Class 10 Social Science Chapter 6 Resources and Development (Geography) PYQ

Class: X Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Book: Geography Type: PYQ (Board Exam) Board: CBSE Chapter 1 : Resources and Development

SECTION A : Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

Q1. Which type of soil is ideal for growing cotton? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Alluvial soil
(b) Black soil
(c) Laterite soil
(d) Red soil Ans:
(b) Black soil (Regur soil). It is formed from lava rocks, is moisture-retentive, and rich in calcium carbonate, magnesium, potash and lime - ideal for cotton. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. Resource planning is essential because: [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Resources are unlimited
(b) Resources are unevenly distributed and limited
(c) Only rich countries need it
(d) It increases pollution Ans:
(b) Resources are unevenly distributed and limited. India has diverse resources but their distribution is uneven - Jharkhand has minerals but lacks infrastructure. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource? [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Solar energy
(b) Wind energy
(c) Fossil fuel
(d) Tidal energy Ans:
(c) Fossil fuel. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas take millions of years to form and are being consumed much faster than they can be replenished. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. Alluvial soil is found mainly in: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) Deccan Plateau
(b) Northern Plains and river deltas
(c) Western Ghats
(d) Thar Desert Ans:
(b) Northern Plains and river deltas. Alluvial soils are deposited by rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, and are the most fertile soils in India. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q5. What is the percentage of plain land in India? [CBSE 2020] [1]
(a) 27%
(b) 43%
(c) 30%
(d) 10% Ans:
(b) 43%. Plains occupy about 43% of India's total area and are the most densely populated and agriculturally productive regions. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q6. Terrace farming is practised in which region? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Plains
(b) Hilly areas
(c) Deserts
(d) Coastal areas Ans:
(b) Hilly areas. Steps are cut on hill slopes to create flat surfaces for farming, which also helps prevent soil erosion caused by running water. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q7. Which of the following is an example of community-owned resources? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Private farmland
(b) Village grazing grounds and burial grounds
(c) Government buildings
(d) Mineral deposits Ans:
(b) Village grazing grounds (charans) and burial grounds. These are accessible to all members of the community and are not privately owned. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q8. Land degradation is caused by: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Afforestation
(b) Overgrazing, deforestation, and mining
(c) Terrace farming
(d) Contour ploughing Ans:
(b) Overgrazing, deforestation, and mining. These activities remove vegetation cover, expose soil to erosion, and degrade land quality. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q9. The first International Earth Summit was held in: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) Kyoto, 1997
(b) Rio de Janeiro, 1992
(c) Paris, 2015
(d) Stockholm, 1972 Ans:
(b) Rio de Janeiro, 1992. The Earth Summit adopted Agenda 21, which aimed at achieving sustainable development in the 21st century. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q10. Assertion
(a) : Resources should be used judiciously. Reason (R): Indiscriminate use of resources leads to ecological crisis. [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a)
(b) Both true but (R) does not explain
(a)
(c)
(a) is true but (R) is false
(d)
(a) is false Ans:
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a) . Overuse of resources has led to global warming, ozone depletion, pollution and land degradation. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION B : Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Q11. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of origin. [CBSE 2023] [3] • Biotic Resources: Obtained from the biosphere and have life. E.g., forests, animals, fish, crops, livestock, human beings. • Abiotic Resources: Composed of non-living things. E.g., rocks, metals, minerals, water, wind, solar energy. • Significance: Both types are essential for human survival. Biotic resources provide food and raw materials; abiotic provide energy and building materials. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q12. What is resource planning? Describe the steps involved. [CBSE 2024] [3] • Meaning: Resource planning is a technique or skill for proper utilisation of resources. It is essential in a country like India with uneven resource distribution. • Step 1 - Identification: Identification and inventory of resources across regions through surveying, mapping, and assessment of quality and quantity. • Step 2 - Planning: Evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skills, and institutional setup. Step 3 - Matching resources with national development plans.

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Q13. Explain the problem of soil erosion and mention measures to conserve soil. [CBSE 2022] [3] • Causes: Deforestation, overgrazing, mining, construction, and water flow denude soil cover. Wind and running water carry away topsoil. • Conservation: Contour ploughing (ploughing along contour lines), terrace farming (cutting steps on slopes), and strip cropping (alternating strips of grass and crops). • Other Measures: Shelter belts (rows of trees to break wind force), afforestation, ban on overgrazing, and construction of check dams to control water flow.

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Q14. Distinguish between Khadar and Bangar soils. [CBSE 2021] [3] • Khadar (New Alluvial): Deposited by floods every year in floodplains. Very fertile, fine-grained, rich in nutrients. Found near river banks. Ideal for intensive farming. • Bangar (Old Alluvial): Deposited away from floodplains, on terraces. Less fertile than Khadar, contains kankar (calcareous deposits). Found above flood level. • Location: Both found in northern plains. Khadar is renewed annually by floods; Bangar is older and has lost some nutrients over time.

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Q15. What is Agenda 21? Why was it adopted? [CBSE 2020] [3] • What: Agenda 21 is a declaration signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. • Aim: It aims to achieve sustainable development globally in the 21st century. It stresses that development should not damage the environment. • Key Principles: Every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21. It combats poverty, promotes equity, and ensures environmental protection alongside development.

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SECTION C : Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Q16. "Indiscriminate use of resources has led to numerous problems." Justify and suggest measures. [CBSE 2024] [5] Ans: Resource misuse has created serious problems: • Depletion: Fossil fuels, minerals, and groundwater are being exhausted at alarming rates. At current rates, many resources will run out within decades. • Environmental Damage: Deforestation causes floods, soil erosion. Mining pollutes water and air. Burning fossil fuels causes global warming and climate change. • Social Inequality: Rich nations and individuals consume more resources, leaving less for the poor. Resource-rich regions may remain underdeveloped due to exploitation.

• Conservation Measures: Use renewable energy (solar, wind), practice sustainable agriculture, enforce pollution controls, and promote recycling and reuse. • Planning: Resource planning at national and local levels, matching resource use with development goals, and following Agenda 21 principles for sustainability. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q17. Describe the different types of soils found in India and their characteristics. [CBSE 2023] [5] Ans: India has diverse soil types due to varied relief, climate, and geology: • Alluvial Soil: Most widespread and fertile. Found in northern plains and river deltas. Rich in potash, phosphoric acid, and lime. Ideal for rice, wheat, sugarcane. • Black Soil (Regur): Formed from lava rocks in Deccan Plateau. Moisture-retentive, rich in calcium, magnesium. Ideal for cotton. Found in Maharashtra, Gujarat, MP.

• Red and Yellow Soil: Found in areas of low rainfall on crystalline rocks. Red due to iron content. Found in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, southern Deccan Plateau. • Laterite Soil: Formed in high temperature and heavy rainfall areas. Rich in iron oxide, poor in nitrogen. Found in Kerala, Karnataka, hills of NE India. Good for tea, coffee. • Arid/Desert Soil: Sandy, saline, lacks humus and moisture. Found in western Rajasthan. After irrigation (Indira Gandhi Canal), becomes cultivable for wheat and other crops.

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Q18. What is land degradation? Explain its causes and suggest remedial measures. [CBSE 2022] [5] Ans: Land degradation is a serious environmental concern: • Mining Areas: In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, MP, and Odisha, mining has left deep scars on land, made it unfit for cultivation, and polluted water sources. • Overgrazing: In Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, and Maharashtra, overgrazing has destroyed vegetation, leading to soil erosion and conversion of fertile land into desert. • Industrial Waste: Industrial effluents and urban waste have degraded land in and around cities. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides degrade soil quality over time.

• Deforestation: Cutting forests for agriculture and urban expansion exposes soil to erosion by wind and water, destroying the fertile topsoil layer. • Remedies: Afforestation, proper waste disposal, controlled grazing, mine rehabilitation, use of organic farming, and strict enforcement of environmental laws. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q19. Explain the importance of resource planning in India. Why is it necessary? [CBSE 2021] [5] Ans: Resource planning is critical for India: • Uneven Distribution: Resources are unevenly distributed. Jharkhand has abundant minerals but less arable land. Punjab has fertile soil but lacks minerals. • Overexploitation: Some regions overuse their resources while others remain undeveloped. Rajasthan has vast solar potential but lacks water resources. • Sustainable Use: Planning ensures resources are used wisely for present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• National Development: Balanced regional development requires directing resources from surplus to deficit areas through national planning frameworks. • Technology Role: Modern technology, institutional framework, and skilled human resources are needed to harness resources effectively through proper planning. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q20. Explain the concept of sustainable development. How can it be achieved? [CBSE 2020] [5] Ans: Sustainable development balances present needs with future security: • Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987). • Resource Conservation: Use renewable resources (solar, wind, biomass) instead of fossil fuels. Recycle and reuse materials to reduce resource extraction. • Environmental Protection: Control pollution, protect forests and biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and adopt clean technologies in industry and transport.

• Equitable Development: Ensure that benefits of development reach all sections of society, especially the poor. Reduce the gap between rich and poor nations. • Global Cooperation: International agreements like Agenda 21 and Paris Agreement require nations to cooperate for sustainable development and climate action. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ --- End of Chapter 1 PYQ ---