Prepare confidently for your Class 10 Geography exams with this complete guide on Chapter 01 – Resources and Development from the NCERT textbook Contemporary India II. This post includes a wide range of exam-ready MCQs, Very Short Answer (VSA), Short Answer (SA), and Long Answer (LA) questions with answers—all written in simple, student-friendly language. Whether you’re revising key points, looking for quick solutions, or mastering concepts like types of resources, soil erosion, and sustainable development, this post offers everything you need for a strong exam performance. Perfect for quick revision, class tests, and board exam prep.
25 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from Chapter 1 – Resources and Development
1. Which one of the following is a renewable resource?
(a) Fossil fuels
(b) Minerals
(c) Solar energy
(d) Coal
Answer: (c) Solar energy
2. Which one of the following is an example of biotic resource?
(a) Rocks
(b) Minerals
(c) Forests
(d) Water
Answer: (c) Forests
3. Resources are classified on the basis of ownership as:
(a) Natural and artificial
(b) Renewable and non-renewable
(c) Individual, community, national and international
(d) Biotic and abiotic
Answer: (c) Individual, community, national and international
4. Which resource planning step involves surveying and mapping?
(a) Matching with national plans
(b) Development of institutional set-up
(c) Identification and inventory of resources
(d) Exploitation of resources
Answer: (c) Identification and inventory of resources
5. What is the main aim of Agenda 21?
(a) Global cooperation for fossil fuel use
(b) Sustainable development
(c) Promoting industrialisation
(d) Controlling population
Answer: (b) Sustainable development
6. Which state is well-endowed with solar and wind energy?
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Chhattisgarh
Answer: (b) Rajasthan
7. Who said, “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for anybody’s greed”?
(a) Nehru
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Indira Gandhi
(d) Rajiv Gandhi
Answer: (b) Mahatma Gandhi
8. Which of these is not a cause of land degradation?
(a) Afforestation
(b) Over irrigation
(c) Overgrazing
(d) Mining
Answer: (a) Afforestation
9. In which state is over-irrigation a major cause of land degradation?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Punjab
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Odisha
Answer: (b) Punjab
10. What is net sown area?
(a) Area left fallow
(b) Area on which crops are sown once in an agricultural year
(c) Land under forests
(d) Land under industries
Answer: (b) Area on which crops are sown once in an agricultural year
11. Which soil is formed from lava flows?
(a) Alluvial
(b) Black soil
(c) Laterite
(d) Red soil
Answer: (b) Black soil
12. Which is the most fertile soil in India?
(a) Arid
(b) Forest
(c) Alluvial
(d) Red
Answer: (c) Alluvial
13. Which soil is best suited for cotton cultivation?
(a) Alluvial
(b) Red
(c) Laterite
(d) Black
Answer: (d) Black
14. The land unfit for cultivation due to gully erosion is called:
(a) Waste land
(b) Bad land
(c) Plateau land
(d) Forest land
Answer: (b) Bad land
15. Which of the following is a method of soil conservation in hilly areas?
(a) Overgrazing
(b) Contour ploughing
(c) Strip cropping
(d) Use of chemical fertilisers
Answer: (b) Contour ploughing
16. Which of the following soil types is found in Eastern coastal plains and river deltas?
(a) Black soil
(b) Alluvial soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Arid soil
Answer: (b) Alluvial soil
17. What colour does red soil turn when hydrated?
(a) Black
(b) Yellow
(c) Brown
(d) Green
Answer: (b) Yellow
18. Which soil develops under high rainfall and intense leaching?
(a) Laterite soil
(b) Alluvial soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Arid soil
Answer: (a) Laterite soil
19. Which of the following leads to sheet erosion?
(a) Water flowing in gullies
(b) Water flowing as a sheet over large areas
(c) Wind blowing on steep slopes
(d) Mining activity
Answer: (b) Water flowing as a sheet over large areas
20. Which state has over 80% of its area as net sown area?
(a) Kerala
(b) Punjab
(c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Assam
Answer: (b) Punjab
21. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?
(a) Forests
(b) Solar energy
(c) Petroleum
(d) Air
Answer: (c) Petroleum
22. Which of the following helps prevent wind erosion?
(a) Shelter belts
(b) Overgrazing
(c) Mining
(d) Industrialisation
Answer: (a) Shelter belts
23. What is the main reason for low forest area in India?
(a) Lack of rainfall
(b) Urbanisation and deforestation
(c) Mountainous terrain
(d) Agricultural dependence
Answer: (b) Urbanisation and deforestation
24. Which of these is not a factor in soil formation?
(a) Relief
(b) Temperature
(c) Chemical fertilisers
(d) Parent rock
Answer: (c) Chemical fertilisers
25. Which soil is found in areas with low rainfall and is rich in iron?
(a) Black soil
(b) Red soil
(c) Forest soil
(d) Arid soil
Answer: (b) Red soil
Question & Answer of Chapter 01 – Resources and Development
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have black soil. Cotton is mainly grown in this soil. That’s why it is also called black cotton soil.
(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast? Give three main features of this type of soil.
Alluvial soil is found in the deltas of the eastern coast. It is very fertile. It holds moisture well. It has potash, lime, and other nutrients.
(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
Soil erosion can be reduced by planting trees, terrace farming and contour ploughing. These methods slow down water flow and hold the soil.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960–61?
In India, land is used for farming, forests, houses, roads, industries and grazing. Most of the land is used for growing crops. Forest area is less than what is needed. According to the 1952 forest policy, at least 33% of land should be under forest. But today, it is still much lower. The forest area has not increased much because of growing population and need for land. Forests are cut down to make space for buildings, roads and farming. Also, land in many places is not fit for growing trees. This is why forest land has stayed nearly the same.
(ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?
When people use better machines and tools, they can take more resources from nature. For example, machines dig deeper mines or cut trees faster. As factories grow, they need more raw materials like coal, iron, and oil. People earn more money and buy more things. This also uses more resources. Big farms use machines and water pumps. All these activities increase the use of land, water, energy, and other natural things. That’s how technical and economic growth leads to higher use of resources.
Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)
(Answer each in one sentence)
1. What is a resource?
A resource is anything from the environment that is useful to us, and we can use it with the help of technology.
2. Name any two types of resources based on origin.
Biotic and abiotic.
3. What do you mean by sustainable development?
Sustainable development means using resources without harming the environment and saving them for future needs.
4. What is Agenda 21?
Agenda 21 is a global plan made in 1992 to save the environment and fight problems like poverty and pollution.
5. Name two resource-rich but economically backward states.
Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
6. What is meant by land degradation?
Land degradation means the loss of fertility or quality of land due to overuse or damage.
7. Name one natural and one human cause of soil erosion.
Rainwater is a natural cause, and deforestation is a human cause.
8. What is contour ploughing?
Contour ploughing is ploughing across the slope of a hill to slow down water and stop soil from washing away.
9. Which soil is called black cotton soil and where is it found?
Black soil is called black cotton soil and is found in Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
10. What is the full form of UNCED?
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
Short Answer Questions (SA)
(Answer each in 2–3 sentences)
1. What are the main causes of resource depletion?
People have used resources without care. Some have taken more than needed. This has led to problems like pollution, land damage, and fewer resources for others.
2. Why is resource planning important in India?
India has uneven distribution of resources. Some places have plenty, while others lack basic things. Planning helps in using resources wisely and fairly.
3. What do you know about the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992?
It was a meeting where leaders from 100 countries came together. They talked about saving nature and improving lives. Agenda 21 was signed there.
4. Mention the steps involved in resource planning.
First, find and list all resources. Then, make a plan with the right tools and people. Last, link that plan with the country’s development goals.
5. What are the main types of land use in India?
Land is used for forests, farming, grazing, buildings, roads and unused land. Farming uses the most land.
6. What are the human activities that lead to land degradation?
Mining, cutting trees, too much grazing, and using too much water damage land. These make the soil poor and less useful.
7. What are the features of alluvial soil?
Alluvial soil is soft, fertile and good for crops. It holds water well and is rich in nutrients. It is mostly found in river plains.
8. What is black soil and what crops grow well in it?
Black soil is dark and holds water for a long time. It is sticky when wet and cracks in summer. Cotton grows best in this soil.
9. What is strip cropping?
It means growing crops in strips with grass in between. This stops wind and water from washing the soil away.
10. Why is forest area still low in India?
Forests are cut for farming, roads, and houses. Also, some land is not suitable for trees. This is why forest area has not grown much.
Long Answer Questions (LA)
(Answer each in about 100–120 words)
1. What are the different types of resources? Explain with examples.
Resources are grouped in many ways:
- By origin: Biotic (like animals, plants) and Abiotic (like water, soil, air).
- By use or exhaustibility: Renewable (like solar energy, water) and Non-renewable (like coal, oil).
- By ownership: Individual (owned by people), Community (used by villagers), National (government-owned), International (shared across countries).
- By stage of development: Potential (not used yet), Developed (in use), Stock (can be used if we get the right tools), Reserves (part of stock we can use now).
These types help us to know how to use and protect resources.
2. What is soil erosion? Explain its causes and ways to stop it.
Soil erosion means the top layer of soil is removed by wind or water.
Natural causes: Heavy rain, strong winds, and running water.
Human causes: Cutting trees, overgrazing, farming on slopes, mining, and building roads.
Ways to stop it:
- Planting more trees
- Terrace farming in hills
- Ploughing across slopes (contour ploughing)
- Using grass strips (strip cropping)
- Building shelter belts with trees
These steps help keep the soil safe for farming and protect the land.
3. What is resource planning? Why is it needed in India?
Resource planning means using natural things wisely.
First, we check what resources are present. Then we make a plan to use them without wasting. Finally, we link this with development work in the country.
In India, some areas have many resources like coal, forests or water. Others have very little. So, planning is needed to give all areas a fair chance to grow.
It also helps to save resources for the future. Without planning, we may use up resources too fast or spoil them.
4. Describe the main types of soils found in India.
India has many types of soils:
- Alluvial soil – Found in river plains. Soft and good for farming.
- Black soil – Found in Deccan region. Holds water well. Good for cotton.
- Red and yellow soil – Found in dry areas. Poor in nutrients but can grow crops with help.
- Laterite soil – Formed in wet and dry weather. Found in hills. Good for tea, coffee.
- Arid soil – Found in deserts. Sandy and dry. Needs water for farming.
- Forest soil – Found in hills. Rich in some parts, poor in others.
Each soil has its own use and is suited for certain crops.
5. What is sustainable development? Why is it important?
Sustainable development means using resources in a way that they last long. We must meet our needs today, but also think about future generations.
If we cut all forests, pollute water, or use all oil now, there will be nothing left later.
This is why we must:
- Use less
- Reuse things
- Save water and electricity
- Grow trees
It is important because it helps nature stay healthy. It also keeps our lives safe, clean and balanced. Without it, we may face problems like shortages, pollution, and poor health in the future.