Our Resources

Subject: Social Science

Class: VIII
I) Answer the following questions in 10 – 20 words:

1. What do you understand by the term Resources?

All the elements of the environment which humans need and value are called
Resources.

2. Name three factors that determine the use of resources.

The use of resources depends upon:
- the needs of the people of a region
- their knowledge and
- the level of technology they possess

3. What are the three types of resources?

According to the nature of resources they can be classified into three types:
- Natural
- Human and
- Human made.

4. Name two minerals that can be recycled.

The minerals like iron, gold and silver are recycled with the help of technology.

5. What do you understand by a reserve?

The portion of the actual resource which can be developed profitably with
available technology is called a Reserve.
II) Answer the following questions in 50 - 70 words:

1. Classify resources on the basis of their origin. Give examples.

On the basis of their origin natural resources can be classified as biotic

resources and abiotic resources.
(a) Biotic resources :- These are obtained from living organisms such as plants
and animals .
 e.g.: forest products, grasses, herbs, crops, wild and domestic animals, birds,
fish, reptile etc.
- They play an important role in satisfying our day to day needs.
- All the biotic resources have the capacity to reproduce and regenerate within
a period of time. Thus they are renewable resources.
(b) Abiotic resources:- These are obtained from the non-living or physical
environment.
- e.g.: land, soil, water, air, rocks and minerals.
- Humans use them directly or indirectly to satisfy their needs.
- Some abiotic resources like minerals are non-renewable while some of them
like water and air are renewable.

2. Distinguish between potential and actual resources?

On the basis of their stage of development natural resources can be classified

as potential and actual resources

Potential resources: These are resources which exist in a region and could
be used in the future but have not been developed yet to their full potential.

- For example, Africa has numerous waterfalls which could be harnessed in the
future to generate hydroelectricity, but at present have not been fully utilised.
- The waterfalls are thus, a potential resource for Africa.

Actual resources: Actual resources are those resources which can be put to
actual use as their quantity and quality have been properly assessed.

- eg: coal and iron deposit in India.

3. Explain the factors on which productivity depends

Productivity depends on:

- the level of technology used

- the law and order situation
- the political and social institutions
- the infrastructure available
- Countries which use a high level of technology have a peaceful law and order
situations ,good banking facilities, uninterrupted electricity and water supply,
- Good transport and communication network, a stable government and high
productivity.
 III) Classify resources on the basis of their renewability. Give examples.(80-
100 words) On the basis of their renewability natural resources can be
classified as renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Renewable resources: Some resources do not get exhausted even after
continuous use. These are inexhaustible resources.
- e.g. sunlight, wind, water, sand etc.
- Some resources are limited in supply and get diminished after every use but
- They have the capacity to reproduce and regenerate within a period of time.
- They are called renewable resources.
- They include biotic resources like plants ,animals and humans.
- Non-renewable resources.
- Some resources get completely exhausted after use and cannot be replaced.
- These are exhaustible or non-renewable resources.
- Eg: minerals like iron, copper and fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural
gas.
- Some of the minerals like iron ,gold and silver can be recycled with the help of
technology.
- Fossil fuels cannot be recycled.

IV) What do you mean by sustainable development? What is its importance

and how can we achieve it?
- Sustainable Development means development that takes place without
damaging the environment.
- It is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- Sustainable Development is important due to the following factors:
(a) Our resources are limited
(b) With the increasing population and their ever growing demands, the rate
at which natural resources are being used has risen dramatically.
© If the rate of consumption is faster than that of their availability or
regeneration, the resources are bound to be depleted.
(d) Misuse or overuse of resources has led to their degradation or
deterioration in quality.
(e) If this situation continues we will soon be forced to live without resources
in the world.

- This can be achieved by taking the following steps:

(a) Use all renewable resources in a sustainable manner.

(b) minimize the depletion of natural resources.

(c) conserve the earth’s diverse resources

(d) Enable communities to care for their own environment.