CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 06 Dynamics Of Population MCQs Set 03

Answer: (B) 1951 onwards after becoming independent

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that 'In India, after 1951, the population grew rapidly' during Stage 2 of demographic transition when death rates fell due to better healthcare while birth rates remained high.

Answer: (C) A larger pool of workers capable of driving economic growth

Explanation:
The chapter explains that the widening middle section represents the working-age population (15-60 years), which it calls India's demographic dividend—meaning many young workers available to help the economy grow.

Answer: (B) The age distribution and composition of the population

Explanation:
The text states that 'determining a country's population size and structure helps to better allocate and manage its resources,' giving the example that knowing the age composition helps identify how many schools or healthcare facilities are needed.

Answer: (C) Women who work tend to marry later and have fewer children

Explanation:
The chapter states: 'As women are increasingly getting formal education and are working in formal jobs, they are more likely to marry at a later stage and have fewer children.'

Answer: (C) Some countries like China and Japan show shrinking populations while others like Nigeria and Ethiopia continue rapid growth

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly notes that growth 'varies across nations. Countries like China, Japan, and Italy are already seeing shrinking populations while India's population is growing for now... the population in several African nations such as Nigeria and Ethiopia continue to grow rapidly.'

Answer: (C) Poor healthcare and low literacy preventing long life expectancy

Explanation:
The chapter states that in Stage 1, 'Birth and death rates are both high, so population growth is very slow or stagnant. This was true in the case of India from 1901–1921, due to availability of poor healthcare and low literacy among people.'

Answer: (B) High cost of living in cities makes people prefer smaller families

Explanation:
The chapter explains: 'with rapid urbanisation, the cost of living is high particularly in cities, so people prefer to have smaller families.'

Answer: (B) Sex ratio

Explanation:
The chapter defines sex ratio as 'the number of females per 1,000 males in the population' and identifies it as 'a key demographic indicator' used 'to measure gender balance within the population.'

Answer: (B) Availability of quality healthcare and better nutrition

Explanation:
The chapter states that 'A lower mortality rate indicates the availability of quality healthcare and better nutrition among people in the country,' providing India's reduction in child mortality as evidence of this improvement.

Answer: (C) A larger working-age population generates more economic activity and tax revenue

Explanation:
• The chapter defines demographic dividend as 'the economic growth potential of a nation resulting from a younger and productive age structure'
• It explains that 'The more people work, the larger the volume of economic activities, which helps the country grow'
• Working-age people 'earn money and pays taxes' which governments use for infrastructure development

Answer: (B) It has shifted from a narrow triangle shape to a more bell-shaped structure with fewer children but more working-age adults

Explanation:
The chapter describes the shift: 'In recent years, India's population pyramid looks less like a triangle and is more bell-shaped. The base has become narrower, which means families are having fewer children than before. The middle part (working-age group) has become much wider.'

Answer: (B) A whole generation without siblings and weakened kinship networks

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that 'A whole generation of children do not have siblings and kinship networks' as a consequence of the policy, describing this as having 'a far-reaching impact on households and society.'

Answer: (B) It will peak around 2050 and then begin to decrease, creating a limited window of opportunity

Explanation:
The chapter states that 'this window of opportunity is limited, as the growth in the young population is expected to decrease beyond 2050' and 'The number of Indians under 15 years of age peaked slightly later (in 2011) and is now also declining.'

Answer: (B) Kerala and Tamil Nadu experiencing significant population ageing

Explanation:
The chapter states: 'These trends have already begun to show in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which are experiencing significant population ageing as compared to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.'

Answer: (B) Supportive family systems and childcare infrastructure like daycare centres

Explanation:
The chapter explains that developing countries need support because 'women often face the double burden—managing both job responsibilities and household duties. Lack of childcare facilities, joint family support system and flexible work hours can make it difficult for women to participate in workforce. Therefore, supportive family systems and childcare infrastructure like daycare centres can help the economy turn its demographic dividend into lasting progress.'

Answer: (B) Kerala

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly mentions that while India's overall sex ratio in 2011 was 943 females per 1,000 males, some states like Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu had over 1,000 or near 1,000 females per 1,000 males, making Kerala a clear example of states with unusually balanced or female-favorable sex ratios.

Answer: (D) A shape that gradually becomes inverted with more elderly than young people

Explanation:
When fertility rates stay below replacement level, fewer children are born relative to older people. Over time, the population ages because the proportion of elderly grows while younger cohorts shrink, eventually creating an inverted or top-heavy pyramid structure, as seen in countries like Japan.

Answer: (B) The base of the pyramid becoming narrower

Explanation:
A narrower base in the population pyramid indicates fewer children being born, which is precisely what happens when fertility rates decline and families have fewer offspring. This shift in India's pyramid reflects the transition toward smaller family sizes discussed throughout the chapter.

Answer: (B) Investing substantially in education, healthcare, and job creation while supporting women's workforce participation

Explanation:
• Investment in good education and healthcare is explicitly mentioned
• Skilling programs are identified as essential
• Support for women's workforce participation through childcare facilities is emphasized
• The chapter contrasts successful development with failed population control policies like China's.

Answer: (B) Death rates fell because of better healthcare, while birth rates stayed high

Explanation:
The chapter identifies Stage 2 of demographic transition as the phase when death rate falls due to improvements in healthcare and sanitation, but birth rates remain high because families continue having many children. India entered this stage after 1951, creating the rapid population growth visible in Fig. 6.5.

Answer: (B) Improvements in healthcare accessibility and living conditions across the country

Explanation:
Lower child mortality reflects better survival rates for children, which comes from improved healthcare facilities, better nutrition, vaccines, and medical advancements like antibiotics mentioned in the chapter's discussion of factors enabling population survival since the 1950s.

Answer: (C) They likely have lower fertility rates due to higher literacy and development levels

Explanation:
The chapter's discussion of fertility and literacy rates in Fig. 6.11 shows that states with higher female literacy (like Kerala at 83.7% and Tamil Nadu at higher levels) have lower fertility rates (1.6 in both). Lower fertility leads to population ageing as fewer young people are born relative to older populations.

Answer: (B) Young workers earn income, pay taxes, and their economic activity generates resources for infrastructure development

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that working-age population earns money and pays taxes, which governments use to build schools, hospitals, roads, and parks. This economic activity forms the basis of the demographic dividend concept—more productive workers generate more economic growth and tax revenue.

Answer: (B) Decreased fertility rates falling further below replacement level

Explanation:
According to the chapter, as birth rates fall below replacement level (below 2.1), fewer children are born than are needed to replace the population. Over time, this leads to natural population decline, as is already happening in countries like Italy, Japan, and Spain mentioned in the text.

Answer: (B) The high cost of living in cities encourages people to prefer smaller families

Explanation:
The chapter states that "with rapid urbanisation, the cost of living is high particularly in cities, so people prefer to have smaller families." This economic factor, combined with increased female education and workforce participation in urban areas, contributes to declining fertility rates in cities.