Class 8 NCERT Geography Chapter “Human Resources” Textbook Exercise Solutions are given here.
1. Answer the following questions:
Questions:
Answers:
(i) Why are people considered a resource?
Ans. People are considered a resource because their skills, knowledge, and abilities help develop and utilize natural resources effectively. Healthy, educated, and motivated individuals contribute to the progress of society.
(ii) What are the causes for the uneven distribution of population in the world?
Ans. The uneven distribution of population is due to various factors such as geographical conditions (topography, climate, soil, water availability, minerals), social and cultural aspects (better housing, education, religious significance), and economic factors (job opportunities, industrial growth).
(iii) The world population has grown very rapidly. Why?
Ans. The world population has grown rapidly due to advancements in healthcare, better food supplies, and improved living conditions, which have led to lower death rates while birth rates remained high.
(iv) Discuss the role of any two factors influencing population change.
Ans.
- Birth Rate & Death Rate: A high birth rate increases the population, while a high death rate decreases it.
- Migration: Movement of people within or between countries affects population size. Immigration increases population, while emigration decreases it.
(v) What is meant by population composition?
Ans. Population composition refers to the structure of a population in terms of age, sex, literacy levels, occupation, health conditions, and economic status.
(vi) What are population pyramids? How do they help in understanding the population of a country?
Ans. A population pyramid is a graphical representation of a country’s population based on age and sex. It helps in analysing birth and death rates, economic dependency, and future workforce potential.
2. Tick the correct answer:
Answers:
(i) Which does the term population distribution refer to?
✔ (c) The way in which people are spread across a given area.
(ii) Which are three main factors that cause population change?
✔ (b) Births, deaths, and migration.
(iii) In 1999, the world population reached:
✔ (c) 6 billion.
(iv) What is a population pyramid?
✔ (a) A graphical presentation of the age, sex composition of a population.
3. Complete the sentences below using some of the following words.
Answer:
When people are attracted to an area, it becomes densely populated.
Factors that influence this include favorable climate, good supplies of natural resources, and fertile land.
4. Activity:
Discussion on ‘too many under 15s’ vs. ‘too few under 15s’:
Ans. A sample and short answer is given below.
- Society with too many under 15s will require more schools, teachers, healthcare facilities, and toys, but may face unemployment in the future.
- Society with too few under 15s will have an aging population, requiring more hospitals, pension schemes, and labor support, possibly leading to a labor shortage.
