A.
1. a. 2. c. 3. b. 4. b. 5. d.
B.
1. Solimoes, Atlantic
2. conventional, afternoon
3. shifting, cutting, burning
4. delta
5. Rhino, Tiger
C.
1. T 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. F
D.
1. c. 2. e. 3. d. 4. a. 5. b.
E. Short Answer Type Questions
1. How are the trees in the Amazon Basin used commercially?
Trees in the Amazon Basin are used commercially for timber, rubber, medicines, fruits, nuts, and other forest products. Hardwood trees are used for making furniture, construction materials, and paper products.
2. Why is the Amazon region called a bio-diverse ecosystem?
The Amazon region is called a bio-diverse ecosystem because it contains a large variety of plants, animals, birds, insects, and aquatic life. Many species found here are not found anywhere else in the world.
3. What do you understand by intensive agriculture? Where is it practised?
Intensive agriculture means growing crops on small areas of land using more labour, fertilizers, and irrigation to produce high yields. It is widely practised in densely populated areas such as the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin.
4. What is the extent of the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
The Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin lies between the Himalayas in the north and the Peninsular Plateau in the south. It spreads across northern India, Bangladesh, and parts of Nepal and Bhutan before meeting the Bay of Bengal.
5. What kind of natural vegetation is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin?
The basin mainly has tropical monsoon deciduous forests. Important trees found here include teak, sal, neem, mango, banyan, and bamboo, which shed their leaves during the dry season.
F. Long Answer Type Questions
1. Why are the northern plains of the Ganga extremely fertile?
The northern plains are extremely fertile because rivers like the Ganga and its tributaries bring large amounts of fine soil called alluvium from the Himalayas. Every year floods deposit fresh layers of fertile soil on the plains.
This soil is rich in minerals and suitable for agriculture. Availability of water and flat land also supports farming. Hence, crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, and jute grow well in this region.
2. What problems are caused by rapid development in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin and how can they be solved?
Rapid population growth and development have caused problems such as pollution of rivers, deforestation, floods, overcrowding, and pressure on resources.
These problems can be solved by controlling pollution, planting more trees, proper waste management, flood control measures, and better planning of cities and industries.
3. Why is the Amazon River called the ‘King of Waters’?
The Amazon River is called the ‘King of Waters’ because it carries the largest volume of water in the world. It has many tributaries and flows through a vast rainforest region, making it one of the longest and most powerful rivers.
4. Describe the wildlife found in the Amazon Basin.
The Amazon Basin has a great variety of wildlife. Animals such as monkeys, jaguars, sloths, anacondas, and river dolphins are found here. The region also has colourful birds like toucans and parrots.
Numerous insects, reptiles, frogs, and fish species live in the dense forests and rivers, making the region one of the richest wildlife areas in the world.
5. What occupations do people of the Amazon Basin practise?
People of the Amazon Basin practise activities such as fishing, hunting, shifting cultivation, rubber tapping, and collection of forest products. Some people also work in logging, farming, and tourism-related activities.
G. Distinguish Between
1. Flora and Fauna of Amazon Basin and Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin
| Amazon Basin | Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin |
|---|---|
| Dense evergreen forests. | Deciduous monsoon forests. |
| Rich variety of wildlife like jaguar and anaconda. | Animals like elephant, tiger, and deer. |
2. Climate of Amazon Basin and Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin
| Amazon Basin | Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin |
|---|---|
| Hot and wet throughout the year. | Hot summers and cool winters. |
| Heavy rainfall all year. | Seasonal monsoon rainfall. |
H. Give Reasons
1. The Amazon Basin is hot and wet throughout the year.
The basin lies near the Equator and receives direct sunlight and heavy rainfall throughout the year, making it hot and wet.
2. The Amazon Basin receives convectional rainfall in the afternoons.
Strong heating during the day causes warm air to rise, cool, and form clouds, resulting in heavy rainfall mostly in the afternoon.
3. Dense evergreen forests are commercially less viable.
Trees grow very densely and different species are mixed together, making it difficult to cut and transport timber commercially.
4. The world’s largest delta is located in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin.
The Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers deposit large amounts of sediments at their mouth in the Bay of Bengal, forming the world’s largest delta called the Sundarbans Delta.
5. The ‘bhabar’ region is most fertile.
Rivers deposit fertile soil in this region, making the land suitable for agriculture.