CBSE Class 10 Geography • Chapter 1
Resources and Development Class 10 Questions and Answers
Exam-focused questions and clear answers covering resource classification, planning, land resources, soils, erosion, conservation and sustainable development.
Resources and Development Questions with Answers
Q1. What is a resource?
Answer: A resource is something available in the environment that can satisfy human needs when it is technologically accessible, economically feasible and culturally acceptable.
Q2. What are biotic resources?
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 are abiotic resources?
Answer: Abiotic resources are non-living components of the environment, such as rocks, metals, air and water.
Q4. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.
Answer: Renewable resources can be replenished or renewed in a relatively short period under suitable conditions, such as solar and wind energy. Non-renewable resources are finite and take very long geological periods to form, such as coal and petroleum.
Q5. What are potential resources?
Answer: Potential resources are resources found in a region that have not yet been fully developed or utilised. Their use may depend on technology, economic conditions or other factors.
Q6. What are developed resources?
Answer: Developed resources are those whose quantity and quality have been assessed and which are currently being used with available technology.
Q7. What is meant by stock?
Answer: Stock refers to materials in the environment that have the potential to satisfy human needs but cannot currently be used because the required technology is not available.
Q8. What are reserves?
Answer: Reserves are a part of stock that can be used with existing technology but are being conserved or kept 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 resource planning?
Answer: Resource planning is the process of identifying, evaluating, planning and using resources carefully so that they are utilised judiciously and efficiently.
Q11. Why is resource planning necessary in India?
Answer: India has enormous diversity in the availability of resources. Some regions are rich in certain resources while others face shortages. Planning helps ensure balanced, judicious and sustainable utilisation.
Q12. What is land-use pattern?
Answer: Land-use pattern refers to the way land is used for different purposes such as cultivation, forests, grazing, mining, settlements, roads and other activities.
Q13. Name factors that determine land use.
Answer: Physical factors include topography, climate and soil. Human factors include population density, technology, culture, infrastructure and accessibility.
Q14. 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.
Q15. Mention three causes of land degradation in India.
Answer: Deforestation, overgrazing and mining are major causes. Over-irrigation and industrial effluents also contribute in particular regions.
Q16. How does over-irrigation cause land degradation?
Answer: Excessive irrigation can cause waterlogging and increase salinity or alkalinity in the soil, reducing its productivity.
Q17. Name the major soil types of India.
Answer: Alluvial soil, black soil, red and yellow soil, laterite soil, arid soil and forest/mountain soil.
Q18. What is alluvial soil?
Answer: Alluvial soil is formed by deposits brought by rivers. It is widespread in the northern plains and also occurs in river valleys and coastal deltas. It is generally fertile and supports many crops.
Q19. Differentiate between Khadar and Bangar.
Answer: Khadar is newer alluvium deposited in floodplains and is generally more fertile. Bangar is older alluvium found above the newer floodplain deposits and commonly contains kankar nodules.
Q20. Why is black soil suitable for cotton?
Answer: Black soil has a high moisture-retaining capacity and is particularly suitable for cotton cultivation. It is also rich in certain minerals and develops deep cracks during dry periods.
Q21. Why are red and yellow soils red?
Answer: Their red colour is associated mainly with iron compounds in the soil. In hydrated conditions, the colour may appear yellow.
Q22. What are laterite soils?
Answer: Laterite soils develop under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with intense leaching. They can support cultivation when properly managed with suitable manure and fertilisers.
Q23. What is soil erosion?
Answer: Soil erosion is the removal of the top fertile layer of soil by agents such as running water and wind.
Q24. What is gully erosion?
Answer: Gully erosion occurs when running water cuts deep channels or gullies into the soil. Extensive gully formation can create badland or ravine landscapes.
Q25. What is sheet erosion?
Answer: Sheet erosion occurs when a thin layer of topsoil is washed away over a broad area by flowing water.
Q26. How can soil erosion be controlled in hilly areas?
Answer: Contour ploughing, terrace farming and afforestation can slow water flow, reduce runoff and protect soil on slopes.
Q27. What is strip cropping?
Answer: Strip cropping is a soil-conservation method in which large fields are divided into strips and strips of grass or crops help reduce the force of wind and water.
Q28. 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.
Q29. Why is resource conservation necessary?
Answer: Resources are limited and unevenly distributed. Conservation reduces waste and degradation and helps ensure that resources remain available for future generations.
Q30. What is sustainable development?
Answer: Sustainable development aims to meet present needs while conserving resources and environmental conditions so that future generations can also meet their needs.
How to Write Better Answers
- Begin with a direct definition when the question asks “What is…?”
- For 3-mark questions, give three distinct and accurate points.
- For 5-mark questions, use a short introduction followed by logically ordered points and examples.
- Use NCERT terminology such as potential, developed, stock, reserves, Khadar, Bangar, gully erosion and sustainable development correctly.
Continue Practising
After completing these questions, test recall with the Resources and Development MCQs and then revise the Important Questions with Answers.