NCERT Solutions - Class 10 Economics Chapter 1: Development
Exercises
Q1. Development of a country can generally be determined by
(i) its per capita income
(ii) its average literacy level
(iii) health status of its people
(iv) all the above
(i) its per capita income
(ii) its average literacy level
(iii) health status of its people
(iv) all the above
Answer - (iv) all the above
Explanation: A country's development is not determined by just one factor but by a combination of income, literacy, and health. These aspects reflect the overall well-being and quality of life of its people.
Explanation: A country's development is not determined by just one factor but by a combination of income, literacy, and health. These aspects reflect the overall well-being and quality of life of its people.
Q2. Which of the following neighbouring countries has better performance in terms of human development than India?
(i) Bangladesh
(ii) Sri Lanka
(iii) Nepal
(iv) Pakistan
(i) Bangladesh
(ii) Sri Lanka
(iii) Nepal
(iv) Pakistan
Answer - (ii) Sri Lanka
Explanation: Sri Lanka has better indicators in health, education, and standard of living, giving it a higher Human Development Index (HDI) compared to India.
Explanation: Sri Lanka has better indicators in health, education, and standard of living, giving it a higher Human Development Index (HDI) compared to India.
Q3. Assume there are four families in a country. The average per capita income of these families is Rs 5000. If the income of three families is Rs 4000, Rs 7000 and Rs 3000 respectively, what is the income of the fourth family?
(i) Rs 7500
(ii) Rs 3000
(iii) Rs 2000
(iv) Rs 6000
(i) Rs 7500
(ii) Rs 3000
(iii) Rs 2000
(iv) Rs 6000
Answer - (iv) Rs 6000
Explanation: Total income = 5000 × 4 = Rs 20000
Sum of incomes of three families = 4000 + 7000 + 3000 = Rs 14000
Income of fourth family = 20000 - 14000 = Rs 6000
Explanation: Total income = 5000 × 4 = Rs 20000
Sum of incomes of three families = 4000 + 7000 + 3000 = Rs 14000
Income of fourth family = 20000 - 14000 = Rs 6000
Q4. What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? What are the limitations of this criterion, if any?
Answer - The World Bank classifies countries based on their per capita income. Countries with higher per capita income are considered developed and those with lower per capita income are considered developing.
However, this criterion has limitations. It ignores other important factors like literacy, health, inequality, and environmental conditions. A country may have a high average income, but that income might be concentrated in the hands of a few.
However, this criterion has limitations. It ignores other important factors like literacy, health, inequality, and environmental conditions. A country may have a high average income, but that income might be concentrated in the hands of a few.
Q5. In what respects is the criterion used by the UNDP for measuring development different from the one used by the World Bank?
Answer - The World Bank uses per capita income as the sole criterion, whereas UNDP uses a broader measure called the Human Development Index (HDI), which includes:
1. Per capita income
2. Life expectancy at birth
3. Literacy rate and average years of schooling
This gives a more comprehensive view of development than just income.
1. Per capita income
2. Life expectancy at birth
3. Literacy rate and average years of schooling
This gives a more comprehensive view of development than just income.
Q6. Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your own examples related to development.
Answer - We use averages to compare different data sets and get a general idea about the situation, especially when data varies widely.
However, averages can be misleading when there is great disparity in the values. For example, if in a village of five people, four earn Rs 500 and one earns Rs 5000, the average income is Rs 1600. But most people still earn only Rs 500, so the average doesn't reflect the actual living conditions.
However, averages can be misleading when there is great disparity in the values. For example, if in a village of five people, four earn Rs 500 and one earns Rs 5000, the average income is Rs 1600. But most people still earn only Rs 500, so the average doesn't reflect the actual living conditions.
Q7. Kerala, with lower per capita income has a better human development ranking than Haryana. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare states. Do you agree? Discuss.
Answer - Per capita income is useful, but not sufficient on its own. Kerala ranks higher in human development due to better health care, education, and public facilities. This shows that other indicators like literacy, life expectancy, and access to services are equally important and must be considered alongside income.
Q8. Find out the present sources of energy that are used by the people in India. What could be the other possibilities fifty years from now?
Answer - Currently, people in India use both conventional sources like coal, petroleum, and natural gas, and non-conventional sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biogas.
Fifty years from now, renewable and eco-friendly sources such as solar, wind, hydrogen fuel, and tidal energy are likely to become the main sources, given the need for sustainability and environmental protection.
Fifty years from now, renewable and eco-friendly sources such as solar, wind, hydrogen fuel, and tidal energy are likely to become the main sources, given the need for sustainability and environmental protection.
Q9. Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?
Answer - Sustainability ensures that development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Overuse of natural resources can lead to their depletion, harming both people and the environment in the long run.
Q10. “The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person”. How is this statement relevant to the discussion of development? Discuss.
Answer - This statement by Mahatma Gandhi emphasizes that the Earth provides sufficient resources for everyone's basic needs. However, overexploitation due to greed leads to environmental degradation, inequality, and unsustainable development. Thus, responsible use of resources is crucial.
Q11. List a few examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you.
Answer - Some examples include:
– Cutting down of trees for construction
– Air pollution from vehicles and industries
– Dumping of plastic waste into rivers
– Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
– Declining groundwater levels due to overuse
– Cutting down of trees for construction
– Air pollution from vehicles and industries
– Dumping of plastic waste into rivers
– Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
– Declining groundwater levels due to overuse
Q12. For each of the items given in Table 1.6, find out which country is at the top and which is at the bottom.
Answer - Sorry, the answer to this question is unavailable yet and would be added soon.
Q13. The following table shows the proportion of adults (aged 15–49 years) whose BMI is below normal (BMI <18.5 kg/m²) in India. It is based on a survey of various states for the year 2015–16. Look at the table and answer the following questions.
(i) Compare the nutritional level of people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
(ii) Can you guess why around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished even though it is argued that there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.
| State | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | 8.5 | 10 |
| Karnataka | 17 | 21 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 28 | 28 |
| All States | 20 | 23 |
(i) Compare the nutritional level of people in Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
(ii) Can you guess why around one-fifth of people in the country are undernourished even though it is argued that there is enough food in the country? Describe in your own words.
Answer -
(i) Kerala has a much better nutritional level than Madhya Pradesh. In Kerala, only 8.5% of males and 10% of females are undernourished, whereas in Madhya Pradesh, 28% of both males and females are undernourished.
(ii) Even though there is enough food in the country, around one-fifth of people are undernourished due to reasons such as:
– Unequal distribution of food
– Poverty and lack of purchasing power
– Inadequate access to nutritious food
– Poor public distribution system and lack of awareness
(i) Kerala has a much better nutritional level than Madhya Pradesh. In Kerala, only 8.5% of males and 10% of females are undernourished, whereas in Madhya Pradesh, 28% of both males and females are undernourished.
(ii) Even though there is enough food in the country, around one-fifth of people are undernourished due to reasons such as:
– Unequal distribution of food
– Poverty and lack of purchasing power
– Inadequate access to nutritious food
– Poor public distribution system and lack of awareness