World Book Trivia Quiz For Kids--3/19-deserts

1. What is responsible for forming sand into dunes?

Water

Wind

Fire

Dunes are hills of loose sand. Dunes form when wind picks up sand and then drops it in a pile. They form in deserts and near oceans, rivers, and lakes. Large dunes are up to 1,000 feet (300 meters) high.

Explanation

Dunes are hills of loose sand. Dunes form when wind picks up sand and then drops it in a pile. They form in deserts and near oceans, rivers, and lakes. Large dunes are up to 1,000 feet (300 meters) high.

2. What is the world's largest desert?

Sahara

Great Basin

Arabian

The world's biggest desert is the Sahara, in northern Africa. It covers about 3 1/2 million square miles (9 million square kilometers). The Sahara is about the size of the United States.

Explanation

The world's biggest desert is the Sahara, in northern Africa. It covers about 3 1/2 million square miles (9 million square kilometers). The Sahara is about the size of the United States.

3. What is sand made of?

Tiny pieces of rock

Dirt particles clumped together

Glass that has been eroded

Sand is made up of tiny grains of rock. Most grains of sand were once part of solid rocks that have crumbled. Rocks break and crumble by a process known as weathering. For example, rocks along a coastline wear away when waves hit them. Also, when water freezes in their cracks, rocks can split apart.

Explanation

Sand is made up of tiny grains of rock. Most grains of sand were once part of solid rocks that have crumbled. Rocks break and crumble by a process known as weathering. For example, rocks along a coastline wear away when waves hit them. Also, when water freezes in their cracks, rocks can split apart.

4. What distinguishes the Arabian camel from the Bactrian camel?

Length of the tail

Color of the tongue

Number of humps

There are two main kinds of camels, the Arabian camel, also called a dromedary >, and the Bactrian > camel. The Arabian camel has one hump. The Bactrian camel has two humps.

Explanation

There are two main kinds of camels, the Arabian camel, also called a dromedary >, and the Bactrian > camel. The Arabian camel has one hump. The Bactrian camel has two humps.

5. What is the area in the desert where underground water is close enough to the surface to allow plants to grow?

Mirage

Oasis

Island

An oasis > is a rich, green area in a desert where underground water is close to the surface. This water allows trees and other plants to grow. The water at an oasis first fell as rain or snow in far away mountains or hills. After seeping into the ground, the water slowly moved down through the underground rocks to the desert.

Explanation

An oasis > is a rich, green area in a desert where underground water is close to the surface. This water allows trees and other plants to grow. The water at an oasis first fell as rain or snow in far away mountains or hills. After seeping into the ground, the water slowly moved down through the underground rocks to the desert.

6. Deserts are ___________.

Very hot

Very cold

Both

A desert is a region where the soil is so dry that few plants can grow. Most deserts are very hot, but some are very cold. Deserts near the North and South poles are so cold that water freezes and plants can't grow there.

Explanation

A desert is a region where the soil is so dry that few plants can grow. Most deserts are very hot, but some are very cold. Deserts near the North and South poles are so cold that water freezes and plants can't grow there.

7. What makes farming possible in the desert?

Rain

Tractors

Irrigation

In desert regions, farming would be impossible without irrigation. In areas where it is rainy part of the year but dry part of the year, irrigation allows farming to continue during the dry season.

Explanation

In desert regions, farming would be impossible without irrigation. In areas where it is rainy part of the year but dry part of the year, irrigation allows farming to continue during the dry season.

8. How many types of cactuses are there?

1,000

2,000

3,000

Cactuses are plants that grow in North and South America. They usually have clusters, or groups, of spines. There are about 2,000 kinds of cactuses. Most cactuses grow in hot, dry places. Cactuses also grow in rain forests and on mountains. Some cactuses even grow in cold places.

Explanation

Cactuses are plants that grow in North and South America. They usually have clusters, or groups, of spines. There are about 2,000 kinds of cactuses. Most cactuses grow in hot, dry places. Cactuses also grow in rain forests and on mountains. Some cactuses even grow in cold places.

9. About how much of Earth is covered in desert.

1/3

1/4

1/5

Deserts cover about one-fifth of Earth.

Explanation

Deserts cover about one-fifth of Earth.

10. The Sahara used to be filled with lakes and streams. When did the region start turning into a desert?

6 million years ago

600,000 years ago

6,000 years ago

Over 10,000 years ago, the Sahara had lakes and streams. Then, about 6,000 years ago, the region began to turn into a desert. Since that time, the Sahara has been slowly growing larger.

Explanation

Over 10,000 years ago, the Sahara had lakes and streams. Then, about 6,000 years ago, the region began to turn into a desert. Since that time, the Sahara has been slowly growing larger.