CBSE Class 10 Social Science Manufacturing Industries HOTS Question Set 01

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Question 1. How is the manufacturing sector considered the backbone of economic development of the country? Explain any three points in this regard.
Answer:
Manufacturing industries not only help in modernising agriculture, the backbone of our economy, they also reduce people's heavy dependence on agricultural income by providing jobs in the secondary and tertiary sectors.
Industrial development eradicates unemployment and poverty from our country; this was the main philosophy behind public-sector industries and joint-sector ventures in India, also aimed at reducing regional disparities by establishing industries in tribal and backward areas.
Export of manufactured goods expands trade and commerce and brings in much-needed foreign exchange.
Countries that transform their raw materials into a wide variety of finished goods of high value are prosperous; India's prosperity lies in increasing and diversifying its manufacturing industries as quickly as possible.

Teacher's Note:
a) Manufacturing reduces dependence on agriculture by creating jobs in other sectors.
b) It also fights unemployment, reduces regional disparity and earns foreign exchange through exports.

Question 2. “Agriculture gives a boost to the Industrial Sector.” Support the statement with arguments.
Answer:
Agriculture and industry are not exclusive of each other; they move hand in hand.
The agro-industry in India has given a major boost to agriculture by raising its productivity.
Industries depend on agriculture for raw material and sell their products such as irrigation pumps, fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides, plastics, PVC pipes, machines and tools to farmers.
Thus, the development and competitiveness of manufacturing industry has not only assisted agriculturists in increasing production but also made the production process very efficient.

Teacher's Note:
a) Agriculture supplies raw material to agro-based industries, while industry supplies inputs (fertilisers, machinery) back to farmers.
b) This two-way relationship raises productivity on both sides.

Question 3. “The economic strength of a country is measured by the development of manufacturing industries.” Give three arguments to support this statement.
Answer:
In the present-day world of globalisation, an industry needs to be more efficient and competitive; self-sufficiency alone is not enough.
Manufactured goods must be at par in quality with those in the international market; only then can a country compete internationally and earn foreign exchange.
Countries that transform their raw materials into a wide variety of finished goods of higher value are prosperous, like Japan and the US; India's prosperity similarly lies in increasing and diversifying its manufacturing industries as quickly as possible.

Teacher's Note:
a) Global competitiveness, not just self-sufficiency, defines industrial strength today.
b) Prosperous nations convert raw materials into high-value finished goods — a model India must follow.

Question 4. “The textile industry occupies a unique position in the Indian economy.” Justify.
Answer:
It contributes significantly to industrial production (14 per cent).
It employs about 35 million people directly and earns foreign exchange of about 24.6 per cent — the second largest after agriculture.
The industry has close links with agriculture and provides a living to farmers, cotton-ball pluckers, and workers engaged in ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing, designing, packaging, tailoring and sewing.
Handspun khadi provides large-scale employment to weavers as a cottage industry in their homes.
India exports yarn to Japan and cotton goods to the USA, UK, Russia, France, East European countries, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka and African countries, helping earn about 24.6% in foreign exchange.
India has a large share in the world trade of cotton yarn, accounting for one-tenth of the total trade.
Our spinning mills are globally competitive and capable of using all the fibres we produce.
The industry contributes 4 per cent to our GDP and is self-reliant and complete in the value chain, from raw material to the highest value-added products.

Teacher's Note:
a) Textiles employ about 35 million people and are the second-largest earner of foreign exchange after agriculture.
b) The industry's complete value chain, from cotton farming to finished garments, makes it uniquely self-reliant.

Question 5. Why have the demands for jute products increased internally as well as globally?
Answer:
Jute is a biodegradable product, and due to the invasion of plastics, jute is in demand for being environment-friendly.
Many countries want to get rid of plastic bags and replace them with environment-friendly jute bags.
The jute industry also supports a large number of marginal farmers engaged in cultivating jute and mesta in countries like India and Bangladesh.
Internal demand has increased in India due to the government's policy of Jute Packaging.

Teacher's Note:
a) Jute's biodegradability makes it an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.
b) Government packaging policy has boosted domestic demand alongside rising global demand.

Question 6. “Production and consumption of steel is often regarded as the index of a country's development.” Examine the statement.
Answer:
The iron and steel industry is a basic industry, since all other industries — heavy, medium and light — depend on it for their machinery.
Steel is needed to manufacture a variety of engineering goods.
It is also needed as construction material, and in defence, medical, telephonic and scientific equipment, and a variety of consumer goods.
Therefore, production and consumption of steel is often regarded as the index of a country's development.

Teacher's Note:
a) Nearly every other industry depends on steel for its machinery and equipment.
b) This dependence is why steel output is treated as a measure of overall industrial development.

Question 7. Why is the aluminium smelting industry located close to the power sector? Describe other important factors for its location, and why is this industry gaining importance?
Answer:
Aluminium smelting is close to the power sector as a regular supply of electricity is a prerequisite for the industry; about 18,600 kWh of electricity is needed per tonne of bauxite ore to manufacture aluminium.
Aluminium smelting plants in the country are located in Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Aluminium is light, resistant to corrosion, a good conductor of heat, malleable, and becomes strong when mixed with other metals.
It is used for manufacturing aircraft, utensils and wires, and has gained popularity as a substitute for steel, copper, zinc and lead in a number of industries.
Bauxite, the raw material used in smelters, is a very bulky, dark reddish-coloured rock — which also influences plant location, close to the mineral source.

Teacher's Note:
a) Aluminium smelting needs huge amounts of electricity, so plants locate near power sources.
b) Aluminium's light weight, strength and corrosion resistance are driving its growing industrial use.

Question 8. Examine the impact of liberalisation on the automobile industry in India.
Answer:
Automobiles provide vehicles for the quick transport of goods, services and passengers.
This industry experienced a quantum jump in less than 15 years.
Foreign direct investment brought in new technology and aligned the industry with global developments.
Now, any latest automobile launched anywhere in the world is simultaneously launched in India.
After liberalisation, new and contemporary models stimulated demand in the market, leading to healthy growth of the industry, including passenger cars, two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

Teacher's Note:
a) Liberalisation brought foreign investment and new technology into India's auto industry.
b) This led to rapid growth and simultaneous global launches of new models in India.

Question 9. NTPC has set an example of a pollution-free industry. How is this possible? Explain.
Answer:
Optimum utilisation of equipment by adopting the latest techniques and upgrading existing equipment.
Minimising waste generation by maximising ash utilisation.
Providing green belts for nurturing ecological balance.
Addressing afforestation through special-purpose vehicles.
Reducing environmental pollution through ash pond management, ash water recycling systems and liquid waste management.
Ecological monitoring, reviews and online database management for all its power stations.

Teacher's Note:
a) NTPC reduces pollution through waste recycling, green belts and afforestation.
b) Continuous ecological monitoring across its power stations helps keep it accountable.