CBSE Class 10 Geography Resources And Development Worksheet Set H

Assertion and Reasoning Based Questions

Mark the option which is most suitable :
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true and reason is false.
(d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question. Assertion : Alluvial soil is ideal for growth of paddy, wheat, cereal and pulse crops.
Reason : Alluvial soil is well-known for its capacity to hold moisture.
Answer: (c) Alluvial soil contains adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops. Thus make it fertile for the grower of the above mentioned crops.

Question. Assertion : The availability of resources is not the only necessary condition for the development of any region.
Reason : Not only availability of resources but also corresponding change in technology is necessary for development of any region.
Answer: (a) Mere availability of resources in the absence of corresponding changes in technology and institutions may hinder development. Thus, both resources and advanced technologies contribute in development of a region.

Question. Assertion : Resources are free gifts of nature.
Reason : Resources like soil, air, water are easily available in nature.
Answer: (d) Resources are not free gifts of nature but are present due to interaction of human beings with nature, technology and institutions. They are a function of human activities. They transform material available in our environment into resources.

Question. Assertion : Land is a natural resource of utmost importance.
Reason : Land can be used for various purposes.
Answer: (a) Land is a natural resource of utmost importance as it supports human life and wild life, economic activities like agriculture, mining, transport and communication system.

Question. Assertion : Resource planning is an easy process in India.
Reason : Resource planning involves planning structure, identification and inventory of resource across the regions.
Answer: (d) Resource planning is a not an easy but a very complex process as it involves surveying, mapping, quantitative and qualitative estimation and measurement of the resources.

Question. Assertion : Soil is the most important renewable natural resource.
Reason : Soil supports different types of living organisms on earth.
Answer: (a) Soil is a living system. Soil helps to grow plants, supports natural vegetation and economic activities like agriculture. Its universal usage proves that it is the most important renewable natural resource.

Question. Assertion : Processes of soil formation and erosion goes simultaneously and creates a balance between the two.
Reason : The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is soil erosion
Answer: (c) Soil formation and erosion goes simultaneously but this balance is disturbed due to human activities like deforestation, over-grazing, construction , mining and natural forces like wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion.

Question. Assertion : Arid soil is unsuitable for cultivation.
Reason : Arid soil is generally sandy in texture and saline in nature. It restricts the filtration of water.
Answer: (c) Due to dry climate and high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and moisture that is why it becomes unfit for cultivation.

Question. Assertion : Controlling on mining activities doesn’t control land degradation.
Reason : In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, deforestation has occurred due to overgrazing, not mining.
Answer: (d) Control on the activities of mining controls land degradation because mining sites are abandoned after excavation work, this results in over burdening. Mining activities in the mentioned states has contribution to deforestation.

Question. Assertion : Terrace cultivation does not restrict erosion.
Reason : Running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as gullies. This helps to cultivate crops.
Answer: (d) Terraces, cut out on slopes in forms of steps breaks up the force of the wind, thus preventing erosion. The gullies render cultivation in those lands impossible.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What is a stock ?
Answer: Resources that are available but we do not have proper technology to use them are known as stocks. For example–water is made of oxygen and hydrogen, which can be used as fuel. Due to lack of proper technology it is not being used properly as fuel.

Question. What are the hindrances in the development of any region ?
Answer: For the development of any region, it is necessary that there should be availability of resources. However, mere availability is not sufficient in the absence of corresponding changes in technology and institutions. In our country, there are many regions which are rich in resources but are economically backward and some regions are economically developed but have poor resource base. Thus, inadequate distribution of resources proves to be hindrance in the development of any region.

Question. How can we eradicate irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources ?
Answer: We can eradicate irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources through conservation of resources. The methods to conserve resources are : (i) Appropriate utilization of resources. (ii) Use of more renewable resources as compared to non-renewable resources.

Question. How is the issue of sustainability important for development? Explain with examples. [2018]
Answer: Introduction : Sustainable development means the development that takes place without damaging the environment or compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. (a) The resources are not free gifts of nature. Their exploitation will lead to their depletion and thus halt on development. eg:- resoures like Petroleum are exhaustible resource, their reckless exploitation will lead to their deficiency. (b) Resources are vital for development. Industries, agriculture, etc all depend on resources. Economic development depends on resource availability. (c) Millions of people earn their livelihood and sustain on resources. Resources like minerals, coal are pre-requisite for development. Water, food, etc are necessary for survival. To protect future generations. Conclusion : Hence, we need to use the resources judiciously to sustain development.

Question. What do you understand by ‘Agenda 21’ ?
Answer: Agenda 21 is the declaration that was signed by the world leaders in the year 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Its aim is to achieve sustainable development. This agenda combats environmental damage, poverty, disease through global cooperation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities. One of the major objectives of this agenda is that every local government should draw its own local agenda 21.

Question. Write any three factors responsible for large scale deforestation in India.
Answer: In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, deforestation occurs due to mining. After excavation, work is completed leaving deep scars and traces. In states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, overgrazing is one of the major reasons of deforestation. In states like Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, over irrigation is responsible for deforestation.

Question. What type of soil is found in the river deltas of eastern coast ? Give three main features of this type of soil.
Answer: In the river deltas of eastern coast, alluvial soil is found. Alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay. The main features of alluvial soil are : (i) They are very fertile. Therefore, they are good for cultivation. (ii) They are rich in potash, phosphoric acid and lime, which make it ideal soil for growing sugarcane, paddy and other crops. (iii) In drier areas, the soil is more alkaline and needs proper irrigation before cultivation.

Question. What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas ?
Answer: Steps to control soil erosion in hilly area : (i) Contour Ploughing : Soil erosion in hilly areas can be controlled by contour ploughing, which is ploughing along contour line. (ii) Terrace Farming : Terrace farming is a technique of creating step like structure on the slopes of the hills. This technique helps to prevent soil erosion in hilly areas.

Question. What is the reason behind low proportion of net sown area in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Andaman Nicobar Islands ?
Answer: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur have larger area under forest and hilly undulating terrain which is unsuitable for cultivation. That’s why net sown area in these states is lower in proportion than in the other states. Andaman Nicobar Islands do not have hilly mountainous surface but have large area covered under forest and tribal communities, which perform hunting and gathering rather than cultivation.

Question. Describe the any three main features of 'Alluvial soil' found in India . [2019(OD)]
Answer: Major features of Alluvial Soil are: (i) Alluvial Soil is considered as one of the most fertile soils amongst all soil types. Alluvial soil covers the entire northern plains in India. (ii) Alluvial soil contain sand, silt and clay mainly due to silt deposited by the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra rivers. According to age, it is classified into Banger (old alluvial) and Khadar (new Alluvial). (iii) Alluvial soil contains an ample amount of potash, phosphorus acid and lime. This soil is ideal for the growth of crops like – Sugarcane, Paddy and other crops.

Source Extract Questions

Source A- Sustainable development: Sustainable economic development means ‘development should take place without damaging the environment and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations.’
Source B- Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992: In June 1992, more than 100 heads of states met in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, for the first International Earth Summit. The Summit 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 and Biological Diversity. The Rio Convention endorsed the global Forest Principles and adopted Agenda 21 for achieving Sustainable Development in the 21st century.
Source C- Agenda 21: It is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It aims at achieving global sustainable development. It is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities. One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.

Question. Why sustainable development of resources is necessary?
Answer: Sustainable development of resources is very essential to fulfill the needs of the future generations.

Question. What was the major object of the first International Earth Summit?
Answer: The first International Earth Summit was held in Rio De Janeiro in 1992 with the concerned objectives of environment protection and socio–economic development at the global level.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Explain the resources on the basis of origin and exhaustibility.
Answer: Resources on the basis of origin : (i) Biotic resources : Resources obtained from the environment are called biotic resources. For example–trees, animals and insects. (ii) Abiotic resources : Resources obtain from non-living things present in our environment are termed as abiotic resources. For example–earth, air, water, metals, rocks, etc. Resources on the basis of exhaustibility : (i) Renewable resources : The resources which have the ability to renew themself over period of time or can be reproduced by physical, chemical or mechanical processes are known as renewable resources. For example–solar and wind energy, water, forest and wildlife, etc. (ii) Non-renewable resources : Resources which cannot be renewed or reproduced by any physical, chemical or mechanical process are known as non-renewable resource. For example–water, wind, tidal energy, etc.

Question. List the problems caused due to indiscriminate use of resources by human beings.
Answer: Resources are essential for human survival. Initially, people believed that the resources are the free gift of nature. Therefore, they continuously exhausted the resources available in the environment without taking any preventive measures. As a matter of fact, they faced economic, social and ecological problems. The major problems that cropped up due to over-exploitation, irrational consumption and indiscriminate use of resources are : (i) Exhaustion of resources : Due to over-exploitation and irrational consumption, the resources are exhausted at a rapid pace leaving very little or nothing for the future generation. (ii) Concentration of resources : Concentration of resources in a few hands is also a major issue. The people with the maximum resources will use them for their own benefits leaving others empty handed. This will create a situation of have and have nots. This situation of have and have nots is unfavourable for the growth of the country as a whole. (iii) Global ecological crisis : Global warming, depletion of ozone layer, population and land degradation are global ecological crisis. This crisis situation is also an after effect of irrational or over utilisation of resources.

Question. How do technical and economical developments led to more consumption of resources ?
Answer: These days, technical and economical developments gain a colossus space. The government is also focusing more on technical and economical growth to make our country a fully developed country. In this process of technical and economical growth, the resources of our country are exhausting rapidly. Technological and economical developments have led to such rapid consumption of resources because of the following reasons : (i) New and improved equipments are introduced with the development of technology, which ultimately lead to an increase in the use of natural resources. (ii) The technological advancement is attributed to the growth of a developing country. People of an economically developing nation consume more resources. Hence, we can safely say that an improvement in economic development of a nation will directly result in the increase of its people’s consumption of resources. (iii) Development of new technologies is widely seen in developing economies. Due to economic development, the bright minds get an opportunity to experiment with their ideas. As a matter of fact, various materials are converted in to useful resources. This creates an atmosphere, which will see a steady increase in consumption of such available resources.

Question. What do you understand by the term ‘land degradation’ ? Which human activities lead to land degradation ? What are the measures to solve the problems of land degradation ?
Answer: Land resource is fixed and cannot be increased. Land resource has been used since the ancient time. This continuous usage of land over a long period of time, without taking necessary steps to conserve and manage it has resulted in land degradation. As a matter of fact, the quality of the land has become inferior due to regular loss of fertility and irregular usage. Human activities have also contributed towards land degradation. There are : (i) Deforestation i.e., cutting down of forests. (ii) Over grazing. (iii) Mining i.e., extraction of valuable minerals from the soil. (iv) Mineral processing like grinding of limestone. (v) Faulty methods of cultivation and over-irrigation. These damages can be prevented with the help of these measures : (i) Afforestation and proper management of grazing. (ii) Plantation of shelter and stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes in windy and arid areas like the deserts of Rajasthan. (iii) Proper management of wasteland and control of mining activities. (iv) Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and waste after treatment in industrial and suburban areas.

Question. What are the main types of soil found in India ? Which type of soil is the most widespread and important soil of India ? Describe in detail about this soil type.
Answer: The main types of soil found in various parts of India are as follows : (i) Alluvial soil. (ii) Black soil. (iii) Red and yellow soil. (iv) Laterite soil. (v) Arid or Desert soil. (vi) Forest and Mountainous soil. Alluvial soil is the most fertile and extensively found soil in India. This type of soil is found near the river banks and is deposited by the rivers of India. The Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra are the three main rivers which are responsible for its deposition and have created the entire northern plains. These soils also extend in Rajasthan and Gujarat through a narrow corridor. Alluvial soil is also found in the eastern coastal plains particularly in the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers. Alluvial soil is more common in pediment plains such as Duars, Chos and Terai. Alluvial soil is very fertile because it contains potash, phosphoric acid and lime in adequate amount. This is why the areas where alluvial soil is found are densely populated, for example, the northern plains and the eastern coastal plain are densely populated and the most productive regions of India. The mineral content of the alluvial soil makes it ideal for the growth of paddy, wheat, other cereals and pulses and sugarcane. The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay. They are coarse in the upper reaches of the river valley especially near the break of slope and in pediment plains like Duars, Chos and Terai. Every year during annual floods alluvial soils are renewed. The Alluvial soil is of two types–Khadar and Bangar.

Question. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow : We have shared our land with the past generations and will have to do so with the future generations too. Ninety-five per cent of our basic needs for food, shelter and clothing are obtained from land. Human activities have not only brought about degradation of land but have also aggravated the pace of natural forces to cause damage to land. Some human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining and quarrying too have contributed significantly in land degradation. Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha deforestation due to mining have caused severe land degradation. In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation. In the states of Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, over irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil. The mineral processing like grinding of limestone for cement industry and calcite and soapstone for ceramic industry generate huge quantity of dust in the atmosphere. It retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil after it settles down on the land. In recent years, industrial effluents as waste have become a major source of land and water pollution in many parts of the country.
6.1 How is over irrigation responsible for land degradation? In which states land is degraded because of over irrigation?
Answer: (i) Over irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to water logging leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil. (ii) In the states of Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, land is degraded due to over irrigation.

Source/Extract Based Questions

We live on land, we perform our economic activities on land and we use it in different ways. Thus, land is a natural resource of utmost importance. It supports natural vegetation, wild life, human life, economic activities, and transport and communication systems. However, land is an asset of a finite magnitude, therefore, it is important to use the available land for various purposes with careful planning. India has land under a variety of relief features, namely; mountains, plateaus, plains and islands. About 43 per cent of the land area is plain, which provides facilities for agriculture and industry. Mountains account for 30 per cent of the total surface area of the country and ensure perennial flow of some rivers, provide facilities for tourism and ecological aspects. About 27 per cent of the area of the country is the plateau region. It possesses rich reserves of minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

Question. The land should be used in a optimum way, because land is a ………… resource.
Answer: Finite.

Question. Land Resource planning means careful use of available land. Identify which landform the following commercial activities belong to:
Land Forms Commercial Activities
a. Mountains 1. Mining
b. Plains 2. Agriculture and Industry
c. Plateaus 3. Tourism
Choose the correct option—
(a) a-2, b-1, c-3
(b) a-3, b-2, c-1
(c) a-1, b-3, c-2
(d) a-3, b-1, c-2
Answer: (b) a-3, b-2, c-1

Question. Which one of the following options does not suit with land utilisation?
(a) Constructing roads and infrastructure on hills to promote tourism.
(b) Developing canal systems in the plains to boost agriculture.
(c) Providing government support to establish mineral based industry near the mining areas.
(d) Boosting the industries on fertile land and near the densely populated areas.
Answer: (d) Boosting the industries on fertile land and near the densely populated areas.

Question. In order to make the best use of Himalayan region. India should not:
(a) Allow large scale deforestation to construct industries.
(b) Help local artisans and handicrafts to boost tourism.
(c) Preserve natural flora and fauna.
(d) Conserve the flow of rivers.
Answer: (a) Allow large scale deforestation to construct industries.

The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil erosion. The processes of soil formation and erosion, go on simultaneously and generally there is a balance between the two. Sometimes, this balance is disturbed due to human activities like deforestation, over-grazing, construction and mining etc., while natural forces like wind, glacier and water lead to soil erosion. The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels as gullies. The land becomes unfit for cultivation and is known as bad land. In the Chambal basin such lands are called ravines. Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In such cases the topsoil is washed away. This is known as sheet erosion. Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land known as wind erosion. 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 the quick flow of water leading to soil erosion.

Question. The process of ________ and ________ go hand in hand.
(a) Soil formation and erosion
(b) Wind erosion
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of them
Answer: (a) Soil formation and erosion.

Question. Match the given features related erosion activity with their causes and agents.
Features related to Erosion | Causes and agents
a. Washing away of topsoil | 1. Ravines
b. Chambal Basin | 2. Wind Erosion
c. Deforestation and mining | 3. Human cause of Erosion
d. Sand Dunes | 4. Sheet Erosion
Choose the correct option—
(a) a-1, b-3, c-4, d-2
(b) a-4, b-1, c-3, d-2
(c) a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3
(d) a-3, b-1, c-4, d-1
Answer: (b) a-4, b-1, c-3, d-2.

Question. Which one of the following is not a human reason of soil erosion?
(a) Mass cutting of trees.
(b) Washing down of top soil by fast running water
(c) Wrong agriculture practices.
(d) Extraction of minerals found under surface
Answer: (b) Washing down of top soil by fast running water.

Question. In order to control the soil erosion, we need to—
(a) Plant more and more trees
(b) Cement river embankments
(c) Adopt right ploughing method
(d) All of them.
Answer: (d) All of them.