Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

NAME: REF: 2023-2024/SSC/STD 8/GEO

CLASS: 8 SUBJECT: Geography

DATE: 17/04/2023 TOPIC: 1- Resources

SHORT & LONG QUESTION-ANSWER

1. What is a resource? How does anything become a resource?

Resource: things which we use in our surroundings when satisfies or completes our
needs are called resources. Things become resources when they have a value. A
resource gains it's value by how it used or their utility.
2. Why are resources distributed unequally over the earth?

The distribution of natural resources depends upon many physical factors like land,
climate and altitude. The distribution of resources is unequal because these factors differ
from place to place on this earth.
3. “Resources are a function of human activities”. Elaborate the statement with
suitable arguments.

A. Natural resources are the free gifts of nature but many manmade resources are used
by the humanity.
B. Resources are functions of human activities. Human beings themselves are essential
components of resources.
C. They transform material available in our environment into resources and use them.
4. Classify resources on the basis of exhaustibility. Write examples.

A. Renewable resources: The resources which can be renewed or reproduced by

physical, chemical or mechanical processes are known as renewable resources: For
example, solar and wind energy, water, forests and wildlife, etc.
B. Non-Renewable resources: These occur over a very long geological time. Minerals
and fossil fuels are examples of such resources. These resources take
millions of years in their formation. Some of the recourses like metals are recyclable and
some like fossil fuels cannot be recycled and get exhausted with their use.
5. List the problems caused due to the indiscriminate use of resources by human
being?

A. Depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.

B. Accumulation of resources in few hands, which, in turn, divide the society into two,
segments i.e. ‘haves’ and ‘have not’s or rich and poor.
C. Indiscriminate exploitation of resources has led to global ecological crises such as,
global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

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6. Define sustainable development and their importance?

A. Sustainable Development: Sustainable development means development should take

place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not
compromise with the needs of the future generations.
B. It is essential for sustained quality of life.
C. If the present trend of resource depletion by a few individuals and countries
continues, the future of our planet is in danger.
So, sustainable development is very important to save our planet and our self.
7. Why is resource planning essential?

A. As the resources are limited, so their planning is quite necessary so that we can use
them properly and at the same time save them for our coming generations.
B. For the balanced development of the country, the planning of the resources becomes
very essential.
C. A resource planning is also necessary to save their exploitation or unlawful
exploitation by the unscrupulous elements of the society.
8. What is meant by two types of natural resources? Give one example of each.

A. All gifts of nature which are useful in making the life of human beings comfortable and
worth living are known as natural resources.
B. Their two main types are biotic and abiotic resources.
C. Forests and animals are biotic resources while land water and soil are abiotic natural
resources.

9. Explain the duties of the citizens to preserve the earth.

The future of our planet depends upon our ability to maintain and preserve the life
support system that nature provides. It is therefore the duty of every citizen to ensure the
following:
1. All uses of renewable resources are sustainable.
2. The diversity of life on the Earth is conserved.
3. The damage to natural environment system is minimized.
10. What is resource conservation?

Resource conservation means using resources carefully and giving them time to get
renewed. This needs to be done because the resources are limited and exhaustible. The
resources are distributed unequally over earth because the distribution depends on a
variety of physical factors such as like terrain, climate and altitude.
Extra Notes
Resource: Anything, which can be used for satisfying the human needs, is called a
resource.
Types of Resources:
Resources can be classified on different bases; into following types:
On the basis of origin: Biotic and Abiotic
On the basis of exhaustibility: Renewable and Non-renewable
On the basis of ownership: Individual, community, national and international
On the basis of status of development: Potential, Developed, Stock and Reserves
Classification of Resources: On the basis of Origin

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Biotic Resources: All living organisms in our environment are called biotic resources.
For example, trees, animals, insects, etc.
Abiotic Resources: All non-living things present in our environment are termed as
abiotic resources. For example – earth, air, water, metals, rocks, etc.
Classification of Resources: On the basis of Exhaustibility:
Renewable Resources: Resources that can be replenished after a short period are
called Renewable Resources. For example – agricultural crops, water, forest, wildlife,
etc.
Non-renewable Resources: Resources that takes million years of time to replenish are
called non-renewable resources. For example – fossil fuel.
Classification of Resources: On the Basis of ownership:
Individual: Resources owned by individuals are called Individual Resources. For
example – land owned by farmers, house, etc.
Community: Resources owned by community or society are called Community Owned
Resources. For example – Graveyard, grazing land, ponds, burial grounds, park, etc.
National Resources: Resources owned by Individual Nations are called National
Resources. For example – Government land, Roads, canals, railway, etc.
International Resources: Resources regulate by International bodies are called
International Resources. For example – Ocean and sea beyond 200 km of the Exclusive
Economic Zone and is called open sea or ocean. No individual country can utilize these
resources without the permission of International bodies.
Classification of Resources: On the basis of Status of Development:
Potential Resources: Resources, which are found in a particular region, but not used
properly. For example – Rajasthan and Gujarat receive plenty of solar energy and have
plenty of wind energy, but use of these resources so far has not been developed
properly.
Developed Resources: Resources, which are developed and surveyed for utilization
and are being used in present time, are known as Developed Resources.
Stock: Resources that are available, but we do not have proper technology to used
them are called Stock. For example – water is made of oxygen and hydrogen, which can
be used as fuel, but because of lack of proper technology, these are not being used.
Reserves: Resources, which are available and the knowhow to use them is also present
but they are yet to be used, are called Reserves.
For example – river water which is not used to generate electricity.
Discriminate use of Resources
Resources are vital for human beings. But indiscriminate use of resources is creating
many problems.
Examples:
Accumulation of resources in only few hands leaves others unsatisfied.
Indiscriminate use of resources is creating many problems around the world, such as
global warming, ecological crisis, disturbance in ozone layer, etc.
Thus, equal distribution of resources becomes necessary for sustainable development.
Sustainable Development: Development, which takes place without damaging the
environment and compromising with needs of future, is called sustainable development.
Keeping the view of justified use of resources and sustainable development, the Earth
Summit was organized in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro in which more than 100 state heads
agreed with Agenda 21 for the sustainable development and proper use of resources.
Agenda 21 is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease, etc.
through global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared
responsibilities.

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 Conservation of Resources:
Overuse of resources creates many socio-economic problems. Many leaders and
thinkers have been advocating for the judicious use and conservation of resources.
Gandhiji told “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for any body’s greed.” He
thought that exploitative nature of modern technology is the root cause for depletion at
global level. He believed in the production by masses and not in the mass production.
Thus, conservation of resources at various levels becomes most important. Resources
can be conserved only with their judicious use.

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