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NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography 2021

NCERT Solution for Class 8 Geography - Understanding concepts connected to different developmental elements such as resources, agriculture, industry, human resources, and so on is crucial. It presents all concepts and themes in the most simple way possible, so students don't have to struggle to comprehend even the most difficult topics. All of the information is presented in a clear and comprehensive manner. The fact that CBSE question papers are prepared solely using the NCERT Class 8 Geography book demonstrates the book's value.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Resource And Development

Chapter 1 - Resources

Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?

Ans : Distribution of resources depends on a variety of physical factors like terrain, climate, altitude, etc. Since all these factors vary from one place to another, availability of resources also varies at these places. Moreover, the level of development and technology enhancement also determine the distribution of resources at different places.

What is resource conservation?

Answer:

Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called resource conservation. If not conserved, the resources that are already available in limited quantities will get exhausted.

Why are human resources important?

Answer:

Humans as a resource are important because they can make the best use of nature to create more resources using their knowledge, skill and technology. Education and health help in making humans a valuable resource.

What is sustainable development?

Answer:

Sustainable development means using resources wisely without damaging the environment and keeping in mind the need of future generations. This can be achieved by making the right balance between using the resources to meet our present needs and conserving them for future.

Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

1. Answer the following questions.

(i) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?

Answer:

Temperature and rainfall are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation. Both these factors promote weathering, that is, breaking down of rocks.

(ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.

Answer:

Two reasons for land degradation are:

• Large scale destruction of forest cover
• Excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural lands

(iii) Why is land considered an important resource?

Answer:

Land is considered an important resource because it can be used for various purposes like agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries. It also serves as a habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.

(iv) Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.

Answer:

Two steps that the government has taken to conserve plants and animals are:

• Establishment of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves to protect our natural vegetation and wildlife. For example, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
• Putting a ban on killing of lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards and peacocks.

(v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.

Answer:

Water can be conserved by the following three ways:

• Rain-water harvesting system should be used to collect the rain water and store it for future use.
• The canals used for irrigating fields should be properly lined to minimise losses by water seepage.
• Afforestation should be promoted to slow the surface runoff and replenish the ground water.

Chapter 3 - Mineral and Power Resources

1. Answer the following questions.

(i) Name any three common minerals used by you every day?

Answer:

Iron, gold and salt gold are the common minerals that we use every day.

(ii) What is an ore? Where are the ores of metallic minerals generally located?

Answer:

A rock from which a particular mineral can be profitably extracted is called an ore.

The ores of metallic minerals are generally located in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

(iii) Name two regions rich in natural gas resources?

Answer:

Russia and the United Kingdom are the major producers of natural gas.

(iv) Which sources of energy would you suggest for

(a) rural areas

(b) coastal areas

(c) Arid regions?

Answer:

(a) Rural areas – biogas, solar energy

(b) Coastal areas – wind power, tidal power

(c) Arid regions – geothermal powers, solar energy

(v) Give five ways in which you can save energy at home.

Answer:

We can save energy at home by following the ways as mentioned below: (any five)

• Switching off the electrical appliances when not in use.
• Using pressure cooker to cook food.
• Promoting the use of solar energy.
• Covering the short distances using bicycles or by walking.
• Turning off the car's engineat a red light .
• Using energy-efficient devices such as fluorescent bulbs and tubes

(iii) Which one of the following practices will NOT conserve LPG in your kitchen.

(a) Soaking the dal for some time before cooking it.

(b) Cooking food in a pressure cooker.

(c) Keeping the vegetables chopped before lighting the gas for cooking.

(d) Cooking food in an open pan kept on low flame.

Answer: (d) Cooking food in an open pan kept on low flame.

Chapter 4 - Agriculture

1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is agriculture?

Answer:

Agriculture is a primary activity that includes growing crops, vegetables, fruits, flowers and rearing of livestock.

(ii) Name the factors influencing agriculture?

Answer:

Some major factors that influence agriculture are:

• Soil
• Climate
• Topography
• Population

(iii) What is shifting cultivation? What are its disadvantages?

Answer:

Shifting cultivation is a type of farming activity in which a plot of land is cleared by cutting down trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops are grown. After the land has lost its fertility, it is abandoned. The farmers then move to a new place.

This type of farming has the following disadvantages.

• It leads to deforestation.
• The land used loses its fertility after some time
• It also leads to soil erosion
• Burning of trees causes air pollution
• Crops are cultivated on small plots of land which is insufficient for feeding a large population.

(iv) What is plantation agriculture?

Answer:

Plantations are a type of commercial farming where a single crop of tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana or cotton is grown. It requires a large amount of capital and labour. The produce can be processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories. The development of a transport network is thus essential for such farming. This type of farming can be found in tropical regions of the world like India, Sri Lanka and Brazil.

(v) Name the fibre crops and name the climatic conditions required for their growth.

Answer:

Jute and Cotton are fibre crops.

The climatic conditions required for the growth of Jute are:

• High temperature
• Heavy rainfall
• High humidity

The climatic conditions required for the growth of cotton are:

• High temperature
• Light rainfall
• Bright sunshine

Chapter 5 - Industries

1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is meant by the term ‘industry’?

Answer:

Industry refers to an economic activity involving production of goods like iron and steel industry, extraction of minerals like coal mining industry and the provision of services like tourism industry.

(ii) Which are the main factors which influence the location of an industry?

Answer:

Several factors which influence the location of an industry include:

• Availability of raw material
• Availability of land
• Supply of water
• Availability of labour
• Access to power
• Transport facilities
• Provision of capital
• Presence of market

(iii) Which industry is often referred to as the backbone of modern industry and why?

Answer:

The iron and steel industry is called the backbone of the modern industry. This is because almost everything we use is either made of iron or steel or has been made with tools and machinery of these metals. This industry is basically the feeder industry, whose products are the raw materials for other industries.

(iv) Why has the cotton textile industry rapidly expanded in Mumbai?

Answer:

The cotton textile industry rapidly expanded in Mumbai due to the following favourable factors:

• Warm and moist climate
• Availability of the port for importing of machinery
• Availability of raw material
• Availability of skilled labour

Chapter 6 - Human Resources

1. Answer the following questions.

(i) Why are people considered a resource?

Answer:

People are the greatest resource of the nation since they can make the best use of nature to create more resources when they have the knowledge, skill and technology to do so. It is people with their demands and abilities that help in extracting the usefulness of all other resources.

(ii) What are the causes for the uneven distribution of population in the world?

Answer:

Population distribution in the world depends on various factors like geographical, social, cultural and economic factors.

• Geographical factors include climatic conditions, flatness of land, soil fertility, availability of fresh water and mineral resources at a place.
• Social factors include housing, educational and health facilities.
• Cultural factors include proximity to places of religious and cultural importance.
• Economic factors include presence of employment opportunities.

(iii) The world population has grown very rapidly. Why?

Answer:

The world population has grown very rapidly due to the advancements in science and technology that in turn resulted in increased food production and development in healthcare facilities. All this has helped in reducing death rate.

(iv) Discuss the role of any two factors influencing population change.

Answer:

Two factors influencing the population change are birth rate and death rate.

Birth rate is the number of births per 1,000 people.

Death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 people.

Births and deaths are the natural causes of population change. When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, it means that the population is increasing and when the death rate is more than the birth rate, it means that the population is decreasing. Thus, the birth rate and death rate affect the balance of population.

(v) What is meant by population composition?

Answer:

Population composition refers to the structure of the population of a particular region. It helps us to know the number of males or females in the population, their age, qualification, occupations, income status and health conditions.

(vi) What are population pyramids? How do they help in understanding about the population of a country?

Answer:

The graphical representation used to study the composition of a country’s population is called the population pyramid. It is also named as the age−sex pyramid. It gives information about the number of males and females in the population and their precise age groups. The age group details help in determining the number of dependents and the economically active citizens present in the population. When the population of a country has high birth and death rates, the population pyramid is broad at the base and narrow towards the top.