Extra Question Answers for Chapter 1- Natural Resources and Their Use for Class 8 subject Social Science
2 Marks Question Answer:
1. What is a natural resource?
Answer:
It is anything from nature that is useful and valuable to humans.
Examples include air, water, soil, coal, and sunlight.
2. What are renewable resources?
Answer:
Resources that can be naturally restored or regenerated over time.
Examples: sunlight, wind, water, and forests (if used carefully).
3. What are non-renewable resources?
Answer:
These are resources that take millions of years to form and cannot be quickly replaced.
Examples: coal, petroleum, minerals.
4. Give two effects of overusing groundwater.
Answer:
Groundwater levels drop, making it hard and expensive to access.
Water shortages can affect farming and daily life.
5. What is meant by ecosystem services?
Answer:
They are benefits humans get from nature like clean air, water, and pollination.
Forests, rivers, and soil provide these services naturally.
6. Why is overfishing a problem?
Answer:
It reduces fish population and harms ocean balance.
Species like tuna are decreasing rapidly.
7. What are two effects of chemical fertilizers on soil?
Answer:
They reduce soil fertility over time.
They pollute groundwater and harm health.
8. What is stewardship in natural resource use?
Answer:
It means using resources wisely and responsibly.
It includes preserving nature for future generations.
9. How does pollution affect rivers?
Answer:
Industrial waste pollutes rivers, making water poisonous.
It kills aquatic life and harms human health.
10. Why is cement production harmful?
Answer:
It releases harmful dust into air and damages lungs.
It also pollutes soil and water around factories.
Short Answer Type Questions:
1. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.
Answer:
- Renewable resources can be regenerated naturally.
- Non-renewable take millions of years to form.
- Overuse of either type can cause scarcity.
- How does nature follow a cycle of regeneration?
Answer:
- Trees fall and decompose to enrich soil.
- Rivers refill through rain and glacier melt.
- These natural cycles ensure balance in nature.
- Give three ways to use water sustainably.
Answer:
- Practice rainwater harvesting.
- Avoid overusing groundwater.
- Reuse treated wastewater for gardens or farming.
- What are the causes of groundwater crisis in Punjab?
Answer:
- Overuse of water for crops like paddy.
- Free electricity led to over-pumping.
- Use of chemical fertilizers worsened the issue.
- What steps were taken in Sikkim for organic farming?
Answer:
- Use of compost instead of chemicals.
- Growing diverse crops to support soil.
- Natural pest repellents made from neem and garlic.
- What is the importance of forests as resources?
Answer:
- Provide timber, oxygen, and prevent soil erosion.
- Offer habitat to wildlife.
- Act as natural water filters.
- What are the impacts of industrial waste on nature?
Answer:
- Kills river and soil life.
- Causes air and water pollution.
- Disturbs the ecosystem’s natural balance.
- What is meant by the ‘resource curse’?
Answer:
- Countries rich in natural resources may remain poor.
- They fail to develop value-adding industries.
- Poor governance often causes misuse of wealth.
- Why is traditional knowledge useful in farming?
Answer:
- Uses natural fertilizers and pest control.
- Maintains soil and water health.
- Supports biodiversity and sustainability.
- How do natural resources affect human settlement?
Answer:
Towns grow near water, minerals, forests, etc.
Jobs and industries develop around resources.
May cause displacement or conflict over usage.
Long Answer Type Question Answers:
- Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources with examples.
- Renewable: Naturally restored (sunlight, wind, rivers).
- Non-renewable: Form over millions of years (coal, oil).
- Renewable resources can become non-renewable if overused.
- Sustainable use is key to maintaining balance.
- Examples: Solar energy vs. Petroleum.
- What are the key features of sustainable farming in Sikkim?
- Replaced chemicals with compost and bio-repellents.
- Focused on crop rotation and diversity.
- Soil health improved over time.
- Biodiversity and tourism increased.
- Farmers’ income and health improved.
- List five ways to use natural resources responsibly.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle materials.
- Use renewable energy like solar and wind.
- Avoid polluting rivers and air.
- Conserve water and forests.
- Practice organic and traditional farming.
- Describe the causes and effects of groundwater depletion in Punjab.
- Use of water-hungry crops (like paddy).
- Free electricity encouraged over-pumping.
- Water table dropped drastically.
- Chemical use led to water pollution.
- Long-term effects on farming and health.
- Why is it important to manage natural resources for future generations?
- Resources are limited and may get exhausted.
- Overuse harms environment and climate.
- Future generations need clean water, air, and soil.
- Sustainable use ensures long-term benefits.
- Good governance and planning are essential.
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NCERT Solutions:
Chapter 1- Natural Resources and Their Use – CLICK HERE
In-Text Question Answers:
Chapter 1- Natural Resources and Their Use – CLICK HERE
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