Chapter 1: Resources and Development

Important questions — the ones the board asked most (20)

1. Q1Long answer5 marksAsked: 2025

   (a) Explain the main features of alluvial soil. OR (b) Explain the various stages of resource planning and its need in India.

   

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   Model answer · Alluvial soil features

   1. 1.Alluvial soil is the most widely spread and important soil of India, and the entire northern plains are made of it. These soils have been deposited by three important Himalayan river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.1 mark
   2. 2.The alluvial soil consists of various proportions of sand, silt and clay.1 mark
   3. 3.The size of the soil particles is not the same everywhere. As we move inlands towards the river valleys, soil particles appear somewhat bigger in size.1 mark
   4. 4.In the upper reaches of the river valley, i.e. near the place of the break of slope, the soils are coarse. Such soils are more common in piedmont plains such as Duars, Chos and Terai.1 mark
   5. 5.According to their age, alluvial soils can be classified as old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar). The Khadar has more fine particles and is more fertile than the bangar.1 mark

   • Name all three Himalayan river systems: the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
   • Write the piedmont plains by name: Duars, Chos and Terai.
   • Write both age groups with their local names: old alluvial (Bangar) and new alluvial (Khadar).

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

2. Q2Case-based4 marksAsked: 2024

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : [passage] (36.1) Define the term 'Resource Planning'. (1) (36.2) Explain the need for conservation of resources. (1) (36.3) Why did Gandhiji say – "There is enough for everybody's need and not for any body's greed ?" Analyse any two reasons. (2x1=2)

   

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   Model answer · Resource planning and conservation

   1. 1.(36.1) Resource planning is a complex process which involves identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country. This involves surveying, mapping and qualitative and quantitative estimation and measurement of the resources.1 mark
   2. 2.(36.2) Resources are vital for any developmental activity, but irrational consumption and over-utilisation of resources may lead to socio-economic and environmental problems. To overcome these problems, resource conservation at various levels is needed, so that resources are not used up and the future of our planet is not put in danger.1 mark
   3. 3.(36.3) Gandhiji said this because he was worried about resource conservation. Two reasons are: (i) He placed the greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology as the root cause for resource depletion at the global level. Nature can meet the needs of all, but not the greed of a few people who use resources carelessly. (ii) He was against mass production and wanted to replace it with the production by the masses. Mass production by machines uses up resources very fast, while production by the masses would use them more carefully.2 marks

   • In 36.1, write "identification and inventory of resources across the regions of the country" in full.
   • In 36.2, name both results: "socio-economic and environmental problems".
   • In 36.3, give two separate reasons: "greedy and selfish individuals and exploitative nature of modern technology" and "production by the masses" in place of mass production.

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

3. Q3Case-based4 marksAsked: 2024

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Conservation of Resources At the international level, the Club of Rome advocated resource conservation for the first time in a more systematic way in 1968. Subsequently, in 1974, Gandhian philosophy was once again presented by Schumacher in his book Small is Beautiful. The seminal contribution with respect to resource conservation at the global level was made by the Brundtland Commission Report, 1987. This report introduced the concept of ‘Sustainable Development’ and advocated it as a means for resource conservation, which was subsequently published in a book entitled Our Common Future. Another significant contribution was made at the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. (35.1) Explain the meaning of sustainable development. (35.2) In which international conference was ‘Agenda-21’ accepted ? (35.3) Explain any two outcomes of the Summit.

   

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   Model answer · Sustainable development, Earth Summit

   1. 1.35.1 Sustainable development means that 'development should take place without damaging the environment, and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations.' This means we should use resources today in such a way that enough of them are left for people in the future, and nature is not harmed.1 mark
   2. 2.35.2 'Agenda 21' was accepted at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992. This was the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. More than 100 heads of states met there for the first International Earth Summit.1 mark
   3. 3.35.3 Two outcomes of the Summit were: (i) Global co-operation through Agenda 21: The Summit adopted Agenda 21 for achieving Sustainable Development in the 21st century. It is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty and disease through global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities. One major objective is that every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21. (ii) Declaration on climate and biodiversity: The assembled leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity, and the Rio Convention also endorsed the global Forest Principles. This helped tackle urgent problems of environmental protection and socio-economic development at the global level.2 marks

   • In 35.1, write both parts: "without damaging the environment" and "should not compromise with the needs of the future generations".
   • In 35.2, write both the place and the year: Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992.
   • In 35.3, write "global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities" when you explain Agenda 21.

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

4. Q4Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

   Explain any three major factors responsible for land degradation.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) Mining: Human activities like mining and quarrying degrade land. Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening, so the land can no longer be used.

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5. Q5Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

   Explain any three factors responsible for the formation of soil.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Parent rock or bed rock is one of the most important factors in the formation of soil. The parent rock determines the colour, texture, chemical properties, mineral content and permeability of the soil, since the soil is…

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6. Q6Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

   Suggest any three measures for conservation of land.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) Afforestation: Trees should be planted on a large scale. Tree roots hold the soil together and check soil erosion, so afforestation helps to solve the problem of land degradation, especially where deforestation due…

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7. Q7Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the story of Rinza and answer the question given below : The story of Rinza. Rinza lives in a small village with her family in the outer area of Diphu in Assam. She feels happy to see the vegetation on a piece of land being cut and burnt by her family members. She helps to irrigate her field by bringing water from a nearby stream through bamboo channels. She is attached to her place and wants to live here as long as possible. But this little girl does not know anything about the decreasing fertility of the soil in her field, due to which her family will have to look for a new piece of land next year. What type of farming is Rinza's family doing ? Describe any two of its features.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Rinza's family is doing primitive subsistence farming. They cut and burn the vegetation on a piece of land, grow crops there, and move to a new piece of land when the soil loses its fertility.

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8. Q8Short answer3 marksAsked: 2023

   Which are the two sectors based on the ownership of resources ? Explain each of them.

   How the model answer begins

   1. On the basis of who owns the assets and who is responsible for delivering the services, the economy is divided into two sectors: the Public Sector and the Private Sector.

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9. Q9Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

   Why is planning necessary for the judicious utilisation of resources? Explain.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Planning is necessary because planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources. Without planning, people use resources without control, and over-utilisation leads to depletion of resources.

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10. Q10Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Describe any two ways to solve the problem of land degradation.

11. Q11Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Explain any two problems caused by the indiscriminate use of resources leading to 'global ecological crisis'.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (i) Human beings believed that resources are free gifts of nature, so they used them indiscriminately. This has led to major problems, such as the depletion of resources for satisfying the greed of a few individuals.

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12. Q12Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Explain any two measures to solve the problem of land degradation.

13. Q13Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Explain two important characteristics of Black soil.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (i) Black soils are black in colour and are also known as regur soils. They are made up of extremely fine, i.e. clayey material, and are well-known for their capacity to hold moisture.

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14. Q14Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Explain the role of planning for judicious use of resources.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources. It helps us use resources carefully, without wasting them or over-using them.

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15. Q15Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    22. Suggest any two measures to solve the problems of land degradation.

16. Q16Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    (a) Describe any two features of 'arid soils'. OR (b) Describe any two features of 'forest soils'.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (a) Arid soils range from red to brown in colour. These soils are found in dry areas with high temperature, such as western Rajasthan.

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17. Q17Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    (A) "Planning is the widely accepted strategy for judicious use of resources." Explain the statement. OR (B) "An equitable distribution of resources has become essential for a sustained quality of human life." Explain the statement.

18. Q18Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Describe two main characteristics of ‘Alluvial Soil’.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Alluvial soil is very fertile as it contains adequate proportion of potash, phosphoric acid and lime which are ideal for the growth of sugarcane, paddy, wheat and other cereal and pulse crops.

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19. Q19Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2025

    Describe any two characteristics of laterite soil.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Laterite soil is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain. It develops under tropical and subtropical climate with alternate wet and dry season.

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20. Q20Very short answer2 marksAsked: 2024

    How can a nation achieve a balance between economic growth and environment sustainability ? Explain by giving any two arguments.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (i) A nation can balance economic growth and the environment by following sustainable development. Sustainable development is environment friendly economic development which advocates for conserving resources for future…

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1 more questions of this chapter, each with its model answer, in the Ask Medha app.

Objective questions with the board’s key (10)

1. 1. CBSE 2026

   Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option : Column I (Type of Soil) Column II (Characteristic) a. Alluvial soil i. Sandy in texture and saline in nature b. Black soil ii. Very fertile, containing potash, phosphorus and lime c. Laterite soil iii. Made from lava parent rocks, suitable for cotton cultivation d. Arid soil iv. Decrease in humus content in semi-arid environment

   • (A) a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
   • (B) a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
   • (C) a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i ✓
   • (D) a-iii, b-ii, c-i, d-iv

   Answer: (C)

2. 2. CBSE 2026

   Identify the soil with the help of the following information given in the box and select the correct option : - It is made of very fine particles. - This soil is rich in soil nutrients. - It is ideal for growing cotton.

   • (A) Alluvial soil
   • (B) Black soil ✓
   • (C) Laterite soil
   • (D) Arid soil

   Answer: (B)

3. 3. CBSE 2026

   Which of the following is an example of 'current fallow land' ?

   • (A) Land left without cultivation for five agricultural years.
   • (B) Land left without cultivation for three agricultural years.
   • (C) Land left without cultivation for two agricultural years.
   • (D) Land left without cultivation for one agricultural year. ✓

   Answer: (D)

4. 4. CBSE 2026

   Which of the following is an example of a renewable resource ?

   • (A) Natural Gas
   • (B) Crude Oil
   • (C) Coal
   • (D) Ground Water ✓

   Answer: (D)

5. 5. CBSE 2026

   Identify the soil with the help of the following informations given in the box and choose the correct option :

   • (A) Alluvial Soil
   • (B) Black Soil ✓
   • (C) Laterite Soil
   • (D) Arid Soil

   Answer: (B)

6. 6. CBSE 2026

   Identify the correct soil from the given options to complete the flow chart : Heavy Rainfall + High Leaching -> ? -> Useful for growing Coffee and Tea

   • (A) Alluvial soil
   • (B) Laterite soil ✓
   • (C) Red soil
   • (D) Black soil

   Answer: (B)

7. 7. CBSE 2026

   Choose the correct option related to the factors that determined the land use pattern in India :

   • (A) Political and Religious factors
   • (B) Cultural and Geological factors
   • (C) Economical and Historical factors
   • (D) Physical and Human factors ✓

   Answer: (D)

8. 8. CBSE 2026

   Identify the correct soil from the options given to complete the flow chart :

   • (A) Alluvial Soil
   • (B) Laterite Soil ✓
   • (C) Red Soil
   • (D) Black Soil

   Answer: (B)

9. 9. CBSE 2026

   10. Read the given infographics carefully and choose the correct option that identifies the soil described.

   • (A) Laterite soil
   • (B) Forest soil
   • (C) Arid soil ✓
   • (D) Black soil

   Answer: (C)

10. 10. CBSE 2026

    In which of the following categories of ‘land-use’ has India registered an increase ?

    • (A) Permanent pasture
    • (B) Unsuitable for agriculture
    • (C) Barren
    • (D) Forest ✓

    Answer: (D)

Questions parents and students ask

How many marks does "Resources and Development" carry in CBSE Class 10 Social Science?

In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 2 marks and about 1 questions a year; by marks it ranks 17 in Social Science.

Which are the most important (VVI) questions of "Resources and Development"?

The 20 questions above are from the board’s real papers, each with the years it was asked; the most-asked come first with their full model answers. All 21 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the Ask Medha app.

Do the answers follow the board’s marking scheme?

Yes. CBSE publishes its marking schemes; every model answer here is written point by point to the marks the board’s own scheme gives, and checked by a second, independent model.