CBSE Class 10 Geography • Chapter 1
Resources and Development Class 10 Important Questions with Answers
High-priority exam practice for Resources and Development, organised by marks, case-based application and answer-writing approach.
Resources and Development Important Questions
Q1. Define a resource.
Answer: A resource is anything available in the environment that can satisfy human needs, provided it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable.
Q2. What is a biotic resource?
Answer: Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere and have life or are associated with living organisms, such as plants, animals and humans.
Q3. What is an abiotic resource?
Answer: Abiotic resources are non-living components of the environment, such as rocks, metals, air and water.
Q4. What is a renewable resource?
Answer: Renewable resources can be replenished or renewed under suitable conditions, such as solar energy, wind energy and water.
Q5. What is a non-renewable resource?
Answer: Non-renewable resources are finite and take very long geological periods to form, such as coal and petroleum.
Q6. What is a potential resource?
Answer: Potential resources are resources found in a region that have not yet been fully developed or utilised. Their use may depend on technology or economic conditions.
Q7. What is stock?
Answer: Stock refers to materials that have the potential to satisfy human needs but cannot currently be used because the required technology is unavailable.
Q8. What are reserves?
Answer: Reserves are a part of stock that can be used with existing technology but are conserved for meeting future requirements.
Q9. Name the four categories of resources on the basis of ownership.
Answer: Individual resources, community-owned resources, national resources and international resources.
Q10. What is land degradation?
Answer: Land degradation is the decline in the quality and productive capacity of land due to processes such as deforestation, overgrazing, mining, over-irrigation and inappropriate waste disposal.
Q11. Distinguish between Khadar and Bangar.
Answer: Khadar is newer alluvium deposited in floodplains and is generally more fertile. Bangar is older alluvium found above newer floodplain deposits and commonly contains kankar nodules.
Q12. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.
Answer: Renewable resources can be replenished or renewed, for example solar and wind energy. Non-renewable resources are finite and take very long periods to form, for example coal and petroleum.
Q13. Mention any two factors that determine land use.
Answer: Topography and climate are important physical factors. Population density, technology and accessibility are important human factors.
Q14. State any two causes of land degradation.
Answer: Deforestation and overgrazing are major causes. Mining, over-irrigation and industrial effluents can also cause degradation.
Q15. What is soil erosion? Name two agents responsible for it.
Answer: Soil erosion is the removal of the fertile top layer of soil. Running water and wind are two major agents of erosion.
Q16. Why is black soil suitable for cotton cultivation?
Answer: Black soil has a high moisture-retaining capacity and is well suited to cotton. Its clayey nature and fertility support cotton growth.
Q17. What is sustainable development?
Answer: Sustainable development means meeting present needs while conserving resources and environmental conditions so that future generations can also meet their needs.
Q18. State two methods of conserving soil in hilly areas.
Answer: Contour ploughing and terrace farming slow runoff and reduce soil loss on slopes. Afforestation is another important measure.
Q19. What are shelter belts?
Answer: Shelter belts are rows of trees planted to reduce wind speed and protect soil, especially in dry and semi-arid areas.
Q20. Why is resource planning necessary in India?
Answer: Resources are unevenly distributed and limited. Resource planning promotes judicious use, reduces regional imbalance and helps conserve resources for the future.
Q21. Explain the four bases on which resources are classified.
Answer: Resources are classified by origin as biotic and abiotic; by exhaustibility as renewable and non-renewable; by ownership as individual, community, national and international; and by status of development as potential, developed, stock and reserves.
Q22. Explain three reasons why resource planning is necessary in India.
Answer: First, resources are unevenly distributed across regions. Second, many resources are limited and need careful use. Third, planning supports balanced development and conservation for future generations.
Q23. Explain three major causes of land degradation in India.
Answer: Deforestation removes protective vegetation cover. Overgrazing reduces vegetation and exposes soil. Mining damages land and leaves scars and waste. Over-irrigation and industrial effluents are additional causes in particular areas.
Q24. Describe three methods of controlling soil erosion in hilly areas.
Answer: Contour ploughing slows water flow along slopes. Terrace farming creates steps that reduce runoff. Afforestation increases vegetation cover and helps bind soil.
Q25. Explain three characteristics of alluvial soil.
Answer: Alluvial soil is formed from river deposits. It is widespread in the northern plains and river valleys and also occurs in coastal deltas. It is generally fertile and supports crops such as rice, wheat and sugarcane.
Q26. Explain three characteristics of black soil.
Answer: Black soil is clayey and has high moisture-retaining capacity. It develops deep cracks during dry periods, which helps aeration. It is particularly suitable for cotton cultivation.
Q27. Distinguish between Khadar and Bangar on three points.
Answer: Khadar is newer alluvium and is renewed more frequently by floods. Bangar is older alluvium and lies above newer floodplain deposits. Khadar is generally more fertile and Bangar commonly contains kankar nodules.
Q28. Explain three methods of soil conservation used in different regions.
Answer: Contour ploughing and terrace farming reduce runoff on slopes. Strip cropping reduces the force of wind and water in agricultural areas. Shelter belts reduce wind speed in dry regions.
Q29. Why is conservation of resources necessary? Give three reasons.
Answer: Resources are limited, unevenly distributed and vulnerable to degradation. Conservation reduces wastage and environmental damage and keeps resources available for future generations.
Q30. Explain the role of technology in making a substance a resource.
Answer: A material becomes a usable resource when suitable technology makes it accessible and economically feasible. For example, improved technology can make previously inaccessible energy or mineral resources usable.
Q31. Classify resources on the basis of ownership and explain each category with an example.
Answer: Individual resources are privately owned, such as a farmer’s land. Community resources are accessible to community members, such as village ponds or grazing grounds. National resources belong to the nation, such as roads, forests and minerals within national boundaries. International resources lie beyond national jurisdiction and are regulated by international institutions.
Q32. Explain resource planning in India and describe its major stages.
Answer: Resource planning involves identifying and inventorying resources, surveying and mapping their distribution, assessing their quantity and quality, and matching resource development with appropriate technology, skills and institutional arrangements. The objective is judicious and balanced utilisation.
Q33. Explain the causes of land degradation in different parts of India and suggest measures to control it.
Answer: Deforestation and mining cause degradation in mineral-rich regions. Overgrazing affects parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Over-irrigation can cause waterlogging and salinity in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Industrial wastes also pollute land. Measures include afforestation, controlled grazing, scientific mining, proper irrigation and treatment of industrial effluents.
Q34. Describe the major soil types of India and mention important characteristics or areas of occurrence.
Answer: Major soils include alluvial, black, red and yellow, laterite, arid and forest/mountain soils. Alluvial soils dominate the northern plains and deltas. Black soils occur widely in the Deccan Trap region and suit cotton. Red and yellow soils occur in parts of eastern and southern India. Laterite soils form under heavy rainfall and leaching. Arid soils occur in dry regions, while forest soils occur in hilly and mountainous areas.
Q35. Explain the causes and different types of soil erosion in India.
Answer: Deforestation, overgrazing and unsuitable farming can expose soil to erosion. Gully erosion occurs when running water cuts deep channels. Sheet erosion occurs when a thin layer of topsoil is washed away over a broad area. Wind erosion occurs when loose dry soil is carried away by wind.
Q36. Explain different methods of soil conservation with suitable regional examples.
Answer: Contour ploughing slows runoff on slopes. Terrace farming creates steps on hilly land. Strip cropping reduces wind and water erosion in agricultural areas. Shelter belts reduce wind speed in dry regions. Afforestation and controlled grazing also protect soil.
Q37. Explain why sustainable development and resource conservation are essential for India.
Answer: India has a large population, uneven resource distribution and increasing demands. Unsustainable extraction can cause depletion, pollution and land degradation. Conservation supports present development while keeping resources and ecological systems available for future generations.
Q38. Explain the classification of resources on the basis of status of development with examples.
Answer: Potential resources exist in a region but are not fully utilised. Developed resources have been surveyed and are currently used. Stock consists of materials with potential use for which suitable technology is unavailable. Reserves are part of stock that can be used with existing technology but are conserved for future use.
Q39. Explain how uneven distribution of resources makes planning necessary in India.
Answer: Different regions possess different types and quantities of resources. One region may be rich in minerals while another may have water, solar or wind potential. Planning helps connect regional needs and resource availability, reduces imbalance and promotes judicious use.
Q40. Explain the importance of land resources and discuss the factors affecting land use.
Answer: Land supports agriculture, forests, settlements, transport, industries and other activities. Land use is influenced by physical factors such as topography, climate and soil, and human factors such as population, technology, culture, infrastructure and accessibility.
Q41. A region has fertile land but suffers from waterlogging and rising salinity because irrigation is excessive. Identify the problem and suggest suitable measures.
Answer: The problem is land degradation caused by over-irrigation. Measures include improving irrigation efficiency, avoiding excessive watering, providing drainage and adopting water-management practices that prevent waterlogging and salinity.
Q42. A hilly farming region faces severe soil loss during heavy rainfall. Which conservation methods should farmers adopt and why?
Answer: Contour ploughing and terrace farming should be adopted because they slow the movement of water down slopes. Afforestation and maintaining vegetation cover also help bind soil and reduce runoff.
Q43. A dry region experiences strong winds that remove loose topsoil. Which conservation method is most suitable and how does it work?
Answer: Shelter belts are suitable. Rows of trees reduce wind velocity and protect the soil surface from being blown away.
Q44. A country has a mineral resource that cannot be extracted economically with present technology. Which resource category does this illustrate and why?
Answer: It illustrates stock because the material may satisfy human needs but cannot currently be used due to the absence of appropriate technology or economically feasible methods.
Q45. Two Indian regions have different resource endowments: one is rich in minerals while another has strong solar potential but limited water. Explain why planning is required.
Answer: Planning is required because resources are unevenly distributed. It helps assess regional strengths and shortages, guide appropriate development, reduce imbalance and ensure judicious use of available resources.
Q46. A village converts common grazing land into a protected green area and controls grazing. Explain how this can support land conservation.
Answer: Protecting vegetation and controlling grazing can reduce soil exposure and erosion, allow vegetation to regenerate and improve the productive condition of degraded land.
Q47. A farmer cultivates crops in strips separated by grass. Identify the method and explain its conservation benefit.
Answer: The method is strip cropping. Grass strips help break the force of wind and slow runoff, reducing soil erosion.
Q48. A government maps the quantity and quality of resources before planning their use. Which stage of resource planning does this represent?
Answer: It represents identification, inventory and assessment of resources. Mapping and surveying help determine their location, quantity and quality before appropriate planning decisions are made.
Q49. A new technology makes previously unusable material economically useful. Explain how technology can change resource availability.
Answer: Technology can make a material accessible and economically feasible. Once the required technology is available, a substance that was previously part of stock or otherwise unusable may become a usable resource.
Q50. A student says that conservation means stopping all development. Evaluate the statement and give the correct explanation.
Answer: The statement is incorrect. Conservation does not mean stopping development; it means using resources carefully, reducing waste and environmental damage, and ensuring that development remains sustainable for present and future generations.
Answer-Writing Checklist
- Use exact chapter terms.
- Write the number of points the question asks for.
- For distinctions, compare on the same basis.
- Use examples and locations only when accurate and relevant.
- For case-based questions, apply the concept instead of copying the passage.
Continue Your Revision
Use the Questions and Answers for concept revision and the MCQs for quick self-testing. The Class 10 Social Science Important Questions page provides broader subject-wise revision.