Major Temperature Zones of the Earth
Theme 3 : The Earth - Its Geographical Features
(My Watch Tower Social Studies)
Time to Camp - Exercises
A. Choose the correct answers and fill the OMR box.
1. The sunrays are the strongest throughout the year in the _________ Zone.
a. Torrid. [✓]
b. North Temperate. [ ]
c. South Temperate. [ ]
d. Frigid. [ ]
2. The savannah grasslands are found in _________ .
a. South America. [ ]
b. Australia. [ ]
c. Africa. [✓]
d. South-east Asia. [ ]
3. Fine-quality Merino sheep are found in the __________ Zone.
a. Frigid. [ ]
b. South Torrid. [ ]
c. Temperate. [✓]
d. North Torrid. [ ]
4. Polar bear are found in the _________ Zone.
a. North Frigid. [✓]
b. South Frigid. [ ]
c. savanna. [ ]
d. equatorial. [ ]
5. In the Northern Hemisphere, the main occupation of the people is _________ .
a. farming. [ ]
b. fishing. [✓]
c. gardening. [ ]
d. nursing. [ ]
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. The Kalahari Desert is in Torrid Zone.
2. Tundra vegetation is found in the North Frigid Zone.
3. The largest amount of softwood is provided by the coniferous forests.
4. The Bushmen live in the Kalahari Desert.
C. State whether true or false.
1. Equatorial rainforests are only found in the Torrid Zone. [T]
2. Hunting and fishing are the main occupations of the people of the Frigid Zone. [T]
3. The tropical deserts have cool summers and cold winters. [F]
4. The spherical shape of the Earth is responsible for this uneven heat distribution. [T]
5. The Frigid Zone is the hottest climatic zone on the Earth. [F]
D. Answer these questions.
1. Why is heat not distributed equally all over the Earth?
= The spherical shape of the Earth is responsible for the uneven distribution of heat around the world. The regions near the Equator receive direct rays of the Sun which spread over less area on the Earth's surface and, therefore, have greater intensity of heat. As we travel farther away from the Equator, the rays of the Sun become slanting that spread over a larger area on the Earth's surface and are, therefore, less intense.
2. Which is the hottest temperature zone? How is the climate of this zone?
= The Torrid Zone is the hottest temperate zone.
The Torrid Zone lying between the Equator and the tropics is the hottest zone. Different types of climates are experienced. Desert, equatorial rainforests as well as tropical grasslands are found in the tropical zone, depending on the amount of rainfall received by a particular region.
3. In which climate zone do we find four distinct seasons? Describe the climate of this zone.
= In Temperate Zone, we find four distinct seasons.
The climate in the temperate zone is moderate, that is, neither too hot nor too cold. There are four distinct seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winters unlike the equatorial rainforests. Summers are short and pleasant while winters are cold. Sometimes, there is heavy snowfall during winter.
4. What is tundra vegetation? What animals are commonly found in the Frigid Zone?
= Vegetation is sparse in the Frigid Zone. It remains covered with snow and ice for most of the year. During summer, some of the snow starts melting and some dwarf shrubs, mosses, lichens and herbs grow close to the ground. This is called tundra vegetation.
In South Frigid Zone, the commonly found animals are whales, elephant seals, different kinds of migratory birds and penguins. Some of the animals found in the North Frigid Zone are Polar bear, Arctic fox, Arctic hare and reindeer. Huskies (a dog breed) are also found in the tundra region.
5. Write a short note on the equatorial rainforests.
= The equatorial rainforests are located close to the Equator and receive heavy rainfall throughout the year. Equatorial or tropical rainforests are home to diverse range of animals and plants. Almost half of the world's animals and plants are found here.
The equatorial rainforests are home to many different tribal groups. They are dependent on the forests for food, shelter and medicines. They also practise a primitive type of farming known as shifting cultivation. The farmers clear a patch of forest by cutting and burning trees. They cultivate that patch for about two or three years, growing crops such as maize, rice, vegetables, palm and cassava. Once the patch of land loses its fertility, the tribal people abandon it and clear a new patch of forest. The equatorial rainforests are known as the lungs of the world as they provide a large amount of oxygen to the atmosphere. However, they are in serious danger of being destroyed due to reckless feeling of trees for agriculture and building roads, railways and cities.
Picture Study
Look at the picture and answer the questions.
1. Which animal is this? How is it useful to us?
= This animal is Merino Sheep.
Fine-quality Merino wool is obtained from Merino sheep.
2. In which type of climate zone can they be found?
= They can be found in temperate zone. They are found in the Downs of Australia.