Natural Resources and Their Use — Hard

Q1. Consider the two statements about the word 'exploitation' as used of the chapter. Statement A: In everyday usage, 'exploitation' usually carries a negative connotation. Statement B: In the context of natural resources in this chapter, 'exploitation' means extraction, utilisation and consumption of natural resources. Which of the following is correct?

• A. Only Statement A is correct
• B. Only Statement B is correct
• C. Both Statement A and Statement B are correct
• D. Neither Statement A nor Statement B is correct

Q2. On Figure 1.11 (Distribution of important minerals) which of the following sets is shown ENTIRELY as oil locations?

• A. Digboi, Naharkatia, Mumbai High, Ankleshwar and Kalol
• B. Jharia, Bokaro, Raniganj and Korba
• C. Bailadila, Mayurbhanj, Kudremukh and Gua
• D. Amarkantak, Katni, Koraput and Durg

Q3. Which of the following statements about non-renewable resources of the chapter, is NOT correct?

• A. Non-renewable resources are created over long periods
• B. They cannot be replenished at the rate at which we use them
• C. Fossil fuels and minerals like iron, copper and gold are non-renewable
• D. India has very small quantities of coal reserves, which is why coal is non-renewable

Q4. How the Punjab groundwater crisis began. Arrange the following events in the correct chronological order: (i) Farmers shift to high-yielding varieties of wheat and paddy (ii) Supply of free power leads to over-pumping of groundwater (iii) Groundwater levels in much of Punjab fall to depths of about 30 metres (iv) Chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers dissolve in the groundwater

• A. (i) → (ii) → (iii) → (iv)
• B. (ii) → (i) → (iv) → (iii)
• C. (iii) → (iv) → (i) → (ii)
• D. (iv) → (iii) → (ii) → (i)

Q5. Match the mineral in List I with the location shown on Fig. 1.11in List II. List I (Mineral) — List II (Location) P. Iron ore — 1. Digboi Q. Coal — 2. Bailadila R. Oil — 3. Korba S. Bauxite — 4. Amarkantak

• A. P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4
• B. P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4
• C. P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3
• D. P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1

Q6. Consider the two statements based of the chapter. Statement A: The irresponsible treatment of natural resources has led to pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. Statement B: 'Biodiversity loss' refers to the decline in the variety of life on Earth. Which of the following is correct?

• A. A is correct but B is incorrect
• B. B is correct but A is incorrect
• C. Both A and B are correct, and B correctly defines a key term used in A
• D. Both A and B are incorrect

Q7. Aarti reads that one of the largest solar parks in the world is located in Rajasthan. The figure caption (Fig. 1.21) records that this park can generate enough electricity to power about what share of Rajasthan's current needs?

• A. about 5 per cent
• B. about 10 per cent
• C. about 15 per cent
• D. about 50 per cent

Q8. Assertion (A): The chapter urges us to act as stewards of natural resources, working towards restoration, regeneration and sustainability. Reason (R): The Bhagavad Gītā refers to lokasaṅgraha, the idea that everyone must transcend personal desires and act for the wellbeing of all. Choose the correct option

• A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
• C. A is true but R is false
• D. A is false but R is true

Q9. On, under 'Resources for materials', the chapter gives the example of a piece of wood transformed into a chair and also carved into a statuette. The BEST inference from this example is that human beings use natural resources for

• A. only utility, never for beauty
• B. only beauty, never for utility
• C. both utility and the creation of things of beauty that enrich human life
• D. neither utility nor beauty — only for industries

Q10. Two examples to illustrate how Nature 'heals, renews and maintains herself over time'. These two examples are

• A. a cut on your skin healing, and a forest recovering after a wildfire
• B. an empty pond filling with rainwater, and a tree growing taller each year
• C. a river changing its course, and lava cooling into rock
• D. a desert spreading, and a glacier melting

Q11. Vṛkṣhāyurveda. Which of the following statements about it is NOT correct as per the chapter?

• A. It is an ancient Indian botanical science focusing on the study and care of plants and trees
• B. The term comes from Sanskrit — vṛkṣha (tree) and ayurveda (the science of life or health)
• C. It was formalised in texts such as Surapala's Vṛkṣhāyurveda around the 10th century CE
• D. It rejects crop rotation and mixed cropping as harmful to soil health

Q12. 'National and international trade depend on the geographical location of natural resources. Combined with human knowledge and skills, these can create unique products like the Wootz steel. As we know, trade fuelled the development of large empires in India.' The MAIN point of this paragraph is that

• A. Wootz steel was the only natural resource exported from India
• B. geographical resources combined with human skill produce unique trade goods, which historically fuelled the growth of empires
• C. trade in India was always limited to the local level
• D. empires in India grew only because of warfare, not trade

Q13. Consider the two statements about groundwater. Statement A: In most states of India, the rate of groundwater extraction by farmers is greater than the rate at which the water table is replenished. Statement B: Over time, this deficit builds up, leading to a higher cost of extraction and eventually to the unavailability of groundwater. Which of the following is correct?

• A. A is correct, B is incorrect
• B. B is correct, A is incorrect
• C. Both A and B are correct, and B is a logical consequence of A
• D. Both A and B are incorrect

Q14. Alternative materials that reduce pollution caused by cement. Which of the following groups is mentioned in the chapter?

• A. iron, steel and aluminium
• B. traditional materials like stone and mud, new plant-based materials, and recycled materials from waste plastic
• C. glass, marble and granite
• D. synthetic polymers and rubber

Q15. Records four effects of Sikkim's transition to 100 per cent organic farming after 2016. Which of the following is NOT listed among those effects?

• A. local biodiversity flourished, with beneficial insects and birds returning
• B. tourism increased as visitors came to see the organic farming model
• C. farmers' incomes grew by 20 per cent on average
• D. the use of chemical fertilisers increased to maintain high yields