Samacheer Class 8 Social Science - Exploring Continents Africa, Australia and Antarctica

1. A. Cape Blanca
2. B. Cape Agulhas
3. C. Cape of Good Hope
4. D. Cape Town

c) Cape of Good Hope
2. The manmade canal through an isthmus between Egypt and Sinai Peninsula is
a) Panama Canal
b) Aswan Canal
c) Suez Canal
d) Albert Canel
c) Suez Canal

3. In respect of the Mediterranean climate, consider the following statements, and choose the correct answer.
(1) The average rainfall is 15cm
(2) The summers are hot and dry, winters are rainy.
(3) Winters are cool and dry, Summers are hot and wet
(4) Citrus fruits are grown
a) 1 is correct
b) 2 and 4 are correct
c) 3 and 4 are correct
d) All are correct
b) 2 and 4 are correct
4. The range which separates the west and east flowing rivers in Australia is
a) Great Dividing Range
b) Himalayan Range
c) Flinders range
d) Mac Donnell Range
a) Great Dividing Range
5. Kalgoorile is famous for ………. mining.
a) Diamond
b) Platinum
c) Silver
d) Gold
d) Gold

African
2. ………………. is the highest peak of Africa.
Mt. Kilimanjaro

3. ………………. is the most common tree in Australia.
Eucalyptus
4. A temperate grass land of Australia is called ………………. .
Downs
5. ………………. is the first Indian research station in Antarctica.
Dakshi Gangotri

Mcmurdo
2. Vinson. …………….. is the highest peak in Antarctica.
Massif
3. Wool is described as ……………. of Australia.
Cash Crop

4. …………… is the longest river in Australia.
River Murray
5. Great Barrier Reef is formed by …………………
Coral Polyps
6. Sahel means ………………..
border or margin
7. …………… is the capital of ghana.
Acera
8. …………… was the first to use the term “Dark Continent”.
Henry M. Stanly
9. ………….. is the deepest point in Sahara.
The Qattara Depression
10. …………… is the highest point in Atlas Mountain.
Mount Jaubbakal
11. ………….. is one of the largest plains in Savanna.
The Serengeti Plain
12. People of Swahili culture is called ……………….
Swahili
13. ………………… Mountain is found in the eastern portion of the escarpment.
Drakensberg
14. Nile river is also called ………………
Father of African river
15. The country Egypt is called ………………….
gift of the Nile

1. A. Equatorial forest.
2. B. salt lake
3. C. small red fish
4. D. flightless bird

1. Pinnacle
e) Pointed limestone pillar
2. Krill
c) small red fish ‘
3. Ostrich
d) flightless bird
4. Lake Eyre
b) salt lake
5. Jewel of the Earth
a) Equatorial forest

Africa is nicknamed the ‘Mother Continent’ as it was the oldest inhabited continent on Earth.
2. What are the important rivers of Africa?
The most important rivers in Africa
River Nile – father of African rivers.
River Congo or Zaire – the second largest river.
River Niger – Major river.
River Zambezi – fourth largest river and River of life.
3. Name the physical division of Australia.
The Physical divisions of Australia are –
The Great Western Plateau
The Central Low lands
The Eastern High lands

4. Write about the nature of the Antarctic continent.
Antarctica is the southernmost and fifth-largest continent in the world.
As it is located in polar regions it is the coldest continent with a permanent cover of ice.
Its landform consists of mountains, peaks, valleys, glaciers, and plateau.
5. Mention any four economic activities of Australia.
Agriculture, forestry, fishing mining, manufacturing, trade, and services are the major economic activities of Australia.

The Plants and trees in Australia are adapted to dry conditions and can survive for long period without water called Xerophytes.
2. What is the Political division of Australia?
The political division of Australia are six states and two union territories.
They are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Jasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Capital Territory.
3. What do you know about the “Continent of Science”?
Scientists of any Country are free to conduct experiments and collect data from Antarctica and so it is called the continent of science.
4. Great Barrier Reef – Explain
Great Barrier Reef is located in the northeast of Australia along the east coast of Queen’s land in the Pacific Ocean.
It is formed by the tiny coral polyps.

5. State a few minerals found in Antarctica.
Few minerals found in Antarctica are gold, Platinium, Nickel, Copper, and petroleum.

The Nile is the lifeline of Egypt
Without the Nile, Egypt would have been a desert
So Egypt in the gift of the Nile.
2. Deserts are found in the western margins of the continents.
Most deserts are found in the Western margins of the subtropics.
Because the prevailing winds in the tropics are tropical easterly winds.
The tropical easterly winds become dry by the time they reach the western margins.

3. Antarctica is called the continent of scientists.
Scientists of any country are free to conduct experiments and collect data from Antarctica.
Hence it is called the ‘continent of Science’.

Minerals are the largest export item in Australia.
It contributes about 10 % of the country’s GDP.
Australia is the world’s leading producer of bauxite, limonite, the second-largest producer of gold. lead, lithium, manganese ore, and zinc.
The third-largest producer of iron ore and uranium and the fourth-largest producer of black coal.
The Coal belts of the country stretch from New castle to Sydney.
Iron ores are found mainly in southern and Western Australia.
Bauxite is mined around the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Uranium is mined in northern territory.
Gold is mined in the Western desert at Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie.
2. Describe the flora and fauna of Antarctica.
Flaora and Fauna:
Since the temperature is below freezing point almost throughout the year, no major vegetation is found in this continent.
Simple plants like algae, mosses, liverworts, lichens, and microscopic fungi can survive and grow in Antarctica.
Some algae live in the snow, while other plants grow on the coastal rocky land that is ice-free.
A few species of plants, such as plankton, algae, and mosses are seen in and around, Antarctica’s fresh and saltwater lakes.
Small redfish called krill are found in large shoals. It is food for many warm-blooded sea animals.
The blue whale is the largest animal that feeds on plankton. All these animals and birds have a thick layer of fat called blubber which helps them to withstand the cold condition.
Penguin birds in Antarctica cannot fly. They have webbed feet and flippers instead of wings. Small invertebrates are the only land animals which live in the continent.
3. Name the physical divisions of Africa and explain anyone.
The physical divisions of Africa are
Sahara
Sahel
Savanna
The Great Rift Valley and the Great Lakes of Africa
East Africa Highlands
Swahili Coast
The Congo Basin or Zaire Basin
Southern Africa.
Sahel:
Sahel means border or margin. Sahel is a semi-arid tropical Savannah region that lies between Sahara.
Desert in the north and grassland into the south.
It Stretches east-west for a distance of 4000 km and covers an area of 30 million sq Km.
It is largely a semi-arid belt of barren, sandy, and rocky land.
This region marks the physical and cultural transition between the more fertile tropical regions in the south and desert in the north.