Here we are providing Class 5 SST The Desert Question Answer for students to learn for exams.
Short answer questions.
(a) Where are deserts found on the Earth?
(a) Deserts are found on the western side of continents between 15° and 35° north and south of the equator.
(b) Name two hot deserts and two cold deserts.
(b) Two hot deserts are the Sahara Desert and the Atacama Desert. Two cold deserts are the Gobi Desert and the Patagonian Desert.
(c) Hot deserts have little vegetation. What could be its reason?
(c) The reason for little vegetation in hot deserts is the scarcity of water, presence of sandy soil, and extreme heat.
(d) Why do plants usually have long roots in deserts?
(d) Plants usually have long roots in deserts to reach deep into the ground for water, as the surface soil is dry.
(e) When are tortoises active in deserts?
(e) Tortoises are generally active in the morning and evening when it is somewhat cool.
(f) Why is the camel called the ship of the desert?
(f) The camel is called the ship of the desert because it is a highly adaptable and useful means of transport and beast of burden in the desert.
Long answer questions.
(a) What is a desert? How are the deserts distributed on Earth?
(a) A desert is defined as an area receiving very scanty rainfall with little vegetation. Deserts are distributed on Earth mostly between 15° and 35° north and south of the equator, known as subtropical deserts. Major hot deserts include the Sahara, Atacama, Arabian, and Utah Deserts, while cold deserts include the Arctic region, Antarctica, Gobi, Siberia, Patagonia, and Alaska.
(b) What gives rise to sandy terrains in deserts?
(b) Sandy terrains in deserts are formed due to extreme weather conditions, including hot winds and dust storms. Sandy soil, which is loose and retains very little moisture, reinforces the formation of sand dunes and inhibits healthy vegetation.
(c) Describe the climate in the deserts.
(c) Deserts have an arid climate with extreme temperature conditions throughout the year. They experience very hot days and cold nights, with a vast diurnal range of temperatures. Annual rainfall is negligible, often less than 25 cm.
(d) Describe the adaptations in leaves and roots of desert plants.
(d) Desert plants have adaptations to suit the harsh climate, including long and deep roots to access water, thorny stems for protection, leathery leaves with wax coating to reduce water loss, and dry fruits and spines. These adaptations help them survive in arid conditions.
(e) What adaptations have the camel, fox and tortoise undergone in deserts?
(e) Camels have adapted to deserts with features like storing water in large volumes, padded feet to protect from hot sand, and hairy eyelashes to prevent sand from entering their eyes. Foxes have large ears to dissipate excess body heat, while tortoises are active in the morning and evening and burrow under the sand for protection.
(f) Describe the human life settlement patterns of the people living in deserts.
(f) People in deserts follow three main settlement patterns: semi-nomadic life, nomadic life, and settled life. Some tribes, like the Bedouins and Tuaregs, lead nomadic lives, while others live near oases, on floodplains, or in areas irrigated by water brought from afar.
(g) What are the main occupations of the people of the desert?
(g) The main occupations of people in deserts include animal rearing, farming (mostly near oases and rivers), trading (often conducted on camel backs, though the use of camels is diminishing), and mining. Some tribes, like the Bedouins and Tuaregs, lead nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles, while others live a settled life near water sources. Mining activities are crucial in regions with abundant natural resources like iron ore, copper, petroleum, and natural gas.
