1. Answer The Following Question.
(i) Why are people considered a resource?
Ans : People are considered the greatest resource of a nation because all other resources of nature only become valuable when people use their skills and knowledge to extract their usefulness. People contribute to turning natural resources into products, services, and innovations. Hence, human resource is the ultimate resource that drives progress and development.
(ii) What are the causes for the uneven distribution of population in the world?
Ans : The uneven distribution of population is caused by both geographical and social factors:
Geographical factors:Topography: People prefer living on plains because they are suitable for farming and industries, whereas mountains and plateaus are sparsely populated.
Water availability: Freshwater availability, especially in river valleys, attracts dense populations, while deserts have fewer inhabitants.Social factors:Social: Areas with better housing, education, and healthcare tend to have higher populations (e.g., Pune).
Economic: Industrial areas attract more people due to employment opportunities (e.g., Mumbai, Osaka).
(iii) The world population has grown very rapidly. Why?
Ans : The world population has grown rapidly due to advancements in science and technology. These advancements have increased food production and improved healthcare, which reduced the death rate and increased life expectancy, leading to population growth.
(iv) Discuss the role of any two factors influencing population change.
Ans : Birth rate: The number of births per 1,000 people in a given year. When the birth rate is high, the population increases.
Death rate: The number of deaths per 1,000 people. When the death rate is low, it contributes to population growth.
These factors determine whether the population of a country increases or decreases.
(v) What is meant by population composition?
Ans : Population composition refers to the structure of a population, including aspects such as gender, age distribution, education levels, occupation, income levels, and health conditions. Analyzing population composition helps in understanding the demographic characteristics and needs of a country.
(vi) What are population pyramids? How do they help in understanding the population of a country?
Ans : A population pyramid is a graphical representation that shows the age and gender distribution of a country’s population. It divides the population into age groups and displays the percentage of males and females in each group. By examining a population pyramid, one can assess the birth rate, death rate, and the dependency ratio. A broad base and narrow top indicate a high birth rate and a youthful population, while a narrower base and wider top indicate an aging population with lower birth rates.
2. Tick the correct answer.
(i) What does the term ‘population distribution’ refer to?
How the population in a specified area changes over time.
The number of people who die in relation to the number of people born in a specified area.
The way in which people are spread across a given area.
Ans : (c) The way in which people are spread across a given area
(ii) Which are the three main factors that cause population change?
(a) Births, deaths and marriage
(b) Births, deaths and migration
(c) Births, deaths and life expectancy
Ans : (b) Births, deaths and migration.
(iii) In 1999, the world population reached
(a) 1 billion
(b) 3 billion
(c) 6 billion
Ans : (c) 6 billion
(iv) What is a population pyramid?
(a) A graphical presentation of the age-sex composition of a population.
(b) When the population density of an area is so high that people live in tall buildings.
(c) Pattern of population distribution in large urban areas.
Ans : (a) A graphical presentation of the age-sex composition of a population
3. Complete the sentences below using some of the following words.
(sparsely, favourable, fallow, artificial, fertile, natural, extreme, densely)
When people are attracted to an area, it becomes ………………….. populated. Factors that influence this include ………………….. climate, good supplies of ………………….. resources and ………………….. land.
Ans : When people are attracted to an area, it becomes densely populated. Factors that influence this include favourable climate, good supplies of natural resources and fertile land.