Population and Settlement -- Exercise Solutions
How to Use This Page
This page provides complete, exam-ready solutions for the Population and Settlement chapter from the Samacheer Kalvi Class 7 Social Science textbook (Geography, Term 1, Chapter 3). Work through each exercise question on your own first, then check your answers here. Every question is answered in detail so you can understand the reasoning, not just memorise the answer.
Key Concepts (Quick Recap)
- Population Geography is the study of demography -- how and where people are distributed, their density, growth, and migration patterns.
- Races: Humans are classified into four major races based on visual traits -- Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid, and Australoid.
- Language: A powerful force of socialization that promotes transmission of ideas. India has 22 major languages.
- Religion: A system of faith and worship; major religions include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism.
- Settlement: A place where people live and interact through activities such as agriculture, trading, and entertainment.
- Rural Settlements: Located near water bodies; people are primarily engaged in agriculture and other primary activities.
- Urban Settlements: People are mainly engaged in secondary and tertiary activities; classified by population size, occupational structure, and administration.
- Types of Rural Settlements: Linear, Rectangular, Circular, Dispersed, and Compact.
- Urban Hierarchy: Town (pop. > 5,000) < City (pop. > 1,00,000) < Conurbation < Megalopolis (pop. > 10 million).
- Smart City: A city very much advanced in terms of infrastructure, real estate, communication, and market availability.
- World Population Day: 11th July; International Mother Language Day: 21st February; World Cultural Diversity Day: 21st May.
Exercise Solutions
I. Choose the Correct Answer (MCQs)
Q1. Caucasoid race is also known as \_\_\_\_ race.
- a) European
- b) Negroid
- c) Mongoloid
- d) Australoid
Q2. \_\_\_\_ Race is known as Asian-American Race.
- a) Caucasoid
- b) Negroid
- c) Mongoloid
- d) Australoid
Q3. World Population Day is observed on \_\_\_\_.
- a) September 1
- b) June 11
- c) July 11
- d) December 2
Q4. Rural settlements are located near \_\_\_\_.
- a) Water bodies
- b) Hilly areas
- c) Coastal areas
- d) Desert areas
Q5. Arrange in terms of size: 1) City 2) Megalopolis 3) Metropolis 4) Conurbation
- a) 4, 1, 3, 2
- b) 1, 3, 4, 2
- c) 2, 1, 3, 4
- d) 3, 1, 2, 4
Q6. Who is found in the Arctic region?
- a) Caucasoid
- b) Negroid
- c) Mongoloid
- d) Australoid
Q7. The Zoroastrians worship in \_\_\_\_.
- a) Synagogue
- b) Bacardi
- c) Agriyari
- d) Viharas
Q8. Viharas are the places of worship of \_\_\_\_.
- a) Shamanism
- b) Jainism
- c) Zoroastrianism
- d) Buddhism
Q9. The World Cultural and Diversity Day is celebrated on \_\_\_\_.
- a) 18th May
- b) 20th May
- c) 21st May
- d) 25th May
Q10. Tamil Nadu has how many major cities to be transformed as smart cities?
- a) 5
- b) 9
- c) 10
- d) 12
II. Fill in the Blanks
Q1. The Bushmen are found mainly in \_\_\_\_ desert in South Africa.
Q2. Linguistic stock is a group of \_\_\_\_ family sharing features and its origin.
Q3. In \_\_\_\_ settlements, most of the people are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities.
Q4. \_\_\_\_ towns are generally located outside the rural-urban fringe.
Q5. \_\_\_\_ Settlement comes up around a place of worship.
Q6. Population Geography is a study of \_\_\_\_.
Q7. The study of movements and mobility of the population is \_\_\_\_.
Q8. Human racial types are based on \_\_\_\_ traits.
Q9. Caucasoid race is found in \_\_\_\_.
Q10. \_\_\_\_ is a tribal/traditional religion.
Q11. \_\_\_\_ is the place of worship of Jainism.
Q12. There are \_\_\_\_ major languages in India.
Q13. 11th July is \_\_\_\_ Day.
Q14. \_\_\_\_ is International Mother Language Day.
Q15. \_\_\_\_ is celebrated as World Religious Day.
Q16. Houses built around a central area are known as \_\_\_\_ pattern.
Q17. Population more than one lakh is considered as a \_\_\_\_.
Q18. The \_\_\_\_ city is very much advanced in terms of infrastructure.
Q19. Settlement may be classified on the basis of \_\_\_\_ into a village and town.
III. Match the Following
Match A -- Races
| A | B | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Caucasoid | Asian | European ✓ |
| Negroid | Australia | African ✓ |
| Mongoloid | European | Asian ✓ |
| Australoid | African | Australia ✓ |
Match B -- Settlement Patterns and Regions
| A | B | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Sutlej-Ganga plain | Dispersed settlement | Rectangular pattern ✓ |
| Nilgiris | Star-like pattern | Dispersed settlement ✓ |
| South India | Rectangular pattern | Circular settlement ✓ |
| Seacoast | Compact settlement | Compact settlement ✓ |
| Haryana | Circular settlement | Star-like pattern ✓ |
Match C -- Urban Settlement Types
| A | B | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Town | Pop. more than 1,00,000 | Pop. more than 5,000 ✓ |
| City | Supat in Aujamat | Pop. more than 1,00,000 ✓ |
| Mega City | Noida in UP | Pop. more than 10 million ✓ |
| Megalopolis | Pop. more than 10 million | Supat in Aujamat ✓ |
| Conurbation | Pop. more than 5,000 | Noida in UP ✓ |
IV. True or False / Assertion and Reason
Q1. Assertion (A): There are numerous languages spoken in the world. Reason (R): The linguistic diversity in the world is vast.
- a) A and R correct, R explains A
- b) A and R correct, R does not explain A
- c) A incorrect, R correct
- d) Both incorrect
Q2. Assertion (A): Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu is an example of a pilgrim settlement. Reason (R): Iron and steel industry is located there.
- a) R correctly explains A
- b) R does not explain A
- c) A wrong, R correct
- d) A correct, R wrong
Q3. Assertion (A): Dry point settlements are not affected by flooding. Reason (R): The landscape and water source are located in low-lying areas.
Q4. Assertion (A): Satellite towns are generally outside the rural-urban fringe. Reason (R): Satellite towns are purely residential in character.
Q5. Circle the odd one out: Fishing, Lumbering, Agriculture, Banking
Q6. Circle the odd one out: Himalayas, Alps, Rocky, Ganga
Q7. Circle the odd one out: Judaism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Animism
Q8. Circle the odd one out: Kashmiri, Hindi, Bengali, English
V. Very Short Answers (1-2 sentences)
Q1. What is the classification of races?
Q2. What is language?
Q3. Define settlement.
Q4. What is the basis of classification of urban settlements?
Q5. Write a short note on Smart City.
Q6. What are the types of settlements?
Q7. What is a pilgrim settlement?
Q8. What are the WHO suggestions for a healthy city?
Q9. Define Megalopolis.
Q10. What is a Megacity?
VI. Short Answers (3-5 sentences)
Q1. Give reasons: Mumbai is a megacity.
Q2. Give reasons: Himalayas have dispersed settlements.
Q3. Distinguish between Language and Religion.
| Feature | Language | Religion |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | A socialization force promoting idea transmission | A system of faith and worship |
| Form | Written or oral | Beliefs, rituals, and practices |
| Role | Helps people communicate and share ideas | Serves as a symbol of group identity |
| Example | Hindi, Tamil, English | Hinduism, Islam, Christianity |
Q4. Distinguish between Negroid and Mongoloid races.
| Feature | Negroid | Mongoloid |
|---|---|---|
| Skin colour | Dark / Black | Light yellow to brown |
| Hair | Woolly hair | Straight hair |
| Face | Wide nose, thick lips | Flat face, broad head |
| Region | Africa | Asia and Arctic region |
Q5. Distinguish between City and Town.
| Feature | Town | City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | More than 5,000 | More than 1,00,000 |
| Types | Administrative, academic | Nucleated, multi-functional |
| Size | Smaller than a city | Larger and more complex |
| Activities | Limited secondary activities | Diverse secondary and tertiary activities |
Q6. Distinguish between Urban and Rural Settlements.
| Feature | Urban Settlement | Rural Settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Activities | Secondary and tertiary | Primary (agriculture, fishing) |
| Population | Dense | Sparse |
| Examples | Cities and towns | Villages and hamlets |
| Lifestyle | Fast-paced | Simple and traditional |
| Location | Varied locations | Near water bodies |
VII. Detailed Answers (Paragraph-length, well-structured)
Q1. Describe the four major classifications of races.
1. Caucasoid (European Race): Fair skin, wavy hair, narrow nose, and medium-to-tall stature. Found in Eurasia, including Europe, North Africa, and parts of South Asia.
2. Negroid (African Race): Dark or black skin, woolly hair, wide nose, and thick lips. Found predominantly in Africa, especially in the Sub-Saharan region. The Bushmen are a well-known Negroid group found in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa.
3. Mongoloid (Asian-American Race): Light yellow-to-brown skin, straight hair, flat face, and broad head. Found in Asia and the Arctic region, including countries like China, Japan, Mongolia, and among the Inuit people.
4. Australoid: Wide nose, curly hair, dark skin, and short stature. Found in Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. They are considered among the earliest inhabitants of these regions.
Q2. Explain the factors influencing rural settlement.
1. Nature of topography: Hilly and mountainous areas tend to have dispersed settlements, while plains allow for compact and rectangular settlements. 2. Local weather conditions: Extreme climates push settlements towards areas with moderate weather and access to shelter. 3. Soil and water resources: Fertile soil and proximity to water bodies (rivers, lakes, tanks) are essential for agriculture, which is the primary occupation in rural areas. 4. Social organization: Community structures, caste systems, and traditional practices influence how houses are clustered or spread out. 5. Economic conditions: The prosperity and livelihood activities of the community determine the size, type, and quality of rural settlements.
These factors together shape whether a rural settlement is linear (along roads or rivers), rectangular (in plains), circular (around a central area like a lake), dispersed (in hilly or forested areas), or compact (in areas with limited resources).
Q3. Describe the types of rural settlement with examples.
1. Linear Settlement: Houses are arranged in a line along a road, river, or valley. Found in the Himalayas, Alps, and Rocky Mountains where the terrain forces a narrow, elongated layout.
2. Rectangular Settlement: Houses are arranged in straight streets meeting at right angles, commonly found in plains such as the Sutlej-Ganga plain. The flat terrain allows for this organized pattern.
3. Circular Settlement: Houses are built around a central area, such as a lake or tank, commonly seen in South India. The central area often serves as a community gathering place or water source.
4. Dispersed Settlement: Houses are spread far apart with agricultural fields in between. Found in areas with extreme climate, hilly tracts, and thick forests, such as the Nilgiris and Himalayan foothills.
5. Compact Settlement: Houses are closely built together, often found near seacoasts and in areas where land is limited or water is scarce, requiring the community to cluster around the available resource.
Q4. Write about the languages of India.
Q5. What is a satellite town? Explain with examples.
Common Mistakes
1. Confusing race names with regions: Students often mix up which race is found in which region. Remember: Caucasoid = Eurasia, Negroid = Africa, Mongoloid = Asia/Arctic, Australoid = Australia. 2. Swapping settlement patterns with regions: The rectangular pattern matches the Sutlej-Ganga plain (not Nilgiris); dispersed matches Nilgiris (not the plain). Always match pattern to terrain. 3. Confusing Megacity and Megalopolis: A megacity has population over 10 million (single metro area), while a megalopolis is formed when two or more large cities combine. They are related but distinct concepts. 4. Writing "town" when the question asks for "city": A town has population over 5,000; a city has population over 1,00,000. The threshold difference is important. 5. Forgetting World Population Day date: It is 11th July, not 11th June or 1st September. Also, International Mother Language Day is 21st February. 6. Misidentifying places of worship: Viharas are for Jainism (and Buddhism), Agriyari for Zoroastrianism, Synagogue for Judaism. Do not mix these up. 7. Ignoring the difference between "dry point" and "wet point" settlements: Dry point settlements are located on higher ground and are not affected by flooding, while wet point settlements are near water sources for easy access.
Exam Checklist
- [ ] I can list and describe the four major races (Causoid, Negroid, Mongoloid, Australoid)
- [ ] I can define settlement and classify it into rural and urban types
- [ ] I can explain the factors influencing rural settlement location
- [ ] I can name and describe five types of rural settlement patterns (Linear, Rectangular, Circular, Dispersed, Compact)
- [ ] I can distinguish between Town, City, Conurbation, Megalopolis, and Megacity
- [ ] I can explain what a Smart City and Satellite Town are, with examples
- [ ] I can define language and religion and distinguish between them
- [ ] I know the key dates: World Population Day (July 11), International Mother Language Day (Feb 21), World Cultural Diversity Day (May 21)
- [ ] I can fill in all blanks and match all columns correctly
- [ ] I can handle Assertion-Reason questions by checking if R truly explains A
- [ ] I can write detailed paragraph answers on races, settlement types, and languages of India