Knowledge Check: Resources
Resources – Production, Exchange and Livelihoods
1. Which of the following best defines a ‘resource’ in social studies?
- Anything that is available in unlimited quantity
- Anything that satisfies human needs and has value
- Only materials found underground
- Only man-made objects used in factories
Show Answer
Correct: B) Anything that satisfies human needs and has value
Explanation: A resource is anything (natural or human-made) that people can use to meet their needs and which has some value (economic, cultural or aesthetic).
2. Resources are categorised mainly into which two broad types?
- Private and public
- Renewable and non-renewable
- Urban and rural
- Export and import
Show Answer
Correct: B) Renewable and non-renewable
Explanation: Resources are primarily classified as renewable (can be replenished) and non-renewable (finite and exhaustible).
3. Air and sunlight are examples of which type of natural resource?
- Ubiquitous resources
- Localised resources
- Biotic resources
- Abiotic resources that are localised
Show Answer
Correct: A) Ubiquitous resources
Explanation: Ubiquitous resources are found everywhere, such as air and sunlight, unlike localised resources like coal or iron ore.
4. In a school in Andhra Pradesh, students use black soil for making clay models. This soil is best described as which type of resource?
- Actual resource
- Potential resource
- Abiotic renewable resource
- Non-renewable localised resource
Show Answer
Correct: C) Abiotic renewable resource
Explanation: Soil is an abiotic natural resource and renewable if conserved properly through farming practices.
5. Which of the following is a human-made resource?
- Iron ore
- Machinery
- Forests
- Rivers
Show Answer
Correct: B) Machinery
Explanation: Human-made resources are created by people using natural resources, such as buildings, bridges, and machinery.
6. India has approximately what percentage of the world’s freshwater resources despite having 18% of the world population?
- 20%
- 10%
- 4%
- 1%
Show Answer
Correct: C) 4%
Explanation: India possesses only about 4% of global freshwater resources, making efficient use and conservation critical.
7. Which layer of the atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays and is therefore a vital natural resource?
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere (ozone layer)
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
Show Answer
Correct: B) Stratosphere (ozone layer)
Explanation: The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs most of the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
8. A farmer in coastal Andhra Pradesh depends heavily on alluvial soil brought by the Godavari river. This soil is an example of:
- Renewable actual resource
- Non-renewable potential resource
- Human resource
- Ubiquitous resource
Show Answer
Correct: A) Renewable actual resource
Explanation: Alluvial soil deposited by rivers is continuously replenished and currently used, hence renewable and actual.
9. If we continue to waste water today, which future consequence is most likely in many Indian villages?
- More rainfall
- Lower groundwater levels and dry wells
- Increased fish production
- Better soil fertility
Show Answer
Correct: B) Lower groundwater levels and dry wells
Explanation: Non-conservation leads to depletion of groundwater, causing wells and borewells to dry up.
10. Conservation of resources ensures which of the following for future generations?
- Higher prices only
- Sustainable availability and quality of life
- Complete stoppage of use
- Export increase only
Show Answer
Correct: B) Sustainable availability and quality of life
Explanation: Conservation promotes sustainable development so that future generations can meet their needs.
11. Which principle is famously associated with sustainable resource use?
- Use everything today
- Use only what is needed today without compromising tomorrow
- Store all resources underground
- Sell all resources abroad
Show Answer
Correct: B) Use only what is needed today without compromising tomorrow
Explanation: This is the core idea of sustainable development as stated by the Brundtland Commission.
12. Minerals are broadly classified into how many major types?
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
Show Answer
Correct: B) Three
Explanation: Minerals are mainly classified as metallic, non-metallic, and energy (fuel) minerals.
13. Which mineral is primarily used in making jewellery and as a currency reserve?
- Bauxite
- Gold
- Mica
- Coal
Show Answer
Correct: B) Gold
Explanation: Gold is a precious metallic mineral widely used in ornaments and as a financial asset.
14. The largest producer of bauxite in India is:
- Jharkhand
- Odisha
- Andhra Pradesh
- Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct: B) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha is India’s leading producer of bauxite, the ore of aluminium.
15. Which country is the largest producer of iron ore in the world?
- Brazil
- Australia
- China
- India
Show Answer
Correct: B) Australia
Explanation: Australia leads global iron ore production followed closely by Brazil.
16. Manganese in India is mainly found in which state?
- Andhra Pradesh
- Odisha
- Karnataka
- Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct: B) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha is the leading producer of manganese in India.
17. In Andhra Pradesh, which mineral is abundantly found in the districts of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari?
- Bauxite
- Limestone
- Coal
- Gold
Show Answer
Correct: A) Bauxite
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh has large deposits of bauxite in the Eastern Ghats region, especially Visakhapatnam.
18. The process of taking out minerals from rocks deep under the earth’s surface is called:
- Farming
- Mining
- Fishing
- Harvesting
Show Answer
Correct: B) Mining
Explanation: Mining includes both open-cast and shaft mining methods to extract minerals.
19. In India, mining activities are regulated under which act?
- Forest Conservation Act
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
- Water Prevention Act
- Wildlife Protection Act
Show Answer
Correct: B) Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
Explanation: This act (amended in 2015 & 2021) governs mineral concession grants and mining operations in India.
20. Which method of mining is generally used for coal in India?
- Open-cast mining
- Shaft mining
- Drilling only
- Dredging
Show Answer
Correct: A) Open-cast mining
Explanation: Most coal in India is extracted through open-cast mining because seams are closer to the surface.
21. Which of the following is a conventional source of energy?
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Coal
- Tidal energy
Show Answer
Correct: C) Coal
Explanation: Conventional sources are traditional, widely used, mostly non-renewable sources like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
22. Which is a major disadvantage of coal as a power resource?
- It is renewable
- It causes air pollution when burned
- It is very costly to transport
- It produces no heat
Show Answer
Correct: B) It causes air pollution when burned
Explanation: Burning coal is a major source of greenhouse gases and air pollutants.
23. Which non-conventional source is most suitable for coastal Andhra Pradesh?
- Geothermal energy
- Wind energy
- Nuclear energy
- Hydel energy
Show Answer
Correct: B) Wind energy
Explanation: Coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh have high wind potential; many wind farms are located in districts like Anantapur and Kurnool.
24. An advantage of solar energy over coal is that it:
- Is non-renewable
- Produces no greenhouse gases during use
- Requires deep mining
- Is available only at night
Show Answer
Correct: B) Produces no greenhouse gases during use
Explanation: Solar energy is clean and renewable with zero emissions during electricity generation.
25. Which of the following is NOT a non-conventional source of energy?
- Biomass energy
- Natural gas
- Tidal energy
- Solar energy
Show Answer
Correct: B) Natural gas
Explanation: Natural gas is a conventional fossil fuel, while the others are non-conventional/renewable.
26. In a classroom discussion, a student says “Petroleum will last forever”. This statement is:
- Correct because it is renewable
- Incorrect because it is non-renewable
- Correct because we keep discovering more
- Incorrect only in India
Show Answer
Correct: B) Incorrect because it is non-renewable
Explanation: Petroleum is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years and is exhaustible.
27. Which natural resource is both ubiquitous and renewable but can be polluted by human activities?
- Coal
- Iron ore
- Air
- Gold
Show Answer
Correct: C) Air
Explanation: Air is present everywhere (ubiquitous) and replenished naturally but can become polluted.
28. A school in Andhra Pradesh installed solar panels on the roof. This is an example of using:
- Conventional, non-renewable resource
- Non-conventional, renewable resource
- Human-made, non-renewable resource
- Potential, localised resource
Show Answer
Correct: B) Non-conventional, renewable resource
Explanation: Solar energy is non-conventional and renewable, suitable for schools to reduce electricity bills.
29. Which mineral is essential for making cement and found abundantly in Andhra Pradesh?
- Bauxite
- Limestone
- Manganese
- Coal
Show Answer
Correct: B) Limestone
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh (especially YSR Kadapa, Guntur) has large limestone deposits used for cement industry.
30. If a village adopts rainwater harvesting, it directly helps in conservation of which resource?
- Minerals
- Forests
- Water
- Air
Show Answer
Correct: C) Water
Explanation: Rainwater harvesting recharges groundwater and conserves water resources.
31. Which of the following resources is biotic and renewable?
- Coal
- Petroleum
- Forests
- Natural gas
Show Answer
Correct: C) Forests
Explanation: Forests are living (biotic) and can be regenerated through afforestation.
32. The Krishna-Godavari basin is famous in India for which power resource?
- Coal
- Natural gas
- Uranium
- Wind
Show Answer
Correct: B) Natural gas
Explanation: The KG basin (Andhra Pradesh) is a major offshore source of natural gas in India.
33. Using CNG in school buses instead of diesel helps in conservation by:
- Increasing air pollution
- Reducing emission of harmful gases
- Depleting groundwater
- Wasting more fuel
Show Answer
Correct: B) Reducing emission of harmful gases
Explanation: CNG is a cleaner conventional fuel that reduces particulate matter and sulphur emissions.
34. Which mineral’s extraction often uses the shaft mining method in India?
- Limestone
- Coal in deeper seams
- Sand
- Bauxite
Show Answer
Correct: B) Coal in deeper seams
Explanation: When coal seams are deep underground, shaft mining (underground mining) is employed.
35. A farmer in Rayalaseema region uses drip irrigation. This practice conserves:
- Soil nutrients only
- Water
- Electricity only
- Seeds
Show Answer
Correct: B) Water
Explanation: Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, minimising wastage in dry regions like Rayalaseema.
36. Which of the following is an abiotic non-renewable resource?
- Fish
- Petroleum
- Forests
- Cattle
Show Answer
Correct: B) Petroleum
Explanation: Petroleum is non-living (abiotic) and formed over millions of years, hence non-renewable.
37. The leading mica producing state in India is:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct: A) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh (Nellore district) is the largest producer of mica in India.
38. Which energy source has practically no moving parts and very low maintenance cost?
- Thermal power
- Hydel power
- Solar photovoltaic
- Diesel generator
Show Answer
Correct: C) Solar photovoltaic
Explanation: Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity with no moving parts, leading to low maintenance.
39. Over-extraction of groundwater in Punjab and Haryana has led to:
- Increased rainfall
- Falling water table
- More fertile soil
- Higher crop prices
Show Answer
Correct: B) Falling water table
Explanation: Excessive use of tube wells for irrigation has depleted groundwater levels in these states.
40. Planting trees on school premises helps conserve which resource in the long term?
- Minerals
- Soil and water
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
Show Answer
Correct: B) Soil and water
Explanation: Trees prevent soil erosion, improve groundwater recharge, and maintain ecological balance.