Resources Class 8 Notes NCERT and MCQs

21-03-2024 16:53 PM IST Priyanka Chaudhary

This chapter discusses both natural and human resources and their importance.

What is a Resource?

Anything that can be used to satisfy a need is a resource. Time and technology are two important factors that can change substances into resources. People themselves are the most important resource. It is their ideas, knowledge, inventions and discoveries that lead to the creation of more resources.

Important terms

Utility: Utility or usability is what makes an object or substance a resource.

Value: Value means worth. Some resources have economic value, some do not. For example, metals may have an economic value, a beautiful landscape may not. But both are important and satisfy human needs.

Patent: It means the exclusive right over any idea or invention.

Technology: It is the application of latest knowledge and skill in doing or making things.

Stock of Resource: It is the amount of resources available for use.

Types of resources

Natural Resources

Resources that are drawn from nature and used without much modification are called natural resources. The air we breathe, the water in our rivers and lakes, the soils, minerals all are natural resources. The distribution of natural resources depends upon number of physical factors like terrain, climate and altitude. There are two types of natural resources:

Renewable resources

Renewable resources are those which get renewed or replenished quickly.

Some of these are unlimited and are not affected by human activities, such as solar and wind energy.

Yet careless use of certain renewable resources like water, soil and forest can affect their stock.

Water seems to be an unlimited renewable resource. But shortage and drying up of natural water sources is a major problem in many parts of the world today.

Non-renewable resources

They are those resources which have a limited stock. Once the stocks are exhausted it may take thousands of years to be renewed or replenished. For example, coal, petroleum and natural gas.

Human-made resources

Some natural substances become resources only when their original form has been changed. Natural resources are used to make buildings, bridges, roads, machinery and vehicles, which are known as human made resources. Technology is also a human made resource.

Human resources

They refer to the number (quantity) and abilities (mental and physical) of the people.

The skills of humans help in transferring physical material into a valuable resource. Thus, people are human resources.

Education and health help in making people a valuable resource. Improving the quality of people’s skills so that they are able to create more resources is known as human resource development.

Sustainable Development

Resource conservation: Using resources carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called resource conservation.

Sustainable development means carefully utilizing resources so that besides meeting the requirements of the present, also takes care of future generations.

Some Principles of Sustainable Development

• Respect and care for all forms of life.
• Improve the quality of human life.
• Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.
• Minimize the depletion of natural resources.
• Change personal attitude and practices towards the environment.
• Enable communities to care for their own environment.

MCQs based on NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 1:Resources

1. Which one of the following does NOT make substance a resource?

(a) utility

(b) value

(c) quantity

(d) None

Ans. c

2. Which one of the following is a human made resource?

(a) medicines to treat cancer

(b) spring water

(c) tropical forests

(d) Minerals

Ans. a

3. Complete the statement.

Non-renewable resources are

(a) those which have limited stock

(b) made by human beings

(c) derived from non-living things

(d) which will never get exhausted

Ans. a

4. What is sustainable development?

(a) Using resources carefully

(b) Conserving resources for the future

(c) Both a and b

(d) None of the above

Ans. c

5. Which of the following is a renewable resource?

(a) Solar energy

(b) Coal

(c) Petroleum

(d) Natural Gas

Ans. a