Access the latest NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Geography Chapter-4: Industries, 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
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is meant by the term ‘industry’?
Answer: Industry refers to an economic activity concerned with the production of goods, extraction of minerals, or the provision of services. Examples include the iron and steel industry (production), coal mining (extraction), and tourism (service).
(ii) Which are the main factors which influence the location of an industry?
Answer: The main factors that influence the location of an industry include the availability of raw materials, land, water, labor, power, capital, transport, and access to markets.
(iii) Which industry is often referred to as the backbone of modern industry and why?
Answer: The iron and steel industry is often referred to as the backbone of modern industry. This is because steel is used in almost every industry, from manufacturing tools and machinery to building infrastructure like ships, trains, and buildings.
Distinguish between the following:
(i) Agro-based and mineral-based industry
Answer:
- Agro-based industry: These industries use plant and animal products as raw materials. Examples include food processing, cotton textile, and dairy products.
- Mineral-based industry: These industries use mineral ores as raw materials. The products of mineral-based industries, like iron and steel, serve as inputs for other industries.
(ii) Public sector and joint sector industry
Answer:
- Public sector industry: These industries are owned and operated by the government. Examples include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
- Joint sector industry: These industries are owned and operated jointly by the government and individuals or groups. An example is Maruti Udyog Limited.
Give two examples of the following in the space provided:
(i) Raw Materials: _____________ and ____________________
(ii) End products: _______________ and ___________________
(iii) Tertiary Activities: ________________ and __________
(iv) Agro-based Industries: ____________ and ____________
(v) Cottage Industries: ___________ and ________________
(vi) Co-operatives: ______________________ and _____________
Ans.
(i) Raw Materials:
- Iron ore
- Cotton
(ii) End products:
- Steel
- Clothing
(iii) Tertiary Activities:
- Banking
- Tourism
(iv) Agro-based Industries:
- Cotton textile industry
- Food processing industry
(v) Cottage Industries:
- Basket weaving
- Pottery
(vi) Co-operatives:
- Amul (Anand Milk Union Limited)
- Sudha Dairy
Other Important Short Answer Questions
Here are important short-answer type questions and answers based on Chapter 4 of the NCERT Class 8 book, “Industries,” focusing on previously asked questions in examinations NCERT and UPSC.
1. What are the factors affecting the location of industries?
The location of industries depends on various factors such as availability of raw materials, land, water, labor, power, capital, transport, and market. Industries are usually set up where these factors are easily available. Government incentives like subsidized power and lower transport costs may also influence the location, especially in backward areas.
2. What is the difference between small scale and large scale industries?
Small scale industries use less capital and technology and usually involve manual labor, such as silk weaving or food processing. In contrast, large scale industries require more capital, advanced technology, and produce goods in large quantities. Examples include automobile manufacturing and heavy machinery production.
3. What is an industrial system?
An industrial system consists of three main components: inputs, processes, and outputs. Inputs include raw materials, labor, and costs like land and transport. The processes are the activities that convert raw materials into finished products, while outputs are the final products and income generated from them.
4. Explain the term ‘Sunrise Industries’.
Sunrise industries refer to newly emerging industries that have high growth potential. These industries are typically based on advanced technologies and include sectors like Information Technology (IT), wellness, hospitality, and knowledge-based industries. They play a significant role in modern economic development.
5. Why is steel called the backbone of modern industry?
Steel is considered the backbone of modern industry because it is essential for building infrastructure, transportation, and machinery. Almost everything from ships, trains, and cars to small items like needles and safety pins are made from steel. It is also used in construction, mining, and oil extraction equipment.
6. What is the cottage industry?
Cottage industries are small-scale industries where the products are made by hand in the worker’s home or a small workshop. These industries typically use local raw materials and simple tools. Examples include basket weaving, pottery, and handicrafts. They require low capital investment and rely on traditional skills.
7. What is meant by agro-based industries?
Agro-based industries are those that use plant and animal products as raw materials. These industries depend on agriculture for their raw materials, such as cotton for textiles, milk for dairy products, and sugarcane for sugar production. Examples include the textile, dairy, and food processing industries.
8. Explain the importance of Jamshedpur as an industrial city in India.
Jamshedpur, located in Jharkhand, is one of India’s key industrial cities. It is home to Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO), established in 1907. Its location was chosen because of proximity to iron ore, coal, limestone deposits, and rivers for water supply. The presence of TISCO has led to the growth of several other industries.
9. What is meant by joint sector industries?
Joint sector industries are those that are owned and operated by the government in collaboration with private individuals or companies. These industries are a mix of public and private ownership. An example is Maruti Udyog Limited, where both the government and private investors have stakes in the business.
10. What is an industrial disaster?
An industrial disaster refers to an accident or catastrophe in an industrial setting, often due to technical failures or mishandling of hazardous materials. One of the worst industrial disasters occurred in Bhopal in 1984, when poisonous gas leaked from a pesticide factory, causing thousands of deaths and long-term health issues for survivors.
11. How do public sector industries differ from private sector industries?
Public sector industries are owned and operated by the government, such as Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). In contrast, private sector industries are owned and managed by individuals or private companies. The primary aim of public sector industries is public welfare, while private sector industries focus on profit-making.
12. What role does the government play in promoting industries in backward areas?
The government promotes industries in backward areas by providing incentives such as subsidized power, lower transport costs, and better infrastructure. These measures are aimed at reducing regional disparities, promoting industrial growth, and creating employment opportunities in less developed regions.
13. What is the significance of the iron and steel industry in India?
The iron and steel industry is crucial for India’s industrial development, as it provides raw materials for various sectors, including construction, automobile manufacturing, and machinery production. Major steel-producing centers in India include Bhilai, Jamshedpur, and Rourkela, which are located near essential raw materials like iron ore and coal.
14. What is smelting?
Smelting is the process of extracting metal from its ore by heating the ore beyond its melting point. In the iron and steel industry, iron ore is heated in a blast furnace along with coal and limestone to produce molten iron, which is then refined to create steel. This process is essential for metal production.
15. What are the major industrial regions of the world?
Major industrial regions of the world include Eastern North America, Western and Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Eastern Asia. These regions have favorable conditions for industrial growth, such as access to raw materials, developed transport systems, and a skilled workforce, making them global hubs for manufacturing and trade.
MCQs: Industries
Based on Chapter 4 from the NCERT Class 8 book “Industries,” here are 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with answers provided at the end. These questions are aligned with past NCERT 8th-grade examinations and UPSC standards.
1. What is the primary purpose of secondary activities in an economy?
a) Extraction of raw materials
b) Provision of services
c) Manufacturing goods
d) None of the above
2. Industries that use plant and animal products as raw materials are called:
a) Mineral-based industries
b) Marine-based industries
c) Agro-based industries
d) Forest-based industries
3. Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting the location of industries?
a) Raw material availability
b) Land cost
c) Education level of workers
d) Labor supply
4. Cottage industries are typically characterized by:
a) Large-scale production
b) High capital investment
c) Handcrafted products
d) Use of advanced technology
5. What type of industry is the iron and steel industry primarily classified as?
a) Agro-based
b) Mineral-based
c) Marine-based
d) Forest-based
6. Which of the following industries is known for processing seafood?
a) Agro-based industries
b) Mineral-based industries
c) Marine-based industries
d) Forest-based industries
7. Which of the following is an example of a cooperative sector industry?
a) Tata Steel
b) Maruti Udyog Limited
c) Anand Milk Union Limited
d) Reliance Industries
8. What is the main output of the iron and steel industry?
a) Iron ore
b) Coal
c) Steel
d) Limestone
9. Which industrial region is known as the world’s major hub for information technology?
a) Silicon Valley
b) Jamshedpur
c) Pittsburgh
d) Mumbai
10. What type of industries are engaged in the extraction of minerals?
a) Agro-based industries
b) Marine-based industries
c) Mineral-based industries
d) Service industries
11. Which industry uses chemicals and machinery for production?
a) Cottage industry
b) Small-scale industry
c) Large-scale industry
d) Traditional industry
12. What is the main advantage of industrial regions?
a) Low labor costs
b) Proximity to raw materials
c) High pollution levels
d) Fewer job opportunities
13. Which of the following is a significant factor for the development of Jamshedpur as an industrial center?
a) Proximity to educational institutions
b) Availability of raw materials
c) Tourist attractions
d) Political stability
14. The Bhopal disaster in 1984 was primarily due to:
a) A natural disaster
b) Technological failure
c) Government negligence
d) Employee misconduct
15. Which of the following is a small-scale industry?
a) Automobiles
b) Cotton textiles
c) Steel manufacturing
d) Heavy machinery
16. What process involves converting raw materials into finished goods?
a) Extraction
b) Manufacturing
c) Distribution
d) Marketing
17. Which country is the leading producer of iron and steel?
a) India
b) China
c) USA
d) Japan
18. Which factor is NOT typically considered in the location of industries?
a) Government regulations
b) Natural disasters
c) Labor availability
d) Raw material access
19. What is the main raw material for the textile industry?
a) Wood
b) Cotton
c) Iron ore
d) Fish
20. The term ‘smelting’ refers to:
a) The extraction of metals from ores
b) The production of textiles
c) The processing of food
d) The manufacturing of chemicals
Answers:
1. c) Manufacturing goods
2. c) Agro-based industries
3. c) Education level of workers
4. c) Handcrafted products
5. b) Mineral-based
6. c) Marine-based industries
7. c) Anand Milk Union Limited
8. c) Steel
9. a) Silicon Valley
10. c) Mineral-based industries
11. c) Large-scale industry
12. b) Proximity to raw materials
13. b) Availability of raw materials
14. b) Technological failure
15. b) Cotton textiles
16. b) Manufacturing
17. b) China
18. b) Natural disasters
19. b) Cotton
20. a) The extraction of metals from ores
Other Chapter
| Chapter 1:- Resource | Chapter 2:- Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources |
| Chapter 3:- Agriculture | Chapter 5:- Human Resources |
