LS.

14: -- TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

A. Choose the correct answer and fill in the blanks.

1. Turkey 2. concrete 3. 1853
4. fax machine 5. Radio 6. China

B. Match the columns.

1. c; 2. d; 3. a; 4. B

C. Answer these questions.

1. What are the modes of transport? Explain each one briefly.

Ans. Roadways, railways, airways and waterways are the different modes
of transport.

• Roadways: Roads are the most commonly used mode of transport.

They are of two types—pucca roads and kutcha roads. Roads which
are made of cement, tar, concrete and bricks are called pucca roads.
Roads which are made of sand and mud are called kutcha roads.
Many countries have special roads which connect cities and towns
with each other. They are called expressways, freeways and
national highways. Some countries are also connected by road.
These roads are called international highways.
• Railways: Railways were introduced in India in 1853 by the British.
They are a cheap mode of transport. They help people travel long
distances. They are also used to carry heavy goods. There are two
types of trains—passenger trains and goods trains. Passenger trains
carry people from one place to another. Goods train carry heavy goods
from one place to another. Metro trains run in big cities such as New Delhi,
Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru. These trains are used by
people to cover short distances within a city.
• Airways: Airways are the fastest and most expensive mode of
transport. They help people cover longer distances in less time. In
India, there are government- run and private airlines. Aeroplanes and
helicopters are means of air transport. They are used to bring food
and medicines to people who are affected by a disaster. Roads and
railway tracks are destroyed during disasters. Therefore, helicopters
and aeroplanes are used to rescue people who have been affected
 by a disaster.
• Waterways: Waterways are of great importance to a country. They
require low maintenance and are by far the cheapest mode of
transport. In India, there are thirteen major ports which connect our
country to the rest of the world. Waterways are of two types—inland
waterways and oceanic waterways. Inland waterways include water
bodies such as rivers, canals and backwaters. Oceanic waterways
include seas and oceans.

2. Discuss the advantages of air travel over roadways.

Ans. Airways are the fastest and most expensive mode of transport.
They help people to cover longer distances in less time. Aero planes
can carry as many as 400 people at one time. Roadways are the
most commonly used mode of transport. But they are slower as
compared to airways. Air travel helps to save time as we can travel to far-off
places in just a few hours. Roadways take longer for a person to reach from
one place to another.

3. What is communication?
Ans. Communication is the process of exchanging ideas, thoughts and
information with another person.

4. What is the difference between personal and mass

communication?
Ans. When communication takes place between two people, it is
called personal communication. This type of communication usually
takes place between friends and family. When communication takes
place between many people, it is called mass communication.

5. Describe the different means of personal communication.

Ans. Postal service, telegraph, telephone, fax and email are the
different means of personal communication.

• Postal service: It is one of the oldest systems of communication in

India. Parcels and money orders are sent through the postal
system. Airways, roadways and railways are used to send letters,
parcels and envelopes. Today, faster ways of sending letters and
parcels are available. People send these through speed post and
courier services.

• Telegraph: It is a device used for transmitting and receiving

messages over long distances. A telegram is sent using the
Morse Code. However, telegraph services were discontinued in
India in 2013.

• Telephone: Telephones are the most common and fastest

means of communication used today. People can talk to each
 other over long distances by simply dialing a number. Nowadays,
we have mobile phones which also enable us to send messages
and emails, connect to the Internet, and even find the location of
places. They can be carried anywhere easily.

• Fax: A fax machine is used to send an exact copy of a photo or a

written message. Documents can be transmitted to distant places
through fax machine which is connected to a telephone line.

• Email: Email or electronic mail is a new system of communication

which has been developed in the recent years. It helps to send and
receive messages instantly with the help of the Internet.