Natural Resources and Their Use
Understanding Natural Resources and Their Importance
Instructions
- Read each question carefully.
- Choose the correct option (A, B, C or D).
- Check answer key after solving.
1. What does the word 'Nature' primarily mean in the context of natural resources?
- A) Things created by humans for their use.
- B) The totality of life and non-life forms that are part of our environment but not created by humans.
- C) Only living things found in forests.
- D) Only non-living things like rocks and water.
2. When does an element of Nature become a 'resource' for humans?
- A) When it exists independently of humans.
- B) When humans use it for their sustenance or create new things from it for consumption.
- C) Only when it is found deep under the ocean.
- D) When it is culturally unacceptable to use.
3. Which of the following is NOT a condition for something to be called a 'resource'?
- A) Technologically accessible.
- B) Economically feasible to exploit.
- C) Culturally acceptable to exploit.
- D) Must be a living organism.
4. Which of these is an example of a "not-so-obvious" natural treasure mentioned in the text?
- A) Water
- B) Air
- C) Coal
- D) Soil
5. What is the meaning of 'exploitation' in the context of natural resources, as used in the text?
- A) Unfair treatment.
- B) Extraction, utilisation, and consumption.
- C) Causing harm to nature.
- D) Wasting resources.
6. According to the text, what is a key reason for categorizing natural resources?
- A) To make them look prettier.
- B) To communicate more effectively and discuss ideas or things without describing them every time.
- C) To make them more expensive.
- D) To hide some resources from people.
7. Which of the following is NOT one of the ways natural resources are categorized based on their uses, according to the text?
- A) Resources essential for life.
- B) Resources for materials.
- C) Resources for entertainment.
- D) Resources for energy.
8. Which of these resources is considered 'essential for life' according to the text?
- A) Gold
- B) Petroleum
- C) Air
- D) Timber
9. When we make furniture from wood, which category of natural resources are we primarily using?
- A) Resources essential for life.
- B) Resources for energy.
- C) Resources for materials.
- D) Renewable resources.
10. Which natural source provides energy for our buildings and transportation?
- A) Soil
- B) Water (for drinking)
- C) Coal
- D) Air (for breathing)
11. What is the general principle of Nature mentioned in the text regarding resources?
- A) It functions in a destructive way.
- B) It functions in a restorative and regenerative way.
- C) It functions by creating a lot of waste.
- D) It functions only when humans intervene.
12. Which of these is an example of a renewable resource mentioned in the text?
- A) Coal
- B) Petroleum
- C) Solar energy
- D) Iron ore
13. What condition must be met for renewable resources like timber from forests to remain renewable?
- A) We must harvest timber faster than the forest can grow trees.
- B) The natural rhythm of restoration and regeneration must not be disturbed.
- C) We must stop using timber altogether.
- D) We must only use timber for furniture.
14. What are "ecosystem services" according to the text?
- A) Services provided by humans to improve ecosystems.
- B) Natural processes that only benefit animals.
- C) Natural processes that benefit humans.
- D) Services provided by factories near ecosystems.
15. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?
- A) Wind energy
- B) Water from rivers
- C) Natural gas
- D) Sunlight
16. Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable resources?
- A) Because they are found only in certain places.
- B) Because they are created over millions of years and cannot be replenished at the rate we use them.
- C) Because they are very expensive to extract.
- D) Because they are not valuable to humans.
17. What happens if we harvest timber faster than a forest can grow new trees?
- A) The forest becomes more beautiful.
- B) We will eventually deplete the forest.
- C) The forest will grow even faster.
- D) It will have no effect on the forest.
18. How much oxygen does a mature tree produce approximately per day?
- A) About 50 litres
- B) About 100 litres
- C) About 275 litres
- D) About 500 litres
19. How is the distribution of natural resources across the planet?
- A) Evenly distributed everywhere.
- B) Unevenly distributed.
- C) Only found near oceans.
- D) Only found in cold places.
20. What is one implication of the uneven distribution of natural resources?
- A) All countries become equally rich.
- B) It can shape human settlements, trade patterns, and even conflicts.
- C) Everyone gets the same amount of resources.
- D) Natural resources are never traded between countries.
21. What is the "natural resource curse" or "paradox of plenty"?
- A) Having a lot of natural resources guarantees economic prosperity.
- B) Regions rich in natural resources sometimes experience slower economic growth and development.
- C) Natural resources always lead to conflicts.
- D) Only poor countries have natural resources.
22. According to the text, how has India generally avoided the "natural resource curse"?
- A) By selling all its raw resources to other countries.
- B) By not using any natural resources.
- C) By investing in the development of industries to convert resources into products of higher value.
- D) By relying only on agriculture.
23. The sharing of which river's water is given as an example of tensions between states in India over natural resources?
- A) Ganga
- B) Yamuna
- C) Kaveri
- D) Brahmaputra
24. What does "biodiversity loss" mean?
- A) An increase in the variety of life on Earth.
- B) The decline in the variety of life on Earth.
- C) The growth of new species.
- D) The discovery of new habitats.
25. In many states of India, what is happening to the groundwater level due to excessive extraction for irrigation?
- A) It is replenishing faster than it is extracted.
- B) It is increasing, making water more accessible.
- C) The extraction rate is greater than the replenishment rate, leading to depletion.
- D) It is staying the same.
26. What traditional farming practices are mentioned to help with holistic soil management?
- A) Only using chemical fertilisers.
- B) Using cow dung, natural fertilisers, mulching, and multi-cropping.
- C) Always keeping the soil bare.
- D) Extracting groundwater excessively.
27. What problem is associated with the production of cement, according to the text?
- A) It makes the air cleaner.
- B) It releases fine dust that causes pollution and health problems.
- C) It uses only renewable resources.
- D) It is the least polluting industry.
28. Sikkim became a 100 percent organic state in which year?
- A) 2005
- B) 2010
- C) 2016
- D) 2020
29. What does 'lokasangraha' mean, as referred to in the Bhagavad Gītā?
- A) Acting for personal gain only.
- B) Transcending personal desires and acting for the wellbeing of all.
- C) Accumulating as much wealth as possible.
- D) Ignoring the needs of others.
30. What is India's role in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
- A) To stop using solar power.
- B) To lead a coalition of sunshine-rich countries committed to harnessing solar power.
- C) To import solar energy from other countries.
- D) To discourage the use of renewable energy.