Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter-6: “Secondary Activities,” updated for 2024-2025. Solution is designed to help students tackle difficult questions with ease.
Exercise
Multiple Choice Questions (Choose the right answer)
(i) Which one of the following statements is wrong?
(a) Cheap water transport has facilitated the jute mill industry along the Hugli.
(b) Sugar, cotton textiles and vegetable oils are footloose industries.
(c) The development of hydroelectricity and petroleum reduced, to a great extent, the importance of coal energy as a locational factor for industry.
(d) Port towns in India have attracted industries.
Answer: (b) Sugar, cotton textiles and vegetable oils are footloose industries.
(ii) In which one of the following types of economy are the factors of production owned individually?
(a) Capitalist
(b) Mixed
(c) Socialist
(d) None
Answer: (a) Capitalist
(iii) Which one of the following types of industries produces raw materials for other industries?
(a) Cottage Industries
(b) Small Scale Industries
(c) Basic Industries
(d) Footloose Industries
Answer: (c) Basic Industries
(iv) Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a) Automobile industry … Los Angeles
(b) Shipbuilding industry … Lusaka
(c) Aircraft industry … Florence
(d) Iron and Steel industry … Pittsburgh
Answer: (d) Iron and Steel industry … Pittsburgh
Short Notes (30 Words Each)
(i) High-Tech Industry:
High Tech industries are those that involve intensive research and development leading to products of advanced scientific and engineering character, such as computers, robotics, and biotechnology.
(ii) Manufacturing:
Manufacturing refers to the process of transforming raw materials into finished goods, often in a large-scale industrial setting. It includes a wide range of activities from handicrafts to heavy industry.
(iii) Footloose Industries:
Footloose industries can be located anywhere because they are not tied to specific resources, transport links, or labor markets. Examples include IT and high tech industries.
Long Answer Questions (150 Words Each)
(i) Differentiate between primary and secondary activities.
Primary activities involve the extraction of natural resources directly from the Earth, such as agriculture, fishing, and mining. These are labor intensive and are typically located in rural areas where natural resources are abundant. Secondary activities, on the other hand, involve processing raw materials into finished goods, such as manufacturing and construction. Secondary activities often occur in industrialized, urban areas and are capital intensive, relying on advanced machinery and a skilled labor force.
(ii) Discuss the major trends of modern industrial activities, especially in developed countries of the world.
In developed countries, industrial activities are characterized by high levels of automation, technological innovation, and specialization. There has been a shift toward knowledge based industries such as IT, biotechnology, and telecommunications. Many traditional industries, like textiles and steel, have relocated to developing nations due to lower labor costs. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability and reducing industrial pollution. Industries in developed countries are also benefiting from globalization, enabling them to operate on an international scale.
(iii) Explain why high tech industries in many countries are being attracted to the peripheral areas of major metropolitan centers.
High Tech industries are increasingly being attracted to the peripheral areas of major metropolitan centers due to lower land and labor costs, better access to transportation and communication networks, and proximity to research institutions and universities. These areas offer a balance of lower operational costs while still being close enough to major markets and infrastructure. Additionally, peripheral areas provide space for expansion and are less prone to congestion and pollution, which are common in central urban areas
(iv) Africa has immense natural resources and yet it is industrially the most backward continent. Comment.
Despite its vast natural resources, Africa remains industrially underdeveloped due to several factors. These include political instability, lack of infrastructure, and poor access to modern technology. The continent’s economies are still largely dependent on primary activities like agriculture and mining, with limited processing and manufacturing capabilities. Corruption, lack of investment in education and skill development, and historical exploitation by colonial powers have also contributed to Africa’s industrial backwardness. The lack of capital and modern technology further hinders the development of secondary and tertiary industries in many African nations.
Other important short answer type questions and their answers
Other important short answer type questions and their answers that have been asked in previous years’ NCERT examinations and could be relevant for UPSC:
1. What are secondary activities?
Secondary activities are those that add value to raw materials by transforming them into useful products. This includes manufacturing, processing, and construction industries, where raw materials like iron ore and cotton are transformed into steel and yarn, respectively.
2. How do modern large scale manufacturing industries differ from traditional ones?
Modern large scale manufacturing is characterized by:
- Specialization in production processes
- Use of advanced technology and mechanization
- Mass production of standardized goods
- Division of labor and complex organizational structures
Traditional manufacturing, in contrast, involves simpler tools and techniques with smaller scale production, often tailored to local markets.
3. What are footloose industries? Give examples.
Footloose industries are those that are not tied to any specific location because they do not depend on raw materials that are weight losing or bulky. They rely on easily transportable component parts and produce small quantities. Examples include software companies and electronics manufacturing.
4. Explain the role of access to raw materials in the location of industries.
Industries dependent on bulky or perishable raw materials tend to be located close to their sources to minimize transportation costs. For example, the steel industry is often situated near iron ore mines, while the dairy industry is located near milk producing areas.
5. What are the characteristics of high tech industries?
High Tech industries rely on intensive research and development, advanced technology, and automation. They produce high value goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace products. Examples include Silicon Valley in the USA, which is known for technology and innovation.
6. What is the significance of agglomeration economies in industrial location?
Agglomeration economies refer to the benefits industries gain by being close to each other. These include shared infrastructure, availability of skilled labor, and access to markets. For instance, the automobile industry may cluster around suppliers of steel, electronics, and other components.
7. Discuss the impact of mechanization and automation on modern industries.
Mechanization and automation reduce human labor and increase productivity in industries. While mechanization uses machines to perform tasks, automation goes a step further by using computers and robots to operate without direct human intervention. This has led to the rise of automatic factories with minimal human input.
8. Why are industries concentrated in specific geographic areas?
Industries are concentrated in regions where the factors of production, such as raw materials, labor, energy, and markets, are easily accessible. For example, the industrial regions of North America and Europe have flourished due to their developed transport systems, access to energy, and skilled workforce.
These questions cover various aspects of secondary activities and industries, relevant for both Class 12 NCERT exams and broader examinations like UPSC.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Based on NCERT 12th Chapter 6 “Secondary Activities,” here are 20 multiple choice questions (MCQs) useful for students preparing for NCERT exams and UPSC. The answers are provided at the end.
1. What are secondary activities concerned with?
a) Extraction of natural resources
b) Conversion of raw materials into valuable products
c) Provision of services
d) None of the above
2. Which of the following is an example of a secondary activity?
a) Fishing
b) Cotton weaving
c) Teaching
d) Coal mining
3. What is the basic characteristic of modern large scale manufacturing?
a) Automation and mass production
b) Small Scale manual production
c) Unskilled labor
d) Minimal capital investment
4. Why do large scale industries choose different locations?
a) Proximity to markets
b) Availability of labor
c) Access to raw materials
d) All of the above
5. What is the primary factor for the location of agro based industries?
a) Proximity to markets
b) Availability of raw materials
c) Access to transportation
d) Availability of skilled labor
6. Which industry does not depend on raw material location?
a) Sugar industry
b) Footloose industry
c) Steel industry
d) Agro Processing industry
7. Which of the following industries is weight losing?
a) Cement
b) Cotton textile
c) Aircraft manufacturing
d) IT industry
8. What is the primary reason for the decline in the importance of coal as an energy source for industries?
a) Lack of availability
b) High pollution levels
c) Development of hydroelectricity and petroleum
d) None of the above
9. Which one of the following types of industries produces raw materials for other industries?
a) Cottage industries
b) Basic industries
c) Footloose industries
d) Small Scale industries
10. In which type of economy are the factors of production owned individually?
a) Socialist
b) Mixed
c) Capitalist
d) None of the above
11. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a high tech industry?
a) Intensive R&D
b) Highly skilled labor
c) Low capital investment
d) Computer Aided design
12. Which one of the following is a public sector industry?
a) Tata Steel
b) Indian Railways
c) Reliance Industries
d) Infosys
13. What does mechanization in industries refer to?
a) Using manual labor
b) Using machinery for production
c) Using both manual and machinery labor
d) Using robots
14. What are the key raw materials used by agro based industries?
a) Iron ore
b) Cotton and sugarcane
c) Coal
d) Silicon
15. What term is used to describe industries that are not tied to specific locations due to raw material?
a) Weight Losing industries
b) Footloose industries
c) Basic industries
d) Cottage industries
16. Which of the following is an example of a mineral based industry?
a) Iron and steel industry
b) Dairy processing
c) Cotton weaving
d) Footwear manufacturing
17. What is the term for small scale industries run by individuals or families at home?
a) Cottage industry
b) Large Scale industry
c) High Tech industry
d) Agrobased industry
18. Which factor has reduced dependence on labor in modern manufacturing?
a) Increased demand for labor
b) Automation and mechanization
c) Availability of cheap labor
d) High demand for skilled labor
19. What are “technopolis”?
a) Regions with traditional industries
b) Regions with concentrated hi tech industries
c) Regions with abundant natural resources
d) None of the above
20. Why has the cotton textile industry declined in some countries?
a) Increased competition from synthetic fibers
b) Lack of raw materials
c) High labor costs
d) Both a and c
Answers:
1. b
2. b
3. a
4. d
5. b
6. b
7. a
8. c
9. b
10. c
11. c
12. b
13. b
14. b
15. b
16. a
17. a
18. b
19. b
20. d
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 7:- Tertiary and Quaternary Activities |
| Chapter 8:- Transport and Communication | Chapter 9:- International Trade |
| Chapter 10:- Human Settlements |
