Lesson 1: Africa's Physical Geography

Which statement best defines Sub-Saharan Africa based on the map that circles the Sahara?

• Islands west of Atlantic Ocean

• Regions south of the Sahara Desert

• Areas north of Mediterranean Sea

• Countries east of the Indian Ocean

Which physical region is a grassland with scattered trees and supports large wildlife populations?

• Sahel dry steppe

• Sahara desert basin

• African savanna ecosystem

• Rift valley floor

A student predicts whether Egypt belongs to Sub-Saharan Africa using the circled locations on the map. Which reasoning is most accurate?

• Egypt lies within the Sahara, so it is north of Sub-Saharan

• Egypt is south of equator, so clearly Sub-Saharan

• Egypt borders Indian Ocean, placing it Sub-Saharan

• Egypt sits in Rift Valleys, therefore Sub-Saharan

Look at the exit ticket diagram. Which description best matches the Sahel region?

• A hot, wet tropical area

• Deep trenches in the earth

• Grassland with lots of animals

• Savanna turning into desert

Using the map and key, where would you label the Sahara Desert in Africa?

• Across most of North Africa

• Along the eastern coastline

• Centered in the Great Rift Valley

• In the southern rainforest belt

The images show trees cut and cleared in large areas. What human activity is illustrated?

• Planting new trees for reforestation

• Expanding agriculture on forest land

• Building urban construction projects

• Improving education for local people

A farmer wants to grow more crops and decides to clear rainforest. Which result is most likely for local wildlife?

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions overall

• Greater habitat diversity for animals

• Loss of habitat and fewer species

• Immediate increase in forest protection

Which human activity most directly speeds up desertification in the Sahel by removing plant cover?

• Drip irrigating small community farms

• Building windbreaks across dry fields

• Overgrazing livestock on fragile lands

• Planting drought-resistant grasses widely

A farmer in the Congo Basin clears forest using slash-and-burn. What immediate effect will this likely have on the soil?

• Increase long-term nutrients and stability

• Reduce erosion through deeper roots

• Provide short-term nutrients then depletion

• Create permanent fertile farmland

A town faces repeated droughts and overgrazing. Which plan best reduces risk of famine over the next few years?

• Rely only on imported emergency food

• Plant windbreaks and rotate grazing areas

• Expand herd sizes for more meat supply

• Clear more forest for larger crop fields