Passage Based Questions: Human Development | Geography Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Q. 1. Read the case study given below and answer the questions that follow:

Equity, Sustainability, and Productivity in Human Development

Equity refers to providing equal access to opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender, race, income, and, in the Indian context, caste. However, this ideal is not often realized and is a common issue in many societies. For instance, it can be revealing to examine which groups have the highest school dropout rates in any country. This examination can lead to an understanding of the factors behind such behavior. In India, a significant number of women and individuals from socially and economically disadvantaged groups drop out of school, indicating that their opportunities are limited due to a lack of access to education.
Sustainability involves maintaining the availability of opportunities over time. For sustainable human development, each generation must have access to the same opportunities. All resources—environmental, financial, and human—must be utilized with consideration for the future. Misusing these resources can reduce the opportunities available to future generations. For example, if a community does not prioritize sending girls to school, these young women will miss out on many opportunities as they grow up, limiting their career choices and affecting other aspects of their lives. Therefore, each generation must ensure that it preserves opportunities for the next.

Productivity in this context refers to human labor productivity or productivity in terms of human work. It is important to constantly enhance this productivity by developing people's capabilities. Ultimately, people are the true wealth of nations, and efforts to increase their knowledge or provide better health services lead to improved work efficiency.

Answer Any Three Questions: (1×3=3)

(i) How can future generations be assured of having choices and opportunities?
Ans. To achieve sustainable human development, each generation must ensure that opportunities remain consistent over time. This requires the careful use of all environmental, financial, and human resources with future needs in mind. Misuse of these resources will result in fewer opportunities for future generations.

(ii) Why is equity important?
(A) To establish genuine equality of opportunity
(B) To create educational opportunities
(C) To create sustainable opportunities
(D) None of the Above
Ans. (A) Equity is essential to establish genuine equality of opportunity, ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to succeed.

(iii) What are the key goals of sustainable development?
Ans. The goals of sustainable development include eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring universal access to basic services like water, sanitation, and sustainable energy, and supporting the creation of development opportunities through inclusive education and decent work.

(iv) Within the concept of Human Development, what does productivity refer to?
(A) The power to make choices
(B) Human labor productivity
(C) Environmental growth
(D) Educational opportunities
Ans. (B) Productivity within the concept of Human Development refers to human labor productivity or productivity in terms of human work.

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The difference is that growth is quantitative and value-neutral. It may have a positive or a negative sign. This means that the change may be either positive (showing an increase) or negative (indicating a decrease). Development means a qualitative change that is always value positive. This means that development cannot take place unless there is an increment or addition to the existing conditions. Development occurs when positive growth takes place. Yet, positive growth does not always lead to development. Development occurs when there is a positive change in quality. 

Q1: What is the main difference between growth and development, as explained in the passage?
Ans:

• Growth is quantitative and value-neutral, meaning it can be positive (an increase) or negative (a decrease).
• Development, on the other hand, is qualitative and always value-positive, requiring an increment or addition to existing conditions. Development represents a positive change in quality.

Q2: How does the passage define development in relation to positive growth?
Ans:

• Development occurs when there is positive growth, indicating an increase in quantity.
• However, development is specifically characterized by a positive change in quality. It is not just about quantitative growth but involves qualitative improvements in various aspects of life, society, or economy.

Q3: Can positive growth always be equated with development, according to the passage?
Ans:

• No, positive growth does not always lead to development.
• Development is not solely dependent on quantitative growth; it occurs when there is a positive change in quality, indicating an improvement in various dimensions. Positive growth is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for development.

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.
The idea that the quality of life people enjoy in a country, the opportunities they have and freedoms they enjoy, are important aspects of development, is not new. These ideas were clearly spelt out for the first time in the late eighties and early nineties. The works of two South Asian economists, Mahbub-ul-Haq and Amartya Sen are important in this regard. The concept of human development was introduced by Dr Mahbub-ul-Haq. Dr Haq has described human development as development that enlarges people’s choices and improves their lives. People are central to all development under this concept.

Q1: When were the ideas about the importance of the quality of life, opportunities, and freedoms in development clearly articulated, according to the passage?
Ans: The ideas about the importance of the quality of life, opportunities, and freedoms in development were clearly spelled out for the first time in the late eighties and early nineties.

Q2: Who introduced the concept of human development, and how is it defined according to the passage?
Ans:

• The concept of human development was introduced by Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq.
• Human development, as described by Dr. Haq, is a development that enlarges people’s choices and improves their lives. It focuses on enhancing people's capabilities, opportunities, and well-being, emphasizing the central role of individuals in the development process.

Q3: What role do people play in the concept of human development mentioned in the passage?
Ans:

• According to the concept of human development, people are central to all development efforts.
• Human development emphasizes the enlargement of people’s choices and the improvement of their lives, highlighting the importance of individuals in the process of development.