Life in the Sahara and the Sahel: Adapting to a Desert Region

Marginal land is best described as land that is

• watered by an oasis.

• on the edge of a town.

• not well suited for farming.

• best used for raising cash crops.

What is the main reason pastoral nomads move from place to place?

• to sell their trade goods

• to care for their date palms

• to clear new land for their crops

• to find fresh pasture for their herds

Below is a photograph of the Tuareg, who live in the Sahara Desert. Which of the following is an example of how the Tuareg have adapted to life in the desert?

• The Tuareg cover their heads and faces to protect against the sun.

• The Tuareg live in large communities of more than 100 people.

• The Tuareg live in permanent settlements of brick buildings.

• all of the above

What are the major economic activities at an oasis?

• trading and farming

• herding

• services and manufacturing

• hunting and gathering

How have people adapted to life at oases?

• People export water to other countries.

• People work outside during the hottest parts of the day.

• People build windbreaks to protect their community, livestock and crops from harsh winds.

• People build homes out of glass with many windows.

What problem limits the growth of oasis settlements?

• spread of disease

• water shortages

• warfare among nomadic groups

• flash floods

What natural force keeps the Sahara so dry?

• trade winds

• desertification

• wadis

• heavy precipitation

Which of the following are most threatened by desertification?

• croplands

• forested areas

• marginal lands

• wilderness areas

What do ergs, regs, and hammadas have in common?

• They are all desert flora.

• They are all desert fauna.

• They are all desert landforms.

• They are all desert ecosystems.

Why are date palms so important to human life in the Sahara?

• Date palms feed wild animals, such as gazelles.

• Date palms provide food, fuel, and materials for homes.

• Date palms provide drinking water for people and animals.

• Date palms are windbreaks that protect desert communities from harsh winds.