CBSE Class 10 Geography Resources And Development Worksheet Set A

Objective Questions 

Multiple choice questions. 

Long Answer Type Questions

Question : What are the major problems developed out of exploiting resources indiscriminately?
OR/ State any two effects of indiscriminate exploitation of resources.
Answer : Effects of indiscriminate exploitation of resources-
➢ Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
➢ Accumulation of resources in few hands, which in turn divided the society in to rich and poor.
➢ It has led to ecological crisis such as global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

Question : What is sustainable development?
Answer : Sustainable Development
➢ The development that takes care of the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations is termed as sustainable development.
➢ It emphasizes on prevention of pollution and avoidance of wastages.
➢ The development that takes place without damaging the environment, is termed as sustainable development.

Question : Write a note on Rio de janeiro Earth Summit, 1992.
Answer : Rio de janeiro Earth Summit, 1992
➢ It was held in Rio de jeneiro in Brazil in June 1992.
➢ More than 100 heads of states assembled in the first international Earth summit.
➢ It was convened for addressing urgent problems of environmental protection and socio- economic development at the global level.
➢ The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change & Biological Diversity.
➢ This summit adopted Agenda 21 for achieving Sustainable Development in the 21st century.

Question : Write a note on Agenda 21.
Answer : Agenda 21
➢ It was the declaration signed by the world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development.
➢ It took place at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in 1992.
➢ It was an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, diseases through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities in the 21st century.
➢ One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.

Question : What is resource planning? Why is it essential?
OR/ Explain any three reasons responsible for making resource planning in India.
Answer :
➢ Resource planning is a technique or skill of proper utilization of resources.
➢ An equitable distribution of resources has become essential for a sustained quality of life and global peace.
➢ If the present trend of resources depletion by a few individuals and countries continues, the future of the planet is in danger.
➢ Therefore resource planning is essential for sustainable existence of all forms of life.
➢ Since the resources are limited and unevenly distributed, effective and efficient planning is necessary.
➢ Resource planning includes conservation of resources too.
➢ We have to exploit resources in such a way that future generation will not suffer.
➢ Resource planning is essential to prevent environmental pollution and to avoid wastages in the exploitation of resources.

Question : Examine the diversity in the availability of resources in India. Give examples.
OR/ Why is a balanced resource planning essential in India?
OR/ Why is it necessary for a balanced resource planning at the national, state, regional and local levels?
Answer :
➢ There are regions in India which are rich in certain type of resources but are deficient in some other resources.
➢ There are some regions in India which can be considered self-sufficient in terms of availability of
resources and there are some other regions which have acute shortage of some vital resources.
➢ The states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh are rich in minerals and coal deposits.
➢ Arunachal Pradesh has abundance of water resources but lacks in infrastructural developments.
➢ Rajasthan has a lot of solar and wind energy potential but lacks in water resources.
➢ The cold area of Ladakh has very rich cultural heritage but is deficient in water, infrastructure and minerals.

Question : What are the processes ( stages) involved in the resource planning?
Answer :
➢ Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country.
➢ This involves surveying, mapping, qualitative and quantitative estimation, and measurement of resources.
➢ Evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skill and institutional setup for implementing resource development plAnswer :
➢ Matching the resource development plans with overall national development plAnswer :

Question : ‘Mere availability of resources will not bring economic development’. Give reasons.
Answer :
➢ Along with the availability of resources corresponding changes in technology and institutions are required for economic development.
➢ There are many regions in India that are rich in resources but are economically backward. Some other areas have poor resources but they are economically developed.
➢ It was primarily the higher level of technological development of the colonizing countries that helped them to exploit resources of other regions and establish their supremacy over the colonies.

Question : What was Gandhi ji’s opinion about conservation (or over exploitation) of resources?
Answer :
➢ Gandhi ji said, ‘There is enough resources in India for every body’s need and not for any body’s greed’.
➢ He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level.
➢ He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses.

Question : Why is it important to use the available land with careful planning?
Answer :
➢ We live on land, perform all economic activities on land and use it for variety of purposes.
➢ Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.
➢ It supports natural vegetation, wild life, human life, transport and communication systems.
➢ 95% of our basic needs for food, shelter and clothing are obtained from land.
➢ Land available is limited in quantity compared to the size of the population and hence it requires careful planning.

Question : What is the land utilization pattern in India?
Answer :
➢ Total area of land in India is 3.28 million sq.km., but only 93 % is available for use.
➢ The Net sown area in India is 45.5 % in 2014-15.
➢ The Forest share in the land use pattern is 23.3% in 2014-15.
➢ Area under non-agricultural use is 8.7 % in 2014-15.
➢ Permanent pastures and grazing land is 3.3 % only.
➢ Culturable Waste land is 4.0% in 2014-15.
➢ Fallow Land : The share of the current fallow land is 4.9 % in 2014-15.
➢ Fallow other than current fallow is 3.6 % 2014-15.

Question : Give two reasons why we are not able to utilize the total geographical area of India.
Answer :
➢ The land use reporting for most of the north- eastern states except Assam has not been done fully.
➢ Some areas of Jammu & Kashmir occupied by Pakistan and China have not been surveyed.

Question : What is land degradation? Explain any three causes for land degradation.
Answer :
➢ Land degradation is the process of losing the fertility and productivity of land and turning it unfit for proper use.
➢ It is otherwise lowering the quality of land.
➢ Deforestation, careless management of forests, overgrazing by animals, soil erosion, surface mining and industrial effluents cause land degradation.
➢ At present there are about 130 million hectares of degraded land in India.
➢ 28 % of it belongs to forest degraded area, 56 % water eroded area, 10 % wind eroded area and the rest 6% is affected by saline and alkaline deposits.

Question : How does surface mining and industry lead to land degradation?
Answer :
➢ The mining sites are abandoned after excavation is completed.
➢ Processed soil or waste materials are dumped unscientifically causing the land used and the land nearby unfit for any use.
➢ The mineral processing, like grinding of limestone for cement industry and calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry generates heavy amount of dust and releases in the atmosphere.
➢ It settles down in the surrounding areas, affecting infiltration of water and crop cultivation.
➢ The industrial effluents released to the air causes acid rain and air and water get polluted.

Question : What measures can be adopted for preventing land degradation?
Answer :
➢ Stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes, preparation of shelterbelts for plants and control over grazing of animals are some methods of controlling land degradation in arid areas.
➢ Moisture conservation and weed control in agricultural lands, regularization of grazing and proper management of wasteland and control of mining activities are the methods for semi arid areas.
➢ Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment can reduce land and water degradation in industrial and suburban areas.

Question: What do you understand by the term resource?
Answer : Everything available in our environment which can be used to satisfy our needs, provided, it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable can be termed as ‘Resource’.

Question : What does the process of transformation of things available in our environment involve? State the role of human beings to accelerate their economic development.
Answer :
A) The process of transformation of things available in our environment involves an inter-dependent relationship between nature, technology and institutions.
B) Human beings interact with nature through technology and create institutions to accelerate their economic development.

Question : Do you think that resources are free gifts of nature? Justify the statement.
Answer:
1) They are not. Resources are a function of human activities.
2) Human beings themselves are essential components of resources.
3) They transform material available in our environment into resources and use them.

Question: Give a detailed classification of resources. OR Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources.
Answer: Resources can be classified in the following way:
(a) On the basis of origin-biotic and abiotic
(b) On the basis of exhaustibility-renewable and non-renewable
(c) On the basis of ownership-Individual, community, national and international.
(d) On the basis of status of development- Potential, developed, stock and reserves

Question: Classify the resources on the basis of:
a) Meaning
b) 2 examples (Any 4)
A} Biotic resources and Abiotic resources
B} Renewable and Non-renewable resource
C} Individual resources and Community owned resources.
D} National resources and International resources
E} Potential resources and Developed resources

Question 8: State the major problems caused due to indiscriminate use of resources by human beings.
Answer: Following problems are caused:
1. Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.
2. Accumulation of resources in few hands, which in turn, divided the society into two segments i.e. haves and have nots or rich and poor.  
3. Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as, global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

 

Question: What was Gandhiji‟s concern about resource conservation?
Answer: Gandhiji believed that:
a) There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.
b) He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level.
c) He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses.

Question: „Land is a natural resource of utmost importance‟. Justify the statement.
Answer: We live on land, we perform our economic activities on land and we use it in different ways with careful planning.

Question: Explain the variety of relief features in India with reference to percentage and uses.
Answer:

Question: A} What do the following categories of land use pattern include: 
Answer: I) Land not available for cultivation:

a) Barren and waste land

b) Land put to non-agricultural uses, e.g. buildings, roads, factories etc.

II} Fallow land-

a) Current fallow- left without cultivation one or less than one agricultural year.

b) Other than current fallow land-left uncultivated for the past 1 to 5 agricultural years.

III. Other uncultivated land- excluding fallow land-

a) Permanent pastures and grazing land

b) Land under miscellaneous tree crops groves not included in net sown area.

c) Culturable wasteland- left uncultivated for more than 5 agricultural years.

B} Difference between:

(1) Grossed Cropped Area :Area sown more than once in an agricultural year plus net sown area is known as gross cropped area.

Net Sown Area: Area sown under one crop in one agricultural season. Example rice grown in Kharif season.

Question: Mention the physical and human factors that determine the use of land. 
Answer:
A) Physical factors: Topography, climate and soil types.
B) Human factors: Population density, technological capability and culture & tradition.

Question: The land under permanent pastures has declined. How are we able to feed our huge cattle population? What are the consequences of it?
Answer:
1. Agricultural residue will provide fodder for our huge cattle population.
2. Consequences:
a) Tremendous pressure on agricultural land
b) Animal products and milk production will decline.

Question: Name the two states that have over 80% of total area under NSA. Also name the states that have less than 10% of land under NSA. Find out reasons for low and high proportion of Net Sown Area in these states. 2+2
Answer:

Question: Explain the ways to solve the problem of land degradation.

Answer: There are many ways:

a) Afforestation and proper management of grazing can help to some extent. 

b) Planting of shelter belts of plants, control on over grazing, stabilization of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes are some of the methods to check land degradation.

c) Proper management of waste lands, control of mining activities, proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after treatment can reduce land and water degradation in industrial and suburban areas. 

 

Question: State the importance of soil as natural resource. What does it consist of? 

Answer:

1) It is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on earth.

2) It consists of organic (humus) and inorganic material.

 

Question: Name the important factors that contribute to the formation of soil.

Answer: Relief, parent rock or bed rock, climate, vegetation and other forms of life and time are important factors.

 

Question: State various forces of nature that contribute to the formation of soil.

Answer: Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, action of running water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc.

 

Question: Name any six factors responsible for the classification of different types of soils in India.

Answer: Colour, thickness, texture, age, chemical and physical properties.

 

Question: Mention any four factors that have contributed to the development of various types of soils of India.

Answer: Varied relief features, landforms, climatic realms and vegetation types.

 

Question: Name the most widely spread and important soil of India. Write any three characteristics of this type of soils. (1+3) OR

Which type of soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast? Give three main features of this type of soil.

Answer:

A) Alluvial soils.

B) These soils consist of various proportions of sand, silt & clay. 

C) As we move inlands towards the river valley, soil particles appear some what bigger in size.

D) According to the size of their grains or components they are also known as old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar) soils.

 

Question: Name the three areas where alluvial soils are found in India.

Answer: They are found as:

1) The entire northern plains.

2) They extend in Rajasthan and Gujarat through a narrow corridor.

3) Eastern coastal plains particularly in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers also contain these soils.

 

Question: Explain the characteristics of the alluvial soils found in the Piedmont plains. Give examples.

(Piedmont plain: An area of land formed or lying at the foot of a mountain or mountain range. Piedmont is sometimes referred to as a plateau because it is high and mostly flat.)

 

Answer:

A) In the upper reaches of the river valley i.e. near the place of break of slope, the soils are coarse.

B) Such soils are more common in piedmont plains such as Duars, Chos and Terai.

 

Question: Differentiate between Khadar and Bhangar soils.

Answer:

 

 

Question: Name the minerals that are found in alluvial soils. Also state the crops that are ideally grown in alluvial soils.

Answer: 

I) Adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime.

II) Ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops.

 

Question: a) What is the implication of alluvial soils having high fertility? 

Answer: Due to its high fertility, regions of alluvial soils are intensively cultivated and densely populated.

 

b) How can alluvial soils in drier areas be made productive? 

Answer: Soils in the drier areas are more alkaline and can be productive after proper treatment and irrigation.

 

Question: Explain Black soil on the basis of the following:

Answer:

a) Different name: Regur soil or black cotton soil 

b) Crop grown: Ideal for growing cotton 

c) Important factor for the formation: Climatic condition along with the parent rock material. 

d) Distribution: Typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows. They cover the plateaus of Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and extend in the south east direction along the Godavari and the Krishna valleys. 

e) What are they made up of?: The black soils are made up of extremely fine i.e. clayey material. 

 

Question: Explain the important characteristics of Black soils.

Answer:

1) They are well-known for their capacity to hold moisture.

2) They are rich in soil nutrients, such as calcium, carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime.

3) These soils are generally poor in phosphoric contents.

4) They develop deep cracks during hot weather, which helps in the proper aeration of the soil.

5) These soils are sticky when wet and difficult to work on unless tilled immediately after the first shower or during the pre-monsoon period.

 

Question: Explain the red and yellow soils on the basis of the following:

Answer:

I) Where are they developed? – Red soil develops on crystalline igneous rocks in areas of low rainfall in the eastern and southern parts of the Deccan plateau.

II) Distribution: Red and Yellow soils are also found in parts of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, southern parts of the middle Ganga plain and along the piedmont zone of the W. Ghats.

 

Question: Why does the red soil appear reddish and yellow in colour?

Answer: These soils develop a reddish colour due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.

 

Question: Explain laterite soils on the basis of the following:
Answer: 

i) Derivation of the term: Laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘later’ which means brick.

ii) Areas of development: The laterite soil develops in areas with high temperature and heavy rainfall.

iii) Reason for development: This is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain.

iv) Humus content: Humus content of the soil is low because of the micro organisms, particularly the decomposers, like bacteria, get destroyed due to high temperature.

v) How can the laterite soil be made suitable for cultivation?- Laterite soils are suitable for cultivation with adequate doses of manures and fertilizers.

vi) Distribution (main states)- Mainly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam.

 

Question: In which states and for what crops laterite soils have become very productive?

Answer: After adopting appropriate soil conservation techniques particularly in the hilly areas of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, it’s useful for growing tea and coffee.

 

Question: In which states Red laterite soils are more suitable for crops like cashew nut?

Answer: Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for crops like cashew nut.

 

Question: Describe arid soils on the basis of the following: (Any three points)

Answer:

a) Colour: Arid soils range from red to brown.

b) Texture and nature- They are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature.

c) Salt content: In some areas the salt content is very high.

d) Utility: Common salt is obtained by evaporating the water.

 

Question: Describe the lower horizon and bottom horizon of arid soils.

Answer:

I) Lower horizons: The lower horizons of the soils are occupied by Kankar because of the increasing calcium content downwards.

II) Bottom Horizon: The Kankar horizons restrict the infiltration of water. After proper irrigation these soils become cultivable as has been in the case of western Rajasthan.

 

Question: Explain the forest soils on the basis of the following: 
Answer: 

i) Areas- Found in the hilly and mountainous areas where sufficient rain forests are available.

ii) Soil Texture: The soils texture varies according to the mountain environment where they are formed. They are loamy and silty on valley sides and coarse grained on the upper slopes.

 

Question: Explain the characteristics of forest soils in snow covered areas and the lower parts of the valleys.

Answer:

a) In the snow covered areas of Himalayas, these soils experience denudation and are acidic with low humus content. 

b) The soils found in the lower parts of the valley particularly on the river terraces and alluvial fans are fertile. 

 

Question: What is soil erosion? State the human activities and natural forces that lead to soil erosion. 

OR

Mention any two human activities which are responsible for the process of soil process of erosion. Explain any two types of soil erosion mostly observed in India. 

Answer:

Meaning: The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil erosion. 

Human activities: Deforestation, over-grazing, construction and mining. 

Natural forces: Wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion 

 

Question. Define the following:

Answer:

1) Gullies: The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as gullies.

2. Bad lands: The land becomes unfit for cultivation and is known as bad land.

3. Ravines: Bad land in the Chambal basin is called ravines.

4. Sheet Erosion: Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In such cases the top soil is washed away, this is known as sheet erosion.

 

Question: What is wind erosion? How do the defective methods of farming cause soil erosion?

Answer:

a) Wind erosion: Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion. 

b) Defective methods of farming: Soil erosion is also caused due to defective methods of farming. Ploughing in a wrong way i.e. up and down the slope form channels for quick flow of water leading to soil erosion. 

 

Question: What steps can be taken to control soil erosion?

OR

Suggest any three measures to control soil erosion caused by various reasons. 

Answer:

The following steps can be taken to control soil erosion:

 

1) Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.

 

 

2) Terrace farming: Steps can be cut out on the slopes making terraces. Terrace cultivation restricts erosion. Western and central Himalayas have well developed terrace farming.

3) Strip cropping: Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind. This method is known as strip cropping.

 

 

4) Planting lines/shelter belts: Planting lines of trees to create shelter also works in the similar way to check soil erosion. Rows of such trees are called shelter belts.

 

 

Question: How can we check the stabilization of sand dunes in the deserts?

Answer:

Rows of trees are called shelter belts. These shelter belts have contributed significantly to the stabilization of sand dunes and in stabilizing the desert in W. India.