St.

Mary’s School, Academic Year 2023-24

Class X Social Science Answer key

GEOGRAPHY; L-1 RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

ANSWER KEY

TOPIC: RESOURCES AND TYPES OF RESOURCES

Answer the following Questions:

Q1. Define the term Resources.
A1. Everything available in our environment, which can be used to satisfy
our needs, provided, is technologically accessible, economically feasible
and culturally acceptable, can be called a resource.

Q2. Differentiate between biotic and abiotic resources with examples.

Biotic Abiotic
(a) Resources are all living Resources are all non-living
resources such as flora, things, like minerals, metals
fauna, livestock and and rocks.
fisheries that we get from
the biosphere.

Q3. Explicate on exhaustible resources citing examples.

A3. Exhaustible resources are those resources that cannot be used for ages
because they occur over a long period of time, they are limited in availability.
If ones depleted these resources would be available after a very long period.
For example: Minerals and fossil fuels.

Q4. Classify resources on the basis of ownership.

A4. Resources are classified as Individual resources, Community owned
resources, National resources and International resources.

Q5. State two major points of differentiation between Individual resources

and Community owned resources.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

A5 Individual resources Community resources

i. These are owned The resources which are

privately by individuals. accessible to all the members
of the community are called
community owned resources.

ii. For example, plots, For example, grazing ground,

houses, plantation, burial grounds, picnic spots,
ponds, pasture land. play grounds

Q6. What are the resources occurring beyond 200 nautical miles of the
Exclusive Economic Zone, an area of coastal water and sea bed which lie
within a certain distance of a country’s known as? Who controls them?
A6. The resources occurring beyond 200 nautical miles of the Exclusive
Economic Zone are called International resources. The International
Institutions control them.

Q7. A farmer was digging a well in his farmland. He came across a minor
mineral while digging. Now he has to take permission from government
authorities to dig further and to remove this mineral from the ground so that
he can dig a well for irrigating his fields. Why?
A7. This is because all the mineral resources belong to the Nation. Hence it is
owned by the government and not by any individual.

Q8. Interpret the term Potential Resources.

A8. Resources which are found in a region, but have not been utilised are
termed as potential resources. They are either not easily accessible or not
properly developed for present use but have the potential to fulfil our needs
whenever we require them with development of technology and
infrastructure.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

Q9. Clarify the term ‘Stock’ and ‘Reserve’ in context to Resources.

(a) Stock are materials in the environment which have the capacity to satisfy
human needs but human beings do not have appropriate technology to access
these. For example, water is a compound of two inflammable gases, hydrogen
and oxygen, which can be used as a rich source of energy. But the required
technical know-how is not available at present.
(b) Reserves are the subset of the stock, which can be put into use with the
help of existing technical know-how but their use has not been started. These
can be used for meeting future requirements.
For example, river water can be used for generating hydroelectric power but
presently, it is being utilised only to a limited extent.

TOPIC: DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES

Q1. Examine the three major problems created as a result

of indiscriminate utilization of natural resources.
A1. Indiscriminate use of resources by human beings has led to economic,
social and ecological problems. The major problems that have arisen due
to overexploitation, irrational consumption and indiscriminate use of
resources are:
(a) Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few selfish individuals.
(b) Accumulation of resources in a few hands, which in turn, has led to social
segregation into rich and poor. The society is divided into two segments, i.e.
the haves and the have-nots.
(c) Indiscriminate and uncontrolled exploitation of resources without
consideration for the future has led to grave ecological problems like global
warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land
degradation.

Q2. Illuminate the phrase “Sustainable Economic Development”.

A2. Sustainable Economic Development means development should take place
without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not
compromise with the needs of the future generations.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

Q3. Expound ‘Resource Planning’.

A3. Resource Planning is a technique or skill of proper utilization of resources.
It is a widely accepted strategy for judicious us of resources.

Q4. Demarcate the three phases of Resource Planning.

A4. The three stages of Resource Planning are:
(a) Surveying, mapping and measurement of characteristics and properties
of resources.
(b) Examining resources with respect to technology, economy and need.
(c) Matching the resource development plans with overall national
development plans.

Q5. Defend the need of resource planning establishing three valid arguments.
A5. Following are the reason that makes it essential to have resource planning:
• Some of the resources like coal, petroleum etc are available in limited
quantity. These resources are depleting at a faster rate. So, it needs a
resource planning for their sustained and judicious use.
• Some of the resources have been gathered by a handful of people. This
restricts equitable access to the resources.
• Indiscriminate exploitation of resources is another factor that
necessitates resource planning.
• Resources are the gifts of the nature. These should be used judiciously
and in a way that the coming generations do not get deprived of these
resources.

Q6. When and where was the first International Earth Summit held?
A6. The first International Earth Summit was held in 1992
at Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.

Q7. Elucidate Agenda 21.

A7. Agenda 21 is the declaration signed by World leaders in 1992 at
the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development(UNCED), which was held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It aims at achieving global sustainable development to combat

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Class X Social Science Answer key

environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation

on common interest.
Its major objective is that every local government should draw its own local
Agenda 21.

Q8. Describe Conservation of Resources.

A8. Wise use of resources, without disturbing the environment, is known
as resource conservation. It is essential to conserve resources because of
the following reasons:
• The resources are limited on the earth’s surface. But the demand
for resources is continuously increasing due to rapid growth of
population, industrialisation and technological development.
• Development in present should not compromise with the needs
of the future generations.
• Irrational consumption and over- utilisation of resources may
lead to socio-economic and environmental problems. To
overcome these problems, resource conservation at various levels
is important.

Q9. Explain the importance of conservation of resources.

A9. Conservation of resources is necessary because of
the following reasons:
a. Resources are vital for any developmental activity but irrational
consumption and overutilization of resources may lead to socio-
economic and environmental problems. To overcome these problems,
resource conservation at various levels is important.
b. If resources are not conserved at this point of time, then our future
generations will be left with no resources at all. So it is very important
to conserve the resources.

Q10. Express the need for conservation of resources? Elucidate in the light
of Gandhi’s view.
A10. The conservation of resources is very important because:

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Class X Social Science Answer key

a. Irrational consumption and over- utilisation of resources may lead to

socio-economic and environmental problems. To overcome these
problems, resource conservation at various levels is important.
Environmental pollution and land degradation are all consequences of
uncontrolled exploitation of resources.
b. To overcome these problems and to preserve resources for our future
generations as well, conservation of resources is essential.
Gandhiji expressed his concern about resource conservation through these
words, ’’There is enough for everybody’s need but not for anybody’s greed”.
According to Gandhiji, greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature
of modern technology are the root cause for resource depletion at global level.
He advocated production by the masses and was against mass production that
leads to uncontrolled exploitation of resources.

TOPIC: LAND RESOURCES

Q1. Mention three physical factors as well as three human factors that
determine the use of land.
A1. Utilization of land for various purposes, such as cultivation, grazing of
animals, mining and construction of roads is called land use pattern.
Factors that determine the use of land are
(a) Physical factors : topography, climate and soil type
(b) Human factors: population density, technological capability, culture and
tradition.

Q2. Classify the total land area of India on the basis of relief features.
Mention one significance of each.
A2. The total land area of India is classified on the basis of variety of relief
features namely, mountains, plateaus, plains and islands.
(a) Mountains: Mountains ensures perennial flow of some rivers.
(b) Plateaus : Plateaus possesses rich reserves of minerals
(c) Plains : Plains provides facilities for agriculture
(d)Islands : Islands provides facilities for tourism and ecological aspects.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

Q3. “India’s vast and diverse size is the most important resource”. Support the
statement with suitable argument.
A3. India has land under a variety of relief features such as plains, plateaus,
mountains and islands. About 43 per cent of land areas is plain, which
provides facilities for agriculture and industry. Mountains account for 30
percent of the total surface area of the country and ensure perennial flow of
some rivers, provides facilities for tourism and ecological aspects. About 27
per cent of the area is the plateau regions. It possesses rich reserves of
minerals, fossil fuels and forests.

Q4. “The pattern of Net Sown Area varies from one state to another”. Justify
the statement giving reason.
A4. The pattern of net sown area varies greatly from one state to another. It is
over 80 per cent of the total area in Punjab and Haryana. Geographical
conditions like climate and soil here are favourable for cultivation.
Further, due to agricultural advancement through Green Revolution, more
areas have been brought under cultivation. On the other hand, less than 10 per
cent of the total area is net sown area in Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal
Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Topographical constraints, unfavourable climate and socio-economic reasons
account for the low proportion of net sown areas in these states. On account of
the vast expanse of India, its relief, climate, soil and socio-economic set up
vary from region to region accounting for the variation in the pattern of net
sown area one state to another.

Q5. Elucidate the land use pattern in India.

A5. Total geographical area of India is 3.28 million sq km. Land use data,
however, is available only for 93% of the total geographical area.
Land resource in India is primarily divided into:
(a) Agriculture land
(b) Forest Land : Area under trees grown naturally
(c) Pastures and Grazing grounds
(d) Waste land: rocky, arid and desert areas, and other non-agricultural
use like housing, roads and industry.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

According to the recent data, 54% of the total land area is cultivable, 22.5%of
area is covered by forests which is lower than the desired 33%and 3.45%is
used for grazing which shows that land under permanent pastures has also
decreased. The rest is wasteland with traces of miscellaneous cultivation.

Q6. “33 percent of the total land area of a country should be under forests’’.
Justify the statement highlighting the environmental values of forests.
A6. The National Forest Policy (1952) outlines that forest area of a country
should be 33 per cent of the geographical area. In India, it is about 21.67 per
cent according to the report prepared in 2019.
(a) Forests are essential for maintaining the ecological balance. Plants, animals
and micro-organism recreate the quality of air, that we breathe and the soil
that produces our food, without which we cannot survive.
(b) Forests protect the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of
species and breeding
(c) Forests are the primary producers on which all other living organisms survive.

Q7. Define the term Land degradation.

A7. Land degradation refers to the decline in productivity of cultivated land or
forest land. Land degradation results from unsuitable and unscientific land
use.

Q8.Examine three factors that cause land degradation.

a. Deforestation leaves the land bare. Various natural forces act upon it. Thus the
quality of land diminishes.
b. Mines are abandoned after the excavation or extraction work is over. The
land in the mining areas is highly degraded. It is full of heaps and pits and
thus becomes unfit for agriculture and other economic activities.
c. Grinding of limestone for cement industry and calcite and soapstone for
ceramic industry produces heavy amount of dust in the atmosphere. It later
falls down in the surrounding areas, which spoils the land and badly affects
crop cultivation.
d. Over irrigation is also responsible for land degradation due to water logging,
leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in the soil.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

e. Overgrazing by animals also contributes significantly in land degradation.

Q9. Suggest any 5 measures to solve the problem of land degradation

in India.
A9. The following steps can be taken to solve the problem of land
degradation:
(a) Contour ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines can slow down
the flow of water down the slopes.
(b) Terrace farming: Steps can be cut out on the slopes, making terraces. Terrace
cultivation restricts erosion.
(c) Strip cropping: Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left
to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind reducing its
effect.
(d) Proper discharge and disposal of industrial effluents and wastes after
treatment.
(e) Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.
(f) Afforestation, Control on grazing by animals also helps to solve the problem
of land degradation.

Q10. “Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or

state boundaries”. Justify the statement giving reason.
A10. As environment belongs to the earth its impact is felt by the whole
planet.
(a) For example, if carbon dioxide is being released by some rich countries
global warming is affecting the lives of all the people on the planet.
(b) Air pollution moves along with air and cannot be restricted to any place or
country.
(c) Ozone layer depletion has serious consequences for people all over the world.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

TOPIC: SOIL AS A RESOURCE

Q1. Explain any 3 factors responsible for the formation of soil.

A1. Soil is the most important natural resource. It supports many kind of
living organism and it is a medium of plant growth. It takes millions of
years to form soil. It is formed through various factors like:
(a) Relief, bed rock, climate, vegetation, and many forms of life and time are
important factors in the soil formation.
(b) Various forces of nature e.g. change in temperature, action of running
water, glaciers, wind and the activity of decomposers help in the formation
of soil.
(c) Chemical and organic changes taking place in soil are equally important.

Q2. What type of soil is found in river deltas of the Eastern coast? Give two
main features of this type of soil.
A2. Alluvial soil is found in river deltas of the Eastern coast. Its main
features are:
(a) Mostly these soils contain adequate proportion of potash and lime which
are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat etc.
(b) Such a soil is the result of deposits of river.
(c) It is very fertile soil.

Q3. “Soil is the most important renewable natural resource” Explain the
statement.
A3. Soil is the most important renewable natural resource. It is the medium
of plant growth and supports different types of living organisms on the
earth. The soil is a living system.

Q4. Distinguish between Khadar soil and Bangar soil.

A4. Khadar soil Bangar soil

(a) On the basis of age On the basis of age these
these are new alluvial are old alluvial soil.
soil.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

(b) These soils are fine These soils are coarse and
and fertile. less fertile than Khadar
soils.

(c) They are found in the They are found in the

lower reaches of river upper reaches of river
valleys. valleys.

Q5. Name three states having Black soil and the crop
which are mainly grown in it.
A5.The Black soil, also called regur soil, is found in the plateaus of
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It is the best soil for
growing cotton, groundnut, and sugarcane.

Q6. Where is the forest soil found? How does its texture vary according to
the environment?
A6. Forest soils are found in hilly and mountainous areas where
rainforests are available. The soil texture is different depending on the
mountain environment where they are found.
(a) In the valley sides the soil is loamy and silty.
(b) It is coarse in the upper slopes.
(c) In the snow covered areas of Himalayas, where there is very little
vegetation the soil is acidic with low humus content.
(d)The soil found in the lower parts of the valley is fertile.

Q7. Mention any 3 features of Arid soil.

A7. The following are the features of arid soil:
(a) Arid soil has colour ranging from red to brown. They are generally sandy
in texture and saline in nature.
(b) In some areas salt content is very high and common salt can be obtained
by evaporating the water.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

(c) Due to dry climate and high temperature, evaporation is faster and soils
lack humus and moisture.
(d)The lower part of the soil is occupied by kankar because of calcium
content.

Q8. Differentiate between Red soil and Laterite soil.

A8. Red Soil Laterite Soil

It is formed due to It is formed by the leaching
(a) weathering of igneous process in the tropical areas
and metamorphic rocks of heavy rainfall.
It is highly porous and
It is less fertile, only grass
(b) less fertile but where it is
grows on it in abundance.
deep, it is fertile
(c) It is less crystalline It is Crystalline.
It is red in colour due to It is red in colour due to little
(d) the presence of iron in it. clay and much gravel of red
sandstones.
It is found in parts of It is found in hills of the
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Deccan, Karnataka, Kerala,
(e)
Andhra Pradesh, Orissa Orissa, Assam and
and Jharkhand. Meghalaya

Q9. What is Soil Erosion? How do human activities

and natural forces cause soil erosion?
A9. The denudation or destruction of the soil cover and
their subsequent natural removal is termed as
soil erosion.
• Human activities as well as natural forces cause
denudation of the top soil.
• The soil are subsequently washed away by running
water or blown away by wind.
• Human activities like deforestation, overgrazing,

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Class X Social Science Answer key

construction and mining as well as faulty methods of

farming lead to soil erosion.
• Natural forces like wind, water and glacier can cause soil erosion.
Surface runoff leads to formation of gullies, badlands and ravines by
cutting out channels in the soil. Loose soil may be blown away by
wind easily.

Q10. Suggest measures of Soil Conservation in hilly areas and in desert

areas.
A10. To control soil erosion in the hilly areas and desert areas, the
following steps can be taken:
• Contour ploughing to reduce the flow of the water down the
slopes and checks sheet erosion.
• Steps can be cut on the slopes, making terraces. Terraces can
restrict soil erosion.
• Planting trees in a row, called shelter belts, also reduces the force
of the wind.
• Stabilisation of sand dunes by growing thorny bushes.
• Strips of crops are left to grow between the crops. It breaks up the
force of the wind.

Q11. How have technical and economic development led to more

consumption of resources?
A11. Technical and economic development has led to more consumption
of resources in the following ways:
(a) Technological development and industrialisation need more resources for
goods to be produced quickly and easily.
(b) With the development of technology, goods become obsolete very fast.
Latest goods need more resources.
(c) Economic development has led to urbanisation and industrialisation, which
need more resources.
(d)Green Revolution was possible with the development of technology.

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Class X Social Science Answer key

Q12. What is sheet erosion?

A12. Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large area down the slope. In
such cases the top soil washes away. It is called sheet erosion.
Q13. What are badland?
A13. Due to formation of Gullies, the land becomes unfit for cultivation and
is known as badland.

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