✅ SECTION C – LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (ENGLISH, ~100 Words Each)

Q12. Mention three characteristics of Extensive Commercial Grain Farming.

Answer (~100 words):
Extensive Commercial Grain Farming is practiced over large, mechanized farms, mainly in temperate grassland regions such as the USA, Canada, Russia, and Australia. This type of farming uses a small labour force because machines handle most activities like ploughing, sowing, and harvesting. Wheat is the dominant crop, though maize and barley are also grown. Production is market-oriented, aiming at large-scale exports rather than local consumption. The farms follow monoculture, which increases efficiency but reduces biodiversity. Due to the large farm size and low population density, this agricultural system depends heavily on advanced technology and scientific methods.

OR (Nomadic Herding Option)

Explain three areas of nomadic animal herding.

Answer (~100 words):
Nomadic herding is practiced in regions with extreme climates and scarce vegetation.

• Sahara and Sahel (Africa): Communities herd camels, goats, and sheep across desert fringes.
• Central Asia: In Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Siberia, nomads rear yak, horses, and sheep in cold grasslands.
• Arctic Tundra: The Sami and other tribes herd reindeer across snow-covered landscapes.
The movement of herders depends on seasonal availability of pasture. Nomadic herding is the oldest form of pastoral life, shaped by harsh environmental conditions and limited agricultural potential.

Q13. Compare the Suez Canal and Panama Canal on the basis of location and advantages.

Answer (~100 words):
The Suez Canal is located in Egypt, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. It provides the shortest route between Europe and Asia, reducing travel time by avoiding the long journey around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The Panama Canal, in Central America, connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It eliminates the need to sail around South America’s Cape Horn. Both canals significantly shorten global trade routes, reduce fuel costs, and enhance maritime trade efficiency. While Suez mainly benefits Europe–Asia trade, Panama plays a crucial role in connecting the Americas with Asia and Europe.

OR

What do you understand by inland waterways? Describe any one inland waterway of the world.

Answer (~100 words):
Inland waterways are navigable rivers, canals, and lakes used for transporting goods and passengers within a country. They are economical, energy-efficient, and suitable for bulk cargo. One major inland waterway is the Rhine Waterway in Europe. Flowing through Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, the Rhine connects industrial regions with the North Sea. It carries large volumes of coal, iron ore, machinery, and chemicals. Modern ports along the Rhine, such as Rotterdam, make it one of the busiest and most efficient inland transport systems in the world.

Q14. Suggest three measures taken to prevent land degradation in Jhabua district.

Answer (~100 words):
Several measures have been adopted in Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh) to control land degradation.

• Watershed management: Check-dams, contour trenches, and percolation tanks were built to conserve soil moisture and prevent erosion.
• Afforestation and social forestry: Large-scale planting of trees restored degraded hillsides and improved soil fertility.
• Community participation: Local tribes were encouraged to protect forests, manage grazing, and adopt sustainable farming.
These efforts revived groundwater levels, reduced soil erosion, and restored ecological balance, making Jhabua a successful model of land restoration.

OR

Explain the factors responsible for air pollution.

Answer (~100 words):
Air pollution is caused by multiple natural and human-made factors. Major contributors include vehicle emissions, which release carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Industrial activities discharge toxic gases like sulfur dioxide and smoke. Burning of fossil fuels, especially coal and diesel, adds greenhouse gases. Agricultural practices, such as stubble burning and pesticide spray, also deteriorate air quality. Natural factors like dust storms and volcanic eruptions add pollutants too. Rapid urbanization, construction dust, and lack of green cover worsen the problem. These factors collectively harm human health, ecosystems, and climate.