Textbook Solutions: Population

 Page 1


6. Population
Exercise
1 A. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
Literacy Rate is higher in Brazil than India.
Answer
Right
As per UNESCO, literacy rate is total number of literate persons in a given age group, expressed as a
percentage of the total population in that age group. Literacy rate has always been higher in Brazil but the
rate of growth of literacy rate is higher in India. The difference in the literacy rate comes mainly because of
population difference between the countries.
1 B. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
In Brazil, people prefer living in the south east as compared to the north east.
Answer
Right
In the south east, there are coastal lowlands where agriculture and industries have flourished and there are
more human settlements. While the north east has unfavourable conditions due to the dense forests.
1 C. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The life expectancy of Indians is decreasing.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The life expectancy of Indians is increasing.
Life expectancy of India has kept on increasing due to development, access to medical facilities and
increased food security. After independence, focus has been increased on improving healthcare facilities.
This has increased the life expectancy and decreased the death rate especially due to diseases like TB, etc.
1 D. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The north-western part of India is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The northern plains and certain other areas of India are densely populated.
Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated since centuries
due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna provide large
tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to availability of
even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert areas of northwest
India.
1 E. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The western part of Brazil is densely populated.
Page 2


6. Population
Exercise
1 A. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
Literacy Rate is higher in Brazil than India.
Answer
Right
As per UNESCO, literacy rate is total number of literate persons in a given age group, expressed as a
percentage of the total population in that age group. Literacy rate has always been higher in Brazil but the
rate of growth of literacy rate is higher in India. The difference in the literacy rate comes mainly because of
population difference between the countries.
1 B. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
In Brazil, people prefer living in the south east as compared to the north east.
Answer
Right
In the south east, there are coastal lowlands where agriculture and industries have flourished and there are
more human settlements. While the north east has unfavourable conditions due to the dense forests.
1 C. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The life expectancy of Indians is decreasing.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The life expectancy of Indians is increasing.
Life expectancy of India has kept on increasing due to development, access to medical facilities and
increased food security. After independence, focus has been increased on improving healthcare facilities.
This has increased the life expectancy and decreased the death rate especially due to diseases like TB, etc.
1 D. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The north-western part of India is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The northern plains and certain other areas of India are densely populated.
Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated since centuries
due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna provide large
tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to availability of
even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert areas of northwest
India.
1 E. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The western part of Brazil is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong.
Correct: The eastern coastal areas of Brazil are densely populated.
The north western part of Brazil is mostly covered with dense tropical forests which makes human
settlements difficult. Agriculture and industries have flourished in south eastern parts majorly. People prefer
areas which provide even terrain, open land, water and areas which provide employment opportunities to
settle.
2. Question
Answer the questions as per the instructions:
(a) Arrange the following states of India in descending order of their population.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
(b) Arrange the states of Brazil in ascending order of their population: Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro, Alaguas,
Sao Paulo, Parana
(c) Classify the factors affecting the distribution of population into favourable and unfavourable. Nearness to
sea, lack of roads, temperate climate, lack of industries, new cities and towns, tropical moist forests,
minerals, semi-arid climate, cultivable land.
Answer
a. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh. Their respective
population are as below:
Uttar Pradesh - 199,812,341
Madhya Pradesh - 72,597,565
Andhra Pradesh - 49,386,799
Himachal Pradesh - 6,864,602
Arunachal Pradesh - 1,382,611
b. Alaguas, Amazonas, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
Alaguas – 3,321,730
Amazonas - 3,873,743
Parana – 11,081,692
Rio de Janeiro - 16,461,173
Sao Paulo – 44,035,304
c. 
3 A. Question
Answer the following questions:
Explain the similarities and differences between the population distribution in Brazil and India.
Answer
Similarities:
1. In both Brazil and India, population is unevenly distributed depending on the physiography with densely
forested areas having lesser density.
Page 3


6. Population
Exercise
1 A. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
Literacy Rate is higher in Brazil than India.
Answer
Right
As per UNESCO, literacy rate is total number of literate persons in a given age group, expressed as a
percentage of the total population in that age group. Literacy rate has always been higher in Brazil but the
rate of growth of literacy rate is higher in India. The difference in the literacy rate comes mainly because of
population difference between the countries.
1 B. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
In Brazil, people prefer living in the south east as compared to the north east.
Answer
Right
In the south east, there are coastal lowlands where agriculture and industries have flourished and there are
more human settlements. While the north east has unfavourable conditions due to the dense forests.
1 C. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The life expectancy of Indians is decreasing.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The life expectancy of Indians is increasing.
Life expectancy of India has kept on increasing due to development, access to medical facilities and
increased food security. After independence, focus has been increased on improving healthcare facilities.
This has increased the life expectancy and decreased the death rate especially due to diseases like TB, etc.
1 D. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The north-western part of India is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The northern plains and certain other areas of India are densely populated.
Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated since centuries
due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna provide large
tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to availability of
even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert areas of northwest
India.
1 E. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The western part of Brazil is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong.
Correct: The eastern coastal areas of Brazil are densely populated.
The north western part of Brazil is mostly covered with dense tropical forests which makes human
settlements difficult. Agriculture and industries have flourished in south eastern parts majorly. People prefer
areas which provide even terrain, open land, water and areas which provide employment opportunities to
settle.
2. Question
Answer the questions as per the instructions:
(a) Arrange the following states of India in descending order of their population.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
(b) Arrange the states of Brazil in ascending order of their population: Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro, Alaguas,
Sao Paulo, Parana
(c) Classify the factors affecting the distribution of population into favourable and unfavourable. Nearness to
sea, lack of roads, temperate climate, lack of industries, new cities and towns, tropical moist forests,
minerals, semi-arid climate, cultivable land.
Answer
a. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh. Their respective
population are as below:
Uttar Pradesh - 199,812,341
Madhya Pradesh - 72,597,565
Andhra Pradesh - 49,386,799
Himachal Pradesh - 6,864,602
Arunachal Pradesh - 1,382,611
b. Alaguas, Amazonas, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
Alaguas – 3,321,730
Amazonas - 3,873,743
Parana – 11,081,692
Rio de Janeiro - 16,461,173
Sao Paulo – 44,035,304
c. 
3 A. Question
Answer the following questions:
Explain the similarities and differences between the population distribution in Brazil and India.
Answer
Similarities:
1. In both Brazil and India, population is unevenly distributed depending on the physiography with densely
forested areas having lesser density.
2. India is the second most populated country in the world while Brazil is the fifth.
Differences:
1. Brazil is least populated around the Amazon basin while India is least populated along the Himalayan
mountain range.
2. Highest concentration of population in India is in the northern plains while in Brazil is the south eastern
coastal lowlands.
3 B. Question
Answer the following questions:
Giving examples, correlate climate and population distribution.
Answer
Relation between climate and population:
1. High rainfall causes growth of dense forests where human settlements are very less like the Amazon basin
in Brazil and north eastern states in India.
2. Extreme climatic conditions like arid and cold areas reduce human population. For example, savannah in
Brazil and high altitudes of Himalayas in India are less populated.
3. Areas with climate that supports agriculture are most populated like northern plains in India and coastal
lowlands in Brazil.
4. Areas with moderate climate are also well populated like the deciduous and coastal areas.
4 A. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Population is an important resource.
Answer
Population is an important resource as it is the human resources that ultimately affect the progress of a
country. Its qualitative aspects like literacy and life expectancy contributes to the economic and social
progress of a nation. More educated the population, more is the skill supply which will be used by industries
to manufacture products. Apart from that, it will lead to more development of technology. This will
eventually contribute to the economic prosperity of the country.
4 B. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Brazil’s population density is very less.
Answer
Brazil’s population density is very less because almost half of its area is covered by the tropical rainforests of
the Amazon basin. The dense forest makes human settlements very difficult in those areas. Extreme climatic
conditions like arid and cold areas reduce human population. For example, savannah in Brazil. In both Brazil
and India, population is unevenly distributed depending on the physiography with densely forested areas
having lesser density.
4 C. Question
Give geographical reasons:
India’s population density is high.
Answer
India’s population density is high because most of the areas have natural resources that support agriculture
and industries. Other factors like water availability and numerous cities have also caused growth of
population. Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated
since centuries due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna
provide large tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to
availability of even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert
Page 4


6. Population
Exercise
1 A. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
Literacy Rate is higher in Brazil than India.
Answer
Right
As per UNESCO, literacy rate is total number of literate persons in a given age group, expressed as a
percentage of the total population in that age group. Literacy rate has always been higher in Brazil but the
rate of growth of literacy rate is higher in India. The difference in the literacy rate comes mainly because of
population difference between the countries.
1 B. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
In Brazil, people prefer living in the south east as compared to the north east.
Answer
Right
In the south east, there are coastal lowlands where agriculture and industries have flourished and there are
more human settlements. While the north east has unfavourable conditions due to the dense forests.
1 C. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The life expectancy of Indians is decreasing.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The life expectancy of Indians is increasing.
Life expectancy of India has kept on increasing due to development, access to medical facilities and
increased food security. After independence, focus has been increased on improving healthcare facilities.
This has increased the life expectancy and decreased the death rate especially due to diseases like TB, etc.
1 D. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The north-western part of India is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The northern plains and certain other areas of India are densely populated.
Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated since centuries
due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna provide large
tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to availability of
even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert areas of northwest
India.
1 E. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The western part of Brazil is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong.
Correct: The eastern coastal areas of Brazil are densely populated.
The north western part of Brazil is mostly covered with dense tropical forests which makes human
settlements difficult. Agriculture and industries have flourished in south eastern parts majorly. People prefer
areas which provide even terrain, open land, water and areas which provide employment opportunities to
settle.
2. Question
Answer the questions as per the instructions:
(a) Arrange the following states of India in descending order of their population.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
(b) Arrange the states of Brazil in ascending order of their population: Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro, Alaguas,
Sao Paulo, Parana
(c) Classify the factors affecting the distribution of population into favourable and unfavourable. Nearness to
sea, lack of roads, temperate climate, lack of industries, new cities and towns, tropical moist forests,
minerals, semi-arid climate, cultivable land.
Answer
a. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh. Their respective
population are as below:
Uttar Pradesh - 199,812,341
Madhya Pradesh - 72,597,565
Andhra Pradesh - 49,386,799
Himachal Pradesh - 6,864,602
Arunachal Pradesh - 1,382,611
b. Alaguas, Amazonas, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
Alaguas – 3,321,730
Amazonas - 3,873,743
Parana – 11,081,692
Rio de Janeiro - 16,461,173
Sao Paulo – 44,035,304
c. 
3 A. Question
Answer the following questions:
Explain the similarities and differences between the population distribution in Brazil and India.
Answer
Similarities:
1. In both Brazil and India, population is unevenly distributed depending on the physiography with densely
forested areas having lesser density.
2. India is the second most populated country in the world while Brazil is the fifth.
Differences:
1. Brazil is least populated around the Amazon basin while India is least populated along the Himalayan
mountain range.
2. Highest concentration of population in India is in the northern plains while in Brazil is the south eastern
coastal lowlands.
3 B. Question
Answer the following questions:
Giving examples, correlate climate and population distribution.
Answer
Relation between climate and population:
1. High rainfall causes growth of dense forests where human settlements are very less like the Amazon basin
in Brazil and north eastern states in India.
2. Extreme climatic conditions like arid and cold areas reduce human population. For example, savannah in
Brazil and high altitudes of Himalayas in India are less populated.
3. Areas with climate that supports agriculture are most populated like northern plains in India and coastal
lowlands in Brazil.
4. Areas with moderate climate are also well populated like the deciduous and coastal areas.
4 A. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Population is an important resource.
Answer
Population is an important resource as it is the human resources that ultimately affect the progress of a
country. Its qualitative aspects like literacy and life expectancy contributes to the economic and social
progress of a nation. More educated the population, more is the skill supply which will be used by industries
to manufacture products. Apart from that, it will lead to more development of technology. This will
eventually contribute to the economic prosperity of the country.
4 B. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Brazil’s population density is very less.
Answer
Brazil’s population density is very less because almost half of its area is covered by the tropical rainforests of
the Amazon basin. The dense forest makes human settlements very difficult in those areas. Extreme climatic
conditions like arid and cold areas reduce human population. For example, savannah in Brazil. In both Brazil
and India, population is unevenly distributed depending on the physiography with densely forested areas
having lesser density.
4 C. Question
Give geographical reasons:
India’s population density is high.
Answer
India’s population density is high because most of the areas have natural resources that support agriculture
and industries. Other factors like water availability and numerous cities have also caused growth of
population. Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated
since centuries due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna
provide large tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to
availability of even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert
areas of northwest India.
4 D. Question
Give geographical reasons:
The density of population is sparse in Amazon basin.
Answer
The Amazon basin in Brazil has tropical rainforests as it is closer to the equator and it rains throughout the
year. It has dense and diverse flora and fauna which is unfavourable for human inhabitation. Almost half of
Brazil area is covered by the tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin. The dense forest makes human
settlements very difficult in those areas. In both Brazil and India, population is unevenly distributed
depending on the physiography with densely forested areas having lesser density.
4 E. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Population density is high in the Ganga plains.
Answer
The Ganga plains of India have a high population density due to many reasons. The northern plains have
been densely populated since centuries due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities.
Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna provide large tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a
difficult one to travel. The moderate climate, fertile land supporting extensive agriculture. The topography is
good for transport and industries. Due to availability of even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the
northern plains as opposed to the desert areas of northwest India.
5. Question
(A) Compare and classify the population densities shown in the squares ‘a’ and ‘b’ representing 1 sq.km of
area.
(B) If in figure B, one sign = 100, then what will be the sex ratio?
Answer
(A) The population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. The population
density of Figure (a) is 7 persons per sq. km and of Figure (b) is 18 persons per sq. km. Figure (a) has a lower
sex ratio while Figure (b) has a higher sex ratio.
(B) The sex ratio of Figure B would 1250.
Explanation: The sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. In the figure, there are 10 females
and 8 males. If one figure represents 100 people (given in the question), then there are 1000 females and
800 males. Since sex ration refers to the number of females per 100 males, it is 1250 for Figure B.
6. Question
Page 5


6. Population
Exercise
1 A. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
Literacy Rate is higher in Brazil than India.
Answer
Right
As per UNESCO, literacy rate is total number of literate persons in a given age group, expressed as a
percentage of the total population in that age group. Literacy rate has always been higher in Brazil but the
rate of growth of literacy rate is higher in India. The difference in the literacy rate comes mainly because of
population difference between the countries.
1 B. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
In Brazil, people prefer living in the south east as compared to the north east.
Answer
Right
In the south east, there are coastal lowlands where agriculture and industries have flourished and there are
more human settlements. While the north east has unfavourable conditions due to the dense forests.
1 C. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The life expectancy of Indians is decreasing.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The life expectancy of Indians is increasing.
Life expectancy of India has kept on increasing due to development, access to medical facilities and
increased food security. After independence, focus has been increased on improving healthcare facilities.
This has increased the life expectancy and decreased the death rate especially due to diseases like TB, etc.
1 D. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The north-western part of India is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong
Correct: The northern plains and certain other areas of India are densely populated.
Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated since centuries
due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna provide large
tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to availability of
even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert areas of northwest
India.
1 E. Question
Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the wrong ones.
The western part of Brazil is densely populated.
Answer
Wrong.
Correct: The eastern coastal areas of Brazil are densely populated.
The north western part of Brazil is mostly covered with dense tropical forests which makes human
settlements difficult. Agriculture and industries have flourished in south eastern parts majorly. People prefer
areas which provide even terrain, open land, water and areas which provide employment opportunities to
settle.
2. Question
Answer the questions as per the instructions:
(a) Arrange the following states of India in descending order of their population.
Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
(b) Arrange the states of Brazil in ascending order of their population: Amazonas, Rio de Janeiro, Alaguas,
Sao Paulo, Parana
(c) Classify the factors affecting the distribution of population into favourable and unfavourable. Nearness to
sea, lack of roads, temperate climate, lack of industries, new cities and towns, tropical moist forests,
minerals, semi-arid climate, cultivable land.
Answer
a. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh. Their respective
population are as below:
Uttar Pradesh - 199,812,341
Madhya Pradesh - 72,597,565
Andhra Pradesh - 49,386,799
Himachal Pradesh - 6,864,602
Arunachal Pradesh - 1,382,611
b. Alaguas, Amazonas, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo
Alaguas – 3,321,730
Amazonas - 3,873,743
Parana – 11,081,692
Rio de Janeiro - 16,461,173
Sao Paulo – 44,035,304
c. 
3 A. Question
Answer the following questions:
Explain the similarities and differences between the population distribution in Brazil and India.
Answer
Similarities:
1. In both Brazil and India, population is unevenly distributed depending on the physiography with densely
forested areas having lesser density.
2. India is the second most populated country in the world while Brazil is the fifth.
Differences:
1. Brazil is least populated around the Amazon basin while India is least populated along the Himalayan
mountain range.
2. Highest concentration of population in India is in the northern plains while in Brazil is the south eastern
coastal lowlands.
3 B. Question
Answer the following questions:
Giving examples, correlate climate and population distribution.
Answer
Relation between climate and population:
1. High rainfall causes growth of dense forests where human settlements are very less like the Amazon basin
in Brazil and north eastern states in India.
2. Extreme climatic conditions like arid and cold areas reduce human population. For example, savannah in
Brazil and high altitudes of Himalayas in India are less populated.
3. Areas with climate that supports agriculture are most populated like northern plains in India and coastal
lowlands in Brazil.
4. Areas with moderate climate are also well populated like the deciduous and coastal areas.
4 A. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Population is an important resource.
Answer
Population is an important resource as it is the human resources that ultimately affect the progress of a
country. Its qualitative aspects like literacy and life expectancy contributes to the economic and social
progress of a nation. More educated the population, more is the skill supply which will be used by industries
to manufacture products. Apart from that, it will lead to more development of technology. This will
eventually contribute to the economic prosperity of the country.
4 B. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Brazil’s population density is very less.
Answer
Brazil’s population density is very less because almost half of its area is covered by the tropical rainforests of
the Amazon basin. The dense forest makes human settlements very difficult in those areas. Extreme climatic
conditions like arid and cold areas reduce human population. For example, savannah in Brazil. In both Brazil
and India, population is unevenly distributed depending on the physiography with densely forested areas
having lesser density.
4 C. Question
Give geographical reasons:
India’s population density is high.
Answer
India’s population density is high because most of the areas have natural resources that support agriculture
and industries. Other factors like water availability and numerous cities have also caused growth of
population. Population in India is unevenly distributed. The northern plains have been densely populated
since centuries due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna
provide large tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a difficult one to travel. Due to
availability of even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the northern plains as opposed to the desert
areas of northwest India.
4 D. Question
Give geographical reasons:
The density of population is sparse in Amazon basin.
Answer
The Amazon basin in Brazil has tropical rainforests as it is closer to the equator and it rains throughout the
year. It has dense and diverse flora and fauna which is unfavourable for human inhabitation. Almost half of
Brazil area is covered by the tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin. The dense forest makes human
settlements very difficult in those areas. In both Brazil and India, population is unevenly distributed
depending on the physiography with densely forested areas having lesser density.
4 E. Question
Give geographical reasons:
Population density is high in the Ganga plains.
Answer
The Ganga plains of India have a high population density due to many reasons. The northern plains have
been densely populated since centuries due to fertile land, availability of water and economic activities.
Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna provide large tracts of fertile land apart from water. Also, the terrain is not a
difficult one to travel. The moderate climate, fertile land supporting extensive agriculture. The topography is
good for transport and industries. Due to availability of even fertile land and water, prefer settling in the
northern plains as opposed to the desert areas of northwest India.
5. Question
(A) Compare and classify the population densities shown in the squares ‘a’ and ‘b’ representing 1 sq.km of
area.
(B) If in figure B, one sign = 100, then what will be the sex ratio?
Answer
(A) The population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. The population
density of Figure (a) is 7 persons per sq. km and of Figure (b) is 18 persons per sq. km. Figure (a) has a lower
sex ratio while Figure (b) has a higher sex ratio.
(B) The sex ratio of Figure B would 1250.
Explanation: The sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. In the figure, there are 10 females
and 8 males. If one figure represents 100 people (given in the question), then there are 1000 females and
800 males. Since sex ration refers to the number of females per 100 males, it is 1250 for Figure B.
6. Question
Comment upon the population density of fig. 6.1 (b).
Answer
The population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. In Figure 6.1 (b), the
population density is unevenly distributed:
1. The northern-most areas like Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states like Sikkim and Arunachal
Pradesh have the least population density.
2. The northern stretch from Punjab to West Bengal has the highest population density.
3. The central, western and northeastern states have a moderate population density.
4. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu also have a high population density.
Intext Questions
1. Question
What could be the reasons of lower sex ratio in any region?
Answer
Sex ratio refers to the number of females per thousand males in a region. India has a low sex ratio.
The reasons for lower sex ratio are as follows:s
a. Illiteracy:
People are not aware of the role of women in modern society. This is because of child marriages where girls
get married at an early age without having a chance to study and educate themselves.
b. Female infanticide:
Even though the Government has passed many Acts to stop this inhuman act, people still prefer to have a
male child due to many reasons. Hence, girl babies are killed as soon as they are born.
c. Domestic violence:
Women are considered to be weaker sex and hence crimes and violence against women is still a common
feature in many of the rural households. This makes even the mother stop having a girl child.
d. Female foeticide:
Due to socio-economic issues like dowry, people destroy the girl foetus in the womb itself. Many laws have
been made to prevent this.
e. Poverty:
Poverty is a major reason for the declining sex ratio. Families living under Below Poverty Line(BPL) generally
do not want to have girl children.