This MCQ module is based on: Development: Exercises
TOPIC 3 OF 17
Development: Exercises
🎓 Class 10
Social Science
CBSE
Theory
Ch 1 — Development
⏱ ~15 min
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Development: Exercises & Key Terms
NCERT Understanding Economic Development | Chapter 1 — Development | Summary & Practice
Key Terms and Concepts — Development Chapter 1 Revision
Development
A complex, multi-dimensional process of improving quality of life. Different people have different and sometimes conflicting goals.
Per Capita Income
Total national income divided by total population. Used by the World Bank to classify countries but hides inequality.
Human Development Index
A composite measure by UNDP combining health (life expectancy), education (schooling), and income (GNI per capita).
Sustainable Development
Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.
Infant Mortality Rate
Number of children dying before age one per 1,000 live births. A key health indicator — Kerala's IMR of 6 far surpasses Haryana's 28.
Literacy Rate
Proportion of literate population in the 7-and-above age group. Measures the reach and effectiveness of education.
Renewable Resources
Resources replenished by nature (groundwater, forests) — but can still be overused if extraction exceeds replenishment.
Non-Renewable Resources
Fixed stock resources (crude oil, coal) that will eventually be exhausted. World oil reserves may last only ~50 years.
NCERT Exercise Questions with Answers — Development
1 Development of a country can generally be determined by L1 Remember
Answer: (iv) all the above — Development is a multi-dimensional concept. It cannot be measured by income alone. The UNDP's Human Development Index combines per capita income, literacy/education, and health indicators to provide a more comprehensive picture.
2 Which of the following neighbouring countries has better performance in terms of human development than India? L1 Remember
Answer: (ii) Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka ranks 78th on the HDI compared to India's 134th rank. It leads India in life expectancy (76.6 vs 67.7 years), mean years of schooling (11.2 vs 6.5), and GNI per capita ($11,899 vs $6,951). Bangladesh also outperforms India (rank 129) but Sri Lanka is the most clearly ahead.
3 Assume there are four families in a country. The average per capita income of these families is Rs 5,000. If the income of three families is Rs 4,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 3,000 respectively, what is the income of the fourth family? L3 Apply
Answer: (iv) Rs 6,000 — Total income for 4 families = Average x Number of families = Rs 5,000 x 4 = Rs 20,000. Sum of known incomes = Rs 4,000 + Rs 7,000 + Rs 3,000 = Rs 14,000. Income of fourth family = Rs 20,000 - Rs 14,000 = Rs 6,000.
4 What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? What are the limitations of this criterion, if any? L4 Analyse
Answer: The World Bank uses per capita income (GNI per capita) as the main criterion. Countries with per capita income of US$ 63,400 or above (2023) are classified as high-income, while those at US$ 2,400 or below are low-income. Limitations: (1) Averages hide income inequality — a country with extreme rich-poor divide can still show moderate average income. (2) It ignores non-income factors like health, education, security, and environmental quality. (3) It does not indicate how public goods and services are distributed. Kerala's lower income but superior health and education outcomes compared to Haryana illustrate this limitation.
5 In what respects is the criterion used by the UNDP for measuring development different from the one used by the World Bank? L4 Analyse
Answer: The World Bank uses only per capita income to classify countries, while the UNDP uses the Human Development Index (HDI), which is a composite measure of three dimensions: (1) Health — life expectancy at birth, (2) Education — mean years of schooling, and (3) Standard of living — GNI per capita. The UNDP's approach is broader because it recognises that development is not just about income but about the overall quality of life. This is why a country like Sri Lanka can rank much higher than India despite being a smaller economy.
6 Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your own examples related to development. L5 Evaluate
Answer: We use averages because they allow us to compare large and complex data sets using a single number. For instance, comparing the total income of India (with 1.4 billion people) and Sri Lanka (with 22 million) is meaningless — per capita income makes comparison possible.
Limitations: Averages conceal disparities. Example 1: A country where 80% of people earn Rs 2,000 and 20% earn Rs 50,000 will show a decent average but most people live in poverty. Example 2: Average rainfall data may show a district receives adequate rain, but if all the rain falls in two weeks followed by months of drought, the "average" is misleading. Example 3: India's average literacy rate hides the gap between states like Kerala (94%) and Bihar (62%).
Limitations: Averages conceal disparities. Example 1: A country where 80% of people earn Rs 2,000 and 20% earn Rs 50,000 will show a decent average but most people live in poverty. Example 2: Average rainfall data may show a district receives adequate rain, but if all the rain falls in two weeks followed by months of drought, the "average" is misleading. Example 3: India's average literacy rate hides the gap between states like Kerala (94%) and Bihar (62%).
7 Kerala, with lower per capita income has a better human development ranking than Haryana. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare states. Do you agree? Discuss. L5 Evaluate
Answer: This is a partially correct statement. It is true that Kerala outperforms Haryana in human development despite lower income — with an IMR of 6 (vs 28), literacy of 94% (vs 82%), and secondary school attendance of 94% (vs 73%). This proves that income alone is inadequate.
However, saying per capita income should not be used at all goes too far. Income is important because it enables people to purchase goods and services. A state with extremely low income would struggle to invest in health and education. The correct approach is to use per capita income alongside other indicators like IMR, literacy, school attendance, and environmental quality. The HDI does exactly this — it combines income with health and education. Per capita income is a useful criterion, but it must be one of several, not the only one.
However, saying per capita income should not be used at all goes too far. Income is important because it enables people to purchase goods and services. A state with extremely low income would struggle to invest in health and education. The correct approach is to use per capita income alongside other indicators like IMR, literacy, school attendance, and environmental quality. The HDI does exactly this — it combines income with health and education. Per capita income is a useful criterion, but it must be one of several, not the only one.
8 Find out the present sources of energy that are used by the people in India. What could be the other possibilities fifty years from now? L6 Create
Answer: Current sources: Coal (largest share of electricity generation), crude oil and petroleum (transport and industry), natural gas, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy, and increasingly solar and wind energy. Traditional fuels like firewood and cow dung are still used in rural areas for cooking.
Possibilities 50 years from now: (1) Solar energy — India receives abundant sunshine and is already building massive solar parks. (2) Wind energy — coastal and highland areas have significant potential. (3) Hydrogen fuel cells — clean energy for vehicles and industry. (4) Advanced nuclear energy (thorium reactors, as India has large thorium reserves). (5) Tidal and wave energy along India's long coastline. (6) Biofuels from agricultural waste. The shift from non-renewable (coal, oil) to renewable sources is essential for sustainable development.
Possibilities 50 years from now: (1) Solar energy — India receives abundant sunshine and is already building massive solar parks. (2) Wind energy — coastal and highland areas have significant potential. (3) Hydrogen fuel cells — clean energy for vehicles and industry. (4) Advanced nuclear energy (thorium reactors, as India has large thorium reserves). (5) Tidal and wave energy along India's long coastline. (6) Biofuels from agricultural waste. The shift from non-renewable (coal, oil) to renewable sources is essential for sustainable development.
9 Why is the issue of sustainability important for development? L4 Analyse
Answer: Sustainability is crucial because current development patterns are depleting natural resources and degrading the environment at rates that cannot continue indefinitely. Key reasons: (1) Non-renewable resources like crude oil have limited reserves — global oil may last only 50 years at present extraction rates. (2) Even renewable resources like groundwater are being overused — 300 districts in India report water level declines of over 4 metres. (3) Environmental degradation (pollution, deforestation, climate change) does not respect national boundaries and affects everyone. (4) If we exhaust resources today, future generations will be unable to sustain or improve their quality of life. Development that destroys the environment is ultimately self-defeating.
10 "The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person." How is this statement relevant to the discussion of development? Discuss. L5 Evaluate
Answer: This statement, attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, captures the core tension in development. It suggests that: (1) Needs vs Greed: If resources are used to meet genuine needs — food, shelter, healthcare, education — there is enough for everyone. But if individuals or nations consume excessively (over-extraction of groundwater, wasteful energy use, overconsumption), resources get depleted rapidly. (2) Inequality: A small percentage of the world's population consumes a disproportionately large share of resources. The richest countries, with higher consumption patterns, contribute most to resource depletion and pollution. (3) Sustainability: Development driven by greed is inherently unsustainable. Crude oil reserves lasting only 50 years and groundwater depletion are direct consequences of overconsumption. (4) Policy implication: True development must be equitable and sustainable — ensuring basic needs are met for all while preventing excessive consumption by a few.
11 List a few examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you. L3 Apply
Sample Answer: (1) Increasing air pollution from vehicles and factories, especially visible in winter smog in North Indian cities. (2) Polluted rivers and drains — many urban rivers carry untreated sewage. (3) Deforestation for construction, roads, and agriculture. (4) Declining water table — borewells needing to go deeper each year. (5) Plastic waste accumulating in streets, drains, and water bodies. (6) Loss of green cover in urban areas. (7) Soil erosion due to excessive use of chemical fertilisers. Students should relate these to their own locality for a more authentic response.
12 For each of the items given in Table 1.6 (HDR data), find out which country is at the top and which is at the bottom. L3 Apply
| Indicator | Top Country | Bottom Country |
|---|---|---|
| GNI per capita (PPP $) | Sri Lanka ($11,899) | Nepal ($4,026) |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | Sri Lanka (76.6 yrs) | Pakistan (66.4 yrs) |
| Mean Years of Schooling | Sri Lanka (11.2 yrs) | Pakistan (4.4 yrs) |
| HDI Rank (best) | Sri Lanka (Rank 78) | Pakistan (Rank 164) |
Sri Lanka leads in every indicator among India and its neighbours. Pakistan ranks lowest in life expectancy, schooling, and HDI.
13 The following table shows the proportion of adults (aged 15-49) whose BMI is below normal in India (NFHS-5, 2019-21). Study the data and answer. L4 Analyse
| State | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | 8.5 | 10 |
| Karnataka | 17 | 21 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 28 | 28 |
| All States | 20 | 23 |
(i) Comparison: Kerala has far better nutritional status — only 8.5% of males and 10% of females are undernourished, compared to 28% for both genders in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh's undernutrition is nearly three times that of Kerala and significantly above the national average (20% males, 23% females).
(ii) Why are one-fifth undernourished despite food sufficiency? India produces enough food overall, but: (1) Poverty prevents many from buying sufficient nutritious food. (2) The Public Distribution System does not function effectively in all states. (3) Women and girls often eat less and last, leading to higher female undernutrition. (4) Lack of awareness about balanced diet and nutrition. (5) Unequal distribution — food availability varies greatly across states and between urban-rural areas.
(ii) Why are one-fifth undernourished despite food sufficiency? India produces enough food overall, but: (1) Poverty prevents many from buying sufficient nutritious food. (2) The Public Distribution System does not function effectively in all states. (3) Women and girls often eat less and last, leading to higher female undernutrition. (4) Lack of awareness about balanced diet and nutrition. (5) Unequal distribution — food availability varies greatly across states and between urban-rural areas.
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Competency-Based Questions — Full Chapter Review
Case Study: The government of State Z announces that its per capita income has risen by 15% over five years. However, data shows that the top 10% of earners captured 80% of the income gains, while the bottom 50% saw only a 2% rise. Meanwhile, groundwater levels fell by 6 metres and 40% of schools in rural areas lack proper infrastructure.
Q1. Can we conclude that all sections of State Z's population have become better off? Justify with reference to the data.
L4 Analyse
Q2. How does the groundwater decline in State Z connect to the concept of sustainable development?
L5 Evaluate
Q3. Using the HDI framework, what indicators would you use to assess whether State Z is truly "developing"? Which indicators does the government's announcement ignore?
L5 Evaluate
HOT Q. As an economic advisor to State Z, propose a 3-point development plan that addresses the shortcomings revealed by the data. Each point must address a different dimension (income equity, education, sustainability).
L6 Create
🔗 Assertion–Reason Questions — Chapter Revision
Assertion (A): Average income is a useful but limited measure for comparing countries.
Reason (R): Two countries with the same average income may have very different levels of income inequality.
Reason (R): Two countries with the same average income may have very different levels of income inequality.
Assertion (A): Environmental degradation is a challenge only for developing countries.
Reason (R): The consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national boundaries.
Reason (R): The consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national boundaries.
ADDITIONAL PROJECT
L6 Create
Invite three different speakers to talk about the development of your region. Ask them all the questions that come to your mind. Discuss the ideas in groups. Each group should prepare a wall chart presenting:
- Ideas you agree with and why
- Ideas you disagree with and why
- Your group's own vision for your region's development
- How your vision addresses both income and non-income goals
- How your vision ensures sustainability for future generations
Reference: NCERT Official Textbook — Economics Class 10 | CBSE Curriculum 2025
Frequently Asked Questions — Development Exercises and Key Terms
What are the important questions from Development Chapter 1?
Important questions from Development Chapter 1 include: comparing per capita income of countries, explaining why different people have different development goals, distinguishing between income and non-income indicators, explaining the Human Development Index, and discussing sustainability of development. Questions on conflicting goals and limitations of average income are frequently asked in CBSE board exams.
How do you calculate per capita income for NCERT exercises?
Per capita income is calculated by dividing the total national income of a country by its total population. For example, if a country's total income is Rs 12 lakh crore and population is 120 crore, the per capita income is Rs 1 lakh per year. NCERT exercises often ask students to compare per capita incomes and analyse which country is more developed based on this and other indicators.
What key terms should I revise for Development Chapter 1?
Key terms include: development, per capita income (average income), national development, Human Development Index (HDI), infant mortality rate, literacy rate, net attendance ratio, life expectancy at birth, sustainable development, renewable resources, non-renewable resources, public facilities, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Understanding each term is essential for board exams.
How to answer long-answer questions on development goals?
Structure your answer by first defining development, then explaining that different people have different and sometimes conflicting goals. Use NCERT examples like landless labourers vs prosperous farmers, or dam construction affecting tribal populations. Include both income and non-income goals, mention the role of public facilities, and conclude with how national development considers all factors.
What is the difference between developed and developing countries?
The World Bank classifies countries with per capita income of US$ 12,056 or more per annum as rich or developed countries, and those with lower incomes as developing countries. However, this classification based solely on income is limited. The UNDP uses HDI, which includes education and health indicators alongside income, to provide a more comprehensive picture of development levels.
Why is sustainable development important according to NCERT?
Sustainable development is important because current patterns of resource use, especially non-renewable resources like fossil fuels, cannot continue indefinitely without affecting future generations. NCERT highlights groundwater depletion in India as a critical example. Balancing economic growth with environmental protection ensures that future generations can also meet their needs.
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