Class 8 Social-Science Chapter 4 HOTS Questions - Industries

Q1: Write a short note on Mineral based industries.
Ans: Mineral-based industries are primary sectors that utilise mineral ores as their raw materials. The products of these industries serve as vital inputs for other sectors. For instance, iron produced from iron ore is a key output of mineral-based industries. This iron is subsequently used as a raw material in the production of various items, including:

• Heavy machinery
• Building materials
• Railway coaches

In summary, mineral-based industries play a crucial role in the economy by supplying essential materials for a wide range of products.

Q2: What are marine based industries ?
Ans: Marine-based industries utilise products from the sea and oceans as raw materials. These industries encompass various sectors, including:

• Processing seafood: This involves the preparation and preservation of fish and other marine organisms for consumption.
• Manufacturing fish oil: Fish oil is produced for dietary supplements and various industrial applications.

These industries play a vital role in the economy and contribute to food security and livelihood for many communities.

Q3: Industries can be classified on the bases of ownership, explain.
Ans: Industries can be classified into four sectors based on their ownership:

• Private sector: These industries are owned and operated by individuals or groups of individuals.
• Public sector: Public sector industries are owned and operated by the government.
• Joint sector: These industries are co-owned and operated by both the state and individuals or groups.
• Cooperative sector: Cooperative sector industries are owned and operated by producers or suppliers of raw materials, workers, or both.

Q4: What are the inputs, process and output of a textile industry?
Ans: The inputs, processes, and outputs of the textile industry are as follows:

• Input: The main raw material used in this industry is cotton. Other essential inputs include human labour, machinery, and infrastructural facilities.
• Process: The process includes several stages: ginning (separating cotton from the seed), spinning, weaving, dyeing, and printing.
• Output: The final product produced by the factory is the fabric that is manufactured.

Q5: Mention the major industrial regions of the world.
Ans: The major industrial regions of the world include:

• Eastern North America
• Western and Central Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Eastern Asia

These regions are characterised by their advanced manufacturing capabilities and significant contributions to the global economy.

Q6: Mention the industrial regions of India.
Ans: Industrial Regions of India

• Mumbai – Pune Industrial Region
• Bangalore – Tamil Nadu Region
• Hugli Region
• Ahmedabad – Baroda Region
• Chottanagpur Industrial Region
• Vishakhapatnam – Guntur Region
• Gurgaon – Delhi – Meerut Region
• Kollam – Thiruvananthapuram Industrial Region

Q7: Write a note on the Chernobyl disaster.
Ans: The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear reactor accident in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union. It was the worst nuclear power plant accident in history.
On 26th April 1986 a nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl plant exploded. Further explosions and the resulting fire sent a plume of highly radioactive fallout into the atmosphere and over an extensive geographical area. Nearly thirty to forty times more fallout was released than had been by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Large areas in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia were badly contaminated, resulting in the evacuation and resettlement of over 336,000 people.
The accident raised concerns about the safety of the nuclear power industry.

Q8: Mention some of the risk reducing measures that have to be adopted by nuclear power industries.
Ans: Risk reduction measures that must be adopted by nuclear power industries include the following:

• Densely populated residential areas should be located at a significant distance from industrial zones.
• Individuals living near these industries must be informed about the storage of hazardous substances and the potential effects in the event of an accident.
• The fire warning and firefighting systems should be enhanced to ensure rapid response to emergencies.
• The storage capacity of toxic materials should be limited to reduce risks.
• Improvements should be made to the pollution dispersion capabilities within the industries to mitigate environmental impact.

Q9: What are the stages involved in converting iron ore into steel?
Ans: There are three stages in converting iron ore into steel:

• Stage I: Iron ore, coal, and limestone are placed in a blast furnace and melted to extract the metal. This process is known as smelting.
• Stage II: The iron extracted from the furnace is refined. This refined product is then referred to as steel.
• Stage III: The steel is cast into billets or slabs, which are subsequently used by various industries as raw materials.

Q10: What are the factors that helped Ahmedabad become a textile centre.
Ans: Factors that helped Ahmedabad become a textile centre:

• Ahmedabad is located in the heart of a cotton-growing area, ensuring a readily available supply of raw materials.
• The humid climate is ideal for spinning and weaving processes.
• The flat terrain and easy availability of land are suitable for establishing textile mills.
• The densely populated states of Gujarat and Maharashtra provide both skilled and semi-skilled labour.
• A well-developed road and railway network facilitates the easy transportation of textiles to various parts of the country, ensuring market accessibility.
• The nearby Mumbai port facilitates the import of machinery and the export of cotton textiles.