Class 8 Geography

Chapter 1 – Resources
1. Answer the following questions.

(i) Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?

Answer: Earth has different topography, climate and altitude at different places. The difference
in these factors has resulted in unequal distribution of resources on the earth. Also, all these
factors are different from place to place on the planet. Moreover, the level of development and
technological levels determine the distribution.

(ii) What is resource conservation?

Answer: Saving resources for future generations is called conservation. It is the protection and
ethical use of valuable resources such as minerals, water, trees, wildlife and others. Resource
conservation focuses on maintaining the natural world in order to protect the sources of
resources.

(iii) Why are human resources important?

Answer: Humans as a resource are important because they have the ability to extract value from
all other resources. They can make the best use of nature to create more resources, as they have
the knowledge, skill and technology to do so. Education and health help in making humans a
valuable resource.

(iv) What is sustainable development?

Answer: Balancing the need to use resources and also conserving them for the future is called
sustainable development. The future of our planet and its people is linked with our ability to
maintain and preserve the life support system that nature provides. Sustainable development is
when all renewable resources are used sustainably, the diversity of life on the earth is conserved,
and the damage to the natural environmental system is minimised and saved for future
generations.
2. Tick the correct Answer

(i) Which one of the following does NOT make the substance a resource?

1. Utility
2. Value
3. Quantity
Answer: 3 Quantity

(ii) Which one of the following is a human-made resource?

1. Medicines to treat cancer

2. Spring water
3. Tropical forest
Answer:1 Medicine to treat cancer

(iii) Complete the statement.

Non-renewable resources are

(a) Those which have limited stock

(b) made by human beings
(c) derived from non-living things

Answer: (a) those which have limited stock

Question 3.
Activity
“Rahiman paani raakhiye,
Bin paani sab soon.
Paani gaye na ubere Mod, manus, choon…”
[Says Rahim, keep water, as without water there is nothing. Without water pearl, swan and
dough cannot exist.] These lines were written by the poet Abdur Rahim Khankhanam, one
of the nine gems of Akbar’s court. What kind of resource is the poet referring to? Write in
100 words what would happen if this resource disappeared?
Answer.
The resource referred to by the poet is the water. It is one of the most indispensable resources of
life. It can be said to be one of the preconditions of life, like air. Firstly, water serves the most
basic purpose of drinking, without which life is not possible. In the absence of water, one would
be unable to clean clothes, utensils, or even take a bath. Farmers depend on water for irrigation.
Rainwater is so important for proper agriculture. Water is also used in cooking food. Nowadays
water has proved to be a useful source of electricity. Besides human beings, plants require water
for their growth. Water is also required for various industrial purposes in factories. In short, no
form of life can go on without water.
2. pick up a stone, a leaf,a paper straw and a twig. Think of how you can use these as resources.
See th example given below and get creative
 Class 8 Geography
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: Two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation are temperature and rainfall,
in which rainfall influences the rate of weathering and humus formation.

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

Answer: The overuse of chemical fertilizers and deforestation are the two main reasons for land
degradation. The growing population and their ever-growing demand has led to large scale
destruction of forest cover and arable land and has created a fear of losing this natural resource.

(iii) Why is land considered an important resource?

Answer: Land is considered an important resource because it can be put to use for various
purposes like agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries.

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

Answer: Two major steps taken by the government to protect and conserve plants, animals and
natural vegetation are as follows:

 National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves are made to protect our natural
vegetation and wildlife.
 Awareness programmes like social forestry and tree plantation- ‘Vanamahotsava’ are
organised to conserve forests, which are a valuable natural resource.
(v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.

Answer: Three main ways to conserve water are:

a. Increasing forest cover and other vegetation to slow the surface runoff

b. Replenishing underground water through rainwater harvesting

c. Reducing the loss of water in irrigation and shifting to less water-intensive methods of
agriculture
2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Which one of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation?

(a) Time

(b) Soil texture

(c) Organic matter

Answer: b. Soil Texture

(ii) Which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep
slopes?

(a) Shelterbelts

(b) Mulching

(c) Terrace cultivation

Answer: c) Terrace cultivation

(iii) Which one of the following is NOT in favour of the conservation of nature?

(a) switch off the bulb when not in use

(b) close the tap immediately after using

(c) dispose poly packs after shopping

Answer: c) Dispose poly packs after shopping

3. Match the following.

Column A Column B

Land use prevent soil erosion

Humus narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

Rock Dams productive use of land

Biosphere organic matter deposited on top soil

contour ploughing

Answer:

Column A Column B

Land use productive use of land

Humus organic matter deposited on top soil

Rock Dams prevent soil erosion

Biosphere narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
4: State whether the given statement is true or false. If true, give the reasons.

(i). Ganga–Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.

True: River valley and plains offer suitable land for agriculture. Hence, they are densely
populated.

(ii) Water availability per person in India is declining.

True: Increasing population, increasing urbanization, the rising standards of living and the rising
demands for food and cash crops are leading to shortages in the supply of freshwater. The
shortages are either due to drying up of water sources or water pollution.

(iii) Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement are called
intercropping.

False: Rows of trees are planted to check the wind movement and protect soil cover. These are
called shelterbelts.

(iv). Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.

False: Climate change and human interferences can cause the loss of natural habitats, and hence
destroy the ecosystem.
 Class 8 Geography
Chapter 3 – Mineral and Power Resources
1. Answer the following questions.

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

Answer: Salt, petroleum and gold are the common minerals that are used by humans on a
regular basis.

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

Answer: Ores are the rocks which are mined to extract minerals from them. Minerals occur in
different types of rocks. Some are found in igneous rocks, some in metamorphic rocks, and
others occur in sedimentary rocks. The ores of metallic minerals are found in igneous and
metamorphic rock formations that form large plateaus.

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

Answer: The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are the major producers of natural gas.
Natural gas is found in petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the
surface. It is used as a domestic and industrial fuel.

(iv) Which sources of energy would you suggest for (a) rural areas, (b) coastal areas, and
(c) Arid regions?

Answer:

(a) In rural areas – coal, solar energy, bio-gas, and firewood can be used as sources of energy.

(b) In coastal areas – wind power, petroleum and tidal power can be used.

(C) In arid areas, geothermal power and solar energy are the most suitable sources of energy to
be used.
(v) Give five ways in which you can save energy at home.

Answer:

1. Switching off the lights, TV and electric fans, when they are not in use.
2. Closing the tap properly so that it does not drip
3. Using a pressure cooker for cooking
4. Walking or using bicycles for short distance commutes.
5. Minimising the use of refrigerators, air conditioners and lifts.
2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Which one of the following is NOT a characteristic of minerals?

(a) They are created by natural processes.

(b) They have a definite chemical composition.

(c) They are inexhaustible.

(d) Their distribution is uneven.

Answer: (c) They are inexhaustible

(ii) Which one of the following is a leading producer of copper in the world?

(a) Bolivia

(b) Ghana

(c) Zimbabwe

(d) Chile

Answer: (d) Chile

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

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

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

(c) Cooking food in a pressure cooker.

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

Answer: (a) Cooking food in an open pan, kept on a low flame

3. Give reasons.

(i) Environmental aspects must be carefully looked into before building huge dams.

Answer: The construction of a huge dam creates large-scale destruction of natural vegetation
and wildlife in those areas, which get submerged. This is not good for the ecosystem. Hence,
environmental aspects must be carefully looked into before building huge dams.

(ii) Most industries are concentrated around coal mines.

Answer: Coal is an important source of energy, and hence most industries are located around
coal mines.

(iii) Petroleum is referred to as “black gold”.

Answer: Petroleum is a thick black liquid and is a valuable resource for various industries.
Hence, it is also known as “black gold”.

(iv) Quarrying can become a major environmental concern.

Answer: Quarrying creates many problems. Fine dust particles spread in the air around a
quarrying site. Dust particles from the quarry can cause respiratory problems. Quarrying also
destroys natural vegetation and, thus, the home of many wild animals.

4. Distinguish between the following.

(i) Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy

Answer: Conventional sources of energy are those which have been in common use for a long
time. Firewood and fossil fuels are the two main conventional energy sources. Whereas, non-
conventional sources of energy are alternative forms of energy used in modern times. The use of
renewable energy sources like organic waste, tide and wind energy come under non-conventional
energy sources.

(ii) Biogas and natural gas

Answer: The gaseous fuel formed from the conversion of organic waste such as dead plants,
animal material, animal dung and kitchen waste is called biogas. Biogas is a mixture of methane
and carbon dioxide and produces a huge amount of organic manure each year. Whereas, natural
gas is extracted with petroleum deposits when crude oil is brought to the surface.
(iii) Ferrous and non-ferrous minerals

Answer: Ferrous minerals contain iron, such as iron ore, manganese and chromites. On the other
hand, non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron like gold, silver, copper or lead.

(iv) Metallic and non-metallic minerals

Answer: Metallic minerals contain metal in raw form. Bauxite and manganese are some
examples of metallic minerals. In contrast, metals such as limestone, mica and gypsum do not
contain metal elements and are called non-metallic minerals.

5.Answer:
 Class 8 Geography
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 livestock. Agriculture is a primary activity, as it is connected with the extraction and
production of natural resources.

(ii) Name the factors influencing agriculture.

Answer: The factors that influence agriculture include soil, climate, topography, population etc.

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

Answer: Shifting cultivation is also known as slash-and-burn cultivation. It is a type of farming

activity which involves clearing a land plot 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.

The disadvantages of shifting cultivation are as follows:

 Leads to deforestation
 Loss of fertility of a particular land
 Leads to soil erosion
 Burning of trees causes air pollution
 Insufficient cultivation of crops for a large population.
(iv) What is plantation agriculture?

Answer: Plantations are a type of commercial farming where single crops of tea, coffee,
sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana, cotton etc., are grown. Large amounts of labour and capital
are required. The produce may be processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories. The
development of a transport network is thus essential for such farming. Major plantations are
found in the tropical regions of the world. Rubber in Malaysia, coffee in Brazil, and tea in India
and Sri Lanka are some examples.
(v) Name the fibre crops and name the climatic conditions required for their growth.

Answer: Jute and Cotton are fibre crops. The climatic conditions necessary for the growth of
jute are high temperature, heavy rainfall and high humidity. Similarly, for the growth of cotton,
high temperature, light rainfall, and bright sunshine are required.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Horticulture means

(a) growing of fruits and vegetables

(b) primitive farming

(c) growing of wheat

Answer: (a) Growing of fruits and vegetables

(ii) Golden fibre refers to

(a) tea

(b) cotton

(c) jute

Answer: (c) Jute

(iii) Leading producers of coffee

(a) Brazil

(b) India

(c) Russia

Answer: (a)Brazil
3. Give reasons.

(i) In India, agriculture is a primary activity.

Answer: Agriculture is a primary activity because many regions in India have fertile land that is
favourable for agriculture. Two-thirds of the Indian population still depend on agriculture. This
is mainly because of the lack of literacy among the people. Hence, India, being a densely
populated country, requires large-scale production of food to fulfil the needs of people.

(ii) Different crops are grown in different regions.

Answer: Different crops are grown in different regions because growing the crops depends on
factors such as favourable topography of soil, the demand for produce, type of climate, amount
of rainfall, technology and labour.

4. Distinguish between the following.

(i) Primary activities and tertiary activities

Answer: Primary activities are related to the production and extraction of natural resources, such
as fishing, agriculture and mining, whereas tertiary activities are those that provide support to
primary and secondary sectors in carrying out their activities like transportation, banking etc.

(ii) Subsistence farming and intensive farming.

Answer: Subsistence farming is a type of farming that the farmer practices to meet the needs of
his family. The cultivation of crops is done for personal consumption. It involves low levels of
technology and household labour to produce a small output. In intensive subsistence agriculture,
the farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour. Rice, wheat, maize,
pulses and oilseeds are the crops grown in this type of farming. Intensive subsistence agriculture
is prevalent in the thickly populated areas of the monsoon regions.
 Class 8 Geography
Chapter 5 – Industries
1. Answer the following questions.

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

Answer: Industry refers to an economic activity that is concerned with the production of goods
like the iron and steel industry, the extraction of minerals like the coal mining industry and the
provision of services like the tourism industry.

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

Answer: Setting up an industry leads to the development and growth of that location. The factors
that affect the location of industries are the easy availability of raw materials and land, adequate
supply of water and labour, access to power and transport, presence of markets and a good
amount of capital. Sometimes, the government also provides incentives like subsidised power,
lower transport cost and other infrastructural facilities. This is done to encourage industries to be
established in economically backward areas.

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

Answer: Steel is called the backbone of modern industry because almost everything we use is
either made of steel or has been made with machinery or tools made out of steel. The steel
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 warm and moist climate, proximity to the port, easy availability of raw materials
and skilled labour helped in the rapid expansion of the cotton textile industry in Mumbai.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Fort Gloster is located in

(a) West Bengal

(b) California

(c) Gujarat

Answer: (a) West Bengal

(ii) Which one of the following is a natural fiber?

(a) nylon

(b) jute

(c) acrylic

Answer: (b) Jute

3. Distinguish between the following.

(i) Agro-based and mineral-based industry

Answer: Agro-based industries use plant and animal-based products as their raw materials. It is
a source of employment for people in rural areas. Food processing, vegetable oil, cotton textile,
dairy products and leather industries are examples of agro-based industries, whereas mineral-
based industries are primary industries that use mineral ores as their raw materials. It is a source
of employment for both rural and urban populations. Steel and Iron Industries and Heavy
Machinery industries are examples of mineral-based industries.

(ii) Public sector and joint sector industry

Answer: Industries owned and operated by the government are public sector industries. Steel
Authority of India Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are examples of Public sector
industries. On the other hand, joint sector industries are owned and operated by the state and
individuals or a group of individuals. Maruti Udyog Limited is an example of joint sector
industry.

4. Give two examples of the following in the space provided :

(i) Raw Materials: _____________ and _____________________

Answer: Iron ore and Cotton

(ii) End products: _______________ and _________________________

Answer: Steel and Cloth

(iii) Tertiary Activities: ________________ and __________

Answer: Transport and banking

(iv) Agro-based Industries: ____________ and ____________

Answer: Dairy and Sugar

(v) Cottage Industries: ___________ and ________________

Answer: pottery and basket weaving

(vi) Co-operatives: ______________________ and _____________

Answer: Mother Dairy and Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul)

 Class 8 Geography
Chapter 6 Human Resources
1. Answer the following questions.

(i) Why are people considered a resource?

Answer: People are the greatest resource of a nation. All other resources of nature become
significant only when people extract their usefulness. It is people with their demands and
abilities that turn them into resources. Hence, human resource is the ultimate resource.

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

Answer: Population distribution in the world is uneven because of two factors, Geographical and
Social.

Geographical factors include

1. Topography: People prefer living on plains rather than mountains and plateaus because
these areas are suitable for farming, manufacturing and service activities. The Ganga
Plains are the most densely populated area in the world, while mountains like the Andes,
Alps and Himalayas are sparsely populated.
2. Water: People prefer living in areas where fresh water is easily available. The river
valleys of the world are the densely populated regions, while deserts have a less
population.
Social factors include

1. Social: Areas of better housing, education and health facilities are more densely
populated. (For example, Pune)
2. Economic: Industrial areas provide employment opportunities. A large number of people
are attracted to these areas. Osaka in Japan and Mumbai in India are two densely
populated areas.
(iii) The world population has grown very rapidly. Why?

Answer: The world population has not been stable and has increased manifold due to
advancements in science and technology. Science and technology have increased food
production, and development in healthcare facilities has helped in reducing the death rate.
(iv) Discuss the role of any two factors influencing population change.

Answer: Two factors influencing the change in population are the birth rate and death rate. The
birth rate is the number of births per 1,000 people, and the death rate is the number of deaths per
1,000 people. Birth and death are the natural causes of population change. When the birth rate is
more than the death rate, it means that the population is increasing and vice-versa. The difference
between the birth rate and the death rate of a country is called the natural growth rate.

(v) What is meant by population composition?

Answer: Population composition refers to the structure of the population. The composition of
the population helps us know how many are males or females, which age group they belong to,
how educated they are, what type of occupations they are employed in and what their income
levels and health conditions are. An interesting way of studying the population composition of a
country is by looking at the population pyramid, also called an age-sex pyramid.

(vi) What are population pyramids? How do they help in understanding 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 shows the total population divided into various age groups, the
percentage of the total population subdivided into males and females and the number of
dependents in a country. 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.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) What does the term ‘population distribution’ refer to?

1. How the population in a specified area changes over time.

2. The number of people who die in relation to the number of people born in a
specified area.
3. The way in which people are spread across a given area.
Answer (c) The way in which people are spread across a given area
(ii) Which are the three main factors that cause population change?

(a) Births, deaths and marriage

(b) Births, deaths and migration

(c) Births, deaths and life expectancy

Answer (b) Births, deaths and migration.

(iii) In 1999, the world population reached

(a) 1 billion

(b) 3 billion

(c) 6 billion

Answer (c) 6 billion

(iv) What is a population pyramid?

(a) A graphical presentation of the age-sex composition of a population.

(b) When the population density of an area is so high that people live in tall buildings.

(c) Pattern of population distribution in large urban areas.

Answer (a) A graphical presentation of the age-sex composition of a population

3. Complete the sentences below using some of the following words.

(sparsely, favourable, fallow, artificial, fertile, natural, extreme, densely)

When people are attracted to an area, it becomes ………………….. populated. Factors that
influence this include ………………….. climate, good supplies of …………………..
resources and ………………….. land.

Answer: When people are attracted to an area, it becomes densely populated. Factors that
influence this include favourable climate, good supplies of natural resources and fertile land.
Question 4.
Activity:
Discuss the characteristics of a society with “too many under 15s” and one with “too few
under 15s”.
Answer:
The society with too many under 15s need more schools to be able to educate them. There should
be efficient and laborious teachers. There should be provisions for items necessary for a child’s
amusement, like toys. Children are prone to diseases; facilities for hospitals should be improved
in such a society.
In a society with too few under 15s will have more and more mature people. Pension schemes
will work there fruitfully. There may be the need for wheelchairs. Labour supply will be easier.
These people will also need hospitals.