Passage Based Questions: The World Population | Geography Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Q. 1. Read the case study given below and answer the questions that follow:
Population and Economy
A small increase in population is desirable in a growing economy. However, population growth beyond a certain level leads to problems. Of these, the depletion of resources is the most serious. Population decline is also a matter of concern. It indicates that resources that had supported a population earlier are now insufficient to maintain the population. The deadly HIV/AIDS epidemics in Africa and some parts of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Asia have pushed up death rates and reduced average life expectancy. This has slowed down population growth.

Answer Any Three Questions: 

(i) How is population related to economic development?
Ans:  The quantity, quality, structure, distribution, and movement of a population can either support or hinder the rate of economic development.

(ii) What factors have led to the reduction in population growth in Africa?
Ans:  The deadly HIV/AIDS epidemics in Africa and some parts of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Asia have increased death rates and reduced average life expectancy, which has slowed down population growth.

(iii) Define the term 'life expectancy.'
Ans:  Life expectancy is an estimate of the average number of additional years that a person of a given age can expect to live.

(iv) Identify one key factor that influences population growth.
Ans:  Fertility rates, mortality rates (life expectancy), the initial age profile of the population (whether it is relatively old or young to begin with), and migration influence population growth. (Any one point)

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes. This is because such areas are favourable for the production of crops and to build roads and industries. The mountainous and hilly areas hinder the development of transport network and hence initially do not favour agricultural and industrial development. So, these areas tend to be less populated. The Ganga plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world while the mountains zones in the Himalayas are scarcely populated.

Q1: Why do people prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes according to the passage?
Ans:

• People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes because these areas are favorable for crop production as well as for building roads and industries.
• Flat and gently sloping areas provide suitable conditions for agriculture and industrial development, making them attractive for human settlement due to their economic viability and accessibility.

Q2: How do mountainous and hilly areas impact agricultural and industrial development and population density?
Ans:

• Mountainous and hilly areas hinder the development of transport networks, which initially discourages agricultural and industrial activities.
• Due to the challenges in transportation and limited economic opportunities, these areas tend to be less populated compared to flat plains and gentle slopes.

Q3: Provide examples from the passage to illustrate the contrast in population density between different geographical regions.
Ans:

• The Ganga plains are cited as an example of densely populated areas, indicating that flat plains are heavily populated due to their agricultural and industrial advantages.
• In contrast, mountain zones in the Himalayas are scarcely populated, underscoring the lower population density in regions with challenging terrain, hindering economic development and human settlement.

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Cities offer better employment opportunities, educational and medical facilities, better means of transport and communication. Good civic amenities and the attraction of city life draw people to the cities. It leads to rural to urban migration and cities grow in size. Mega cities of the world continue to attract large number of migrants every year.

Q1: What are the factors that attract people to cities, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Cities offer better employment opportunities, educational and medical facilities, improved means of transport and communication, and good civic amenities.
• The attraction of city life, with its diverse opportunities and facilities, draws people from rural areas to migrate to cities in search of a better quality of life and enhanced prospects.

Q2: What is the consequence of these attractions on urban areas, according to the passage?
Ans:

• The attractions of cities, such as better opportunities and amenities, lead to rural to urban migration.
• This migration causes cities to grow in size as they continue to attract a large number of migrants every year, contributing to the expansion of urban areas.

Q3: Can you summarize the main reasons for rural to urban migration mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Rural to urban migration occurs due to the availability of better employment opportunities, educational and medical facilities, improved transport and communication, and good civic amenities in cities.
• The allure of city life, with its diverse opportunities and attractions, prompts people to move from rural areas to cities, leading to urban population growth.

Passage - 4

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Population growth or population change refers to the change in number of inhabitants of a territory during a specific period of time. This change may be positive as well as negative. It can be expressed either in terms of absolute numbers or in terms of percentage. Population change in an area is an important indicator of economic development, social upliftment and historical and cultural background of the region.

Q1: How is population change defined in the passage?
Ans:

• Population change refers to the alteration in the number of inhabitants of a specific territory during a defined period.
• This change can be positive (increase) or negative (decrease) and can be expressed in absolute numbers or as a percentage of the total population.

Q2: What does population change indicate according to the passage?
Ans:

• Population change serves as a significant indicator of economic development, social upliftment, and the historical and cultural background of a region.
• By understanding the population dynamics, one can gain insights into the growth patterns, social progress, and historical context of a specific area.

Q3: How can population change be expressed according to the passage?
Ans: Population change can be expressed either in terms of absolute numbers, indicating the actual increase or decrease in population, or in terms of percentage, providing a relative measure of the population change in relation to the total population of the area.

Passage - 5

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
When people move from one place to another, the place they move from is called the Place of Origin and the place they move to is called the Place of Destination. The place of origin shows a decrease in population while the population increases in the place of destination. Migration may be interpreted as a spontaneous effort to achieve a better balance between population and resources. Migration may be permanent, temporary or seasonal. It may take place from rural to rural areas, rural to urban areas, urban to urban areas and urban to rural areas. 

Q1: What are the terms used to describe the locations involved in migration, as mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• The place people move from is called the "Place of Origin."
• The place people move to is called the "Place of Destination."

Q2: How is migration related to achieving a balance between population and resources, according to the passage?
Ans:

• Migration can be interpreted as a spontaneous effort to achieve a better balance between population and resources.
• People move from areas with limited resources (Place of Origin) to areas with better opportunities and resources (Place of Destination), seeking an improved quality of life and a more favorable environment.

Q3: What are the different types of migration mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• Migration can be permanent, temporary, or seasonal in nature.
• It can occur between various types of areas: from rural to rural areas, rural to urban areas, urban to urban areas, and urban to rural areas, reflecting the diverse patterns of human movement.

Passage - 6

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Demographic transition theory can be used to describe and predict the future population of any area. The theory tells us that population of any region changes from high births and high deaths to low births and low deaths as society progresses from rural agrarian and illiterate to urban industrial and literate society. These changes occur in stages which are collectively known as the demographic cycle.

Q1: How does the Demographic Transition Theory describe the changes in population in a region over time?
Ans:

• The Demographic Transition Theory explains that the population of a region transitions from high birth rates and high death rates to low birth rates and low death rates as the society progresses.
• This transition occurs as the society evolves from a rural agrarian and illiterate state to an urban industrial and literate society, indicating a shift from traditional agricultural practices to modern industrial and educational advancements.

Q2: What are the stages collectively known as in the Demographic Transition Theory?
Ans:

• The stages in which population changes occur, as described by the Demographic Transition Theory, are collectively known as the "demographic cycle."
• This cycle includes the progression from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates, representing the societal evolution in terms of population dynamics.

Q3: How can the Demographic Transition Theory be applied, according to the passage?
Ans:

• The Demographic Transition Theory can be used to describe and predict the future population of any area.
• By understanding the stages of demographic transition, one can anticipate changes in population patterns as societies move from rural, agrarian, and illiterate states to urban, industrial, and literate societies.

Passage - 7

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The first stage has high fertility and high mortality because people reproduce more to compensate for the deaths due to epidemics and variable food supply. The population growth is slow and most of the people are engaged in agriculture where large families are an asset. Life expectancy is low, people are mostly illiterate and have low levels of technology. Two hundred years ago all the countries of the world were in this stage.

Q1: What characterizes the first stage of the Demographic Transition Theory, as described in the passage?
Ans:

• The first stage of the Demographic Transition Theory is characterized by high fertility and high mortality rates.
• People in this stage reproduce more to compensate for deaths caused by epidemics and variable food supply. Large families are considered an asset, and most of the population is engaged in agriculture.

Q2: What factors contribute to the high mortality rate in the first stage of the demographic transition?
Ans:

• High mortality rates in the first stage are primarily caused by epidemics and variable food supply.
• People in this stage have limited access to healthcare, leading to higher death rates due to diseases and lack of medical resources.

Q3: How does the passage explain the general conditions of people living in the first stage of the demographic transition?
Ans:

• In the first stage, life expectancy is low, people are mostly illiterate, and technological advancement is limited.
• The majority of the population is engaged in agriculture, and large families are seen as valuable due to the labor they can provide. About two hundred years ago, all countries in the world were in this initial stage of demographic transition.

Passage - 8

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
Thomas Malthus in his theory (1798) stated that the number of people would increase faster than the food supply. Any further increase would result in a population crash caused by famine, disease and war. The preventive checks are better than the physical checks. For the sustainability of our resources, the world will have to control the rapid population increase.

Q1: What was the main argument of Thomas Malthus in his theory from 1798?
Ans:

• Thomas Malthus argued that the population would increase faster than the food supply.
• He predicted that if population growth continued unchecked, it would eventually lead to a population crash caused by famine, disease, and war due to limited resources.

Q2: According to Malthus, what would be the consequences of a further increase in population without effective control measures?
Ans:

• According to Malthus, a further increase in population without effective control measures would result in a population crash caused by famine, disease, and war.
• He believed that the population would eventually outstrip the available resources, leading to catastrophic consequences for humanity.

Q3: What does Malthus suggest as a solution to control rapid population increase for the sustainability of resources?
Ans:

• Malthus suggests that preventive checks (such as family planning and birth control measures) are better than physical checks (such as famine, disease, and war) to control rapid population increase.
• He emphasizes the importance of controlling population growth to ensure the sustainability of resources and prevent future crises.