Chapter 8: Resources, Agriculture and Industries (Part-2)
The concept of resource development emphasizes planned utilization; which objective is most directly associated with resource development in a developing economy like India?
A Maximizing short-term profit
B Ensuring long-term sustainability
C Encouraging excessive consumption
D Limiting technological progress
Resource development focuses on using resources in a planned and scientific manner so that economic growth is achieved without exhausting resources, ensuring their availability for future generations.
The shift towards renewable energy is a policy priority; which renewable source is especially suitable for remote and rural electrification in India?
A Nuclear energy
B Thermal power
C Solar energy
D Petroleum energy
Solar energy systems can be installed at small scales, require minimal infrastructure, and are ideal for remote areas where grid connectivity is limited, supporting rural electrification.
Mineral resources are exhaustible by nature; which practice helps in extending the life of mineral resources?
A Increased extraction
B Export promotion
C Recycling and reuse
D Open-cast mining
Recycling reduces the need for fresh extraction of minerals, conserves existing reserves, and lowers environmental damage, thereby extending the overall life span of mineral resources.
The economic importance of bauxite lies in its industrial use; which industry primarily depends on bauxite as a raw material?
A Iron and steel
B Aluminium industry
C Cement industry
D Fertilizer industry
Bauxite is the chief ore of aluminium, which is widely used in transport, electrical, and packaging industries due to its light weight and resistance to corrosion.
Agriculture in India is described as labour intensive; which condition best explains this characteristic?
A High level of mechanisation
B Small and fragmented landholdings
C Low population density
D Excessive capital investment
Small and fragmented landholdings limit the use of large machines, resulting in greater dependence on human labour for agricultural activities across most regions of India.
Shifting cultivation is still practiced in some regions; which environmental problem is most commonly associated with this practice?
A Soil fertility improvement
B Increased forest cover
C Soil erosion and deforestation
D Water conservation
Shifting cultivation involves clearing forests and repeated burning, which leads to loss of vegetation cover, soil erosion, and long-term environmental degradation.
The success of the Green Revolution varied regionally; which condition explains its limited success in eastern India?
A Excessive use of machinery
B Lack of irrigation and infrastructure
C Poor soil fertility
D Absence of labour
Eastern India lacked adequate irrigation, storage, and transport facilities, which limited the adoption of high-yielding varieties and modern agricultural inputs.
Crop rotation is an important agricultural practice; which benefit is most directly associated with crop rotation?
A Increased pest attacks
B Decline in soil nutrients
C Maintenance of soil fertility
D Dependence on chemical fertilizers
Crop rotation helps replenish soil nutrients naturally, reduces pest infestation, and prevents soil exhaustion, contributing to sustainable agricultural productivity.
Plantation agriculture differs from subsistence farming; which feature best defines plantation agriculture?
A Small landholdings
B Family labour
C Single crop cultivation on large estates
D Low capital investment
Plantation agriculture involves large estates, monoculture, and high capital investment, often producing crops like tea, coffee, and rubber for commercial purposes.
Tea cultivation in India is regionally concentrated; which physical factor is most important for tea growth?
A Low temperature
B Heavy rainfall and sloping land
C Dry climate
D Alluvial soil only
Tea requires high rainfall, humid climate, and well-drained sloping land, conditions commonly found in regions like Assam and parts of southern India.
Irrigation canals sometimes cause environmental issues; which problem results from excessive canal irrigation?
A Soil erosion
B Waterlogging and salinity
C Reduced crop yield
D Decreased groundwater recharge
Excessive canal irrigation raises the water table, leading to waterlogging and salt accumulation in soil, which reduces soil fertility and agricultural productivity.
The iron and steel industry requires large inputs of energy; which source traditionally supplies this energy?
A Hydropower
B Solar power
C Coal
D Wind energy
Coal is essential for producing coke, which acts as both fuel and reducing agent in blast furnaces, making it vital for iron and steel production.
Industrial diversification strengthens economic stability; which benefit results from diversification of industries?
A Increased dependency on one sector
B Reduction in employment
C Balanced regional development
D Decline in exports
Industrial diversification reduces overdependence on a single industry and promotes economic growth across regions by creating varied employment and development opportunities.
The jute industry has faced decline in recent years; which factor has contributed most to this trend?
A Improved transport
B Competition from synthetic fibres
C Increased demand for jute products
D Abundant raw jute supply
Synthetic fibres are cheaper, more durable, and require less maintenance, reducing demand for jute products and adversely affecting the traditional jute industry.
Sugarcane cultivation requires specific conditions; which climatic requirement is most essential?
A Cold climate
B Low rainfall
C Hot and humid climate
D Dry desert conditions
Sugarcane requires high temperatures and sufficient moisture for growth, making tropical and subtropical climates with adequate rainfall or irrigation ideal.
The decentralised nature of sugar mills affects farmers; which advantage arises from mills being located near farms?
A Reduced employment
B Increased transport cost
C Quick processing of sugarcane
D Decline in cane quality
Sugarcane deteriorates rapidly after harvesting, so nearby mills ensure quick crushing, reducing losses and improving sugar recovery for farmers.
Industrial regions often emerge around ports; which advantage do ports provide to industries?
A Cheap labour
B Access to international markets
C Availability of raw materials
D Fertile agricultural land
Ports facilitate import of raw materials and export of finished goods, reducing transportation costs and integrating industries with global trade networks.
The role of power supply in industrial development is crucial; which consequence results from unreliable power supply?
A Increased production
B Improved efficiency
C Industrial slowdown
D Lower production costs
Unreliable power disrupts production processes, increases operational costs, and reduces industrial output, negatively affecting overall industrial growth.
Sustainable agriculture emphasizes ecological balance; which practice best supports sustainable farming?
A Excessive pesticide use
B Monocropping
C Organic farming
D Over-irrigation
Organic farming relies on natural inputs, crop rotation, and biological pest control, maintaining soil health and ecological balance while reducing environmental harm.
Resource depletion is a global concern; which human activity accelerates depletion most rapidly?
A Conservation
B Planned mining
C Overexploitation
D Recycling
Overexploitation involves extracting resources faster than their natural replenishment, leading to rapid depletion and long-term scarcity of natural resources.
The cotton textile industry benefits from climatic conditions; which condition supports cotton spinning?
A High humidity
B Very dry air
C Extreme cold
D Low temperature
High humidity prevents cotton yarn from breaking during spinning, making humid coastal regions favorable locations for cotton textile mills.
Industrial waste disposal requires regulation; which authority primarily enforces pollution control measures in India?
A Reserve Bank of India
B Central Pollution Control Board
C Planning Commission
D NITI Aayog
The Central Pollution Control Board monitors and regulates pollution levels, enforces environmental laws, and ensures industries follow pollution control standards.
Crop insurance schemes are promoted by the government; which objective do they mainly serve?
A Increase export
B Reduce farming cost
C Protect farmers against crop failure
D Encourage monoculture
Crop insurance compensates farmers for losses caused by natural calamities or pest attacks, reducing financial risk and ensuring income stability.
The availability of skilled labour influences industrial location; which industry requires highly skilled technical labour?
A Cottage industry
B Iron and steel
C Information technology
D Jute industry
Information technology industries depend heavily on skilled professionals with technical expertise, making skilled labour availability a critical location factor.
Resource planning involves multiple steps; which is the first step in effective resource planning?
A Resource development
B Resource identification and inventory
C Resource conservation
D Resource export
Resource planning begins with identifying and assessing available resources through surveys and mapping, forming the basis for systematic utilization and conservation.
Industrial growth influences agriculture indirectly; which input provided by industries supports modern agriculture?
A Food grains
B Fertilizers and machinery
C Forest products
D Mineral ores
Industries supply fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation equipment, and machinery, enabling farmers to adopt modern practices and improve agricultural productivity.
Uneven industrial development creates challenges; which issue arises due to regional industrial imbalance?
A Uniform income distribution
B Migration to industrial regions
C Improved rural economy
D Reduced urban pressure
Industrial concentration attracts workers from less developed regions, leading to migration, urban overcrowding, and socio-economic pressure on industrial cities.
Agricultural marketing reforms aim to help farmers; which benefit is expected from better market access?
A Reduced crop production
B Increased exploitation
C Better price realization
D Decline in income
Improved market access reduces middlemen influence, allowing farmers to sell produce at fair prices, thereby increasing income and economic security.
Industrialisation affects natural resources; which measure reduces industrial impact on resources?
A Increased extraction
B Cleaner production technologies
C Ignoring waste
D Unplanned expansion
Cleaner technologies reduce waste, energy consumption, and pollution, minimizing environmental damage while maintaining industrial productivity.
The importance of minor minerals is increasing; which mineral is essential for glass manufacturing?
A Iron ore
B Bauxite
C Silica
D Copper
Silica, obtained from sand, is a primary raw material for glass manufacturing due to its high melting point and chemical stability.
Agriculture diversification also includes allied activities; which activity is commonly considered an allied agricultural activity?
A Mining
B Fishing
C Manufacturing
D Software services
Allied activities like fishing, poultry, and dairy supplement farmers’ income, reduce dependency on crops, and enhance rural economic stability.
Industrial policy reforms encourage private participation; which outcome is expected from liberalisation?
A Reduced investment
B Increased industrial competition
C Decline in technology
D Limited market access
Liberalisation reduces government control, encourages private and foreign investment, and promotes competition, leading to improved efficiency and innovation.
The concept of food security depends on agriculture; which condition ensures food security?
A Export-oriented farming
B Availability, accessibility, and affordability
C Dependence on imports
D Cash crop dominance
Food security exists when sufficient food is available, accessible to all, and affordable, ensuring nutritional needs of the population are met.
Industrial clusters enhance efficiency; which advantage results from clustering?
A Increased transport cost
B Shared infrastructure and services
C Labour shortage
D Reduced innovation
Industrial clusters allow firms to share infrastructure, skilled labour, and services, reducing costs and increasing productivity and competitiveness.
The decline of soil fertility affects agriculture; which natural method improves soil fertility?
A Excessive irrigation
B Use of compost and manure
C Overuse of chemicals
D Continuous monocropping
Organic manure adds nutrients, improves soil structure, and increases microbial activity, enhancing soil fertility naturally and sustainably.
Resource scarcity can lead to conflict; which resource is most commonly linked with future conflicts?
A Coal
B Iron ore
C Water
D Limestone
Water scarcity affects drinking, agriculture, and industry, making it a critical resource whose shortage can trigger regional and international conflicts.
Transport facilities influence industrial location; which transport mode is most economical for bulky raw materials?
A Roadways
B Airways
C Railways
D Pipelines
Railways offer cost-effective transport for heavy and bulky materials over long distances, making them ideal for industries like iron and steel.
The importance of agricultural research lies in innovation; which outcome results from effective research?
A Traditional practices only
B Development of improved seeds
C Decline in productivity
D Reduced irrigation
Agricultural research leads to development of high-yielding, disease-resistant seeds, increasing productivity and ensuring food security.
Industrial employment structure is changing; which sector shows fastest growth in employment?
A Primary sector
B Secondary sector
C Tertiary sector
D Quaternary sector
The service sector is expanding rapidly due to growth in education, health, transport, and IT, absorbing a large share of the workforce.
The role of cooperatives is significant in agriculture; which benefit do cooperatives provide farmers?
A Increased debt
B Collective bargaining power
C Reduced market access
D Decline in income
Cooperatives enable farmers to pool resources, access markets collectively, and negotiate better prices, improving economic strength and reducing exploitation.
Industrial safety standards are necessary; which objective do they primarily serve?
A Increase production cost
B Protect workers and environment
C Reduce employment
D Delay industrial growth
Safety standards minimize workplace accidents, protect worker health, and reduce environmental hazards, ensuring sustainable and responsible industrial operations.
The spread of irrigation has social effects; which change is commonly observed in irrigated regions?
A Decline in cropping intensity
B Multiple cropping
C Reduced agricultural output
D Abandonment of farming
Assured water supply allows farmers to grow more than one crop annually, increasing cropping intensity and agricultural productivity.
Industrialisation affects rural society; which change occurs due to establishment of rural industries?
A Increased unemployment
B Migration to cities
C Local employment generation
D Decline in skill development
Rural industries create employment locally, reduce migration to urban areas, and promote skill development and income diversification in villages.
The use of technology in agriculture is uneven; which factor limits its adoption by small farmers?
A Lack of interest
B High cost of technology
C Availability of labour
D Fertile soil
Advanced machinery and modern inputs require significant investment, which small and marginal farmers often cannot afford, limiting technology adoption.
Environmental regulations impact industries; which compliance measure reduces air pollution?
A Using outdated machinery
B Installing pollution control devices
C Increasing coal use
D Ignoring emission standards
Pollution control devices like filters and scrubbers reduce harmful emissions, ensuring industries comply with environmental norms and protect air quality.
Agricultural extension services support farmers; which role do they perform?
A Provide loans only
B Disseminate modern farming techniques
C Control market prices
D Regulate exports
Extension services educate farmers about improved seeds, irrigation methods, pest control, and sustainable practices, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Resource conservation is linked with public participation; which approach involves community participation?
A Top-down planning
B Joint forest management
C Excessive mining
D Industrial expansion
Joint forest management involves local communities in protecting and managing forest resources, ensuring conservation while supporting local livelihoods.
The link between agriculture and climate change is critical; which impact of climate change affects agriculture most directly?
A Change in literacy rate
B Altered rainfall patterns
C Increase in exports
D Growth of industries
Changes in rainfall timing and intensity affect sowing, irrigation, and crop yield, making agriculture highly vulnerable to climate change.
Industrial development requires capital; which source provides long-term industrial finance in India?
A Commercial banks
B Moneylenders
C Development banks
D Cooperative societies
Development banks provide long-term loans and financial support for large industrial projects, infrastructure development, and technological modernization.
Balanced use of resources ensures development; which principle best summarizes this idea?
A Maximum exploitation
B Sustainable development
C Industrial dominance
D Agricultural decline
Sustainable development emphasizes meeting present needs through responsible resource use while safeguarding environmental and resource availability for future generations.