NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science Chapter 5 Industries

1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is meant by the term ‘industry’?

Ans. Industry refers to an economic activity that is concerned with production of goods (iron and steel industry), extraction of minerals (coal mining industry) or the provision of services (tourism industry).

(ii) Which are the main factors which influence the location of an industry?

Ans. The main factors, which influence the location of an industry, are the availability of raw material, land, water, labour, power, capital, transport and market.

(iii) Which industry is often referred to as the backbone of modern industry and why?

Ans. Iron and steel industry is called the backbone of modern industry because the production and consumption of iron and steel reflects the level of industrialisation and economic development of a country. All the other industries depend on it for their machinery. Almost everything that we use is either made of iron and steel or by using devices and tools made of steel. It provides raw material for making industrial machinery, electrical machinery, defence equipments, railway tracks, railway engines, bridges, dams, shops, automobiles, houses, etc. Steel is required to manufacture a variety of consumer goods like bicycles, fans, furniture, tractors, etc.

(iv) Why cotton textile industry rapidly expanded in Mumbai?

Ans. Cotton textile industry has rapidly expanded in Mumbai due to following reasons:

1.    Availability and proximity to raw material: Cotton grows in large quantities in the Deccan Plateau that lie close to cotton mills.

2.    Warm and moist climate: Humid coastal climate favours the spinning of cotton yarn.

4.    Labour: Large skilled labour force is available.

(v) What are the similarities between information technology industry in Bengaluru and California?

Ans. The similarities between the information technology industry in Bengaluru and California are:

(1) Both the places are the IT hubs of the world.

(2) Growth of large number of IT industries in these areas is because both the places have favourable conditions like, mild and temperate climate throughout the year, dust free atmosphere and clean environment.

(3) Information technology industry in Bengaluru and California has good access to markets and skilled work force.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Silicon Valley is located in

(a) Bengaluru

(c) Ahmedabad

(ii) Which one of the following industries is known as sunrise industry?

(a) Iron and steel industry

(b)Cotton textile

(c) Information technology

(iii) Which one of the following is a natural fibre?

(a) Nylon

(b) Jute

(c) Acrylic

3. Distinguish between the followings.

(i) Agro-based and mineral based industry

(ii) Public sector and joint sector industry

4. Give two examples of the following in the space provided.

(i) Raw materials:                        and                        

(ii) End product:                         and                        

(iii) Tertiary activities:                        and                

(iv) Agro-based industries:                       and                

(v) Cottage industries:                      and                      

(vi) Co-operatives:                       and