Subject: Social Science

Topic- Resources
Gr 8 Reference Notes
NB: The questions and answers given below are for learning purposes only. Do not
copy them in your notebooks.

Distinguish between the following.

1. The differences between natural and human-made resources are:

Natural Resources Human-made Resources

a. Resources, which are provided to us by a. Natural resources, which are converted

nature, are natural resources. into useful products, are known as human-
made resources.
b. Land, air, water, soil, minerals, natural b. Buildings, roads, machinery and vehicles
vegetation and fossil fuels are examples of are examples of human-made resources.
natural resources.

2. The differences between biotic and abiotic resources are:

Biotic Resources Abiotic Resources

a. Resources that we get from living things a. Resources that we get from physical or
such as plants and animals are biotic non-living environment are abiotic resources.
resources.
b. They have the capacity to reproduce under b. They do not have the capacity to
favorable environmental conditions. reproduce as their process of formation is
very slow.
c. Forests, agriculture crops, grasses, wild c. Land, water, air, minerals and power
and domestic animals, birds, fishes and resources are examples of abiotic resources.
reptiles are examples of biotic resources.

3. The differences between potential and developed resources are:

Potential Resources Developed Resources

a. Resources, whose availability in terms of a. Resources, whose total available quantity

its total quantity is not known at present are and quality are known at present are
potential resources. developed resources.

b. These resources need detailed surveys for b. Surveys have already been conducted to
the estimation of their quantity and quality. find out their total available reserve.
4. The differences between ubiquitous and localized resources are:

Ubiquitous Resources Localized Resources

a. Ubiquitous resources are those resources a. Localized resources are those resources
that are found everywhere. that are found at certain places.
b. Air and sunlight are examples of ubiquitous b. Gold and silver are examples of localized
resources. resources.

Give short answers for the following questions.

Q1. How is a resource different from gifts of nature?

1. The things that are provided to humans by nature in the form of rocks, soils, minerals, natural
vegetation and animals are called gifts of nature. They help humans to fulfill their daily needs.
On the other hand, the gifts of nature which have utility and help human beings to satisfy their
needs are called resources. Usually the gifts of nature are converted into resources by value
addition. This is possible by processing the gifts of nature into finished products with the help of
suitable technology.

Q2. What are the factors that determine the utility of any natural resource?
2. The factors that determine the utility of any natural resource are:

• The form in which it occurs.

• The place where it occurs.
• The efforts needed to process it.
• The cost of processing it.

Q3. Human beings are an important resource. Justify this statement.

3. Human beings are an important resource because they are capable of making the best use of
natural resources through their knowledge, skills, and technology. They use their knowledge
and skills to develop technology in order to discover, exploit, develop and convert the available
or potential resources into useful products or wealth.

Q4. Define – conservation of resources and sustainable development.

4. a) Conservation of resources- Careful utilization of natural resources without their wastage

is called conservation of resources.

b) Sustainable development- The proper use of natural resources to meet the present need
and also to conserve them for future generations is known as sustainable development.
Q5. What is meant by human resource?
Human resource refers to people who contribute to the development and functioning of
society by utilizing their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Educated, trained, and healthy
individuals become valuable assets for a country’s progress.
Q6. Give the meaning of sustainable development.
Sustainable development means using resources wisely to meet the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Q7. 'Water is a potential resource.' How can we solve the problem of the shortage of water?

We can solve the problem of water shortage through methods like rainwater harvesting,
reducing wastage, recycling wastewater, spreading awareness, and adopting water-saving
technologies in agriculture and industries.
Q8. What do you mean by human-made resources?
Human-made resources are resources that are created by humans by using natural
resources. Examples include buildings, roads, bridges, machines, and manufactured goods.

Give long answers for the following questions.

Q1. Classify resources with examples.

The resources are classified into three types- natural, human-made and human resources.

a. The natural resources include natural endowments, such as land, air, water, soil, minerals,
natural vegetation and fossil fuels. Natural resources can be further classified on the basis of
origin, development, renewability and distribution.

• On the basis of origin, resources are of two types-biotic and abiotic resources.
Biotic resources include resources available from living things such as plants and
animals like forests, agriculture crops, and wild and domestic animals.
Abiotic resources include resources which are available from physical or non-living
environment such as land, water, air, minerals and power resources.

• On the basis of development, resources are of two types namely potential and actual or
developed resources.
Potential resources include those resources, which are not developed at present but
has the potential for future development. The potential for the generation of
hydroelectricity in Africa in the future is an example of such resource.
Actual or developed resources include those resources which are developed from
potential resources. For example, windmills developed to harness the wind energy.

• On the basis of renewability, resources are of two types namely renewable and non-
renewable resources.
Renewable resources include plants, animals and water, which can be renewed by
physical, mechanical or chemical processes.
Non-renewable resources include those resources, which once exhausted cannot be
replaced such as minerals and fossil fuels.
 • On the basis of distribution, natural resources are classified into ubiquitous and localized
resources.
Ubiquitous resources are those resources which are found everywhere such as air and
sunlight.
Localized resources are found at certain places and include gold and silver.

b. The human-made resources are made by human beings and include buildings, roads, machinery
and vehicles and the human resources include human beings.

Q2. Distinguish between renewable and non- renewable resources.

3. The differences between renewable and non-renewable resources are:

Renewable Resources Non-renewable Resources
a. Renewable resources can be renewed by a. Non-renewable resources are available in
reproduction and by physical, mechanical or fixed quantity and cannot be renewed.
chemical processes.
b. Renewable resources are also called b. Non-renewable resources are also called
inexhaustible resources. exhaustible resources.
c. Their quantity is not affected by human c. Their quantity is affected by human
activities. activities.
d. Solar and wind energy are examples of d. Minerals and fossil fuels are examples of
renewable resources. non-renewable resources.

Q3. Why is the conservation of resources essential?

4. Our future as well as the future of our planet is dependent upon our ability to maintain and
preserve the life support system that nature has provided. Therefore, it is essential to conserve
resources so that the resources are either not exhausted or their quality deteriorated in the near
future due to their irrational and overutilization by different human activities. The conservation of
resources also aims to maintain a balance between population growth and utilization of
resources.

Q4. Give the classification of resources on the basis of their exhaustibility. Give two
examples of each.
On the basis of exhaustibility, resources are classified into:
Renewable Resources: These can be replenished naturally.Examples: Sunlight, Wind
Non-Renewable Resources: These cannot be replenished quickly and may exhaust over
time. Examples: Coal, Petroleum

Q5. Natural resources are the contribution of nature. What are the factors which
determine the utility of resources?
The utility of natural resources depends on several factors:
Technology: It helps us use resources more efficiently.
Human skill and knowledge: The ability to convert a substance into a usable form.
Time and need: Some resources gain value depending on when and how much they
are needed.
Economic value: Whether a resource can generate income or commercial benefit.
Q6. What is meant by sustainable development? What are the principles of sustainable
development?
• Sustainable development refers to the balanced use of resources to meet present needs
without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
• Principles of Sustainable Development:
• Use resources wisely and efficiently.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
• Promote environmental protection.
• Encourage development without degrading nature.
• Involve the community and future thinking in planning.