CLASS 8
Chapter 1 Resources
VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Question.1. What is the condition for a substance to be called a resource?
Answer. A substance needs to have some utility to be called a resource.
Question.2. What do you understand by the word “utility”?
Answer. If a substance can be used in any way, it is said to have a utility.
Question.3. What are natural resources?
Answer. Resources that are drawn directly from nature are called natural resources.
Question.4. What is the name given to the type of resources that have limited stock?
Answer. The resources having limited stock are called non-renewable resources.
Question.5. How are resources classified according to their distribution?
Answer. On the basis of their distribution, resources are classified into ubiquitous and localised.
Question.6. Give three examples of abiotic resources.
Answer. Air, land, soils.
Question.7. How are human-made resources different from natural resources?
Answer. Human-made resources Have been created by human beings, whereas natural resources
are provided by nature.
Question.8. What is human resource development?
Answer. Improving the quality of human skills in order to make them more useful is called human
resource development.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Question.1. Explain the terms resource conservation and sustainable development.
Answer. Resource conservation is the concept of using resources carefully so that they do not end
up quickly. The future generations also need the resources, but if we keep using them at a fast pace,
they may end up, thus posing problems for the future. We should use resources in such a balanced
way that we satisfy our needs as well as conserve them for the future. This concept is called
sustainable development.
Question.2. Why are human beings resources?
Answer. Human beings are intelligent living beings. They can use their intelligence to realise the
utility of substances. Had there been no humans, the resources would not have been resources.
Human beings are interdependent on each other, and they prove useful to each other. For example,
a postman renders us an important service, so he is a resource.
Question.3. Explain how resources are classified broadly.
Answer. Resources are broadly classified into natural, human-made and human. Natural resources
are those that are taken from nature. They are used without modifying them, i.e. in the same form
as they exist in. Rivers, lakes, air, soils, minerals, trees, mountains, etc. are natural resources.
Human-made resources have not been provided to us by nature. Human beings have used their
intelligence to manufacture them for their own use. Examples include vehicles, buildings, roads,
telephone, etc.
Human resources include people who serve us in any way. A teacher, doctor, carpenter, cobbler, etc.
are human resources.
Question.4. Write a short note on the significance of time and technology in making a substance a
resource.
Answer. Time and technology are important factors in making substances resources. With time,
technology develops. As technology develops, we begin to discover new ways to make life better. In
this process, certain substances which were useless to us earlier become useful. An invention and
discovery gives us new resources. An example is hydroelectricity. This technology has made water
a source of electricity.
Question.5. As human beings, how can we ensure sustainable development?
Answer. Since we live on the earth, it is our duty to practise sustainable development. We can do
this by ensuring that:
(a) The usage of renewable resources is sustainable,
(b) The diversity of life on earth is maintained,
(c) The damage caused to nature by our activities is as Low as possible.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Question.1. Describe how resources are classified.
Answer. Resources are broadly classified into natural, human-made and human. Natural resources
are those that are taken from nature. They are used without modifying them, i.e. in the same form
as they exist in. Rivers, lakes, air, soils, minerals, trees, mountains, etc. are natural resources.
Human-made resources have not been provided to us by nature. Human beings have used their
intelligence to manufacture them for their own use. Examples include vehicles, buildings, roads,
telephone, etc.
Human resources include people who serve us in any way. A teacher, doctor, carpenter, cobbler, etc
are human resources.
On the basis of level,of development,
a resource can be actual or potential. An actual resource is one which is used currently. We know
their quantity. A potential resource is one whose utility is not known at present or is not used
despite having utility; instead it may be useful at some time in future. It means that it has the
potential to have utility, although it does not have any today.
On the basis of origin, a resource can be abiotic or biotic. A biotic resource is one that has life. An
abiotic resource is non-living. Natural resources may also be classified as renewable and
non¬renewable. A renewable resource can be used without any risk of its ending up. They exist in
unlimited quantities. On the other hand, use of non-renewable resources needs to be controlled
since once they end up, they cannot be renewed.
On the basis of distribution, a resource can be ubiquitous or localised. A ubiquitous resource is
found everywhere. A localised resource is however found in certain parts of the world only.
