Social Science Objective Questions and Answers: Chapter 01 Natural Resources And Their Use
Review structured MCQ sets for Class 8 Social Science Chapter 01 Natural Resources And Their Use. Built according to official CBSE guidelines, these downloadable questions support daily revision and core concept reinforcement.
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A. Substances are only resources if they are abundant and widely distributed across regions
B. A substance becomes a resource only when humans can access it with available technology and extract it at a reasonable economic cost
C. Nature must actively regenerate the substance every year for it to be considered a resource
D. Resources must be directly visible on the surface of the Earth without any digging or processing required
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Answer: (B) A substance becomes a resource only when humans can access it with available technology and extract it at a reasonable economic cost
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that for something to be called a resource, it should be technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable. A substance found deep underground with unavailable extraction technology or prohibitive costs would not qualify as a resource despite being present in Nature.
A. The unethical mistreatment of workers in resource industries
B. Extraction, utilisation and consumption of resources without consideration for sustainability
C. The process of removing, using and consuming natural resources
D. The profit gained by large corporations from selling natural materials
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Answer: (C) The process of removing, using and consuming natural resources
Explanation:
The chapter specifically clarifies that 'exploitation' in this context means extraction, utilisation and consumption of natural resources, noting that the word typically carries negative connotations but is used here in a neutral, technical sense.
A. Resources essential for life, because we need materials to build shelter
B. Resources for materials, because both can be transformed into products useful to humans
C. Resources for energy, because they power modern industrial processes
D. Resources that are both essential for life and useful for creating materials
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Answer: (B) Resources for materials, because both can be transformed into products useful to humans
Explanation:
The chapter categorises resources for materials as those that humans create physical objects from for utility or beauty. Timber transformed into furniture and coal used to produce goods exemplify this category. While coal provides energy, the question pairs it with timber, both of which fit the materials category more precisely.
A. Restoration takes longer than regeneration to occur naturally
B. Restoration returns something to its original state, while regeneration involves creating new life and thriving conditions
C. Regeneration applies only to plants, while restoration applies to all ecosystems
D. They are essentially the same process described using different terminology
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Answer: (B) Restoration returns something to its original state, while regeneration involves creating new life and thriving conditions
Explanation:
• Restoration: returning something to its original healthy state if degraded or damaged
• Regeneration: goes beyond restoration to create new life and conditions for thriving
• The chapter illustrates this by explaining that restoring a forest enables regeneration where birds and other creatures return.
A. By explaining that forests naturally shrink in size over time without human intervention
B. By showing that harvesting timber faster than forests can grow trees leads to forest depletion, disrupting the natural rhythm of restoration
C. By noting that renewable resources are located in politically unstable regions prone to conflict
D. By describing how climate change naturally converts renewable resources into non-renewable ones
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Answer: (B) By showing that harvesting timber faster than forests can grow trees leads to forest depletion, disrupting the natural rhythm of restoration
Explanation:
The chapter specifically states that renewable resources remain renewable only if we manage them sustainably and do not disturb Nature's restoration and regeneration rhythm. If timber is harvested faster than forests grow trees, the forest will eventually be depleted, converting a renewable resource into a non-renewable one.
A. Increased biodiversity in agricultural lands and improved soil quality
B. Groundwater depletion to inaccessible depths and contamination with chemical residues from pesticides and fertilisers
C. Better employment opportunities for farm workers and reduced need for irrigation
D. Elimination of traditional farming practices that were previously causing water pollution
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Answer: (B) Groundwater depletion to inaccessible depths and contamination with chemical residues from pesticides and fertilisers
Explanation:
The Punjab caselet describes how these three factors combined led to severe groundwater depletion—nearly 80% of the state is classified as overexploited—and contamination of groundwater with chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers, creating health hazards alongside accessibility problems.
A. Exporting all natural resources to wealthier nations in exchange for manufactured goods
B. Investing in developing industries that convert raw resources into higher-value products
C. Restricting extraction of natural resources to preserve them for future generations
D. Relying exclusively on renewable resources and abandoning non-renewable resource extraction
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Answer: (B) Investing in developing industries that convert raw resources into higher-value products
Explanation:
India has generally avoided the natural resource curse by investing in industries that convert resources into products of higher value, thereby ensuring that resource abundance translates into genuine economic development rather than stagnation.
A. Soil can never recover its productivity once chemicals have been applied to it
B. Initial crop yields declined as soil recovered from years of chemical use, but recovery occurred within about five years
C. Organic farming immediately produces higher yields than chemical farming regardless of soil condition
D. Soil quality is unrelated to farming practices and only depends on geographical location
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Answer: (B) Initial crop yields declined as soil recovered from years of chemical use, but recovery occurred within about five years
Explanation:
Pema's family farm initially experienced declining yields after switching to organic farming because the soil was recovering from years of chemical use. However, after about five years, the farm thrived, demonstrating that recovery is possible but requires patience and sustained alternative practices.
A. Because wildlife migrates across borders and cannot be controlled by individual countries
B. Because natural resources like water and air cannot be confined within nation states, creating potential tensions over resource sharing between regions and countries
C. Because international laws forbid countries from controlling their own natural resources
D. Because natural disasters affect all nations equally regardless of their political systems
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Answer: (B) Because natural resources like water and air cannot be confined within nation states, creating potential tensions over resource sharing between regions and countries
Explanation:
The chapter illustrates this with the example of Kaveri River water sharing among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, showing how resources crossing political boundaries require negotiation and management to maintain peace and ensure fair access.
A. Vedic astronomy used to predict seasonal patterns for farming
B. Vṛikṣhāyurveda, an ancient Indian botanical science with recommendations on soil-specific plants, seed preservation, irrigation techniques, pest management, and soil health practices
C. Medieval irrigation techniques imported from Central Asia
D. Modern chemical engineering approaches refined over the last century
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Answer: (B) Vṛikṣhāyurveda, an ancient Indian botanical science with recommendations on soil-specific plants, seed preservation, irrigation techniques, pest management, and soil health practices
Explanation:
Vṛikṣhāyurveda, formalised around the 10th century CE, provides elaborate recommendations on crop selection for soil types, seed preservation, irrigation varying by plant species, natural pest management, and holistic soil management including proper ploughing to retain moisture and facilitate soil organisms—practices modern agriculture often abandons for chemical inputs.
A. Ceasing all cement production and returning to exclusively mud and stone construction
B. Creating guidelines while simultaneously developing alternative materials including traditional materials, plant-based options, and recycled waste products
C. Increasing cement production efficiency without changing the fundamental production process
D. Relocating cement factories to remote areas to minimise human exposure to pollution
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Answer: (B) Creating guidelines while simultaneously developing alternative materials including traditional materials, plant-based options, and recycled waste products
Explanation:
The chapter describes how the Central Pollution Control Board has created guidelines for cement factories while simultaneously noting efforts toward alternative materials combining traditional approaches (stone and mud), new innovations (plant-based materials), and recycling (waste plastic), representing a multifaceted approach to the problem.
A. All regions must become equally industrialised to ensure fair resource access
B. The uneven distribution shapes human settlements, trade patterns, international relations, and has historically been a cause of conflicts and wars
C. Regions without natural resources are automatically wealthier due to reduced environmental damage
D. Natural resource distribution is random and has no effect on human activities or relationships
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Answer: (B) The uneven distribution shapes human settlements, trade patterns, international relations, and has historically been a cause of conflicts and wars
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that uneven distribution of natural resources across regions and countries shapes human settlements, trade patterns, and international relations, noting that many wars have been fought to gain control over these resources.
A. The community would need to build artificial water filtration plants, implement soil erosion prevention through construction, and purchase pollinated crops from other regions
B. The community would not receive any benefits since ecosystem services only apply in wilderness areas untouched by humans
C. Communities can easily replicate all ecosystem functions through technology without needing natural forests
D. Ecosystem services are provided equally by all landscape types, so losing a forest creates no specific disadvantage
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Answer: (A) The community would need to build artificial water filtration plants, implement soil erosion prevention through construction, and purchase pollinated crops from other regions
Explanation:
The chapter explains ecosystem functions (forests filter water, prevent soil erosion, provide habitat) produce ecosystem services (clean water, protected farmland, pollinated crops) that benefit humans. Without the forest, communities would need artificial alternatives for water filtration and erosion prevention, and would depend on external sources for pollinated crops.
A. India receives direct financial payments from other countries for sharing solar technology
B. The alliance allows India to export excess solar energy at premium prices to wealthy nations
C. The alliance enables India to channel billions of dollars into solar projects in developing nations while sharing technical expertise and creating affordable financing, demonstrating environmental commitment while building economic and diplomatic influence
D. The alliance requires all member nations to purchase solar panels exclusively from India
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Answer: (C) The alliance enables India to channel billions of dollars into solar projects in developing nations while sharing technical expertise and creating affordable financing, demonstrating environmental commitment while building economic and diplomatic influence
Explanation:
The chapter states that India launched the International Alliance for Solar Energy with France and has helped channel billions into solar projects across developing nations, sharing technical expertise and creating affordable financing. This simultaneously addresses climate concerns through renewable energy and creates economic opportunities through technology leadership and development assistance.
A. The trees must be located within political boundaries of a country
B. The extraction must be technologically feasible, economically viable, and culturally acceptable
C. The trees must be more than 100 years old
D. The trees must be growing in areas designated for commercial use
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Answer: (B) The extraction must be technologically feasible, economically viable, and culturally acceptable
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that for an entity to be called a resource, it should be technologically accessible, and its exploitation should be economically feasible and culturally acceptable. The example of sacred groves illustrates that cultural acceptability is crucial—even if trees are accessible and profitable, cutting them in sacred groves would not make them qualify as resources.
A. Regeneration is faster than restoration and occurs naturally without human involvement
B. Restoration returns something to its original healthy state, while regeneration goes beyond that to create new life and conditions for thriving
C. Restoration is permanent while regeneration is temporary
D. Regeneration only applies to forests, while restoration applies to all ecosystems
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Restoration returns something to its original healthy state, while regeneration goes beyond that to create new life and conditions for thriving
Explanation:
The chapter distinguishes these concepts clearly: restoration is about returning something to its original state if degraded, while regeneration refers to Nature's broader ability to create new life and conditions for thriving. The example of planting native trees shows restoration, which then enables regeneration as the ecosystem recovers and new life flourishes.
A. • The Green Revolution achieved short-term food security through intensive groundwater extraction • Modern farming techniques required chemical inputs that contaminated groundwater • Long-term consequences require substantial time and effort to reverse
B. Food security is always compatible with environmental protection
C. Groundwater depletion began before the Green Revolution
D. Chemical fertilisers were not used during the Green Revolution
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Answer: (A) • The Green Revolution achieved short-term food security through intensive groundwater extraction • Modern farming techniques required chemical inputs that contaminated groundwater • Long-term consequences require substantial time and effort to reverse
Explanation:
The Punjab caselet demonstrates a fundamental tension: while the Green Revolution made India self-sufficient in food, it came at the cost of severe groundwater depletion and chemical contamination. The chapter notes that food security was ensured for the short term, but long-term consequences require sustained effort to heal—nearly 80% of Punjab is now classified as overexploited.
A. To prove that India has more resources than other countries
B. To illustrate how resource management challenges manifest differently depending on geographical, technological, and cultural circumstances
C. To suggest that all resource extraction is harmful
D. To explain why the resource curse only affects certain states in India
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Answer: (B) To illustrate how resource management challenges manifest differently depending on geographical, technological, and cultural circumstances
Explanation:
The chapter uses diverse examples—Punjab's groundwater crisis, Sikkim's organic farming transition, cement production, solar energy development—to demonstrate that responsible resource use depends on context-specific factors including technology available, cultural practices, governance structures, and ecological conditions.
A. They are abundant enough that human consumption cannot affect their availability
B. Maintaining them requires no human effort or planning
C. The natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed through unsustainable harvesting or use
D. Renewable resources automatically replenish faster than non-renewable ones regardless of consumption rates
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Answer: (C) The natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed through unsustainable harvesting or use
Explanation:
The chapter emphasizes a crucial condition: renewable resources remain renewable only if 'the natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed.' The timber example illustrates this—if harvesting exceeds growth rate, forests become depleted. The same principle applies to water, soil, and other renewables; they are renewable only under conditions of sustainable management.
A. Vṛikṣhāyurveda is irrelevant to modern agriculture because it was created centuries ago
B. Traditional practices like multi-cropping, natural pest management, and soil moisture retention address ecological health in ways that chemical-intensive farming overlooks
C. Vṛikṣhāyurveda recommends the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides
D. Modern farming and Vṛikṣhāyurveda pursue identical goals using different terminology
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Answer: (B) Traditional practices like multi-cropping, natural pest management, and soil moisture retention address ecological health in ways that chemical-intensive farming overlooks
Explanation:
The chapter presents Vṛikṣhāyurveda as an ancient science offering elaborate recommendations on crop rotation, mixed cropping, natural pest management, proper ploughing for soil moisture, and facilitating living organisms in soil. These practices address holistic soil management, contrasting sharply with the soil degradation caused by chemical fertilisers and pesticides discussed in the chapter.
A. Resource distribution only affects trade between nations, not conflict
B. Many wars have been fought and continue to be fought to gain control over natural resources because their uneven distribution across regions shapes settlement patterns and economic interests
C. All regions have equal natural resources, so distribution creates no tension
D. Conflicts over resources only occur within countries, not internationally
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Answer: (B) Many wars have been fought and continue to be fought to gain control over natural resources because their uneven distribution across regions shapes settlement patterns and economic interests
Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that uneven distribution of natural resources 'shapes human settlements, trade patterns, international relations, and conflicts too,' noting that 'many wars have been fought, and continue to be fought, to gain control over natural resources.' The Kaveri River example demonstrates this principle at a regional scale.
A. India has fewer natural resources than other countries
B. India invested in developing industries that convert raw resources into higher-value products rather than merely extracting and exporting raw materials
C. The paradox of plenty only affects African and South American countries
D. India's resource extraction has not caused any environmental damage
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Answer: (B) India invested in developing industries that convert raw resources into higher-value products rather than merely extracting and exporting raw materials
Explanation:
The chapter explains that some resource-rich regions experience slower economic growth because they fail to develop industries that convert resources into products of higher value. India avoided this by investing in industry development, thereby converting natural resources into more valuable goods and preventing the resource curse.
A. Soil degradation from chemical use is irreversible and permanent
B. After about five years of organic farming practices, Sikkim's soil recovered and yields increased, supporting a successful transition to certified organic farming across the entire state
C. Chemical damage to soil cannot be reversed through natural farming methods
D. Sikkim's transition took over twenty years to show results
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Answer: (B) After about five years of organic farming practices, Sikkim's soil recovered and yields increased, supporting a successful transition to certified organic farming across the entire state
Explanation:
The chapter traces Sikkim's progression: initial yield drops as soil recovered from chemical use, then after about five years Pema's farm thrived. By 2016, Sikkim became 100% organic with transformational effects—biodiversity flourished, tourism increased, and farmers' incomes grew 20% on average, demonstrating both reversibility of damage and economic viability of sustainable practices.
A. Cement production should be banned immediately because it causes pollution
B. • Cement is essential for human infrastructure needs • Its production ranks among the most polluting industries • Solutions involve both regulatory guidelines and innovation in alternative materials • Sustainable substitutes like earth architecture and recycled materials can reduce environmental harm
C. Pollution from cement factories cannot be minimized
D. Traditional materials like mud and stone are always better than cement
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Answer: (B) • Cement is essential for human infrastructure needs • Its production ranks among the most polluting industries • Solutions involve both regulatory guidelines and innovation in alternative materials • Sustainable substitutes like earth architecture and recycled materials can reduce environmental harm
Explanation:
The cement case illustrates the core tension: society needs cement for essential infrastructure, yet production causes severe environmental damage. The chapter's solution involves dual approaches—regulatory standards from the Central Pollution Control Board and innovation toward alternative materials combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques, showing that fundamental needs can be met with reduced environmental cost.
A. Farmers lack knowledge about sustainable practices
B. Free or subsidized electricity supply incentivized excessive groundwater pumping, and high-yielding crop varieties required more water, creating economic pressure to overexploit resources
C. Groundwater naturally depletes regardless of human extraction
D. Farmers deliberately chose to damage the environment
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Answer: (B) Free or subsidized electricity supply incentivized excessive groundwater pumping, and high-yielding crop varieties required more water, creating economic pressure to overexploit resources
Explanation:
The Punjab caselet identifies a specific structural problem: free power supply led to over-pumping of groundwater, while high-yielding varieties demanded more water. This combination of subsidized inputs and crop requirements created economic incentives that overwhelmed individual farmers' ability to practice restraint, demonstrating how policy structures can drive unsustainable resource use.
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