layers of snow and ice are called Ice cap.
3. The Andes Mountains of South America continue southwards as the Antarctic Peninsula.
4. Because of extreme cold Antarctica is often referred to as the Polar Desert.
5. Antarctica was discovered in 1820.

D. Give two examples from Antarctica for each of the following

1. Seals
2. Birds
3. Glaciers
4. Mineral resources

Answer:

1. Seals — Fur Seal, Elephant Seal
2. Birds — Penguins, gulls
3. Glaciers — Rennick, Lambert
4. Mineral resources — Coal, iron.

E. Give geographical reasons for each of the following

Question 1.
Antarctica is not the smallest continent.
Answer:
Antarctica would be the smallest continent in the world if it didnot have an ice cap. Ice and snow cover 98 percent of the land area of Antarctica.

Question 2.
The sun never sets in Antarctica during the summer month.
Answer:
The sun does not rise over the horizon for about three months of summers during which twilight is experienced.

Question 3.
Antarctica is called the Polar Desert.
Answer:
Antarctica is called Polar Desert because there is little or no vegetation and the continent receives only about 5 to 10 cm of snowfall and no rain at all.

Question 4.
The North Pole is warmer than the South Pole.
Answer:
Land cools faster than water and takes longer than water to heat. This is why the North Pole, which lies in the Arctic Ocean, is warmer than the South Pole which lies in the land mass of Antarctica.

Question 5.
Antarctica’s sole human inhabitants are visiting scientists who work in research stations.
Answer:
Its unfit for human habitation because of presence of ice-sheets, icebergs, rough waves, blizzards, strong winds, etc.

F. Answer the following questions in brief

Question 1.
Name all the oceans that surround the ‘White Continent’.
Answer:
Antarctica is surrounded by Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean, the Southern extremities of which together form the Southern Ocean.

Question 2.
What is the literal meaning of the word Antarctica?
Answer:
Literal meaning of Antarctica is ‘Opposite of Arctic’.

Question 3.
What are dry valleys ?
Answer:
Dry valleys : ice-free valleys in the Trans-Antarctic Mountains carved out by glaciers and some of them have lakes.

Question 4.
What is a blizzard?
Answer:
Blizzardmeans an intensely cold and strong wind accompanied by falling snow.

Question 5.
List a few birds found in Antarctica.
Answer:
Birds found in Antarctica are albatross, prions, gulls, cormorants, petrels and penguins.

G. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1.
Write a note on the ice cap of Antarctica. Why is Antarctica called the ‘White Continent’?
Answer:
Antarctica is an ice-covered continent centered roughly on the South Pole. It is surrounded by the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In the Antarctica Treaty of 1959, the term Antarctica is defined as the land, ice shelves and water, South of 60° South latitude.

1. Antarctica is almost equal in size to the USA and Mexico combined.
2. Antarctica has a coast line of 29,800 km.
3. Antarctica has the Onyx river which starts from a glacier.
4. Antarctica covers and surrounds the South Pole.

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent of the world. It is called a ‘White Continent’ because it is permanently under a thick cover of ice its the only continent thats frozen all year round. It is extremely windy and cold. Ninety eight percent of Antarctica is covered with on ice-sheet; which reflects as white in Satellite imagery.

Question 2.
Describe the physical features of Antarctica.
Answer:
Antarctica, which literally means ‘opposite of the Arctic’, lies around the SouthPole. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean, the southern extremities of which together form the Southern Ocean. The continent is almost circular in shape with a narrow piece of land extending northwards towards the southern tip of South America. The eastern part is bigger and is called Greater Antarctica. The smaller western portion is Lesser Antarctica. There are two broad inlets of water, namely the Weddell Sea and Ross Sea. Mt erebus, an active volcano, is located in the Ross Sea.

Question 3.
Describe the summer season in Antarctica.
Answer:
The summer months last from November to February during which time the sun never sets, so there is continuous light. The temperature, however, seldom rises above freezing point.

Question 4.
Describe the winter season in Antarctica.
Answer:
The cold and long winter season lasts from April to September. During this time the temperatures are very low, sometimes going downto-70°C.
Blizzards — intensely cold and strong winds accompanied by falling snow—are common.

Question 5.
Give an account of the wildlife found in Antarctica.
Answer:
Birds and seals mostly live near the edges of the continent.
About 40 kinds of birds such as albatross, prions, gulls, cormorants, and petrels are found in Antarctica. Various kinds of seals such as the fur seal and the elephant seal live here. Penguins, the large waddling birds that can swim but cannot fly, are found in large numbers.

H. Picture Study

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica is seen in the photograph here.

Question 1.
Who were Roald Amundsen and Capt. Robert Falcon Scott?
Answer:
Roald Amundsen and Capt. Robert Falcon Scott were British Naval officers.

Question 2.
Why do countries have research stations in Antarctica ?
Answer:
To study earth’s atmosphere, for studying astronomy and astrophysics.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

Question 1.
With the help of encyclopaedias and the Internet, find out more about the wildlife of Antarctica. Collect information and pictures of the albatross, blue whale, krill, squid, penguin, and seal. Stick the pictures in your scrapbook and write the information alongside.
Answer:
Antarctica is a vast frozen continent at the far south of the world. It is covered in a thick layer of ice, and surrounded by the icy waters of the Southern Ocean.
The Antarctic region includes the continent of Antarctica, together with the surrounding sea, ice shelves and island territories that fall within the Antarctic Convergence – an area where the cold Antarctic seas meet the warmer subantarctic waters.
This list of Antarctic animals contains species found throughout the Antarctic region.
The Antarctic is a cold, inhospitable place. It has a low biodiversity, which means that, compared to other parts of the world, only a small number of species are found here.
On the continent of Antarctica itself, very little life exists in the frozen interior. Most species are found on or around the coasts, particularly on the Antarctic Peninsula; the northernmost part of Antarctica.

Antarctic Animals List

1. Albatross

Albatrosses are large seabirds that spend most of their lives at sea. The Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans), and other albatross species such as the Grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostomsa) and Black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris), are found in the Antarctic region.
The Wandering Albatross has an average wingspan of 3.1 m (10.2 ft.); the largest of any bird. It spends most of its life in the air, and only lands in order to feed and to breed.

2. Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba)

It may be small, but the Antarctic Krill is one of the most important animals in the Antarctic food chain. This small, shrimp¬like crustacean is found in vast numbers in the Southern Ocean, forming groups called swarms which can be seen from space.
Antarctic Krill grow to around 6 cm (2.4 in). Krill is eaten by many other Antarctic animals, including whales, seals and seabirds.
The total biomass (weight) of all of the Antarctic Krill in the world is thought to be larger than that of any other species.

3. Antarctic midge (Belgica antarctica)

The wingless Antarctic Midge grows up to 6 mm (.25 in) in length. It is the largest land animal (i.e. one that lives purely on land, and doesn’t fly or swim) in Antarctica. It is also the only insect on mainland Antarctica.

4. Antarctic Springtail (Cryptopygus antarcticus)

This tiny, insect-like animal grows to only 1 -2 mm in length and can survive in temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F). It has a natural chemical antifreeze in its body to prevent it from freezing.

5. Antarctic Toothfish / Patagonian Toothfish

The two species of the Dissostichus genus are the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) and the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides). Both toothfish produce natural antifreeze proteins in their blood and tissue.

6. Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea)

The Arctic Tern is a small seabird with mainly white plumage, bright orange legs and bill, and a black ‘cap’.
This incredible animal travels further than any other bird in one year, and is known to cover distances of around 40,000 km (25,000 miles) each year.
The Arctic Tern breeds in the Arctic before making its way south to the Antarctic. This is why you’ll find it in our Arctic Animals List, as well as in this Antarctic Animals list.
Another tern found in the Antarctic is the Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata).

Question 2.
Read news magazines in your school library and search the Internet to gather information on the effects of climate change and global warming on Antarctica. Write a report on the basis of your research.
Answer:
Do it yourself.