I. SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A. NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS
Questions Within The Lesson
Q.1. Find out what could be the reasons of uneven distribution of population in India.
Ans. Rugged terrain and unfavourable climatic conditions are primarily responsible for sparse
population in some areas. Hilly, dissected and rocky nature of the terrain, moderate to low
rainfall, shallow and less fertile soils influence population in hilly areas. Flat plains with fertile
soils and abundant rainfall have led a large number of people to settle in the densely populated
Northern Plains.
Q.2. Table 6.1 reveals that despite the decline growth rates, the numbers of people being added
on a voluntary basis.
(Page 54)
every decade is steadily increasing. Why?
Ans. Increased facilities provided to live a comfortable life and better medical facilities that have
brought down the death rate is the cause for increase in people being added every decade
despite the decline in growth rate.
Q.3. Find out what could be the reasons for such (sex ratio) variations.
Ans. The reasons for sex ratio variations in the states of India is the social makeup of India. The
(Page 56)
(Page 58)
people here have remained in favour of male child leading to female foeticide and dowry
problems which makes people think of female children as a burden. In states like Kerala there
are well educated people who also follow matriarchal society rules and sex ratio in Kerala is
1058 females per 1000 males. In Haryana female child is looked down upon and most female
foeticide cases occur here. Thus it has sex ratio of 861 females per 1000 males.
Questions in the Exercise
Q.1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below :
(i) Migrations change the number, distribution and composition of the population in:
2
(a) the area of departure (b) both the area of departure and arrival
(c) the area of arrival (d) none of the above
Ans. Both the area of departure and arrival
(ii) A large proportion of children in a population is a result of
(a) high birth rates (b) high life expectancies
(c) high death rates (d) more married couples
Ans. High birth rates
(iii) The magnitude of population growth refers to :
(a) the total population of an area
(b) the number of persons added each year
(c) the rate at which the population increases
(d) the number of females per thousand males
Ans. The total population of an area
(iv) According to the Census 2001, a literate person is one who
(a) can read and write his/her name
(b) can read and write any language
(c) is 7 year old and can read and write any language with understanding
(d) knows 3 Rs (reading, writing, arithmetic)
Ans. Is seven year old and can read and write any language with understanding.
Q.2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981?
Ans. The rate of population growth has been declining as a result of greater use of birth control
(ii) Discuss the major components of population growth.
Ans. The major components of population growth are Birth Rate, Death Rate and Migration.
The difference between birth rate and death rate accounts for natural increase in population.
Adoption of family planning measures leads to decline in birth rate. Better availability of
medical facilities leads to decrease in death rate.
measures.
Internal migration only changes the pattern of population over different parts of the country.
International migration affects both the magnitude and the quality of population.
(iii) Define age structure, death rate and birth rate.
Ans. Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. Death rate is the number
of deaths per thousand persons in a year. Age structure refers to the number of people in
different
(CBSE 2010)
age groups.
The commonly adopted age groups are Children
(0-14 years), Adults (15-59 years) and Aged (60 years and above)
(iv) How is migration a determinant of population change?
Ans. Internal migration determines population change across regions and territories within the
country. In India there has been a significant migration from the rural areas to the cities. Apart
from magnitude, migration also brings about change in terms of sex ratio and age composition.
The migration from rural areas comprises only men. As such, the sex ratio in village registers
a decline and so does the age composition. The number of able-bodied men in villages is
reduced as a result of the rural-urban migration.
3
Q.3. Distinguish between population growth and population change.
Ans. Population growth is different from population change. Population growth is determined by the
birth and death rates. Population change, on the other hand, is determined by the birth and
death rates and also by migration.
Q.4. What is the relation between occupational structure and development?
Ans. Development is related to occupational structure of the population. Countries are less
developed where a higher percentage of population is engaged in primary occupations like
agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry and fishing.
As development takes place more people move into secondary occupations like manufacturing.
In highly developed societies, there are a high percentage of people involved in tertiary
occupations like banking, commerce, transport and administration.
Q.5. What are the advantages of having a healthy population?
Ans. A healthy population ensures higher productive efficiency. Absenteeism is low where the
Q.6. What are the significant features of the National Population Policy 2000?
OR
Write any three goals of National Polutation Policy 2000. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. (i) The National Population Policy 2000 aims at reducing infant mortal rate to below 30 per
thousand live births. (ii) The policy framework provides for imparting free and compulsory
school education up to 14 years of age. (iii) Some other areas of attention are promoting
delayed marriages for girls and achieving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine
preventable diseases. Family planning programme is to be promoted on a voluntary basis.
OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS (AS PER CCE PATTERN)
B. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 MARK)
Q.1. Who among the following are resource creating factors as well as resources themsleves?
(b) Plants (c) Human beings (d) Nature
workers are healthy.
Ans. (c)
(a) Animals
Q.2. In which of the following instances does a natural event like a flood or Tsunami become
a ‘disaster’?
(a) Only when they affect a crowded village or town
(b) When the natural events are of great intensity
(c) When they happen in the environment (d) When they affect large uninhabited areas
Ans. (a)
Q.3. The numbers, distribution, growth and characteristics of which of the following provide
the basic background for understanding and appreciating all aspects of the environment?
(a) Natural resource (b) Population (c) Flora (d) Fauna
Ans. (b)
Q.4. Why is it important to know how many people are there in a country, where do they live,
how and why their numbers are increasing and what are their characteristics?
(a) Population is the pivotal element in social studies
4
(b) To exploit the natural resources of the country
(c) Human beings are producers and consumers of resources
(d) None of the above
Ans. (c)
Q.5. From which of the following do we get information regarding the population of our
country?
(a) Textbooks (b) Survey of India (c) Census (d) Geological Survey of India
Ans. (c)
Q.6. Which of the following is a major concern of study about the population of a country?
(a) Population size and distribution
(b) Population growth and processes of population change
(c) Characteristics or qualities of the population (d) All the above
Q.7. India accounts for what percentage of the world population?
(b) 2.4 per cent (c) 3.28 per cent (d) 16.7 per cent
Q.8. Which is the most populous state of India?
(b) Uttar Pradesh (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Rajasthan
Q.9. Which state has the lowest population ? (CBSE 2010)
(b) Himachal Pradesh (c) Goa (d) Sikkim
Q.10. Which of the following union territories of India has a very low population?
(a) Andaman and Nicobar (b) Lakshadweep (c) Chandigarh (d) Pondicherry
Q.11. Almost half of India’s population lives in just five states. Which one of the following is
not one of these five populous states?
(b) Bihar (c) West Bengal (d) Arunachal Pradesh
Ans. (d)
(a) 1.02 per cent
Ans. (d)
(a) Maharashtra
Ans. (b)
(a) Uttar Pradesh
Ans. (d)
Ans. (b)
(a) Maharashtra
Q.12. What percentage of India’s population resides in the most populated state of India, Uttar
Pradesh?
(a) 31.2 per cent (b) 16.16 per cent
Ans. (d)
(c) 9.42 per cent (d) 7.41 per cent
Ans. (b)
Q.13. What percentage of India’s population lives in Rajasthan, the biggest state in terms of
area?
(a) 16.16 per cent (b) 8.02 per cent (c) 7.79 per cent (d) 5.5 per cent
Ans. (d)
Q.14. The average number of persons per unit area, such as a square kilometre, is termed as
which of the following?
(a) Population distribution (b) Population density
(c) Absolute population (d) Population growth
Ans. (b)
5
Q.15. Which one of the following countries has higher population density than India?
(a) China (b) Bangladesh (c) Canada (d) Korea
Ans. (b)
Q.16. Which of the following figures shows the population density of India?
(a) 1028 million persons (b) 3.28 million square km
(c) 324 persons per sq km (d) 13 persons per sq km
Ans. (c)
Q.17. Which one of the following states has very high population density?
(b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Rajasthan (d) Arunachal Pradesh
Q.18. Which of the following states of India has very low population density?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh (b) Sikkim (c) Orissa (d) Bihar
Q.19. Which of the following states of India has a moderate population density?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir (b) Rajasthan
(d) Tamil Nadu
Q.20. Which of the following southern states has a high population density?
(b) Andhra Pradesh (c) Kerala (d) Tamil Nadu
Q.21. Which of the following reasons is responsible for uneven population distribution in
(a) Variations in topography or relief in different parts of India
(b) Variations in climate and rainfall distribution
(c) Variations in the rate of industrialisation and urbanisation
(a) West Bengal
Ans. (a)
Ans. (a)
(c) Chhattisgarh
Ans. (d)
(a) Karnataka
Ans. (c)
India?
(d) All the above
Q.22. Which of the following states has a population density below 100 persons per square
kilometre?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
Q.23. Which of the following states has a population density below 250 persons per square km?
(a) Punjab (b) Haryana
Ans. (d)
(b) Uttarakhand (c) Himachal Pradesh (d) Nagaland
Ans. (a)
(c) Chhattisgarh (d) Jharkhand
Ans. (c)
Q.24. Which one of the following is not one of the factors that resulted in high density of
population in the Northern Plains?
(a) Flat plains with fertile soil (b) Rich mineral deposits
(c) Abundant rainfall (d) Suitable conditions for agriculture
Ans. (b)
Q.25. Which of the following statements about population is correct?
(a) Population is a dynamic phenomenon
(b) The number, distribution and composition of population are static
6
(c) Population of a country always increases with time
(d) Migrations do not affect the population of a country
Ans. (a)
Q.26. The change in the number of inhabitants of a country during a specific period of time
is referred to by which of the following terms?
(a) Density of population (b) Age composition
(c) Population growth (d) Absolute population
Ans. (c)
Q.27. The magnitude of population growth refers to which of the following?
(a) The number of persons added each year or decade
(b) The rate or the pace of population increase
(c) The total population of an area (d) The number of females per thousand males
Q.28. The rate or pace of population increase per year is referred to as which of the following?
(a) Absolute increase (b) Magnitude of increase
(c) Annual growth rate (d) Population change
Q.29. Which of the following statements about population growth between 1951 to 1981 is true?
(a) The annual rate of population growth was gradually decreasing
(b) The annual rate of population growth was steadily increasing
(c) The annual rate of population growth was static
(d) Census reports were not available for all decades
Q.30. Which of the following changes in growth of population has been noted since 1981?
(a) The annual rate of population growth continued to increase steadily
(b) The annual rate of population growth shot up suddenly
(c) The growth of population could not be computed due to absence of census
(d) The rate of growth of population started declining gradully
Ans. (a)
Ans. (c)
Ans. (b)
Q.31. Which among the following is included in the policy framework of NPP 2000 ?(CBSE 2010)
(a) imparting free and compulsory school education above 14 years age
(b) reducing infant mortality rate
(c) acheiving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine preventable diseases
(d) all of these
Ans. (d)
Ans. (d)
Q.32. Which movement of the people across regions and teritories does not change the size of
the population ? (CBSE 2010)
(a) Internal (b) External (c) Death rate (d) Birth rate
Ans. (a)
Q.33. What is the rank of India among the population of different countries of the world?
(CBSE 2010)
(a) First (b) Second (c) Third (d) Fourth
Ans. (b)
7
Q.34. The main cause for the high growth of our population is (CBSE 2010)
(a) Rise in death rate (b) Decrease in birth rate
(c) Decline of death rate (d) None of these
Ans. (c)
Q.35. What is the average sex ratio of India as per 2001 census ? (CBSE 2010)
(a) 900 (b) 933 (c) 923 (d) None of these
Ans. (b)
Q.36. What is sex ratio? [2011 (T-2)]
(a) Number of females per thousand males
(b) Number of females per hundred males
(c) The study of population growth
(d) Difference between birth rate and death rate
Q.37. Which one of the following is the most significant feature of the Indian population?
(a) Declining birth rate (b) Improvement in the literacy level
(c) The size of its adolescent population (d) Improvement in health conditions
Q.38. What was the population density of India according to 2001?
(b) 224 person/km2
(d) 24 person/km2
Q.39. A large proportion of children in a population is a result of :
(b) High death rate
(c) High life expectancies (d) More married couples
Q.40. The number of people in different age groups is referred as :
(b) Age composition
Ans. (a)
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (a)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) 124 person/km2
(c) 324 person/km2
Ans. (c)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) High birth rate
Ans. (a)
(a) Sex ratio
(c) adolescent population
Q.41. Which is the most populous country of the world?
(a) India (b) United States
[2011 (T-2)]
(d) occupational structure
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
(c) China (d) Russia
Ans. (c)
Q.42. As per 2001 census, which of the following states has the least density of population?
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) West Bengal (b) Bihar
(c) Arunachal Pradesh (d) Uttar Pradesh
Ans. (c)
Q.43. Name the Union Territory having the highest density of population. [2011 (T-2)]
(a) Chandigarh (b) Delhi
(c) Puducherry (Pondicherry) (d) Daman and Diu
Ans. (b)
8
Q.44. In how many years is the official enumeration of population carried out for census?
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) 1 year (b) 5 years (c) 10 years (d) 2 years
Ans. (c)
Q.45. Which of the following is an important social indicator to measure the extent of equality
between males and females in a society at a given time? [2011 (T-2)]
(a) Age Composition (b) Literacy Rate (c) Sex Ratio (d) Death Rate
Ans. (c)
Q.46. Which of the following factors are responsible for sparse population?
(a) Flat plains and abundant rainfall (b) Rugged terrain and unfavourable climate
(c) Fertile soil and abundant rain fall (d) Rugged terrain and favourable climate
Q.47. Name the state having the highest percentage of literacy level :
(b) Maharashtra (c) Punjab (d) West Bengal
Q.48. What year is considered a great demographic divide in India?
(b) 1921 (c) 1931 (d) 1751
Q.49. The magnitude of population growth refers to :
(a) The total population of an area (b) The number of persons added each year
(c) The rate at which the population increases (d) The number of females per thousand males
Q.50. Which state is the most populous state according to 2001 Census?
(b) Uttar Pradesh (c) West Bengal (d) Madhya Pradesh
Q.51. Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in :
(a) 10 years (b) 5 years (c) 2 years (d) 1 year
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) Kerala
Ans. (a)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) 1911
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) Bihar
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
Q.52. When did the National Population Policy come into effect?
(a) 2001 (b) 1947
Q.53. The country that has a higher population density than India is :
(a) China (b) USA
Ans. (d)
(c) 1952 (d) 2000
[2011 (T-2)]
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (d)
(c) Britain (d) Bangladesh
Ans. (d)
Q.54. The total area of India accounts for how much percent of the world’s area? [2011 (T-2)]
(a) 2.4 percent (b) 16.7 percent (c) 3.28 percent (d) 1.02 percent
Ans. (a)
Q.55. Which of the following migration of population does not change the size of the
population?
(a) External migration
(c) International migration
Ans. (b)
(b) Internal migration
(d) National migration
[2011 (T-2)]
9
C. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)
Q.1. What are the relationships between occupational structure and development?
Ans. The percentage of population that is economically active is an important index of development.
The distribution of the working population according to the occupations they are engaged in,
is referred to as the occupational structure. It reflects the level of development of a country.
In case of developed nations, the occupational structure shows that a high proportion of people
are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities. Manufacturing industries and services are the
main occupations in which their workforce is engaged.
The occupational structure of developing countries show that they tend to have a higher
proportion of their workforce engaged in primary activities, especially agriculture.
Q.2. Discuss the major components of population growth.
OR
What are the factors causing changes in the size of population ? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. There are three main components of population growth – birth rate, death rate and migration.
Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. Death rate is the number
of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
The difference between birth rate and death rate is known as the natural increase of population.
Higher birth rate with low death rate results in a higher rate of population growth. When the
birth rate is low and death rate is high the result is a low rate of population growth.
Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. It can be internal (within
the country) or international (between the countries). It plays a significant role in changing the
composition and distribution of population.
Q.3. What is a census? Why is it important for a country to conduct censuses periodically?
(CBSE 2010)
Ans. A census is an official enumeration of population done periodically. The counting is conducted
usually every tenth year. The data collected regarding every aspect of population is then
compiled in a book and the whole process is called the census.
The various uses of a census are as follows :
(i) A census provides us information regarding the population of the country.
(ii) It is the most comprehensive source of demographic, social and economic data.
(iii) It provides us information regarding population size and distribution. So it helps in
planning the development of various regions.
(iv) The comparison of census reports of various decades helps in identifying the trend of
population growth. This helps in resource planning.
(v) The level of economic and social development of a country can be identified from the
occupational structure and literacy rates provided in the census.
Q.4. What are the reasons for the decrease in death rate in India after independence?
(Important)
Ans. The main cause of the rate of growth of Indian population since independence has been the
rapid decline in death rate. The main reasons behind this decrease in death rate after
independence are as follows.
(i) Better medical facilities and improvement of public health.
10
(ii) Prevention of infectious diseases with the help of vaccines.
(iii) Controlling of epidemics through health measures and better sanitation.
(iv) Decrease in infant mortality due to family planning and child care programmes.
(v) Extension of hospitals, modern medical practices in treatment of ailments.
(vi) Also, rapid industrialisation and urbanisation since independence have increased the
opportunities for livelihood and raised the nutritional level and living standard.
Q.5. What is meant by sex ratio? Give two reasons for low sex ratio in India. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the population. The sex ratio
in India was 933 in 2001. The sex ratio in India is skewed with the number of males exceeding
the number of females. It has always remained unfavourable to females. The main reasons
(i) Unequal social treatment.
(ii) Discrimination against girl child.
(iii) Low literacy rates and lack of social awareness.
(iv) Evil effects of early marriage and large number of death during child birth.
(v) Insufficient attention to and care of girls after birth, during adolescent period and during
(vi) Poverty of the people leads to preference for male child as they become bread earners.
All of the above result in more death among females and affects the sex ratio.
Q.6. Discuss the reasons for very low population in Arunachal Pradesh.
Ans. Arunachal Pradesh, the extreme north-eastern state of India, has very low population of 10.97
lakhs. The state has a population density of only 13 persons per sq. km. Most of the state is
hilly and forested. The climate is harsh with low average temperature. Rugged terrain and
unfavourable climatic conditions has resulted in sparse population in this state. As a result, the
population density of the state is also very low.
Q.7. Discuss why the knowledge about population growth is important?
Ans. The population of a country is its most important resource because they are both the producers
and consumers of resources. They are the work force of a country. But at the same time more
behind this are :
motherhood.
hands to work also mean more mouths to feed. The development of a country is determined
by its population in relation to the available resources. So it is important to know about the
population growth of a country. It helps in resource planning. It gives the government an idea
about the requirements of health and educational facilities within the country. Economic
development of a country is also influenced by population growth. In developed countries
population growth is lower, therefore they enjoy a better standard of living. While in
developing countries with high population growth, the growing population becomes a burden
for the country, affecting physical and social environment.
Q.8. How does migration affect the population of a nation? What are the causes of migration?
Ans. Migration plays a very significant role in changing the composition and distribution of
population of a nation. It is an important determinant of population change. It changes the
population size of the nations and the areas influenced by it.
Immigration (in-migration) increases the population of a nation while emigration (outmigration)
decreases the population of a nation.
11
Migration also affects population composition in terms of age and sex composition. Migration
takes place due to the following reasons :
(a) For better employment opportunities.
(b) For better living conditions, for educational and health facilities.
(c) On account of natural calamities like floods or droughts or epidemics.
(d) Due to war, partition and political unrest.
Q.9. Describe the reasons behind the high density of population in Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal.
Ans. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India and has a population density of 689 persons
per sq. km. West Bengal has a high population density of 904 persons per sq. km. The high
density of population in these states is on account of the following reasons :
(a) Both the states are located in the Ganga Plains. The Ganga Plains are characterised by flat
terrain, fertile soil and abundant supply of water. These conditions are favourable for
agriculture and support other means of livelihood as well.
(b) The flat land provides favourable conditions for settlement, for setting up of industries and
for improving infrastructure of the region. Work opportunites and better living conditions
attract population.
(c) Suitable climate and abundant rainfall.
(d) Location of metro cities like Kolkata in West Benal and big cities like Lucknow, Agra,
Kanpur and Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Q.10. Distinguish between immigration and emigration. (Important)
Ans. Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. When people migrate into
a nation from other nations it is known as immigration or in-migration. When people migrate
from one nation to other nations it is known as emigration or out-migration.
Immigration increases the total population of a nation by adding to the existing population.
Emigration decreases the total population of a nation because people move out from the nation.
People immigrate to nations having better work opportunities and better living conditions
People emigrate from nations in search of better opportunities for survival and livelihood.
Q.11. Why is the health of people a matter of major concern for India? Explain any three
reasons.
Ans. Despite considerable achievements, the health situation is a matter of major concern for India :
(i) The per capita calorie consumption is much below the recommended levels.
(ii) Malnntrition affticts a large percentage of our population. (iii) Safe drinking water and
(CBSE 2010)
basic sanitation amenities are available to only one-third of the rural population.
Q.12. Give any three reasons for the steep rise in the population of India since 1921.
(CBSE 2010)
Ans. After 1921, India's population has been constantly increasing.
Social causes : (i) Early maniage of men and women (ii) lack of literacy, particularly among
females (iii) social and religious superstition and rigidity Economic causes : (i) High brith rate
and low death rate (ii) Lack of proper medical facilities and high rate of infant mortality (iii)
Lack of proper family planning techniques.
12
Q.13. What is migration? What is the impact of internal migration on the population within
the nation? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. It can be internal (within
the country) or international (between the countries). Internal migration does not change the
size of the population, but influences the distribution of population within the nation. In India,
most internal migrations have been from rural to urban areas.
Q.14. When was National Population Policy implemented? Give its significant features.
OR
What is (NPP) National Population Policy? Why was NPP initiated by the government?
OR
Mention any three significant features of the National Population Policy, 2000.
OR
Mention any three objectives of National Population Policy (NPP) 2000.
Ans. National Population Policy (NPP) was implemented in the year 2000.
The NPP 2000 provides a policy framework for imparting (i) free and compulsory school
education up to 14 years of age (ii) reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live
births (iii) achieving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine preventable
diseases, promoting delayed marriage for girls and making family welfare. In addition, the
policy make a serious attention on adolescents population welfare.
Q.15. There are three main processes of change of population. Explain how these processes
change the size of population. [2011 (T-2)]
Ans. There are three main processes of change of population : Birth rates, Death rates and Migration.
Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. It is a major component
of population growth.
Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
Migration is the movement of population across regions and territories. It may be internal
(within the country) or International (between the countries)
If birth rate is high and death rate is low population will increase. Similarly, if birth rate is low
[2011 (T-2)]
and death rate is high there is slow growth of population. If death rate and birth rate is equal
there is a stagnant growth of population.
Migration plays a very significant role in changing the composition and distribution of
population. Internal migration does not change the size of the population. It only influences the
distribution of population within a nation.
Q.16. Categorize the population of a nation into three broad categories on the basis of age
composition and explain it. [2011 (T-2)]
Ans. The population of a nation is grouped under three categories.
(i)
Children (generally below 15 years). These groups are economically unproductive. They
require food, clothing, education and medical care.
(ii)
Working Group (15 to 59 years age). They are economically productive and biologically
reproductive. These group bears the burden of children and aged group.
(iii)
Aged (Above 59 years). This group is by and large unproductive and depends upon the
working group.
13
Q.17. What is meant by Occupational Structure? Explain the Occupational structure of India.
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. The distribution of the population according to different types of occupation is referred to as
the occupational structure. Occupations are generally classified as primary (agriculture,
forestry, fishing, animal husbandry, mining and quarrying), secondary activities which include
manufacturing industry, building and construction work etc. and tertiary activities include
transport communication, trade and commerce, and services.
In India, about 64 percent of the population is engaged only in agriculture. The proportion of
population dependent on secondary and tertiary sectors is about 13 and 20 per cent
respectively. There has been an occupational shift in India in favour of growing
industrialisation and urbanisation.
Q.18. What is dependency ratio? Why is dependency ratio higher in India? [2011 (T-2)]
Ans. The ratio of people of dependent age (below 15 years and 60 years) to people of economically
active ages (15–59 years) is called dependency ratio.
The dependency ratio is higher in India because a larger number of children (34.4 per cent)
and aged population (6.9 per cent) are found dependent upon the working population (58.7%).
The economically unproductive population needs food, clothing, education and medicare
which has to be provided by the working population.
Q.19. Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981? Give any three
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. Since 1981, birth rates in India have started declining gradually resulting in a gradual decline
in the rate of population growth. The three reasons are as fallows.
(i) A downward trend of crude birth rate
(ii) An increase in the mean age at marriage.
(iii) Improvement in the quality of life, particularly education of females in the country.
D. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (4 MARKS)
reasons.
Q.1. What are the main causes of rapid population growth in India? Explain any three.
Ans. India’s total population has increased from 236 million in 1901 to 361 million in 1951 to 1,028
million (approximately 1.03 billion) as on March 2001. India accounts for 16.7 per cent of the
world’s population. India is the second most populous country in the world after China.
(i) Birth rates have always been high in India, which has always been the main factor behind
(CBSE 2010)
rising population. (ii) But due to the advent of better medical facilities and public health
measures as well as with control of epidemics and infectious diseases with advancement of
medical science, there has been a rapid decline in the death rate in India. The fall in the death
rate has gone still further since independance because of extension of hospitals and medical
facilities, decrease in infant mortality and rise in nutrition level due to better opportunities for
livelihood. As natural increase in population is the difference between birth rates and death
rates, high birth rates and declining death rates resulted in higher rates of population growth.
(iii) The monsoon climate of India, its rich, fertile river plains supporting high agricultural
productivity, its mineral wealth have all supported huge population in India.
14
Q.2. Describe three methods to show how the population of a nation can be planned.
Ans. The population of a nation can be planned the through the successful controlling of birth rates
along with declining death rates.
With the progress of medical science and with spread of public health measures, death rates
have fallen. But these advantages should also be utilised to reduce the birth rates because
rapidly rising population is a strain on limited resources and leads to social and economic
problems.
The main role in planning the nation’s population has been taken up through the family
planning programmes and adoption of a National Population Policy. Certain methods can be
adopted in this regard :
(a) Motivation programmes to spread the knowledge of family planning through mass media
like newspapers, ratio, television, films can help to make people conscious about need of
limiting family size.
(b) Making contraception services accessible and affordable to all sections of rural and urban
(c) Encouraging delayed marrige and child bearing and strengthening legal measures to
prevent child marriage.
Q.3. What is the importance of family planning? Discuss how it can help the country.
Ans. Family planning is a comprehensive and successful method of population planning.
Recognising that the planning of families would improve individual health and welfare, the
Government of India initiated a comprehensive family planning programme in 1952.
The basic aim of family planning was to reduce birth rate through acceptance of a small family
size as an ideal family by the people and providing supplies and services for birth control. It
is an important population programme for a highly populated country like India.
Family planning can help to successfully control the growth rate of population in a country.
So, it can help to reduce pressure on our limited natural resources.
The family welfare programme has sought to promote responsible and planned parenthood on
a voluntary basis. When the family size is small, people can arrange for the education of their
population.
children and for proper health care of family members. Nutrition level and standard of living
improves. Health standards and literacy rates of the population improves.
The government does not have to take undue burden for arranging health and welfare
programmes.
Problems like poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, shortage of food supply, drinking water,
sanitation and housing can be tackled with reduction of population size through family
planning.
Q.4. Define the terms, age structure, death rate and birth rate. (V. Important)
Ans. The age structure or age composition of a population refers to the grouping of the population
according to the number of people in different age groups in a country. The population within
the age group of 0–14 years is called the child population, those within age group 15–59 years
is the working population and those above 60 years in age are the aged. A age structure
diagram, also called the age sex pyramid or population pyramid, is a graphical illustration that
15
shows the distribution of various age groups in a population with the help of back to back bar
graphs representing the age groups.
Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year.
Birth rate and death rate are two main components of population growth and the difference
between them gives the natural increase of population in a country.
Q.5. What are the main features of the National Population Policy 2000 ? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. The National Population Policy 2000 is a culmination of years of planned efforts to improve
the quality of population in India. It is a comprehensive programme including education, health
and social improvement of the population.
The National Population Policy provides a policy framework for (i) reducing infant mortality
rate to below 30 per 1000 live births, (ii) achieving universal immunisation of children against
all vaccine preventable diseases, (iii) imparting free and compulsory school education for
children upto 14 years of age, (iv) promoting delayed marriage and delayed child bearing for
girls, and (v) making family welfare a people-centred programme by encouraging public
The National Population Policy 2000 also gives emphasis on nutritional requirements and
sexual protection of adolescents to maintain their future health.
Q.6. Write a note on the adolescent population of India. (Important)
OR
Give one health problem which is common among adolescent girls. Explain the needs of
adolescents which the National Population Policy 2000 focuses on. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. The segment of population within the age group of 10 to 19 years is generally termed as
adolescents. They are the would-be adults and are the most important resource of the country
for the future. In India one fifth of the total population is the adolescent population. The huge
size of adolescent population is a most significant feature of the Indian population because they
involvement.
are the potential workforce.
Nutrition requirements of adolescents are higher than a normal child or adult. But in India, the
diet available to adolescents is inadequate and deficient in all nutrients.
The condition of adolescent girls is worse. A large percentage of them suffer from anaemia.
They face the problems of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. They have
to be sensitised to the problems they confront. Their awareness can be improved through a
spread of education.
The National Population Policy 2000 realised the importance of greater attention to the
adolescents. Besides nutritional requirements, the policy has put emphasis on sexual protection
of the adolescents. The programmes included.
(i) encouraging delayed marriage and child bearing,
(ii) strengthening legal measures to prevent child marriage,
(iii) education of adolescents about the risk of unprotected sex,
(iv) providing food supplements and nutritional services.
16
Q.7. Why is the study of age composition of population important? Write a brief note.
Ans. The age composition of a population refers to the number of people in different age groups
in a country. It is one of the basic characteristics of a population. To a great extent, a person’s
age determines his role as a consumer and producer in the economy. As such, the study of age
composition of the population is important because the number and percentage of the children,
working age and aged people found in the total population are notable determinants of the
population’s social and economic structure. The framing of programmes for population policies
is influenced by it.
A large section of population in the working age group means greater development and
prosperity. They are the economically productive and biologically reproductive section of the
population. They shoulder the responsibility for the country’s progress.
The percentage of children and the aged affect the dependancy ratio because they are not
producers. Their food, clothing, medical care and education (in case of children) have to be
provided by the working population. The government also has to spend more on welfare
programmes and health care if the percentage of child and aged population is high.
The proportion of population in the different age groups affects the level of development of
Q.8. Discuss the factors responsible for distribution of population in India. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. The distribution of population in India is not uniform. While Uttar Pradesh has a population
size of 166 million, the Himalayan state of Sikkim has a population of just 0.5 million. Almost
half of India’s population lives in just five states – Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West
Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
The main factors responsible for uneven distribution of population in India are as follows.
Climate : Areas with favourable climate and high rainfall like the coastal plain and the
Northern Plains have a high population density. Heavy monsoon rains brings agricultural
prosperity in these areas and support a big density of population. On the other hand, regions
with harsh climate like the Himalayan region and the Indian desert have sparse population.
Thus, Rajasthan, the largest state in terms of size, has only 5.5 per cent of the total population
a country.
of India.
Relief : The varied relief features of the vast country has influenced the distribution of
population. As such the Northern Plains with flat, fertile terrain and the coastal plains have
higher population densities. The peninsular states with hilly, dissected and rocky terrain have
moderate densities. While the mountainous region in the north and northeast have sparse
population on account of the rugged terrain.
Soil : The fertile alluvial soil of the plains are favourable for agriculture and support large
populations. Areas with shallow and less fertile soil have lesser populations.
Mineral wealth : The mining areas of the peninsular plateau attract population.
Industrial centres, ports, commercial centres, metro cities have high population densities
because of better opportunities of livelihood and greater facilities.
Q.9. Discuss the advantage of having a healthy population. (Important)
Ans. Health is an important component of population composition. The quality of the population
depends upon their good health. It affects the process of development.
17
A healthy population is physically strong and mentally active. They are economically more
productive and contribute towards the economic prosperity of a country.
Healthy people can work hard and earn enough to support their family members. This reduces
poverty and raises standard of living of the population.
A healthy population is socially more active. they have more thinking and reasoning power, so
they can remove social evils and lead to social progress.
The goverment can concentrate on development projects rather than diverting large share of
its resources on health care programmes for the sick and diseased people.
Thus, healthy population is contributive towards economic, social, cultural and political
development of a country.
Q.10. Discuss the advantage of having a higher percentage of young people in a country.
(Important)
Ans. Young people are the most prized resource for a country. They have the highest work efficiency
and comprise a great part of the country’s workforce. They are economically most productive
and contribute greatly to the economic development and prosperity of the country. In an
agricultural country like India where a large number of agricultural labourers are required, a
large young population helps in increasing the productivity of agriculture. They also help in
industrial development as they are more active and painstaking. The younger people are more
innovative and contribute to the development of new technologies for the advancement of the
country. A higher percentage of young people also means social and cultural advancement in
the country. The youths are more advanced and have free thinking. They are the ones to
campaign against social evils and bring forward social reforms to do away with vices like child
marriage, dowry, discrimination against girl child and illiteracy. The young people are
biologically most productive. They bring the future human resources to the world. A higher
percentage of young people in the country also means healthy population and less expenditure
on health programmes.
E. MAP WORK (4 MARKS)
Q.1. In the outline map of India, mark and label the following:
a. States having a population density of less then 100 per square kilometres
b. States having a population density of 101-200 per square kilometres
c. States having a population density of 201-300 per square kilometres
d. States having a population density of 301-400 per square kilometres
e. States having a population density of above 400 per square kilometres
18
Q.2. In the following outline map of India, mark the following:
(a) One state in North India having the highest population in the country
(b) A southern state of high population density
(c) A city where the population is more than 1000 per square km
19
II. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT II. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
I. PROJECT WORK
Q.1. Conduct a population survey in a village nearest to your school. Take help from your
teacher.
Field Work :
(a) Collect data of the total population of the village.
Class Work :
and above)
Q1. Word Jumble
(b) Collect the age data of the population
(c) Collect the data about the total number of members in each type of occupation — primary,
secondary, tertiary, and their literacy rates.
(d) Collect the data of males and females in each family.
(a) Search for a map that has your district enlarged. Mark the village in your district map.
(b) Construct a horizontal bar graph on a chart paper to show the age group and population
of the village. (Find out the age group of the population of the village. Age group: 0-10
years, 11-20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, 41 to 50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, 71
(c) Draw a pie chart to represent the percentage of population in each type of occupation.
(d) Draw a bar graph to show the difference of males and females in the village. Within the
bars shade the portion representing number of male population who are literate and
number of females who are literate. [Find out the number of males, number of females.]
II. QUIZZES
Rearrange the letters in the following words to form the correct word for which a hint is
provided in brackets.
NESUCS(Official count of population of India)
b.
NITMGROAI(Movement of people across regions and territories)
HTEDA ARET(Number of deaths per thousands)
d.
AREKAL(South Indian state with high population)
ZORMRIA(North-East Indian state with low population)
CENSUS
b.
MIGRATION
a.
c.
e.
Ans.
a.
c.
DEATH RATE
d.
KERALA
e.
MIZORAM
Q.2. Missing letters
Ans. 1. BIRTH RATE (Number of births per thousand)
2.
RURAL -URBAN MIGRATION (Migration from villages to town)
3.
SEX RATIO (Number of females per thousand males in population)
4.
ADOLESCENT (Age group 10 to 19)
5.
LIFE EXPECTANCY (Average number of years one is expected to live)
20
Q.3. Grouping
Classify the following occupations according to occupational structure.
Construction, forestry, manufacturing, administration, transport, agriculture, mining, industry,
animal husbandry, fishing, commerce, banking, institutions, cottage industry.
Occupational Structure
Ans. Primary occupation Secondary Occupation Tertiary Occupation
Forestry, agriculture Construction, manufacturing, Administration, transport,
mining, animal
husbandry, fishing.
Q.1. Labelling
Uttar Pradesh :
Maharashtra :
Rajasthan :
Arunachal Pradesh :
Rest of India :
Ans.
industry, cottage industry. commerce, banking, institutions.
III. ASSIGNMENTS
The following Pie Diagram shows the population density of some Indian states. Label the
diagram in accordance with the percentage of population.
16.16%
9.42 %
5.5%
2%
66.92%
Q.2. The following bar diagram shows the literacy rate of different states in India. Label the
bar diagram with the states.
Kerala 99.5%
Mizoram 99%
Uttar Pradesh 48%
Rajasthan 33%
Punjab 68%
Ans. A : Kerala
B : Mizoram C : Punjab
D : Rajasthan E : Uttar Pradesh
21
Q.3. The following bar diagram shows the population growth of India from 1901 to 2001.
Answer the questions below the diagram.
(a) What is the growth per decade of population from 1901 to 1951?
Ans. Population in 1901 – 23.4 million.
Population in 1951 – 361.1 million
Growth of population 361.1 million –238.4 million = 122.7 million
. Growth of 122.7 million in 50 years.
. Growth per decade =
122.7
10 = 24.54 million perdecade.
(b) Which decade shows the highest growth in population?
Ans. Difference in population from 1991 to 2001
= 1028.7 million – 846.4 million = 182.32 million.
which is highest among all decades.
(c) In which decade there was the least population growth?
50
Ans. 1921 showed a fall in population by 0.8 million.
So, the least population growth was in between 1911 and 1921 when the population actually
decreased by 0.8 million.
Least positive population growth was between 1901 to 1911, and increase of
13.3 million.
(d) What is the growth percentage of population in the year 2001 from 1951?
Ans. Growth of population between 1951 and 2007 = 1028.7 million – 361.1 million
22
= 667.8 million absolute growth in 50 years.
667.8
. Growth per centage is = 100 = 180.5% increase in 50 years.
361.1
(e) In which three decades there was very little population growth?
Ans. There were very little population growth in between 1901–1931
1901 – 1911 = +13.7 million
1911 – 1921 = –0.8 million
1921 – 1931 = +27.68 million
BROTHERS PRAKASHANQ.4. The diagram below shows the number of population by age and sex. Answer the
questions below the diagram.
(a) Which age group is composed of the highest number of people?
Ans. 0–4 years
(b) Which age group has the least number of people?
Ans. 85–89 years
(c) What could be the cause of low female population in the age group of 0-9 years?
Ans. Discrimination against girl child leading to high infant mortality in case of girls. Insufficient
nutrition and less care of the girl child after birth leads to their early death.
(d) Population within which age group is called the working population?
Ans. 15 to 59 years
(e) Population within which age groups are termed as dependant population? Are their
number more than the working population?
Ans. Population in the age group 0 to 15 years are called children.
Population in the age group 60+ are termed as aged.
These two sections of the population are termed as dependent population.
Population within the age group 15 to 59 years are termed as working population. They are
the group that bear the burden of taking care of the dependent population.
In the diagram given the number of dependent population is lower than the working population.
23
MAP WORK (4 MARKS)
Q.1. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the given outline political map of India.
Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct
names in your answer book : (CBSE 2010)
(i) a type of forest (ii) a bird sanctuary
(iii) a lake (iv) an area receiving less than 25 cm rainfall
BROTHERS PRAKASHAN(ii) Bharatpur (iii) Pulicat (iv) Region around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir
OR
Locate and lable the following on the given outline political map of India.
(i) State havingh highest literacy rate (ii) Sambhar lake
(iii) Manas (iv) An area receiving less than 25 cm rainfall in western part of India.
Ans. (i) Rainforest
Ans.
24
Q.2. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the given outline political map of India.
Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct
names in your answer book : (CBSE 2010)
(i) A type of forest (ii) Wildlife sanctuary
(iii) River (iv) State with least density of population.
BROTHERS PRAKASHAN(ii) Dachigam (iii) Narmada (iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and label the following on the given outline political map of India :
(i) Corbet National Park (ii) Chilika lake
(iii) Kerala (iv) Area of thorny vegetation
Ans. (i) Mangrove forest
Ans.
25
Q.3. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the given outline map of India. Locate these
features with the help of following information and write their correct names in your
answerbook : (CBSE 2010)
(i) a lake of Andhra Pradesh (ii) a weather station of Kerala
(iii) a bird sanctuary of Rajasthan (iv) the state having the lowest density.
BROTHERS PRAKASHANAns. (i) Pulicat lake (ii) Thiruvananthapuram (iii) Bharatpur (iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and lable the following on the given outline map of India.
(ii) Kolkata (iii) Kaziranga (iv) State having the highest sex ratio
(i) Narmada
Ans.
26
Q.4. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in the answer book. (CBSE 2010)
(i) Mountain range (ii) A type of forest
(iii) Wildlife sanctuary (iv) State with the lowest density of population.
BROTHERS PRAKASHANAns. (i) Karakoram (ii) Evergreen forest (iii) Manas (iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India.
(ii) Lake Sambhar
(iii) West Coast in Maharashtra (iv) Dachigam
(i) R. Narmada
27
Q.5. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in your answer book : (CBSE 2010)
(i) Mountain range (ii) A city (iii) A bird sanctuary (iv) A lake
Ans. (i) Western Ghats (ii) Nagpur (iii) Ranganathitto (iv) Vembanad lake
BROTHERS PRAKASHANOR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India.
(i) Chilika lake (ii) Aravali range (iii) Mumbai (iv) The least populous state of India.
Ans.
Q.6. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in answer book. (CBSE 2010)
28
(i) A mountain range (ii) A type pf forest
(iii) Wildlife sanctuary (iv) State with the lowest density of population
(ii) Evergeen forest or rainforest
(iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India :
(ii) Lake Chilika (iii) Konkan coast (iv)
Ans. See previous maps for the rest of the locations.
Ans. (i) Aravali range
(iii) Manas
(i) River Narmada
Dachigam
Q.7. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in your answer book. (CBSE 2010)
29
(i) A famous river of Tamil Nadu (ii) Wildlife sanctuary
(iii) State with the lowest density of population (iv) Bird sanctuary
Ans. (i) River Kaveri
Bharatpur
(iii) Chilika Lake
(ii) Dachigam (iii) Arunachal Pradesh (iv)
OR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India.
(i) An area which receives less than 20 cm rainfall
(ii) An area of tropical evergreen forests
(iv) Kanha National Park
Q.8. Four features form (i) to (iv) are shown in given political map of India. Identify these
features with the help of the following information and write their correct names.
(CBSE 2010)
30
(i) A type of forest (ii) A national park
(iii) A river (iv) A state with low density of population.
(ii) Kanheri National park
(iv) Sikkim
OR
Locate and label the following map
(i) A type of forest found in Arunachal Pradesh (ii) Dudwa
(iv) A bird sanctuary in Rajasthan
Ans. (i) Montane forest
(iii) Mahanadi river
(iii) Chilika lake
Ans.
31
I. SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A. NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS
Questions Within The Lesson
Q.1. Find out what could be the reasons of uneven distribution of population in India.
Ans. Rugged terrain and unfavourable climatic conditions are primarily responsible for sparse
population in some areas. Hilly, dissected and rocky nature of the terrain, moderate to low
rainfall, shallow and less fertile soils influence population in hilly areas. Flat plains with fertile
soils and abundant rainfall have led a large number of people to settle in the densely populated
Northern Plains.
Q.2. Table 6.1 reveals that despite the decline growth rates, the numbers of people being added
on a voluntary basis.
(Page 54)
every decade is steadily increasing. Why?
Ans. Increased facilities provided to live a comfortable life and better medical facilities that have
brought down the death rate is the cause for increase in people being added every decade
despite the decline in growth rate.
Q.3. Find out what could be the reasons for such (sex ratio) variations.
Ans. The reasons for sex ratio variations in the states of India is the social makeup of India. The
(Page 56)
(Page 58)
people here have remained in favour of male child leading to female foeticide and dowry
problems which makes people think of female children as a burden. In states like Kerala there
are well educated people who also follow matriarchal society rules and sex ratio in Kerala is
1058 females per 1000 males. In Haryana female child is looked down upon and most female
foeticide cases occur here. Thus it has sex ratio of 861 females per 1000 males.
Questions in the Exercise
Q.1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below :
(i) Migrations change the number, distribution and composition of the population in:
2
(a) the area of departure (b) both the area of departure and arrival
(c) the area of arrival (d) none of the above
Ans. Both the area of departure and arrival
(ii) A large proportion of children in a population is a result of
(a) high birth rates (b) high life expectancies
(c) high death rates (d) more married couples
Ans. High birth rates
(iii) The magnitude of population growth refers to :
(a) the total population of an area
(b) the number of persons added each year
(c) the rate at which the population increases
(d) the number of females per thousand males
Ans. The total population of an area
(iv) According to the Census 2001, a literate person is one who
(a) can read and write his/her name
(b) can read and write any language
(c) is 7 year old and can read and write any language with understanding
(d) knows 3 Rs (reading, writing, arithmetic)
Ans. Is seven year old and can read and write any language with understanding.
Q.2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981?
Ans. The rate of population growth has been declining as a result of greater use of birth control
(ii) Discuss the major components of population growth.
Ans. The major components of population growth are Birth Rate, Death Rate and Migration.
The difference between birth rate and death rate accounts for natural increase in population.
Adoption of family planning measures leads to decline in birth rate. Better availability of
medical facilities leads to decrease in death rate.
measures.
Internal migration only changes the pattern of population over different parts of the country.
International migration affects both the magnitude and the quality of population.
(iii) Define age structure, death rate and birth rate.
Ans. Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. Death rate is the number
of deaths per thousand persons in a year. Age structure refers to the number of people in
different
(CBSE 2010)
age groups.
The commonly adopted age groups are Children
(0-14 years), Adults (15-59 years) and Aged (60 years and above)
(iv) How is migration a determinant of population change?
Ans. Internal migration determines population change across regions and territories within the
country. In India there has been a significant migration from the rural areas to the cities. Apart
from magnitude, migration also brings about change in terms of sex ratio and age composition.
The migration from rural areas comprises only men. As such, the sex ratio in village registers
a decline and so does the age composition. The number of able-bodied men in villages is
reduced as a result of the rural-urban migration.
3
Q.3. Distinguish between population growth and population change.
Ans. Population growth is different from population change. Population growth is determined by the
birth and death rates. Population change, on the other hand, is determined by the birth and
death rates and also by migration.
Q.4. What is the relation between occupational structure and development?
Ans. Development is related to occupational structure of the population. Countries are less
developed where a higher percentage of population is engaged in primary occupations like
agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry and fishing.
As development takes place more people move into secondary occupations like manufacturing.
In highly developed societies, there are a high percentage of people involved in tertiary
occupations like banking, commerce, transport and administration.
Q.5. What are the advantages of having a healthy population?
Ans. A healthy population ensures higher productive efficiency. Absenteeism is low where the
Q.6. What are the significant features of the National Population Policy 2000?
OR
Write any three goals of National Polutation Policy 2000. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. (i) The National Population Policy 2000 aims at reducing infant mortal rate to below 30 per
thousand live births. (ii) The policy framework provides for imparting free and compulsory
school education up to 14 years of age. (iii) Some other areas of attention are promoting
delayed marriages for girls and achieving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine
preventable diseases. Family planning programme is to be promoted on a voluntary basis.
OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS (AS PER CCE PATTERN)
B. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 MARK)
Q.1. Who among the following are resource creating factors as well as resources themsleves?
(b) Plants (c) Human beings (d) Nature
workers are healthy.
Ans. (c)
(a) Animals
Q.2. In which of the following instances does a natural event like a flood or Tsunami become
a ‘disaster’?
(a) Only when they affect a crowded village or town
(b) When the natural events are of great intensity
(c) When they happen in the environment (d) When they affect large uninhabited areas
Ans. (a)
Q.3. The numbers, distribution, growth and characteristics of which of the following provide
the basic background for understanding and appreciating all aspects of the environment?
(a) Natural resource (b) Population (c) Flora (d) Fauna
Ans. (b)
Q.4. Why is it important to know how many people are there in a country, where do they live,
how and why their numbers are increasing and what are their characteristics?
(a) Population is the pivotal element in social studies
4
(b) To exploit the natural resources of the country
(c) Human beings are producers and consumers of resources
(d) None of the above
Ans. (c)
Q.5. From which of the following do we get information regarding the population of our
country?
(a) Textbooks (b) Survey of India (c) Census (d) Geological Survey of India
Ans. (c)
Q.6. Which of the following is a major concern of study about the population of a country?
(a) Population size and distribution
(b) Population growth and processes of population change
(c) Characteristics or qualities of the population (d) All the above
Q.7. India accounts for what percentage of the world population?
(b) 2.4 per cent (c) 3.28 per cent (d) 16.7 per cent
Q.8. Which is the most populous state of India?
(b) Uttar Pradesh (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Rajasthan
Q.9. Which state has the lowest population ? (CBSE 2010)
(b) Himachal Pradesh (c) Goa (d) Sikkim
Q.10. Which of the following union territories of India has a very low population?
(a) Andaman and Nicobar (b) Lakshadweep (c) Chandigarh (d) Pondicherry
Q.11. Almost half of India’s population lives in just five states. Which one of the following is
not one of these five populous states?
(b) Bihar (c) West Bengal (d) Arunachal Pradesh
Ans. (d)
(a) 1.02 per cent
Ans. (d)
(a) Maharashtra
Ans. (b)
(a) Uttar Pradesh
Ans. (d)
Ans. (b)
(a) Maharashtra
Q.12. What percentage of India’s population resides in the most populated state of India, Uttar
Pradesh?
(a) 31.2 per cent (b) 16.16 per cent
Ans. (d)
(c) 9.42 per cent (d) 7.41 per cent
Ans. (b)
Q.13. What percentage of India’s population lives in Rajasthan, the biggest state in terms of
area?
(a) 16.16 per cent (b) 8.02 per cent (c) 7.79 per cent (d) 5.5 per cent
Ans. (d)
Q.14. The average number of persons per unit area, such as a square kilometre, is termed as
which of the following?
(a) Population distribution (b) Population density
(c) Absolute population (d) Population growth
Ans. (b)
5
Q.15. Which one of the following countries has higher population density than India?
(a) China (b) Bangladesh (c) Canada (d) Korea
Ans. (b)
Q.16. Which of the following figures shows the population density of India?
(a) 1028 million persons (b) 3.28 million square km
(c) 324 persons per sq km (d) 13 persons per sq km
Ans. (c)
Q.17. Which one of the following states has very high population density?
(b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Rajasthan (d) Arunachal Pradesh
Q.18. Which of the following states of India has very low population density?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh (b) Sikkim (c) Orissa (d) Bihar
Q.19. Which of the following states of India has a moderate population density?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir (b) Rajasthan
(d) Tamil Nadu
Q.20. Which of the following southern states has a high population density?
(b) Andhra Pradesh (c) Kerala (d) Tamil Nadu
Q.21. Which of the following reasons is responsible for uneven population distribution in
(a) Variations in topography or relief in different parts of India
(b) Variations in climate and rainfall distribution
(c) Variations in the rate of industrialisation and urbanisation
(a) West Bengal
Ans. (a)
Ans. (a)
(c) Chhattisgarh
Ans. (d)
(a) Karnataka
Ans. (c)
India?
(d) All the above
Q.22. Which of the following states has a population density below 100 persons per square
kilometre?
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
Q.23. Which of the following states has a population density below 250 persons per square km?
(a) Punjab (b) Haryana
Ans. (d)
(b) Uttarakhand (c) Himachal Pradesh (d) Nagaland
Ans. (a)
(c) Chhattisgarh (d) Jharkhand
Ans. (c)
Q.24. Which one of the following is not one of the factors that resulted in high density of
population in the Northern Plains?
(a) Flat plains with fertile soil (b) Rich mineral deposits
(c) Abundant rainfall (d) Suitable conditions for agriculture
Ans. (b)
Q.25. Which of the following statements about population is correct?
(a) Population is a dynamic phenomenon
(b) The number, distribution and composition of population are static
6
(c) Population of a country always increases with time
(d) Migrations do not affect the population of a country
Ans. (a)
Q.26. The change in the number of inhabitants of a country during a specific period of time
is referred to by which of the following terms?
(a) Density of population (b) Age composition
(c) Population growth (d) Absolute population
Ans. (c)
Q.27. The magnitude of population growth refers to which of the following?
(a) The number of persons added each year or decade
(b) The rate or the pace of population increase
(c) The total population of an area (d) The number of females per thousand males
Q.28. The rate or pace of population increase per year is referred to as which of the following?
(a) Absolute increase (b) Magnitude of increase
(c) Annual growth rate (d) Population change
Q.29. Which of the following statements about population growth between 1951 to 1981 is true?
(a) The annual rate of population growth was gradually decreasing
(b) The annual rate of population growth was steadily increasing
(c) The annual rate of population growth was static
(d) Census reports were not available for all decades
Q.30. Which of the following changes in growth of population has been noted since 1981?
(a) The annual rate of population growth continued to increase steadily
(b) The annual rate of population growth shot up suddenly
(c) The growth of population could not be computed due to absence of census
(d) The rate of growth of population started declining gradully
Ans. (a)
Ans. (c)
Ans. (b)
Q.31. Which among the following is included in the policy framework of NPP 2000 ?(CBSE 2010)
(a) imparting free and compulsory school education above 14 years age
(b) reducing infant mortality rate
(c) acheiving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine preventable diseases
(d) all of these
Ans. (d)
Ans. (d)
Q.32. Which movement of the people across regions and teritories does not change the size of
the population ? (CBSE 2010)
(a) Internal (b) External (c) Death rate (d) Birth rate
Ans. (a)
Q.33. What is the rank of India among the population of different countries of the world?
(CBSE 2010)
(a) First (b) Second (c) Third (d) Fourth
Ans. (b)
7
Q.34. The main cause for the high growth of our population is (CBSE 2010)
(a) Rise in death rate (b) Decrease in birth rate
(c) Decline of death rate (d) None of these
Ans. (c)
Q.35. What is the average sex ratio of India as per 2001 census ? (CBSE 2010)
(a) 900 (b) 933 (c) 923 (d) None of these
Ans. (b)
Q.36. What is sex ratio? [2011 (T-2)]
(a) Number of females per thousand males
(b) Number of females per hundred males
(c) The study of population growth
(d) Difference between birth rate and death rate
Q.37. Which one of the following is the most significant feature of the Indian population?
(a) Declining birth rate (b) Improvement in the literacy level
(c) The size of its adolescent population (d) Improvement in health conditions
Q.38. What was the population density of India according to 2001?
(b) 224 person/km2
(d) 24 person/km2
Q.39. A large proportion of children in a population is a result of :
(b) High death rate
(c) High life expectancies (d) More married couples
Q.40. The number of people in different age groups is referred as :
(b) Age composition
Ans. (a)
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (a)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) 124 person/km2
(c) 324 person/km2
Ans. (c)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) High birth rate
Ans. (a)
(a) Sex ratio
(c) adolescent population
Q.41. Which is the most populous country of the world?
(a) India (b) United States
[2011 (T-2)]
(d) occupational structure
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
(c) China (d) Russia
Ans. (c)
Q.42. As per 2001 census, which of the following states has the least density of population?
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) West Bengal (b) Bihar
(c) Arunachal Pradesh (d) Uttar Pradesh
Ans. (c)
Q.43. Name the Union Territory having the highest density of population. [2011 (T-2)]
(a) Chandigarh (b) Delhi
(c) Puducherry (Pondicherry) (d) Daman and Diu
Ans. (b)
8
Q.44. In how many years is the official enumeration of population carried out for census?
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) 1 year (b) 5 years (c) 10 years (d) 2 years
Ans. (c)
Q.45. Which of the following is an important social indicator to measure the extent of equality
between males and females in a society at a given time? [2011 (T-2)]
(a) Age Composition (b) Literacy Rate (c) Sex Ratio (d) Death Rate
Ans. (c)
Q.46. Which of the following factors are responsible for sparse population?
(a) Flat plains and abundant rainfall (b) Rugged terrain and unfavourable climate
(c) Fertile soil and abundant rain fall (d) Rugged terrain and favourable climate
Q.47. Name the state having the highest percentage of literacy level :
(b) Maharashtra (c) Punjab (d) West Bengal
Q.48. What year is considered a great demographic divide in India?
(b) 1921 (c) 1931 (d) 1751
Q.49. The magnitude of population growth refers to :
(a) The total population of an area (b) The number of persons added each year
(c) The rate at which the population increases (d) The number of females per thousand males
Q.50. Which state is the most populous state according to 2001 Census?
(b) Uttar Pradesh (c) West Bengal (d) Madhya Pradesh
Q.51. Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in :
(a) 10 years (b) 5 years (c) 2 years (d) 1 year
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) Kerala
Ans. (a)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) 1911
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
(a) Bihar
Ans. (b)
[2011 (T-2)]
Q.52. When did the National Population Policy come into effect?
(a) 2001 (b) 1947
Q.53. The country that has a higher population density than India is :
(a) China (b) USA
Ans. (d)
(c) 1952 (d) 2000
[2011 (T-2)]
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. (d)
(c) Britain (d) Bangladesh
Ans. (d)
Q.54. The total area of India accounts for how much percent of the world’s area? [2011 (T-2)]
(a) 2.4 percent (b) 16.7 percent (c) 3.28 percent (d) 1.02 percent
Ans. (a)
Q.55. Which of the following migration of population does not change the size of the
population?
(a) External migration
(c) International migration
Ans. (b)
(b) Internal migration
(d) National migration
[2011 (T-2)]
9
C. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)
Q.1. What are the relationships between occupational structure and development?
Ans. The percentage of population that is economically active is an important index of development.
The distribution of the working population according to the occupations they are engaged in,
is referred to as the occupational structure. It reflects the level of development of a country.
In case of developed nations, the occupational structure shows that a high proportion of people
are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities. Manufacturing industries and services are the
main occupations in which their workforce is engaged.
The occupational structure of developing countries show that they tend to have a higher
proportion of their workforce engaged in primary activities, especially agriculture.
Q.2. Discuss the major components of population growth.
OR
What are the factors causing changes in the size of population ? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. There are three main components of population growth – birth rate, death rate and migration.
Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. Death rate is the number
of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
The difference between birth rate and death rate is known as the natural increase of population.
Higher birth rate with low death rate results in a higher rate of population growth. When the
birth rate is low and death rate is high the result is a low rate of population growth.
Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. It can be internal (within
the country) or international (between the countries). It plays a significant role in changing the
composition and distribution of population.
Q.3. What is a census? Why is it important for a country to conduct censuses periodically?
(CBSE 2010)
Ans. A census is an official enumeration of population done periodically. The counting is conducted
usually every tenth year. The data collected regarding every aspect of population is then
compiled in a book and the whole process is called the census.
The various uses of a census are as follows :
(i) A census provides us information regarding the population of the country.
(ii) It is the most comprehensive source of demographic, social and economic data.
(iii) It provides us information regarding population size and distribution. So it helps in
planning the development of various regions.
(iv) The comparison of census reports of various decades helps in identifying the trend of
population growth. This helps in resource planning.
(v) The level of economic and social development of a country can be identified from the
occupational structure and literacy rates provided in the census.
Q.4. What are the reasons for the decrease in death rate in India after independence?
(Important)
Ans. The main cause of the rate of growth of Indian population since independence has been the
rapid decline in death rate. The main reasons behind this decrease in death rate after
independence are as follows.
(i) Better medical facilities and improvement of public health.
10
(ii) Prevention of infectious diseases with the help of vaccines.
(iii) Controlling of epidemics through health measures and better sanitation.
(iv) Decrease in infant mortality due to family planning and child care programmes.
(v) Extension of hospitals, modern medical practices in treatment of ailments.
(vi) Also, rapid industrialisation and urbanisation since independence have increased the
opportunities for livelihood and raised the nutritional level and living standard.
Q.5. What is meant by sex ratio? Give two reasons for low sex ratio in India. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the population. The sex ratio
in India was 933 in 2001. The sex ratio in India is skewed with the number of males exceeding
the number of females. It has always remained unfavourable to females. The main reasons
(i) Unequal social treatment.
(ii) Discrimination against girl child.
(iii) Low literacy rates and lack of social awareness.
(iv) Evil effects of early marriage and large number of death during child birth.
(v) Insufficient attention to and care of girls after birth, during adolescent period and during
(vi) Poverty of the people leads to preference for male child as they become bread earners.
All of the above result in more death among females and affects the sex ratio.
Q.6. Discuss the reasons for very low population in Arunachal Pradesh.
Ans. Arunachal Pradesh, the extreme north-eastern state of India, has very low population of 10.97
lakhs. The state has a population density of only 13 persons per sq. km. Most of the state is
hilly and forested. The climate is harsh with low average temperature. Rugged terrain and
unfavourable climatic conditions has resulted in sparse population in this state. As a result, the
population density of the state is also very low.
Q.7. Discuss why the knowledge about population growth is important?
Ans. The population of a country is its most important resource because they are both the producers
and consumers of resources. They are the work force of a country. But at the same time more
behind this are :
motherhood.
hands to work also mean more mouths to feed. The development of a country is determined
by its population in relation to the available resources. So it is important to know about the
population growth of a country. It helps in resource planning. It gives the government an idea
about the requirements of health and educational facilities within the country. Economic
development of a country is also influenced by population growth. In developed countries
population growth is lower, therefore they enjoy a better standard of living. While in
developing countries with high population growth, the growing population becomes a burden
for the country, affecting physical and social environment.
Q.8. How does migration affect the population of a nation? What are the causes of migration?
Ans. Migration plays a very significant role in changing the composition and distribution of
population of a nation. It is an important determinant of population change. It changes the
population size of the nations and the areas influenced by it.
Immigration (in-migration) increases the population of a nation while emigration (outmigration)
decreases the population of a nation.
11
Migration also affects population composition in terms of age and sex composition. Migration
takes place due to the following reasons :
(a) For better employment opportunities.
(b) For better living conditions, for educational and health facilities.
(c) On account of natural calamities like floods or droughts or epidemics.
(d) Due to war, partition and political unrest.
Q.9. Describe the reasons behind the high density of population in Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal.
Ans. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of India and has a population density of 689 persons
per sq. km. West Bengal has a high population density of 904 persons per sq. km. The high
density of population in these states is on account of the following reasons :
(a) Both the states are located in the Ganga Plains. The Ganga Plains are characterised by flat
terrain, fertile soil and abundant supply of water. These conditions are favourable for
agriculture and support other means of livelihood as well.
(b) The flat land provides favourable conditions for settlement, for setting up of industries and
for improving infrastructure of the region. Work opportunites and better living conditions
attract population.
(c) Suitable climate and abundant rainfall.
(d) Location of metro cities like Kolkata in West Benal and big cities like Lucknow, Agra,
Kanpur and Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Q.10. Distinguish between immigration and emigration. (Important)
Ans. Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. When people migrate into
a nation from other nations it is known as immigration or in-migration. When people migrate
from one nation to other nations it is known as emigration or out-migration.
Immigration increases the total population of a nation by adding to the existing population.
Emigration decreases the total population of a nation because people move out from the nation.
People immigrate to nations having better work opportunities and better living conditions
People emigrate from nations in search of better opportunities for survival and livelihood.
Q.11. Why is the health of people a matter of major concern for India? Explain any three
reasons.
Ans. Despite considerable achievements, the health situation is a matter of major concern for India :
(i) The per capita calorie consumption is much below the recommended levels.
(ii) Malnntrition affticts a large percentage of our population. (iii) Safe drinking water and
(CBSE 2010)
basic sanitation amenities are available to only one-third of the rural population.
Q.12. Give any three reasons for the steep rise in the population of India since 1921.
(CBSE 2010)
Ans. After 1921, India's population has been constantly increasing.
Social causes : (i) Early maniage of men and women (ii) lack of literacy, particularly among
females (iii) social and religious superstition and rigidity Economic causes : (i) High brith rate
and low death rate (ii) Lack of proper medical facilities and high rate of infant mortality (iii)
Lack of proper family planning techniques.
12
Q.13. What is migration? What is the impact of internal migration on the population within
the nation? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. It can be internal (within
the country) or international (between the countries). Internal migration does not change the
size of the population, but influences the distribution of population within the nation. In India,
most internal migrations have been from rural to urban areas.
Q.14. When was National Population Policy implemented? Give its significant features.
OR
What is (NPP) National Population Policy? Why was NPP initiated by the government?
OR
Mention any three significant features of the National Population Policy, 2000.
OR
Mention any three objectives of National Population Policy (NPP) 2000.
Ans. National Population Policy (NPP) was implemented in the year 2000.
The NPP 2000 provides a policy framework for imparting (i) free and compulsory school
education up to 14 years of age (ii) reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live
births (iii) achieving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine preventable
diseases, promoting delayed marriage for girls and making family welfare. In addition, the
policy make a serious attention on adolescents population welfare.
Q.15. There are three main processes of change of population. Explain how these processes
change the size of population. [2011 (T-2)]
Ans. There are three main processes of change of population : Birth rates, Death rates and Migration.
Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. It is a major component
of population growth.
Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
Migration is the movement of population across regions and territories. It may be internal
(within the country) or International (between the countries)
If birth rate is high and death rate is low population will increase. Similarly, if birth rate is low
[2011 (T-2)]
and death rate is high there is slow growth of population. If death rate and birth rate is equal
there is a stagnant growth of population.
Migration plays a very significant role in changing the composition and distribution of
population. Internal migration does not change the size of the population. It only influences the
distribution of population within a nation.
Q.16. Categorize the population of a nation into three broad categories on the basis of age
composition and explain it. [2011 (T-2)]
Ans. The population of a nation is grouped under three categories.
(i)
Children (generally below 15 years). These groups are economically unproductive. They
require food, clothing, education and medical care.
(ii)
Working Group (15 to 59 years age). They are economically productive and biologically
reproductive. These group bears the burden of children and aged group.
(iii)
Aged (Above 59 years). This group is by and large unproductive and depends upon the
working group.
13
Q.17. What is meant by Occupational Structure? Explain the Occupational structure of India.
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. The distribution of the population according to different types of occupation is referred to as
the occupational structure. Occupations are generally classified as primary (agriculture,
forestry, fishing, animal husbandry, mining and quarrying), secondary activities which include
manufacturing industry, building and construction work etc. and tertiary activities include
transport communication, trade and commerce, and services.
In India, about 64 percent of the population is engaged only in agriculture. The proportion of
population dependent on secondary and tertiary sectors is about 13 and 20 per cent
respectively. There has been an occupational shift in India in favour of growing
industrialisation and urbanisation.
Q.18. What is dependency ratio? Why is dependency ratio higher in India? [2011 (T-2)]
Ans. The ratio of people of dependent age (below 15 years and 60 years) to people of economically
active ages (15–59 years) is called dependency ratio.
The dependency ratio is higher in India because a larger number of children (34.4 per cent)
and aged population (6.9 per cent) are found dependent upon the working population (58.7%).
The economically unproductive population needs food, clothing, education and medicare
which has to be provided by the working population.
Q.19. Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981? Give any three
[2011 (T-2)]
Ans. Since 1981, birth rates in India have started declining gradually resulting in a gradual decline
in the rate of population growth. The three reasons are as fallows.
(i) A downward trend of crude birth rate
(ii) An increase in the mean age at marriage.
(iii) Improvement in the quality of life, particularly education of females in the country.
D. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (4 MARKS)
reasons.
Q.1. What are the main causes of rapid population growth in India? Explain any three.
Ans. India’s total population has increased from 236 million in 1901 to 361 million in 1951 to 1,028
million (approximately 1.03 billion) as on March 2001. India accounts for 16.7 per cent of the
world’s population. India is the second most populous country in the world after China.
(i) Birth rates have always been high in India, which has always been the main factor behind
(CBSE 2010)
rising population. (ii) But due to the advent of better medical facilities and public health
measures as well as with control of epidemics and infectious diseases with advancement of
medical science, there has been a rapid decline in the death rate in India. The fall in the death
rate has gone still further since independance because of extension of hospitals and medical
facilities, decrease in infant mortality and rise in nutrition level due to better opportunities for
livelihood. As natural increase in population is the difference between birth rates and death
rates, high birth rates and declining death rates resulted in higher rates of population growth.
(iii) The monsoon climate of India, its rich, fertile river plains supporting high agricultural
productivity, its mineral wealth have all supported huge population in India.
14
Q.2. Describe three methods to show how the population of a nation can be planned.
Ans. The population of a nation can be planned the through the successful controlling of birth rates
along with declining death rates.
With the progress of medical science and with spread of public health measures, death rates
have fallen. But these advantages should also be utilised to reduce the birth rates because
rapidly rising population is a strain on limited resources and leads to social and economic
problems.
The main role in planning the nation’s population has been taken up through the family
planning programmes and adoption of a National Population Policy. Certain methods can be
adopted in this regard :
(a) Motivation programmes to spread the knowledge of family planning through mass media
like newspapers, ratio, television, films can help to make people conscious about need of
limiting family size.
(b) Making contraception services accessible and affordable to all sections of rural and urban
(c) Encouraging delayed marrige and child bearing and strengthening legal measures to
prevent child marriage.
Q.3. What is the importance of family planning? Discuss how it can help the country.
Ans. Family planning is a comprehensive and successful method of population planning.
Recognising that the planning of families would improve individual health and welfare, the
Government of India initiated a comprehensive family planning programme in 1952.
The basic aim of family planning was to reduce birth rate through acceptance of a small family
size as an ideal family by the people and providing supplies and services for birth control. It
is an important population programme for a highly populated country like India.
Family planning can help to successfully control the growth rate of population in a country.
So, it can help to reduce pressure on our limited natural resources.
The family welfare programme has sought to promote responsible and planned parenthood on
a voluntary basis. When the family size is small, people can arrange for the education of their
population.
children and for proper health care of family members. Nutrition level and standard of living
improves. Health standards and literacy rates of the population improves.
The government does not have to take undue burden for arranging health and welfare
programmes.
Problems like poverty, unemployment, malnutrition, shortage of food supply, drinking water,
sanitation and housing can be tackled with reduction of population size through family
planning.
Q.4. Define the terms, age structure, death rate and birth rate. (V. Important)
Ans. The age structure or age composition of a population refers to the grouping of the population
according to the number of people in different age groups in a country. The population within
the age group of 0–14 years is called the child population, those within age group 15–59 years
is the working population and those above 60 years in age are the aged. A age structure
diagram, also called the age sex pyramid or population pyramid, is a graphical illustration that
15
shows the distribution of various age groups in a population with the help of back to back bar
graphs representing the age groups.
Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year.
Birth rate and death rate are two main components of population growth and the difference
between them gives the natural increase of population in a country.
Q.5. What are the main features of the National Population Policy 2000 ? (CBSE 2010)
Ans. The National Population Policy 2000 is a culmination of years of planned efforts to improve
the quality of population in India. It is a comprehensive programme including education, health
and social improvement of the population.
The National Population Policy provides a policy framework for (i) reducing infant mortality
rate to below 30 per 1000 live births, (ii) achieving universal immunisation of children against
all vaccine preventable diseases, (iii) imparting free and compulsory school education for
children upto 14 years of age, (iv) promoting delayed marriage and delayed child bearing for
girls, and (v) making family welfare a people-centred programme by encouraging public
The National Population Policy 2000 also gives emphasis on nutritional requirements and
sexual protection of adolescents to maintain their future health.
Q.6. Write a note on the adolescent population of India. (Important)
OR
Give one health problem which is common among adolescent girls. Explain the needs of
adolescents which the National Population Policy 2000 focuses on. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. The segment of population within the age group of 10 to 19 years is generally termed as
adolescents. They are the would-be adults and are the most important resource of the country
for the future. In India one fifth of the total population is the adolescent population. The huge
size of adolescent population is a most significant feature of the Indian population because they
involvement.
are the potential workforce.
Nutrition requirements of adolescents are higher than a normal child or adult. But in India, the
diet available to adolescents is inadequate and deficient in all nutrients.
The condition of adolescent girls is worse. A large percentage of them suffer from anaemia.
They face the problems of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. They have
to be sensitised to the problems they confront. Their awareness can be improved through a
spread of education.
The National Population Policy 2000 realised the importance of greater attention to the
adolescents. Besides nutritional requirements, the policy has put emphasis on sexual protection
of the adolescents. The programmes included.
(i) encouraging delayed marriage and child bearing,
(ii) strengthening legal measures to prevent child marriage,
(iii) education of adolescents about the risk of unprotected sex,
(iv) providing food supplements and nutritional services.
16
Q.7. Why is the study of age composition of population important? Write a brief note.
Ans. The age composition of a population refers to the number of people in different age groups
in a country. It is one of the basic characteristics of a population. To a great extent, a person’s
age determines his role as a consumer and producer in the economy. As such, the study of age
composition of the population is important because the number and percentage of the children,
working age and aged people found in the total population are notable determinants of the
population’s social and economic structure. The framing of programmes for population policies
is influenced by it.
A large section of population in the working age group means greater development and
prosperity. They are the economically productive and biologically reproductive section of the
population. They shoulder the responsibility for the country’s progress.
The percentage of children and the aged affect the dependancy ratio because they are not
producers. Their food, clothing, medical care and education (in case of children) have to be
provided by the working population. The government also has to spend more on welfare
programmes and health care if the percentage of child and aged population is high.
The proportion of population in the different age groups affects the level of development of
Q.8. Discuss the factors responsible for distribution of population in India. (CBSE 2010)
Ans. The distribution of population in India is not uniform. While Uttar Pradesh has a population
size of 166 million, the Himalayan state of Sikkim has a population of just 0.5 million. Almost
half of India’s population lives in just five states – Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West
Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
The main factors responsible for uneven distribution of population in India are as follows.
Climate : Areas with favourable climate and high rainfall like the coastal plain and the
Northern Plains have a high population density. Heavy monsoon rains brings agricultural
prosperity in these areas and support a big density of population. On the other hand, regions
with harsh climate like the Himalayan region and the Indian desert have sparse population.
Thus, Rajasthan, the largest state in terms of size, has only 5.5 per cent of the total population
a country.
of India.
Relief : The varied relief features of the vast country has influenced the distribution of
population. As such the Northern Plains with flat, fertile terrain and the coastal plains have
higher population densities. The peninsular states with hilly, dissected and rocky terrain have
moderate densities. While the mountainous region in the north and northeast have sparse
population on account of the rugged terrain.
Soil : The fertile alluvial soil of the plains are favourable for agriculture and support large
populations. Areas with shallow and less fertile soil have lesser populations.
Mineral wealth : The mining areas of the peninsular plateau attract population.
Industrial centres, ports, commercial centres, metro cities have high population densities
because of better opportunities of livelihood and greater facilities.
Q.9. Discuss the advantage of having a healthy population. (Important)
Ans. Health is an important component of population composition. The quality of the population
depends upon their good health. It affects the process of development.
17
A healthy population is physically strong and mentally active. They are economically more
productive and contribute towards the economic prosperity of a country.
Healthy people can work hard and earn enough to support their family members. This reduces
poverty and raises standard of living of the population.
A healthy population is socially more active. they have more thinking and reasoning power, so
they can remove social evils and lead to social progress.
The goverment can concentrate on development projects rather than diverting large share of
its resources on health care programmes for the sick and diseased people.
Thus, healthy population is contributive towards economic, social, cultural and political
development of a country.
Q.10. Discuss the advantage of having a higher percentage of young people in a country.
(Important)
Ans. Young people are the most prized resource for a country. They have the highest work efficiency
and comprise a great part of the country’s workforce. They are economically most productive
and contribute greatly to the economic development and prosperity of the country. In an
agricultural country like India where a large number of agricultural labourers are required, a
large young population helps in increasing the productivity of agriculture. They also help in
industrial development as they are more active and painstaking. The younger people are more
innovative and contribute to the development of new technologies for the advancement of the
country. A higher percentage of young people also means social and cultural advancement in
the country. The youths are more advanced and have free thinking. They are the ones to
campaign against social evils and bring forward social reforms to do away with vices like child
marriage, dowry, discrimination against girl child and illiteracy. The young people are
biologically most productive. They bring the future human resources to the world. A higher
percentage of young people in the country also means healthy population and less expenditure
on health programmes.
E. MAP WORK (4 MARKS)
Q.1. In the outline map of India, mark and label the following:
a. States having a population density of less then 100 per square kilometres
b. States having a population density of 101-200 per square kilometres
c. States having a population density of 201-300 per square kilometres
d. States having a population density of 301-400 per square kilometres
e. States having a population density of above 400 per square kilometres
18
Q.2. In the following outline map of India, mark the following:
(a) One state in North India having the highest population in the country
(b) A southern state of high population density
(c) A city where the population is more than 1000 per square km
19
II. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT II. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
I. PROJECT WORK
Q.1. Conduct a population survey in a village nearest to your school. Take help from your
teacher.
Field Work :
(a) Collect data of the total population of the village.
Class Work :
and above)
Q1. Word Jumble
(b) Collect the age data of the population
(c) Collect the data about the total number of members in each type of occupation — primary,
secondary, tertiary, and their literacy rates.
(d) Collect the data of males and females in each family.
(a) Search for a map that has your district enlarged. Mark the village in your district map.
(b) Construct a horizontal bar graph on a chart paper to show the age group and population
of the village. (Find out the age group of the population of the village. Age group: 0-10
years, 11-20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, 41 to 50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, 71
(c) Draw a pie chart to represent the percentage of population in each type of occupation.
(d) Draw a bar graph to show the difference of males and females in the village. Within the
bars shade the portion representing number of male population who are literate and
number of females who are literate. [Find out the number of males, number of females.]
II. QUIZZES
Rearrange the letters in the following words to form the correct word for which a hint is
provided in brackets.
NESUCS(Official count of population of India)
b.
NITMGROAI(Movement of people across regions and territories)
HTEDA ARET(Number of deaths per thousands)
d.
AREKAL(South Indian state with high population)
ZORMRIA(North-East Indian state with low population)
CENSUS
b.
MIGRATION
a.
c.
e.
Ans.
a.
c.
DEATH RATE
d.
KERALA
e.
MIZORAM
Q.2. Missing letters
Ans. 1. BIRTH RATE (Number of births per thousand)
2.
RURAL -URBAN MIGRATION (Migration from villages to town)
3.
SEX RATIO (Number of females per thousand males in population)
4.
ADOLESCENT (Age group 10 to 19)
5.
LIFE EXPECTANCY (Average number of years one is expected to live)
20
Q.3. Grouping
Classify the following occupations according to occupational structure.
Construction, forestry, manufacturing, administration, transport, agriculture, mining, industry,
animal husbandry, fishing, commerce, banking, institutions, cottage industry.
Occupational Structure
Ans. Primary occupation Secondary Occupation Tertiary Occupation
Forestry, agriculture Construction, manufacturing, Administration, transport,
mining, animal
husbandry, fishing.
Q.1. Labelling
Uttar Pradesh :
Maharashtra :
Rajasthan :
Arunachal Pradesh :
Rest of India :
Ans.
industry, cottage industry. commerce, banking, institutions.
III. ASSIGNMENTS
The following Pie Diagram shows the population density of some Indian states. Label the
diagram in accordance with the percentage of population.
16.16%
9.42 %
5.5%
2%
66.92%
Q.2. The following bar diagram shows the literacy rate of different states in India. Label the
bar diagram with the states.
Kerala 99.5%
Mizoram 99%
Uttar Pradesh 48%
Rajasthan 33%
Punjab 68%
Ans. A : Kerala
B : Mizoram C : Punjab
D : Rajasthan E : Uttar Pradesh
21
Q.3. The following bar diagram shows the population growth of India from 1901 to 2001.
Answer the questions below the diagram.
(a) What is the growth per decade of population from 1901 to 1951?
Ans. Population in 1901 – 23.4 million.
Population in 1951 – 361.1 million
Growth of population 361.1 million –238.4 million = 122.7 million
. Growth of 122.7 million in 50 years.
. Growth per decade =
122.7
10 = 24.54 million perdecade.
(b) Which decade shows the highest growth in population?
Ans. Difference in population from 1991 to 2001
= 1028.7 million – 846.4 million = 182.32 million.
which is highest among all decades.
(c) In which decade there was the least population growth?
50
Ans. 1921 showed a fall in population by 0.8 million.
So, the least population growth was in between 1911 and 1921 when the population actually
decreased by 0.8 million.
Least positive population growth was between 1901 to 1911, and increase of
13.3 million.
(d) What is the growth percentage of population in the year 2001 from 1951?
Ans. Growth of population between 1951 and 2007 = 1028.7 million – 361.1 million
22
= 667.8 million absolute growth in 50 years.
667.8
. Growth per centage is = 100 = 180.5% increase in 50 years.
361.1
(e) In which three decades there was very little population growth?
Ans. There were very little population growth in between 1901–1931
1901 – 1911 = +13.7 million
1911 – 1921 = –0.8 million
1921 – 1931 = +27.68 million
BROTHERS PRAKASHANQ.4. The diagram below shows the number of population by age and sex. Answer the
questions below the diagram.
(a) Which age group is composed of the highest number of people?
Ans. 0–4 years
(b) Which age group has the least number of people?
Ans. 85–89 years
(c) What could be the cause of low female population in the age group of 0-9 years?
Ans. Discrimination against girl child leading to high infant mortality in case of girls. Insufficient
nutrition and less care of the girl child after birth leads to their early death.
(d) Population within which age group is called the working population?
Ans. 15 to 59 years
(e) Population within which age groups are termed as dependant population? Are their
number more than the working population?
Ans. Population in the age group 0 to 15 years are called children.
Population in the age group 60+ are termed as aged.
These two sections of the population are termed as dependent population.
Population within the age group 15 to 59 years are termed as working population. They are
the group that bear the burden of taking care of the dependent population.
In the diagram given the number of dependent population is lower than the working population.
23
MAP WORK (4 MARKS)
Q.1. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the given outline political map of India.
Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct
names in your answer book : (CBSE 2010)
(i) a type of forest (ii) a bird sanctuary
(iii) a lake (iv) an area receiving less than 25 cm rainfall
BROTHERS PRAKASHAN(ii) Bharatpur (iii) Pulicat (iv) Region around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir
OR
Locate and lable the following on the given outline political map of India.
(i) State havingh highest literacy rate (ii) Sambhar lake
(iii) Manas (iv) An area receiving less than 25 cm rainfall in western part of India.
Ans. (i) Rainforest
Ans.
24
Q.2. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the given outline political map of India.
Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct
names in your answer book : (CBSE 2010)
(i) A type of forest (ii) Wildlife sanctuary
(iii) River (iv) State with least density of population.
BROTHERS PRAKASHAN(ii) Dachigam (iii) Narmada (iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and label the following on the given outline political map of India :
(i) Corbet National Park (ii) Chilika lake
(iii) Kerala (iv) Area of thorny vegetation
Ans. (i) Mangrove forest
Ans.
25
Q.3. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the given outline map of India. Locate these
features with the help of following information and write their correct names in your
answerbook : (CBSE 2010)
(i) a lake of Andhra Pradesh (ii) a weather station of Kerala
(iii) a bird sanctuary of Rajasthan (iv) the state having the lowest density.
BROTHERS PRAKASHANAns. (i) Pulicat lake (ii) Thiruvananthapuram (iii) Bharatpur (iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and lable the following on the given outline map of India.
(ii) Kolkata (iii) Kaziranga (iv) State having the highest sex ratio
(i) Narmada
Ans.
26
Q.4. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in the answer book. (CBSE 2010)
(i) Mountain range (ii) A type of forest
(iii) Wildlife sanctuary (iv) State with the lowest density of population.
BROTHERS PRAKASHANAns. (i) Karakoram (ii) Evergreen forest (iii) Manas (iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India.
(ii) Lake Sambhar
(iii) West Coast in Maharashtra (iv) Dachigam
(i) R. Narmada
27
Q.5. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in your answer book : (CBSE 2010)
(i) Mountain range (ii) A city (iii) A bird sanctuary (iv) A lake
Ans. (i) Western Ghats (ii) Nagpur (iii) Ranganathitto (iv) Vembanad lake
BROTHERS PRAKASHANOR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India.
(i) Chilika lake (ii) Aravali range (iii) Mumbai (iv) The least populous state of India.
Ans.
Q.6. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in answer book. (CBSE 2010)
28
(i) A mountain range (ii) A type pf forest
(iii) Wildlife sanctuary (iv) State with the lowest density of population
(ii) Evergeen forest or rainforest
(iv) Arunachal Pradesh
OR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India :
(ii) Lake Chilika (iii) Konkan coast (iv)
Ans. See previous maps for the rest of the locations.
Ans. (i) Aravali range
(iii) Manas
(i) River Narmada
Dachigam
Q.7. Four features from (i) to (iv) are shown in the outline political map of India. Identify
these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names
in your answer book. (CBSE 2010)
29
(i) A famous river of Tamil Nadu (ii) Wildlife sanctuary
(iii) State with the lowest density of population (iv) Bird sanctuary
Ans. (i) River Kaveri
Bharatpur
(iii) Chilika Lake
(ii) Dachigam (iii) Arunachal Pradesh (iv)
OR
Locate and label the following on the given political map of India.
(i) An area which receives less than 20 cm rainfall
(ii) An area of tropical evergreen forests
(iv) Kanha National Park
Q.8. Four features form (i) to (iv) are shown in given political map of India. Identify these
features with the help of the following information and write their correct names.
(CBSE 2010)
30
(i) A type of forest (ii) A national park
(iii) A river (iv) A state with low density of population.
(ii) Kanheri National park
(iv) Sikkim
OR
Locate and label the following map
(i) A type of forest found in Arunachal Pradesh (ii) Dudwa
(iv) A bird sanctuary in Rajasthan
Ans. (i) Montane forest
(iii) Mahanadi river
(iii) Chilika lake
Ans.
31
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