Class 10 Social Science Chapter 6 Resources & Development

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 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 1 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Geography Ch.1

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.

Q16. "Indiscriminate use of resources has led to numerous problems." Justify and suggest measures. [CBSE 2024]

Ans: Resource misuse has created serious problems: UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 2 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Geography Ch.1 • 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]

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.

Q18. What is land degradation? Explain its causes and suggest remedial measures. [CBSE 2022]

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]

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]

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. UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 3 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Geography Ch.1 • Global Cooperation: International agreements like Agenda 21 and Paris Agreement require nations to cooperate for sustainable development and climate action.