Chapter 8: Resources, Agriculture and Industries (Part-3)
The concept of economic resources changes over time; which factor most directly explains why certain substances become resources only in a particular period?
A Population growth
B Technological advancement
C Climatic stability
D Political boundaries
Technological progress enables humans to identify, extract, and use substances that were earlier unusable, thereby transforming neutral materials into economically valuable resources over time.
Renewable resources are promoted for energy security; which limitation affects large-scale adoption of wind energy in India?
A High pollution levels
B Intermittent and location-specific availability
C Excessive water requirement
D High raw material cost
Wind energy depends on consistent wind speed and suitable locations, making power generation irregular and limiting its reliability for continuous large-scale energy supply.
Mineral conservation is an essential policy concern; which mining practice reduces surface environmental damage?
A Open-cast mining
B Shaft mining
C Quarrying
D Strip mining
Shaft mining extracts minerals from deep underground with less surface disturbance compared to open-cast mining, thereby reducing land degradation and environmental impact.
Agriculture contributes to employment significantly; which feature explains its continued dominance in India’s workforce?
A High mechanisation
B Limited industrial absorption
C Low productivity
D High export demand
Industrial and service sectors have not expanded sufficiently to absorb surplus labour, making agriculture the primary source of employment for a large population.
Intensive subsistence farming is practiced in densely populated areas; which characteristic best defines this system?
A Large landholdings
B High capital input
C High labour input per unit area
D Single cropping
Intensive subsistence farming relies on intensive use of family labour on small plots to maximize output, common in regions with high population pressure on land.
The success of HYV seeds depends on supporting factors; which input is most critical for their effectiveness?
A Traditional tools
B Adequate irrigation
C Organic manure only
D Dry climate
High-yielding variety seeds require assured water supply along with fertilizers to achieve higher productivity, making irrigation a critical supporting factor.
Agricultural mechanisation influences labour patterns; which effect is commonly observed in highly mechanised regions?
A Increased labour demand
B Seasonal unemployment
C Reduced productivity
D Decline in cropping intensity
Mechanisation reduces the need for manual labour during certain agricultural operations, leading to seasonal unemployment among agricultural workers.
Crop distribution in India reflects regional diversity; which crop dominates the black soil regions of the Deccan Plateau?
A Rice
B Wheat
C Cotton
D Tea
Black soil retains moisture and is rich in nutrients, making it highly suitable for cotton cultivation, particularly in the Deccan Plateau region.
Micro-irrigation techniques are promoted; which advantage makes sprinkler irrigation suitable for uneven land?
A High water consumption
B Uniform water distribution
C Soil salinity increase
D High installation cost
Sprinkler irrigation distributes water evenly over fields, making it suitable for uneven terrain and reducing water wastage compared to traditional methods.
Industrial raw material linkage determines location; which industry is most strongly raw-material oriented?
A Software industry
B Cotton textile industry
C Iron and steel industry
D Electronics industry
Iron and steel plants locate near raw materials like iron ore and coal because transportation of bulky inputs significantly affects production costs.
The decline of traditional industries affects artisans; which consequence is most commonly observed?
A Increased rural prosperity
B Loss of traditional skills
C Higher export earnings
D Improved employment security
Decline of traditional industries leads to reduced demand for artisanal products, resulting in loss of skills and livelihoods passed through generations.
Industrial waste water poses risks; which industry is a major source of water pollution?
A Information technology
B Iron and steel
C Handloom industry
D Cottage industry
Iron and steel plants discharge effluents containing chemicals and heavy metals, which contaminate water bodies if untreated.
Agricultural credit availability influences productivity; which institution provides short-term credit to farmers?
A Development banks
B Commercial banks
C Reserve Bank of India
D World Bank
Commercial banks provide short-term loans for seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, supporting seasonal agricultural operations.
Industrial regions benefit from agglomeration economies; which factor best explains this benefit?
A Reduced competition
B Shared skilled labour pool
C Isolation from markets
D Decline in innovation
Industrial clustering creates a common pool of skilled labour, reducing hiring costs and improving productivity for industries located in the region.
The sugar industry faces efficiency issues; which factor lowers sugar recovery rates?
A Modern machinery
B Delayed crushing of cane
C Proximity to farms
D Improved irrigation
Sugarcane loses sucrose content rapidly after harvesting; delays in crushing reduce sugar recovery and overall efficiency of sugar mills.
Environmental sustainability in agriculture requires balance; which practice reduces chemical dependency?
A Monocropping
B Integrated nutrient management
C Excess fertiliser use
D Continuous irrigation
Integrated nutrient management combines organic and chemical inputs to maintain soil fertility while reducing excessive chemical use.
Industrial labour laws aim to protect workers; which objective do they primarily serve?
A Increase working hours
B Ensure job security and safety
C Reduce wages
D Discourage employment
Labour laws regulate working conditions, wages, and safety measures to protect workers from exploitation and occupational hazards.
Agriculture-based industries help stabilise prices; which mechanism supports this role?
A Storage and processing
B Export promotion
C Import substitution
D Industrial licensing
Agro-based industries store and process agricultural produce, reducing post-harvest losses and stabilising prices across seasons.
The development of industrial infrastructure supports growth; which facility is most critical for heavy industries?
A Tourism centres
B Reliable power supply
C Educational institutions
D Fertile land
Heavy industries require continuous and high-energy input, making reliable and adequate power supply essential for uninterrupted production.
Agricultural productivity can be increased without expanding land; which method supports this objective?
A Extensive farming
B Increasing cropping intensity
C Land abandonment
D Shifting cultivation
Cropping intensity involves growing multiple crops on the same land annually, increasing output without expanding cultivated area.
Industrial diversification reduces vulnerability; which risk does it minimize most effectively?
A Market fluctuation
B Climate variability
C Labour shortage
D Resource depletion
Diversification spreads economic activity across industries, reducing dependence on a single market and protecting the economy from sector-specific downturns.
The use of biotechnology in agriculture aims to improve resilience; which outcome is most significant?
A Increased water use
B Development of pest-resistant crops
C Reduced productivity
D Decline in research
Biotechnology enables development of crops resistant to pests and diseases, reducing losses and dependency on chemical pesticides.
Mineral-based industries often cluster near deposits; which mineral supports the cement industry?
A Iron ore
B Limestone
C Copper
D Mica
Limestone provides calcium carbonate, a primary ingredient in cement manufacturing, making proximity to limestone deposits crucial.
Agricultural sustainability includes social aspects; which measure supports small farmers most effectively?
A Large-scale mechanisation
B Access to institutional credit
C Increased export focus
D Reduction in MSP
Institutional credit enables small farmers to invest in inputs and technology, reducing dependence on moneylenders and improving productivity.
Industrial waste minimisation follows hierarchy; which option reflects best practice?
A Disposal
B Recycling
C Reduction at source
D Incineration
Reducing waste generation at the source is most effective as it minimizes resource use, pollution, and cost of waste management.
Agriculture’s linkage with industry promotes growth; which sector benefits most from agricultural raw materials?
A Heavy engineering
B Agro-processing industry
C Software industry
D Mining sector
Agro-processing industries depend directly on agricultural produce, adding value and generating employment while reducing post-harvest losses.
Industrial corridors influence spatial development; which outcome is commonly observed?
A Decline in transport infrastructure
B Concentrated regional growth
C Reduction in trade
D Isolation of markets
Industrial corridors attract investment, improve infrastructure, and stimulate economic activity, leading to rapid growth along specific development axes.
Climate-resilient agriculture is promoted; which strategy supports this goal?
A Monoculture farming
B Crop diversification
C Excess irrigation
D Chemical dependency
Crop diversification reduces vulnerability to climate variability by spreading risk across crops with different climatic tolerances.
Industrial employment requires skill development; which initiative supports this objective?
A Import substitution
B Skill training programs
C Industrial licensing
D Resource export
Skill training enhances worker competence, productivity, and employability, supporting industrial growth and technological advancement.
Agricultural price support mechanisms protect farmers; which policy instrument ensures minimum income?
A Import duty
B Minimum Support Price
C Export subsidy
D Market deregulation
Minimum Support Price guarantees farmers a fixed price for crops, protecting them from market fluctuations and ensuring income stability.
Industrial location is influenced by market proximity; which industry is market-oriented?
A Iron and steel
B Cement
C Software services
D Aluminium
Software services depend on connectivity and clients rather than raw materials, making market access and communication infrastructure crucial.
Resource efficiency improves sustainability; which practice enhances efficiency in water use?
A Flood irrigation
B Rainwater harvesting
C Over-irrigation
D Canal leakage
Rainwater harvesting conserves water, recharges groundwater, and reduces dependence on external sources, improving water-use efficiency.
The role of cooperatives extends to industry; which industrial cooperative is well-known in India?
A ITC
B Amul
C Tata Steel
D Infosys
Amul is a cooperative-based dairy enterprise that empowers farmers through collective ownership, processing, and marketing of milk products.
Industrial pollution affects human health; which pollutant causes respiratory problems?
A Solid waste
B Noise
C Particulate matter
D Thermal discharge
Fine particulate matter from industrial emissions enters lungs, causing respiratory diseases and long-term health issues.
Agricultural exports strengthen the economy; which crop contributes significantly to India’s agricultural exports?
A Maize
B Basmati rice
C Barley
D Millet
Basmati rice has high international demand due to its quality and aroma, contributing significantly to India’s agricultural export earnings.
Industrial safety audits prevent hazards; which outcome do they ensure?
A Increased accidents
B Regulatory compliance
C Production delay
D Reduced efficiency
Safety audits ensure industries follow safety standards and regulations, reducing accidents and ensuring legal and environmental compliance.
Agriculture adapts to market demand; which trend reflects this adaptation?
A Decline in cash crops
B Shift towards horticulture
C Reduced diversification
D Increased subsistence farming
Rising demand for fruits and vegetables encourages farmers to adopt horticulture, increasing income and market responsiveness.
Industrial raw material substitution supports sustainability; which substitute reduces pressure on forests?
A Natural rubber
B Synthetic fibres
C Timber
D Coal
Synthetic fibres reduce dependence on natural fibres and forest resources, helping conserve forests and biodiversity.
Resource planning requires coordination; which level plays the key implementation role in India?
A International agencies
B State governments
C Private corporations
D Local markets
State governments implement resource planning policies through region-specific strategies, ensuring efficient utilization and conservation at the ground level.
Agricultural mechanisation improves efficiency; which operation benefits most from mechanisation?
A Seed selection
B Harvesting
C Crop marketing
D Soil testing
Mechanised harvesting saves time and labour, reduces crop losses, and improves operational efficiency during peak agricultural seasons.
Industrial policy reforms encourage innovation; which factor promotes innovation most effectively?
A Strict regulation
B Competition
C Monopoly
D Isolation
Competitive markets encourage firms to innovate, improve quality, and reduce costs to maintain market share.
Agriculture contributes to raw material supply; which industry depends on oilseeds?
A Fertilizer
B Edible oil industry
C Cement
D Steel
Oilseeds like mustard and groundnut are processed to produce edible oils, making agriculture vital for this industry.
Industrial growth requires environmental balance; which concept integrates economy and ecology?
A Industrialisation
B Sustainable development
C Liberalisation
D Privatisation
Sustainable development balances economic growth with environmental protection, ensuring long-term resource availability.
Agricultural input efficiency improves yield; which input ensures timely sowing?
A Fertilizer
B Irrigation
C Farm machinery
D Pesticides
Farm machinery enables timely land preparation and sowing, which is crucial for optimal crop growth and yield.
Industrial linkages promote growth; which linkage connects output of one industry to input of another?
A Forward linkage
B Backward linkage
C Market linkage
D Spatial linkage
Forward linkage refers to the use of an industry’s output as raw material for another industry, strengthening industrial interdependence.
Agriculture faces market risks; which mechanism reduces price volatility?
A Open markets only
B Buffer stock
C Export ban
D Import dependence
Buffer stocks stabilize prices by releasing or procuring food grains during shortages or surplus, protecting both farmers and consumers.
Industrial regions require urban support; which service is most essential?
A Tourism
B Healthcare
C Entertainment
D Recreation
Healthcare services ensure worker well-being and productivity, making them essential for sustaining industrial workforce concentration.
Agricultural sustainability includes resource conservation; which practice conserves soil moisture?
Industrial finance reforms support expansion; which factor attracts foreign investment?
A Political instability
B Skilled manpower
C Poor infrastructure
D Resource depletion
Availability of skilled and trained workforce attracts foreign investors by reducing training costs and improving productivity.
Integrated development links sectors; which statement best reflects this integration?
A Agriculture and industry are unrelated
B Industry supports agriculture through inputs and markets
C Industry replaces agriculture
D Agriculture depends only on imports
Industry provides machinery, fertilizers, and markets for agricultural produce, while agriculture supplies raw materials, creating integrated economic development.