Important Questions for Class 8 Social Science Human Resources

Q1: Why are people considered the ultimate resource?
Ans: People are considered the ultimate resource because it's their ideas, knowledge, inventions, and discoveries that transform other resources into valuable assets. Healthy, educated, and motivated people contribute significantly to the development of a nation.

Q2: How is the distribution of the population across the world characterized? 
Ans: The distribution of the population in the world is uneven. Some areas are densely populated, like South and Southeast Asia, Europe, and northeastern North America, while high latitude areas, deserts, and mountainous regions are sparsely populated.

Q3: What factors affect the distribution of the population?
Ans: Factors affecting population distribution include topography (people prefer living in plains and valleys), climate (moderate climates are preferred), soil (fertile soils attract more people), water availability, and economic factors like industrialization and employment opportunities.

Q4: What is meant by population density?
Ans: Population density refers to the number of people living per unit area, often expressed as persons per square kilometer. It indicates how crowded a region is.

Q5: How do geographical factors influence population distribution?
Ans: Geographical factors like topography, climate, soil, and water availability significantly influence where people choose to live. For instance, fertile plains are more densely populated compared to deserts and mountainous regions.

Q6: Explain the role of social, cultural, and economic factors in population distribution.
Ans: Social factors (like better housing, education, and health facilities), cultural factors (areas with religious or cultural significance), and economic factors (industrial areas providing employment opportunities) significantly influence population distribution.

Q7: What is population change, and what are its main causes?
Ans: Population change refers to the alteration in the number of people in a specific area over time. It is mainly caused by births, deaths, and migration. Birth and death rates are natural causes of population change, while migration is a geographical cause.

Q8: How does migration affect the size of a population?
Ans: Migration affects the population size by either adding to it (immigration) or reducing it (emigration). People may move within a country or between countries, impacting the population size of a particular area.

Q9: What is a population pyramid, and what information does it provide?
Ans: A population pyramid is a graphical representation of the age and sex composition of a population. It provides information on the number of dependents and working-age population, and it helps to analyze the population growth, economic development potential, and social needs.

Q10: Describe the different shapes of population pyramids and what they indicate.
Ans: The shape of a population pyramid can indicate the growth pattern of a population. A broad base and a narrow top indicate high birth and death rates. A more uniform shape suggests low birth and death rates. An inverted pyramid with a narrow base suggests an aging population with low birth rates.

Q11: How do birth and death rates affect population growth?
Ans: Birth and death rates directly influence population growth. High birth rates with low death rates lead to rapid population growth, while low birth and death rates lead to slower population growth. The natural growth rate of a population is the difference between the birth rate and the death rate.

Q12: What is the significance of human resource development?
Ans: Human resource development is significant as it enhances the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of people. It contributes to economic growth, improves living standards, fosters innovation, and helps in overall societal development.

Q13: How can a country turn its high population into a productive asset?
Ans: A country can turn its high population into a productive asset by investing in education, healthcare, and skill development, thereby enhancing the human capital that can contribute positively to economic growth and development.

Q14: Discuss the impact of a large number of young people in a country.
Ans: A large number of young people in a country can be a potential demographic dividend. If provided with education, skill development, and employment opportunities, they can contribute to high economic growth. However, if not utilized properly, it can lead to increased unemployment and social unrest.

Q15: Explain the concept of life expectancy and its importance.
Ans: Life expectancy is the average number of years a person is expected to live based on current mortality trends. It is important as an indicator of the overall health and living conditions in a country. Higher life expectancy usually indicates better healthcare, higher living standards, and advanced socio-economic conditions.