CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 07 Infrastructure Engine Of Indias Development MCQs Set 01

Answer: (B) Transportation systems, utilities, communication networks, and energy infrastructure

Explanation:
The chapter defines physical infrastructure as a vast network of tangible structures including transportation systems (roads, bridges, railways), utilities (electricity, water pipelines), communication networks (internet, telephone lines, telecom towers), and energy infrastructure (windmills, solar parks, oil and gas pipelines).

Answer: (B) To transport raw materials like cotton and tea to ports for export and to move British goods across India

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that the British introduced railways to transport raw materials like cotton and tea to ports for exporting them to Britain, and also to help British goods move across India and create markets for them.

Answer: (B) It provides year-round travel and shortened travel time by four hours, allowing farmers to reach markets before produce spoils

Explanation:
• The bridge connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh across the Lohit River
• Before its construction, ferries were the only option and did not work during floods
• Now farmers can transport vegetables and fruits quickly before they spoil
• People can access hospitals and medicines faster, even during floods
• Travel time was reduced by four hours overall

Answer: (B) They are crafted using Ficus elastica tree roots guided over decades or centuries, representing indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage

Explanation:
Living root bridges are not constructed with artificial materials but rather grow naturally as the roots of Ficus elastica trees are guided across streams. They take decades or centuries to mature, can last hundreds of years, stand 15-30 metres high, and carry cultural meaning by connecting generations to their natural and traditional knowledge.

Answer: (B) India has 97 per cent electrified railways, the highest among major countries like China, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom

Explanation:
According to Figure 7.8 in the chapter, India leads with 97 per cent electrified railways in 2024, surpassing China (75 per cent), France (61 per cent), Germany (55 per cent), and the United Kingdom (38 per cent). This represents a major environmental achievement for the country.

Answer: (B) It connects four of India's major cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata

Explanation:
The Golden Quadrilateral is identified as an important highway network that connects four of India's major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, facilitating inter-city connectivity and trade.

Answer: (B) Canals and electric water pumps for irrigation, good roads for transport, cold storage for preservation, and internet for market information all contributed to his success

Explanation:
Satish explicitly told Rishabh that his success depended on multiple infrastructure elements working together: irrigation through canals and electric pumps, truck transportation via good roads, cold storage facilities to keep produce fresh, and internet connectivity to know about market prices and best farming inputs.

Answer: (B) Major infrastructure like ports, highways, and airports creates jobs directly and indirectly through various associated services

Explanation:
The chapter illustrates through multiple examples how infrastructure generates employment: Indian Railways employs 1.21 million people directly and creates indirect jobs in catering, vending, and taxi services; metro construction and operation provide numerous positions; and airports, ports, and highways support entire ecosystems of related economic activity.

Answer: (B) The telegraph using dots and dashes, invented by Samuel Morse in 1844

Explanation:
The chapter's timeline shows that the telegraph, invented by Samuel Morse in 1844 and transmitting the first electric signals through dots and dashes, was the earliest technology enabling long-distance messaging. India's first printed newspaper came in 1780, but telegraph was the first system for instant long-distance communication.

Answer: (B) Different types of infrastructure depend on each other and must work together seamlessly to enable the safe and timely movement of people and goods

Explanation:
In Rishabh's journey, the chapter shows how transportation, communication, and utility infrastructure interlock—metro connects to trains, trains connect to buses, roads connect different transport modes, and electricity and communication support all of them. Each piece is essential and failure of any one piece affects the whole system, as illustrated by Satish's dependence on multiple interconnected infrastructure elements.

Answer: (B) They implemented detailed regulations for construction and imposed penalties and fines for those who damaged infrastructure like waterworks or obstructed public paths

Explanation:
• The text mentions detailed regulations for road construction with specific widths
• It recommended severe penalties for damaging waterworks like dams
• Fines were imposed for trespassing into public parks or breaking hedges
• Penalties existed for obstructing paths to waterworks and forests
• This shows ancient Indian understanding of the need for collective responsibility toward infrastructure

Answer: (B) J.C. Bose pioneered wireless transmission using microwaves in the millimetre range in 1895 and demonstrated signal transmission through walls; Marconi later patented a similar device and gained wider recognition

Explanation:
The chapter credits J.C. Bose with pioneering wireless transmission through his 1895 Calcutta experiment proving signals could pass through walls, and inventing a coherer for decoding transmitted signals. Although Marconi patented a similar device in 1901 and won the Nobel Prize, Bose's foundational work was crucial but he rarely bothered to patent his inventions, limiting international recognition.

Answer: (B) In the 1990s, calls cost up to ₹17 per minute with charges for incoming calls; today India has some of the world's cheapest rates, with 1,160 million wireless subscribers and nearly 900 million internet connections

Explanation:
The chapter contrasts the expensive 1990s (₹17 per minute with incoming call charges) to present-day affordability, demonstrating how cost reduction has democratized communication access across India, enabling 1.16 billion wireless subscribers and 900 million internet users.

Answer: (B) Institutions like schools, colleges, hospitals, police stations, fire stations, courts, parks, and libraries that support community wellbeing and development

Explanation:
The chapter distinguishes social infrastructure from physical infrastructure, describing it as the network of public institutions and facilities—schools, colleges, training centres, hospitals, health centres, police stations, fire stations, courts, parks, libraries, and community centres—that directly support the wellbeing and development of communities and society.

Answer: (B) Citizens should use infrastructure responsibly, avoid damaging it, and report damage to authorities rather than ignoring problems like potholes or broken streetlights

Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes that while governments can impose penalties through law, the role of citizens is equally important. Individuals must use infrastructure responsibly, avoid littering or defacing public property, and actively report issues to authorities, recognizing that maintaining infrastructure is a collective responsibility affecting everyone's quality of life.

Answer: (C) United States of America

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that India has the second-largest road network in the world, only after the United States of America as of 2024.

Answer: (B) It is the world's highest railway bridge

Explanation:
The chapter identifies the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir as the world's highest railway bridge, highlighting India's infrastructure achievements in challenging terrain.

Answer: (D) Submarine cables across oceans

Explanation:
The chapter describes Rani's voice note travelling through mobile towers, fibre cables, satellites, and data centres, but does not mention submarine cables as part of domestic communication within India.

Answer: (B) India's first printed newspaper, the Bengal Gazette

Explanation:
• Bengal Gazette: 1780
• Telegraph: 1844
• Telephone: 1876
• Wireless transmission: 1899
The Bengal Gazette predates all other communication innovations listed.

Answer: (C) Third largest network

Explanation:
The chapter states that metro trains operate in 23 Indian cities with over 1,000 km of track, and notes that India will have the third-largest metro network in the world after China and the USA once expansion continues.

Answer: (B) High-value or perishable goods such as vaccines and seafood

Explanation:
Air transport excels at moving high-value or perishable goods like vaccines, chemicals, and seafood. The chapter emphasizes this advantage particularly during disasters when reaching difficult terrains quickly is essential.

Answer: (B) West Asia, Africa, and Europe

Explanation:
The chapter specifies that India's coastline connects to regions like West Asia, Africa, and Europe, supporting substantial international trade through shipping, demonstrating the geographic advantage of ports.

Answer: (B) To demonstrate the complexity of seemingly simple communication acts

Explanation:
The example reveals how what appears as a simple tap-and-send action actually involves electricity, towers, cables, satellites, and servers all coordinating invisibly, emphasizing the intricate systems supporting everyday communication.

Answer: (B) Using solar panels for generating electricity in buildings

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly mentions using solar panels for generating electricity in buildings as an example of sustainable infrastructure that can reduce emissions and minimize environmental harm.

Answer: (C) India plays an important role in international maritime trade despite challenges

Explanation:
The chapter shows Mumbai handling 7.05 TEU, placing it ninth globally among major container ports—illustrating that while India has significant port infrastructure and is involved in substantial international trade, there remains room for development compared to leading port cities like Shanghai and Singapore.