Class 8 Geography Chapter 1 Question Answers - Resources and Development

Q1: Give two examples of the following in the space provided.
Ans:

• Raw Materials: cotton and iron
• End product: shirt and car
• Tertiary Activities: banking and transport
• Agro-based Industries: Food processing and leather industries
• Cottage Industries: Basket weaving and pottery
• Co-operatives: Anand Milk Union Limited and Sudha Dairy

Q2: Discuss the Bhopal disaster.
Ans: One of the worst industrial disasters of all time occurred in Bhopal on 3 December 1984 around 00:30 a.m. It was a technological accident in which highly poisonous Methyl Isocynate (MIC) gas along with Hydrogen Cyanide and other reaction products leaked out of the pesticide factory of Union Carbide. The official death toll was 3,598 in 1989. Thousands, who survived still suffer from one or many ailments like blindness, impaired immune system, gastrointestinal disorders etc.

Q3: Explain the factors favourable for the development of the IT industry in Bangalore.
Ans: Locational advantages of ‘Silicon plateau – Bangalore’

• Bangalore has the largest number of educational institutions and IT colleges in India.
• The city was considered dust free with low rents and cost of living.
• The state government of Karnataka was the first to announce an IT Policy in 1992.
• The city has the largest and widest availability of skilled managers with work experience.

Q4: Explain different aspects of the industrial system with an example.
Ans: An industrial system consists of inputs, processes and outputs. The inputs are the raw materials, labour and costs of land, transport, power and other infrastructure. The processes include a wide range of activities that convert the raw material into finished products. The outputs are the end product and the income earned from it. In case of the textile industry the inputs may be cotton, human labour, factory and transport cost. The processes include ginning, spinning, weaving, dyeing and printing. The output is the shirt we wear.

Q5: What are the factors responsible for the growth of iron and steel industry in Pittsburgh?
Ans: The steel industry at Pittsburgh enjoys locational advantages.

• Some of the raw material such as coal is available locally, while the iron ore comes from the iron mines at Minnesota, about 1500 km from Pittsburgh.
• Between these mines and Pittsburgh is one of the world’s best routes for shipping ore cheaply – the famous Great Lakes waterway.
• Trains carry the ore from the Great Lakes to the Pittsburgh area.
• The Ohio, the Monogahela and Allegheny rivers provide adequate water supply.

Q6: What factors led to the establishment of cotton textile industry in Osaka?
Ans: The textile industry developed in Osaka due to several geographical factors.

• The extensive plain around Osaka ensured that land was easily available for the growth of cotton mills.
• Warm humid climate is well suited to spinning and weaving.
• The river Yodo provides sufficient water for the mills. Labour is easily available.
• Location of port facilitates import of raw cotton and for exporting textiles.

Q7: Describe briefly the classification of industries on basis of raw material used.
Ans: Industries may be agro based, mineral based, marine based and forest based depending on the type of raw materials they use.

• Agro based industries use plant and animal based products as their raw materials. Example: Food processing, vegetable oil, cotton textile, dairy products and leather industries.
• Mineral based industries are primary industries that use mineral ores as their raw materials. The products of these industries feed other industries. Example: Iron and Steel industry.
• Marine based industries use products from the sea and oceans as raw materials. Example: Industries processing sea food or manufacturing fish oil. 
• Forest based industries utilise forest produce as raw materials. Example:  pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals and furniture industries.

Q8: Discuss the locational advantages for the development of the cotton textile industry in Ahmedabad.
Ans: Favourable locational factors were responsible for the development of the textile industry in Ahmedabad.

• Ahmedabad is situated in the heart of a cotton growing area. This ensures easy availability of raw material.
• The humid climate is ideal for spinning and weaving. The flat terrain and easy availability of land is suitable for the establishment of the mills.
• The densely populated states of Gujarat and Maharashtra provide both skilled and semi-skilled labour.
• Well developed road and railway network permits easy transportation of textiles to different parts of the country, thus providing easy access to the market.
• Mumbai port nearby facilitates import of machinery and export of cotton textiles.

Q9: Write short notes on cotton textile industry in Osaka.
Ans: Cotton textile industry in Osaka

• It is an important textile centre of Japan, also known as the ‘Manchester of Japan’.
• The textile industry developed in Osaka due to several geographical factors. The extensive plain around Osaka ensured that land was easily available for the growth of cotton mills. Warm humid climate is well suited to spinning and weaving. The river Yodo provides sufficient water for the mills. Labour is easily available. Location of port facilitates import of raw cotton and for exporting textiles.
• The textile industry at Osaka depends completely upon imported raw materials. Cotton is imported from Egypt, India, China and USA.
• The finished product is mostly exported and has a good market due to good quality and low price.
• Though it is one of the important textile cities in the country, of late, the cotton textile industry of Osaka has been replaced by other industries, such as iron and steel, machinery, shipbuilding, automobiles, electrical equipment and cement.

Q10: What are the inputs processes and outputs of the iron and steel industry?
Ans: The inputs for the industry include raw materials such as iron ore, coal and limestone, along with labour, capital, site and other infrastructure. The process of converting iron ore into steel involves many stages. The raw material is put in the blast furnace where it undergoes smelting. It is then refined. The output obtained is steel which may be used by other industries as raw material.

Q11: Explain the factors favourable for the development of the IT industry in California.
Ans: Locational advantages of Silicon Valley – California

• Close to some of the most advanced scientific and technological centres in the world.
• Pleasant climate with an attractive and a clean environment. Plenty of space for development and future expansion.
• Located close to major roads and airports.
• Good access to markets and skilled work force.

Q12: What are the similarities between information technology industry in Bangalore and California?
Ans: Similarities between information technology industry in Bangalore and California

• Presence of high quality educational institutions and advanced scientific and technological centres.
• Availability of skilled work force.
• Good access to markets.
• Pleasant climate with an attractive and a clean environment.
• Well developed and well connected.

Q13: Distinguish between public sector and joint sector industry.
Ans:  Difference between public sector and joint sector industry

• Public sector industry: The public sector industries are owned and operated by the government. Example: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Steel Authority of India Limited
• Joint sector industry: Joint sector industries are owned and operated by the state and individuals or a group of individuals. Example: Maruti Udyog Limited

Q14: Why was sakchi chosen to set up the steel plant by TISCO?
Ans: Sakchi was chosen to set up the steel plant for several reasons.

• This place was only 32 km away from Kalimati station on the Bengal-Nagpur railway line.
• It was close to the iron ore, coal and manganese deposits as well as to Kolkata, which provided a large market.
• TISCO, gets coal from Jharia coalfields, and iron ore, limestone, dolomite and manganese from Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
• The Kharkai and Subarnarekha rivers ensured sufficient water supply.
• Government initiatives provided adequate capital for its later development.

Q15: Write the properties and significance of steel.
Ans: Steel is tough and it can easily be shaped, cut, or made into wire. Alloys give steel unusual hardness, toughness, or ability to resist rust.
Significance

• Steel is often called the backbone of modern industry. Ships, trains, trucks, and autos are made largely of steel.
• Even the safety pins and the needles we use are made from steel.
• Oil wells are drilled with steel machinery.
• Steel pipelines transport oil.
• Minerals are mined with steel equipment.
• Farm machines are mostly steel.
• Large buildings have steel framework.

Q16: Describe briefly the classification of industries on basis of ownership.
Ans: Industries can be classified into private sector, state owned or public sector, joint sector and cooperative sector. Private sector industries are owned and operated by individuals or a group of individuals. The public sector industries are owned and operated by the government, such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Steel Authority of India Limited. Joint sector industries are owned and operated by the state and individuals or a group of individuals. Maruti Udyog Limited is an example of joint sector industry. Co-operative sector industries are owned and operated by the producers or suppliers of raw materials, workers or both. Anand Milk Union Limited and Sudha Dairy are a success stories of a co-operative venture.

Q17: Describe briefly the classification of industries on basis of size.
Ans: Classification of industry on the basis of size:

• Based on size, industries can be classified into small scale and large scale industries.
• Cottage or household industries are a type of small scale industry where the products are manufactured by hand, by the artisans. Basket weaving, pottery and other handicrafts are examples of cottage industry.
• Small scale industries use lesser amount of capital and technology as compared to large scale industries that produce large volumes of products.      Investment of capital is higher and the technology used is superior in large scale industries.
• Silk weaving and food processing industries are small scale industries. Production of automobiles and heavy machinery are large scale industries.