Unit Test (Solutions): People as Resource | Social Studies (SST) Class 9 PDF Download

Time: 1 hour
M.M. 30
Attempt all questions.
Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
Question numbers 9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
Question numbers 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1. What term describes population as an asset due to their skills and abilities? (1 Mark)
(a) Human Resource
(b) Physical Capital
(c) Natural Resource
(d) Financial Capital

Ans: (a)
The working population viewed as an asset because of their productive skills and abilities.

Q2. Which revolution is cited as an example of human capital increasing land productivity? (1 Mark)
(a) Industrial Revolution
(b) Green Revolution
(c) IT Revolution
(d) French Revolution

Ans: (b)
Green Revolution – an example where improved knowledge and technology increased land productivity.

Q3. In which sector is manufacturing included? (1 Mark)
(a) Primary
(b) Secondary
(c) Tertiary
(d) Quaternary

Ans: (b)
The sector in which manufacturing activities are included.

Q4. What type of unemployment occurs when people appear employed but do not add to productivity? (1 Mark)
(a) Seasonal
(b) Disguised
(c) Educated
(d) Structural

Ans: (b)
Disguised unemployment is when more people are employed than needed without increasing total output.

Q5. What is the minimum age for inclusion in India’s workforce population? (1 Mark)
(a) 12
(b) 15
(c) 18
(d) 21

Ans: (b)
The workforce population includes people aged 15–59 years.

Q6. How does education contribute to human capital formation? (2 Marks)

Ans:

• Education improves skills, knowledge, and efficiency, leading to higher productivity.

• It increases earning potential and fosters innovation, as seen in Sakal’s story, where education helped him secure a good job and contribute to economic growth.

Q7. Differentiate between market and non-market activities with examples. (2 Marks)

Ans: 

• Market activities: Performed for pay or profit (e.g., Vilas selling fish in the market).

• Non-market activities: For self-consumption (e.g., Sheela cooking for her family).

Q8. Why is health vital for an individual’s working life? (2 Marks)

Ans: 

• Good health enables individuals to work efficiently and resist illness.

• It ensures sustained productivity, contributing to personal income and national growth.

Q9. Explain the difference between seasonal and disguised unemployment with examples from rural India. (3 Marks)

Ans: 

• Seasonal unemployment: Occurs when work is available only during certain months (e.g., farm workers without jobs between sowing and harvesting seasons).

• Disguised unemployment: More people are employed than required (e.g., eight people working on land that needs only five, with no change in output if three leave).

Q10. How does investment in human capital benefit society beyond individual gains? (3 Marks)

Ans: 

• Investment in human capital through education and health improves societal productivity, as seen in Japan’s development despite limited natural resources. 
• Educated and healthy individuals enhance resource efficiency, foster innovation, and create a virtuous cycle, benefiting even those not directly educated.

Q11. Describe the impact of unemployment on the economy and society. (3 Marks)

Ans:

• ​ Unemployment wastes human resources, turning potential assets into liabilities. 
• It increases economic dependency, lowers living standards, and causes health decline and school dropouts. 
• A rising unemployment rate signals a depressed economy, reducing overall growth.

Q12. Analyze the role of education and health in transforming a village’s economy, using the story of a village as an example. (5 Marks)

Ans: 

• Education and health improve productivity, skills, and innovation.

• In the story, an educated youth became an agro-engineer, creating better tools and higher yields.

• This inspired the opening of a school, leading to diversified jobs like teaching and tailoring.

• Health improvements ensured people could work consistently, boosting production and income.

• The village moved from self-sustenance to surplus production and market trade, increasing prosperity.

Q13. Discuss the trends in India’s literacy rates and the challenges in education, suggesting measures to address educated unemployment. (5 Marks)

Ans:

• Literacy rate rose from 18% in 1951 to 85% in 2018, but male-female and rural-urban gaps remain.

• Challenges: Poor school quality, high dropout rates, and mismatch between education and job market needs.

• Educated unemployment is rising among graduates and postgraduates.

Measures:

1. Expanding vocational training to align skills with market needs, like Sakal’s computer course.
2. Promoting entrepreneurship to create self-employment opportunities.
3. Enhancing industry-academia collaboration to ensure relevant curricula.
4. Increasing investment in education (beyond 3% of GDP) to improve quality and access.
5. Strengthening schemes like Samagra Shiksha to reduce dropouts and ensure equitable learning outcomes.