Keywords To Remember
- Resources
Definition: All things on Earth that are necessary for human existence and development, including rocks, soils, minerals, vegetation, animals, air, water, and human beings.
- Utility and Value of Resources
Definition: The usefulness and economic importance of a resource, which varies depending on time, place, and technological advancements.
- Utilisation of Resources
Definition: The process of converting natural resources into usable forms through human skill, technology, and capital.
- Factors Affecting Resource Utilisation
Definition: Conditions that influence how resources are used, including:
Availability of resources
Human skill and labour
Capital availability
Water availability
Technological advancement
Transport and communication facilities
- Classification of Resources
Definition: Categorization of resources based on different criteria such as renewability, origin, occurrence, and development.
- Based on Renewability
Renewable Resources (Inexhaustible)
Definition: Resources that can be naturally replenished or renewed by human efforts (e.g., solar energy, wind, water, forests).
Non-Renewable Resources (Exhaustible)
Definition: Resources that take millions of years to form and cannot be easily replenished (e.g., coal, petroleum, minerals).
- Based on Origin
Biotic Resources
Definition: Living resources obtained from the biosphere (e.g., forests, animals, birds).
Abiotic Resources
Definition: Non-living resources (e.g., land, water, minerals).
- Based on Occurrence
Natural Resources
Definition: Resources obtained directly from nature (e.g., water, minerals, forests).
Man-Made Resources
Definition: Resources created by humans using natural resources (e.g., roads, buildings, machines).
- Based on Development
Potential Resources
Definition: Resources that exist but have not been fully utilized or surveyed (e.g., untapped oil reserves in the Arctic).
Actual Resources
Definition: Resources that have been surveyed, quantified, and are being used (e.g., Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves).
- Sustainable Development
Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- Conservation of Resources
Definition: The sustainable and optimal use of resources to prevent depletion and environmental degradation.
- Over-Utilisation of Resources
Definition: Excessive use of resources leading to depletion and environmental harm (e.g., soil degradation due to over-irrigation).
- 5 R’s of Conservation
Definition: Principles for sustainable resource use:
Reduce – Minimize resource consumption.
Reuse – Use items multiple times.
Recycle – Process waste into new products.
Refuse – Avoid unnecessary resource use.
Rethink – Change consumption habits for sustainability.
- Human Resource
Definition: The skills, knowledge, and labour of people that contribute to economic development.
- Ecological Balance
Definition: A stable state where natural resources and living organisms coexist sustainably.
Something to Know
Tick (✔️) the correct option.
- Future generations will depend on solar energy because it is—
(a) biotic
(b) man-made
(c) inexhaustible
(d) non-renewable
Answer – (c) inexhaustible
- Which one of the following resources can be recycled?
(a) gold
(b) coal
(c) land
(d) natural gas
Answer – (a) gold
- All the abiotic resources include—
(a) living beings
(b) non-living things
(c) inexhaustible resources
(d) renewable resources
Answer – (b) non-living things
- Available resources which are not being tapped fully for the time being are cal led—
(a) actual resources
(b) man-made resources
(c) biotic resources
(d) potential resources
Answer – (d) potential resources
- Which one does not promote conservation of resources?
(a) use resources more efficiently.
(b) optimum utilisation of resources.
(c) use as much resources as required.
(d) reduce wastage of resources.
Answer – (c) use as much resources as required.
B. Fill in the blanks.
- ____________ can be used again and again after processing.
Answer – Metallic minerals (e.g., gold, silver)
- On the basis of occurrence, resources are classified into two categories ____________ and ____________ .
Answer – Natural, Man-made
- With advancement of technology, availability of____________ and ____________ labour are necessary for resource utilisation. .
Answer – Capital, Skilled
- Developed countries are economically self-sufficient and ____________ advanced.
Answer – technologically
- The ____________ resources need a detailed survey for e/timating their quantity and quality.
Answer – potential
C.Write a technical term or an appropriate word for each of the following statements.
- Any material which is used to satisfy human needs.
Answer – Resource
- Resources which cannot be renewed.
Answer – Non-renewable resources
- Resources which are created by human beings.
Answer – Man-made resources (or Artificial resources)
- The resources which are surveyed and developed.
Answer – Actual resources
- Sustainable and optimum utilisation of resources.
Answer – Conservation (or Sustainable development)
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
- ‘Utility and value of a resource vary from time to time and place to place.’ Give any three examples to support the statement.
Answer – Water: Earlier used only for drinking and irrigation, now also used for hydroelectricity and industries.
Uranium: Once considered useless, now a key resource for nuclear energy.
Petroleum: Earlier used for lamps, now essential for fuel, plastics, and chemicals.
- Why are human beings considered the most important resource for development?
Answer – Human beings are the most important resource because:
They possess skills and knowledge to develop other resources.
Technology and innovation depend on human intelligence.
Economic and social progress is driven by human labor and creativity.
- Differentiate between biotic and abiotic resources. Give examples for each.
Answer –
Biotic Resources | Abiotic Resources |
Obtained from living organisms. | Obtained from non-living elements. |
Can reproduce and regenerate. | Cannot reproduce (except water). |
Examples: Forests, animals, fish. | Examples: Minerals, water, land. |
- Why is there a need for resource planning? Give any three reasons.
Answer – Resource planning is necessary because:
Uneven distribution of resources across regions leads to scarcity in some areas.
Over-exploitation can lead to depletion (e.g., deforestation, soil erosion).
Sustainable development ensures resources last for future generations.
- Mention any six factors on which the utilisation of resources depend.
Answer – The utilisation of resources depends on:
Availability of resources (quantity and quality).
Technology (tools, machines, and techniques).
Capital (financial investment for development).
Human skill and labour (expertise in resource management).
Transport and communication (for distribution and access).
Government policies (laws on resource use and conservation).
E. Answer the following questions.
- ‘Human needs and wants are neither uniform in all parts of the world nor static over the years.’ Explain the statement giving suitable examples.
Answer – Human needs and wants vary based on geographical, cultural, economic, and technological factors, and they evolve over time.
Geographical Variation:
In tribal societies (e.g., Pygmies of Africa), basic needs like food and shelter are met through hunting and gathering.
In urban societies, people demand advanced facilities like smartphones, cars, and luxury goods.
Temporal (Time-Based) Variation:
Past: Early humans relied on natural resources like wood and stone for survival.
Present: Modern societies depend on technology, electricity, and fossil fuels.
Future: Renewable energy (solar, wind) may replace non-renewable resources.
Thus, needs and wants differ across regions and change with time due to development and cultural shifts.
- Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources. Which one of the two would you prefer to use and why?
Answer –
Renewable Resources | Non-Renewable Resources |
Can be replenished naturally or through human efforts. | Take millions of years to form; cannot be easily renewed. |
Examples: Solar energy, wind, water, forests. | Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals. |
Environmentally friendly. | Cause pollution and environmental degradation. |
Sustainable in the long term. | Will eventually get exhausted. |
Preference:
I would prefer renewable resources because:
They are eco-friendly and reduce pollution.
They are sustainable and ensure availability for future generations.
They help in reducing dependence on fast-depleting fossil fuels.
- What is meant by sustainable development? Why is sustainable development the need of the hour?
Answer – Sustainable Development means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Why is it the need of the hour?
Resource Depletion: Non-renewable resources (coal, oil) are running out.
Environmental Damage: Overuse of resources causes pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
Future Security: Ensures that resources remain available for future generations.
Economic Stability: Prevents economic crises due to resource scarcity.
Thus, sustainable development is crucial for ecological balance, economic growth, and survival of humanity.
- Describe the various basis of classification of resources with the help of examples.
Answer – Resources can be classified based on:
Renewability
Renewable: Solar energy, wind, water (can be replenished).
Non-renewable: Coal, petroleum (cannot be renewed easily).
Origin
Biotic: Obtained from living things (e.g., forests, animals).
Abiotic: Non-living (e.g., minerals, land, water).
Occurrence
Natural: Directly from nature (e.g., air, water, soil).
Man-made: Created by humans (e.g., roads, machines).
Stage of Development
Potential: Not yet fully utilized (e.g., untapped Arctic oil reserves).
Actual: Surveyed and in use (e.g., Saudi Arabia’s oil fields).
Value Based Question
Gandhi said, “there is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed.” Earlier humans adopted simple lifestyle by consuming minimum resources from nature. With the advancement in technology, our resource consumption has increased manifold. It created a void in nature. At present, resources are depleting at a fast rate resulting in climate change, loss of biodiversity and dearth of resources. There is a tremendous consumption of water energy, food and minerals. For a sustainable society, we all have to change our lifestyle. Especially, the youth has to reduce consumption of resources so that production can be controlled. Minimise the wasteful consumption of resources for a better tomorrow. Adopt sustainable consumption pattern. We have only habitable planet. Care for it.
- Technological advancement is a boon as well as a bane to human civilisation. Give one example each to support the statement.
Answer – Boon: Solar panels generate electricity without polluting the environment.
Bane: Excessive use of automobiles (technology) has led to air pollution and global warming.
- Highlight any two advantages of sustainable lifestyle.
Answer – It helps in conserving natural resources for future generations.
It reduces environmental degradation and promotes healthy living conditions.
- As a young Indian how can you contribute in reversing the adverse impact of human interference on environment?
Answer – I can reduce the use of plastic, save electricity and water, and adopt eco-friendly habits like cycling or walking short distances.
I can spread awareness among peers about conservation, reuse and recycling, and participate in tree plantation drives.
(Map Skill)
On an outline political map of the world, show any three developed and developing countries each.
Answer – Steps to Mark Countries on a World Map
Outline the continents (North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, etc.).
Use different colours (e.g., Blue for developed, Green for developing).
Label the countries neatly with their names.
Three Developed Countries (Mark in Blue)
United States (USA) – North America
Germany – Europe
Japan – East Asia
Three Developing Countries (Mark in Green)
India – South Asia
Brazil – South America
Nigeria – Africa
Something To Do
- Prepare a pictorial chart showing the classification of resources giving at least a suitable example of each category or resource.
Answer – Resources
│
├── Based on Renewability
│ ├── Renewable (e.g., Solar energy)
│ └── Non-renewable (e.g., Coal)
│
├── Based on Origin
│ ├── Biotic (e.g., Forests)
│ └── Abiotic (e.g., Minerals)
│
├── Based on Occurrence
│ ├── Natural (e.g., Rivers)
│ └── Man-made (e.g., Roads)
│
└── Based on Development
├── Actual (e.g., Saudi oil fields)
└── Potential (e.g., Wind energy in Rajasthan)
- Suggest any five ways to reduce the wastage of resources.
Answer – urn off taps properly to avoid water wastage.
Switch off lights and fans when not in use.
Recycle and reuse materials like paper, plastic, and metal.
Practice carpooling or use public transport to save fuel.
Avoid food wastage by taking only as much as you can eat.
- Look around your home and neighbourhood, and list the ways in which water wastage can be stopped.
Answer – Fix leaking taps and pipes immediately.
Use a bucket instead of a hose for washing cars.
Water plants early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
Use washing machines and dishwashers with full loads only.
Install water-saving devices like aerators in taps.
Additional Questions and Answers – 01
Additional Questions and Answers – 01
Fill in the Blanks (with Answers)
- Resources that can be replenished naturally are called __________.
Answer: Renewable resources
- __________ is an example of a non-renewable resource.
Answer: Coal
- The process of converting cotton into yarn is an example of __________.
Answer: Resource utilization
- __________ resources are those that are surveyed and ready for use.
Answer: Actual
- Overuse of __________ leads to soil infertility due to waterlogging.
Answer: Irrigation
- The concept of using resources without harming future generations is called __________.
Answer: Sustainable development
- __________ is a man-made resource.
Answer: Roads (or Machines/Buildings)
- The Arctic seabed is estimated to hold __________% of the world’s undiscovered oil.
Answer: 25
- __________ is a biotic resource.
Answer: Forests (or Fish/Animals)
- The 5 R’s of conservation are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, __________, and Rethink.
Answer: Refuse
MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions with Answers)
- Which of these is a renewable resource?
- a) Coal
- b) Solar energy
- c) Natural gas
- d) Petroleum
Answer: b) Solar energy
- What determines the utility of a resource?
- a) Time and place
- b) Color and shape
- c) Weight and size
- d) None of the above
Answer: a) Time and place
- Which country has the largest oil reserves?
- a) India
- b) Saudi Arabia
- c) USA
- d) Russia
Answer: b) Saudi Arabia
- What is the main cause of soil infertility in over-irrigated fields?
- a) Drought
- b) Waterlogging
- c) Deforestation
- d) Earthquakes
Answer: b) Waterlogging
- Which of these is not a biotic resource?
- a) Fish
- b) Minerals
- c) Forests
- d) Livestock
Answer: b) Minerals
True/False (with Answers)
- All abiotic resources are non-renewable.
Answer: False (e.g., water is abiotic but renewable)
- Human beings are considered a resource.
Answer: True
- Potential resources are fully surveyed and utilized.
Answer: False
- Sustainable development focuses only on economic growth.
Answer: False (It balances economy, environment, and society)
- Wind energy is a non-renewable resource.
Answer: False
Competency-Based Questions (with Answers)
- Scenario: A village near a river faces floods annually. How can they use the river as a resource sustainably?
Answer: Build dams for hydroelectricity, use water for irrigation, and plant trees to prevent soil erosion.
- Case Study: A country has vast coal reserves but lacks technology. What steps should it take for development?
Answer: Invest in technology, train skilled labor, and use coal efficiently while shifting to renewables.
HOTS (High Order Thinking Skills) Questions (with Answers)
- Analyze: Why might a resource-rich country still be underdeveloped?
Answer: Lack of technology, poor governance, or unskilled labor.
- Evaluate: “Solar energy is better than coal.” Justify.
Answer: Solar is renewable, cleaner, and sustainable; coal causes pollution and is exhaustible.
Short Questions (with Answers)
- Define resource.
Answer: Anything that satisfies human needs and has utility.
- Name two factors affecting resource utilization.
Answer: Technology and capital.
- Why is conservation important?
Answer: To ensure resources last for future generations.
Long Questions (with Answers)
- Explain how human needs change over time and place with examples.
Answer: Past: Humans relied on hunting; now they use technology.
Place: Tribal societies use forests; urban societies use electricity.
- Describe sustainable development and its importance.
Answer: Definition: Development without harming future generations.
Importance: Prevents resource depletion, reduces pollution, and ensures long-term survival.
Additional Questions and Answer – 02
Additional Questions and Answers – 02
Fill in the Blanks
- The process of making resources usable is called _____________.
Answer: Processing
- Resources that can regenerate naturally are called _____________ resources.
Answer: Renewable
- _____________ is an example of a non-renewable resource.
Answer: Petroleum
- _____________ resources are those created by human efforts.
Answer: Man-made
- Resources obtained from biosphere and having life are called _____________ resources.
Answer: Biotic
- Conservation of resources aims at their _____________ utilisation.
Answer: Sustainable
- _____________ and _____________ are important factors for utilisation of resources.
Answer: Skill, Capital
- _____________ are natural resources that have been surveyed and their quantity is known.
Answer: Actual resources
MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Which of the following is a man-made resource?
(a) Forest
(b) River
(c) Road
(d) Coal
Answer: (c) Road
- Which of these is a renewable resource?
(a) Coal
(b) Petroleum
(c) Solar Energy
(d) Natural Gas
Answer: (c) Solar Energy
- Which country is known for efficient utilisation of resources due to skilled labour?
(a) India
(b) Japan
(c) Nigeria
(d) Brazil
Answer: (b) Japan
- Biotic resources include:
(a) Minerals
(b) Forests
(c) Water
(d) Air
Answer: (b) Forests
- Resources that are not fully utilised are called:
(a) Actual resources
(b) Potential resources
(c) Man-made resources
(d) Abiotic resources
Answer: (b) Potential resources
True or False
- All renewable resources are biotic.
Answer: False
- Land is an example of an abiotic resource.
Answer: True
- Coal can be renewed naturally within a human lifespan.
Answer: False
- Overuse of soil can lead to loss of fertility.
Answer: True
- Human beings are considered a resource.
Answer: True
Competency Based Questions
- Why is sustainable development important for future generations?
Answer: Sustainable development ensures that current needs are met without depleting resources, so future generations also have access to them.
- If a country has a lot of resources but is still poor, what might be the reasons?
Answer: Lack of skilled human resource, poor technology, inadequate capital, and improper management can prevent proper utilisation of resources.
Higher Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions
- Can a resource shift from potential to actual? Explain with an example.
Answer: Yes, when proper technology and capital become available, a potential resource can become an actual resource. For example, wind energy in desert areas was once potential, now with technology it is actual.
- How can technology convert an exhaustible resource into a renewable form? Give an idea.
Answer: Recycling technology can help reprocess metals like aluminum, reducing the need to mine new ores and preserving exhaustible resources.
Short Questions and Answers
- Define resources.
Answer: Anything that is used to satisfy human needs is called a resource.
- Name two biotic resources.
Answer: Forests and animals.
- What do you mean by man-made resources?
Answer: Resources developed by human beings using natural resources to fulfill their needs.
- What is meant by potential resources?
Answer: Resources which are found but are not fully utilised yet.
- Give one example of an abiotic resource.
Answer: Water
Long Questions and Answers
- Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.
Answer: Renewable resources are those that can be naturally replenished, like sunlight and wind.
Non-renewable resources are limited and take millions of years to form, like coal and petroleum.
Renewable resources can be used again and again, while non-renewable resources, once used, are gone forever.
- Why should resources be conserved? Mention any three ways to conserve resources.
Answer: Resources should be conserved to ensure their availability for future generations, maintain ecological balance, and support sustainable development.
Ways to conserve resources:
Reuse and recycle materials.
Use energy-efficient appliances.
Reduce wastage of water and electricity.
- Discuss any four factors affecting the utilisation of resources.
Answer: Availability of Resources: Resources must exist naturally.
Technology: Better tools and machines help utilise resources efficiently.
Human Skill: Skilled people can find better ways to use resources.
Capital: Investment is needed for extraction and processing.