What is a resource?

Solution :
Any natural or human wealth that can be used for satisfying human needs is
called a resource.
Question 2
Mention the different types of resources.
Solution :
Natural Resources, Human Made Resources and Human Resources are the
different types of resources.
Question 3
Give a few examples of man-made resources and natural resources ?
Solution :
Clothes, utensils, food grains, combs, honey, books are man-made resources
Land, air, water, sunshine, rain, forests and minerals are natural resources.
Question 4
What are the four Characteristics of resources?
Solution :
The four Characteristics of resources are …

Question 5
Resources have value- discuss ?
Solution :
An object or substance becomes a resource only when it has a value. The
usefulness of the object gives it a value. As a resource is something that has
utility, all resources have some value. The value of the object can be classified
into two categories:

 Resources that have economic or commercial value

 Resources that do not have economic or commercial value

Metal is a resource that has economic value as we make many products from it,
for our daily use.
On the other hand a beautiful scenery you see may not have economic value
but is still considered a resource as it is useful in giving pleasure to the human
mind.
Question 6
Write a brief note on wind power?
Solution :
Wind power is the fastest-growing energy source in the world. A wind turbine
works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, a turbine
uses wind to make electricity
The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator
and makes electricity. The electricity is sent through transmission and
distribution lines to a substation, then on to homes, business houses and
schools. Wind turbines do not have any adverse effect on the environmental.
That’s why wind power is gaining popularity. It is also becoming economically
competitive with more conventional power sources – a fact that’s greatly
improving its prospects as a viable energy source.
Question 7
What are abiotic resources?
Solution :
Abiotic Natural Resource :
Abiotic resources comprise of non-living things like land, water, air and minerals
such as gold, iron, copper and silver.
Abiotic resources are not renewable, as they can be exhausted by excessive use
and their rate of formation is very slow. Their total reserve cannot be increased
by human efforts.
These resources are in great demand for the development of industries.
Question 8
Write a brief note on Renewable resources?
Solution :
Renewable Resources :
Renewable resources are resources which can be replaced or reproduced easily.
Sunlight, air and wind are resources that are continuously available and their
quantity is not affected by human consumption.
Many renewable resources can be depleted by human use, but are replaced and
the balance is maintained. For example agricultural crops, take a short time for
renewal; others, like water, take a comparatively longer time, while still others,
like forests, take even longer.
Question 9
When can people make the best use of nature?
Solution :
People can make the best use of nature to create more resources when they
have :

 Knowledge
 Skill
 Technology

Question 10
What can we do to conserve resources?

Solution :
To conserve natural resources we have to :

Ensure that our natural resources are preserved.

Ensure that we do not destroy our ecosystem.

Renew resources where ever and whenever possible.

1. What are non-renewable resources?

Answer: Non-renewable resources are those which have a limited stock.

2. What is a patent?

Answer: Patent means the exclusive right over any idea or invention.
 3. What do you mean by stock of resource?

Answer: Stock of resource is the amount of resources available for use.

4. What is utility?

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

5. How are resources classified based on their origin?

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

6. What makes a substance a resource?

Or
How does something become a resource?

Answer: Utility or usability is what makes an object or substance a resource.

7. Why is air a ubiquitous resource?

Answer: Air is a ubiquitous resource because air we breathe is found

everywhere.

8. What are renewable resources?

Answer: Renewable resources are those which get renewed or replenished

quickly.

9. How are resources classified according to their distribution?

Answer: On the basis of their distribution resources can be ubiquitous or

localised.

10. How are resources classified broadly?

Answer: Resources are generally classified into natural, human made and
human.

11. What is resource conservation?

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

12. What is technology?

Answer: Technology is the application of latest knowledge and skill in doing or

making things.

13. Name some natural resources.

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

14. What are natural resources?

Answer: Resources that are drawn from nature and used without much
modification are called natural resources.

15. What is sustainable development?

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

Short Type Answer Questions

1. What is a Human Resource?

Answer: Human Resource refers to the number (quantity) and abilities (mental
and physical) of the people.

2. How natural resources are classified?

Answer: Natural resources are classified into different groups depending upon
their level of development and use; origin; stock and distribution.

3. How are resources classified according to their development and use?

Answer: On the basis of their development and use resources can be classified
into two groups, actual resources and potential resources.

4. What is human resource development?

Answer: Improving the quality of people’s skills so that they are able to create
more resources is known as human resource development.

5. What are the physical factors that affect the distribution of natural resources?

Answer: The distribution of natural resources depends upon number of physical

factors like terrain, climate and altitude.

6. Why are human resources important?

Answer: Human resources are important because people can make the best use
of nature to create more resources by applying knowledge, skill and the
technology.

7. Why are people considered as a resource?

Answer: People are considered a resource because people can make the best
use of nature to create more resources when they have the knowledge, skill and
the technology to do so.

8. Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?

Answer: The distribution of natural resources depends upon number of physical

factors like terrain, climate and altitude. The distribution of resources is unequal
because these factors differ so much over the earth.
9. How potential resource can be actual resource?

Answer: High speed winds were a potential resource two hundred years ago.
Today they are an actual resource and wind farms generate energy using
windmills like in Netherlands, some in Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu and on the
Gujarat coast.

10. Mention how stock of certain renewable resources may get affected by
overuse.
Or
Why certain renewable resources need to be used judiciously?

Answer: Careless use of certain renewable resources like water, soil and forest
can affect their stock. Water seems to be an unlimited renewable resource. But
shortage and drying up of natural water sources is a major problem in many
parts of the world today.

Long Type Answer Questions

1. Differentiate between abiotic and biotic resources.

Answer:

Abiotic Resources Biotic Resources

Abiotic resources are non-living. Biotic resources are living.

Soils, rocks and minerals are abiotic resources. Plants and animals are biotic resources.
2. Differentiate between ubiquitous and localised resources.

Answer:

Ubiquitous Resources Localised Resources

1. Resources that are found everywhere 1. Resources that are found only in certain
are ubiquitous resources. places are localized resources.
 2. Example: air we breathe 2. Example: copper and iron ore
3. Mention our duty to maintain and preserve the life support system that
nature provides us.

Answer: 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 natural environmental system is minimised.
4. What is the significance of time and technology in making a substance a
resource?

Answer: Time and technology are two important factors that can change
substances into resources. Each discovery or invention leads to many others.
The discovery of fire led to the practice of cooking and other processes while
the invention of the wheel ultimately resulted in development of newer modes
of transport. The technology to create hydroelectricity has turned energy in fast
flowing water into an important resource.

5. Write the basic principles of sustainable development.

Answer: Some Principles of Sustainable Development

 Respect and care for all forms of life.

 Improve the quality of human life.
 Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.
 Minimise the depletion of natural resources.
 Change personal attitude and practices toward the environment.
 Enable communities to care for their own environment.
6. Differentiate between natural resources and human made resources.

Answer:
Natural Resources Human Made Resources

1. Resources that are drawn from 1. People use natural resources to make
nature and used without much buildings, bridges, roads, machinery and
modification are called natural vehicles, which are known as human made
resources. resources.

2. Sometimes, natural substances become

2. Many of these resources are free gifts
resources only when their original form has
of nature and can be used directly.
been changed.

3. The air we breathe, the water in our

rivers and lakes, the soils, minerals are 3. Technology is a human made resource.
all natural resources.
7. Differentiate between potential and actual resources.

Answer:

Potential Resources Actual resources

1. Potential resources are those

1. Actual resources are those resources whose
whose entire quantity may not be
quantity is known.
known.

2. These are not being used at

present. These resources could be 2. These resources are being used in the present.
used in the future.

3. The level of technology we have at

3. The level of technology we have at present is
present may not be advanced enough
advanced enough to easily utilise these resources.
to easily utilise these resources.

4. The rich deposits of coal in Ruhr region of

4. The uranium found in Ladakh is an
Germany and petroleum in the West Asia, the
example of potential resource that
dark soils of the Deccan plateau in Maharashtra
could be used in the future.
are all actual resources.
Question 1. What is sustainable development?

Answer 1. Sustainable development aims to strike a balance between the need to

utilise resources now and the need to preserve them for the future. Our capacity
to protect and sustain nature’s life support system correlates with our planet’s
future and its inhabitants. When all renewable resources are utilised wisely, the
variety of life on Earth is preserved, and environmental harm is kept to a
minimum for future generations, this is considered sustainable development.

Question 2. Describe water as an indispensable resource.

Answer 2. For all living things to survive, water is essential. For survival, almost all
living things need water. Since nothing would live on our planet without water,
the poet refers to this crucial natural resource as the elixir of life. Living things like
pearls, swans, and bread cannot survive without the presence of water. Thus, if
this natural supply vanished, all life on this planet would also perish. This is why
life cannot survive on planets other than the Earth.

Question 3. Why are resources distributed unequally over the Earth?

Answer 3. Different parts of the planet have varying terrain, climates, and
altitudes. Different combinations of these variables have led to an uneven
distribution of resources around the globe. Additionally, these characteristics vary
from location to location on Earth. Furthermore, the distribution is determined by
technology and development levels.

Question 4. Write the points of difference between existing resources and

potential resources.

Answer 4. Potential resources are now present and may be utilised in the future.
Mineral oil, uranium, wind farms, and other resources are prospective.

Actual resources are those whose quality and quantity have been assessed
through surveying and measurement. Humans are currently using these
resources. Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are a few examples of natural
resources.

Question 5. Why are human resources important?

Answer 5. Because they can derive value from all other resources, humans are a
valuable resource. They have the knowledge, skills, and technology necessary to
make the greatest use of the natural world to produce additional resources.
Humans become a precious resource with the aid of education and health.

Question 6. List the several categories of natural resources.

Answer 6. Natural resources are divided into two categories:

 Renewable Resources: Resources classified as renewable are independent

of human consumption. Utilising humans allows for the renewal of these
resources. But other types of renewable resources, including water, soil,
and forests, are impacted by human usage.
 Non-Renewable Resources: Resources with a finite supply are referred to as
non-renewable resources. As humans use these resources, they become
less plentiful. The renewal of these resources takes a very long time. These
resources include coal and petroleum, for instance.
Question 7. What is resource conservation?

Answer 7. Conservation refers to preserving resources for future generations. It

involves preserving and moralising priceless resources, including animals, trees,
water, and minerals. The major goal of resource conservation is to preserve the
natural environment to safeguard the sources of resources.

Question 8. Why are human resources an important factor?

Answer 8. Human resources are individuals and what they bring to the table.
Human resources are essential because they have the knowledge and expertise to
make the greatest use of nature to improve existing resources and produce new
ones. Human resources are therefore seen as being very important.

Question 9. If the natural resources vanish, what will happen?

Answer 9. Natural resources’ depletion would result in the extinction of all life on
Earth. This is why life cannot survive on planets other than the Earth.

Question 10. What is meant by localised resources?

Answer 10. Localised resources can only be found in a particular place and are not
available elsewhere. Copper, iron, gold, and other locally available resources are a
few examples.

Question 11. What do ubiquitous resources consist of?

Answer 11. Natural resources that are readily accessible everywhere are referred
to as ubiquitous resources. Air is the finest illustration of a common resource.

Question 12. What are renewable resources, and how might they impact the
supply of certain resources?

Answer 12. Resources that can be readily replaced or refilled are called
renewable resources. Some of these, like solar and wind energy, are limitless and
unaffected by human activity. However, the stock of renewable resources, such as
water, soil, and forests, can be harmed by reckless usage.

Question 13. What does the phrase “patent and technology” mean?

Answer 13. The definition of the terms “patent” and “technology” is:

 The term “patent” refers to the sole ownership of any innovation or

concept.
 The technology uses the most recent information and abilities to make or
accomplish things.
Question 14. The Human Made Resources: What are They?

Answer 14. Resources can only be created from natural materials after being
altered from their original state. Before humankind discovered how to extract
iron from iron ore, it was not a useful resource. Buildings, bridges, roads,
machines, and cars are human-made resources built by people using natural
resources. Technology is also considered a human-made resource.

Mcqs

Which of these have some utility?

Water
electricity

Vegetables

All of these

1. Which one of the following reason is best suitable as to why human beings
are called the ultimate(best) resource on the earth?
1. Human beings can explore, develop and convert the natural resources
into useful goods as per the abilities and demands.
2. The population of human beings in the world is ever-increasing
3. Human beings are Renewable resources
4. Human beings are found everywhere on earth
2. Listed below are some important principles of sustainable development.
Which one among them is not TRUE with respect to the principles of
sustainable development
1. Respect and care for all forms of life
2. Conserve the earth?s vitality and diversity
3. Maximise the depletion of natural resources
4. Change personal attitude and practices toward the environment.
3. These resources are inorganic in nature and constitute minerals, rocks,
soils, etc.
1. Abiotic resources
2. Man-made resources
3. Biotic resources
4. Natural resources
4. On the basis of the availability of supply, Natural resources can be classified
as____________ an

1. Ubiquitous and Localised resources

2. Renewable and Non-Renewable
3. Biotic and Abiotic resources
4. Actual and Potential resources
5.
 Name the term given to the resources that are drawn from Nature and
used without much modification.
1. Depletable
2. Human made
3. Natural resources
4. Human

1. Match the items given the Columns A Correctly with those given in Column
B.

Column A Column B

(i) Resources (a) A renewable source of energy

(ii) Windmill (b) Human-made resource

(iii) Plants and trees (c) Abiotic resources

(iv) A vehicle (d) Utility

(v) Rocks and minerals (e) Biotic resources

2.
1. Air is a ubiquitous resource since it is found………..
2. Physical factors affecting the presence of a localized resource
are…….., ……….. and………….
3. Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is
called………..
4. An actual resource today might have been a…………resource some
time ago
3. State true or false:

1. Water is not precious. We should not bother about its wasteful use.
2. All sources and substances have equal economic value.
We should minimise the depletion of natural resources.

3. People are human-made resources.

 4. What is patent?

5. How the value of resources is measured?

6. How the value of resources is measured?

7. What do you understand by the word ”utility”?

8. Write a short note on the significance of time and technology in making a

substance a resource.

9. Write a brief note on wind power.

1. (a) Human beings can explore, develop and convert the natural resources into
useful goods as per the abilities and demands.
Explanation: Humans have the abilities of transferring the physical material
into valuable resource. 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 the ultimate resource.
3. (c) Maximise the depletion of natural resources
Explanation: Minimise the depletion of natural resources
1. (a) Abiotic resources, Explanation: Abiotic resources are inorganic in nature
and constitute minerals, rocks, soils etc.
2. (b) Renewable and Non-Renewable
Explanation: Natural resources can be broadly categorised into renewable and
non-renewable resources on the basis of supply.
3. (c) Natural resources, Explanation: 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
1. (i) (d), (ii) (a), (iii) (e), (iv) (b), (v) (c)
1. everywhere
2. terrain, altitude, climate
3. resource conservation.
4. potential
1. False
2. False
 3. True
4. False
2. Patent means the exclusive right over any idea or invention.
3. 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.
4. If a substance can be used in any way, it is said to have a utility.
5. Time and technology are important factors in making substances resources.
With time, technology develops. As technology develops, we begin to
discover new ways to make life better. In this process, certain substances
which were useless to us earlier become useful. An invention and discovery
gives us new resources. An example is a hydroelectricity. This technology
has made water a source of electricity.
6. Wind power is the fastest-growing energy source in the world. A wind
turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make
wind, a turbine uses the wind to produce electricity. The wind turns the
blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and produces
electricity. The electricity is sent through transmission and distribution lines
to a substation, then on to homes, business houses and schools. Wind
turbines do not have any adverse effect on the environment. That’s why
wind power is gaining popularity. It is also becoming economically
competitive with more conventional power sources-a fact that’s greatly
improving its prospects as a viable energy source.