Natural Resources – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
CBSE Class 9 — Science
Useful for: CBSE Board Exam (Class 9) | Format: 50 Topic-wise MCQs with Answers & Explanations (NCERT-aligned)
This file contains 50 multiple choice questions (MCQs) organised topic-wise from NCERT Class 9 Biology Chapter Natural Resources. Each question includes the correct answer and a clear explanation suitable for CBSE exam preparation and classroom tests. No countdown timer is included.
Topic: Basics & Classification (Questions 1–8)
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1. Which of the following is an abiotic resource?A. Forests B. Soil C. Fish D. LivestockAnswer: B. Soil.Soil is a non-living (abiotic) natural resource; forests, fish and livestock are biotic resources.
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2. A resource that can be replenished naturally within a short period is called:A. Non-renewable B. Renewable C. Abiotic D. ExhaustibleAnswer: B. Renewable.Renewable resources like solar energy and forests can be regenerated within human timescales if managed sustainably.
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3. Which term refers to the amount of a resource available per person?A. Resource stock B. Per capita availability C. Resource distribution D. Resource mappingAnswer: B. Per capita availability.Per capita availability measures resource amount divided by population to assess scarcity or abundance.
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4. Which of the following is NOT a reason to classify resources?A. To aid management B. To increase resource consumption C. To prioritise conservation D. To plan sustainable useAnswer: B. To increase resource consumption.Classification helps management and conservation, not to promote increased consumption.
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5. An example of a human-made (man-made) resource is:A. Soil B. Reservoir C. Forest D. Mineral depositAnswer: B. Reservoir.Reservoirs are artificial water storage structures created by humans; others listed are natural resources.
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6. Which resource is most unevenly distributed globally?A. Solar energy B. Rainfall C. Minerals like oil and coal D. Wind energyAnswer: C. Minerals like oil and coal.Mineral deposits are unevenly distributed due to geological factors; solar and wind are more widespread though variable.
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7. The term 'ecological footprint' measures:A. The area required to produce consumed resources and absorb wastes B. The number of species in an ecosystem C. Soil erosion rate D. Air pollution levelAnswer: A. The area required to produce consumed resources and absorb wastes.Ecological footprint quantifies the land and water area needed to support a population's consumption and waste assimilation.
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8. 'Resource conservation' primarily aims to:A. Increase immediate use B. Ensure long-term availability C. Replace natural resources with synthetic ones D. Remove regulationAnswer: B. Ensure long-term availability.Conservation focuses on sustainable use to maintain resources for future generations.
Topic: Water Resources (Questions 9–18)
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9. What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater approximately?A. 50% B. 25% C. 3% D. 10%Answer: C. 3%.About 97% is saline; only ~3% is freshwater, much of which is frozen or inaccessible.
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10. Rainwater harvesting helps by:A. Reducing groundwater recharge B. Increasing surface runoff C. Recharging aquifers and storing water D. Removing groundwaterAnswer: C. Recharging aquifers and storing water.Harvesting collects rainwater for storage or recharge, reducing runoff and increasing groundwater levels.
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11. Which irrigation method is most water-efficient?A. Flood irrigation B. Drip irrigation C. Furrow irrigation D. Sprinkler with leaksAnswer: B. Drip irrigation.Drip delivers water directly to roots, minimising evaporation and losses compared to flood methods.
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12. Which is a common pollutant from agriculture affecting water?A. Pesticides and nitrates B. Carbon dioxide C. Ozone D. Particulate matterAnswer: A. Pesticides and nitrates.Runoff carries fertilizers and pesticides into water bodies causing eutrophication and contamination.
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13. Which practice helps reduce domestic water use?A. Fixing leaks B. Letting taps run C. Wasting water in gardens D. Using single-use plasticsAnswer: A. Fixing leaks.Repairing leaks and efficient fixtures reduce domestic water consumption significantly.
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14. Groundwater is stored in:A. Clouds B. Aquifers C. Rivers only D. Tree leavesAnswer: B. Aquifers.Aquifers are porous rock or soil layers that store and transmit groundwater.
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15. Wetlands help in:A. Increasing floods B. Water purification and flood control C. Desertification D. Reducing biodiversityAnswer: B. Water purification and flood control.Wetlands filter pollutants, store water and reduce flood impacts while supporting biodiversity.
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16. Why treat sewage before discharge?A. To increase pollution B. To prevent water-borne diseases and protect ecosystems C. To make water salty D. To deplete oxygen in waterAnswer: B. To prevent water-borne diseases and protect ecosystems.Treatment removes pathogens and organic load that would cause disease and eutrophication.
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17. Which of these reduces surface runoff and increases infiltration?A. Paved surfaces B. Vegetation cover and permeable soils C. Deforestation D. Compacting soilAnswer: B. Vegetation cover and permeable soils.Vegetation intercepts rain and permeable soils allow water to infiltrate, recharging groundwater.
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18. An immediate health risk from contaminated drinking water is:A. Diabetes B. Cholera and diarrhoea C. Arthritis D. AsthmaAnswer: B. Cholera and diarrhoea.Contaminated water carries pathogens causing diarrhoeal diseases, a major public health issue.
Topic: Air & Atmosphere (Questions 19–26)
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19. The major component of air is:A. Oxygen B. Nitrogen C. Carbon dioxide D. ArgonAnswer: B. Nitrogen.Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere; oxygen is ~21%.
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20. Smog is mainly formed from:A. Natural forest fires only B. Combination of smoke and fog from vehicle and industrial emissions C. Ocean spray D. Rainwater harvestingAnswer: B. Combination of smoke and fog from vehicle and industrial emissions.Smog results from pollutants (NOx, VOCs, particulates) reacting under certain conditions, reducing air quality.
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21. One adverse effect of air pollution on plants is:A. Enhanced photosynthesis B. Leaf damage and reduced growth C. Increased fruit size D. Better soil fertilityAnswer: B. Leaf damage and reduced growth.Pollutants like SO₂ and ozone damage leaf tissues, lowering photosynthesis and growth.
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22. Which gas contributes most to greenhouse effect from human activities?A. Nitrogen B. Oxygen C. Carbon dioxide D. HeliumAnswer: C. Carbon dioxide.CO₂ from burning fossil fuels is a major greenhouse gas driving climate change.
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23. Trees help air quality by:A. Emitting CO₂ B. Absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen C. Producing smog D. Reducing rainfallAnswer: B. Absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen.Through photosynthesis and particulate trapping, trees improve urban air quality.
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24. Acid rain primarily results from emissions of:A. Oxygen and nitrogen B. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides C. Carbon monoxide only D. Water vapourAnswer: B. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.SO₂ and NOx react with water in atmosphere forming acids that fall as acid rain damaging ecosystems.
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25. One policy to control air pollution is:A. Promoting outdated engines B. Implementing emission standards for vehicles and industries C. Increasing coal use D. Encouraging open burning of wasteAnswer: B. Implementing emission standards for vehicles and industries.Emission standards reduce pollutant output and improve air quality when enforced.
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26. Indoor air pollution from unclean cooking fuels mainly affects:A. Only animals B. Human health, causing respiratory diseases C. Soil fertility D. Geological formationsAnswer: B. Human health, causing respiratory diseases.Smoke from biomass and coal harms lungs, increasing respiratory infections and chronic conditions.
Topic: Soil & Conservation (Questions 27–36)
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27. Topsoil is important because it:A. Contains most nutrients for plants B. Is used for construction only C. Is sterile D. Has no organic matterAnswer: A. Contains most nutrients for plants.Topsoil is rich in organic matter and nutrients necessary for plant growth; its loss reduces fertility.
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28. Soil erosion is accelerated by:A. Afforestation B. Overgrazing and deforestation C. Contour farming D. MulchingAnswer: B. Overgrazing and deforestation.Removing vegetation exposes soil to wind and water erosion; overgrazing removes protective cover.
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29. Contour bunding helps by:A. Increasing runoff downhill B. Slowing runoff and preventing soil loss C. Removing trees D. Compacting soilAnswer: B. Slowing runoff and preventing soil loss.Contour bunds along slope contours act as small barriers, reducing water speed and erosion.
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30. Mulching benefits soil by:A. Increasing evaporation B. Reducing moisture loss and adding organic matter C. Killing microbes D. Removing nutrientsAnswer: B. Reducing moisture loss and adding organic matter.Mulch covers soil, conserving moisture and decomposes to enrich soil with organic matter.
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31. Desertification is best described as:A. Conversion of desert to forest B. Land degradation in arid areas making land unproductive C. Flooding of plains D. Increase in soil fertilityAnswer: B. Land degradation in arid areas making land unproductive.Desertification occurs due to overuse, drought and poor land management, reducing productivity.
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32. Organic farming helps soil by:A. Relying only on chemical fertilisers B. Using compost and crop rotation to build fertility C. Removing all vegetation D. Increasing soil salinityAnswer: B. Using compost and crop rotation to build fertility.Organic practices improve soil health by adding organic matter and maintaining biodiversity of soil organisms.
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33. Check dams are used to:A. Increase flow speed B. Slow water and encourage percolation C. Remove vegetation D. Pollute riversAnswer: B. Slow water and encourage percolation.Small barriers slow stream flow, allowing sediment deposition and groundwater recharge.
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34. A benefit of crop rotation is:A. Increased pest buildup B. Reduced soil fertility C. Breaking pest cycles and improving soil nutrients D. Encouraging monocultureAnswer: C. Breaking pest cycles and improving soil nutrients.Rotating crops disrupts pests and allows replenishment of nutrients (legumes fix nitrogen).
Topic: Forests & Wildlife (Questions 35–42)
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35. Forests are important because they:A. Reduce biodiversity B. Regulate climate and protect soils C. Increase erosion D. Pollute waterAnswer: B. Regulate climate and protect soils.Forests sequester carbon, protect watersheds and reduce soil erosion, supporting ecosystems.
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36. Deforestation directly leads to:A. Increased habitat for wildlife B. Loss of biodiversity and increased erosion C. More rainfall locally D. Improved soil fertilityAnswer: B. Loss of biodiversity and increased erosion.Removing forests destroys habitats and exposes soil to erosive forces.
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37. Which is a protected area for wildlife?A. National park B. Industrial zone C. Market D. Urban plazaAnswer: A. National park.National parks protect ecosystems and species by restricting destructive activities.
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38. One way to reduce pressure on natural forests is:A. Increase illegal logging B. Promote community forestry and plantation timber C. Remove forest laws D. Encourage slash-and-burn farmingAnswer: B. Promote community forestry and plantation timber.Sustainable plantations and community-managed forests provide resources while conserving natural forests.
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39. Wildlife corridors are important because they:A. Fragment habitats B. Allow movement between habitats maintaining genetic flow C. Increase poaching D. Block migrationAnswer: B. Allow movement between habitats maintaining genetic flow.Corridors connect isolated populations, reducing inbreeding and supporting species survival.
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40. A non-timber forest product (NTFP) example is:A. Timber logs B. Honey and medicinal plants C. Concrete D. CoalAnswer: B. Honey and medicinal plants.NTFPs provide livelihoods and can be harvested sustainably without cutting trees.
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41. Ecotourism can help conservation if it:A. Encourages unchecked visitor numbers B. Generates revenue for local conservation and follows guidelines C. Allows littering D. Destroys habitatsAnswer: B. Generates revenue for local conservation and follows guidelines.Well-managed ecotourism supports local economies and funds conservation while minimising impact.
Topic: Minerals & Energy (Questions 42–48)
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42. Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable because:A. They form quickly B. They form over millions of years and are finite C. They are best for the environment D. They are abundant everywhereAnswer: B. They form over millions of years and are finite.Fossil fuel formation timescales far exceed human use rates, making them non-renewable.
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43. One environmental impact of mining is:A. Habitat restoration B. Soil and water pollution from tailings C. Increased forest cover D. Improved air qualityAnswer: B. Soil and water pollution from tailings.Mine waste can leach heavy metals and chemicals, contaminating soil and waterways.
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44. Renewable energy examples include:A. Coal and oil B. Solar and wind C. Natural gas D. Uranium onlyAnswer: B. Solar and wind.Solar and wind are replenished naturally and have lower emissions compared to fossil fuels.
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45. Recycling metals reduces the need for:A. Mining new ores B. Planting trees C. Using renewable energy D. Conserving waterAnswer: A. Mining new ores.Recycling recovers metals from waste, lowering mining demand and environmental impact.
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46. Energy efficiency means:A. Using more energy for same task B. Using less energy to perform the same task effectively C. Wasting energy D. Removing insulationAnswer: B. Using less energy to perform the same task effectively.Energy-efficient technologies reduce consumption while maintaining performance (e.g., LED bulbs).
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47. A sustainable mining practice includes:A. No rehabilitation of mined land B. Environmental impact assessments and land restoration C. Unregulated dumping of tailings D. Ignoring community concernsAnswer: B. Environmental impact assessments and land restoration.Sustainable mining minimises damage, restores sites and involves community consultation.
Topic: Conservation, Policy & Community (Questions 48–50)
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48. A primary prevention strategy for disease linked to water is:A. Vaccination only B. Ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation C. Ignoring hygiene D. Building more open drainsAnswer: B. Ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation.Clean water and sanitation prevent faecal–oral diseases more effectively than only treating symptoms.
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49. Community-based forest management primarily aims to:A. Exclude local people from forests B. Involve local communities in sustainable use and benefit sharing C. Promote illegal logging D. Convert forests to agriculture onlyAnswer: B. Involve local communities in sustainable use and benefit sharing.Community participation encourages stewardship and sustainable harvest while supporting livelihoods.
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50. Environmental education in schools helps by:A. Reducing awareness B. Building knowledge and responsible behaviour towards resources C. Encouraging wasteful use D. Promoting pollutionAnswer: B. Building knowledge and responsible behaviour towards resources.Education fosters conservation habits, awareness and community action for sustainable resource use.