Chapter 8 - Natural Resources
(A) What is the use of the following resources?
(1) Water
Ans: Water is used for drinking, bathing, cooking food and washing dishes, clothes, fruits, vegetables and brushing teeth. Water is necessary for gardening, farming and fisheries.
(2) Forests
Ans: Forests provide us with shelter, livelihoods, water, food, paper, medicines, and wood. They prevent soil erosion and help purify the air.
(3) Animals
Ans: Animals provide us with wool, milk, meat, honey, eggs, etc. The skin of some animals is used to produce leather goods. Some animals are also used for ploughing the fields and are also kept as pets.
(4) Minerals
Ans: Minerals like copper is used in electrical equipment. Clay is used in making cement, pots, etc. Gold, silver, etc. are used for making jewellery. Graphite is used in pencils and machinery.
(5) Land
Ans: Different uses of land include farming, forestry, mining, construction of homes and other structures, constructing roads, etc.
(B) Complete the following flow chart.
Ans:
(C) Answer the following questions.
(1) What factors influence the formation of soil?
Ans: Soil formation mainly depends on the original rock, climate, organic components, slope of the land and time.
(2) Which products are obtained from forests?
Ans: We obtain products like wood, rubber, resin, fruits, medicinal plants, etc. from forests.
(3) What are the uses of minerals?
Ans: We get different metals and chemicals from the minerals. Some chemicals are used in preparing different medicines. Minerals are used for obtaining different metals such as iron, bauxite, etc. and are also used in obtaining various chemicals like gypsum, rock salt, calcite, etc.
(4) What are the purposes for which land is used?
Ans: Land is used for obtaining natural resources. It is also used for constructing houses and roads, mining, farming, etc.
(5) Why is it necessary to conserve the natural resources?
Ans: Most of the natural resources are limited. The increase in population and the greed of humans led to the exploitative use of resources. This began to upset the balance of nature. Hence, it is necessary that man use the natural resources only according to his needs and in a judicious manner.