ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Weathering and Soil

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Weathering and Soil

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

Discuss

From encycopaedias and the Internet, find out the different types of soil found in India. Discuss the importance of these soils for crops cultivated in our country. You should form groups in class for this activity.
Answer:
Soils of India: Six Different Types of Soils Found in India are as follows:
Soil is our prime natural and economic resource. Soils in India differ in composition and structure.

  1. Alluvial Soils : These are formed by the deposition of sediments by rivers. They are rich in humus and very fertile. They are found in Great Northern plain, lower valleys of Narmada and Tapti and Northern Gujarat. These soils are renewed every year.
  2. Black Soils : These soils are made up of volcanic rocks and lava-flow. It is concentrated over Deccan Lava Tract which includes parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It consists of Lime, Iron, Magnesium and also Potash but lacks in Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Organic matter.
  3. Red Soils : These are derived from weathering of ancient metamorphic rocks of Deccan Plateau. Its redness is due to iron composition. When iron content is lower it is yellow or brown. They cover almost the whole of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and parts of Orissa.
  4. Laterite Soils : These soils are formed due to in-tense leaching and are well developed on the sum-mits of hills and uplands.
    They are commonly found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and hilly areas of Orissa and Assam.
  5. Mountain Soils : These soils are formed as a result of the accumulation of organic matter derived from forest growth. They are found in Himalayan region and vary in different regions according to altitude. Tea is grown in those areas which receive sufficient rainfall.
  6. Desert Soils : In the desert regions of Rajasthan, soils are not well developed. As evaporation is in excess of rainfall, the soil has a high salt content and saline layer forms a hard crust. These soils are gen-erally sandy and deficient in organic matter.

THINK AND ANSWER

Soil formation is an important benefit of weathering. How is it important for mankind ?
Answer:
Soil formation is an important for mankindas :

  1. A habitat for several plants and animals
  2. A storage bank for water and nutrients
  3. Foundation of the world’s food chain
  4. Provides an anchor for plants

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

People have used various farming methods to increase food production. However, in the process, they have stripped soil of nutrients, leading to its degradation.
Can you suggest some ways by which we can reduce soil degradation ?
Answer:
We can reduce soil degradation by Contour tilling, terrace farming, strip cropping, contour bunding, afforestation, crop rotation, fallowing and controlled grazing.

EXERCISES

A. Match the column

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 8 Weathering and Soil 1
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 8 Weathering and Soil 2

B. Distinguish between each of the following pairs

Question 1.
Degradation and aggradation
Answer:
Degradation :
The process by which rock materials from the earth’s surface are removed resulting in general lowering of land surfaces.
Aggradation :
The process by which the rock material removed from the earth’s surface and then deposited in depressions such as valleys, lakes and sea beds. The depression fills

Question 2.
Weathering and erosion
Answer:
Weathering :
It is the process by which rocks on the land surface break down or crumble because of the action of the elements of weather such as rain, frost and temperature changes.
Erosion :
It is the process by which the weathered materials are transported elsewhere by agents such as running water, moving ice waves, and winds.

Question 3.
Granular disintegration and exfoliation
Answer:
Granular disintegration :
A form of weathering where the grains of a rock become loosened and fall out to leave a pitted and uneven surface.
Exfoliation :
When the surface layers of rounded and boulders gradually peel off in layers due to expansion of the outer layer during the day and the contraction of the same layer during night, the process is called exfoliation.

Question 4.
Hydration and solution
Answer:
Hydration :
This occurs when water itself chemically combines with some minerals present in rocks. Thus, crystalline minerals, such as feldspar and potash, absorb water and become a powdery mass due to the process of hydration, resulting in their erosion.
Solution :
This is the simplest form of chemical weathering by which some minerals dissolve in water when rainwater falls on rocks or when river water flows over rocks. The soluble minerals dissolve and are removed, . resulting in the breakup of the rocks.

Question 5.
Soil erosion and soil conservation
Answer:
Soil erosion :
It refers to the washing away or removal of the layers of soil by various agents like running water and wind.
Soil conservation :
It refers to the protection of soil against erosion and exhaustion because of deforestation, excessive grazing, running

C. Give geographical reasons

Question 1.
Temperature changes result in physical weathering.
Answer:
Temperature changes result in expansion and contraction of rocks during day and night resulting in degradation of rocks. In the temperate latitudes the frost shatters the rocks.

Question 2.
Gases in the atmosphere affect weathering.
Answer:
The minerals contained in the rocks react with the gases and moisture in the air like oxygen reacts with iron and causes the rocks to rust and get eroded.

Question 3.
Human activities affect weathering.
Answer:
Human activities like mining, quarrying deforestation, tunnelling, road construction and farming affect the weathering.

Question 4.
Soil is a very important resource.
Answer:
Soil is an important resource as human beings depend on it for their basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. It takes thousands of years for a thin layer of soil to form.

Question 5.
There is a need for soil conservation.
Answer:
Soil should be conserved as humans depend directly or indirectly on soil for their basic needs of food, shelter and clothing.

D. Answer the following questions in brief

Question 1.
Name any four agents of erosion.
Answer:
Soil erosion also refers to the loss of fertility of soil, which makes the soil infertile and exhausted. Cutting down of trees and forests, overgrazing by animals, floods, and improper farming practices are some of the main causes of soil erosion.

Question 2.
List any three factors that affect weathering.
Answer:
Factors that affect weathering are :

  1. Local climate
  2. Mineral composition
  3. Structure of rock
  4. Human activities
  5. Amount of exposed or bare rocks surface, and human activities.

Question 3.
In which regions of the world is ‘frost action’ the common form of weathering?
Answer:
In temperate latitudes frost action is common form of weathering.

Question 4.
Which is the most important effect of weathering?
Answer:
Landslides and soil erosion are two major effects of weathering.

Question 5.
What are the components of topsoil?
Answer:
The topmost layer is the topsoil (Layer D) which consists of clay, silt, sand and humus.

Question 6.
Name the various methods of conserving soil.
Answer:
The various methods of conserving soil are :
Contour tilling, terrace farming, strip cropping, contour bunding, afforestation, crop rotation, fallowing and controlled grazing.

Question 7.
Distinguish between contour tilling and contour bunding.
Answer:
Contour Tilling — In this method the farmer tills or ploughs
the fields along the contours of the land rather than tilling up and down the slope. Contour tilling is practised in hilly areas rather than the plains. It prevents the soil from being washed away by water or by surface run-off as the contour acts like a bund. The contour also facilitates the percolation of water into the soil.
Contour Bunding — Soil is conserved by making bunds or walls or embankments made of mud along contour lines to prevent water from draining out of the cultivated field, thereby preventing erosion.

Question 8.
What do you understand by controlled grazing ?
Answer:
Controlled grazing is a simple method of soil conservation, It is to restrict the grazing of cattle, sheep and goats on grasslands and within forests. When cattle graze on fields, grass and smaller plants get tom from their roots, leaving the soil loose and exposed to wind and water erosion. Moreover, the pressure of the animals hooves on the soil makes it lose its cohesion and structure, exposing it to the forces of wind and water. Land meant for grazing of cattle should be specially selected and fenced off.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1.
What is gradation? Describe the two processes involved in gradation.
Answer:
Gradation is the process of levelling the land by means of moving agents like rivers, or wearing away and lowlands are raised by adding the eroded material by the process of deposition. This is because there is constant earth movement which raises mountains and winds, seas and waves. The highlands are made low by erosion and this process is called degradation and materials are deposited elsewhere in depressions like valleys, lakes, etc. and these lowlands are raised by the process called aggradation.

Question 2.
Describe the process that leads to exfoliation.
Answer:
When the surface layers of rounded rocks and boulders gradually peel off in layers is called exfoliation. This occurs due to expansion of the outer layer during the day and the contraction of the same layer during the night, repeatedly over a period of time.

Question 3.
Discuss the role of water in the process of chemical weathering.
Answer:
Water plays an important role in chemical weathering. The carbon dioxide in atmosphere dissolves in rainwater and form carbonic acid and reacts with minerals in the rocks. The soluble minerals dissolve in water such as feedspar and potash absorb water and become a powdery mass. Similarily soluble minerals dissolve and are removed, resulting in the breakup of the rocks. Rock salt, gypsum, and silica are examples of minerals that are highly soluble and when rainfall falls they decompose.

Question 4.
How do animals and plants assist in weathering?
Answer:
The decaying remains of dead plants in soil tend to form organic acid which when dissolved in water cause chemical weathering. Ants, earthworms and burrowing animals such as rats and rabbits loosen soil and make tunnels causing weathering.

Question 5.
What is meant by the terms ‘soil erosion’ and ‘soil conservation’?
Answer:
Soil erosion refers to washing away or removal of the layer of soil by various agents like running water and wind.
Sheet erosion and gully erosion are the two most common ways by which soil gets eroded. When there is heavy rainfall, the top layer of soil over large areas gets washed away. This is known as sheet erosion. When rainwater in region flows down the slopes making deep and narrow furrows, it is called gully erosion. Soil erosion also refers to the loss of fertility of soil, which makes the soil infertile and exhausted.
Cutting down the trees and forests, overgrazing by animals, floods, and improper farming practices are some of the main causes of soil erosion.
Soil conservation is the protecting of soil against erosion and exhaustion by planting trees, shrubs and grass on hill slopes.
Soil can be conserved by controlling grazing of cattle and use of proper farming methods such as the levelling of fields, terracing of hill slopes, construction of mud walls or bunds and ploughing fields in circles.

Question 6.
Why is soil conservation important ? Give three reasons.
Answer:
Soil conservation is very important because soil consists of
mineral particles, moisture, living organisms like bacteria and earthworms, and decayed organic matter. It is one of the most important resources as human beings-depend on it, both directly and indirectly, for their basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing. It takes thousands of years for even a thin layer of soil to form.

Question 7.
Explain any two methods of soil conservation briefly.
Answer:

  1. Contour Tilling — In this method the farmer tills or ploughs
    the fields along the contours of the land rather than tilling up and down the slope. Contour tilling is practised in hilly areas rather than the plains. It prevents the soil from being washed away by water or by surface run-off as the contour acts like a bund. The contour also facilitates the percolation of water into the soil.
  2. Terrace Farming — Terrace farming involves making terraces or steps on a hill or mountain by cutting into the side of the hill or mountain. Since the land is made flat, it reduces surface run-off, thereby preventing erosion. It also facilitates the absorption of water into the soil. Terrace cultivation is common on mountain slopes all over the world.
  3. Contour Bunding — Soil is conserved by making bunds or walls or embankments made of mud along contour lines to prevent water from draining out of the cultivated field, thereby preventing erosion.

F. Make a chart for your classroom showing the causes of different types of weathering.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

G. Form pairs or groups of three or four students and discuss, with examples, how we depend directly and indirectly on soil.
Answer:
Do it Yourself with the help of teacher.

H. Picture Study
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 8 Weathering and Soil 3

Question 1.
What is this farming method called ?
Answer:
Terrace farming.

Question 2.
Mention any two other methods that help in controlling soil erosion.
Answer:
Construction of mud walls, ploughing fields in circles, levelling of fields can also prevent soil erosion.

 

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

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

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 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
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 13 Europe Climate, Natural Vegetation, Wildlife Forest, Minerals & Power Resources 1
Answer:

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 13 Europe Climate, Natural Vegetation, Wildlife Forest, Minerals & Power Resources 2

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.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 13 Europe Climate, Natural Vegetation, Wildlife Forest, Minerals & Power Resources 3

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

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

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

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.


ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 3 Composition and Structure Of The Atmosphere 1
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 3 Composition and Structure Of The Atmosphere 2

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.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 3 Composition and Structure Of The Atmosphere 3

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 Chapter 3 Composition and Structure Of The Atmosphere 4

 

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

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

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

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

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 18 Antarctica Location, Physical Features, Climate, Natural Vegetation 1
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.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 18 Antarctica Location, Physical Features, Climate, Natural Vegetation 2

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.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 18 Antarctica Location, Physical Features, Climate, Natural Vegetation 3

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.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 18 Antarctica Location, Physical Features, Climate, Natural Vegetation 4

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.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 18 Antarctica Location, Physical Features, Climate, Natural Vegetation 5

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.

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

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

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

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
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 1

Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 2

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.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 3

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.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 4
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.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 5

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:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 6

G Picture study
Look at the symbols given here and answer the questions that follow.
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 7

Question 1.
What does symbols 1 and 2 show?
Answer:
ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage Chapter 1 Topographical Sheets Colours, Signs and Symbols 8

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