Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Economics Chapter 1 Resources & Development Class 10 Important Questions

Resources & Development

Question 1:
What is the process of transforming materials available in our environment into resources?

Answer:
The transformation of materials into resources involves an interactive relationship between nature, technology, and institutions. Human beings interact with nature using technology, and they create institutions to accelerate economic development.

Question 2:
Are resources free gifts of nature?

Answer:
No, resources are not free gifts of nature. Resources are a function of human activities. Human beings play a vital role in transforming natural materials into usable resources.

Question 3:
How are resources classified?

Answer:
Resources can be classified into the following categories:
On the basis of origin: Biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living)
On the basis of exhaustibility: Renewable (can be replenished) and non-renewable (finite)
On the basis of ownership: Individual, community, national, and international
On the basis of status of development: Potential (yet to be developed), developed stock (in use), and reserves (available for future use)

Resource Planning:

Question 1:
Why is resource planning important in a country like India?

Answer:
Resource planning is important in India due to the country’s vast diversity in resource availability. Some regions are rich in specific resources but lack others, while some regions are self-sufficient, and others face acute shortages of vital resources. This diversity requires balanced and judicious planning to ensure equitable development.

Question 2:
Can you provide examples of resource distribution in India?

Answer:
Yes, here are some examples:
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh: Rich in minerals and coal deposits.
Arunachal Pradesh: Abundant in water resources but lacks infrastructural development.
Rajasthan: Well-endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks water resources.
Ladakh: Rich in cultural heritage but deficient in water, infrastructure, and vital minerals.

Question 3:
What is the need for resource planning at various levels?

Answer:
Resource planning is needed at the national, state, regional, and local levels to ensure the judicious use of resources and address regional disparities. This helps balance development by making sure that regions with abundant resources and those facing shortages can both prosper.

Resource Planning in India

Question 1:
What are the key steps involved in the resource planning process?

Answer:
Resource planning involves three key steps:
Identification and inventory of resources: This includes surveying, mapping, qualitative, and quantitative estimation of resources across the country.
Evolving a planning structure: This requires appropriate technology, skills, and institutional setup to implement resource development plans.
Matching resource development plans with overall national development plans: Ensuring that resource development is in line with the country’s broader development goals.

Question 2:
Why is mere availability of resources insufficient for regional development?

Answer:
Mere availability of resources is not enough for development. Without corresponding advancements in technology and institutional support, regions rich in resources may remain economically backward. On the other hand, regions with limited resources but better technology and institutions may achieve higher economic development.

Question 3:
Can you provide examples of resource-rich but economically backward regions and resource-poor but economically developed regions in India?

Answer:
Resource-rich but economically backward regions:
Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh: These states are rich in minerals but face economic challenges due to underdeveloped infrastructure and technology.
Resource-poor but economically developed regions:
Delhi and Punjab: These areas have a poor natural resource base but have achieved economic development due to advanced technology, skilled human resources, and better institutional setups.

Question 4:
What role did colonization play in the exploitation of resources?

Answer:
Colonization was driven by the desire to exploit the rich resources of colonies. The higher level of technological development in the colonizing countries enabled them to exploit the resources of other regions and establish dominance. This shows that resources contribute to development only when paired with appropriate technology and institutions.

Question 5:
Why is resource conservation important, and what was Gandhiji’s perspective on it?

Answer:
Resource conservation is crucial to prevent irrational consumption and over-utilization, which can lead to socio-economic and environmental problems. Gandhiji emphasized the importance of resource conservation, highlighting that over-exploitation of resources is harmful not only to the environment but also to societal balance.

Very Short Answer Questions (VSA) 1 Mark

Question 1.
Define the term National Income?
Year of Question :(2015 D)

Answer: National income is defined as the total value of all final goods and services produced with a country plus net income from transactions like (export and import) with other countries

Question 2.
Define GDP?
Year of Question :(2012 D)

Answer: GDP or Gross Domestic Product is the total value of all final goods and services produced during a particular year in a country

Question 3.
What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: The World Bank uses average income or per capita income as a criterion for classifying different countries

Question 4.
Why is the total income of countries not used to make comparisons between them?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: The total income of countries is not used to make comparisons between them, because the population of different countries is different and does not give a clear picture if comparisons are made on this basis

Question 5.
Literacy rate measures the proportion of literate population in which age group?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: The age group of 7 years and above

Question 6.
Which state of India has the lowest infant mortality rate?
Year of Question :(2013)

Answer: Kerala

Question 7.
What is Human Development Index?
Year of Question :(2013)

Answer: Human Development Index is a composite index of achievements of a nation in terms of three important variables, namely-longevity, knowledge and standard of living, that determine the quality of life

Question 8.
Name the report published by UNDP which compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their health status and per capita income?
Year of Question :(2013)

Answer: Human Development Report

Question 9.
What term is used to describe the average number of years a person is expected to live at birth?
Year of Question :(2013)

Answer: Life Expectancy

Question 10.
What is the advantage of per capita income? Mention any one.?
Year of Question :(2014)

Answer: It helps to compare the development of countries as per capita income tells us whether people in one country are better off than others in a different country

Question 11.
What do final goods and services mean?
Year of Question :(2014)

Answer: The various production activities in the primary, secondary and tertiary sector produce large number of goods and services for consumption and investment are final goods and services

Question 12.
Why is sustainable development essential? Give one reason?
Year of Question :(2015)

Answer: Sustained development aims at economic development without damaging the environment and at the same time conserving for the future. Resources are to be used in such a way that they are not overexploited

Question 13.
Why is per capita income of different countries calculated in dollars and not in their own currencies by the World Bank? (Board Question)?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: Per capita income of different countries is calculated in dollars and not in their own currencies because the dollar has been the strongest and stablest currency since the end of the 2nd World War and it becomes easy to compare the per capita incomes of various countries when these are converted into a common currency, i.e., US dollar

Question 14.
"What may be development for one may not be development for the other." Explain with a suitable example. (Board Question)?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: Different persons have different notions of development because life situations of persons are different. For example, Construction of dams leads to generation of hydroelectricity, thus development. However many people have to be displaced from their villages, hence it may not be development for them

Question 15.
What is meant by sustainability of development? (Board Question)?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: This signifies that the level of economic development of a country should be maintained or sustained in all the years. Development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations

Question 16.
Define?
Year of Question :(2015)

• Infant mortality rate
• Literacy rate
• Net attendance ratio
• BMI

Answer:

• Infant mortality rate. It indicates the number of children that die before the age of 1 year as a proportion of 1000 live children bom in that particular year
• Literacy rate. It measures the proportion of literate population in the 7 and above age group
• Net Attendance ratio. It is the total number of children of age group 6 to 10 attending school as a percentage of total number of children in the same age group
• BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is calculated by dividing the weight of a person in kilograms (kgs) by the square of his/her height in metres. It is an indicator of the level of nourishment in adults

Question 17.
Literacy rate measures the proportion of literate population in which age group?
Year of Question :(2017 D)

Answer: The age group of 7 years and above

Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks

Question 18.
Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your own examples related to development. (NCERT Question)?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer:

• Total income is not a useful measure for comparison between countries. Since countries have different populations, comparing total income does not tell what an average person is likely to earn. Hence, we use average income which is total income of the country divided by total population
• The defect of average as a measure is that it does not show the distribution (dispersion) of income between the rich and the poor
• Two countries may have the same average income but in one country almost every family may enjoy more or less the same kind of income, whereas in the other, some may be very rich and others very poor. The disparity between rich and poor is an important feature that the average measure (per capita income) does not consider. Example: In terms of development, we can take the example of India, where the metro towns are full of high-rise buildings and shopping malls while some villages have not yet been provided with a basic necessity like electricity

Question 19.
What is per capita income? Mention any two limitations of per capita income as an indicator of development?
Year of Question :(2017 D)

Answer: The total income of a country divided by its total population gives the Per Capita Income. Money cannot buy all the goods and services that are needed to live well. So income by itself is not a completely adequate indicator of material goods and services that citizens are able to use. For example, money can not buy a pollution-free environment or ensure that one gets unadulterated medicines, unless one can afford to shift to a community that already has all these things

Question 20.
Kerala, with lower per capita income, has a better human development ranking than Punjab. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare States. Do you agree? Discuss. NCERT Question?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: Per capita income is not a useful criterion at all to measure the human development ranking of a state. High per capita income is not the only attribute to a good quality life. Money cannot buy all the essential things required for a good life. Pollution-free atmosphere to ensure good health, protection from infectious diseases, lowering of mortality rate, promotion of literacy, etc. are essential for a good standard of living. In order to achieve these, joint efforts have to be made by all members of a community, be it rich or poor. Kerala ranks higher compared to Punjab even with a lower per capita income because

• mortality rate is lower
• literacy rate is higher and
• total number of children attending school (Classes I-V) is higher

Question 21.
On the basis of which three indicators of HDI 2004 Sri Lanka has better rank than India?
Year of Question :(2014)

Answer: Three indicators of HDI 2004 in which Sri Lanka has better rank than India

• Per capita income-The per capita income of Sri Lanka in US dollars was 4,390 US dollars while that of India was 3,139 US dollars
• Life expectancy at birth-The life expectancy at birth for Sri Lanka was 74, higher than that of India at 64
• Gross enrolment ratio for three levels-Sri Lanka had Gross Enrolment ratio of 69 while that of India was 60

Question 22.
Conflicting goals can also be developmental goals. Elaborate with examples?
Year of Question :(2014)

Answer: All persons do not have the same notion of development or progress. Each one of them seeks different things. The seek things that are most important for them, i.e., that which can fulfil their aspirations or desires. In fact at times two persons or groups of persons may seek things which are conflicting. A girl expects as much freedom and opportunity as her brother and that he also shares in the household work. Her brother may not like this. To get more electricity, industrialists may want more dams. But this may submerge the land and disrupt the lives of people who are displaced, such as tribals. They might resent this and may prefer small check dams or tanks to irrigate their land

Question 23.
What are common developmental goals? Give any two suitable examples of common developmental goals?
Year of Question :(2015)

Answer: There are certain goals which are the same or common for all. These are common developmental goals. The developmental goals that people have are not only about better income but also about other important things in life. More income or more material goods do not always give us a good quality life. There are other aspects such as equal treatment, freedom, security, opportunity to learn, good working conditions, pollution-free atmosphere, job security and good social life which are very important for a good quality life. Money or material things that one can buy with it, is one factor on which our life depends. But quality of our life also depends on non-material things, for example, the role of our friends in our life which cannot be measured but mean a lot to us

Question 24.
"Money cannot buy all the goods and services that one needs to live well" Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer with any three suitable arguments?
Year of Question :(2015)

Answer: Yes, I agree with the statement because money income and material goods alone are not an adequate indicator of a good quality of life. Money cannot buy all the goods and services one needs to live well

• Money cannot buy a pollution free and dean environment with fresh air
• It cannot protect us from infectious diseases and guarantee good health for us
• Money cannot assure that medicines available in the market are not adulterated. To live well one needs non-material factors such as equal treatment, freedom, security, equal opportunity to learn, a pollution free environment, good and safe working conditions etc

Question 25.
Apart from income, which other six things people look for as important aspects of our lives?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: High per capita income is not the only attribute to a good quality life. Money cannot buy all the essential things required for a good life. Pollution-free atmosphere to ensure good health, protection from infectious diseases, lowering of mortality rate, promotion of literacy, job security, good working conditions, etc. are essential for a good standard of living

Question 26.
One what basis the rich and low income countries have been categorized in the world? What are the limitations of this approach? According to the World Development Report, 2006, India comes in which category? Give reason for the same?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: The World Bank uses average income or per capita income as a criterion for classifying different countries. Countries with per capita income of ?4,53,000 per annum and above (in the year 2004) are called rich countries and those with per capita income of ?37,000 or less are called low income countries (India comes under low income countries; the per capita income in India is ?28,000 per annum). Those falling in between ?37,000 - ?4,53,000 are placed in the middle category

• While averages are useful for comparison, they also hide disparities. Two countries may have identical average income, but one country may have equitable distribution where people are neither very rich nor very poor, while in the other country most citizens are very poor and very few are extremely rich
• Better income cannot ensure a good quality life. Criterion set by the World Bank has ignored certain attributes of a good life which do not depend on income or cannot be . bought with money. Example, freedom, equal treatment, equal opportunities, free atmosphere, provision of unadulterated medicines, etc

Question 27.
Why do people look at a mix of goals for development? Explain?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: Though income is one of the most important components of development, but there are other important goals which people look at for development

• People also seek things like equal treatment, freedom, security and respect
• Women need a safe and secure environment to take up a variety of jobs or to run businesses as entrepreneurs
• People seek a pollution free environment
• Students seek better education and equal opportunities to learn

Long Answer Questions (LA) 5 Marks

Question 28.
Why do different persons have different notions of development? Which of the following explanations is more important and why?
Year of Question :(2012)

• Because people are different
• Because life situations of persons are different

Answer: The correct explanation is Because life situations of persons are different. Developmental goals are different for different categories of people because of their different aspirations. Aspirations are based on their needs. At times people may have conflicting developmental goals also. What may be development for one may not be development for another. It may even be destructive for the other. Example, Industrialists may want construction of more dams for more electricity, but this may lead to displacement of tribals who live in those areas and thereby disrupt their lives. Example, The inhabitants of Nandigram in West Bengal are mainly agriculturists and their aspirations are to see development in the field of agriculture, whereas to some it may appear that industrial advancement is more necessary for national development

Question 29.
What does HDI stand for? Explain the main criteria of measuring HDI according to UNDP Report of 1990?
Year of Question :(2015)

Answer: HDI Stand for Human Development Index. Main criteria of measuring HDI

• HDI published by UNDP compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their health status and per capita income
• HDI determines the rank of a country by its overall achievement in three areas, i.e., life expectancy, educational level and per capita income
• Many improvements have been suggested in calculating HDI and many new components have been added to Human Development Report
• Pre-fixing Human to Development, it has made it clear that what is important in development is what is happening to citizens of a country, i.e., the health and well being of the people is most important

Question 30.
Explain with examples that there are other important development goals also besides income?
Year of Question :(2014)

Answer: More income or more material goods do not always give us a good quality life. There are other aspects such as equal treatment, freedom, security, opportunity to learn, good working conditions, pollution-free atmosphere, job security and good social life which are very important for a good quality life. Money or material things that one can buy with it, is one factor on which our life depends. But quality of our life also depends on non-material things, for example, the role of our friends in our life which cannot be measured but mean a lot to us. Another example, if we get a job in a far off place, before accepting it we would try consider many factors apart from income such as facilities for our family, working atmosphere, or opportunity to learn. Similarly, for development, people look at a mix of goals. It is true that if women are engaged in paid work, their dignity increases. However, it is also the case that if there is respect for women there would be more sharing of house work and greater acceptance of women. The developmental goals that people have are not only about better income but also about other important things in life

Question 31.
Explain any five fields other than income where development is needed?
Year of Question :(2012)

Answer: Fields other than income where development is needed

• Education. The government must provide adequate education facilities in all rural and urban areas. The government must necessarily focus on education for girls so that all girls are able to acquire atleast secondary level schooling. Running proper schools and providing quality education, particularly elementary education, is the duty of the Government
• Health. Basic health care facilities are a must for all. Establishment of government hospitals, clinics and dispensaries, especially in rural areas, to provide subsidized and unadulterated medicines to the poorer sections of society
• Nutrition. An effective Public Distribution System-proper functioning of ration shops and equitable distribution of foodgrains is very essential
• Transportation. A well developed public transport system to make it easy for general public to commute
• Electricity. It is the duty of the government to provide electricity and water at reasonable rates to the common man and prevent him from exploitation by private companies

Question 32.
Explain with reasons why state of Punjab with a very high per capita income has a low literacy rate?
Year of Question :(2017 D)

Answer: Per capita income is not a useful criterion at all to measure the human development ranking of a state. High per capita income is not the only attribute to a good quality life. Money cannot buy all the essential things required for a good life. This can be seen in the case of Punjab which has a very high per capita income but a low literacy rate. Having money in ones pocket cannot buy all the goods and services that we need to live well. Money cannot ensure education and literacy. Another reason for low literacy rate in Punjab could be the lack of free and compulsory educational facilities. The government needs to open more schools and provide other facilities so that all children have a chance to study. Pollution-free atmosphere to ensure good health, protection from infectious diseases, lowering of mortality rate, promotion of literacy, etc. are essential for a good standard of living. In order to achieve these, joint efforts have to be made by all members of a community, be it rich or poor

Question1.
What are resources?

Answer:

Definition:

• "Resources" are everything available in the environment that can be used to satisfy human needs, provided they are technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable

Types of Resources:

• Based on origin: "Biotic" and "Abiotic."
• Based on exhaustibility: "Renewable" and "Non-renewable."
• Based on ownership: "Individual," "Community," "National," and "International."
• Based on development status: "Potential," "Developed stock," and "Reserves."

Question2.
What are the problems caused by the overuse of resources?

Answer:

Depletion of resources:

Overusing resources can lead to their depletion, reducing availability for future generations.

Unequal distribution:

Accumulation of resources in the hands of a few leads to inequality in society (rich vs. poor).

Ecological crises:

Overexploitation causes issues such as "global warming," "ozone layer depletion," and "land degradation."

Question3.
What is "Sustainable Development"?

Answer:

Definition:

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Important Event:

• Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit (1992): This summit led to the signing of the "Rio Declaration" and "Agenda 21," promoting "sustainable development" globally

Question4.
What is resource planning and why is it important in India?

Answer:

Definition:

Resource planning is the judicious use of resources and involves:

• Surveying and mapping resources.
• Developing plans with the help of technology.
• Matching resource development with national goals

Importance in India:

• India has diverse resource availability, but resources are unevenly distributed

Question5.
What are the major types of land use in India?

Answer:

Land Use Categories:

Forests:

Land covered by forests.

Non-agricultural land:

Used for buildings, roads, etc.

Barren land:

Land unsuitable for cultivation.

Fallow land:

Temporarily uncultivated land.

Net sown area:

Land on which crops are grown

Question6.
What are the main causes of land degradation?

Answer:

Human activities:

Deforestation:

Cutting down trees for agriculture or urbanization.

Overgrazing:

Grazing by cattle, leading to soil erosion.

Mining:

Extracting minerals damages the land.

Over-irrigation:

Leads to waterlogging and soil salinity, especially in areas like "Punjab" and "Haryana."

Question7.
How can land degradation be controlled?

Answer:

Afforestation:

Planting trees to restore ecological balance.

Contour ploughing:

Ploughing along the contours of land to prevent water erosion.

Terrace farming:

Cutting steps on slopes to reduce soil erosion.

Strip cropping: Growing crops in strips to reduce the impact of wind and water on soil

Question8.
Describe the classification of soils in India?

Answer:

Types of Soils:

Alluvial soil:

Found in the "northern plains" and river deltas, highly fertile.

Black soil:

Known as "regur soil," ideal for cotton cultivation, found in "Deccan Plateau."

Red and yellow soil:

Found in the "Deccan Plateau" and parts of "Odisha" and "Chhattisgarh."

Laterite soil:

Found in areas with high rainfall, like "Western Ghats."

Arid soil:

Found in dry regions like "Rajasthan," characterized by sandy texture and low moisture

Question9.
What are the consequences of soil erosion, and how can it be controlled?

Answer:

Consequences:

• Loss of fertile topsoil
• Formation of ravines and badlands, making land unfit for cultivation

Control Measures:

Contour ploughing:

Reduces water flow on slopes.

Terracing:

Converts slopes into steps to slow down water flow.

Strip cropping:

Helps in reducing wind erosion by planting crops in strips.

Shelter belts:

Planting trees to protect fields from wind

Question10.
Explain the importance of conservation of resources?

Answer:

Gandhis View:

"There is enough for everybodys need, but not for anybodys greed." Gandhi emphasized the importance of avoiding overuse of resources.

Global Initiatives:

Brundtland Commission Report (1987): Introduced the concept of "Sustainable Development." Agenda 21: A global plan to promote sustainable resource use

Question1.
What is Development?

Answer:

• Development refers to progress or improvement in peoples living conditions
• It includes improving income, health, education, and access to resources
• Development can mean different things to different people

Question2.
Why do different people have different development goals?

Answer:

• People are different and live in different situations
• A landless farmer may want more job opportunities, while a wealthy businessperson may want better infrastructure
• Conflicting goals: A person wanting a dam for electricity may affect the people living near the river by displacing them

Question3.
What are some important non-income development goals?

Answer:

• Equal treatment: Respect and fairness in society
• Security: Feeling safe in your home or community
• Freedom: Ability to make choices in life
• Respect: Being valued by others

Question4.
How do we measure the development of countries?

Answer:

• Per capita income: Total income of a country divided by its population
• Human Development Index (HDI): Considers income, education (years of schooling), and health (life expectancy)

Question5.
Why is average income not always a good indicator of development?

Answer:

• Unequal distribution: Even if a country has high average income, most of the population could still be poor
• Example: If one person is very rich but others are poor, the average income hides the inequality

Question6.
What are public facilities, and why are they important for development?

Answer:

• Public facilities: Services like schools, healthcare, clean water, and roads provided by the government
• They help ensure everyone, regardless of income, can live a good quality of life.
• Example: Kerala has a low Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) due to good healthcare services

Question7.
What is the importance of sustainable development?

Answer:

• Sustainable development ensures that resources are used in a way that meets the needs of the present without harming future generations
• Example: Groundwater overuse in Punjab and Western UP could lead to water shortages in the future

• CBSE Class 10 SA-1 Social Science Set 1 QP