Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources Important Questions and Answers

 

 

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources

 

Resources – Given in this post is NCERT Solutions Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources Important Question Answers. The important questions we have compiled will help the students to brush up on their knowledge about the subject. Students can practice Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 important questions to understand the subject better and improve their performance in the exam. The NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (Geography) provided here will also give students an idea about how to write the answers.

 

Source Based Questions 

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow-

 

A. Resources that are drawn from Nature and used without much modification are called natural resources. The air we breathe, the water in our rivers and lakes, the soils, minerals are all natural resources. Many of these resources are free gifts of nature and can be used directly. In some cases tools and technology may be needed to use a natural resource in the best possible way. Natural resources can be broadly categorized into renewable and non-renewable resources.

1. What are natural resources?

Ans. Resources that are drawn from Nature and used without much modification are called natural resources.

2. What are the two types of natural resources known?

Ans. Natural resources can be broadly categorized into renewable and non-renewable resources.

3. Give an example of Non-renewable resource.

Ans. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are some examples. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are some examples of non-renewable resources.

4. Differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Ans. 

5. Give two examples of natural resources. 

Ans. Air, water, minerals are some examples of natural resources.

B. Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called resource conservation. Balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for the future is called sustainable development. There are many ways of conserving resources. Each person can contribute by reducing consumption, recycling and reusing things. Ultimately it makes a difference because all our lives are linked.

1. What do you mean by resource conservation?

Ans. Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called resource conservation.

2. What are some ways to conserve resources?

Ans. There are many ways of conserving resources. Each person can contribute by reducing consumption, recycling and reusing things.

3. What can you infer about sustainable development from the above paragraph?

Ans. Carefully utilizing resources so that besides meeting the requirements of the present, also takes care of future generations is referred to as sustainable development. 

4. Give any three Principles of sustainable development.

Ans. The following are three Principles of sustainable development:-

• Minimize the depletion of natural resources 
• Change personal attitude and practices towards the environment 
• Enable communities to care for their own environment.

5. What is our duty to ensure that in order to maintain and preserve the resources? 

Ans. The future of our planet and its people is linked with our ability to maintain and preserve the life support system that nature provides. Therefore it is our duty to ensure that :  

• all uses of renewable resources are sustainable  
• the diversity of life on the earth is conserved
• the damage to the natural environmental system is minimized.

C. Water, electricity, rickshaw, vegetables and textbooks have something in common. They have all been used by you, so they have utility. Utility or usability is what makes an object or substance a resource. Value means worth. Some resources have economic value, some do not. For example, metals may have an economic value, a beautiful landscape may not. But both are important and satisfy human needs. Some resources can become economically valuable with time. Your grandmother’s home remedies have no commercial value today. But if they are patented and sold by a medical firm tomorrow, they could become economically valuable.

1. What do you mean by the term ‘Utility’?

Ans. Utility or usability is what makes an object or substance a resource.Water, electricity, rickshaw, vegetables and textbooks have something in common. They have all been used by you, so they have utility.

2. How do some resources have ‘value’ and some do not?

Ans. Value means worth. Some resources have economic value, some do not. For example, metals may have an economic value, a beautiful landscape may not. But both are important and satisfy human needs.

3. Can some resources become valuable with time?

Ans. Yes, Some resources can become economically valuable with time. Your grandmother’s home remedies have no commercial value today. But if they are patented and sold by a medical firm tomorrow, they could become economically valuable. 

4. What do you understand about the term ‘Patent’?

Ans. An exclusive right over any idea or invention is referred to as a patent. 

5. What are two important factors that can change substances into resources and how?

Ans. Time and technology are two important factors that can change substances into resources. Both are related to the needs of the people. People themselves are the most important resource. It is their ideas, knowledge, inventions and discoveries that lead to the creation of more resources. Each discovery or invention leads to many others. For instance, the technology to create hydroelectricity has turned energy in fast flowing water into an important resource.

 

D. People can make the best use of nature to create more resources when they have the knowledge, skill and the technology to do so. That is why human beings are a special resource.
People are human resources. Education and health help in making people a valuable resource. Improving the quality of people’s skills so that they are able to create more resources is known as human resource development.

1. What do you understand by Human made resources?

Ans. People use natural resources to make buildings, bridges, roads, machinery and vehicles, which are known as human made resources. For example, technology is also a human made resource.

2. Why are people human made resources?

Ans. People can make the best use of nature to create more resources when they have the knowledge, skill and the technology to do so. That is why human beings are a special resource. Thus, people are human resources.  

3. Explain in brief about Human resource development.

Ans. Education and health help in making people a valuable resource. Improving the quality of people’s skills so that they are able to create more resources is known as human resource development.

4. Give at least five human made resources that you can observe around you.

Ans. Five human made resources that I can observe around myself are  plastic, paper, soda, sheet metal and rubber. 

5. Explain ‘Human Resource’.

Ans. Human Resource refers to the number (quantity) and abilities (mental and physical) of the people. Though, there are differing views regarding treatment of humans as a resource, one cannot deny the fact that it is the skills of humans that help in transferring the physical material into a valuable resource. 

 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (1 Mark)

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a type of objective assessment in which a person is asked to choose one or more correct answers from a list of available options. An MCQ presents a question along with several possible answers.

 

Q1 Coal is an example of

A) renewable resources

B) non-renewable resources

C) human resources

D) potential resources

Ans.B) non-renewable resources

Q2. Resources are distributed unequally over the earth because of

A) the different natural conditions

B) level of development

C) technological levels

D) all of these

Ans. A) the different natural conditions

Q3 Balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for the future is called

A) Sustainable development

B) Resource conservation

C) Resource development

D) Human resource development

Ans. A) Sustainable development

Q4 On the basis of origin, Natural resources can be classified as____________ and ________.

A) Biotic and Abiotic resources

B) Renewable and Non Renewable

C) Actual and Potential resources

D) Ubiquitous and Localized resource

Ans. A) Biotic and Abiotic resources

Q5 High speed winds, solar energy, bio waste etc were all considered as potential sources of energy in the past, but today they are all examples of ___________

A) Non-Renewable Resources

B) Actual Resources

C) Ubiquitous Resources

D) Localized Resources

Ans. B) Actual Resources

Q6 The resources which can be used directly without any modification are called _____

A) Non-renewable resources

B) Natural resources

C) Sustainable resources

D) Both B and C

Ans. B) Natural resources

Q7 The Machinery and vehicles are examples of ______

A) Human-made resources

B) Human resources

C) Sustainable development

D) Conservative Resources

Ans. A) Human-made resources

Q8 Which one of the following is a principle of Sustainable Development?

A) Balance between use and conservation of resources

B) Cut the trees.

C) Use vehicles that cause pollution

D) Allow industries to carry on illegal mining

Ans. A) Balance between use and conservation of resources

Q9 How can we conserve resources?

A) Allow illegal mining

B) Invent new technologies.

C) Give resources time to get renewed.

D) Allow industries to demolish forests

Ans. C) Give resources time to get renewed.

Q10 Sustainable Development is

A) A right Balance between use of resources and conservation of resources

B) Allow the resources to be renewed

C) Promote recycling of technological devices

D) Allow clearing of forests to construct apartments

Ans. A) A right balance between use of resources and conservation of resources

Q11 Which of the following is an example of Human Resources?

A) Forests

B) Latest Technologies

C) People

D) Animals & Birds

Ans. C) People

Q12 The example of non-renewable resources are

A) Petrol and gases

B) Solar Energy

C) Wind Energy

D) Tidal Energy

Ans.A) Petrol and Gases

Q13 The example of human-made resources are

A) Wind energy

B) Coal

C) Buildings

D) Jungles 

Ans. C) Buildings

Q14 When natural substances change form to become resources, they are called

A) Renewable resources

B) Non – renewable resources

C) Human – made resources

D) Conservative Resources

Ans. C) Human – made resources

Q15 The amount of resources available for use are called

A) Conservative resources

B) Stock of resources

C) Sustainable resources

D) Man-made resources

Ans.B) Stock of resources

Q16 A substance or object becomes resource because of its

A) features

B) utility

C) prices

D) renewability

Ans. B) utility

Q17 Which of the following resources have maximum economic value?

A) Metals

B) Desert regions

C) Roads

D) Landscapes 

Ans. A) Metals

Q18 How do you implement exclusive rights over an invention?

A) By patenting it

B) By selling it to any company

C) By selling it to government authorities

D) Not revealing it

Ans.A) By patenting it

 

Q19 The resources which take millions of years to get renewed are

A) Renewable resources

B) Non-renewable resources

C) Solar power

D) Human resources

Ans. B) Non-renewable resource

Q20 Processed food is an example of

A) Natural resources

B) Human – made resources

C) Resources in stock

D) Non-renewable resources

Ans. B) Human – made resources

Q21 The number and ability of people is usually referred as

A) Human resources

B) Stock of resources

C) Natural resources

D) Renewable resources

Ans. A) Human resources

Q22 Tropical forests are an example of

A) Natural resources

B) Conservative resources

C) Man – made resources

D) Non-renewable resources

Ans. A) Natural resources

Q23 Which of these is not an example of sustainable development?

A) Illegal mining

B) Balancing use of resources

C) Conserve the diversity of the earth

D) Let wild animals remain in their natural habitat

Ans. A) Illegal mining

Q24 Which of the following is an example of renewable Resources?

A) Solar energy

B) Cutting of trees

C) Diesel usage

D) killing animals

Ans. A) Solar energy

Q25 Improving the quality of human lives is an example of

A) Stock of resources

B) Human resources

C) Sustainable development

D) Utility

Ans. C) Sustainable development

Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)

Q1. How are resources classified based on their origin?

Ans. Based on the origin, resources can be classified as abiotic or biotic.

Q2. What makes a substance a resource?

Ans. Utility is what makes an object or substance a resource.

Q3. Why is air a ubiquitous resource?

Ans. Air is a ubiquitous resource because air we breathe is found everywhere.

Q4. What are renewable resources?

Ans. Renewable resources are those which get renewed or replenished quickly.

Q5. How are resources classified according to their distribution?

Ans. On the basis of their distribution resources can be ubiquitous or localized.

Q6. How are resources classified broadly?

Ans. Resources are generally classified into natural, human made and human.

Q7. What is resource conservation?

Ans. Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called resource conservation.

Q8. Name some natural resources.

Ans.The air we breathe, the water in our rivers and lakes, the soils, minerals are all natural resources.

Q9. What is sustainable development?

Ans. Balancing the need to use resources and also conserve them for the future is called sustainable development.

Q10. What is utility?

Ans. If a substance can be used in any way, it is said to have a utility.

Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)

Q1. What are abiotic resources?

Ans. Abiotic resources include land, water, air, and minerals such as gold, iron, copper, and silver. Abiotic resources are not renewable because they can be depleted by excessive use and their production rate is sluggish. The accessibility and value of abiotic resources determine their usefulness.Human efforts cannot expand their overall reserve. These resources are in high demand for industrial development.

Q2. When can people make the best use of nature?

Ans. People can make the best use of nature to create more resources when they have :

• Knowledge
• Skill
• Technology

Q3. Mention how stock of certain renewable resources may get affected by overuse.

Ans. Careless use of renewable resources such as water, soil, and forests can deplete their stocks. Water appears to be a limitless renewable resource. However, the scarcity and drying up of natural water sources is a big issue in many regions of the world today.

Q4. Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?

Ans. The distribution of natural resources is influenced by a variety of physical characteristics such as terrain, climate, and altitude. Because these characteristics vary so greatly across the globe, resource distribution is unequal.

Q5. Why are human resources important?

Ans. Human resources are vital because people may employ knowledge, skill, and technology to make the best use of nature to develop new resources.

Q6. What is human resource development?

Ans. Human resource development is the process of improving the quality of people’s talents so that they can create additional resources.

Q7. What is a resource? What are the criteria for any substance to become a resource?

Ans. All substances that have some usefulness or usability are considered resources by us. The various conditions required for anything to be a resource for us are as follows: • utility or usability • monetary or other value • Time and technology are intrinsic, which can make the material vital for people’s current or future needs. For example, the discovery of fire led to the practise of cooking, the invention of the wheel led to the development of newer ways of transportation, and so on.

Q8. Explain the terms resource conservation 

Ans. The concept of resource conservation is the careful use of resources so that they do not deplete quickly. Future generations will use the resources as well, but if we continue to use them at the current rate, they may become depleted, causing challenges in the future. We should use resources in such a way that we meet our needs while also conserving the resources for the future. This is known as sustainable development.

Q9. As human beings, how can we ensure sustainable development?

Ans. We can ensure sustainable development by ensuring that: 

• Renewable resources are used in a sustainable manner.
• The variety of life on Earth is preserved.
• Our actions cause as little environmental damage as possible.

Q10. Explain how resources are classified broadly.

Ans. Natural resources, man-made resources, and human resources are broadly classified as follows-

• Natural resources are those that are obtained from nature. They are used without modification, i.e. in their original form. Natural resources include rivers, lakes, air, soils, minerals, forests, mountains, and so on. 
• Human-made resources were not provided for by nature. Humans have utilized their intellect to create them for their own use. Vehicles, buildings, roads, telephones, and so on are examples. 
• Human resources are people who help us in any manner they can. A teacher, a doctor, and so on are some examples.

Long Answer Questions (5 marks)

Q1. What is sustainable development? Mention some of its principles.

Ans. Sustainable development is the use of resources in such a way that we consider not just meeting our own needs in the present, but also the conservation of resources for future generations. 

• Respect and care for all kinds of life are some principles of sustainable development. 
• Enhance human life quality.
• Preserve the life and diversity of the planet. 
• Minimize natural resource depletion. 
• Modify one’s attitude and practices towards the environment. 
• Give communities the ability to care for their own environment.

 

Q2. Differentiate between Potential and actual resources

Ans. 

Q3.“Rahiman paani raakhiye,

Bin paani sab soon.

Paani gaye na ubere Mod, manus, choon…”

[Says Rahim, keep water, as without water there is nothing. Without water pearls, swans and dough cannot exist.] 

These lines were written by the poet Abdur Rahim Khankhanam, one of the nine gems of Akbar’s court. What kind of resource is the poet referring to? Write in 100 words what would happen if this resource disappeared?

Ans. The poet is referring to water as a resource. It is one of life’s most important resources. It is one of the prerequisites for life, along with air. To begin with, water provides the most basic function of drinking, without which life is impossible. Without water, it would be impossible to clean clothes, utensils, or even take a bath. Farmers rely on water to irrigate their crops. Rainwater is critical for proper agriculture. Water is also employed in the preparation of meals. Water has recently shown to be a useful source of electricity. Plants, like humans, require water in order to grow. Water is also necessary in industries for a variety of industrial applications.In short, no form of life can go on without water.

Q4. Pretend that you live in the prehistoric times on a high windy plateau. What are the uses you and your friends could put the fast winds to? Can you call the wind a resource? Now imagine that you are living in the same place in the year 2138. Can you put the winds to any use? How? Can you explain why the wind is an important resource now?

Ans. In the olden times, we could have used the breezes to transfer ourselves by sailing boats. We couldn’t have viewed wind as a resource since we didn’t understand how to use it.

Wind may become the most important resource for humans in the year 2138. It has the potential to generate significant amounts of electricity and power.

Wind is a valuable resource because:

• Wind power is the most efficient technique for producing electricity that is both safe and sustainable.
• Efficient use of wind energy-generated power leads to long-term development.
• It reduces the consumption of fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gasses that contribute to global warming.
• Wind energy does not release harmful elements into the atmosphere.
• Wind energy produces no waste or contaminated water.

Q5. Pick up a stone, a leaf, a paper straw and a twig. Think of how you can use these as resources. See the example given below and get creative!

Ans.

Q6. What is the significance of time and technology in making a substance a resource?

Ans. Time and technology are two major aspects that can transform substances into resources. Each discovery or invention inspires many more. The discovery of fire resulted in the practise of cooking and other procedures, whilst the advent of the wheel resulted in the development of innovative ways of transportation. Hydroelectricity technology has transformed energy in fast moving water into a valuable resource.

Q7.Differentiate between Ubiquitous and localized resources

Ans. 

Q8. Differentiate between natural resources and human made resources.

Ans.

Q9. Explain conserving of resources.

Ans. The resources are valuable and must be exploited with caution. We may have resources now, but if we do not take the required actions to maintain the environment and resources, future generations will suffer. When humans balance the use of resources with conservation for the coming years, this is referred to as sustainable development. Resources conservation refers to providing the resources appropriate time to be rejuvenated and utilizing the present resources judiciously. 

The future is dependent on current humans, and a few modest steps can have a significant impact. Our responsibility and duty in terms of resource conservation are as follows:

• Sustainable use of all renewable resources
• Conserving the diversity of life on the earth
• Minimizing the damage to the natural environment.

 

Q10. Write a brief note on wind power?

Ans. Wind energy is the world’s fastest growing energy source. A wind turbine operates in the opposite direction of a fan. A turbine uses wind to generate electricity rather than using electricity to generate wind.

Wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft that links to a generator and generates power. Transmission and distribution lines transport power to a substation, from whence it is distributed to homes, businesses and schools.

Wind turbines have no negative impact on the environment. That is why wind power is becoming more popular. It is also becoming economically competitive with more traditional power sources, which improves its chances as a viable energy source significantly.
 
Also See : 

• Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Resources Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 4 Industries Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 Human Resources Important Questions and Answers

 
Also See: 

• Class 8 Social Science Lesson Explanation, Summary
• Class 8 MCQ Questions with Answers