NCERT Solutions Class 12 Geography Chapter-5 (Primary Activities)

NCERT Solutions Class 12 Geography from class 12th Students will get the answers of Chapter-5 (Primary Activities) This chapter will help you to learn the basics and you should expect at least one question in your exam from this chapter.
We have given the answers of all the questions of NCERT Board Geography Textbook in very easy language, which will be very easy for the students to understand and remember so that you can pass with good marks in your examination.

NCERT Question-Answer

Class 12 Geography

Chapter-5 (Primary Activities)

Questions and answers given in practice

Chapter-5 (Primary Activities)

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

Q1.(i)
Which one of the following is not a plantation crop?
(a) Coffee
(b) Sugarcane
(c) Wheat
(d) Rubber
Ans:
(c) Wheat

Q(ii)
In which one of the following countries co-operative farming was the most successful experiment?
(a) Russia
(b) Denmark
(c) India
(d) The Netherlands
Ans:
(b) Denmark

Q(iii)
Growing of flowers is called:
(a) Truck farming
(b) Factory farming
(c) Mixed fanning
(d) Floriculture
Ans:
(d) Floriculture

Q(iv)
Which one of the following types of cultivation was developed by European colonists?
(a) Kolkoz
(b) Viticulture
(c) Mixed farming
(d) Plantation
Ans:
(d) Plantation

Q(v)
In which one of the following regions is extensive commercial grain cultivation not practised?
(a) American Canadian prairies
(b) European Steppes
(c) Pampas of Argentina
(d) Amazon Basin
Ans:
(d) Amazon Basin

Q(vi)
In which of the following types of agriculture is the farming of citrus fruit very important?
(a) Market gardening
(b) Mediterranean agriculture
(c) Plantation agriculture
(d) Co-operative farming
Ans:
(b) Mediterranean agriculture

Q(vii)
Which one type of agriculture amongst the following is also called ‘slash and bum agriculture?
(a) Extensive subsistence farming
(b) Primitive subsistence farming
(c) Extensive commercial grain cultivation
(d) Mixed farming
Ans:
(b) Primitive subsistence farming

Q(viii)
Which one of the following does not follow monoculture?
(a) Dairy farming
(b) Mixed farming
(c) Plantation agriculture
(d) Commercial grain farming
Ans:
(b) Mixed farming

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words:

Q2.(i)
Future of shifting cultivation is bleak. Discuss.
Ans:

These days the biggest problem being faced by the shifting cultivators is of shortening cycles of jhum, which makes the entire practice unsustainable.
Also there are several restrictions imposed by governments through forest acts etc., which hinder the free movement of
tribes and practice of shifting cultivation.
Shifting cultivation is sustainable (only for self -consumption) in nature, hence it is unable to meet with the market demand and therefore there is no scope for it in the increasing globalized markets.
With the infiltration of non tribals in the tribal areas, tribals are adopting to modem agricultural practices which are more productive and environmentally sustainable.
To support a small population, a huge land resource base is required, ultimately it leads to soil erosion and land degradation.

Q(ii)
Market gardening is practiced near urban areas. Why?
Ans:
Market gardening specializes in the cultivation of high value perishable crops such as vegetables, fruits and flowers, solely for the urban markets. They are situated close to urban markets mainly because of the high value crops.

The crops are costly, hence they need to be situated close to a market where people have high purchasing power and also demand for high valued crops. In such a situation urban areas are the perfect markets.

These crops are perishable in nature; hence farms cannot be situated far away from the main market. Therefore, farms are situated close to the urban markets so as to prevent crops from getting stale.

Q(iii)
Large scale dairy farming is the result of the development of transportation and refrigeration.
Ans:
Dairy products are highly perishable in nature. They have a very small shelf life. For their supply to overseas and distant markets, adequate storage facilities with regulated temperature and storage conditions is essential. Initially supply of dairy products was limited to nearby markets but development of storage, preservation and transportation facilities have widened their coverage.

Modem transportation such as refrigerated trucks, ships with special cargoes and faster means of transportation like airways provide with adequate facilities, which allow transportation of dairy products to far off markets without spoilage. Refrigeration prevents dairy products from getting spoiled. It increases their durability. Hence dairy products can be sold over far off places.

3. Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words:

Q3.(i)
Differentiate between Nomadic Herding and Commercial Livestock Rearing.
Ans:

Nomadic Herding	Commercial Livestock Rearing
(i) In nomadic herding herders move with their animals from place to place, and rely on them totally for food, cloth and transportation.	(i) Commercial livestock rearing is a modern practice of rearing animals for export of animal products.
(ii) It is a primitive subsistence activity.	(ii) It is a modern scientific, market oriented activity.
(iii) Multiple animals are kept depending upon the region.	(iii) Single type of animals are kept.
(iv) Herders keep on moving with animals from one place to another according to availability of pasture and water. They also practice transhumance. The area of a tribe is decided by matter of tradition.	(iv) It is carried out on huge permanent ranches which are scientifically managed parcels
(v) Generally related to nomadic tribes	(v) Associated with western developed countries.
(vi) Little or no capital is utilized.	(vi) High capital intake and spent on caring, feeding, breeding of animals.
(vii) Primarily a subsistence activity, in which herder rely on animals for their need of food, cloth, transportation etc.	(vii) It is market oriented activity where animals like horse, sheep are reared to obtain products like meat, hides etc. for sales in national as well as international markets.
(viii) No modern technological support.	(viii) It is highly mechanized

Q(ii)
Discuss the important characteristic features of plantation agriculture. Name a few important plantation crops from different countries.
Ans:
Originally introduced by the Europeans in colonies situated in the tropics, plantation agriculture is
distinct from other kinds of agricultural practises because of its specific features.
The characteristic features of this type of farming are:

Profit oriented large-scale production system
Large estates and plantations
Huge capital investment
Totally market oriented
Scientific method of cultivation
Cheap and large skilled labour supply
Monoculture
It is a link between agriculture and industry.
They are provided with well-developed transportation facilities where raw material provided by them is processes.

Important Plantation Crops:

The French established cocoa and coffee plantations in West Africa.
The British set up
- Large tea gardens in India and Sri Lanka,
- Rubber plantations in Malaysia and
- Sugarcane and banana plantations in West Indies.
Spanish and Americans invested heavily in coconut and sugarcane plantations in the Philippines.
The Dutch once had monopoly over sugarcane plantation in Indonesia.
Some coffee fazendas (large plantations) in Brazil are still managed by Europeans.

Extra Questions

Question 1.
Which was the first activity carried out by human beings?
Ans:
Hunting and gathering are then oldest activities carried out by human beings.

Question 2.
Who are the red collar workers?
Ans:
People engaged in primary activities are called red collar workers due to the oudoor nature of their work.

Question 3.
Why do the products from gathering activities cannot compete in the world market?
Ans:
Products of these activities cannot compete in the world market as

Synthetic products of better quality and lower prices have replaced many items supplied by gatherers in the tropical forests, unable to face competition.
As it is a low technology subsistence activity not much surplus is there.

Question 4.
Which factors affect the choice of animals in different regions of nomadic herding?
Ans:
People living in different climatic conditions domesticate animals found in those regions. They move from one place to another along with their livestock, depending upon the amount and quality of water and pasture.

Question 5.
Define nomadic herding or pastoral nomadism.
Ans:
It is a primitive subsistence activity in which the herders rely on their animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools and transport. They move from one place to another along with their livestock, depending upon the amount and quality of water and pasture.

Question 6.
Why is the number of pastoral nomads decreasing?
Ans:
Number of pastoral nomads fias been decreasing and the areas under them are shrinking because of

imposition of political boundaries
new settlement plans by different countries.

Question 7.
Name the areas where commercial livestock rearing is practised.
Ans:
The areas are: New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and United States of America.

Question 8.
Define subsistence agriculture.
Ans:
Subsistence agriculture is the agriculture in which the producers consume most of the products grown. The output is generally for consumption by farmer and his family.

Question 9.
What are the other names of primitive subsistence agriculture?
Ans:
Shifting cultivation and slash and burn agriculture.

Question 10.
What is shifting agriculture known as in the following?
(i) Central America and Mexico
(ii) Indonesia and Malaysia
(iii) North-east India.
Ans:

Central America and Mexico —Milpa
Indonesia and Malaysia—Ladang
North East India—Slash and burn (Jhuming).

Q11.
Give the major plantation crops of the following countries:
(i) Sri Lanka
(ii) West Indies
(iii) Malaysia
(iv) Philippines
Ans:

Sri Lanka – Tea
West Indies – Sugarcane and banana
Malaysia – Rubber plantation
Philippines – Coconut and sugarcane

Question 12.
What is the plantation crop of Brazil? What is the name given to the plantation farms?
Ans:
The plantation crop of Brazil is coffee and the farms are called Fazendas.

Question 13.
Define viticulture.
Ans:
Viticulture is grape cultivation which is speciality of Mediterranean region.

Question 14.
Define truck farming.
Ans:
It is the type of farming where farmers specialize in and grow vegetables only. The distance of truck farms from the market is governed by the distance a truck can cover overnight.

Question 15.
Define factory farming.
Ans:
Factory farming is a modern development in the industrial regions of West Europe where livestock specially poultry and cattle rearing is done in stalls and pens and fed on manufactured feedstuff and carefully supervised against diseases.

Question 16.
Which country first introduced collective farming?
Ans:
Erstwhile Soviet Union, under the socialist regime first introduced collective farming.

Question 17.
Name two countries where cooperative farming is successful.
Ans:
Cooperative farming has been very successful in Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Italy. (Any two)

Question 18.
Define mining.
Ans:
Mining is a primary activity which involves the extraction of minerals from surface or beneath the surface of the earth’s crust for further processing.

Question 19.
Define primary activity.
Ans:
All the economic activities which are directly dependent on nature are primary activities. They refer to the utilization of Earth’s resources such as land, water, vegetation, building materials and minerals, etc. It includes hunting gathering, pastoralism, fishing, lumbering, forestry, agriculture and mining.

Question 20.
What do you mean by economic activities?
Ans:
Human activities which generate income are known as economic activities. Economic activities are broadly grouped into four categories:

Primary Activities
Secondary Activities
Tertiary Activities
Quaternary Activities

Question 21.
Commercial livestock rearing is a specialized activity. Substantiate.
Ans:
Commercial livestock rearing is a specialized activity because under this only one type of animal is reared. Important animals include sheep, cattle, goats and horses. The products obtained by these animals like meat, skin and wool, hides are processed and packed scientifically to be exported to world markets.

Question 22.
What do you mean by Extensive Commercial Grain Agriculture?
Ans:
In this type of farming, wheat is the principal crop and the size of farm is very large and entire operations of cultivation from ploughing to harvesting are mechanized.

Question 23.
Why is dairy farming practised mainly near urban and industrial centres?
Ans:
Fresh milk and dairy products produced in the dairy farming are easily sold in the neighborhood urban market. Dairy products are perishable commodities therefore they have to be sold at the earliest. Urban centers are large market for the daily products.

Question 24.
What do you mean by cooperative farming? .
Ans:
Co-operative farming is done under a cooperative society formed by a group of farmers. Under this, all farmers of the society pool in their resources voluntarily for more efficient and profitable farming. Individuals farms remain intact and fanning is a matter of cooperative initiative.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
List the areas where gathering is practiced.
Ans:

Gathering is practiced in regions with harsh climatic conditions.
Generally primitive societies who extract plant and animal products to satisfy their need for food, shelter and clothing, practise it.

It is practised in High latitude zones of Northern Canada, Northern Eurasia and Southern Chile, Low latitude zones of Amazon basin, Tropical Africa, Northern fringe of Australia, interior parts of South East Asia.

Question 2.
List different animals kept in different regions as far as nomadic herding is concerned.
Ans:
A wide variety of animals is kept in different regions. In tropical Africa, cattle are the most important livestock, while in Sahara and Asiatic deserts, sheep, goats and camel are reared. In the mountainous areas of Tibet and Andes, yak and llamas and in the Arctic and sub Arctic areas, reindeer are the most important animals.

Question 3.
Which regions are associated with pastoral nomadism?
Ans:
Pastoral nomadism is associated with three important regions. The core region extends from the Atlantic shores of North Africa eastwards across the Arabian peninsula into Mongolia and Central China. The second region extends over the tundra region of Eurasia. In the southern hemisphere there are small areas in South-west Africa and on the island of Madagascar.

Question 4.
What is transhumance?
Ans:
Pastoral nomadism is undertaken either over vast horizontal distances or vertically from one elevation to another in the mountainous regions. The process of migration from plain areas to pastures on mountains during summers and again from mountain pastures to plain areas during winters is known as transhumance. In mountain regions, such as Himalayas, Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gaddis and Bhotiyas migrate from plains to the mountains in summers and to the plains from the high altitude pastures in winters. Similarly, in the tundra regions, the nomadic herders move from south to north in summers and from north to south in winters.

Question 5.
What is intensive subsistence agriculture? What are its types?
Ans:
Intensive subsistence agriculture is practiced in the poorer regions of the world, where farmers grow crops for family consumption. Very little is left as surplus for market. There are two types of

Intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation: – It is characterized by dominance of the rice crop. Land holdings are veiy small due to the high density of population. Farmers work with the help of family labour leading to intensive use of land. Use of machinery is limited and most of the agricultural operations are done by manual labour. Farm yard manure is used to maintain the fertility of the soil. In this type of agriculture, the yield per unit area is high but per labour productivity is low.
Intensive subsidence agriculture dominated by crops other than paddy: Due to the difference in relief, climate, soil and some of the other geographical factors, it is not practical to grow paddy in many parts of monsoon Asia. Wheat, soyabean, barley and sorghum are grown in northern China, Manchuria, NorthKorea and North Japan. In India wheat is grown in western parts of the Indo- Gangetic plains and millets are grown in diy parts of western and southern India. Most of the characteristics of this type of agriculture are similar to those dominated by wet paddy except that irrigation is often used.

Question 6.
Write a note on Mediterranean agriculture from the point of view of its importance, areas and crops grown.
Ans:

Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized commercial agriculture.
It is practised in the countries on either side of the Mediterranean sea in Europe and in north Africa from Tunisia to Atlantic coast, southern California, central Chile, south western parts of South Africa and south and south western parts of Australia.
It is an important supplier of citrus fruits. »Viticulture or grape cultivation is a speciality of the Mediterranean region.
Best quality wines in the world with distinctive flavors are produced from high quality grapes in various countries of this region. The inferior grapes are dried into raisins and currants.
This region also produces olives and figs.
The advantage of Mediterranean agriculture is that more valuable crops such as fruits and vegetables are grown in winters when there is great demand in European and North American markets.

Question 7.
List the different uses of minerals in ancient time.
Ans:
The discovery of minerals in the history of human development, is reflected in many stages in terms of copper age, bronze age and iron age. The use of minerals in ancient times was largely confined to the making of tools, utensils and weapons. The actual development of mining began with the industrial revolution and its importance is continuously increasing.

Question 8.
Describe the factors that affect mining activities.
Ans:
The profitability of mining operations depends on two main factors:

Physical factors include the size, grade and the mode of occurrence of the deposits.
Economic factors such as the demand for the mineral, technology available and used, capital to develop infrastructure and the labour and transport costs.

Question 9.
Write a short note on commercial livestock rearing.
Ans:
Commercial livestock rearing is organized and capital intensive. The ranches on which it is practised are permanent and cover large area, which are further divided into fenced parcels to regulate grazing. When one parcel is grazed, the animals are shifted to another parcel and the number of animals in a parcel are kept according to the carrying capacity of the parcel. Only one type of animal (like sheep, cattle, goat and horses) is reared. Their products like milk, wool and hide are processed and packed scientifically, and then exported to world markets. The main emphasis is here on breeding, health care, disease control and genetic improvement of the animal. This is totally market and profit oriented. The developed countries like New Zealand, Australia, USA practise commercial livestock rearing.

Question 10.
Describe four different groups/types of economic activities.
Ans:
Economic activities are broadly grouped as Primary activities, Secondary activities, Tertiary activities and Quaternary activities.

Primary Activities: It refers to extraction/ utilisation of raw materials from the earth’s surface. These include hunting, gathering, pastoralism, fishing, forestry, mining and agriculture.
Secondary Activities: It includes industries that transform raw materials into finished foods having higher value. For example, manufacturing cotton textiles from raw cotton, and iron and steel from iron ore.
Tertiary Activities: It includes all kinds of services provided for the people such as education, health, trade and transport.
Quaternary Activities: It represents special kind of services, which is related to highly intellectual activities. For example, research and development service, information generation, information processing and transmission.

Question 11.
In modem times some gathering is market-oriented and has become commercial. Explain.
OR
Narrate the changes in gathering as an activity in recent times.
Ans:
It is absolutely right to say that in modem times, some gathering is market- oriented and has become commercial. Gatherers collect valuable plants and after simple processing sell these in the market.
They use different parts of the plants. For example, they use:

Bark of the tree for making quinine, tanin extract and cork.
Leaves are used to produce beverages, drugs, cosmetics, fibres, thatch and fabrics.
Nuts are used for food and oils.
Tree trunk provides rubber, balata, gums and resins.

Question 12.
Write a short note on market gardening?
Ans:
In market gardening, high value crops such as vegetables, fruits and flowers are cultivated solely for the urban areas. Under this the size of farms is small and they are located where there are good transportation links with the urban centres where high income consumers are located. It is both labour and capital intensive and lays emphasis on the use of irrigation, HYV seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, green houses and artificial heating in colder regions.
This type of agriculture is well developed in densely populated industrial districts of North West Europe, North Eastern United States of America and the Mediterranean regions.

The Netherlands specializes in flowers and horticulture crops especially tulips, which are exported all over Europe. Those regions where farmers specialize in vegetables only, it is called truck farming.

Question 13.
What do you mean by Kolkhoz? How did it begin? Explain its features.
Ans:
Kolkhoz is the name for collective farming in Soviet Union. It was introduced in erstwhile Soviet Union to improve upon the inefficiency of previous methods of agriculture and to boost agricultural production for self sufficiency.
Its features:

This type of farming is based on social ownership of the means of production and collective labour.
The farmers pool in all their resources like land, livestock and labour.
Yearly targets are set by the government and the produce is also sold to the state at fixed prices.
Members are paid according to the nature of the work allotted to them by the farm management.

Question 14.
Describe the main features of extensive commercial grain cultivation.
Ans:
Important features of Extensive Commercial Grain Agriculture are as follows:

It is practised in the interior parts of semi-arid lands of the mid latitudes.
Wheat is the principal crop though other crops like com, barley, oats and rye are also grown.
The size of the farm is very large; therefore all the operations from ploughing to harvesting are mechanised.
Yield per hectare is low but yield per person is high because less people and more machines are used.
It is best developed in Eurasian steppes, the Canadian and American Prairies, the Pampas of Argentina, the Velds of South Africa, the Australian Downs and the Canterbury plains of New Zealand.

Question 15.
Describe the main features of market gardening and horticulture.
OR
List six points to describe market gardening & horticulture.
Ans:
The main features of horticulture and market gardening are

It specializes in the cultivation of high value crops such as vegetables, fruits and flowers.
Crops are cultivated exclusively for the urban markets.
Farms are small and are located near urban market.
It is both labour and capital intensive.
It lays emphasis on the use of irrigation, HYV seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, greenhouses and artificial heating in colder regions.
This type of agriculture is well developed in densely populated industrial areas of Europe, North East U.S.A. and the Mediterranean regions.

Question 16.
What do you mean by subsistence agriculture? Explain its two types.
Ans:
Subsistence agriculture is one in which the farming areas consume all of the products that are locally grown. It is of two types:

Primitive Subsistence Agriculture: It is also called shifting cultivation. Under this vegetation is cleared by fire and land is used for cultivation. These ashes add to fertility of soil and hence, it is also called slash and burn agriculture.
Intensive Subsistence Agriculture: Under this type of farming, land holdings are very small and farmers work with the help of family labour leading to intensive use of land with limited used of machinery.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
“There is low yield per acre but high yield per person.” In which type of agriculture is this evident? Why? Where is this type of agriculture practised?
Ans:
This feature is characteristic of extensive commercial grain cultivation. Since it is extensive that is on a very large scale, so use of mechanical devices, irrigation, sprinklers, tractors, low flying aircrafts is common.

In the areas practising commercial grain cultivation, the areas of production are high, as the farming is intensive, but due to the low population and high degree of mechanization, the number of people employed in these farms is less. Due to high level of scientific and technological skills employed in the production activities, the total yield is high, which results in very high per person yield, but due to extensive nature of farming and low pressure per unit area of land, yield per acre is low.

These are found in the developed countries of the world like in the Eurasian Steppes, the Canadian and American Prairies, the Pampas of Argentina, the Velds of South Africa, the Australian Downs and the Canterbury Plains of New Zealand.

Question 2.
What is the status of mining in the developed and developing economies of the world?
Ans:
Mining is primarily extraction of minerals from surface or beneath the surface of the earth’s crust for further processing in industrial and other uses. It involves more of manual labour and is hazardous, so the developed economies are retreating from mining, processing and refining stages of production due to high labour costs, while the developing countries with large labour force and striving for higher standard of living are becoming more important. Several countries of Africa and few of south America and Asia have over fifty per cent of the earnings from minerals alone.

Question 3.
Dairy farming is a modern occupation. Explain.
Ans:
It is absolutely right to say that dairy farming is a modern occupation. It is a type of agriculture in which major emphasis is on breeding and rearing milch cattle. Its main features are given below which can prove that it is a modem occupation:

It is highly capital intensive. Large investments are made on animal sheds, storage facilities for fodder, feeding and milching machines.
Special emphasis is laid on cattle-breeding, health care and veterinary services.
It is also highly-labour intensive as it involves painstaking care in feeding and milching.
There is no off-season during the year.
It is practised mainly near urban and industrial market.
Dairy farming development depends on transportation, refrigeration, pasteurisation and other preservation processes.

Question 4.
Distinguish between the types of farming based on organization.
Ans:

Cooperative Farming	Collecting Farming
(i) group of farmers form a co-operative society by pooling in their resources voluntarily for more efficient and profitable farming.	(i) the basic principle behind this types of farming is based on social ownership of the means of production and collective labour.
(ii) dividual farms remain intact and farming is a matter of cooperative initiative.	(ii) The farmers used to pool in all their resources like land, livestock and labour.
(iii) Co-operative societies help farmers, to procure all important inputs of farming, sell the products at the most favourable terms and help in processing of quality products at cheaper rate	(iii) Yearly targets were set by the government and the produce was also sold to the state at fixed prices. Produce in excess of the fixed amount was distributed among the members or sold in the market.
(iv) It has been successful in many western European countries like Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Italy etc.	(iv) This type of farming was introduced in former Soviet Union under the socialist regime which was adopted by the socialist countries. After its collapse, these have already been modified

Question 5.
Compare mixed farming and dairy farming.
Ans:

Mixed Farming	Dairy Farming
(i) Mixed farms are moderate in size and grow mainly wheat, barley, oat, rye, fodder. Crop rotation, inter cropping etc. are practised to maintain soil fertility.	(i) Dairy farming is most advanced and efficient type of rearing milch animals.
(ii) It is highly capital intensive and high investment in farm machinery, building, fertilizer, manure and skill of the farmers.	(ii) It is labour intensive as it requires intensive care in feeding and milching. It is an activity requiring year round labour as there is no off season like in the cropping activities.
(iii) Animals like cattle, sheep, poultry provide main income along with crops	(iii) It is highly capital intensive. Animal sheds, storage facilities for fodder, feeding and milching machines are the areas of heaviest expenditures.
(iv) Equal emphasis on crop cultivation and animal husbandry.	(iv) Special emphasis is laid on cattle breeding, healthcare and veterinary services.
(v) Practised in highly developed parts of the world- North Western Europe, East and North America, parts of Eurasia and temperate latitudes of southern continents.	(v) Practised near urban and industrial centres for easy access to dairy market. The main regions of commercial dairy farming are North Western Europe (largest), Canada, South East Australia and New Zealand.

Map Based Questions

Question 1.
Identify the areas on the political map of the world where subsistence gathering are practised.
Ans:

Question 2.
Identify the areas on the political map of the world where nomadic herding are practised.
Ans:

Question 3.
Identify the areas on the political map of the world where commercial livestock rearing are practised.
Ans:

Question 4.
Identify the areas on the political map of the world where extensive commercial grain farming are practised.
Ans:

Question 5.
Identify the areas on the political map of the world where mixed farming are practised.
Ans:

Question 6.
Identify the areas on the political map of the world where mediterranean agriculture are practised.
Ans:

Important Questions

Question 1.
Why is the number of pastoral nomadism decreasing in the world? Explain the main reason for it.
Ans:
The number of pastoral nomads has been decreasing. The reasons are:

The areas operated by them is shrinking,
Imposition of political boundaries by the countries.
The government of different countries implemented new settlement plans for the nomads.

Question 2.
Which are the two types of intensive subsistence agriculture?
Ans:
Two types of intensive subsistence agriculture are:

Intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation
Intensive subsidence agriculture dominated by crops other than paddy.

Question 3.
Name any two areas of high latitudes in the world, where gathering economic activity is practised.
Ans:

Canada and
Northern Eurasia.

Question 4.
Name the type of agriculture in which the farming areas consume all, or nearly so, of the products locally grown.
Ans:
Subsistence Agriculture is one in which the farming areas consume all, or nearly so, of the products.

Question 5.
Name the two activities on which the earliest human beings depended for their subsistence.
Ans:
Two activities on which the earliest human beings depended for their subsistence are hunting and gathering.

Question 6.
Why has gathering little chance of becoming important at the global level? Explain one reason.
Ans:
Gathering: Products of gathering (an activity) cannot compete in the world market as synthetic products are of better quality and available in large quantities/ and are lower priced.

Question 11.
State the two groups of factors which affect the profitability of mining.
Ans:
Profitability of mining depends on:

Physical factors
Economic factors

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain any three features of underground mining.
OR
Explain any three features of underground mining method used in different countries of the world.
Ans:
Main features of underground mining are:

In this method, vertical shafts have to be sunk, from where underground galleries radiate to reach the minerals.
Minerals are extracted and transported to the surface through the passages.
It requires specially designed lifts, drills, haulage vehicles, ventilation system for safety and efficient movement of people and material.

Question 2.
What is the importance of ‘dairy farming? Why is it mainly practised near urban and industrial centres of the world? Explain any two reasons.
Ans:
Dairy farming is capital intensive. It is the most developed form of keeping milch animals. It provides milk, butter, cheese, etc. It is practised near the markets – urban areas and industrial centres because there is demand for fresh milk and dairy product. The development in refrigeration, pasteurization and other processes has helped in it’s development.

Question 3.
Study the diagram given below and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Identify the diagram and give proper title to it.
(ii) What type of mining activities are presented by A and B?
(iii) What is the main differences between the two methods of mining as shown in A and B?
Ans:

It is showing about the ‘Methods of Mining’.
‘A’ presents ‘Open-cast or Strip Mining’ and ‘B’ presents ‘Shaft Mining’.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
State any six characteristics of pastoral nomadism in the world.
Ans:
Characteristics of nomadic herding in the world are:

Nomadic herding or pastoral nomadism is a primitive subsistence activity.
In this activity the herders rely on animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools and transport.
The nomadic herders move from one place to another along with their livestock, depending on the amount and quality of pastures and water.
Each nomadic community occupies a well-identified territoiy as a matter of tradition.
A wide variety of animals is kept in different regions. For example, in tropical Africa, cattle are the most important livestock, while in Sahara and Asiatic deserts, sheep, goats and camel are reared.
In the mountainous areas the herders follow transhumance, z.e. seasonal migration of herders with their animals

Question 2.
What is the meaning of market gardening and horticulture? Describe any four characteristics of this type of agriculture of the world.
Ans:
Market gardening and horticulture are those which specialize in the cultivation of high value crops such as vegetables, fruits and flowers, solely for the urban markets.
Characteristics of this types of agriculture are:

Farms are located where there are good transportation links with the urban centre where high income group of consumers is located.
It is both labour and capital intensive,
It lays emphasis on the use of irrigation, HYV seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, greenhouses and artificial heating in colder regions.
This type of agriculture is well developed in densely populated industrial districts of North West Europe, north eastern United States of America and the Mediterranean regions.

Question 3.
What is subsistence agriculture? Mention any four characteristics of primitive subsistence agriculture.
Ans:
Subsistence Agriculture is a farming in which its produce is mainly consumed in the farmer’s household.
Characteristics of primitive subsistence agriculture are:

Primitive subsistence agriculture or shifting cultivation is widely practised by many tribes in the tropics, especially in Africa, south and Central America and south east Asia.
The vegetation is usually cleared by fire, and the ashes add to the fertility of the soil.
The cultivated patches are veiy small and cultivation is done with very primitive tools such as sticks and hoes.
After sometime (3 to 5 years) the soil looses its fertility and the farmer shifts to another parts and clears other patch of the forest for cultivation.

Question 4.
Study the given map showing dairy farming regions carefully and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Identify and name the areas marked as A and B, marked on the map.
(ii) Define ‘dairy farming’.
(iii) Explain any three characteristics of dairy farming.
Ans:

A : Canada / North-Eastern Canada B: North-western Europe
Dairy farming is the most advanced and efficient type of rearing of milch animals,

Characteristics of daily farming are:

It is highly capital intensive. Animal sheds, storage facilities for fodder, feeding and milching machines add to the cost of dairy farming.
Special emphasis is laid on cattle breeding, health care and veterinary services, rigorous care in feeding and milching.
There is no off season during the year as in the case of crop raising.

Question 5.
Explain any three characteristics of hunting and gathering. Give two reasons why gathering has little chance to become important at global level.
Ans:
The characteristics of hunting and gathering are:
Characteristics:

It involves primitive societies, who extract both plants and animals to satisfy their needs for food, shelter and clothing.
This type of activity requires a small amount of capital investment and operates at very low level of technology,
The yield per person is very low and little or no surplus is produced.

Reasons:

Its products cannot compete in the world market.
Synthetic products often of better quality and at lower prices have replaced such many items.

Question 6.
Explain any five characteristics of dairy farming practised in the world.

Ans: Characteristics:

It is highly capital intensive.
Special emphasis is laid down on cattle breeding, healthcare and veterinary services.
It is highly labour intensive farming.
It involves regorous care in feeding and milching.
It is practised mainly near urban and industrial centres.

Question 7.
Define the term ‘nomadic herding’. Explain
Ans:
Nomadic herding is a primitive subsistence activity, in which the herders rely on animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools and transport.

Question 8.
Differentiate between Nomadic herding and commercial livestock rearing, stating any five points of distinction.
Ans:

Nomadic herding is a primitive subsistance activity. Unlike Nomadic herding, commercial livestock rearing is more organized and capital intensive activity,
The Nomades rely on animals for food, clothing shelter, tools and transport. Whereas, commercial livestock rearing is associated with Western culture.
Nomadic herders move from one place to another alongwith their livestock. Whereas commercial livestock is practised on permanent ranches where cattle are reared permanently.
In Nomadism a wide variety of animals are kept in different regions. On the other hand, commercial livestock rearing is a specialized activity in which only one type of animal is reared.
Pastoral nomadism is undertaken either over vast horizontal distances or vertically in the mountain regions. Rearing of animals in ranching is organized on a scientific basis.
The quality of livestock is very poor in nomadic herding and production is also very poor. Whereas, in commercial rearing the quality of cattle and productivity both are veiy high.

Question 9.
Describe the way of life of nomadic herders in the World.
Ans:
Way of life of nomadic herders:-

They depend on the primitive subsistence activity.
Herders rely on animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools and transport,
They move from one place to another with their livestock.
They follow well defined territory.
A wide variety of animals is kept in different regions.
Nomadism is associated with three different regions.
In mountainous regions, they practice transhumance.
Their numbers are decreasing due to change in life style.
(Any five points to be described)

Question 10.
Classify intensive subsistence agriculture into two categories practised in the world. How are they different from each other? Explain.
Ans:
Classification of intensive subsistence agriculture

Intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation.
Intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by crops other than paddy.

Difference:

Intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by wet paddy cultivation.	Intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by crops other than paddy.
(i) Dominance of the rice crop	(i) Due to difference in relief, climate soil and other geographical factors it is not practical to grow paddy in many parts of monsoon Asia.
(ii) Farmers work with the help of family labour leading to intensive use of land.	(ii) Not used manual labour
(iii) The yield per unit area is high.	(iii) The yield per unit area is not high.
(iv) Per labour productivity is low.	(iv) Per labour productivity is high.

Question 11.
“Gathering and hunting are the primitive economic activities meant for the subsistence of tribal societies, but in modern times gathering is market oriented and has become commercial.” Examine the statement.
Ans:
Gathering activities: Gatherers collect valuable plants, leaves, bark and medicinal herbs for different uses and sell in market.
The barks are used for making quinine, tannin etc., in different ways; leaves for beverages,-drugs, cosmetics, fibers, thatch, fabrics.

Edible nuts and their oils are also collected. Tree trunks for latex, balata, gums and resins are used as raw materials in various industries. (To be assessed as a whole)

NCERT Solutions Class 12 Geography Chapter-5 (Primary Activities)