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      People of the Amazon rainforest

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      You can compare different types of settlement and traditional lifestyles of indigenous peoples living in the Amazon rainforest.

      Key learning points

      1. Different types of settlements are located in the Amazon rainforest.
      2. There are similarities and differences between lifestyles in the Amazon rainforest and the UK.
      3. There are a variety of challenges facing the Indigenous peoples living in the Amazon rainforest.

      Keywords

      • Ethnic group - People who are part of the same ethnic group share the same nationality, cultures and traditions.

      • Settlements - Settlements are places where groups of people live and work.

      • Colonists - Colonists are people from one country who live in a different place that is controlled by their country.

      Common misconception

      Pupils think all or most Indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest live traditional lifestyles.

      Many indigenous people in the Amazon rainforest live a modern lifestyle and have a range of jobs.

      Teacher tip

      Pupils could use digital mapping tools to explore Manaus and other settlements in the Amazon rainforest.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a settlement? Select 1 answer.

      a pile of tiny particles of rock
      Correct answer: a place where people live and sometimes work
      a river valley with steep sides
      an ancient burial ground

      Q2.
      Order these settlements from smallest to biggest.

      1 - hamlet
      2 - village
      3 - town
      4 - city

      Q3.
      Which of the following would be most likely to be found in a rural area? Select 2 answers.

      Correct answer: village
      city
      large town
      Correct answer: isolated farm or house

      Q4.
      What is the approximate population of the UK? Select 1 answer.

      6 million
      22 million
      Correct answer: 67 million
      124 million

      Q5.
      What is the main cause of climate change? Select 1 answer.

      small changes in the earth's orbit around the Sun
      volcanic activity
      changes in solar radiation
      Correct answer: burning fossil fuels

      Q6.
      Select 1 answer. Colonisation is when...

      ...the rainforest is cleared for planting crops.
      ...countries trade goods and services with each other.
      Correct answer: ...one country or nation takes over another country or part of the world.
      ...a new city is built.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      For how long have people lived in the Amazon rainforest?

      a few years
      since the start of this century
      hundreds of years
      Correct answer: thousands of years

      Q2.
      Where do most people in the Amazon rainforest live?

      along the coast
      Correct answer: in a few cities along major rivers
      in small towns and villages
      in isolated houses, deep in the rainforest

      Q3.
      Which of the following describe aspects of the traditional lifestyle of the Awa people?

      grow crops such as wheat, potatoes and oats
      Correct answer: nomadic
      build houses out of brick
      Correct answer: collect food from the rainforest

      Q4.
      Which of the following do not describe aspects of the traditional lifestyle of the Awa people?

      use rainforest plants to make medicines
      hunt using two metre long bows and arrows
      Correct answer: buy food in supermarkets
      Correct answer: drive cars

      Q5.
      _____________ means the complete removal of trees from the forest.

      Correct answer: deforestation
      afforestation
      plantation
      pollution

      Q6.
      What challenge did indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest face when the early European settlers arrived?

      settlers brought diseases that indigenous peoples hadn't been exposed to before
      being moved from their land
      being forced into slavery
      Correct answer: all of the above

      To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: People of the Amazon rainforest, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...