Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter-2: Human Geography: Nature and Scope, 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 answers of the following from the given options:
(i) Which one of the following towns is NOT located on a river bank?
a) Agra
b) Bhopal
c) Patna
d) Kolkata
Answer: b) Bhopal
Explanation: Agra (Yamuna), Patna (Ganga), and Kolkata (Hooghly) are all located on river banks, but Bhopal is not.
(ii) Which one of the following is NOT part of the definition of a town as per the Census of India?
a) Population density of 400 persons per sq km.
b) Presence of municipality, corporation, etc.
c) More than 75% of the population is engaged in the primary sector.
d) Population size of more than 5,000 persons.
Answer: c) More than 75% of the population engaged in the primary sector.
Explanation: Towns, as per the Census, have a density of 400 persons per sq km, a population over 5,000, and a governing body (municipality/corporation), but they must have more than 75% of workers engaged in non-agricultural activities, not the primary sector.
(iii) In which one of the following environments does one expect the presence of dispersed rural settlements?
a) Alluvial plains of Ganga
b) Arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan
c) Lower valleys of Himalayas
d) Forests and hills in north-east
Answer: b) Arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan
Explanation: Dispersed settlements are common in arid and semi-arid regions like Rajasthan due to the scarcity of water and fragmented land.
Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) What are garrison towns? What is their function?
Answer: Garrison towns are settlements that primarily serve military functions. They host army bases, military camps, and related infrastructure. Examples include Ambala and Jalandhar.
(ii) What are the main factors for the location of villages in desert regions?
Answer: The main factors influencing the location of villages in desert regions include the availability of water (from oases or wells), proximity to trade routes, and the suitability of land for grazing livestock.
Answer the following questions in about 150 words:
(i) Discuss the features of different types of rural settlements. What are the factors responsible for the settlement patterns in different physical environments?
Answer: Rural settlements can be categorized into four types:
1.Clustered settlements: Found in fertile areas like the northern plains, houses are closely built, and farmlands surround the settlement.
2.Semi-clustered settlements: These are fragmented settlements, often resulting from the splitting of a larger village. Seen in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
3.Hamleted settlements: A large village may be fragmented into small units, often due to social or ethnic factors. Common in the Ganga plains.
4.Dispersed settlements: Found in remote areas such as hills and forests, where houses are spread out and isolated. Common in Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, and Kerala.
The pattern of settlement depends on factors like terrain, water availability, cultural and social structure, and security needs.
(ii) Can one imagine the presence of only one-function town? Why do cities become multi-functional?
Answer: It is rare to find towns that serve only one function as most towns evolve to accommodate multiple functions over time. Initially, towns may begin with a specific function, such as industrial or religious, but as they grow, they diversify into commerce, administration, education, and residential areas. Cities become multi-functional because of the increased demand for varied services and the interdependence of different sectors like trade, transportation, and governance, making them dynamic and adaptable to change.
Other Important Short-answer Type Questions
Here are important short-answer-type questions based on NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 2, “Human Settlements,” which are often asked in exams such as the UPSC and NCERT Class 12 board examinations:
1. What is a human settlement?
A human settlement refers to a cluster of dwellings where people live and establish their homes and economic activities. Settlements can range from small hamlets to large metropolitan cities. The process of settlement involves the grouping of people and the division of territory for their economic activities.
2. What are the main differences between rural and urban settlements?
- Rural settlements depend primarily on land-based activities such as agriculture and forestry.
- Urban settlements focus on secondary and tertiary economic activities like manufacturing and services.
- Rural settlements are often smaller, less densely populated, and have intimate social relationships, whereas urban areas are larger, more populated, and have more formal social relations.
3. Define and differentiate between clustered, semi-clustered, and dispersed rural settlements.
- Clustered settlements are compact, with houses located closely together. This is common in fertile plains, where farming is the primary activity.
- Semi-clustered settlements develop when part of the population chooses to live away from the main settlement. This is common in areas where dominant communities live centrally, and marginalized groups are located on the outskirts.
- Dispersed settlements consist of isolated homes or small clusters spread across an area, usually in hilly or forested regions.
4. Explain the importance of water availability in the distribution of settlements.
Water availability plays a crucial role in determining settlement locations. Areas with sufficient water resources, such as river valleys and coastal plains, tend to have denser populations and compact settlements. Conversely, arid regions, where water is scarce, have dispersed or scattered settlements.
5. What are ancient towns? Give examples.
Ancient towns in India are those that have been inhabited for over 2000 years and developed as religious or cultural centers. Examples includeVaranasi,Prayag (Allahabad),Patna, andMadurai.
6. How did the British influence the development of modern towns in India?
The British established towns in India for trade and administration. Cities likeMumbai (Bombay),Chennai (Madras), andKolkata (Calcutta) were developed as major ports and administrative centers, following British-style urban planning. They also developed hill stations likeShimla andDarjeeling as summer retreats.
7. What are garrison towns, and what is their significance?
Garrison towns are settlements where military forces are stationed. They often serve as administrative and defense centers. Examples includeAmbala,Jalandhar, andMhow.
8. What factors lead to the development of semi-clustered rural settlements?
Semi-clustered rural settlements develop due to social and economic factors, such as land ownership patterns and social hierarchies. Land-owning dominant communities may live in a central area, while marginalized groups live on the outskirts, resulting in fragmented settlements.
9. Explain the concept of smart cities under the Smart Cities Mission.
The Smart Cities Mission aims to create cities with modern infrastructure, sustainable development, and a high quality of life for citizens. The mission emphasizes the use of smart technology to improve services like transportation, water supply, and disaster management.
10. What is the significance of the functional classification of towns?
Functional classification categorizes towns and cities based on their primary economic activities. For example:
- Administrative towns (e.g., New Delhi)
- Industrial towns (e.g., Jamshedpur)
- Transport cities (e.g., Mumbai)
- Religious towns (e.g., Varanasi)
This classification helps understand the economic role of a town and its significance in the region.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Here are 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 2, “Human Settlements,” which have relevance to UPSC and other exams. The answers are provided at the end.
1. What does the term “Human Settlement” refer to?
a) A natural landscape
b) A cluster of dwellings
c) A region with no population
d) An industrial site
2. What is the primary economic activity of rural settlements?
a) Agriculture
b) Manufacturing
c) Services
d) Mining
3. Which of the following is not a feature of urban settlements?
a) Processing of raw materials
b) Agricultural production
c) Service provision
d) Manufacturing finished goods
4. What is the basic difference between rural and urban settlements?
a) Climate
b) Economic activities
c) Population size
d) Technological advancement
5. Which of the following types of settlements are found in the fertile alluvial plains of India?
a) Dispersed settlements
b) Clustered settlements
c) Hamleted settlements
d) Semi-clustered settlements
6. Where are dispersed rural settlements commonly found in India?
a) Coastal areas
b) River valleys
c) Arid and semi-arid regions
d) Fertile plains
7. Which of the following towns was not developed by the British?
a) Kolkata
b) Mumbai
c) Durgapur
d) Surat
8. What defines an urban settlement according to the Census of India, 1991?
a) Population size of more than 2,000 persons
b) Population size of more than 10,000 persons
c) Population size of more than 5,000 persons
d) Population size of more than 20,000 persons
9. What percentage of male workers in urban areas must be engaged in non-agricultural activities for it to be classified as urban according to the Census of India, 1991?
a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 75%
d) 90%
10. Which of the following towns is a medieval town in India?
a) Varanasi
b) Mumbai
c) Hyderabad
d) Kolkata
11. Which of the following is not part of the definition of a town as per the Census of India?
a) Population size of more than 5,000 persons
b) Presence of a municipality
c) Population density of 400 persons per sq. km
d) More than 75% of the population engaged in the primary sector
12. Which type of rural settlement is commonly found in the middle and lower Ganga plains?
a) Clustered
b) Semi-clustered
c) Hamleted
d) Dispersed
13. In which environment are dispersed settlements most likely to be found?
a) Alluvial plains
b) Desert regions
c) River valleys
d) Coastal regions
14. Which of the following towns is a religious and cultural town in India?
a) Varanasi
b) Chennai
c) Bengaluru
d) Roorkee
15. What is the primary characteristic of a garrison town?
a) A religious center
b) An administrative center
c) A military base
d) A trade center
16. Which one of the following is an example of a modern industrial town in India?
a) Jamshedpur
b) Varanasi
c) Prayag
d) Madurai
17. What is the level of urbanization in India as per the 2011 Census?
a) 20.29%
b) 25.7%
c) 31.16%
d) 40.2%
18. Which type of rural settlement involves fragmented units physically separated from each other?
a) Clustered
b) Semi-clustered
c) Dispersed
d) Hamleted
19. Which city was developed as an administrative town after independence?
a) Mumbai
b) Kolkata
c) Chandigarh
d) Surat
20. What is the goal of the Smart Cities Mission in India?
a) Promote rural development
b) Provide core infrastructure and a clean environment
c) Focus on agricultural productivity
d) Expand population growth
Answers:
1. b) A cluster of dwellings
2. a) Agriculture
3. b) Agricultural production
4. b) Economic activities
5. b) Clustered settlements
6. c) Arid and semi-arid regions
7. d) Surat
8. c) Population size of more than 5,000 persons
9. c) 75%
10. c) Hyderabad
11. d) More than 75% of the population engaged in the primary sector
12. c) Hamleted
13. b) Desert regions
14. a) Varanasi
15. c) A military base
16. a) Jamshedpur
17. c) 31.16%
18. d) Hamleted
19. c) Chandigarh
20. b) Provide core infrastructure and a clean environment
Other Chapter
| Chapter 1:- POPULATION: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition | Chapter 3:- LAND RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE |
| Chapter 4:– WATER RESOURCES | Chapter 5:- MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCES |
| Chapter 6:- PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN INDIAN CONTEXT | Chapter 7:- TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION |
| Chapter 8:- INTERNATIONAL TRADE | Chapter 9:- GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON SELECTED ISSUES AND PROBLEMS |
