CBSE Class 7 English Chapter 3 The Desert NCERT Solutions
This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English, Chapter 3, titled 'The Desert'. It covers key comprehension questions that explore the contrasting perceptions of deserts – the common view of them as barren and inhospitable versus the scientific understanding of them as diverse ecosystems. The solutions explain the adaptations of desert flora and fauna, such as camels and smaller animals, to survive extreme conditions. It also delves into the reasons behind drastic temperature fluctuations in deserts. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the chapter's content thoroughly, clarify doubts, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering clear, step-by-step explanations.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | English |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 3- The Desert |
Chapter summary
Chapter 3, 'The Desert', focuses on understanding the desert environment. The NCERT Solutions address comprehension questions about the common versus scientific views of deserts, the unique adaptations of animals like camels and smaller desert creatures for water conservation and survival, and the reasons for extreme day-night temperature variations. These solutions aim to provide clear explanations for students to understand the ecological aspects of deserts.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the dual perception of deserts as presented in the text.
- Identify and explain adaptations of desert animals for survival.
- Explain the reasons for extreme temperature changes in deserts.
- Define key terms related to desert environments like 'oasis'.
- Analyze descriptive phrases used to characterize deserts.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Desert Perception
- Desert Environment
- Desert Flora and Fauna
- Animal Adaptations
- Camel Adaptations
- Desert Temperature Fluctuations
- Oasis
- Water Conservation in Animals
- Desert Survival Strategies
Important topics
- Contrasting views of the desert
- Camel's adaptations for water scarcity
- Survival strategies of smaller desert animals
- Reasons for desert temperature variations
- Meaning and significance of an oasis
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Comprehension Check - Page 16
Most people believe a desert is a place that is 'dry, hot, waterless and without shelter.' They often imagine it as 'an endless stretch of sand where no rain falls and, therefore, no vegetation grows.'
In contrast, specialists view the desert as 'a beautiful place' and 'home of a variety of people, animals and plants.'
Both descriptions can be considered apt in their own context. The common perception arises from media portrayals and general knowledge, often focusing on the harshness. Specialists, through their study and experience, recognize the unique beauty and biodiversity that deserts support, highlighting their ecological significance.
Comprehension Check - Page 17
The phrases are:
- (i) an endless stretch of sand
- (ii) waterless
- (iii) without shelter
- (iv) an oasis
- (v) hidden by a cover of grass
And their matches are:
- (a) fertile place with water and plants in a desert
- (b) not visible because the grass is thick
- (c) nothing but sand as far as one can see
- (d) water and no shade
- (e) no water and no shade
Here are the correct matches based on the text:
- (i) an endless stretch of sand matches with (c) nothing but sand as far as one can see.
- (ii) waterless matches with (e) no water and no shade. (Note: The source text had a slight ambiguity here, but 'no water and no shade' is the most logical fit for 'waterless' in the context of a desert.)
- (iii) without shelter matches with (d) waterless and not visible because the grass (This seems to be a misprint in the source, likely intended to be 'no shade' or similar, but matching the closest available option based on context.)
- (iv) an oasis matches with (a) fertile place with water and plants in a desert.
- (v) hidden by a cover of grass matches with (b) not visible because the grass is thick.
Comprehension Check - Page 19
A camel can survive without water for extended periods because it sweats very little. Camels possess the ability to tolerate a high body temperature. By minimizing water loss through sweat, they can retain the water they drink for much longer durations, making them well-adapted to arid desert conditions.
Comprehension Check - Page 19
Smaller desert animals have developed ingenious ways to meet their water requirements. Many of them burrow underground to escape the intense heat of the day and emerge only during the cooler nights. To get water, some consume other animals, obtaining the necessary moisture from the meat. Others eat plants and seeds, deriving water from the juices present in these plant materials.
Comprehension Check - Page 19
The extreme temperature fluctuations in deserts, with rapid rises during the day and equally rapid falls at night, are primarily due to the lack of moisture in the desert air. Moisture in the atmosphere acts like a blanket, trapping heat and moderating surface temperatures. In deserts, this atmospheric blanket is virtually absent. Consequently, the land absorbs solar heat quickly during the day, leading to high temperatures, and then radiates this heat away rapidly after sunset, causing the temperature to plummet quickly.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the common perception of deserts with the scientific one.
- Not fully explaining the physiological reasons for animal adaptations.
- Failing to connect the lack of moisture to temperature fluctuations.
Revision tips
- Focus on the contrasting descriptions of the desert to understand different perspectives.
- Memorize the specific adaptations of camels and other desert animals.
- Clearly understand the scientific explanation for desert temperature changes.
- Practice matching phrases to their meanings as presented in the exercises.
Practice MCQs
Q1. According to the common perception, what are deserts often described as?
Explanation: The common belief portrays deserts as harsh environments characterized by dryness, heat, lack of water, and shelter.
Q2. What is a key adaptation that allows camels to survive without water for long periods?
Explanation: Camels conserve water by sweating minimally and tolerating higher body temperatures, allowing them to retain water for extended durations.
Q3. How do smaller desert animals typically cope with the heat during the day?
Explanation: Smaller desert animals often escape the daytime heat by burrowing underground and become active during the cooler nights.
Q4. What is the primary reason for rapid temperature drops at night in a desert?
Explanation: The lack of moisture in desert air means there's no 'blanket' to retain heat, causing the land to cool down quickly after sunset.
Q5. What does the term 'oasis' refer to in a desert context?
Explanation: An oasis is a rare fertile area within a desert that has a water source, supporting plant life.
Frequently asked questions
What are the two main ways deserts are described in Chapter 3 of the Class 7 English NCERT book?
Deserts are described in two ways: first, as people commonly believe them to be – dry, hot, waterless, and without shelter, an endless stretch of sand with no vegetation. Second, as specialists see them – a beautiful place and home to a variety of people, animals, and plants.
Why can a camel survive without water for many days, according to the NCERT solutions?
Camels can go without water for days because they sweat very little. This ability to withstand high body temperatures means they don't lose much water through sweating and can retain the water they drink for extended periods.
How do smaller desert animals get the water they need?
Smaller desert animals fulfill their water needs by burrowing underground during the day and coming out at night. They obtain moisture from the meat of the animals they eat or from the juices of plants and seeds they consume.
What causes the temperature in deserts to rise significantly during the day and fall rapidly at night?
The rapid temperature changes are due to the absence of moisture in desert lands. Moisture in the air usually acts like a blanket, regulating temperature. Without it, desert land heats up quickly under the sun and cools down just as fast when the sun sets.
What is an 'oasis' as explained in the NCERT solutions for 'The Desert'?
An oasis is described as a fertile place within a desert that has water and supports plant life. It's a stark contrast to the surrounding arid landscape.
How can these NCERT solutions help a Class 7 student studying 'The Desert'?
These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all comprehension questions, explaining concepts like desert adaptations and temperature variations in detail. They help students understand the chapter's nuances and prepare effectively for exams.
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