CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 01 Natural Resources And Their Use MCQs Set 03

Answer: (D) Aesthetic value to the local population

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that for something to be called a resource, it must be technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable. Aesthetic value is not listed among these three requirements, though cultural acceptability might relate to aesthetic or spiritual concerns in some contexts.

Answer: (B) The capacity to create new life and conditions for thriving

Explanation:
The chapter explains that regeneration goes beyond restoration by describing it as 'Nature's ability to create new life and the conditions for thriving,' whereas restoration simply returns something to its original healthy state.

Answer: (B) It led to over-pumping of groundwater

Explanation:
The chapter states that 'the supply of free power led to the over-pumping of groundwater,' which combined with high-yielding crop varieties requiring more water created the groundwater depletion crisis described in the Punjab caselet.

Answer: (C) Allowing fallen trees to decompose and enrich soil for new growth

Explanation:
The chapter describes how in a forest, 'a tree falls in the forest. It decomposes with the bacteria, fungi and insects feeding on it. The tree becomes part of the soil enriching it. New trees and plants grow from seeds,' exemplifying Nature's cyclical, waste-free system.

Answer: (A) • Ancient botanical science offers soil management techniques modern farming has abandoned • Traditional knowledge emphasizes practices like mulching and crop rotation • The chapter implies contemporary agriculture could benefit from returning to these methods

Explanation:

Answer: (B) Because humans have developed the technology to access it, making it technologically accessible

Explanation:
The chapter clarifies that petroleum deep under the ocean might not be a resource 'if we do not have the technology to access it,' implying that when technology to access it develops, it becomes a resource. Technological accessibility is the determining factor mentioned.

Answer: (B) Alternative materials and modified production methods can reduce environmental harm while meeting construction needs

Explanation:
The chapter notes that cement is essential ('We cannot imagine life without cement') but describes how the Central Pollution Control Board created guidelines to minimize pollution, and how alternative materials like mud, plant-based options, and recycled plastic are being developed to reduce environmental damage.

Answer: (B) Investing in industries that convert raw resources into products of higher value

Explanation:
The chapter states that the natural resource curse occurs when 'economies are unable to develop industries that convert the resources into products of higher value,' and notes that 'India has generally avoided this curse by investing in the development of such industries.'

Answer: (C) Recovery of soil health takes time; yields initially declined before improving significantly

Explanation:
The chapter explains that 'initially the yields dropped as the soil was recovering from years of chemical use,' but 'after about five years, Pema's farm was thriving,' demonstrating that soil recovery is a gradual process requiring patience and sustained practice.

Answer: (B) Political boundaries complicate equitable resource distribution when Nature crosses those boundaries

Explanation:
The chapter explains that 'Nature does not pay attention to political boundaries. This leads to tensions regarding the sharing of natural resources across states as well as countries,' using the Kaveri example to show how geography creates management challenges that transcend political divisions.

Answer: (B) Implementing water harvesting and allowing the natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration to operate

Explanation:
The chapter indicates that restoration requires permitting 'the natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration' to function, and describes initiatives like 'traditional practices of water harvesting, rejuvenation of ponds and tanks, cutting down on wasteful consumption of water, processing and reusing water' as strategies to remedy groundwater depletion.

Answer: (B) Stone and mud can provide sustainable alternatives to cement while meeting contemporary architectural standards

Explanation:
By showing both the Jaisalmer fort—a mud structure surviving centuries—and the Auroville community building made of mud using modern techniques, the chapter demonstrates that traditional materials can be combined with contemporary knowledge to create sustainable structures, supporting the move toward alternatives to cement production.

Answer: (B) Human knowledge, good governance, and strategic planning are key determinants of sustainable resource use

Explanation:
The chapter concludes that 'human knowledge, good governance, and strategic planning determine whether they become lasting benefits or temporary windfalls,' emphasizing that management approaches significantly shape whether resources benefit societies long-term or create temporary gains followed by depletion.

Answer: (B) It must be technologically accessible, economically feasible to extract, and culturally acceptable to use

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 petroleum deep under the ocean shows that even if something exists in Nature, it cannot be a resource if extraction is technologically impossible or economically unfeasible. Similarly, cutting trees in sacred groves is culturally unacceptable, which prevents those trees from being treated as resources despite their material value.

Answer: (B) Humans cannot manufacture or replace them through any technological means

Explanation:
Air, water, and soil cannot be created by humans through any process. The chapter emphasises that "we cannot make the air we breathe, the water we drink, or the soil which gives us food," which distinguishes them fundamentally from materials and energy resources that can be processed, transformed, or sourced from alternative origins. This highlights their irreplaceability in sustaining life.

Answer: (A) The new crop varieties required significantly more water than traditional seeds, prompting farmers to extract more groundwater

Explanation:
The chapter directly states: "In the 1960s, farmers shifted to high-yielding varieties of wheat and paddy. These required more water than the traditional seeds, and farmers began to extract groundwater to meet this need." Additionally, free power supply encouraged over-pumping, amplifying the problem. This combination created the conditions for the crisis where extraction rate exceeded replenishment rate.

Answer: (C) Having plenty of natural resources does not ensure economic prosperity if industries cannot convert those resources into higher-value products

Explanation:
The chapter explains the 'paradox of plenty' as a situation where regions rich in natural resources experience slower economic growth because "economies are unable to develop industries that convert the resources into products of higher value." This means abundance alone is insufficient; what matters is the capacity to process and transform raw materials into finished goods that generate greater economic returns.

Answer: (B) Initial yield drops gave way to recovery after five years, followed by state-wide certification and improvements in biodiversity, tourism, and farm incomes

Explanation:
• Initial transition was difficult with yield drops as soil recovered from chemical use
• After approximately five years, Pema's farm and others began thriving
• By 2016, entire state became 100% organic with certified farmland
• Effects were transformational: biodiversity flourished, beneficial insects and birds returned, tourism increased, farmers' incomes grew 20% on average
• State now serves as global model for sustainable transition

Answer: (B) Regeneration creates new life and conditions for thriving, while restoration returns something to its original state

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly differentiates these concepts: "Restoration is the process of returning something to its original healthy state if it has been degraded or damaged." However, "Regeneration goes beyond restoration. It is about Nature's ability to create new life and the conditions for thriving." The example of planting trees that restore the ecosystem and enable life to return illustrates how regeneration involves creating conditions for new flourishing, not merely repairing what was damaged.

Answer: (B) Vṛikṣhāyurveda, an ancient botanical science covering seed preservation, irrigation, pest management, and soil health

Explanation:
Vṛikṣhāyurveda is described as an ancient Indian botanical science dating back several millennia with recommendations on plants for different soil types, seed preservation, irrigation techniques varying by species and season, natural pest management, and soil care through methods like proper ploughing to retain moisture and support soil organisms. The chapter presents it as a sophisticated traditional system that modern agriculture often overlooks, offering insights into sustainable land management that predate contemporary environmental science.

Answer: (B) Wastes that cannot decay into food for other organisms disrupt Nature's cycles, poisoning water bodies and preventing life support

Explanation:
The chapter explains that while industries are necessary for producing goods, "the process also creates wastes that are frequently discharged into rivers and other water bodies. Often, these wastes cannot decay to become the food of some lifeform. Instead, it leads to a disturbance in Nature's cycle of restoration and regeneration, leading to a situation where the river becomes poisonous and cannot support life." This illustrates how human waste that doesn't fit into Nature's cycles breaks the regenerative loop.

Answer: (B) Uneven distribution shapes human settlements, trade patterns, and has motivated wars throughout history as nations seek control over resources

Explanation:
The chapter directly states: "Natural resources are not evenly distributed across our planet or even within countries. This uneven distribution shapes human settlements, trade patterns, international relations, and conflicts too. Many wars have been fought, and continue to be fought, to gain control over natural resources." The example of tensions over Kaveri River water sharing among multiple Indian states further illustrates this principle at a regional level.

Answer: (A) Coal reserves are being depleted so rapidly that supplies will last only another 50 years while electricity demand continues to rise

Explanation:
The chapter states: "India has significant quantities of coal reserves. We mine coal to meet our growing need for energy, but it has been estimated that the coal reserves in India may last another 50 years; the demand for electricity has been increasing as the population expands and development work accelerates." This creates a sustainability challenge: the resource is finite while demand grows, necessitating a transition to renewable alternatives before coal becomes exhausted.

Answer: (B) The natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed, and extraction rates must not exceed regeneration rates

Explanation:
The chapter emphasises that renewable resources remain renewable "as long as we are able to manage them in a sustainable manner." However, "for them to remain renewable there is a condition — the natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed. If we harvest timber faster than the forest can grow trees, we will eventually deplete the forest." This requires vigilant monitoring of extraction rates to ensure they never exceed regeneration capacity, illustrated by the Punjab example where over-extraction converted what should have been renewable resources into scarce ones.

Answer: (B) Crop yields would decline because pollination and pest management services would be lost unless artificially replaced at high cost

Explanation:
The chapter defines ecosystem services as natural processes that benefit humans, giving the example that "when we benefit from clean water, protected farmland, and pollinated crops because of that forest, we are receiving ecosystem services from Nature." If forests providing pollination and natural pest control were removed, agriculture would lose these free services and would need to replace them through expensive artificial means like hired pollinators and pesticides, or face reduced crop yields.