When do elements of Nature become 'resources'?
(a)When they are created by humans
(b)When humans use them for sustenance or create new things from them
(c)When they are found deep under the ocean
(d)When they are declared sacred
Natural Resources and Their Use — Class 8 Social Science Practice Questions
Free practice questions for CBSE Class 8 Social Science, Chapter 1: Natural Resources and Their Use, aligned with the NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Grade 8, Part 1). Pick the marks and difficulty you want and download a printable PDF worksheet with an answer key — free, with no login and no ads.
218 questions75 MCQs20 True/False8 Assertion–Reason10 Case-based35 × 2 marks30 × 3 marks15 × 4 marks15 × 5 marks
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Topics covered
- Renewable Resources (49)
- Caselets (38)
- Stewardship (30)
- Distribution of Resources (27)
- Nature as a Resource (25)
- Categories of Resources (13)
- Non-renewable Resources (13)
- Paradox of Plenty (13)
Sample questions with answers
Show answer
(b) When humans use them for sustenance or create new things from them
Which of the following is NOT a condition for an entity of Nature to be called a resource?
(a)Its exploitation should be economically feasible
(b)It should be created by humans
(c)It should be technologically accessible
(d)It should be culturally acceptable
Show answer
(b) It should be created by humans
State whether True or False: Trees exist independently of humans.
Show answer
True
Assertion (A): Trees in a sacred grove may not be treated as a resource.
Reason (R): For an entity to be a resource, its exploitation must be culturally acceptable.
Reason (R): For an entity to be a resource, its exploitation must be culturally acceptable.
(a)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Show answer
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
State the three conditions that an entity of Nature must fulfil to be called a resource.
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(1) It should be technologically accessible. (2) Its exploitation should be economically feasible. (3) It should be culturally acceptable.
Explain the three ways in which natural resources can be categorised on the basis of their use, with examples.
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(1) Resources essential for life — air, water and food taken from the atmosphere, rivers/ponds and through cultivation; we cannot make them ourselves.
(2) Resources for materials — Nature's gifts used to create objects for utility or beauty, e.g., wood made into a chair or a statuette; India has resources from wood to marble and coal to gold.
(3) Resources for energy — sources like coal, water, petroleum, natural gas, sunlight and wind that provide electricity, transport and power for production.
(2) Resources for materials — Nature's gifts used to create objects for utility or beauty, e.g., wood made into a chair or a statuette; India has resources from wood to marble and coal to gold.
(3) Resources for energy — sources like coal, water, petroleum, natural gas, sunlight and wind that provide electricity, transport and power for production.
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
A crisis has unfolded in the fertile plains of Punjab where groundwater resources have been severely depleted. In the 1960s, farmers shifted to high-yielding varieties of wheat and paddy which required more water than traditional seeds. In addition, the supply of free power led to over-pumping of groundwater. Modern farming techniques also required chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
(i) Name the revolution associated with Punjab that made India self-sufficient in food. [1 mark]
(ii) What encouraged over-pumping of groundwater? [1 mark]
(iii) State two consequences of these practices for Punjab. [2 marks]
A crisis has unfolded in the fertile plains of Punjab where groundwater resources have been severely depleted. In the 1960s, farmers shifted to high-yielding varieties of wheat and paddy which required more water than traditional seeds. In addition, the supply of free power led to over-pumping of groundwater. Modern farming techniques also required chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
(i) Name the revolution associated with Punjab that made India self-sufficient in food. [1 mark]
(ii) What encouraged over-pumping of groundwater? [1 mark]
(iii) State two consequences of these practices for Punjab. [2 marks]
Show answer
(i) The Green Revolution.
(ii) The supply of free power.
(iii) (1) Groundwater in a large part of Punjab is inaccessible till about 30 metres; almost 80% of the area is 'over-exploited'. (2) Chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers have dissolved in groundwater, causing health hazards.
(ii) The supply of free power.
(iii) (1) Groundwater in a large part of Punjab is inaccessible till about 30 metres; almost 80% of the area is 'over-exploited'. (2) Chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers have dissolved in groundwater, causing health hazards.
What is stewardship of natural resources? Explain how we can act as stewards, giving examples from the chapter.
Show answer
Stewardship means respecting Nature and using resources responsibly — enabling restoration and regeneration of renewable resources and judicious use of non-renewable ones.
(1) Restore renewables: raise groundwater through water harvesting, reviving ponds/tanks and reusing water.
(2) Heal the soil: replace excess chemicals with cow dung, compost, mulching, multi-cropping (Sikkim's organic model).
(3) Use non-renewables judiciously: shift to solar/wind energy (Bhadla Solar Park, International Solar Alliance).
(4) Reduce pollution: follow CPCB guidelines, use alternative materials like mud and recycled plastic.
(5) Ensure fairness: give all sections fair access to water and clean air; act in the spirit of lokasangraha — for the wellbeing of all.
(1) Restore renewables: raise groundwater through water harvesting, reviving ponds/tanks and reusing water.
(2) Heal the soil: replace excess chemicals with cow dung, compost, mulching, multi-cropping (Sikkim's organic model).
(3) Use non-renewables judiciously: shift to solar/wind energy (Bhadla Solar Park, International Solar Alliance).
(4) Reduce pollution: follow CPCB guidelines, use alternative materials like mud and recycled plastic.
(5) Ensure fairness: give all sections fair access to water and clean air; act in the spirit of lokasangraha — for the wellbeing of all.
All Class 8 Social Science chapters
- Ch 1Natural Resources and Their Use218 Qs
- Ch 2Reshaping India’s Political Map255 Qs
- Ch 3The Rise of the Marathas271 Qs
- Ch 4The Colonial Era in India265 Qs
- Ch 5Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System241 Qs
- Ch 6The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive246 Qs
- Ch 7Factors of Production230 Qs
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