Geography Notes for Chapter 7 Life in the Deserts Class 7 - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on Life in the Deserts Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 CBSE Notes - 2025-26
1. What is the main concept to revise in Class 7 Geography Chapter 7, 'Life in the Deserts'?
The core concept is that deserts are defined by low rainfall and extreme temperatures, not just heat and sand. For revision, focus on the two contrasting types covered in the chapter: the hot Sahara desert in Africa and the cold Ladakh desert in the Great Himalayas. You should be able to summarise their distinct climates, flora, fauna, and human lifestyles.
2. What are the key points to remember about the Sahara desert for a quick revision?
For a quick summary, remember these points about the Sahara:
- It is the world's largest hot desert, located in North Africa.
- The climate is scorching hot and parched, with daytime temperatures soaring up to 50°C and cold nights.
- Vegetation is sparse and adapted to dryness, including cactus, date palms, and acacia.
- Human life, including groups like the Bedouins and Tuaregs, often revolves around oases and nomadic herding.
3. How can I summarise the main features of the Ladakh cold desert for my notes?
To summarise Ladakh, note that it is a cold desert located in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. Key revision points are:
- Its high altitude (from 3,000m to over 8,000m) causes a thin atmosphere.
- The climate is freezing cold and dry, with winter temperatures dropping below -40°C.
- Despite the cold, direct sunlight can be very intense.
- Fauna includes specially adapted animals like wild goats, wild sheep, and yaks, which are vital for the local population's survival.
4. How does the altitude of Ladakh create a different type of desert compared to the Sahara?
Altitude is the key differentiating factor. Ladakh's high location in the Himalayas places it in a rain shadow area, meaning mountains block rain-bearing clouds, which causes extreme dryness. This height also results in thin air and freezing temperatures. In contrast, the Sahara's lower altitude and geographical position lead to intense solar heating and a classic hot desert climate.
5. What is the most important difference to revise between life in the Sahara and Ladakh, besides the temperature?
A key difference to revise is the source of water and its impact on life. In the Sahara, life is concentrated around oases—fertile spots with underground water where crops like date palms are grown. In Ladakh, life heavily depends on water from melting glaciers during the brief summer, which allows for the cultivation of crops like barley and wheat in river valleys.
6. How do plants and animals adapt to survive in deserts, as summarised in this chapter?
Plants and animals have special features for survival. In hot deserts, cacti have waxy stems to store water and their leaves are reduced to spines to prevent water loss. In cold deserts, animals like the yak have thick fur and fat layers for warmth, and plants often grow low to the ground to shield themselves from harsh, cold winds.
7. Why is human life described as challenging in both hot and cold deserts?
Human life is challenging in both desert types primarily due to the scarcity of water, which limits agriculture and determines where people can settle. Furthermore, the extreme temperatures—scorching heat in the Sahara and freezing cold in Ladakh—demand significant adaptations in housing, clothing, and daily activities, making survival a constant effort.
8. What is a good way to structure my revision for the 'Life in the Deserts' chapter?
A helpful revision strategy is to first understand the general definition of a desert. Then, create a comparison table for the Sahara and Ladakh. For each desert, summarise the key points under these headings:
- Location and Climate
- Flora and Fauna (plants and animals)
- People (their occupations and adaptations)
9. Do all deserts consist of sand dunes? What does this chapter teach us about this idea?
No, this is a common misconception. As this chapter explains, deserts are defined by a lack of rainfall, not by the presence of sand. While the Sahara has vast stretches of sand dunes, it also features gravel plains and rocky plateaus. The Ladakh desert reinforces this concept as it is a cold desert characterised mainly by bare, rocky terrain and icy glaciers, not sand.











