Question 1

Question 5Explain the following geographical terms:RainforestIntermontane plateauLandlocked countriesPacific Ring of Fire

Accepted Answer

Rainforest — Rainforest is a luxuriant, dense forest of hardwood evergreen trees found typically in tropical areas especially equatorial areas with consistently heavy rainfall throughout the year. They are renowned for their rich biodiversity.Intermontane Plateau — Intermontane plateaus are surrounded by high mountains on all sides. The Andes consist of two or three parallel ranges with several intermontane plateaus lying between them. Notable among them is the Bolivian Plateau. It is the most extensive area of high plateau in the world after the Tibetan Plateau of Asia.Landlocked countries — Landlocked countries are those countries that are entirely enclosed by land without any sea or ocean bordering them.Pacific Ring of Fire — The Pacific Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped zone around the edges of the Pacific Ocean known for its high volcanic and earthquake activity. It includes several tectonic plate boundaries where plates are colliding, sliding past, or moving apart, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activities surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Several peaks of the Andes are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Question 2

Question 7State two notable features of the Eastern Highlands.

Accepted Answer

Two notable features of the Eastern Highlands are as follows:They are a part of the old land mass of Gondwanaland and are made up of very old rocks such as those found in the Deccan Plateau in India.The old, hard rocks of the Eastern Highlands are rich sources of minerals such as iron ore and tin.

Question 3

Question 8Describe the vegetation of the Selvas. Explain the ways of livelihood practised by the people in the rainforest.

Accepted Answer

The Amazon Basin is home to the largest rainforest in the world. It consists of a wide variety of ecosystems ranging from grasslands to swamps. Two-thirds of this forestland lie in Brazil. The region experiences hot and humid climate as it receives abundant sunlight and rainfall. This has led to the development of thick rainforests of tall, hardwood, evergreen trees with layered vegetation.The Amerindians, also known as Native Americans, live a forest-based life. They depend on the forest for everything— food, clothing, shelter and medicines. People depend mostly on primitive occupations such as hunting and food gathering. Since food gathering and hunting does not always provide a steady supply of food, Shifting cultivation is practised in the rainforest. About a hectare of land is cleared often by the slash-and-burn method.

Question 4

Question 9State the reasons behind the depletion of the Amazon rainforest.

Accepted Answer

Today the area under the Amazon rainforest or Selvas is rapidly declining because of the following reasons:Shifting cultivation along with reckless human activities such as ranching, mining, logging and urbanisation.In the recent past, forest fires have become the biggest threat to the Amazon rainforest. Sometimes, the forest continues to burn for a long time, thus reducing vast reserves of oxygen.Millions of trees in the Amazon have been lost to logging and fires in recent years.In the name of development, mining and logging are active in the region while the forest is paying a very heavy price. The forest dwellers remain mere spectators to the vanishing habitat.

Question 5

Question 1Shifting cultivation is practised in the rainforest. About a hectare of land is cleared often by the slash-and-burn method. However, few larger trees are sometimes left to stand to protect crops from intense heat and rain. Trees providing food such as kola nuts and bananas are also left in place. The felled trees are then burnt and their ashes are mixed in the soil as nutrients. Crops such as yams, manioc, beans, tobacco, cocoa and pumpkins are planted. After a few years, as the production decreases, the cultivators abandon the land and make a fresh clearing in the forest.Which occupation is being discussed in the passage. Also mention a second name of this occupation.What is the usual practice of making the soil nutrient-rich?Name the crops that are grown there.Why do you think this practice contributes to environmental degradation?

Accepted Answer

The occupation being discussed in the given passage is Shifting Cultivation, which is also known as Slash-and-burn agriculture.The usual practice of making the soil nutrient-rich is to burn the felled trees and then mix their ashes in the soil as nutrients.The crops that are grown there include yams, manioc, beans, tobacco, cocoa and pumpkins.This practice contributes to environmental degradation because it involves clearing and burning sections of rainforest, which leads to:Loss of forest coverSoil erosionLoss of biodiversityAir pollution from burningRepeated clearing over time reduces the forest's ability to regenerate.

Question 6

Question 2(a)What similarities do you observe between the forests of Canada and the rainforests of Brazil?

Accepted Answer

The similarities between the forests of Canada (mostly coniferous forests) and the rainforests of Brazil (Amazon) are:Rich Natural Resources: Both forests are rich in natural vegetation and resources—Canada’s forests provide timber and pulp, while Brazil’s rainforests offer hardwood trees, medicinal plants, and more.Support Wildlife: Both forests support diverse wildlife, though the species vary due to climate. They serve as habitats for animals, birds, and insects.Important for Economy: Forestry is an important economic activity in both countries — timber, paper, and forest products are major exports.Environmental Importance: Both forests play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance — they absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and influence the climate.Under Threat: Both are facing threats from deforestation, though the reasons may differ — logging and mining in Canada, and Shifting cultivation along with reckless human activities such as ranching, mining, logging and urbanisation in Amazon Rainforests.

Question 7

Question 2(b)What are the differences in the livelihoods of native Americans of the Amazon Basin and that of the Lumberjacks of the Canadian forests?

Accepted Answer

AspectNative Americans (Amazon Basin)Lumberjacks (Canadian Forests)OccupationMainly engaged in Shifting Cultivation, hunting and food gathering.Lumberjacks practice lumbering, i.e. cutting, processing or exporting wood from trees.LifestyleLead a forest-based life, depend on the forest for food, clothing, shelter and medicines.Lead a commercial and industrial lifestyle, working for companies that extract forest resources.Tools and TechniquesPrimitive equipments like bows, arrows, spears and trapsEarlier equipments used- chainsaws, feller-bunchers and so on. Nowadays, modern logging equipment is used.PurposeLivelihood is based on self-sufficiency and survival.Livelihood is based on earning wages and export-oriented timber trade.Environmental ImpactDepletion of the rainforest due to Shifting agriculture.Logging leads to deforestation and ecological imbalance.

Question 8

Question 3(a)Look at these twin-picture sets and answer the following questions:Where are these creatures found?Give the location of the islands where these creatures are found.Research and write one particular feature of these animals.

Accepted Answer

The creatures in the image are found in the Galapagos Islands.The Galapagos Islands lie off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean.The picture on the left shows Blue-footed booby, which is known for its distinctive bright blue feet.The picture on the right shows Galapagos giant tortoise, which is known for its long lifespan, sometimes living over 100 years, and its large size, being the largest living species of tortoise.

Question 9

Question 4Study the map to answer the following questions:Identify the major river on the map.Mention the source of the river. Write the name of the water body it drains into.Discuss how the ecosystem around this river is changing in recent times.Which are the tribes dwelling here?Describe the farming practised by the people living in this ecosystem. Why is this harmful to the environment? Give two points in support of your answer.

Accepted Answer

Amazon riverIt originates in the Andes Mountains drains into the Atlantic Ocean.The Amazon ecosystem is experiencing:Deforestation due to logging, agriculture, and cattle ranching.Loss of biodiversity as natural habitats are being destroyed.Climate change impacts, like reduced rainfall and increasing temperatures, which threaten the rainforest's survival.Tribes living in the Amazon Basin include:YanomamiTicunaKayapoMundurukuThe people living in the Amazon Basin practise shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture. It is harmful to the environment in the following ways:Leads to deforestation, as new forest areas are constantly cleared.Depletes soil nutrients quickly, making land unfit for future farming and contributing to environmental degradation.

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