Lesson -1
S.SC NATURAL RESOURSES AND THEIR USES
1. What can make what is today a renewable resource non-renewable tomorrow? Describe some actions that can prevent this from happening.
Ans-1. Renewable to non-renewable*
- Cause: Over-exploitation, pollution, deforestation. Using faster than nature can regenerate.
example- If we cut trees, pump groundwater, or fish faster than they grow back, even renewable things get exhausted. Pollution also destroys them
- Prevention: Sustainable harvesting, afforestation, pollution control, strict quotas.
Like- Rules on usage limits, planting new trees, cleaning rivers, and letting resources recover.
Q2. Name five ecosystem functions that serve humans.
Ans-2. Five ecosystem functions
- Provides clean air & water, pollination of crops, climate regulation, soil formation & nutrient cycling, natural pest control.
example - Forests give clean air and oxygen. Bees pollinate food crops. Trees & oceans control climate. Microbes make soil fertile. Birds eat pests that harm crops.
Q3. What are renewable resources? How are they different from non-renewable ones? What can people do to ensure that renewable resources continue to be available for our use and that of future generations? Give two examples.
Ans3. Renewable resources
- *What: Resources that replenish naturally in a short time, like solar, wind, forests, water.
- Things like sunlight, wind, and trees that nature replaces quickly.
- Difference: Non-renewables like coal/oil are finite; renewables regenerate if managed well.
- Coal takes millions of years to form, but trees grow in decades.
- Ensure availability: Use sustainably, replant trees, conserve water. Ex: Solar energy, fisheries.
- Take only what’s needed, replant, avoid wastage. Ex: Solar panels don’t run out; managed fishing keeps stock alive.
Q4. Identify cultural practices in your home and neighbourhood that point to mindfulness in the use of natural resources.
Ans 4. Cultural practices for mindfulness
- Using earthen pots for cooling, worshipping trees like Peepal/Tulsi, rainwater harvesting, using cow dung cakes as fuel.
- Earthen pots save electricity vs fridge. Tree worship protects green cover. Rainwater collection reduces groundwater use. Cow dung as fuel recycles waste.
Q5. What are some considerations to keep in mind in the production of goods for our current use?
Ans 5. Considerations for production of goods
- Use resources efficiently, minimize waste & pollution, choose renewable raw materials, ensure recyclability.
- Don’t use more raw material than needed. Avoid toxic waste. Prefer materials that can be reused or regrown. Design products that last and can be recycled.
L-1 Social Science
*L-Natural resources and their use*
Competencies for short Questions -
21st Century skills:Critical thinking ,Creativity &innovation ,Collaboration,Communicatin
*A. Tick (✓) the correct option*
1. *(b) Sunlight* – Sunlight is naturally replenished and never exhausts.
2. *(d) Coal* – Coal takes millions of years to form and cannot be renewed quickly.
3. *(c) Sikkim* – Sikkim became India’s first 100% organic farming state in 2016.
4. *(b) They grow back naturally over time.* – Forests regenerate if managed properly.
5. *(c) It causes air and soil pollution* – Cement production releases dust and gases harmful to the environment.
6. *(d) It does not pollute and never runs out* – Solar energy is clean and available as long as the sun exists.
7. *(c) Using natural compost and crop rotation* – These restore nutrients and improve soil health.
8. *(a) Forests will get destroyed* – Cutting faster than regrowth leads to deforestation.
*B. Fill in the blanks*
1. Nature becomes a *resource* when we use it for our needs.
2. Air, water, and soil are examples of *natural* resources essential for life.
3. Resources that can renew or regenerate over time are called *renewable* resources.
4. Coal and petroleum are examples of *non-renewable* resources.
5. Using a resource faster than it can naturally recover is called *overuse/overexploitation*.
6. In Punjab, excessive use of *groundwater* has led to serious water scarcity problems.
7. *Organic* farming avoids the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
8. Cement production is considered one of the most *polluting* industries in the world.
*C. Very short-answer questions*
1. *What is natural resource?*
Natural resources are materials from nature used by humans to meet needs, like water, forests, minerals, and sunlight.
2. *Give two examples of renewable resources.*
Sunlight and wind are renewable as they can be replenished naturally.
3. *Name any two non-renewable resources.*
Coal and petroleum are non-renewable as they take millions of years to form.
4. *Why forests are considered renewable resources?*
Forests can grow back naturally over time if not overexploited.
5. *What are the benefits of using traditional farming practices?*
They maintain soil fertility, use less chemicals, and are eco-friendly.
6. *Why is equal access to natural resources important?*
It ensures fairness and helps all people meet their basic needs without exploitation.
7. *How can cities reduce air and water pollution?*
By using public transport, planting trees, treating waste, and avoiding plastic.
8. *What steps can students take to protect nature?*
Students can save water, plant trees, avoid littering, and use less plastic.
*E. Long-answer questions*
1. *What are natural resources? Explain with examples.*
Natural resources are substances found in nature that humans use for survival and development. They are of two types: renewable like sunlight, wind, forests, and non-renewable like coal, petroleum, and minerals.
Competency -Analysing and Evaluating.
*G. Assertion and Reason Questions*
1. *Answer: I. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.*
Solar energy is renewable because it is constantly replaced by natural processes from the sun.
*_Competency based Learning*_
*H. Source-based Questions*
1. *What are two examples of non-renewable resources?*
Coal and petroleum are two examples given in the passage.
2. *Why should we use coal carefully in India?*
India’s coal reserves may last only 50 years, so careful use ensures energy security for the future.
3. *Explain why non-renewable resources cannot be replaced quickly.*
They are formed over millions of years through natural processes and cannot be replenished at the rate we consume them.
4. *What factors are increasing the demand for electricity in India, and how does this affect coal use?*
Population growth and development work are increasing demand, leading to more coal mining to meet electricity needs.
