Correct option: (b)
A mineral is defined as a naturally occurring substance having a definite chemical composition. It is formed by natural geological processes and has an ordered atomic structure. It is not man-made (so option a is wrong) and may be organic or inorganic in origin. Minerals occur in all types of rocks, not only in sedimentary rocks, so options (c) and (d) are incorrect.

Correct option: (c)
Minerals are generally considered non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished quickly. Options (a), (b) and (d) are correct characteristics – minerals are natural, have definite chemical composition and an ordered internal structure.

Correct option: (b)
An ore is a rock that contains enough of a mineral so that the mineral can be extracted profitably. Not every rock containing metal is an ore (a), and ores may contain metallic or non-metallic minerals. Option (b) correctly includes the economic aspect.

Correct option: (c)
Minerals provide raw materials for a wide range of industries – iron and steel, cement, chemical, fertiliser, electrical and many more. Therefore, they are called the basic raw material for industries. Options (a), (b) and (d) are too limited or incorrect.

Correct option: (b)
In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals fill up cracks, crevices, faults or joints as veins (small deposits) and lodes (larger deposits). Beds and layers (a) are typical of sedimentary rocks; placer deposits (c) occur in river sands; evaporites (d) form when water evaporates leaving salts behind.

Correct option: (c)
Minerals in sedimentary rocks are usually found in beds or layers, formed by the deposition of sediments over long periods. Veins and lodes are typical of igneous and metamorphic rocks, while residual masses come from weathering and leaching.

Correct option: (b)
Placer deposits are alluvial deposits of minerals, usually found in sands of valley floors and river beds. They are important sources of heavy minerals like gold, tin and platinum. Coal, petroleum, limestone, mica, rock salt and gypsum occur in other forms, not as placer deposits.

Correct option: (c)
Bauxite (ore of aluminium) is formed as a residual deposit when rocks undergo intense chemical weathering in hot, humid climates. Leaching removes soluble materials, while insoluble aluminium compounds remain, forming bauxite. Hence option (c) is correct.

Correct option: (b)
The Chhota Nagpur Plateau (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal) is India’s richest mineral belt, especially rich in coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite and mica. Petroleum, natural gas, rock salt, gypsum, gold and platinum occur in other specific regions.

Correct option: (c)
The North-Western Region (mainly Rajasthan and Gujarat) is rich in non-metallic minerals like limestone, gypsum, mica and rock phosphate, along with salt. The other regions are better known for coal, iron ore and other metals.

Correct option: (c)
The Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) has limited deposits of copper, lead, zinc and gold. Major coal and iron ore belts lie in the eastern and central plateaus, while petroleum is mainly in Assam, Gujarat and offshore regions.

Correct option: (b)
Ferrous minerals are those which contain iron. Examples: iron ore, manganese, chromite. Non-ferrous minerals like copper and aluminium do not contain iron.

Correct option: (c)
Hematite is the most important industrial iron ore in India, containing about 60–70% iron. Magnetite also has high iron content but hematite is more widely used. Limonite, siderite and pyrite are not major iron ores in India.

Correct option: (b)
Manganese is a ferrous mineral used for making steel (as an alloy and to remove impurities) and also in the manufacture of dry cell batteries, bleaching powder and paints.

Correct option: (b)
Odisha is a leading producer of iron ore in India, with major mines in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh. Punjab, Haryana and Kerala are not major iron ore producers.

Correct option: (c)
Copper is a non-ferrous mineral as it does not contain iron. Iron ore, manganese and chromite are ferrous minerals because they contain iron.

Correct option: (c)
Bauxite is the chief ore of aluminium. Aluminium is used for making aircraft, utensils, vehicles and many other products due to its light weight and strength.

Correct option: (a)
Rajasthan (Khetri mines) and Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat mines) are major copper-producing states. Punjab, Bihar and Kerala are not prominent copper producers.

Correct option: (b)
Mica is a non-metallic mineral that is a very good insulator, can withstand high temperatures and can be split into thin sheets. It is widely used in the electrical and electronic industries.

Correct option: (d)
Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry. It is also used as a flux in the iron and steel industry.

Correct option: (a)
Granite and sandstone are widely used as building stones for floors, walls, monuments and decorative purposes. Mica, bauxite, limestone, coal and petroleum have different primary uses.

Correct option: (c)
Minerals are finite and non-renewable on the human time scale. Once exhausted, they cannot be quickly replaced. Therefore, conservation is essential.

Correct option: (c)
Exporting all minerals at low prices (c) does not conserve minerals; it may deplete reserves quickly. Recycling metals, using better technology and using substitutes all help in conserving mineral resources.

Correct option: (c)
Sustainable mining means extracting minerals in such a way that environmental damage is minimised, wastage is reduced and future generations are not deprived of resources. It balances economic, environmental and social concerns.

Correct option: (c)
Solar energy is a non-conventional, renewable source of energy. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are conventional, fossil fuel-based energy sources that have been in use for a long time.

Correct option: (c)
Natural gas is considered the cleanest fossil fuel because it burns more completely and emits fewer air pollutants and greenhouse gases compared to coal and petroleum.

Correct option: (b)
Hydroelectric power is generated by using the potential energy of water stored in dams. When water is released, it turns turbines that generate electricity. Burning coal and petroleum are used in thermal power; nuclear reactions are used in nuclear power plants.

Correct option: (b)
Wind energy uses the kinetic energy of moving air to rotate wind turbines, which generate electricity. Solar uses sunlight, biogas uses organic waste, and tidal energy uses sea tides.

Correct option: (b)
Biogas is produced through anaerobic decomposition of organic waste such as animal dung, agricultural residues and kitchen waste in biogas plants. It is a clean fuel, especially useful in rural areas.

Correct option: (b)
Using public transport reduces the number of vehicles on the road, lowering fuel consumption and conserving energy resources. The other options waste electricity or fuel.