Weathering Questions

Weathering is the process of breaking down or dissolving rocks and minerals on the Earth’s
surface. In this process, the deterioration of rocks, minerals, soils, acid, wood, and artificial
materials are in contact with atmospheric gases, water, and biological organisms. The action
of weather, animals, climate, and plants on the land surfaces can break them down
physically, biologically, and chemically. Weathering processes are divided into:

 Physical weathering
 Chemical weathering
 Biological weathering
Physical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and soils through the mechanical
effects of heat, water, ice, or other agents. Physical weathering is also known as mechanical
weathering. Chemical weathering takes place with the action of water, atmospheric gases,
and biologically produced chemicals on rocks and soils. Water is the common agent in
physical weathering and chemical weathering. Weathering is the main part of the rock
cycle. The materials left over after the rock breaks down, combine with organic material to
create soil. The main sources of physical weathering are the contraction of rock and thermal
expansion. Biological weathering is the process of breaking, and the gradual breakdown of
rocks by the action of plants, animals, and microbes. Plants that grow on the rocks exert
pressure through the roots on the rock. Microbial activity also disintegrates rock minerals
by changing the chemical constituents of the rock, making it more weather sensitive.

Read more: Types of rocks

We know that organisms like fungi release chemical substances, these substances are
capable of breaking down rock minerals. These minerals are consumed by the algae. Holes
and gaps on the rock continue to develop and this process continues, exposing the rock to
physical and chemical weathering.

Factors affecting weathering:

 Climate affects the rate of weathering.

 The mineralogical constitution of rock affects the rate of disintegration or alteration.
 The rock’s texture also determines the type of weathering which takes place.
Note: Fine-grain rock is less susceptible to physical disintegration, and is more susceptible
to chemical alteration.

Sometimes the process of erosion is confused with weathering. Erosion is the process by
which soil and rock particles are moved to other places by the action of water, ice, and
wind. Weathering does not require any moving agent of transport. Weathering and soil
erosion can take place simultaneously.

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Important Weathering Questions with Answers

a. Acidic water breakdown of rock producing clay and soluble salts takes place
through______
b. Physical weathering
c. Chemical weathering
d. Biological weathering
e. None of the above options
Answer: b) Chemical weathering

Explanation: The breakdown of rock producing clay and soluble salts takes place through
acidic water, and this is known as hydrolysis. It comes under chemical weathering.

2. Choose YES or NO: Plants growing on the rock are one of the main sources of biological
weathering.

a. YES
b. NO
Answer: YES

Explanation: The roots of the plant exert pressure on the rock and result in breaking. Hence,
it is one of the main reasons for biological weathering.

3. Physical weathering is also known as_____

a. Mass weathering
b. Material weathering
c. Mechanical weathering
d. Monitor weathering
Answer: c) Mechanical weathering

Explanation: Physical weathering is also known as mechanical weathering since it involves

the mechanical effects of heat, water, ice, or other agents to break down rocks.

4. Which is the common agent used in chemical and physical weathering?

a. Gases
b. Water
c. Heat
d. Fungi
Answer: b) Water

Explanation: Water is the common agent used in chemical as well as physical weathering.
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5. State true or false: Weathering involves moving soil particles and rocks to other places
with the action of ice, water, and wind.

a. TRUE
b. FALSE
Answer: b) FALSE

Explanation: Moving of soil particles to other places does not take place in weathering. This
process is known as soil erosion.

6. Which factor affects weathering?

a. Climate
b. Composition of rock
c. The texture of the rock
d. All the above options
Answer: d) All the above options

7. Which of the following causes biological weathering?

a. Ice
b. Water
c. Fungi
d. Heat
Answer: c) Fungi

Explanation: Fungi release chemical substances that are capable of breaking down rock
minerals.

8. The materials left over after the rock breaks down to combine with organic material to
create _____

a. Wind
b. Soil
c. Air
d. Moisture
Answer: b) Soil

9. Identify the main part of the rock cycle.

a. Weathering
b. Monitoring

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 c. Erosion
d. Agriculture
Answer: a) Weathering

Explanation: From the given options, we can say that weathering is the main part of the
rock cycle.

10. Choose YES or NO: Can weathering and erosion take place at the same time?

a. YES
b. NO
Answer: a) YES

Explanation: Weathering and erosion are different processes that can take place at the
same time.

Practice Questions

1. Define weathering.
2. List the types of weathering.
3. Define soil erosion
4. What are the factors affecting weathering?
5. What is the difference between erosion and weathering?

Chapter 4

Weathering and Soil Formation

Class 7 - Veena Bhargava Geography Solutions

Tick the correct option

Question 1(a)

Chemical weathering takes place due to

1. Oxidation
2. Frost
3. Exfoliation
4. Human activities

P a g e 4 | 38
Answer

Oxidation

Question 1(b)

Frost is experienced in

1. Tropical regions
2. Deserts
3. Mountainous regions
4. Doldrums

Answer

Mountainous regions

Question 1(c)

Wearing away of rock is called

1. Erosion
2. Gradation
3. Disintegration
4. Aggradation

Answer

Erosion

Question 1(d)

It is a parent rock for other rocks making up to 85% of the earth’s crust.

1. Igneous
2. Sedimentary
3. Metamorphic

Answer

Igneous

Question 1(e)

Rocks that are very compact and do not wear out easily

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 1. Igneous
2. Sedimentary
3. Metamorphic

Answer

Igneous

Question 1(f)

Sedimentary rocks are also called stratified rocks due to the presence of

1. Sediments in layers
2. Fossils
3. Deposited material
4. Fine silt and clay

Answer

Sediments in layers

Question 1(g)

Organically formed sedimentary rocks consists mainly of:

1. Remains of marine animals

2. Precipitation of mineral matter
3. Fragments of waste
4. Deposited material

Answer

Remains of marine animals

Question 1(h)

Change of form is known as

1. Cryogenics
2. Hyper kyphosis
3. Blepharophimosis
4. Metamorphosis

Answer

Metamorphosis
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Question 1(i)

Limestone is changed to marble due to:

1. Change in weather
2. Metamorphosis
3. Weathering
4. Hydraulic action

Answer

Metamorphosis

Question 1(j)

A layer of unconsolidated materials at the earth’s surface forming the basis of agriculture.

1. Soil
2. Humus
3. Rocks
4. Regolith

Answer

Soil

Question 1(k)

Formation of soil do not depend on

1. Parent rock
2. Climate
3. Vegetation
4. Wind speed

Answer

Wind speed

Question 1(l)

Identify the method of soil conservation

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 1. Crop rotation
2. Shelter belts
3. Terrace farming
4. Afforestation

Answer

Terrace farming

Question 1(m)

Reaction of rainwater with soluble minerals present in rocks

1. Hydration
2. Solution
3. Carbonation
4. Oxidation

Answer

Solution

Question 1(n)

This is not a measure of soil conservation

1. Afforestation
2. Check overgrazing
3. Contour ploughing
4. Denudation

P a g e 8 | 38
Answer

Denudation

Question 1(o)

An example of organically formed sedimentary rocks

1. Sandstone
2. Shale
3. Clay
4. Coal

Answer

Coal

Exercise

Question 2

Fill in the blanks:

(a) Weathering is the ............... of rocks by agents like temperature, rain, etc.

(b) Erosion is the ............... of rocks by running water.

(c) Mechanical weathering is ............... of rocks by elements of weather such as heat, frost,
wind, etc.

(d) Carbonation is the reaction of ............... acid on minerals.

(e) B-Horizon of soil profile contains ............... .

Answer

(a) Weathering is the breaking down of rocks by agents like temperature, rain, etc.

(b) Erosion is the wearing away of rocks by running water.

(c) Mechanical weathering is disintegration of rocks by elements of weather such as heat,

frost, wind, etc.

(d) Carbonation is the reaction of carbonic acid on minerals.

(e) B-Horizon of soil profile contains gravel, clay and sand

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Question 3

Answer the following in one word:

(a) Disintegration and decomposition of rocks.

(b) A process which wears down the rocks.

(c) The breaking up of exposed rocks due to change in temperature, frost, plants, and
winds.

(d) Unequal heating causes expansion in rocks resulting in breakdown of rocks.

Answer

(a) Weathering

(b) Denudation

(c) Mechanical weathering

(d) Exfoliation

Question 4

Explain the following terms:

(a) Exfoliation

(b) Hydration

(c) Weathering

(d) Rocks

(e) Minerals

(f) Denudation

(g) Mechanical weathering

Answer

(a) Exfoliation — The changes in temperature during summer and winter and in case of arid
region, during day and night, cause expansion and contraction in the rock surfaces. This
causes the rocks to break-up or peel off. Rectangular rock blocks are thus, gradually
rounded by splitting away of sharp corners. This process is called exfoliation.

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(b) Hydration — Hydration is the chemical reaction of water with minerals present in rocks.
It changes the proportion and composition of rocks and minerals. It weakens the rocks and
ultimately the rock breaks-up.

(c) Weathering — Weathering is described as the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and
minerals on the surface of the earth. Water, ice, acids, salts, plants, animals and changes in
temperature are all agents of weathering. It is a static process and leads to the formation of
soil.

(d) Rocks — Rocks are aggregates of minerals and have no definite chemical composition.
Rocks makeup most of the solid materials of the lithosphere. On the basis of their formation
rocks are classified into three types:

1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metamorphic rocks.

(e) Minerals — A mineral is a naturally occurring, homogenous solid that has definite
chemical composition with its own chemical and physical properties, e.g., silicates and
quartz.

(f) Denudation — Denudation is a dynamic process that includes the disintegration and
decomposition of rocks, transportation of the eroded material and deposition of it at some
other place. Therefore, process of denudation is two-fold process that is both destructive
and constructive.

(g) Mechanical weathering — Mechanical weathering is responsible for the disintegration of

rocks by the elements of weather such as heat, frost and wind. Mechanical weathering does
not change the composition of rocks. It depends on the following factors:

1. Extremes of temperature
2. Nature of rocks
3. Structure of rocks
4. Frost
5. Wind
6. Slope of lands

Question 5

Differentiate between:

(a) Chemical and mechanical weathering

(b) Weathering and denudation

Answer
P a g e 11 | 38
(a) Difference between chemical and mechanical weathering:
S. (b)
Chemical weathering Mechanical weathering
No.

It involves the breaking

down of rocks by altering It is responsible for the disintegration of
1. or dissolving the rock rocks by the elements of weather such
minerals due to chemical as heat, frost and wind.
action or changes

The processes involved in

The processes involved in mechanical
chemical weathering are
2. weathering are Exfoliation, Granular
Oxidation, Carbonation,
disintegration and Block disintegration.
Hydration and Solution.

Chemical weathering is
Mechanical weathering is comparatively
3. slow as compared to
faster.
mechanical weathering.

Difference between weathering and denudation:

S.
Weathering Denudation
No.

Denudation involves both

Weathering involves
disintegration of rocks and
disintegration and
1. transportation and deposition of the
decomposition of rocks where
weathered material at some other
they exist.
place.

Weathering is a destructive Denudation is a destructive and

2.
process. constructive process.

3. Weathering is a static process. Denudation is a dynamic process.

Weathering is a short term

4. Denudation is a long term process.
process.

P a g e 12 | 38
Question 6(a)

What is mechanical weathering?

Answer

Mechanical weathering refers to the disintegration of rocks by the elements of weather

such as heat, frost and wind. Mechanical weathering does not change the composition of
rocks.

Question 6(b)

Name the factors responsible for mechanical weathering

Answer

Mechanical weathering depends on the following factors:

1. Extremes of temperature
2. Nature of rocks
3. Structure of rocks
4. Frost
5. Wind
6. Slope of land

Question 6(c)

What is meant by denudation?

Answer

Denudation is a dynamic process that includes disintegration and decomposition of rocks as

well as the wearing away of the rocks. It is a two-fold process, both destructive and
constructive. It is destructive as it breaks down the rocks. It is constructive as it transports
the eroded material and deposits it at some other place.

Question 6(d)

What is meant by biological weathering?

Answer

Biological weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks by living organisms. This can occur
through various means, such as root growth, burrowing activities, acid secretion by certain
organisms, and the physical actions of organisms like mosses and lichens.

P a g e 13 | 38
Question 6(e)

How does biological weathering take place?

Answer

Biological weathering is caused by following agents:

1. Plants — The roots of plants grow into the cracks and crevices in search of water or
nourishment. They exert pressure on rocks and break them. Sometimes, the roots
release carbonic acid which changes the chemical composition of minerals and help
in weathering.
2. Animals — Burrowing animals cause loosening or weakening of the rocks and expose
them to other agents of weathering.
3. Human activities — Construction of roads, mining, farming and deforestation lead to
weathering of rocks.

Question 6(f)

Name the factors responsible for weathering.

Answer

The various factors responsible for weathering are:

1. Extremes of temperature
2. Frost
3. Wind
4. Slope of land
5. Water
6. Oxygen
7. Acids
8. Plants
9. Animals
10.Human activities

Question 6(g)

What is meant by exfoliation?

Answer

The changes in temperature during summer and winter and also during day and night (in
case of arid region), cause expansion and contraction in the rock surfaces. This causes the

P a g e 14 | 38
rocks to break-up or peel off. Rectangular rock blocks are thus, gradually rounded by
splitting away of sharp corners. This process is called exfoliation.

Question 6(h)

How does climate affect weathering? Explain giving examples.

Answer

Climatic factors like rainfall, wind, frost and extremes of temperature affect weathering.

 Wind has sand particles that erode the softer rocks.

 Water or frost when present in crevices of rocks exert pressure on rocks and breaks
it.
 Extreme high temperature leads to expansion in rocks and extreme low temperature
causes contraction. The repetitive expansion and contraction lead to weathering of
rocks.
 Rain, snow and other forms of precipitation contribute to weathering by providing
water that can dissolve and transport minerals and rocks. For example, water that
contains dissolved carbon dioxide can create a weak acid that can dissolve limestone
and erode them leading to the formation of caves and other features.

Question 6(i)

What is meant by soil? State the method adopted to prevent soil erosion.

Answer

The thin topmost layer of the earth's crust, made up of fine rock particles and organic
matter is termed as soil. It is a layer of unconsolidated materials at the earth's surface.

Some methods to prevent soil erosion are:

1. Afforestation
2. To check overgrazing
3. Constructing dams and barrages
4. Improve techniques of agriculture

Question 6(j)

State any two importance of rocks.

Answer

Two importance of rocks are:

P a g e 15 | 38
 1. Rocks are used as building material.
2. Rocks supply precious metals like gold and silver.

Question 6(k)

Name the three different types of rocks.

Answer

On the basis of their formation rocks are classified into following three types:

1. Igneous rocks
2. Sedimentary rocks
3. Metamorphic rocks

Question 6(l)

What are the two types of igneous rocks? Give examples.

Answer

Two types of igneous rocks are:

1. Intrusive rocks — E.g., granite.

2. Extrusive rocks — E.g., Basalt.

Question 6(m)

How are igneous rocks formed?

Answer

Igneous rocks were formed as the molten magma solidified either inside the earth or on the
surface of the earth

Question 6(n)

How are sedimentary rocks formed?

Answer

Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments, accumulated over long periods in seas,
lakes, rivers and glaciers. They are deposited in distinct layers or strata. Therefore, they are
also called stratified rocks.

P a g e 16 | 38
Question 6(o)

What are the different types of sedimentary rocks?

Answer

Sedimentary rocks are divided into three classes according to their formation:

1. Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks

2. Organically formed sedimentary rocks
3. Chemically formed sedimentary rocks

Question 6(p)

Give examples of each type of sedimentary rocks

Answer

Examples of each type of sedimentary rocks are:

1. Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks — E.g., Sandstone, Shale, Clay.

2. Organically formed sedimentary rocks — E.g., Coal, Limestone, Coral.
3. Chemically formed sedimentary rocks — E.g., Rock Salt, Gypsum, Dolomite .

Question 6(q)

How are metamorphic rocks formed?

Answer

When igneous or sedimentary rocks experience intense heat and pressure, often due to
geological forces like tectonic movements or volcanic activity, they undergo a complete
change in form and characteristics features. These transformed rocks are referred to as
metamorphic rocks.

Chapter 5

Industries

Class 7 - Veena Bhargava Geography Solutions

P a g e 17 | 38
Tick the correct option

Question 1(a)

The port nearest to the Tata Steel Company is

1. Mumbai
2. Kolkata
3. Chennai
4. Visakhapatnam

Answer

Kolkata

Question 1(b)

Detroit is located in the state of

1. Florida
2. Ohio
3. Virginia
4. Michigan

Answer

Michigan

Question 1(c)

Which is the leading shipbuilding yard in S.E. Asia?

1. China
2. Japan
3. S. Korea
4. Taiwan

Answer

Japan

Question 1(d)

The main raw material of iron & steel industry

P a g e 18 | 38
 1. Copper
2. Dolomite
3. Zinc
4. Silver

Answer

Dolomite

Question 1(e)

Bhilai steel plant was set up with the collaboration of

1. USA
2. Japan
3. Russia
4. China

Answer

Russia

Question 1(f)

Industries depending on animals for their supply of raw materials

1. Animal-based
2. Forest-based
3. Agro-based
4. Mineral-based

Answer

Animal-based

Question 1(g)

Public sector industries are those that are

1. Managed and owned by individual industrialists

2. Owned and controlled by state or central government
3. Jointly managed by private firms
4. Owned and controlled by NRI's

Answer

P a g e 19 | 38
Owned and controlled by state or central government.

Question 1(h)

Which is not a leading producer of iron and steel industry in USA

1. Alabama
2. Pittsburgh
3. Youngstown
4. Poland

Answer

Poland

Question 1(i)

............... is located on the Detroit River connecting Lake Erie and lake St. Claire.

1. Iron and steel

2. Fishing
3. Cotton textile
4. Software

Answer

Iron and steel

Question 1(j)

Osaka being a leading centre for the large spinning mills is also known as

1. Manchester of Japan
2. Stretford of Japan
3. Preston of Japan
4. Liverpool of Japan

Answer

Manchester of Japan

Question 1(k)

Which is not a leading producer of sugar

1. Uttar Pradesh
P a g e 20 | 38
 2. Bihar
3. Maharashtra
4. Gujarat

Answer

Gujarat

Question 1(l)

An important shipyard in Europe.

1. Rotterdam
2. Montreal
3. Vishakhapatnam
4. Kawasaki

Answer

Rotterdam

Question 1(m)

Fishing ground in the North Sea

1. Georges bank
2. Dogger bank
3. Grand bank
4. Wind speed

Answer

Dogger bank

Question 1(n)

Most of IT companies of Bengaluru are located in

1. Greenfield
2. Whitefield
3. Goldfield
4. Copperfield

Answer

Whitefield
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Question 1(o)

Ganga action plan was launched in which year?

1. 1986
2. 1987
3. 1988
4. 1989

Answer

1986

Exercise

Question 2

Fill in the blanks:

(a) Cuba is a major producer of ............... .

(b) Bengaluru is the chief centre of ............... industry.

(c) UK is known as ............... of modern textile industry.

(d) ............... is known as Manchester of Japan.

(e) The first successful textile mill was set up in ............... in ............... .

Answer

(a) Cuba is a major producer of Sugar

(b) Bengaluru is the chief centre of IT industry.

(c) UK is known as birth place of modern textile industry.

(d) Osaka is known as Manchester of Japan.

(e) The first successful textile mill was set up in Mumbai in 1954

Question 3

Match the following:

Column A Column B

IBM Iron and steel industry

P a g e 22 | 38
 Column A Column B

Ahmedabad Information technology

Durgapur Cuba

Sugar industry Silicon Valley

USA Textile industry

Answer

Column A Column B

IBM Information technology

Ahmedabad Textile industry

Durgapur Iron and steel industry

Sugar industry Cuba

USA Silicon Valley

Question 4

Write true and false for the following:

(i) Osaka is situated in South Asia.

(ii) The Tata Steel is situated in Mumbai.

(iii) Detroit is famous for automobile industry

(iv) The IT industry is situated in Jharkhand.

(v) Bengaluru is called IT capital of India.

Answer

P a g e 23 | 38
(i) False
Corrected Statement — Osaka is situated in East Asia.

(ii) False
Corrected Statement — The tata steel is situated in Jamshedpur.

(iii) True

(iv) False
Corrected Statement — The IT industry is situated in Bengaluru.

(v) True

Question 5(a)

State any three raw materials required for iron and steel industry.

Answer

Three raw materials required for iron and steel industry are:

1. Iron ore
2. Limestone
3. Dolomite

Question 5(b)

How industries pollute our water resources? State any one preventive measure.

Answer

Industrial waste is major source of water pollution. Various industries like chemicals, paper,
tanning, dyeing, textiles, sugar, jute, etc. produce millions of tons of industrial waste, both
in solid and liquid form. The entire waste is thrown into water bodies or in open low-lying
areas. This waste affects the surface water as well as ground water.

The industrial waste should be collected from source and managed on scientific basis in
order to prevent water pollution.

Question 5(c)

Name any two largest producer of cotton textile.

Answer

The two largest producer of cotton textile are:

1. UK
P a g e 24 | 38
 2. Japan

Question 5(d)

Why is cotton textile concentrated in Maharashtra and Gujarat?

Answer

The ideal geographical factors such as black soil, plenty of fresh water, transport facility and
rich hinterland are some of the factors for the development of the cotton textile industry in
the region of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Question 5(e)

What are the key elements of information technology?

Answer

The key elements of information technology are hardware and software that are important
to use computer to store, retrieve, transmit, manipulate data or information. It is done in
context of business or other enterprises.

Question 5(f)

What is the difference between information technology and software industry?

Answer

Information technology is the use of computer to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate
data or information, often in the context of business or other enterprise. Whereas the
software industry includes businesses for development, maintenance and publication of
software that are using different business models.

Every software company is an IT company but every IT company may not be a software
company. For example, a hardware company is an IT company but not a software company.
IT company is the general term. It may be an IT service company or software product
company.

Question 5(g)

State any three advantages of industrialisation.

Answer

Three advantages of industrialisation are

1. It leads to an increase in per capita income and provide goods to meet high-income
demands.
P a g e 25 | 38
 2. It provides increasing avenues for employment of new skilled labour force.
3. It improves national income and provides a higher standard of living for the general
population.

Question 5(h)

What is the difference between Agro-based and mineral based industry? Give one example
of each.

Answer

Agro-based industries are those industries which depend on agriculture for supply of their
raw materials. E.g. Sugar industry.

Mineral-based industries are industries which receive their raw materials from minerals.
E.g. Iron and Steel industry.

Question 5(i)

Where is the famous ship building yard located? Where is ship-building industry located in
India?

Answer

The famous ship building yards are located in Chicago, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, New york,
Hundai etc. In India, major shipyards are Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Question 5(j)

Define mini steel plant.

Answer

Steel plants that do not do all the processes under one complex are known as mini-steel
plants. They use scrap iron and spong iron which is easily available. They are decentralised
secondary units. They use electric furnaces instead of blast furnaces.

Question 5(k)

State any three problems of sugar industries.

Answer

The sugar industry face challenges such as:

1. Old and inefficient methods of production.

2. Lack of efficient transportation.

P a g e 26 | 38
 3. Fluctuations in the output of sugarcane due to erratic nature of monsoons.

Question 5(l)

Name the by-product of sugar industry with one use of each.

Answer

The by-products of the sugar industry are:

1. Molasses — It is used in manufacture of fertilizer, DDT, power alcohol, synthetic

rubber, plastic, rum, chemicals and cattle feed.
2. Bagasse — It serves as raw material for paper industry. It is also used for making
cardboard.
3. Press mud — It is used for making wax, shoe polish and carbon paper.

ICSE Solutions for Class 7 Geography Voyage – Industries : Their Need and Classification

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Discuss

Discuss the importance of cottage industry for a country which has a large population with
little education.
Answer:
A major benefit of cottage industries is that they allow people to work from their homes.
Women have benefited the most because they can work from home while still tending to
their families. Many cottage businesses include the entire family in their operations,
however, including husbands and children. Some businesses start as cottage industries and
then become too large, necessitating a move out of the home into a business environment,
but at that point they likely have the financial means to make the move.

Discuss

What, according to you, would be the future of industries if we destroyed our forests and
wildlife ?
Answer:
Forest-based Industries are based on forest products. If we destroys forest the industries

P a g e 27 | 38
such packaging industry, furniture industry, sports good industry, paper industry are
shutdown because of unavailability of raw materials.

THINK AND ANSWER

Why do you think multinational companies are attracted to establish ventures in foreign
countries ?
Answer:
Multinational companies are attracted to establish ventures in foreign countries as cheap
labour and cheap raw material inputs, transport and power are easily available in
developing countries.

VALUES & LIFE SKILLS

A lot of children below the age of 14 years work in various industries.

Do you think these children should work in these industries ?
Why do you think they have to work there ?
Answer:
Child labour is the employment of children at regular and sustained labour.
No, the children should not work in any industry because of following reasons:

1. Child labour does more than deprive children of their education and mental and
physical development – their childhood is stolen.
2. Immature and inexperienced child labourers may be completely unaware of the short
and long term risks involved in their work.
3. Working long hours, child labourers are often denied a basic school education,
normal social interaction, personal development and emotional support from their
family.
Poverty is undoubtedly a dominant factor in the use of child labour; families on or
below the poverty line force their children into work to supplement their household’s
meager income. Eradicating poverty, however, is only the first step on the road to
eliminating child labour.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks.

1. People who work together to make cars work in the large- scale industry.
2. The USA and China are strong because they have thousands of industries.
3. Nepal has few industries.
4. The size of an industry depends on the number of people employed, the capital invested
and the area it occupies.
5. A cottage industry is a household unit run by a family.

B. Match the following.

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Answer:

C. Choose the correct answer.

Question 1.
China/Nepal has many industries.
Answer:
China has many industries.

Question 2.
Cottage industries produce handicrafts/cement.
Answer:
Cottage industries produce handicrafts.

Question 3.
Small-scale industries are smaller/bigger than cottage industries.
Answer:
Small-scale industries are bigger than cottage industries.

Question 4.
Sports equipment are produced by small-scale/large- scale industry.
Answer:
Sports equipment are produced by small-scale industry.

Question 5.
Chota Nagpur Plateau is well known for steel/textile production.
Answer:
Chota Nagpur Plateau is well known for steel production.

D. State whether the following is true or false.

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1. The USA has many industries.
Answer. True.

2. Industries do not contribute much to national income.

Answer. False.
Correct : Industries contribute much to national income.

3. The number of labour employed has no relation to the size of an industry.

Answer. False.
Correct : The number of labour employed has relation to the size of an industry.

4. Cottage industry employ labour from outside.

Answer. False.
Correct : Cottage industry employ only family members.

5. Small-scale industries employ only family members.

Answer. False.
Correct : Small-scale industries employ labour from outside.

E. Answer the following questions in brief.

Question 1.
What is an industry?
Answer:
An Industry is a group of people or companies engaged in a particular kind of business
enterprise. There are different groups of people that work together to form an industry. For
example, people who work together to make cars form the car industry or people who work
together to fashion clothes form the fashion industry.

Question 2.
Name the three major types of industries.
Answer:
Three types of industries are :

1. Cottage industry
2. Small-scale industry
3. Large-scale industry.
4. Agro-based industry.

Question 3.
What goods are produced by a cottage industry?
Answer:
Handicrafts, handloom products, jewellery, pottery, leather products, etc. are produced by
cottage industry.

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Question 4.
Name a few goods produced by small-scale industries.
Answer:
Electronic goods, sports equipment, brassware, bicycles, toys,
etc. are produced by small-scale industries.

Question 5.
Which type of industry produces cement and petrochemicals?
Answer:
Cement and petrochemicals are produced by large-scale industry.

F. Answer the following questions in detail.

Question 1.
Why do we need industries?
Answer:
Industries are required because of the following reasons :

1. Industries are needed to make a country strong financially: The more number of
industries in a country the stronger the country becomes. Countries such as the USA
and China are strong because of the hundreds and thousands of industries they have.
India too has many industries but not as many as USA or China. Some countries like
Nepal have very few industries.
2. Industries are needed for products of daily use : We will see items that we use
everyday such as toothpaste, soap, bicycle, exercise books, pencils, medicines,
cheese, and jams and so on. All these items are manufactured by different industries.
3. Industries are needed so there is no shortage of necessary goods :
Apart from fulfilling our daily needs, industries must produce
sufficiently so that all the things people need are available to them at reasonable
prices.

Question 2.
What is a cottage industry?
Answer:
Cottage Industry : It is generally a household unit run by a family.
The craftsmen and their family members carry on the traditional work started by their
forefathers generations ago. Cottage industries generally produce all kinds of handicrafts,
handloom products, jewellery, pottery, leather products, etc. These industries are
encouraged by the government as they generate employment and improve living
conditions, especially in rural areas.

Question 3.
What are the differences between a cottage industry and a small-scale industry?
Answer:
The differences between a cottage industry and a smale- scale industry are:
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 1. The location of cottage industries is restricted in villages whereas the small-scale
industries are mostly located in urban and semi- urban areas.
2. Cottage industry being a household industry is mostly run by the members of the
family and therefore do not maintain hired labourers. But the small-scale industries
are mostly run by hired labourers.
3. Cottage industries are producing goods for meeting local requirements whereas
small-scale industries are producing goods to meet the demand for the people living
in a wider area.
4. Cottage industries are investing a very little amount of capital and are working with
simple tools. But the small industries are investing a comparatively higher amount of
capital (presently the limit has been raised from Rs. 60 lakh to Rs. 3 crore) and are
working with machines run by power.

Question 4.
What are large-scale industries?
Answer:
Large-scale industries involve huge investments, professional management and a large
force of skilled and unskilled labour.
Big power-driven machines are used with considerable automation. These industries are
generally established at places where raw materials, cheap transportation, sources of
power, plenty of labour and market are easily available. Industries producing iron and steel,
petrochemicals, cement, railway engines and coaches, automobiles, textiles, etc. are
examples of large-scale industries.

Question 5.
Give an account of the factors that determine the establishment of an industry.
Answer:
Factors that determines the establishment of an Industry are:

1. Availability of Raw Material — All industries that require heavy and bulky raw
material are generally set up near the sources of raw materials in order to save heavy
transportation cost. For example, iron and steel plants in India and other countries
have been set up near iron ore mines and coalfields as both iron ore and coal are
heavy and difficult to transport.
2. Availability of Power — For any industry power is a very critical factor. Cheap,
abundant and uninterrupted power supply is an essential need for any modem
industry using large machines.
3. Availability of Transport —An important factor for setting up industries is the
availability of efficient means of transportation as movement of raw material to the
factory and finished goods to the market depend on it.
4. Availability of Labour — Though labour-skilled and unskilled-can be transported from
different regions, it is advantageous to have an assured labour supply locally for
setting up an industry.
5. Market — The ultimate aim of any industry is to sell its product easily, i.e., to find a
market for its product without much difficulty. Industries of certain types are set up
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 in specific regions where their goods can easily be sold. Woollen industries will do
well in areas of cold climate while industries making cotton goods will

LET’S DO SOMETHING

With the help of the Internet, find out the names of three companies from the following
industries :

1. Iron and steel

2. Textile
3. Cement

Answer:

1. Tata Iron and Steel Corp., Bhilai Steel Plant, Durgapur Steel Plant.
2. Acrow India ltd., Al chemist corp. ltd. Acil Cotton Industries ltd.
3. Ultratech,ACC,Ambuja Cement, Ramco Cements. thrive in areas that have warm and
dry climate.
4. Other Factors — Factors like easy access to financial and banking facilities, climate,
state-government policies, etc. also influence either directly or indirectly the location
of an industry.

G. Ask your parents to take you to a cottage or small-scale industry in your city so that you
can see how goods are produced there ?
Answer:
Do yourself with the help of parents.

H. Picture Study
This is a picture of an industry.

1. What type of industry is this ?

2. Can you give two features of this industry?

Answer:
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 1. This is a large-scale industry of automobiles sector.
2. Large-scale industries involve huge investments, professional management and a
large force of skilled and unskilled labour. Big power-driven machines are used with
considerable automation. These industries are generally established at places where
raw materials, cheap transportation, sources of power, plenty of labour and market
are easily available.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

With the help of the Internet, find out the names of three companies from the following
industries:

1. Iron and steel

2. Textile
3. Cement

Answer:

1. Tata Iron and Steel Corp., Bhilai Steel Plant, Durgapur Steel Plant.
2. Acrow India ltd., A1 chemist corp. ltd. Acil Cotton Industries ltd.
3. Ultratech, ACC, Ambuja Cement, Ramco Cements

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 – Industries

1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is meant by the term ‘industry’?

Answer: Industry refers to an economic activity that is concerned with the production of
goods like the iron and steel industry, the extraction of minerals like the coal mining
industry and the provision of services like the tourism industry.

(ii) Which are the main factors which influence the location of an industry?

Answer: Setting up an industry leads to the development and growth of that location. The
factors that affect the location of industries are the easy availability of raw materials and
land, adequate supply of water and labour, access to power and transport, presence of
markets and a good amount of capital. Sometimes, the government also provides incentives
like subsidised power, lower transport cost and other infrastructural facilities. This is done
to encourage industries to be established in economically backward areas.

(iii) Which industry is often referred to as the backbone of the modern industry and why?

Answer: Steel is called the backbone of modern industry because almost everything we use
is either made of steel or has been made with machinery or tools made out of steel. The

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steel industry is basically the feeder industry, whose products are the raw materials for
other industries.

(iv) Why has the cotton textile industry rapidly expanded in Mumbai?

Answer: The warm and moist climate, proximity to the port, easy availability of raw
materials and skilled labour helped in the rapid expansion of the cotton textile industry in
Mumbai.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Fort Gloster is located in

(a) West Bengal

(b) California

(c) Gujarat

Answer: (a) West Bengal

(ii) Which one of the following is a natural fiber?

(a) nylon

(b) jute

(c) acrylic

Answer: (b) Jute

3. Distinguish between the following.

(i) Agro-based and mineral-based industry

Answer: Agro-based industries use plant and animal-based products as their raw materials.
It is a source of employment for people in rural areas. Food processing, vegetable oil, cotton
textile, dairy products and leather industries are examples of agro-based industries,
whereas mineral-based industries are primary industries that use mineral ores as their raw
materials. It is a source of employment for both rural and urban populations. Steel and Iron
Industries and Heavy Machinery industries are examples of mineral-based industries.

(ii) Public sector and joint sector industry

Answer: Industries owned and operated by the government are public sector industries.
Steel Authority of India Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are examples of Public
sector industries. On the other hand, joint sector industries are owned and operated by the

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state and individuals or a group of individuals. Maruti Udyog Limited is an example of joint
sector industry.

4. Give two examples of the following in the space provided :

(i) Raw Materials: _____________ and _____________________

Answer: Iron ore and Cotton

(ii) End products: _______________ and _________________________

Answer: Steel and Cloth

(iii) Tertiary Activities: ________________ and __________

Answer: Transport and banking

(iv) Agro-based Industries: ____________ and ____________

Answer: Dairy and Sugar

(v) Cottage Industries: ___________ and ________________

Answer: pottery and basket weaving

(vi) Co-operatives: ______________________ and _____________

Answer: Mother Dairy and Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul)

Chapter 5 – Industries Summary

Industry refers to economic activity that is concerned with the production of goods,
extraction of minerals or the provision of services. Industrial activities are divided into three
sectors – Primary sector, Secondary sector and tertiary sector. Industries are divided on the
basis of raw material, size and ownership.

Raw materials are basic materials that are used in any industry, and they can be classified
on the basis of raw materials.

Industries based on raw materials are agro-based, mineral-based and forest-based.

The size of Industries refers to the amount of capital invested, the number of people
employed and the volume of production. Industries are classified into two types based on
size: small-scale and large-scale industries.

Small-scale industries manufacture products by hand and include cottage and household
industries. These industries use a lesser amount of capital and technology. For example,
basket-weaving, pottery and other handicraft industries.
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Large-scale industries produce large volumes of products. The investment of capital is
higher, and technology is superior. For example, the production of automobiles and heavy
machinery.

After independence, India gave emphasis to this sector for development.

Ownership: Industries based on ownership can be classified as:

Private Sector Industries are owned and operated by individuals or a group of individuals.
For example, Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd., Indian Oil Corporation.

Public sector industries are owned and operated by the government. For example,
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Steel Authority of India Limited.

This also includes Joint Sector Industries and Cooperative Sector Industries.

You will also learn about the following:

1. Factors Affecting the Location of Industries

2. Privatisation and Industrialisation leading to the development and growth of towns
and cities
3. Industrial System, Industrial Regions
4. Distribution of Major Industries such as the Iron and steel industry, the textile
industry and the Information technology industry
‘Resources and Development’ is an important book for Class 8 Social Science subject. Apart
from this chapter, the full set of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science is provided in the
links. Students can download the readily available solutions PDF for free from the links
given and can use it in future as well.

Disclaimer:

Dropped Topics – Cotton textile industry.

Frequently Asked Questions on NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 5

Q1

What are the topics that students can learn from Chapter 5 of NCERT Solutions for Class 8
Geography?
From Chapter 5 of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography, students can learn about the
following topics:
1. Industry and Industrial activities
2. Types of industries based on raw material, size and ownership
3. Factors Affecting the Location of Industries
4. Privatisation and Industrialisation, leading to the development and growth of towns and

P a g e 37 | 38
cities
5. Industrial System, Industrial Regions
6. Distribution of Major Industries such as the Iron and steel industry, the textile industry
and the Information technology industry
Q2

Are the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 considered the best study guide
for students?
Yes, the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 from BYJU’S is by far the best
study guide for CBSE students. Every concept is explained in detail to assist students in
scoring well in their annual exams. Apart from school exam preparations, these solutions
also help students prepare for various government competitive exams like NTSE, UPSC, etc.
Expert faculty members at BYJU’S have designed the solutions as per the latest syllabus and
guidelines prescribed by the CBSE board.
Q3

What are the three major industrial economic sectors in India discussed in Chapter 5 of
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography?
The three major industrial economic sectors in India include the primary sector, which
mainly extracts raw materials such as mining and farming industries, the secondary sector,
which involves refining, construction, and manufacturing and the tertiary sector, which
concerns services and distribution of manufactured goods. To understand these concepts at
ease, students are recommended to download NCERT Solutions from BYJU’S. These
solutions are created by subject experts as per the CBSE syllabus and guidelines to aid
students in acing the exam confidently

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