Class 10 Social Science Chapter 10 Minerals and Energy Resources (Geography) PYQ

Class: X Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Book: Geography Type: PYQ (Board Exam) Board: CBSE Chapter 5 : Mineral and Energy Resources

SECTION A : Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

Q1. Which of the following is a ferrous mineral? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Bauxite
(b) Copper
(c) Iron ore
(d) Gold Ans:
(c) Iron ore. Ferrous minerals contain iron - iron ore, manganese, chromite, nickel. India has large deposits of iron ore in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. Mica is mainly found in: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Punjab
(b) Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan
(c) Goa
(d) Gujarat Ans:
(b) Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan. India is a leading producer and exporter of mica, used in electrical and electronic industries. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. Which type of coal has the highest carbon content? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Peat
(b) Lignite
(c) Bituminous
(d) Anthracite Ans:
(d) Anthracite. It has the highest carbon content (over 80%), is the hardest coal, and produces the most heat. Found in small quantities in Jammu & Kashmir. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. The largest producer of bauxite in India is: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Odisha
(c) Gujarat
(d) Kerala Ans:
(b) Odisha. Bauxite (aluminium ore) is found in Odisha, Gujarat, Jharkhand, MP, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Used in making aluminium. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q5. Natural gas is found along with: [CBSE 2020] [1]
(a) Coal deposits
(b) Petroleum deposits
(c) Iron ore deposits
(d) Mica deposits Ans:
(b) Petroleum deposits. Natural gas is found in association with petroleum in oil fields. Major sources: Mumbai High, Krishna-Godavari basin, Gujarat, Assam. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q6. Which of the following is a non-conventional source of energy? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Coal
(b) Petroleum
(c) Solar energy
(d) Natural gas Ans:
(c) Solar energy. Non-conventional/renewable sources include solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, and biogas. They are cleaner and inexhaustible. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q7. India's largest solar power plant is in: [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Gujarat
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Madhya Pradesh Ans:
(a) Rajasthan. The Bhadla Solar Park in Jodhpur, Rajasthan is one of the world's largest solar power installations, with capacity exceeding 2,000 MW. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q8. NTPC stands for: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) National Thermal Power Corporation
(b) National Trade and Promotion Centre
(c) New Technology Power Commission
(d) Northern Thermal Plant Corporation Ans:
(a) National Thermal Power Corporation. NTPC is India's largest power generating company, operating thermal, hydro, solar, and wind power plants. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q9. The Koyna dam is an example of: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) Thermal power
(b) Hydroelectric power
(c) Nuclear power
(d) Wind power Ans:
(b) Hydroelectric power. Located on Koyna River in Maharashtra, it is one of India's largest hydroelectric power plants. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q10. Assertion
(a) : India needs to develop non-conventional energy sources. Reason (R): Fossil fuels are limited and cause pollution. [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) . Coal and petroleum will run out in decades and cause pollution. India must shift to solar, wind, and nuclear energy. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION B : Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Q11. Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals with examples. [CBSE 2023] [3] • Ferrous: Contain iron. Form the basis of metallurgical industries. E.g., iron ore, manganese, chromite, nickel, cobalt, tungsten. India is rich in iron ore. • Non-Ferrous: Do not contain iron. Include bauxite (aluminium), copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, tin. India has deposits of bauxite and copper. • Importance: Ferrous minerals account for about 75% of total mineral production by value. Both types are essential for industrial development.

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Q12. Why is energy conservation important? Suggest methods. [CBSE 2024] [3] • Limited Resources: Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) are non-renewable. At current consumption rates, they may be exhausted within decades. • Environmental Damage: Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution, acid rain, and global warming. India is one of the world's largest carbon emitters. • Methods: Use public transport, LED lights, energy-efficient appliances, solar heaters. Industries should adopt cleaner technologies. Switch to renewable energy sources.

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Q13. Describe the distribution of iron ore in India. [CBSE 2022] [3] • Odisha: Largest producer. Major deposits in Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, and Jhar districts. High-quality hematite and magnetite ores. • Jharkhand: Rich deposits in Singhbhum district. Known for high-grade hematite ore. Important for the Jamshedpur steel industry. • Other States: Chhattisgarh (Durg, Bastar), Karnataka (Bellary, Chitradurga), Goa, and Maharashtra. India is among the world's top iron ore producers. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q14. What are the advantages of non-conventional energy sources? [CBSE 2021] [3] • Renewable: Solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal energy are inexhaustible. Unlike fossil fuels, they will never run out if harnessed sustainably. • Clean Energy: They produce little or no pollution, greenhouse gases, or toxic waste. They help combat climate change and air pollution. • Rural Development: Solar and biogas energy can electrify remote villages, reduce dependence on firewood, improve health, and enable education and development.

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Q15. Explain why minerals need to be conserved. [CBSE 2020] [3] • Non-Renewable: Minerals take millions of years to form. Once exhausted, they cannot be replaced. Mining at current rates will deplete many within decades. • Essential for Industry: Iron, copper, bauxite, and other minerals are the backbone of modern industry. Without them, manufacturing and construction would stop. • Conservation Methods: Use minerals efficiently, recycle metals, develop substitutes, reduce waste in mining and processing, and explore new deposits through advanced technology.

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SECTION C : Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Q16. "India is richly endowed with minerals yet we need to conserve them." Justify with reasons and methods. [CBSE 2024] [5] Ans: Despite mineral wealth, conservation is essential: • Formation Time: Minerals take millions of years to form through geological processes. They are non-renewable in human timescale. Current extraction is unsustainable. • Rising Demand: Industrialisation and urbanisation are increasing mineral consumption rapidly. India's steel, cement, and manufacturing sectors need enormous quantities.

• Uneven Distribution: Mineral deposits are concentrated in a few states (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh). Other regions depend on imports and inter-state trade. • Environmental Cost: Mining causes deforestation, water pollution, land degradation, and displacement of communities. Environmental restoration is slow and expensive. • Conservation Methods: Reduce wastage in mining, recycle metals extensively, develop alternatives (aluminium for copper), use technology for efficient extraction, and plan mineral use.

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Q17. Describe the conventional and non-conventional sources of energy in India. [CBSE 2023] [5] Ans: India uses both conventional and non-conventional energy: • Coal: India's primary energy source (~55% of power). Found in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, WB. Cheap but polluting and non-renewable. • Petroleum: Used mainly for transport and as industrial raw material. Found in Mumbai High, Assam, Gujarat, Krishna-Godavari basin. India imports over 80% of its oil. • Hydroelectricity: Clean and renewable. Major dams: Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud, Tehri. Contributes about 10% of total power generation.

• Solar Energy: India receives abundant sunshine. National Solar Mission aims for 500 GW renewable energy by 2030. Rajasthan, Gujarat lead in solar installations. • Wind Energy: India is among top 5 wind energy producers globally. Major wind farms in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q18. Explain the distribution of coal in India and its importance. [CBSE 2022] [5] Ans: Coal is India's most important fossil fuel: • Gondwana Coal: About 98% of India's coal reserves. Found in river valleys of Damodar (Jharkhand-WB), Mahanadi (Chhattisgarh-Odisha), Godavari, and Son valleys. • Tertiary Coal: Found in NE states (Meghalaya, Assam) and Jammu & Kashmir. Lower quality (lignite). Neyveli in Tamil Nadu has major lignite deposits. • Leading States: Jharkhand (Jharia, Bokaro, Dhanbad), Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal (Raniganj), Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.

• Importance: Coal provides over 55% of India's electricity. It fuels thermal power plants, steel industry, cement, and other heavy industries. • Challenge: Coal is a major source of air pollution and carbon emissions. India is gradually shifting towards cleaner energy while still depending heavily on coal. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q19. Why is solar energy gaining importance in India? Explain its potential. [CBSE 2021] [5] Ans: India has enormous solar energy potential: • Abundant Sunshine: India receives about 300 sunny days per year in most parts. The Thar Desert alone can generate enough solar power for the entire country. • Government Push: National Solar Mission and International Solar Alliance (founded by India) aim to make solar energy mainstream. Target: 500 GW renewable by 2030. • Cost Reduction: Solar panel costs have fallen by over 80% in the last decade, making solar power cheaper than coal in many parts of India.

• Rural Electrification: Solar energy can electrify remote villages without expensive grid extension. Solar lights, pumps, and heaters improve rural quality of life. • Climate Benefits: Solar is zero-emission energy. Shifting to solar will help India meet its Paris Agreement commitments and reduce dependence on imported oil. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q20. Explain the importance of petroleum and natural gas as energy resources. [CBSE 2020] [5] Ans: Petroleum and natural gas are vital energy resources: • Transport Fuel: Petroleum provides petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel. India's entire transport sector depends on it. Also used for plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals. • Industrial Use: Natural gas is used for power generation, fertilizer production, and as a clean fuel for industries and households (CNG/PNG). • Distribution: Major oilfields: Mumbai High (offshore), Gujarat (Ankleshwar), Assam (Digboi), and Krishna-Godavari basin. Pipelines transport oil and gas across India.

• Import Dependence: India imports over 80% of its petroleum, making the economy vulnerable to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions. • Conservation: Use public transport, CNG vehicles, improve fuel efficiency, develop electric vehicles, and expand domestic exploration to reduce oil dependence. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ --- End of Chapter 5 PYQ ---