Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter-1: Human Settlement, updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease. The content is written in simple, easy-to-understand language.
Exercise
Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:
(i) Which one of the following forms of settlement develops along either side of roads, rivers or canals?
a) Circular
b) Linear
c) Cross Shaped
d) Square
Answer: b) Linear
(ii) Which one of the following types of economic activities dominates in all rural settlements?
a) Primary
b) Secondary
c) Tertiary
d) Quaternary
Answer: a) Primary
(iii) In which of the following regions has the oldest well documented urban settlement been found?
a) Huang He Valley
b) Indus Valley
c) Nile Valley
d) Mesopotamia
Answer: d) Mesopotamia
(iv) How many of the following cities in India have attained the million status at the beginning of 2006?
a) 40
b) 42
c) 41
d) 43
Answer: c) 41
(v) Sufficiency of which type of resources can help to create adequate social infrastructure catering to the needs of the large population in developing countries?
a) Financial
b) Human
c) Natural
d) Social
Answer: b) Human
Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) How would you define a settlement?
Answer: A settlement is a place where people live, which can be either temporary or permanent. It includes the physical structures of houses and buildings and reflects the interaction between humans and their environment.
(ii) Distinguish between site and situation.
Answer: The site refers to the actual location of a settlement on the Earth, defined by physical characteristics like land, water supply, and natural resources. The situation describes a settlement’s location relative to its surroundings, such as other settlements, roads, or rivers, impacting its economic and social functions.
(iii) What are the bases of classifying settlements?
Answer: Settlements can be classified based on size (village or city), function (primary activities like agriculture or secondary activities like industry), and patterns (shape and layout such as linear, rectangular, or circular).
(iv) How would you justify the study of human settlements in human geography?
Answer: The study of human settlements is essential in human geography as it helps us understand how humans interact with their environment, how cities and villages are formed, and how they evolve, impacting social, economic, and environmental development.
Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words:
(i) What are rural and urban settlements? Mention their characteristics.
Answer:
Rural Settlements: These are small settlements where most people engage in primary activities such as agriculture, fishing, and mining. They are often scattered, with simple infrastructure, and the population density is low.
Urban Settlements: These are large, densely populated areas where people engage in secondary and tertiary activities like manufacturing, services, and trade. Urban areas have better infrastructure, including transportation, health, education, and communication facilities. They exhibit a higher standard of living and economic activities are diverse.
(ii) Discuss the problems associated with urban settlements in developing countries.
Answer:
Urban settlements in developing countries face several problems:
- Overcrowding and Housing Shortage: Rapid rural to urban migration leads to population pressures, causing slums and inadequate housing.
- Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient provision of potable water, sanitation, electricity, and waste disposal systems.
- Pollution: Air and water pollution are significant issues due to unplanned industrial growth, congested traffic, and improper waste management.
- Unemployment and Crime: High unemployment rates in urban areas lead to poverty, and the associated social problems, such as higher crime rates and social unrest.
Other Important Short Answer Questions
Based on Chapter 10, “Human Settlements,” from the NCERT Class 12 Geography book, here are important short answer questions and answers relevant to previous NCERT exams and UPSC patterns.
1. Define a settlement.
A settlement is a place where people live and build their homes. It can be permanent or temporary. Settlements range from small villages to large cities and reflect the relationship between humans and their environment.
2. What is the difference between site and situation in terms of settlements?
Site refers to the actual physical location of a settlement, including the land it occupies. Situation refers to the settlement’s position relative to other features, like trade routes, water bodies, or other settlements.
3. What are the bases of classifying settlements?
Settlements are classified based on factors such as size, function, and shape. They can be rural or urban, and shaped as linear, rectangular, circular, or starlike, depending on the topography and land use.
4. Why is the study of human settlements important in human geography?
The study of human settlements helps to understand how humans interact with their environment, how they adapt to it, and how settlements evolve over time. It also provides insights into socioeconomic and cultural patterns.
5. What is a nucleated or compact settlement?
A nucleated or compact settlement is one where houses are built close together, often around a central feature like a marketplace or temple. Such settlements are common in fertile areas and river valleys.
6. What are dispersed settlements?
Dispersed settlements are where houses are spread out over a large area, often with agricultural land in between. This type of settlement is typical in rural areas with less fertile land or hilly regions.
7. What factors influence the location of rural settlements?
Rural settlements are influenced by factors such as availability of water, fertile land, upland for protection from floods, availability of building materials, and security from potential threats.
8. What is the significance of water supply in determining the location of rural settlements?
Water supply is critical as it is necessary for drinking, cooking, and agriculture. Settlements are often located near rivers, lakes, or springs to ensure a reliable water source.
9. What are the characteristics of rural settlements?
Rural settlements are typically small and involve primary economic activities like agriculture, fishing, and mining. They often lack advanced infrastructure and are closely tied to the land.
10. What are the major problems faced by rural settlements in developing countries?
Problems include inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, lack of proper housing, limited access to health and educational facilities, and unpaved roads that become impassable during rainy seasons.
11. What are the characteristics of urban settlements?
Urban settlements are larger than rural settlements and involve secondary and tertiary activities like manufacturing and services. They have better infrastructure, including transport, education, and healthcare facilities.
12. What is suburbanization?
Suburbanization refers to the trend of people moving from crowded city centers to quieter, more spacious areas on the outskirts of cities, while still commuting to work in urban areas.
13. How does urbanization affect developing countries?
Urbanization in developing countries often leads to overpopulation, slums, inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, and environmental issues like air and water pollution due to unplanned urban growth.
14. What are the functions of urban centers?
Urban centers serve multiple functions, including administration, trade, industry, education, healthcare, recreation, and transport hubs. Larger cities may perform a wide range of these functions.
15. What are conurbations and megalopolises?
Conurbations are large urban areas formed by the merging of multiple cities or towns, such as Greater London. A megalopolis is an extensive metropolitan area, like the urban stretch from Boston to Washington, D.C.
16. What is the role of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in urban settlements?
ICT has transformed urban settlements by improving communication, boosting trade and services, enhancing access to education and healthcare, and promoting E-governance and smart city initiatives.
17. What are the environmental problems associated with urban settlements in developing countries?
Urban settlements in developing countries face environmental problems such as air and water pollution, poor waste disposal systems, and the creation of urban heat islands due to rapid and unplanned growth.
18. What are planned settlements?
Planned settlements are designed and constructed by the government or authorities, with a focus on providing essential infrastructure such as water supply, roads, and housing. Examples include canal colonies in India.
19. What are the challenges of urban settlements in terms of housing and infrastructure?
Challenges include shortage of affordable housing, growth of slums, lack of potable water, poor sanitation, unreliable electricity supply, and traffic congestion due to insufficient transport infrastructure.
20. How does migration contribute to urban growth?
Migration, particularly rural to urban migration, contributes to the rapid growth of cities as people move in search of better employment opportunities, education, and living conditions. This often leads to overcrowded cities and pressure on infrastructure.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Based on Chapter 10, “Human Settlements,” from the NCERT Class 12 Geography book, here are 25 multiple choice questions (MCQs) relevant to previous NCERT exams and UPSC patterns. The answers are provided at the end.
1. What is the primary function of human settlements?
a) Economic development
b) Industrialization
c) Reflect human relationships with the environment
d) Urban expansion
2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of urban settlements?
a) High population density
b) Primary occupations like agriculture
c) Availability of infrastructure
d) Greater economic diversity
3. What does the term ‘suburbanisation’ refer to?
a) Migration to rural areas
b) Development of suburbs outside cities
c) Urban decay
d) Growth of rural industries
4. According to the Indian census, what is the minimum population required for an area to be classified as an urban settlement?
a) 2,500
b) 5,000
c) 10,000
d) 15,000
5. Which of the following settlement patterns is commonly found along rivers or roads?
a) Circular
b) Linear
c) Rectangular
d) Starshaped
6. Which factor does NOT influence the location of rural settlements?
a) Availability of water
b) Fertility of land
c) Population size
d) Upland location
7. What is a planned settlement?
a) A settlement spontaneously developed by villagers
b) A settlement designed by government with infrastructure
c) A temporary settlement
d) A settlement by riverside communities
8. What is the main occupation in rural settlements?
a) Mining
b) Agriculture
c) Tourism
d) Manufacturing
9. Which type of rural settlement is characterized by houses built close together?
a) Dispersed
b) Compact
c) Scattered
d) Starshaped
10. Which of the following problems is common in rural settlements in developing countries?
a) Lack of schools
b) Overcrowded housing
c) High unemployment
d) Lack of agricultural land
11. What is the world’s first urban settlement to reach a population of one million?
a) Tokyo
b) New York
c) London
d) Paris
12. Which of the following is NOT a factor used to classify settlements as urban?
a) Population size
b) Administrative status
c) Religious significance
d) Occupational structure
13. In which region are star shaped settlements most likely to develop?
a) Where roads converge
b) In mountainous areas
c) Along riverbanks
d) In coastal plains
14. Which of the following terms is used to describe a super metropolitan region consisting of multiple conurbations?
a) Town
b) Megalopolis
c) Village
d) City
15. What is the primary problem faced by urban settlements in developing countries?
a) Low birth rate
b) Lack of clean water
c) High technological advancement
d) Surplus housing
16. Which of the following cities is an example of a planned city?
a) New York
b) Mumbai
c) Chandigarh
d) Beijing
17. What term is used to describe settlements that emerge at the tri junction of roads?
a) Linear settlements
b) Circular settlements
c) T Shaped settlements
d) Star Shaped settlements
18. Which is the major factor contributing to the formation of rural settlements near rivers?
a) Availability of fish
b) Proximity to cities
c) Water supply and fertile land
d) Presence of forests
19. Which type of settlement pattern is associated with houses built far apart, often interspersed with fields?
a) Nucleated
b) Dispersed
c) Compact
d) Circular
20. What is the main cause of rural urban migration?
a) Better recreational facilities
b) Higher education opportunities
c) Employment opportunities
d) Religious importance
21. Which urban function is generally dominant in port cities?
a) Cultural
b) Administrative
c) Trade and transportation
d) Religious
22. Which settlement pattern is commonly found around a central open area for keeping animals?
a) Circular
b) Rectangular
c) Starshaped
d) T Shaped
23. Which of the following describes the phenomenon where several large cities merge to form one large urban area?
a) Urban sprawl
b) Urban renewal
c) Conurbation
d) Gentrification
24. Which of the following describes a city with a population over 10 million people?
a) Million city
b) Town
c) Conurbation
d) Mega city
25. Which of the following is a key characteristic of problems faced by developing country settlements?
a) High availability of services
b) Overcrowding and lack of basic infrastructure
c) High Quality education systems
d) Access to clean water for all
Answers
1. c) Reflect human relationships with the environment
2. b) Primary occupations like agriculture
3. b) Development of suburbs outside cities
4. b) 5,000
5. b) Linear
6. c) Population size
7. b) A settlement designed by government with infrastructure
8. b) Agriculture
9. b) Compact
10. a) Lack of schools
11. c) London
12. c) Religious significance
13. a) Where roads converge
14. b) Megalopolis
15. b) Lack of clean water
16. c) Chandigarh
17. c) T Shaped settlements
18. c) Water supply and fertile land
19. b) Dispersed
20. c) Employment opportunities
21. c) Trade and transportation
22. a) Circular
23. c) Conurbation
24. d) Mega city
25. b) Overcrowding and lack of basic infrastructure
Other Chapter
| Chapter 1:- Human Geography: Nature and Scope | Chapter 2:- The World Population: Distribution, Density and Growth |
| Chapter 3:- Population Composition | Chapter 4:- Human Development |
| Chapter 5:- Primary Activities | Chapter 6:- Secondary Activities |
| Chapter 7:- Tertiary and Quaternary Activities | Chapter 8:- Transport and Communication |
| Chapter 9:- International Trade |
