Worksheet-3

Class - 10 (Economics)

Q1: "Suppose the average income of a country is not being

increased over time but the records of the National Income show
a rise". What does this situation signify?
Ans: When the average income of a country is not being increased
over time but the records of the National Income show a rise it is a
situation of unequal distribution of income.

Q2: Suggest any three ways to maintain Body Mass Index.

Ans: The three ways to maintain Body Mass Index (BMI) are:
● It is important to exercise at least 60-90 minutes most days of the
week.

● Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet.

● Avoid fast food and oily food.

Q3: "Sustainability of development is a crucial aspect in

present times". Support the statement with examples.

Ans: It is felt that the economic growth and industrialisation have

led to reckless exploitation of natural resources. Sustainability

promotes a rational use of natural resources.

(i) Currently, reckless exploitation of non-renewable natural

resources is going on. Since the stock of natural resources like

oil and minerals is limited, development should not take place at

 the cost of these scare natural resources as they are not

renewable in the near future.

(ii) Ground water is an example of renewable resource. But if we

use more that what is replinished by nature, then we would be

overusing this resource.

(iii) Once the non-renewable resources would be exhausted, we

would not be able to use them in future. So, using the resources

judiciously will help in maintaining the sustainability of

development of our ecosystem.

(iv) Economic development is a continuous process. Resources

are to be used in such a way that they are not exploited. At the

same time, development should not harm the environment.

Q.4. "Consequences of environmental degradation do not

respect national or state boundaries". Support the statement with
an example.
Ans: Consequences of environment degradation do not respect
national or state boundaries. This issue is no longer a regional or
national issue. Our future is linked together. Sustainability of
development Is essential for all the mankind and it is our common
responsibility to save the environment. These days, it is a matter of
discussion among different countries of world. Global warming, acid
rain etc. are not bound to a country and cannot be controlled by one
nation. It is a global matter for thinking and finding the solutions

Q.5. Why is average income considered as an important criteria

for development? Give one reason.
Ans: Average income is considered an important criteria for
development because it represents the total income of a country
divided by the total population. If the average income is adequate to
meet the basic requirements and provide other facilities, then the
country is considered developed.

Q.6. Why does Kerala have a low infant mortality rate?

Ans: Kerala has a low infant mortality rate due to the high
development of education and health facilities in the state.

Q.7. On the basis of which three indicators of HDI 2004 Sri Lanka
has a better rank than India?
Ans: On the basis of the following three indicators of HDI 2004, Sri Lanka
has a better rank than India:
● Life expectancy

● Gross enrollment ratio

● Per capita income

Q.8. What is the meaning of development? Explain the two

aspects of development.
Ans: Development refers to progress or improvement in lifestyle. Important
aspects of development are:
● Different persons can have different developmental goals.
 ● What may be development for one may not be development for the

other. It may even be destructive for the other.

Q.9. What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying
different countries? Describe its limitations.
Ans: The World Bank primarily uses per capita income as the criterion for
classifying different countries.
Limitations of using per capita income for classification:
● Narrow focus: Per capita income only considers the economic
aspect of life and disregards social factors such as education, health,
and life expectancy.
● Inequality: It hides disparities within countries, as a small population
in wealthy Middle Eastern countries may skew the per capita income,
while a significant population remains poor.
● Rich-poor division: Countries are divided into rich and poor based
on per capita income, oversimplifying the complex reality of
development.
● Lack of holistic assessment: The World Bank's classification
focuses solely on income, overlooking other crucial aspects of
development.
● Arbitrary thresholds: The classification uses specific income
thresholds, such as $49,300 per annum for rich countries and $2,500
or less for low-income or poor countries, which may not capture the
full range of economic and social conditions.

Q.10. How is it that the average person in Punjab has more

income than the average person in Kerala but it lags behind in
many other crucial areas? Explain.
Ans: The average person in Punjab may have a higher income
compared to the average person in Kerala, but this does not
necessarily imply a higher level of development in other crucial areas.
There are several reasons for this discrepancy.
Firstly, income alone is not a comprehensive measure of
development. Kerala has made significant progress in areas such as
education and healthcare, which contribute to overall development.
The state has a higher literacy rate and better access to healthcare
facilities compared to Punjab.
Secondly, Kerala has implemented effective social welfare programs
and initiatives that prioritize human development. For example, the
state has invested in quality education and healthcare, leading to
better outcomes in terms of literacy, life expectancy, and overall
well-being.
Lastly, Punjab may face challenges in terms of inadequate
investments in social sectors and a lack of emphasis on human
development. While income may be higher, the overall quality of life
and access to essential services may be lower in Punjab compared to
Kerala.
Therefore, it is important to consider multiple indicators of
development, including education, healthcare, and overall well-being,
rather than focusing solely on income, to assess the true level of
development in a region.
Q.11. 'For development, people look at a mix of goals". Support
the statement with three suitablee example.
Ans: For development, people look at a mix of goals, for example:
● People have different developmental goals because people come
from different background.

● Different people have different dreams and aspirations.

● People set their goals according to the changing circumstances and

the prevailing situation

● People may change the goal with the change in situation which could
be contradictory to the previous goal
 ● For example: A person willing to do higher education will change his
goal to go for employment because of the weak economic situation of

the family.

Q.12. Explain the three components of the Human Development

Index.
Ans: The three components of the Human Development Index are:
● It includes the level of development of a country.

● It indicates how far a country has traveled and how far it has yet to
travel to achieve high ranks in matters such as the per capita income

of the people.

● It includes important welfare elements such as life expectancy,

literacy, educational level of people, and health status.

Q.13. Which three efforts should be made by any country to

improve its HDI?
Ans: The three efforts which could be made by any country to improve its
HDI are:
● Improvement in human capacity through education and healthcare
that will result in:

● Providing 100% literacy to the people.

● Improving health facilities.

● Creating a pollution-free environment.

Q.14. What is sustainable development? Why is the issue of
sustainability important for development? Explain.
Ans: Sustainable development means development should take place
without damaging the environment, and development in the present should
not compromise with the needs of future generations.
The issue of sustainability is important and desirable for development
because:
● Economic development is a continuous process. Hence

resources should not be exploited. At the same time,

development should not harm the environment.

● It is desirable because everyone would certainly like the

present level of development to go further or at least be

maintained for future generations.

Q.15. What is national development? What aspects are covered

under national development?
Ans: National development refers to a nation's ability to improve the
standard of living and well-being of its population.
Aspects covered under national development include:
● Economic awareness: Increasing the economic knowledge
and awareness of the population.
● Agricultural outputs: Enhancing agricultural production and
productivity.
● Poverty eradication: Focusing on strategies and policies to
alleviate poverty within the nation.
● Rural development: Ensuring the development and progress
of rural areas.
● Urban growth management: Addressing the challenges
associated with urbanization and managing the growth of
urban areas.
 ● Gender parity: Striving for gender equality and equal
opportunities for all genders in society.
● Conflict resolution: Promoting peaceful discussions and
negotiations to resolve conflicts within the nation.

Q.16. Explain the importance of sustainable development by

giving the example of groundwater.
Ans: Groundwater is an important natural resource that exemplifies
the importance of sustainable development. Here's how:
● Groundwater is a renewable resource that plays a crucial role
in meeting the water needs of various sectors, including
agriculture, industry, and domestic use. However, excessive
extraction and overuse of groundwater can lead to its depletion
and long-term negative consequences.
● Sustainable development emphasizes the responsible and
judicious use of resources, including groundwater. By adopting
sustainable practices, such as efficient irrigation techniques,
rainwater harvesting, and recharging groundwater sources, we
can ensure the long-term availability of groundwater.
● For example, in areas where groundwater is the primary
source of irrigation for agriculture, sustainable practices like
drip irrigation and precision farming can help reduce water
wastage and improve water-use efficiency. This ensures that
the available groundwater resources are used optimally without
depleting them.
● Furthermore, sustainable development promotes the protection
of groundwater quality. Unregulated disposal of industrial
waste, improper sanitation systems, and excessive use of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides can contaminate
groundwater, making it unfit for human consumption and
harming ecosystems. Sustainable development focuses on
implementing proper waste management systems, promoting
 organic farming practices, and protecting water sources from
pollution, thus safeguarding the quality of groundwater.
● By prioritizing sustainable development practices, we can
ensure the sustainable use and management of groundwater
resources, meeting the present needs without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.