Worksheet Solutions: Primary Activities | Geography Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

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Q1: The oldest economic activity known is __________ and __________.
Ans: Hunting and gathering.
The oldest economic activity known is hunting and gathering, involving minimal capital investment and basic technology.

Q2: Pastoral nomadism is mainly practiced in three regions: the core region extending from __________ across the Arabian peninsula to __________.
Ans: North Africa; Southwest Asia.
Pastoral nomadism is mainly practiced in three regions: the core region extending from North Africa across the Arabian peninsula to Mongolia and Central China.

Q3: Shifting cultivation is commonly observed among tribes in tropical regions like __________ and __________.
Ans: Southeast Asia; Central Africa.
Shifting cultivation is commonly observed among tribes in tropical regions like Southeast Asia and Central Africa, involving the burning of vegetation to enhance soil fertility.

Q4: __________ agriculture refers to farming where crops and products are primarily used for the farming community's consumption.
Ans: Subsistence agriculture.
Subsistence agriculture refers to farming where crops and products are primarily used for the farming community's consumption, with little surplus for sale.

Q5: Plantation agriculture is characterized by large estates that require significant capital investment, managerial support, and scientific methods of cultivation, often involving crops like __________ and __________.
Ans: Coffee; Sugarcane.
Plantation agriculture is characterized by large estates requiring significant capital investment, managerial support, and scientific cultivation, often involving crops like coffee and sugarcane.

Q6: Commercial grain cultivation is predominantly practiced in __________ regions, with __________ being the primary crop.
Ans: Temperate; Wheat.
Commercial grain cultivation is predominantly practiced in temperate regions, with wheat as the primary crop.

Q7: Dairy farming is considered the most advanced method of rearing __________ animals.
Ans: Livestock.
Dairy farming is considered the most advanced method of rearing livestock, requiring capital investment, rigorous care, and proximity to urban centers.

Q8: Mediterranean agriculture is practiced in countries around the __________ Sea and involves the cultivation of crops like __________ and __________.
Ans: Mediterranean; Olives; Grapes.
Mediterranean agriculture is practiced in countries around the Mediterranean Sea and involves the cultivation of crops like olives and grapes.

Q9: Truck farming specializes in growing __________ only and is usually located within trucking distance from markets.
Ans: Vegetables.
Truck farming specializes in growing vegetables only and is usually located within trucking distance from markets for quick transportation.

Q10: Co-operative farming involves farmers voluntarily combining resources for more efficient farming and is successful in countries like __________ and __________.
Ans: Denmark; Netherlands.
Co-operative farming involves farmers voluntarily combining resources for more efficient farming and is successful in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, facilitating cost-effective production and sales.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: Shifting cultivation is commonly observed among tribes in tropical regions.
Reason: Shifting cultivation contributes to soil fertility through the addition of ashes.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Shifting cultivation, indeed, is common in tropical regions where tribes clear land, burn vegetation, and use the ashes as natural fertilizers. The assertion and the reason are both true and directly connected, explaining the practice of shifting cultivation.

Q2: Assertion: Commercial dairy farming is prevalent in North Western Europe, Canada, and Southeast Australia.
Reason: Dairy farming requires significant capital investment.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true as commercial dairy farming is indeed prevalent in the mentioned regions. The reason is also true as dairy farming involves substantial capital investment for facilities, machinery, and animal care. The reason explains why commercial dairy farming is prevalent in these regions.

Q3: Assertion: Surface mining is the easiest and cheapest way to extract minerals close to the earth's surface.
Reason: Underground mining is less risky as it does not involve poisonous gases or floods.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true as surface mining is generally easier and cheaper for minerals close to the surface. However, the reason provided is not the correct explanation. Underground mining is indeed less risky due to reduced exposure to surface hazards, but the assertion is about the ease and cost, not the risks involved.

Q4: Assertion: Developing countries with a large labor force are becoming more important in the mining industry.
Reason: Developed economies are moving away from mining due to higher labor costs.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true as developing countries often have abundant cheap labor, making them significant players in the mining industry. The reason correctly explains why developed economies, with higher labor costs, are moving away from labor-intensive industries like mining, supporting the assertion.

Q5: Assertion: Truck farming is characterized by farms located at a distance from the market.
Reason: Truck farming involves the use of trucks for agricultural operations.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true as truck farming involves growing crops for distant markets, and the reason explains that the use of trucks is necessary to transport the produce to these markets. Both statements are true and logically connected.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What are the two major factors that influence the success of mining activities?
Ans: Location and availability of mineral resources, and technological advancements.

Q2: Name a type of primitive subsistence agriculture.
Ans: Shifting agriculture.

Q3: In which regions is pastoral nomadism mainly practiced?
Ans: Arid and semi-arid regions.

Q4: Name a crop associated with Mediterranean agriculture.
Ans: Olive.

Q5: What is the significant aspect of plantation agriculture in the Mediterranean region?
Ans: Production of cash crops, such as citrus fruits, grapes, and olives.

Q6: What is the primary crop in commercial grain cultivation?
Ans: Wheat.

Q7: Where is extensive commercial grain cultivation predominantly practiced?
Ans: North America, Europe, and Asia.

Q8: Name a region where mixed farming is commonly observed.
Ans: Europe.

Q9: What are the distinctive features of mixed farming?
Ans: Combination of crop cultivation and livestock rearing.

Q10: Why is commercial livestock rearing practiced on permanent ranches?
Ans: To provide a stable and controlled environment for livestock breeding and rearing.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the concept of shifting cultivation in primitive subsistence agriculture.
Ans: Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, is a traditional farming practice used in primitive subsistence agriculture. In this method, farmers clear a patch of land, usually through cutting and burning vegetation, and cultivate crops for a few years until the soil fertility declines. Then, they move on to a new piece of land and repeat the process. The abandoned land is left fallow for a number of years to allow natural regeneration of vegetation and restoration of soil fertility.

Q2: Differentiate between the two types of intensive subsistence agriculture.
Ans: The two types of intensive subsistence agriculture are wet rice dominant and non-rice dominant.

• In wet rice dominant agriculture, farmers primarily cultivate rice in fields that are flooded with water. This method is labor-intensive and requires a significant amount of water. It is commonly practiced in regions with ample rainfall or access to irrigation facilities.
• In non-rice dominant agriculture, farmers cultivate crops other than rice, such as wheat, maize, millets, or pulses. This type of agriculture is practiced in areas where rice cultivation is not feasible due to climatic conditions or lack of water resources.

Q3: Describe the characteristics of plantation agriculture and provide examples of plantation crops.
Ans: Plantation agriculture is a large-scale commercial farming system characterized by the cultivation of a single crop on a large area of land. The key characteristics of plantation agriculture include:

• Monoculture: Plantations focus on growing a single crop, such as coffee, tea, rubber, sugarcane, bananas, or palm oil.
• Capital-intensive: Plantations require significant investment in machinery, irrigation systems, and labor.
• Large landholdings: Plantations operate on extensive land areas, often owned by a single individual or corporation.
• Wage labor: Plantations employ hired laborers to work on the farms.
• Export-oriented: The produce from plantations is primarily intended for international markets.

Examples of plantation crops include tea in India, coffee in Brazil, rubber in Malaysia, sugarcane in Cuba, bananas in Ecuador, and palm oil in Indonesia.

Q4: Discuss the factors affecting mining activity, including physical and economic factors.
Ans: Mining activity is influenced by a variety of physical and economic factors.

Physical factors:

• Geological conditions: The presence and quality of mineral deposits determine the viability of mining in a particular area.
• Availability of resources: Access to water, energy, and transportation infrastructure affects the feasibility of mining operations.
• Environmental considerations: Regulations and concerns regarding the impact of mining on ecosystems, water resources, and air quality influence mining activity.

Economic factors:

• Market demand: The demand for minerals and their prices in global markets affect the profitability of mining operations.
• Government policies: Regulations, taxes, and incentives imposed by governments can either encourage or discourage mining activity.
• Infrastructure and labor costs: The availability of transportation networks, skilled labor, and affordable energy sources affect mining operations' costs and profitability.

Q5: Compare surface mining and underground mining in terms of their methods and associated risks.
Ans: Surface mining and underground mining are two methods of extracting minerals from the Earth, each with its own methods and associated risks.

• Surface mining involves the removal of overlying soil and rock layers to access mineral deposits near the surface. It is typically used for deposits located in horizontal layers or gently sloping terrain. Methods of surface mining include open-pit mining, strip mining, and mountaintop removal. Risks associated with surface mining include land degradation, deforestation, soil erosion, and displacement of local communities.
• Underground mining involves the extraction of minerals from beneath the Earth's surface through tunnels and shafts. It is used for deposits located at greater depths or in hard rock formations. Methods of underground mining include drift mining, shaft mining, and room and pillar mining. Risks associated with underground mining include cave-ins, flooding, respiratory health hazards, and the release of toxic gases.

Q6: Explain why developed economies are moving away from mining, processing, and refining stages of production.
Ans: Developed economies are moving away from mining, processing, and refining stages of production due to several reasons:

• Shift towards service-oriented economies: Developed economies are transitioning towards service-based industries, such as finance, technology, and healthcare. These sectors offer higher value-added services and generate more employment opportunities compared to traditional mining and manufacturing.
• Environmental concerns: Developed economies are increasingly focusing on environmental sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. Mining, processing, and refining industries often have significant environmental impacts, such as land degradation, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Governments and consumers are pushing for cleaner and greener industries.
• Globalization and outsourcing: Developed economies are outsourcing labor-intensive and resource-intensive manufacturing processes to developing countries with lower production costs. This allows them to concentrate on higher-value activities, such as research, development, and innovation.
• Resource depletion: Developed economies have often exploited their own natural resources extensively, leading to resource depletion. As a result, they are now relying on imports from other countries to fulfill their resource requirements.

Q7: Describe the concept of co-operative farming and provide examples of countries where it has been successful.
Ans: Co-operative farming is a system where farmers pool their resources and form a cooperative to collectively manage their agricultural activities. They share land, machinery, labor, and knowledge to improve productivity, reduce costs, and increase bargaining power in the market. Co-operative farming allows small-scale farmers to access resources and technologies that would otherwise be unaffordable for individual farmers.

Examples of countries where co-operative farming has been successful include:

• Denmark: The Danish agricultural sector extensively utilizes co-operative farming. It has helped small farmers in Denmark access modern technologies, efficient marketing networks, and financial services, leading to increased productivity and profitability.
• Israel: Israel has a strong tradition of agricultural co-operatives known as kibbutzim. These co-operatives have played a crucial role in the development of Israeli agriculture, especially in the cultivation of crops in arid and semi-arid regions.
• Japan: Japan has a long history of agricultural co-operatives called agricultural cooperatives (JA). These co-operatives provide services such as marketing, credit, and insurance to farmers, contributing to the stability and viability of agriculture in Japan.

Q8: Explain the principles of collective farming and provide an example of a model introduced in the former USSR.
Ans: Collective farming is a system where agricultural land and other resources are collectively owned and managed by a group of farmers or the state. The principles of collective farming include:

• Collective ownership: Land, machinery, and other resources are collectively owned by a group of farmers or the state.
• Collective decision-making: Decisions regarding crop selection, production techniques, and resource allocation are made collectively by the members of the collective farm.
• Collective labor: Farmers work together and share labor responsibilities, often in large-scale mechanized operations.
• Collective benefits: The benefits and profits from collective farming are distributed among the members or reinvested in the development of the collective farm.

An example of a collective farming model introduced in the former USSR is the kolkhoz system. Under this system, agricultural land was pooled together, and farmers worked collectively on large state-owned farms. The produce was sold to the state at fixed prices, and profits were shared among the members. The kolkhoz system was a central feature of Soviet agricultural policy, though its effectiveness varied over time and across regions.

Long Answers Type Questions

Q1: Discuss the significance of pastoral nomadism and the challenges it faces, including the decrease in the number of pastoral nomads.
Ans: Pastoral nomadism is a significant economic activity that involves moving herds of animals to find fresh grazing land and water sources. Its significance lies in its adaptation to harsh and arid environments, making it one of the oldest economic activities practiced by humans. Pastoral nomads rely on their animals for food, clothing, shelter, tools, and transportation, forming a crucial part of the cultural and economic fabric of regions where it is practiced.

• However, pastoral nomadism faces several challenges, leading to a decrease in the number of pastoral nomads. One major challenge is the imposition of political boundaries and new settlement plans by different countries. Pastoral nomads traditionally moved freely across borders, but modern geopolitical boundaries restrict their movements, limiting access to traditional grazing lands. Additionally, sedentary agriculture and urbanization have encroached upon the grazing lands, further limiting the available space for nomadic herding.
• Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant challenges as well. Changes in weather patterns, droughts, and desertification make it harder for nomads to find suitable grazing areas and water sources for their animals. These environmental challenges can lead to the depletion of livestock, affecting the livelihoods of nomadic communities.
• Economic pressures and modernization also contribute to the decline of pastoral nomadism. As alternative sources of income and employment opportunities become available, younger generations often choose to pursue non-nomadic lifestyles, leading to a loss of traditional knowledge and skills related to nomadic herding.

Q2: Compare and contrast subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture, including the types and characteristics of each.
Ans: Subsistence Agriculture: Subsistence agriculture refers to farming primarily for the farmer's own consumption. The focus is on growing enough food to feed the family or village. It is common in developing countries and often involves traditional farming methods. Types of subsistence agriculture include primitive subsistence agriculture (shifting cultivation) and intensive subsistence agriculture (wet paddy cultivation and cultivation of crops other than paddy).

Characteristics:

• Small landholdings.
• Reliance on manual labor.
• Low use of modern technology.
• Diverse crop cultivation for varied consumption.
• Limited surplus for sale in the market.

Commercial Agriculture: Commercial agriculture is focused on producing crops or raising livestock for sale in the market, aiming for profit. It is prevalent in developed countries and employs modern farming techniques and machinery. Types of commercial agriculture include plantation farming, extensive grain cultivation, and dairy farming.

Characteristics:

• Large-scale operations with vast landholdings.
• High use of modern technology, machinery, and fertilizers.
• Specialization in specific crops or livestock for commercial purposes.
• Emphasis on maximizing yields and profits.
• Surplus production for sale in local and global markets.

Q3: Explain the development and importance of dairy farming in different regions, and discuss its labor-intensive nature and advancements.
Ans: Dairy farming has significantly evolved over the years, becoming a crucial part of the agricultural industry worldwide. In developed regions like North Western Europe, Canada, and parts of the United States, dairy farming has advanced due to substantial investments in infrastructure and technology. Modern dairy farming involves the use of automated milking machines, computerized feeding systems, and advanced veterinary care, improving efficiency and productivity.

• The importance of dairy farming lies in the production of milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy products for human consumption. Dairy products are rich sources of essential nutrients like calcium and protein, contributing to a balanced diet. Additionally, dairy farming generates employment opportunities, supports rural economies, and provides a consistent supply of dairy products to the market.
• Dairy farming is labor-intensive, requiring daily care for animals, including feeding, milking, and health management. Skilled labor is essential for successful dairy operations, and advancements in technology have reduced the physical demands on farmers while increasing productivity. For instance, automated milking systems have revolutionized the milking process, reducing manual labor and improving efficiency.

Q4: Analyze the impact of the geographic location on the types of economic activities practiced in various regions around the world, including the factors that determine the choice of economic activities.
Ans: Geographic location significantly influences the types of economic activities practiced in different regions worldwide. Proximity to natural resources, climate, topography, and accessibility to transportation routes play pivotal roles in shaping economic activities.

• Agriculture: Regions with fertile soil and favorable climate often engage in agriculture. Tropical regions are suitable for crops like rice, cocoa, and coffee. Arid regions may focus on drought-resistant crops or pastoral nomadism. Mountainous areas might practice terrace farming.
• Mining: Mining activities are concentrated in areas rich in mineral deposits. For example, countries like Australia and Canada have extensive mining industries due to abundant mineral resources.
• Manufacturing: Manufacturing industries thrive near raw material sources and transportation hubs. Coastal regions often host manufacturing facilities due to port access for international trade.
• Tourism: Geographically attractive areas, such as coastal regions, historical sites, or natural wonders, encourage tourism-related economic activities.
• Fishing: Coastal regions and areas near water bodies are ideal for fishing activities, providing livelihoods for communities.
• Services: Urban areas, often located at crossroads of transportation networks, become hubs for services like finance, education, and healthcare due to population density.

Factors determining economic activities include natural resources, climate suitability, labor availability, infrastructure, market demand, and government policies. Economic activities evolve as regions develop, and advancements in technology and infrastructure can sometimes mitigate geographic constraints, allowing diverse economic activities to flourish.