NCERT-

Q1. Scientists have actually found skeletons of fish in Sahara desert .

What could have happened ?

Ans. As scientists have found have skeleton of fish in Sahara desert, it

shows the presence of water bodies in that region. However, the change
in the climate has changed it to a very hot and dry region that makes
species extinct

Q 2. What are the two types of deserts found in the world?

Ans. The two types of deserts found in the world are

• Hot desert

• Cold desert

Q 3. In which continent is the Sahara desert located?

Ans. The Sahara desert is located in African continent.

Q 4. What are the climatic conditions of the Ladakh desert?

Ans. The climatic conditions of the Ladakh desert are extremely cold and
dry. The air of high altitude is so thin that the heat of the Sun can be felt
intensely.

Q 5. What mainly attracts tourists to Ladakh?

Ans. Tourists are mainly attracted to Ladakh to visit gompas, going on

treks to see the meadows and glaciers, and participating in local
ceremonies and festivities.

Q 6. What type of clothes the people of the Sahara desert wear?

Ans. The people of the Sahara desert wear heavy robes for protection
against dust storms and hot winds.

Q 7. Name the trees that grow in Ladakh.

Ans. The trees that grow in Ladakh are willows, poplars, apples, apricots
and walnuts

Q.2 Tick the correct answer.

1. Sahara is located in which part of Africa?

(a) Northern
(b) Eastern

(c) Western

2. Sahara is what type of desert?

(a) Cold

(b) Hot

(c) Mild

3. The Ladakh desert is mainly inhabited by

(a) Christians and Muslims

(b) Buddhists and Muslims

(c) Christians and Buddhists

4. Deserts are characterised by

(a) scanty vegetation

(b) heavy precipitation

(c) low evaporation

5. Hemis in the Ladakh is a famous

(a) temple

(c) monastery

(b) church

6. Egypt is famous for growing

(a) wheat

(b) cotton

Ans. 1. (a), 2. (b), 3. (b), 4. (a), 5. (c), 6. (b)

Q.4 Give reasons.

(a) There is scanty vegetation in the deserts.

Ans. There is scanty vegetation in the deserts because in the deserts

there is little rainfall and the temperature is extremely high so,
evaporation takes place at a faster rate.

(b) People of the Sahara desert wear heavy robes.

Ans. People of the Sahara desert wear heavy robes to protect themselves
from dust storms and hot winds.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What is the Sahara desert primarily characterised by?

(a) Dense vegetation

(b) Low temperatures

(c) High rainfall

(d) Extreme heat and arid conditions

Ans- d

2. How many countries does the Sahara desert touch?

(a) 5

(b) 8

(c) 11

(d) 15

Ans- c

3. Which desert is known for its extremely high daytime temperatures,

reaching up to 50°C?

(a) Sahara

(c) Atacama

(b) Gobi

(d) Arabian

Ans- a

4. What causes the formation of oasis in the Sahara desert?

(a) Strong winds

(b) Sand dunes

(c) Underground water reaching the surface

(d) Frequent rainfall

Ans- c

5. Which of the following animals is commonly found in the Sahara desert?

(a) Polar bears

(c) Camels

(b) Penguins

(d) Kangaroos

Ans- c

6. What is the traditional occupation of the Bedouins and Tuaregs in the

Sahara desert?

(a) Fishing

(c) Nomadic herding

(b) Agriculture

(d) Mining

Ans- c

7. What important mineral resource has been discovered in the Sahara

desert?

(a) Gold

(c) Oil

(b) Silver

(d) Diamonds

Ans- c

8. Which desert is described as a cold desert in the chapter?

(a) Sahara

(b) Gobi

(c) Atacama

(d) Ladakh

Ans-d

9. What is the main river that flows through Ladakh?

(a) Nile

(c) Indus

(b) Amazon

(d) Yangtze

Ans- c
10. How does the climate of Ladakh affect its agriculture?

(a) It allows for year-round crop cultivation.

(b) It leads to abundant rainfall for crop growth.

(c) It limits crop cultivation to the summer season.

(d) It supports the growth of tropical crops.

Ans- c

11. Akshay, who belongs to Maharashtra, recently went to Ladakh In

winters. He soon fell sick. Which of the following is a characteristic of
Ladakh's climate?

a)Extremely high annual rainfall

b) mild temperatures throughout the year

c) scorching hot summers with temperatures exceeding 50 degree Celsius.

d) Harsh cold winters with temperatures dropping below freezing point

Ans- d

12. What significant transport route links Leh, the capital of Ladakh, to the
Kashmir valley?

a) sea route

b) underground tunnel

c) mountain passes

d) National highway 1 A

Ans- d

13. What is a notable characteristic of Ladakhi people's lifestyle as

mentioned in the information?

a) Excessive use of resources

b) Balance and hormony with nature

(c) Rapid industrialisation

d) Disregard for water conservation

Ans- b

14. Identify the correct option that describe about the region given below.
(i) There is little rainfall as low as an in this region.

(ii) The willow trees are found in this region.

(iii) The Chiru, an endangered species is also found in this region.

Options

(a) Ladakh

(c) Sahara

(b) Shimla

(d) Jammu

Ans- a

15. Identify the correct option that describes the region given below.

(i) It is lying in the Great Himalayas.

(ii) Indus being the most important river in this region.

(iii) In this region, the air at this altitude is so thin that the heat of the Sun
can be felt intensely.

Options

(a) Jammu and Kashmir

(c) Sahara desert

(b) Ladakh

(d) Tibet

Ans- b

16. Choose the correct statement(s) from the following

I. Tafilalet Oasis is situated in Morocco with an area of about 13, 000 sq

km.

II. The altitude in Ladakh varies from 100 m to 1000 m

III Thiksey Monastery is situated in Ladakh

Options

a)only I b) I and II c) I and III d) only III

Ans- c

17. Choose the incorrect statement from the following

I. Birds like robins, red starts are found in Sahara desert.

II There is heavy rainfall in Ladakh region due to Himalayas

III. Indus is an important river of Ladakh region

Codes

a) Only I b) I and II c) only III d) II and III

Ans- b

Assertion and reason-

1. A- The sahara desert was once a lush green plain with rivers and
abundant wildlife.
R- Climate change transforms the sahara into a hot and dry region
leading to the disappearance of rivers and wildlife.
Ans- Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A.

2. A- Tourism is a major industry in Ladakh.

R- Ladakh’s modernisation is causing significant harm to the local
environment and traditional way of life.
Ans- Both A and R are true and R is not correct explanation of A.

Extra Questions-

1. Which trees are mainly found in oasis ?

Ans- Date palm
2. Thiksey monastery belongs to which religion?
Ans- Buddhists

Very short Answer questions-

1. Name the countries that sahara desert touch ?

Ans. The Sahara desert touches 11 countries. These are Algeria,
Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger , Sudan, Tunisia
and western Sahara

2. What is sahara desert known for ?

Ans- The sahara desert is known for its extreme heat and arid
conditions.

3. What is the main source of water in sahara’s oasis ?

Ans. The main source here is underground water that reaches the
surface due to wind erosion.
4. What is the highest recorded temperature in the sahara desert?
Ans. The highest recorded temperature in sahara was 57.7 degree
Celsius in Al Azizia, Libya in 1922.

5. What is the significance of date palms in Sahara oasis regions?

Ans. The significance of date palms in Sahara oasis is that they

provide a crucial source of food.

6. Which minerals are found in the Sahara desert, besides oil?

Ans. Minerals such as iron, phosphorus, manganese, and uranium
are found in the Sahara desert.

7. How has modernisation impacted the traditional lifestyle in the

Sahara desert?
Ans. Modernisation has led to changes in the traditional lifestyle in
the Sahara desert by introducing some changes like the use of
trucks in the salt trade and the shift of some nomadic herdsmen to
city jobs in oil and gas operations.

8. What does 'Ladakh' mean, and where is it located?

Ans. Ladakh is made up of two words; 'La' meaning
'mountain pass' and 'Dak' meaning 'country'. Ladakh is a cold desert
lying in the Great Himalayas, on the Eastern side of Jammu and
Kashmir.

9. Which mountain ranges enclose Ladakh?

Ans. Ladakh is enclosed by the Karakoram range in the North and
the Zanskar mountains in the South.

10. What is the highest temperature typically recorded in Ladakh

during the summer?
Ans. The highest temperature typically recorded in Ladakh during
the summer is just above zero degrees Celsius.

11. What types of vegetation are found in Ladakh's valleys?

Ans. The type of vegetation found in Ladakh valleys includes groves
of willow and poplar trees, along with fruit trees like apples, apricots
and walnuts.

12. What are some common bird species found in Ladakh?

Ans. Common species of birds found in Ladakh include robins,
redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, raven and hoopoe. Some of these are
migratory birds.
13. Which animals are primarily reared by the people of Ladakh?
Ans. People in Ladakh primarily rear yaks, special breeds of dogs,
and other livestock for milk, meat and hides.

14. How do Ladakhi people use the wool of the Tibetan antelope?
Ans. The wool of the Tibetan antelope,known as Shahtoosh, is used
for making fine and warm woollen products.

15. What us significance of willow tree in Ladakh ?

Ans. Willow trees are used to make cricket bats, known for their fine
quality.

16. What are ‘ Gompas’ in Ladakh’s cultural landscape ?

Ans. 'Gompas' are Buddhist monasteries that are prominent in
Ladakh’s cultural landscape.

17. What are the main crops cultivated in Ladakh during the
summer season ?
Ans. During the summer season, people in Ladakh cultivate crops
like barley, potatoes, peas, beans and turnips.

18. How are the resources of water and fuel managed in Ladakh?
Ans. Ladakhi people use water and fuel resources with great care,
avoiding waste and unnecessary disposal due to resource scarcity.

19. What is the primary mode of transportation to Leh, the capital of

Ladakh?
Ans. The primary mode of transportation to Leh is air and road.
National Highway 1A links it to the Kashmir valley via the Zoji la
Pass.

20. What is the primary industry that attracts visitors to Ladakh?

Ans. The primary industry that attracts visitors of Ladakh is tourism.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What are the key features of the Sahara desert's climate, and
how do they impact the region?
Ans. The Sahara desert's climate is characterised by extreme heat,
aridity and limited precipitation.

These conditions result in rapid moisture evaporation, daytime

temperatures reaching as high as 50°C and night time temperatures
dropping significantly. The lack of cloud cover and clear skies
intensify these conditions. These harsh climate factors make
agriculture difficult and force people to adapt to arid conditions.

2. How has the Sahara desert's climate changed over time, and
what evidence supports this change?
Ans. The Sahara desert has become a hot and dry region due to
climatic change.

This transformation is supported by both historical records and

geological research. Historical evidence, such as cave paintings
showing rivers with crocodiles, elephants, lions, and giraffes,
suggests that the Sahara was once a lush green plain.

3. Briefly write about the distribution of flora and fauna in Sahara.

Ans. The distribution of flora and fauna in Sahara is very unique due
to it's very hot and dry weather, Cactus, date palms and acacia are
popular vegetation in Sahara desert. There are oasis with date
palms surrounding them in some places.

Camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions many varieties of snakes

and lizards are the prominent animal species of Sahara. The plants
and animals are mostly found near the area of water spots in the
desert, where it is a little easier to survive.

4. How do oasis regions form in the Sahara desert, and what role do
they play for the local population?
Ans. Oasis regions in the Sahara desert form when the wind erodes
the sand, allowing underground water to reach the surface.

These fertile areas support settled populations and agriculture,

mainly date palms. Crops like rice, wheat. barley, beans and the
famous Egyptian cotton are also grown in oasis regions, providing
important resources for the local population.

5. What is the significance of the 'gompas' in Ladakh, and how do

they influence the local culture?

Ans. Gompas are Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh that play a

significant role in the region's cultural and religious life. They are
centers for Buddhist worship, study, and community gatherings.
These monasteries contribute to the unique cultural landscape of
Ladakh and are sites of pilgrimage and festivals that brings a sense
of community and spirituality among the people.

6. How do Ladakhi people cope with the extreme cold and arid
climate of the region?

Ans. Ladakhi people cope with the extreme cold and arid climate of
the region by engaging in summer crop cultivation, including barley,
potatoes, peas, beans, and turnips.

During the harsh winter ceremonies to stay engag community and

culture.

7. Write difference between Sahara desert and Ladakh desert ?

Ans.

Sahara desert Ladakh desert

It is world’s largest hot desert It is cold desert lying in Great
with an area of around 8.54 Himalayas
million sq km
The climate is scorching hot and Due to high altitude, the climate
parch dry. It has short rainy is extremely cold and dry
season
Camels, Hyenas, jackals, foxes , Wild goats, wild sheep, yak and
snakes, scorpions and lizards special kinds of dogs are found
are prominent animal species here
Vegetation in Sahara desert Vegetation is sparse here. There
include cactus, date palms and are scanty patches of grasses
acacia and shrubs for animals to
graze . Groves of poplar and
willows are seen in valleys.