Resources and Development — Class 10 Social Science NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 10 Social Science chapter "Resources and Development" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 10 Social Science chapter "Resources and Development" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CB…
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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science — Resources and Development. Step-by-step answers to all 6 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
Resources and Development — All 6 Questions Solved
Q1. What are natural resources and how are they classified?
Natural resources are materials or substances that exist in nature and have value to human beings. They are classified based on two criteria: (1) By nature: Biotic (living organisms like forests) and Abiotic (non-living like minerals). (2) By regeneration: Renewable resources (can be regenerated) and Non-renewable resources (cannot be regenerated or take very long time).
Q2. Give examples of renewable and non-renewable resources.
Renewable resources include forests, water, air, soil, and fisheries because they can regenerate or be replenished. Non-renewable resources include minerals like coal, petroleum, and natural gas that cannot be regenerated or take millions of years to form. Once extracted and consumed, non-renewable resources become depleted.
Q3. How does sustainable development relate to resource management?
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It requires using natural resources responsibly, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring equitable distribution of resources. Sustainable development balances economic growth with environmental protection and social equity.
Q4. What are the main causes of resource depletion?
Resource depletion results from overuse and unsustainable consumption patterns. Causes include rapid industrialization, overpopulation, lack of regulation, and prioritization of short-term profits over long-term sustainability. Deforestation, overfishing, groundwater depletion, and mining deplete specific resources. Climate change also affects resource availability and distribution.
Q5. How should developing nations like India balance economic growth and resource conservation?
Developing nations face a dilemma between meeting development needs and conserving resources. Solutions include adopting renewable energy, improving efficiency, implementing strong environmental regulations, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Technology transfer, financial support, and fair trade practices can help developing nations achieve development without depleting resources. Awareness and education are also critical.
Q6. What is the role of government in resource management and conservation?
Governments create policies and laws to regulate resource extraction and consumption. They establish protected areas, implement conservation programs, and set environmental standards. Governments balance economic interests with ecological protection. They also negotiate international agreements on shared resources like rivers and ocean fisheries. Effective governance is essential for sustainable resource management.
Resources and Development — Practice MCQs with Answers
Attempt these 20 multiple-choice questions after working through the solutions above. Each carries the correct option and the reasoning behind it, so a wrong answer tells you which idea to revisit.
MCQ 1. Which of the following defines a 'resource' in the context of human development?
- A. Anything that is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable.
- B. Any natural substance found on Earth.
- C. Materials that are expensive and rare.
- D. Things that are only used by developed nations.
Answer: A. Anything that is technologically accessible, economically feasible, and culturally acceptable. — Resources are defined not just by their natural availability but also by human ability to access, afford, and accept them culturally, forming a vital part of development.
MCQ 2. Which of the following is an example of a 'biotic' resource?
- A. Rocks
- B. Minerals
- C. Flora and Fauna
- D. Water
Answer: C. Flora and Fauna — Biotic resources are derived from the biosphere and have life, such as flora (plants) and fauna (animals), differentiating them from non-living abiotic resources.
MCQ 3. Which of the following best describes 'non-renewable resources'?
- A. Resources that can be replenished over a long period by natural processes.
- B. Resources that can be reused and recycled repeatedly.
- C. Resources that take millions of years to form and get exhausted with use.
- D. Resources that are available in unlimited quantities.
Answer: C. Resources that take millions of years to form and get exhausted with use. — Non-renewable resources are those that form over extremely long geological periods and cannot be replenished quickly once consumed, such as fossil fuels and minerals.
MCQ 4. Grazing grounds in a village are an example of which type of resource?
- A. Individual resource
- B. Community-owned resource
- C. National resource
- D. International resource
Answer: B. Community-owned resource — Grazing grounds, alongside public parks and playgrounds, are resources accessible to all members of a community, making them community-owned resources.
MCQ 5. The huge potential for solar and wind energy in Rajasthan and Gujarat has not been fully developed yet. This is an example of which type of resource?
- A. Developed resources
- B. Stock
- C. Reserve
- D. Potential resources
Answer: D. Potential resources — Potential resources are those found in a region that could be used in the future, but have not yet been fully utilized due to lack of technology or planning, as seen with solar and wind energy in these states.
MCQ 6. Resource planning is essential for sustainable existence. Which of the following is NOT a step in resource planning in India?
- A. Identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country.
- B. Evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skill, and institutional set up.
- C. Matching the resource development plans with national development plans.
- D. Exporting raw materials to other countries for quick profit.
Answer: D. Exporting raw materials to other countries for quick profit. — Resource planning focuses on systematic and sustainable use of resources within a nation, not merely exporting raw materials for short-term gain, which can lead to depletion.
MCQ 7. What was the primary idea behind the 'Club of Rome' report published in 1968?
- A. Promoting international trade.
- B. Advocating for resource conservation.
- C. Supporting industrial growth.
- D. Encouraging population growth.
Answer: B. Advocating for resource conservation. — The 'Club of Rome' report was an early and influential call for global resource conservation, highlighting the limits to growth and the need for sustainable practices.
MCQ 8. Agenda 21, signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, aims to achieve what?
- A. Global military disarmament.
- B. Sustainable Development in the 21st century.
- C. Universal human rights.
- D. Eradication of poverty in developed nations.
Answer: B. Sustainable Development in the 21st century. — Agenda 21 is a declaration adopted by world leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, committing to combat environmental damage, poverty, and disease through global cooperation for sustainable development.
MCQ 9. What percentage of India's land area is covered by plains, which are crucial for agriculture and industry?
- A. 27%
- B. 30%
- C. 43%
- D. 60%
Answer: C. 43% — Plains cover approximately 43% of India's total land area, providing fertile lands for agriculture and serving as a base for industries and settlements.
MCQ 10. Which of the following categories of land use has shown an increase in India over the past few decades, indicating a positive trend for environmental conservation?
- A. Barren and waste land
- B. Area under non-agricultural uses
- C. Forest area
- D. Fallow lands
Answer: C. Forest area — An increase in forest area, while still striving for the ideal 33% of geographical area, indicates positive efforts towards environmental conservation and ecological balance, unlike the other options which often signify degradation or development pressures.
MCQ 11. What is the primary cause of land degradation in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh?
- A. Overgrazing
- B. Mining and quarrying
- C. Over-irrigation
- D. Deforestation
Answer: C. Over-irrigation — In these agriculturally intensive states, over-irrigation leads to waterlogging, increased salinity and alkalinity of the soil, causing significant land degradation.
MCQ 12. Which type of soil is most widespread and important in Northern India, deposited by three important Himalayan river systems?
- A. Black Soil
- B. Alluvial Soil
- C. Red Soil
- D. Laterite Soil
Answer: B. Alluvial Soil — Alluvial soils are the most widespread and fertile soils in Northern India, formed by the deposition of sediments by major river systems like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
MCQ 13. Black soil is also known as 'regur soil'. Which crop is primarily grown in this soil type, especially in the Deccan trap region?
- A. Rice
- B. Wheat
- C. Cotton
- D. Tea
Answer: C. Cotton — Black soils are highly suitable for growing cotton, due to their clayey nature and excellent moisture-retaining capacity, hence they are also called 'black cotton soils'.
MCQ 14. Red and Yellow soils are typically found in areas with low rainfall, often developed on crystalline igneous rocks. Why do they appear red?
- A. Due to high humus content.
- B. Due to the diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
- C. Due to volcanic ash deposits.
- D. Due to high clay content.
Answer: B. Due to the diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. — Red soils derive their distinctive colour from the diffusion of iron in their crystalline and metamorphic rock base, turning yellow when they occur in a hydrated form.
MCQ 15. Laterite soil is formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall. Which process is primarily responsible for its formation?
- A. Glacial erosion
- B. Wind deposition
- C. Intensive leaching
- D. Volcanic activity
Answer: C. Intensive leaching — Laterite soil forms due to intensive leaching caused by high temperatures and heavy rainfall, which washes away soluble silica, leaving behind iron and aluminum oxides.
MCQ 16. Arid soils are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature. Why do they lack humus and moisture?
- A. Due to intensive leaching.
- B. Due to low temperature conditions.
- C. Due to dry climate, high temperature, and lack of vegetation.
- D. Due to excessive rainfall and waterlogging.
Answer: C. Due to dry climate, high temperature, and lack of vegetation. — Arid soils lack humus due to minimal vegetation and moisture due to the dry climate and high evaporation rates prevalent in desert regions.
MCQ 17. Which of the following is NOT a major cause of soil erosion?
- A. Deforestation
- B. Overgrazing
- C. Contour ploughing
- D. Faulty methods of farming
Answer: C. Contour ploughing — Contour ploughing is a soil conservation technique where ploughing along contour lines reduces water flow and prevents erosion, making it a solution, not a cause, of soil erosion.
MCQ 18. What is 'Shelterbelts' as a method of soil conservation?
- A. Ploughing along contour lines.
- B. Planting lines of trees to break the force of the wind.
- C. Cutting steps on slopes to prevent erosion.
- D. Growing different crops in alternate rows.
Answer: B. Planting lines of trees to break the force of the wind. — Shelterbelts are rows of trees planted to act as a barrier against wind, thereby protecting soil from wind erosion, particularly effective in sandy and desert areas.
MCQ 19. Why is an integrated approach to resource planning crucial in a country like India?
- A. To ensure uniform distribution of resources across all states.
- B. To maximize export earnings from natural resources.
- C. To address regional imbalances in resource availability and promote sustainable development.
- D. To limit resource usage to only essential sectors.
Answer: C. To address regional imbalances in resource availability and promote sustainable development. — India has significant diversity in resource availability across regions; an integrated approach ensures balanced development, addresses disparities, and promotes the sustainable use of resources nationwide.
MCQ 20. Resources are a function of human activities. This statement implies that:
- A. Humans consume resources without contributing to their formation.
- B. Humans are an essential component of resources themselves.
- C. Resources become useful only when humans interact with nature using technology.
- D. All natural elements are inherently resources, regardless of human interaction.
Answer: C. Resources become useful only when humans interact with nature using technology. — This statement highlights that natural elements transform into 'resources' only when humans interact with them, applying technology and institutions to make them valuable and useful for societal needs.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.