Chapter 5: Minerals and Energy Resources

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

1. Q1Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) "Conserving energy is essential for sustainable development." Support the statement with suitable arguments. OR (b) "Minerals are found in various forms and types, each having distinct properties." Support the statement with suitable arguments.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Model answer · conservation of energy, sustainable development

   1. 1.(a) Careless use of energy resources would leave too little for future generations, so conservation is needed for sustainable development. OR (b) Minerals occur as veins and lodes in cracks of igneous and metamorphic rocks, in beds or layers of sedimentary rocks, and in decomposed surface rocks.1 mark
   2. 2.Fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum are limited and their reserves are being used up. OR Coal, gypsum and limestone occur in beds or layers formed by deposition in sedimentary rocks.1 mark
   3. 3.Overuse of energy causes pollution and global warming; saving energy reduces this damage. OR Precious metals such as gold and silver are found in veins and lodes of igneous and metamorphic rocks, formed as molten magma cooled.1 mark
   4. 4.Using renewable sources — solar, wind, water — reduces dependence on non-renewable resources. OR Iron ore, manganese and bauxite occur in large deposits; bauxite forms from the decomposition of surface rocks, and gold, tin and platinum occur as alluvial (placer) deposits.1 mark
   5. 5.Saving energy keeps development going and keeps resources available to all, the core of sustainable development. OR Each mineral has its own properties — colour, hardness, lustre, density, crystal form — which decide its use.1 mark

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

2. Q2Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Explain the main characteristics of minerals. OR (b) Explain the difference between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Model answer · characteristics of minerals

   1. 1.(a) A mineral is a naturally occurring, homogeneous substance with a definite internal structure and chemical composition. OR (b) Conventional sources (coal, petroleum, natural gas, firewood) have long been in use; non-conventional sources (solar, wind, tidal, geothermal) are newer.1 mark
   2. 2.Minerals are unevenly distributed, as their formation depends on physical and chemical conditions. OR Conventional sources are exhaustible; non-conventional sources are renewable.1 mark
   3. 3.Particular minerals are closely associated with particular types of rock. OR Conventional sources pollute more; non-conventional sources are clean.1 mark
   4. 4.Minerals take millions of years to form but are used up fast, so they are exhaustible. OR Conventional sources have limited reserves; non-conventional sources are abundant.1 mark
   5. 5.Minerals are metallic (ferrous and non-ferrous) or non-metallic and are used in different industries. OR Conventional sources are cheaper and their technology is well developed; non-conventional sources cost more at first but are economical and sustainable in the long run.1 mark

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

3. Q3Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

   (A) How is energy a basic requirement for economic development ? Explain. OR (B) How are conventional sources of energy different from non-conventional sources ? Explain.

4. Q4Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Examine the role of petroleum in an economy. OR (b) Examine the various sources of electricity and their environmental impacts.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Petroleum is often referred to as 'black gold'. It is a major source of energy and is essential for running transport, agriculture, and industrial machinery, which makes it a highly valuable resource for any economy.

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5. Q5Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (A) “Energy saved is energy produced.” Justify this statement with suitable arguments. OR (B) “The applications of electricity in the modern world are so vast that its per capita consumption is considered as an index of development.” Justify this statement with suitable arguments.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (A) "Energy saved is energy produced" because every unit of electricity we save is a unit that power plants no longer need to generate. Saving electricity reduces the need to generate more power in power plants, so…

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6. Q6Short answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (A) "Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives." Justify the statement. OR (B) "Solar Energy has important role in transforming the energy landscape." Justify the statement.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives because almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, is made from minerals. Various metals are extracted from these minerals after…

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7. Q7Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (A) Examine the role of nuclear energy in meeting the growing energy demands. OR (B) Examine the efficiency of geothermal energy as a source of renewable energy.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (A) Nuclear or atomic energy helps meet growing energy demands because it is obtained by altering the structure of atoms. In nuclear fission, heavy atoms such as uranium, thorium or plutonium are split, and much energy…

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8. Q8Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Examine the role of petroleum as an important source of energy and describe its distribution in India. OR (b) Examine the role of coal as an important energy resource and describe its distribution in India.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (b) Coal is an important energy resource because in India coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel. It provides a substantial part of the nation's energy needs.

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9. Q9Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

   (a) Examine the importance of Bio-gas energy in rural areas. OR (b) Examine the significance of natural gas for industrial usage.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (a) Biogas is made from cattle dung, farm waste and other organic matter that every village has. OR (b) Natural gas is found with petroleum deposits and is easily carried through pipelines.

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10. Q10Long answer5 marksAsked: 2026

    (a) “Energy is required for all activities.” Justify this statement with appropriate arguments. OR (b) “India is fortunate to have fairly rich and varied mineral resources, yet these are unevenly distributed.” Examine this statement.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (a) Homes need energy for cooking, lighting and heating — from firewood, cattle dung cake, coal, LPG and electricity. OR (b) India has rich and varied reserves of metallic, non-metallic and energy minerals such as iron…

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11. Q11Long answer5 marksAsked: 2025

    (A) "It would be beneficial to develop sustainable way to meet the growing energy demand in India." Support the statement by giving suitable arguments. OR (B) "We have to use a planned and sustainable manner to conserve our minerals." Support the statement by giving suitable arguments.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Developing a sustainable way to meet India's growing energy demand is beneficial because energy is a basic requirement for economic development. Without enough energy, the country cannot grow.

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12. Q12Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (A) How is the per capita consumption of electricity considered as an index of development? Explain with examples. OR (B) Explain with examples the significance of the usage of non–conventional sources of energy for the country.

13. Q13Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (A) Analyse the advantages of Natural Gas as a source of energy. OR (B) 'Minerals generally occur in different rocks.' Examine the statement.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Natural Gas is a useful source of energy because it can be put to many uses. It is found with petroleum deposits and is released when crude oil is brought to the surface. It can be used as a domestic and industrial…

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14. Q14Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (a) "Promotion of energy conservation is important plank of sustainable energy." Explain the statement with examples. 5 OR (b) "Energy is required for all kinds of activities." Explain this statement with examples. 5

15. Q15Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (a) How is energy a basic requirement for economic development ? Explain with examples. OR (b) How do minerals occur ? Explain with examples.

16. Q16Long answer5 marksAsked: 2024

    (a) "Solar energy has a bright future in India." Explain the statement with examples. OR (b) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources ? Explain with examples.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Solar energy has a bright future in India because India is a tropical country. India is blessed with an abundance of sunlight for most of the year, so it has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy.

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17. Q17Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

    Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Iron Ore [passage] (35.1) In which iron ore is the maximum iron content found ? 1 (35.2) Which is the most important industrial iron ore ? 1 (35.3) "Iron ore is a basic mineral." Support the statement. 2

    How the model answer begins

    1. (35.1) The maximum iron content is found in Magnetite. Magnetite is the finest iron ore, with a very high iron content of up to 70 per cent.

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18. Q18Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

    Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Iron Ore Iron ore is the basic mineral and the backbone of industrial development. India is endowed with fairly abundant resources of iron ore. India is rich in good quality iron ores. Magnetite is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 70 per cent. It has excellent magnetic qualities, especially valuable in the electrical industry. Hematite ore is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of the quantity used, but has a slightly lower iron content than magnetite (50 - 60 per cent). In 2018 - 19, almost the entire production of iron ore (97%) accrued from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Jharkhand. The remaining production (3%) was from other states. (36.1) In which iron ore is the maximum iron content found ? (36.2) Which is the most important industrial iron ore ? (36.3) "Iron ore is a basic mineral." Support the statement.

    How the model answer begins

    1. 36.1 The maximum iron content is found in Magnetite. Magnetite is the finest iron ore. Its iron content is very high, up to 70 per cent.

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19. Q19Case-based4 marksAsked: 2023

    Read the given case and answer the questions that follow : (35.1) Why is sustainable energy a key to sustainable development ? [1] (35.2) Why is consumption of energy rising in all over India? [1] (35.3) Explain 'Energy saved is energy produced'. [2]

    How the model answer begins

    1. (35.1) Sustainable energy is a key to sustainable development because energy is a basic requirement for economic development. Sustainable energy rests on two things: promotion of energy conservation and increased use of…

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20. Q20Map3 marksAsked: 2026

    (Map-Skill Based Questions) 19. On the same outline map of India given for Q. No. 9, locate and label any three of the following with suitable symbols : (i) The major dam constructed on the Chenab river (ii) Nuclear power plant in Maharashtra (iii) Software Technology Park in Tamil Nadu (iv) International Airport in Punjab Note : The following questions are for Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Question No. 19. Attempt any three of the following : (i) Name the dam built on River Chenab in India. (ii) Name the place where ‘nuclear power plant’ is located in Maharashtra. (iii) Name the place where software technology park is located in Tamil Nadu. (iv) Name the place where international airport is located in Punjab.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Salal Dam on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir, marked with a dam symbol on the Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir and labelled 'Salal'.

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12 more questions of this chapter, each with its model answer, in the AskMedha app.

Objective questions with the board’s key (10)

1. 1. CBSE 2026

   Choose the correct option to fill in the blank. The largest wind farm cluster in India is located between ________.

   • (A) Nagercoil to Madurai ✓
   • (B) Jaipur to Jodhpur
   • (C) Bokaro to Raniganj
   • (D) Hazira to Jhabua

   Answer: (A)

2. 2. CBSE 2026

   Choose the appropriate option to fill in the blank :

   • (A) Non-Ferrous minerals
   • (B) Igneous minerals
   • (C) Energy minerals ✓
   • (D) Ferrous minerals

   Answer: (C)

3. 3. CBSE 2026

   Select the appropriate option to fill in the blank : Minerals -> [Metallic minerals, Non-metallic minerals, ?] -> [Iron ore, Mica, Coal]

   • (A) Non-ferrous minerals
   • (B) Igneous minerals
   • (C) Energy minerals ✓
   • (D) Ferrous minerals

   Answer: (C)

4. 4. CBSE 2026

   Select the appropriate option to fill in the blank : Minerals -> Ferrous minerals -> Nickel, ? -> Precious minerals -> Gold

   • (A) Energy minerals
   • (B) Non-metallic minerals
   • (C) Non-ferrous minerals ✓
   • (D) Precious minerals

   Answer: (C)

5. 5. CBSE 2026

   12. Match Column - I with Column - II and choose the correct option :

   • (A) ii i iv iii
   • (B) i iii ii iv
   • (C) iv ii iii i
   • (D) ii iv i iii ✓

   Answer: (D)

6. 6. CBSE 2025

   Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements and choose the correct option : Assertion (A) : India has enormous possibilities of production of solar energy. Reason (R) : Most of the land area of India falls under the cold zone.

   • (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
   • (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
   • (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false. ✓
   • (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

   Answer: (C)

7. 7. CBSE 2025

   Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option : Column I (Thermal Power Plant) Column II (State) a. Talcher i. Telangana b. Ramagundam ii. Odisha c. Bhusawal iii. Andhra Pradesh d. Vijayawada iv. Maharashtra

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

   Answer: (A)

8. 8. CBSE 2025

   Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements and choose the correct option. Assertion (A) : Certain minerals may occur as alluvial deposits in sands of valley floors and the base of hills. Reason (R) : These are usually minerals, that are not corroded by water.

   • (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). ✓
   • (B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
   • (C) (A) is true but (R) is false.
   • (D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

   Answer: (A)

9. 9. CBSE 2025

   Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option : Column-I (Atomic Power Plants) Column-II (State) a. Kakrapara i. Rajasthan b. Rawat Bhata ii. Karnataka c. Kaiga iii. Maharashtra d. Tarapur iv. Gujarat

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

   Answer: (C)

10. 10. CBSE 2025

    Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read both the statements carefully and choose the correct option : Assertion (A) : Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives. Reason (R) : All living things need minerals.

    • (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). ✓
    • (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
    • (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
    • (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

    Answer: (A)

Questions parents and students ask

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

In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 4 marks and about 2 questions a year; by marks it ranks 12 in Social Science.

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

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 32 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the AskMedha 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.