VALUE-Transparency in all our Actions. VISION-Stress Free Education.

MISSION-Maximum Care

SOCIAL SCIENCE
CLASS X
Economics – Development
[Previous Years Board Questions]
MCQs.
1. How will you calculate per capita income of a country?
(a) Total Population/National Income (b) National Income/Total Population
(c) National Income × Total Population (d) National Income / Working Population
2. Which of the following is the most important component for comparing different countries?
(a) Population (b) Income (c) Per capita income (d) Resources
3. What does Infant Mortality Rate indicate?
(a) Literate population in the 7 and above age.
(b) The number of children that die before the age of one year as a proportion of 1000 live children.
(c) The total number of children attending the school.
(d) The number of children born in a year.
4. Which of the following countries has higher rank (HDI Report) than India?
(a) Pakistan (b) Nepal (c) Bangladesh (d) Sri Lanka
5. Which of the following is most likely to be a development goal for landless rural labourers as :
(a) Highest support prices for their crops.
(b) They should be able to settle their children abroad
(c) Raised wages
(d) None of these
6. Which of the following region of the world has the largest crude oil reserves?
(a) Middle East (b) Russia (c) China (d) USA
7. Read the following data and answer the Question that follows :
Some comparative data on Haryana, Kerala & Bihar
State Infant Morality Rate Literacy Rate % Net Attendance
(per thousand Ratio (per 100
persons) persons)
Haryana 30 82 61
Kerala 7 94 82
Bihar 32 62 43

How much is the Net Absence Ratio of Haryana? Choose the appropriate option from the following :
(a) 39 (b) 27 (c) 38 (d) 18
8. Which of the following gives the CORRECT explanation of Gross Domestic Product?
(a) The value of final goods and services is added for secondary and tertiary sectors for one year.
(b) The value of every good and service is added up to for all the three sectors for one year.
(c) The value of final goods and services is added up for all the three sectors for one year.
(d) The value of goods is added for the primary sector for one year.

1
9. Which one of the following best describes Human Development Index (HDI)?
(a) Improvement in science, information and technology.
(b) Improvement in health, education and income.
(c) Improvement in information and communication
(d) Improvement in investment, finance and technology
10. "Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries." which
of the following is the essence of this statement?
(a) Economic development (b) Human Development
(c) Sustainable Development (d) National Development
11. Assertion : Farmer wishes for good MSP meanwhile a student wishes for better schooling facilities.
Reason : Different persons can have different developmental goals.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false but Reason is true.
ANSWER KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
b c b d c a a c b c a

12. "People have conflicting developmental goals". Support the statement with suitable example.
Ans. (1) People have conflicting development goals because life situations of persons are different.
People seek things that are most important for them i.e., the things that can fulfil their
aspirations, desires or needs. Therefore sometimes, two persons or groups of persons may seek
things which are conflicting.
(2) Industrialists may consider construction of dams as development. This is because, it provides
electricity that they need. In contrary, tribals, farmers and other groups may resent this as the
construction of dams may lead to submergence of their land and loss of their livelihood.
(3) Similarly, a girl expects as much freedom and opportunity as her brother and that he also shares
in the household work but her brother may not like this.
13. Why do different people have different goals for development? Explain.
Or
Why do different persons have different notions of development? Explain
Ans. (1) This is because, life situations of persons are different. People seek things that are most
important for them i.e., the things that can fulfil their aspirations, desires or needs
(2) Sometimes, two persons or groups of persons may seek things which are even conflicting.
(3) A girl may expect as much freedom and opportunity as her brother and that he also shares in
the household work. But, her brother may not like this.

2
 (4) Industrialists may want more dams. They may consider construction of dams as development as
it provides electricity that they need. While tribals, farmers and other groups may resent this as
the construction of dam may lead to submergence of their land and thus, lead to displacement
and loss of livelihood.
(5) They might resent this and may prefer small check dams or tanks to irrigate their land.
14. Conflicting goals can also be developmental goals. Elaborate with examples.
Or
"Development for one may not be development for the others." Support the statement with
examples.
Or
"Development for one may be the destruction for the other". Support the statement with example.
Or
Why are developmental goals conflicting goals also?
Ans. (1) It is absolutely true that at times, two persons or groups of persons may seek things which are
conflicting.
(2) Industrialists may consider construction of dams as development. This is because, it provides
electricity that they need. On the other hand, tribals, farmers and other groups may resent this
as the construction of dam may lead to submergence of their land and thus, lead to
displacement and loss of their livelihood.
(3) Similarly, a girl expects as much freedom and opportunity as her brother, and that he also shares
in the household work. But, her brother may not like this.
15. Explain common, different and conflicting goals by giving suitable examples.
Ans. (1) Common goals: There are some needs which are common to all like income, freedom, equality,
security, respect, friendship, etc
(2) Different goals: Development or progress does not mean the same thing for every individual.
Each individual has his own idea of development. For example, development for a farmer may
be better irrigation facilities; for an unemployed youth it may mean better employment
opportunities, etc.
(3) Conflicting goals: What may be development for some, may become destruction for some
others. For example, industrialists may want dams for electricity but such dams would displace
the natives of the region.
16. Why is 'mix of goals for development important for people? Explain.
Or
Why do people look at a mix of goals for development? Explain.
Ans. This has the following reasons:

(1) Income is the most important goal for development. People want more income.
(2) Besides seeking more income, people also seek things like equal treatment, freedom, security
and respect of others. They resent discrimination. All these are important goals.

3
 (3) In some cases, these may be more important than more income or more consumption. In fact,
money (material things) is one factor on which our life depends. But, the quality of our life also
depends on these non-material things.

So, for development, people look at a mix of goals.

(4) For example, no doubt if women are engaged in paid work, their dignity in the household and
society increases. Most importantly, if there is respect for women, there would be more sharing
of housework and a greater acceptance of women working outside.

(5) Similarly, a safe and secure environment may allow more women to take up a variety of jobs or
run a business.

17. "Women, who are engaged in paid jobs are an example of persons who fulfil mix of goals. Analyse
the statement.

Or

How do the women engaged in paid jobs fulfil mix of goals? Explain.

Ans. (1) If women are engaged in paid work, their dignity in the household and society increases.

(2) It is also the case if there is respect for women, there would be more sharing of housework and a
greater acceptance of women working outside.

(3) A safe and secure environment may allow more women to take up a variety of jobs or run a
business.

18. Apart from salary, what other goals can you have in mind while taking up a new job? Explain.

Or

Describe any five conditions or aspects that you would consider before accepting a job?

Ans. (1) While taking up a new job, I may have the following goals in my mind, apart from salary :

(i) Facilities for my family

(ii) Working atmosphere

(iii) Opportunity to learn

(iv) Job security

(2) A job may give us less pay but may offer regular employment that enhances our sense of
security.

(3) We may require a sense of security and freedom. The development goals that people have are
not only about better income but also about other important things in life.

19. Calculate the Average Income of Country A and B :

4
Ans. Per Capita Income

Citizen Country A (Income) Country B (Income)

P 9500 500
Q 10500 500
R 9800 500
S 10000 500
T 10200 48000

(i) The Average Income of country A = `10,000.

(ii) The average income of country B = `10,000.
[Hint:
(i) Q The income or total income of the country = The income of all the residents of the country.
 Total income of the country A = `9,500 + 10,500 + 9,800 + 10,000 + 10,200
= 50,000
Total income of country A
Q Average income of country A =
Its population

50, 000
=  10,000
5(Five citizens  P, Q,R, S and T)

Total income of country B

(ii) Q Average income of country B =
Its population

500  500  500  500  48, 000

=
5(Five citizens)

50,000
=  10, 000]
5
20. What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying countries?
Or
If there are 4 families in a country with Per Capita Income of $ 15000. The income of 3 families is $
10000, $ 20000 and $ 12000. What is the income of the 4th family?
Ans. Per Capita Income
$ 18,000
[Hint:
Suppose that the income of the fourth family = x.
Total income of a country
Q Per Capita Income =
Its population

$10, 000  $20, 000  $18,000  x

 $ 15,000 =
4(Four families)

5
 $42, 000  x
 $ 15,000 =
4
 $ 42,000 + x = $ 60,000
 x = $ 60,000 – $ 42,000
= $ 18,000]
21. Explain any five basis of comparison of economic social development of different countries or states.
Or
Explain any three determinants of economic development.
Ans. (1) Per Capita Income: This means average income generated by each person in a given group of
people. That is, Per Capita Income or Average Income is the total income of the country (or
state) divided by its total population.
(2) Literacy Rate: It is also the basis of comparison of economic development of different countries
or states. Literacy Rate measures the proportion of literate population in the 7 and above age
group.
(3) Net Attendance Ratio: It is the total number of children of age group 6-10 attending school as
a percentage of total number of children in the same age group.
(4) Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): This health indicator indicates the number of children that die
before the age of one year as a proportion of 1,000 live children born in that particular year.
Lower the amount of IMR, higher is the rate of people being healthy.
(5) Life Expectancy at birth: It denotes average expected length of life of a person at the time-of
birth. Higher the life expectancy at birth, higher is considered the development of a nation.
22. The table below shows the monthly income of the citizens of two countries. Read the table carefully
and answer the following question:
Comparison of two countries
Monthly income of the citizens
Country I II III IV V
Country X 5200 5800 6300 6700 6000
Country Y 2500 2500 2500 2500 20000

(a) Calculate the average income of country X and Y.

(b) Which country is better and why?
(c) Why total income is not a useful measure for making comparisons between countries.
Total Income of a country
Ans. (a) Average Income of a country =
Its population

5200  5800  6300  6700  6000 30000

 Average Income of country X = 
5 5
= `6,000

6
 2500  2500  2500  2500  20000 30000
 Average Income of country Y = 
5 5
= `6,000
(b) (i) Country X is better.
(ii) This is because, country X has more equitable distribution of income.
(c) Since, countries have different populations, comparing total income will not tell us what an
average person is likely to earn.
23. What is meant by Per Capita Income? Mention any two limitations of Per Capita Income as an
indicator of development.
Or
Evaluate the significance and limitations of Average Income as a measure for development.
Or
Although averages are useful for comparing countries, they also hide disparities. Explain the
meaning of this statement.
Ans. (1) Average Income or Per Capita Income is the total income of the country divided by its total
population. It is an important indicator of economic development of the country. It is income
per head of the population per year.
(2) (i) Per Capita Income is an important indicator of development.
(ii) It is used to compare similarities and differences of the various parameters of development
of different countries.
(iii) Comparing countries by national income is not useful measure as countries have different
population. Thus, Per Capita Income is an important measure
(3) Per Capita Income has its limitations also.
(i) It does not tell us how the income is distributed among the people. Some may be very rich
but the masses may be poor. That is, it hides disparities.
(ii) Per Capita Income cannot be regarded as the sole indicator of development. Other areas
are also important like Literacy Rate, Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality Rate, etc.
24. What is meant by development? What is the most common indicator used to compare the levels of
development of different countries? Explain three demerits of using this indicator solely as a
measure of development.
Ans. (1) Development refers to progress or improvement in lifestyle. It is a set of goals that includes
income, equality, security, education, health, etc.
(2) Per Capita Income is the most common indicator used to compare the levels of development of
different countries.
(3) Following are the three demerits of using this indicator solely as a measure of development:
(i) Per Capita Income does not tell us how the income is distributed among the people.
(ii) It hides disparities. Some may be very rich but the masses may be poor.

7
 (iii) Per Capita Income cannot be regarded as the sole indicator of development but other areas
are also important like Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality Rate, Literacy Rate, pollution free
environment, less corruption, gender equality, etc.
25. What is Average Income? What is its importance? How is it calculated? Mention its limitations
related to development.
Or
Why is Per Capita Income not a reliable indicator of economic development? Explain.
Or
Although averages are useful for comparing countries, they also hide disparities. Explain the
meaning of this statement.
Ог
What is Per Capita Income? How is it calculated? Why is 'Per Capita Income' not an adequate
indicator of economic development of a country? Explain.
Or
What is Average Income? What is its importance ? Describe its limitations related to development.
Ans. (1) Average Income or Per Capita Income is an important indicator of economic development of the
country.
(2) It is used to compare similarities and differences of the various parameters of development of
different countries.
(3) Comparing countries by national income is not a useful measure as countries have different
populations. Thus, Average Income is an important measure.
(4) Average Income is total income of the country divided by the total population.
(5) Average Income has its limitation because it tells us about the averages but not about the actual
figures.
26. Why total income of countries is not used to make comparisons between them. Which criteria is
used? Explain.
Or
Why is 'total income not a useful measure to compare two countries? Explain.
Or
Why is total income not a useful measure for comparison between two countries? Explain the
reason.
Ans. (1) (i) The income of the country is the income of all the residents of the country.
(ii) This gives us the total income of the country. (ii) This is not used to make comparisons
between countries because countries have different populations.
(iii) Comparing total income will not tell us what an average person is likely to earn.
(2) (i) We use Average Income or Per Capita Income to make comparisons between them.
(ii) Average Income is the total income of the country divided by its total population. This is
also called the Per Capita Income.

8
27. Define the following terms:
Infant Mortality Rate (ii) Literacy Rate (iii) Net Attendance Ratio
Or
Explain the terms Infant Mortality Rate', 'Literacy Rate' and the 'Net Attendance Ratio'.
Or
Explain the term Net Attendance Ratio.
Ans. (1) Of course, for comparing economic development of countries, their income is considered to be
one of the most important attributes. This is based on the understanding that more income
means more of all things that human beings need. That is why, the World Bank uses Per Capita
Income to compare economic development.
(2) Apart from income, educational levels of the people and their health status are considered as
measures to compare economic development of a nation.
(i) Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): This indicates the number of children that die before the age
of one year as a proportion of 1,000 live children born in that particular year.
(ii) Literacy Rate: This measures the proportion of literate population in the 7 and above age
group.
(iii) Net Attendance Ratio: This is the total number of children of age group 14–15 attending
school as a percentage of total number of children in the same age group.
(iv) Life Expectancy at birth: It denotes average expected length of life of a person at the time
of birth.
28. What is development ? Explain the indicators used by UNDP for measuring development.
Ans. (1) Development: Development refers to progress or improvement in lifestyle. It does not mean
only income but it includes equality, security, education, health, environmental sustainability,
etc.
(2) Over the past decade or so, health and education indicators have come to be widely used along
with income as a measure of development. Most importantly, Human Development Report
published by UNDP compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their
health status and Per Capita Income. In this way, besides money, our life depends on health and
education,
(i) Per Capita Income: Per Capita Income is the total income of the country divided by its
total population. Income is considered to be one of the most important indicators of
development. This is based on the understanding that more income means more of all
thing that human beings need. Whatever people like and should have, they will be able to
get with greater income.
(ii) Life Expectancy at Birth: This denotes average expected length of life of a person at the
time of birth. Life Expectancy at birth has a direct and positive relationship with health
status of a country or region
(iii) Literacy Rate: This measures the proportion of literate population in the 7 and above age
group. Higher Literacy Rate of a country improves its Human Development Index.

9
29. What is BMI, how is it calculated? Also give two characteristics of renewable resources.
Ans. (1) One way to find out if adults are undernourished is to calculate what nutrition scientists call
Body Mass Index (BMI).
(2) For calculating BMI, we should take the weight of the person in kg. Then take the height in
metres. Further, we divide the weight by the square of the height. If this figure is less than 18.5
then the person would be considered undernourished. However, if this BMI is more than 25,
then a person is overweight. In this way, a person is considered physical fit if the BMI falls
between 18.5 and 25.
(3) Following are the characteristics of renewable resources:
(i) These resources are replenished by nature.
(ii) These are available continuously. For example, solar and wind energy, water, forests, etc.
30. What does HDI stand for? Explain the main criteria of measuring HDI according to UNDP Report of
1990.
Or
On the basis of which three indicators of HDI 2004 Sri Lanka has better rank than India?
Or
Explain the concept of Human Development Index. Explain the three basic components of
measuring Human Development Index.
Or
What is meant by HDI? Explain any four indicators of Human Development Index.
Ans. (1) HDI stands for Human Development Index.
(2) The main criteria of measuring HDI according to UNDP Report are educational levels of the
people, their health status and Per Capita Income.
(i) Literacy Rate for 15+ years population: According to Human Development Report, it
measures the proportion of literate population in the 15 and above age group.
(ii) Gross Enrolment Ratio for three levels: This means enrolment ratio for primary school,
secondary school and higher education beyond secondary school.
(iii) Life Expectancy at Birth: It denotes average expected length of life of a person at the time
of birth.
(iv) Per Capita Income: It is the total income of the country divided by its total population.
Here, it is calculated in dollars for all countries so that it can be compared. It in also done in
a way so that every dollar would buy the same amount of goods and services in any
country.
31. "Girls in India in the rural sector are sometimes not able to get secondary level education. Give three
reasons for this statement.
Ans. (1) Gender discrimination: Especially, illiterate parents are reluctant to provide education to their
girl child. They discriminate the girl child in comparison to male child.

10
 (2) Poverty: There is wide-spread poverty in rural India. So, parents want from their girl children to
add their family income. Particularly, girls are involved in domestic chore.
(3) Distance: Generally, schools are far away from the home. So, they are unable to go to school.
Besides, parents do not want to send their girl child to distant places because of her safety and
security reasons.
32. Why is it said that money cannot buy all the goods and services that one needs to live well? Explain.
Or
"Money cannot buy all the goods and services that one needs to live well". Support the statement
with three suitable examples,
Or
Cite any three daily life examples to prove that money in your pocket cannot buy all the goods and
services you may need to live well.
Ans. It is rightly said because:
(1) Money cannot buy peace and democracy.
(2) Money cannot buy a pollution-free environment or good health.
(3) Per Capita Income of Punjab is higher than Kerala, but still Punjab lags behind in education and
health facilities.
33. Differentiate between UNDP report and World Bank Report. Why is UNDP report more reliable of the
two?
Ans. (1) UNDP publishes Human Development Report on the basis of educational levels of the people,
their health status and Per Capita Income whereas, the World Bank takes into consideration only
the Average Income or Per Capita Income.
(2) The report presented by the UNDP is most reliable since it takes into account all the indicators
like health and education addition to income.
(3) The productive efficiency of an individual increases if he/she is skilled and healthy. In that case,
he/she can earn more income.
34. "The future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the present generation".
Why ? Give reason.
Ans. This in because, resources are being over-used by the present generation, which will make them
exhausted.
35. "Sustainability of development is a new area of knowledge". Do you agree? Justify your answer.
Ans. (1) Yes, I do agree with the statement that sustainability of development is a new area of
knowledge
(2) This is since the second half of the twentieth century, a number of scientists have been warning
that the present type, and levels of development are not sustainable.
(3) Sustainable development is the development of a country or the world not only at present, but
the development which is to be continued and maintained for future generations.
(4) Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries. Our
future is linked together.
(5) So, scientists, economists, philosophers and other social scientists of the world are working
together.

11
36. Show two ways in which industrial pollution degrades the environment? Suggest three measures to
control environment degradation.
Ans. (1) These are the ways in which industrial pollution degrades the environment:
(i) To industrialise rapidly, countries use fossil fuel, minerals and timber as sources of industrial
energy. They are depleting these natural resources and degrading natural ecosystems.
(ii) The present production technology pollutes atmosphere and water bodies with garbage.
litter, smoke and other poisonous gases.
(2) (i) We should do wise use of resources, without disturbing the environment.
(ii) We should use eco-friendly technology.
(iii) The government should enforce environmental laws strictly.
37. The future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the present generation".
Explain the statement by giving suitable examples.
Ans. It is quite true that the future generation may not have sufficient resources as compared to the
present generation.
(1) The statement explains that overuse of resources by the present generation would lead to
insufficiency of resources for the future generations.
(2) Development without adequate resources is impossible.
(3) For example,
(i) nearly 1/3 of the country is overusing groundwater resources.
(ii) They also overuse fossil fuels like petroleum, coal, etc.
38. What is meant by sustainable economic development? Write its main features.
Ans. (1) Sustainable development is a process as a result of which both income and economic welfare
tend to increase in a manner without overexploiting natural resources and taking care of the
need of future generation.
(2) The features of sustainable development are as under :
(i) It leads to judicious use of resources.
(ii) It reduces our dependence on the non-renewable resources.
(iii) It is helpful in inventing alternative resources.
(iv) It promotes reuse and recycle of resources.
39. What is the meaning of sustainability of development? Explain any four reasons responsible for
over-use of ground-water in recent times.
Or
What is meant by sustainable development ? Explain it by taking the case study of water.
Or
Explain the importance of sustainable development by giving the example of ground water.
Ans. (1) Sustainable development is the development of a country or world not only at present, but the
development which is to be continued and maintained for future generations.

12
 (2) For example, groundwater is a natural resource which is replenished by nature. People of a
particular generation must use water in such a way that people of future generation may also be
able to use groundwater. People should not over-use and degrade the quality of water so that
water is exhausted or if it remains, it is contaminated to such an extent that it becomes unusable
for people of future generations.
40. "Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries". Justify
the statement.
Or
Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries. Explain
the meaning of this statement.
Ans. (1) Consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries.
(2) This issue is no longer a regional or national issue.
(3) Our future is linked together. Sustainability of development is essential for all the mankind and it
is our common responsibility to save the environment.
(4) These days it is a matter of discussion among different countries of the world.
(5) Global warming, acid rain, etc. are not to be controlled by one nation. It is a global matter of
thinking and finding the solutions.

13