Question 1:
From the first paragraph
Pick out two phrases which describe the desert as most people
believe it is;
Which do you think is an apt description and why?
Answer:
The following two phrases describe the desert as most people see it: (a) an endless stretch of sand, (b) dry, hot, waterless land and without shelter.
Question 2:
From the first paragraph
Pick out two phrases which describe the desert as specialists
see it.
Which do you think is an apt description and why?
Answer:
The following phrases describe the desert as seen by specialists: (a) a beautiful place, (b)
home to a variety of people, animals and plants that have learnt to live under very hot and
dry conditions.
The second description is apt as it gives a true picture of the desert.
Question 3:
The phrases on the left in the following box occur in the text. Match each of them with a
phrase on the right.
Answer:
Question 4:
A camel can do without water for days together. What is the reason given in the text?
Answer:
A camel can stand high body temperature. It sweats very little and therefore it can retain the water it drinks for long periods of time. That is why a camel can do without water for days together.
Question 5:
How do the smaller desert animals fulfil their need for water?
Answer:
Smaller desert animals do not drink water. Some of them eat other animals. They get water from the moisture in the meat of other animals. Others get water they need from juices of the plants they eat.
Question 5:
In a desert the temperature rises during the day and falls rapidly at night. Why?
Answer:
It is due to the lack of moisture in the air.
Question 6:
Describe a desert in your own way. Write a paragraph and read it aloud to your classmates.
Answer:
A desert is generally a place with little or no water and vegetation. A desert can be a hot and sandy place. It can also be very cold. A desert can also be a beautiful place. Variety of people, animals and plants can be seen in a desert. Whenever there is rainfall in a desert, flowers bloom and the sight is very charming. In hot deserts, camel is the most useful animal. It is called the ‘ship of the desert’ as it transports people across the desert and can survive in extreme temperatures.
Question 7:
Go to the library and collect information about the lifestyle of people in desert areas–their food, clothes, work, social customs, etc. Share this information with the group.
Answer:
Life in a desert is very hard and dull. There are dust storms during the day. So people wear such clothes that cover whole of their body. Generally, men wear kurta, dhoti and pagri. The women wear sari and blouse. Most people rear cattle. They keep on moving with their cattle from place to place. Camel is their most important animal. People who live near oasis do farming. People follow various social customs. They are very fond of folk dances and celebrate various festivals. These add colour to their hard life.