Exploring Continents: Africa, Australia and Antarctica Book Back Questions 8th Social Science Lesson 15
8th Social Science Lesson 15
15] Exploring Continents: Africa, Australia and Antarctica
Book Back Questions with Answer and Do You Know Box Content
Do You Know?
Africa is called a Dark Continent. In the beginning the interior of Africa was largely unknown to them. The European explorer Henry M. Stanley was the first to use the term the “Dark Continent” (1878) .
The north-western African countries of Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania and Tunisia are collectively called “Maghreb” which means west in Arabic language.
The glaciers on the top of Kilimanjaro have been disappearing since 20th centuries. If this trend continues, Kilimanjaro summit will be ice-free by 2025.
Sheep rearing in semi-arid region of South Africa is called “Karoos”.
The country Egypt is called the “Gift of the Nile” as it is the lifeline of the Egypt. Without Nile the Egypt would have been a desert.
Tropical deserts are located between 20o and 30o north and south of the equator on the western margin of the continents. The deserts lie in the belt of the trade winds which blow from northeast in the northern hemisphere and southeast in the southern hemisphere. Therefore, the general direction of the trade winds is from east to west. These winds shed their moisture on the eastern margins of the continents and by the time they reach the west, they lose their moisture.
A hot and dry dusty local wind blowing from the Sahara Desert to Guinea coast is called “Harmattan”. A hot local wind blowing from Sahara to Mediterranean Sea is called “Sirocco”. Tropical rain forest is called the “Jewel of the earth” and the world’s largest pharmacy.
The major tribes of the world are called the first indigenous people. These people have a strong sense of their own identity as unique with their own lands, languages and cultures. Afar, Fatwa, Bushmen, Dinka, Masai, Pygmies, Zulu, Tswan, and Efe are the major tribes of Africa.
Australia was discovered by Captain James Cook, an English Seaman in 1770.
Bourke is the place in Australia where the highest temperature is recorded (53oC) . It is located in the central low lands. The lowest temperature of the country is recorded in Canberra, the capital of Australia (-22oC) .
The people who work in the sheep stations in Australia are known as Jackaroos. Aborigines are the indigenous people of the Australia.
The sheep industry is well developed in Australia. The wool is described as the “Cash Crop” of Australia.
The temperate grass land of Australia is known as “Downs”.
Scientists of any country are free to conduct experiments and collect data from Antarctica. Hence it is called “Continent of Science”.
Antarctica is the largest piece of ice on the surface of Earth. About 70% of Earth’s fresh water is in the Antarctic ice cap.
Vinson Massif (5140m) is the highest peak in Antarctica. It is located in the southern part of Sentinel Range. Lambert glacier of this continent is the largest glacier in the world.
Mcmurdo is the largest research station in Antarctica. It was set up by the United States of America. Dakshin Gangotri was the first Indian Scientific research base station in Antarctica.
Choose the best answers:
1. The southernmost tip of Africa is ___________
(a) Cape Blanca
(b) Cape Agulhas
(c) Cape of Good Hope
(d) Cape Town
2. The manmade canal through an isthmus between Egypt and Sinai Peninsula is
(a) Panama Canal
(b) Aswan Canal
(c) Suez Canal
(d) Albert Canal
3. In respect of the Mediterranean climate, consider the following statements and choose the correct answer.
1. The average rainfall is 15 cm.
2. The summers are hot and dry; winters are rainy.
3. Winters are cool and dry; summers are hot and wet.
4. Citrus fruits are grown.
(a) 1 is correct
(b) 2 and 4 are correct
(c) 3 and 4 are correct
(d) All are correct
4. The range which separates the west and east flowing rivers in Australia is
(a) Great Dividing Range
(b) Himalayan range
(c) Flinders range
(d) Mac Donnell range
5. Kalgoorile is famous for _________ mining.
(a) Diamond
(b) Platinum
(c) Silver
(d) Gold
Fill in the blanks:
1. Atlas Mountain is located in _____________ continent.
2. ____________ is the highest peak of Africa.
3. ___________ is the most common tree in Australia.
4. A temperate grass land of Australia is called _______________
5. __________ is the first Indian research station in Antarctica.
Match the following:
1. Pinnacle – Equatorial forest
2. Krill – Salt Lake
3. Ostrich – Small red fish
4. Lake Eyre – Flightless bird
5. Jewel of the earth – Pointed limestone pillars
Consider the following the statements and tick the appropriate answer:
1. Assertion (A): Aurora is a curtain of colour lights appear in the sky.
Reason (R): They are caused by magnetic storms in the upper atmosphere.
(a) Both A and R is individually true and R is the correct explanation for A
(b) Both A and R is individually true but R is not the correct explanation for A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) R is true but A is false
2. Assertion (A): A geological feature of Africa is the Great Rift Valley.
Reason (R): A Rift valley is a large crack in the earth’s surface formed by tectonic activity.
(a) Both A and R is individually true and R is the correct explanation for A
(b) Both A and R is individually true but R is not the correct explanation for A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) R is true but A is false
Answers:
Choose the best answers:
1. Cape Agulhas 2. Suez Canal 3. 2 and 4 are correct 4. Great Dividing Range 5. Gold
Fill in the blanks:
1. North – west Africa 2. Mt. Kilimanjaro 3. Eucalyptus 4. Downs 5. Dakshin Gangotri
Match the following:
1.Pinnacle – pointed limestone pillars
2.Krill – small red fish
3.Ostrich – flightless bird
4.Lake Eyre – Salt Lake
5.Jewel of the earth- Equatorial forest
Consider the statements given below and choose the correct option:
1.Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation for A.
2.Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation for A.