CBSE Class 10 Social Science – Geography

Textbook: Contemporary India – II

Chapter 1: Resources and Development

Designed for: CBSE Board Examinations – Class 10

1. Class: 10
2. Subject: Social Science – Geography
3. Book: Contemporary India – II
4. Chapter: 1 – Resources and Development
5. Question Type: Very Short Answer Type Questions (VSA)

Note: These Very Short Answer Questions with Answers are strictly based on the NCERT syllabus and are ideal for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam preparation.

Q1. What is a resource?

Ans. Anything that can satisfy human needs and is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable is called a resource.

Q2. Name the two main types of resources on the basis of origin.

Ans. Biotic resources and abiotic resources.

Q3. Give one example of a biotic resource.

Ans. Forests (trees) are a biotic resource.

Q4. On which basis are resources classified as renewable and non-renewable?

Ans. On the basis of their exhaustibility.

Q5. Give one example of a renewable resource.

Ans. Solar energy is a renewable resource.

Q6. What are non-renewable resources?

Ans. Resources that take millions of years to form and cannot be quickly replenished once exhausted are called non-renewable resources.

Q7. What are national resources?

Ans. All resources that belong to the nation and are under the legal control of the government are called national resources.

Q8. What is meant by development of resources?

Ans. Development of resources means using resources to satisfy human needs, improve living standards and support economic growth.

Q9. Name any one problem created by overuse of resources.

Ans. Overuse of resources leads to depletion of resources for future generations.

Q10. Define sustainable development in one line.

Ans. Sustainable development means using resources in a way that meets present needs without harming the needs of future generations.

Q11. Whose idea is expressed in the quote “There is enough for everybody’s need but not for anybody’s greed”?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi.

Q12. Mention any one feature of sustainable development.

Ans. It stresses judicious use of resources without overexploiting them.

Q13. Name any one international conference related to sustainable development.

Ans. The Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit (1992).

Q14. Why is indiscriminate use of resources a cause of concern?

Ans. It causes resource depletion, environmental damage and economic and social inequality.

Q15. What is resource planning?

Ans. Resource planning is the judicious and planned use of resources to reduce regional imbalances and support sustainable development.

Q16. Why is resource planning essential in India? (Any one reason)

Ans. Because resources are unevenly distributed, some regions are rich and some are poor in resources.

Q17. Name the first step involved in resource planning.

Ans. Identification and inventory of resources.

Q18. Which modern techniques are used for resource survey and mapping?

Ans. Techniques like remote sensing and GIS (Geographical Information System) are used.

Q19. What is the second stage of resource planning?

Ans. Evolving a planning structure for resource development.

Q20. What is the third stage of resource planning?

Ans. Matching the resource development plan with overall national development plans.

Q21. Give one example of a region rich in resources but economically backward.

Ans. Many states of central India are rich in minerals but economically backward.

Q22. Give one example of a region with poor resource base but developed economy.

Ans. Many countries of Western Europe and Japan have poor resource base but are economically developed.

Q23. What is resource conservation?

Ans. Resource conservation means using resources carefully and wisely so that they are available for future generations.

Q24. Name any one method of conserving resources.

Ans. Recycling and reusing materials is one method of conserving resources.

Q25. Why should we switch to renewable sources of energy?

Ans. To reduce dependence on exhaustible fossil fuels and protect the environment.

Q26. Which movement in India is linked with forest conservation?

Ans. The Chipko Movement.

Q27. What is the total geographical area of India?

Ans. About 3.28 million square kilometres.

Q28. Why is land considered an important resource?

Ans. Because it supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life and various economic activities.

Q29. Name two physical factors that determine land use.

Ans. Topography and climate.

Q30. Give one human factor that influences land use pattern.

Ans. Population density is an important human factor affecting land use.

Q31. What is net sown area?

Ans. The total area sown with crops in a year is called net sown area.

Q32. Mention two main land use categories in India.

Ans. Forests and net sown area are two main land use categories.

Q33. What is fallow land?

Ans. Land left uncultivated for one or more years to regain its fertility is called fallow land.

Q34. In which areas is net sown area generally high in India?

Ans. In the fertile plains such as the Indo-Gangetic plains.

Q35. Name two states where land under forests is high.

Ans. Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Q36. Name any one state having large area of barren and unculturable land.

Ans. Rajasthan has a large area of barren and unculturable land.

Q37. Why is land under non-agricultural uses increasing in India?

Ans. Due to expansion of settlements, industries, roads and other infrastructure.

Q38. What is land degradation?

Ans. Land degradation is the decline in the quality and productivity of land.

Q39. Name any one human activity that leads to land degradation in arid areas.

Ans. Overgrazing by animals leads to land degradation in arid areas.

Q40. Which regions of India face land degradation due to over-irrigation?

Ans. Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh face land degradation due to over-irrigation.

Q41. How does mining cause land degradation?

Ans. Mining leaves deep scars and pits on the land surface and destroys vegetation cover.

Q42. Name any one measure to control land degradation in arid areas.

Ans. Planting shelter belts and afforestation help in controlling land degradation in arid areas.

Q43. How can industrial and urban waste contribute to land degradation?

Ans. Dumping of non-biodegradable and toxic wastes on land pollutes the soil and degrades land.

Q44. Name any two measures to conserve land resources.

Ans. Afforestation and controlled grazing are two important measures to conserve land resources.

Q45. What is soil?

Ans. Soil is the uppermost loose layer of the earth’s crust which supports plant growth.

Q46. Name any two factors responsible for soil formation.

Ans. Parent rock and climate are two important factors of soil formation.

Q47. Is soil a renewable resource?

Ans. Yes, soil is a renewable resource but it takes a very long time to form.

Q48. Name any two major soil types found in India.

Ans. Alluvial soil and black soil.

Q49. Which soil is ideal for cotton cultivation and where is it found?

Ans. Black soil, found mainly in the Deccan plateau, is ideal for cotton cultivation.

Q50. What is soil erosion and name one method to control it.

Ans. Soil erosion is the removal of top fertile soil by wind or water. It can be controlled by terrace farming or contour ploughing.