Class 8 – Jharkhand Board Solution

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 8 Confronting Marginalisation

September 5, 2024September 4, 2024 by Prasanna

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 8 Confronting Marginalisation

JAC Class 8th Civics Confronting Marginalisation InText Questions and Answers

Page 97

Question 1.
State one reason why you think reservations play an important role in providing social justice to Dalits and Adivasis?
Answer:
Reservations plays an important role in providing social justice to Dalits and Adivasis because it creates special opportunities for them to come up in the same level as of the mainstream of the soeicty

Question 2.
Complete the table.

List of schemes	What is this scheme about?	How do you think it will help promote social justice?
Scholarships for students	It’s about the financial support to weaker and underprivileged sections of the society such as SCs and STs.	It will help them to get education and will bring them equal to others.
Special police stations	Police stations specially for SCs and STs.	The cases will be solved faster.
Special schemes for girls in government schools	Free education and scholarships for girls.	It will help to enroll more girls students for education.

Page 99

Question 3.
In your opinion does the force put on Rathnam to perform this ritual violate his Fundamental Rights?
Answer:
Yes, it violates Rathnam’s Fundamental Rights.

Question 4.
Why do you think the Dalit families were afraid of angering the powerful castes?
Answer:
The Dalit families were afraid of angering the powerful castes because they would be perished and won’t get work as well.

Page 100

Question 5.
Can you list two different provisions in the 1989 Act?
Answer:
Two different provisions in the 1989 Act are as follows:

To occupy Dalit and Adivasis’s land forcefully and wrongfully.
No forced displacement.

Question 6.
Look up the glossary and write in your own words what you understand by the term ‘morally reprehensible’.
Answer:
Any act which violates the norms and rules of dignity and decency and which goes against the values that society has accepted is termed as ‘morally reprehensible’.

Page 101

Question 7.
What do you understand by manual scavenging?
Answer:
Manual scavenging means the practice of removing human and animal waste or excreta using brooms, tin plates and baskets from dry latrines and carry these waste on their head to the disposal grounds.

Page 101

Question 8.
Re-read the list of Fundamental Rights provided on page 14 and list two rights that this practice violates?
Answer:
Two Rights that the practice of manual scavenging violates are as follows:

Right to Freedom
Right to Equality.

Question 9.
Why did the Safai Karamchari Andolan tile a PIL in 2003’? What did they complain about in their petition?
Answer:
The Safai Karamchari Andolan file a PI L in 2003 for the purpose to get manual scavenging banned. In their petition, they complained that manual scavenging still existed and it is happening in government undertakings as well such as railways. They want enforcement of their Fundamental Rights.

Question 10.
What did the Supreme Court do on hearing their case in 2005?
Answer:
The Supreme Court directed every department of the union government and state governments to verify the facts within 6 months after hearing the case in 2005. If it was found to exist, then the government department has to actively take up a time bound programme for their rehabilitation.

JAC Class 8th Civics Confronting Marginalisation Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
List two Fundamental Rights in the Constitution that Dalits can draw upon to insist that they be treated with dignity and as equals. Re-read the Fundamental Rights listed on page 14 to help you answer this question.
Answer:
The fundamental rights in the Constitution that Dalits can draw upon to insist that they be treated with dignity and as equals are as follows:

Right to Equality:
All persons are equal before the law. No one can be discriminated on the basis of religion, race, caste, gender or place of birth.
Right against Exploitation:
It prohibits all forms of forced labour, child labour and trafficking of human beings.

Question 2.
Re-read the story on Rathnam as well as the provisions of the 1989 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Now list one reason why you think he used this law to file a complaint.
Answer:
The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 seeks to punish those who humiliate or ill-treat the member of dalit or tribal groups. To seek protection against the domination and violence of the powerful castes in the village, Rathnam sought the support of law, filing his complaint under the above Act.

Question 3.
Why do Adivasi activists, including C.K. Janu, believe that Adivasis can also use this 1989 Act to fight against dispossession? Is there anything specific in the provisions of the Act that allows her to believe this?
Answer:
The Adivasi activists, including C.K. Janu, believe that Adivasis can use the 1989 Act to fight against dispossession because this Act guarantees the tribals not to be dispossessed from their land and resources forcibly. This Act confirms that the land owned by any tribal people cannot be sold to or bought by non-tribal people. If this happens, the Constitution guarantees the right of the tribal people to repossess their land.

Question 4.
The poems and the song in this Unit allow you to see the range of ways in which individuals and communities express their opinions, their anger and their sorrow. In class, do the following two exercises:
(a) Bring to class a poem that discusses a social issue. Share this with your classmates. Work in small groups with two or more poems to discuss their meaning as well as what the poet is trying to communicate.
(b) Identify a marginalised community in your locality. Write a poem, or song, or draw a poster, etc., to express your feelings as a member of this community.
Answer:
(a) It’s a classroom activity.
(b) Students need to do it on their own.

JAC Class 8th Civics Confronting Marginalisation Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Marginalised groups insist the government to enforce which of the following thing/s, so they can enjoy rights equally?
(a) Laws
(b) Religion
(c) Compulsory education
(d) All of these
Answer:
(a) Laws

Question 2.
………. of the Indian Constitution states that untouchability has been abolished.
(a) Article 11
(b) Article 13
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 17
Answer:
(d) Article 17

Question 3.
Article 17 of the Constitution states that untouchability has been abolished. It means that:
(a) It is wrong to practise untouchability and that this practice will not be tolerated by a democratic government.
(b) No one can henceforth prevent Dalits from educating themselves, entering temples, using public facilities etc.
(c) Untouchability is a punishable crime now.
(d) Both b and c.
Answer:
(b) No one can henceforth prevent Dalits from educating themselves, entering temples, using public facilities etc.

Question 4.
One of the schemes that government implementation in tribal areas or in areas that have a high Dalit population is:
(a) Free or subsidised hostels for students of Dalit and Adivasi communities.
(b) Free or subsidised car for students of Dalit and Adivasi communities.
(c) Free or subsidised air conditioner for students of Dalit and Adivasi communities.
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Free or subsidised hostels for students of Dalit and Adivasi communities.

Question 5.
Which of the following way/s the reservation policy work?
(a) Government across the country have their own list of SCs or Dalits, STs and backward and most backward castes.
(b) For admission to colleges, especially to institutes of professional education, such as medical colleges, governments define a set of ‘cut-off’ marks.
(c) Students applying to educational institutions and those applying for posts in government are expected to furnish proof of their caste or tribe status in the form of caste and tribe certificates.
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 6.
In addition to policies our country also has specific laws that guard against the discrimination and exploitation of marginalised communities. The Act is
(a) The Adivasi and Dalits Act 1988
(b) The Adivasi and the Scheduled Castes Act 1990
(c) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

Question 7.
The names of the manual scavengers in different parts of India is/are
(a) Bhangis in Gujarat
(b) Sikkaliars in Tamil Nadu
(c) Pakhis in Andhra Pradesh
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 8.
The Central Government passed the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Act in the year
(a) 2005
(b) 2008
(c) 2009
(d) 2010
Answer:
(c) 2009

Question 9.
Dalit means:
(a) To highlight the discrimination of wealth.
(b) Too highlight the discrimination of caste.
(c) To highlight the discrimination of gender.
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Too highlight the discrimination of caste.

Question 10.
The term ‘Assertive’ means:
(a) Those who never express themselves.
(b) Those who oppose every concept.
(c) Those who express themselves strongly.
(d) Both b and c
Answer:
(a) Those who never express themselves.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
The force is put on Ratham to perform the ritual of washing the feet of the priest and then bathing in that water’. Which fundamental right is being violated in the case?
Answer:
The Fundamental Right which is being violated is Right to Freedom.

Question 2.
What do you mean by the ‘Reservation Policy’?
Answer:
Reservation Policy is the policy which reserve seats in education and government employment for Dalits and Adivasis.

Question 3.
What did the marginal groups rely on to protect themselves from continued exploitation by other groups?
Answer:
Marginal groups relied on Constitution to protect themselves from continued exploitation by other groups.

Question 4.
How have the marginalised communities drawn on the fundamental rights?
Answer:
The marginalised communities have drawn on these rights in two ways: First, by insisting on their Fundamental Rights, they have forced the government to recognise the injustice done to them. Second, they have insisted that the government enforce these laws.

Question 5.
To which caste did the Bhakti poet Chokhamela from fourteenth century Maharashtra belong?
Answer:
The Bhakti poet Chokhamela from fourteenth century Maharashtra belonged to the Mahar caste, which was at that time considered untouchable.

Question 6.
W ho is questioning the idea of purity and arguing that since every human is born in the same manner, there is nothing that makes one body less or more pure than the other?
Answer:
Soyrabai, the wife of Bhakti poet, Chokhamela is questioning the idea of purity and arguing that since every human is bom in the same manner, there is nothing that makes one body less or more pure than the other.

Question 7.
Who was Kabir?
Answer:
Kabir was a fifteenth century poet and weaver who also belonged to the Bhakti tradition.

Question 8.
How many people are working as manual scavengers in government and private sectors?
Answer:
There are one lakh persons from Dalit communities who continue to be employed in this job in the country and who work in 26 lakh private and community dry latrines managed by municipalities.

Question 9.
In the year 1993, which Act was passed?
Answer:
In the year 1993, the government passed the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act.

Question 10.
What does the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act means?
Answer:
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act meant to undo the historical injustices meted out to forest dwelling populations in not recognising their rights to land and resources.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
In what manner government tried to eradicate manual scavenging?
Answer:
In 1993, the government passed the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act. This law prohibits the employment of manual scavengers as well as the construction of dry latrines.

Question 2.
Discuss in brief the 1989 Act made in context to Adivasi demands.
Answer:
The 1989 Act confirms what has already been promised to tribal people in the Constitution, that land belonging to tribal people cannot be sold to or bought by non-tribal people. In cases where this has happened, the Constitution guarantees the right of tribal people to re-possess their land.

Question 3.
What is manual scavenging? How is it harmful for people who practice it?
Answer:
Manual scavenging refers to the practice of removing human and animal waste/ excreta using brooms, tin plates and baskets from dry latrines and carrying it on the head to disposal grounds some distance away. Manual scavengers are exposed to subhuman conditions of work and face serious health problems. They are constantly exposed to infections that affect their eyes, skin, respiratory and gastro-intestinal systems.

Question 4.
Explain in brief the reservation policy.
Answer:
The laws which reserve seats in education and government employment for Dalits and Adivasis are based on an important argument that in a society like ours, where for centuries sections of the population have been denied opportunities to learn and to work in order to develop new skills or vocations, a democratic government needs to step in and assist these sections.

Question 5.
Express the ideas of C.K. Janu, an Adivasi activist on violation of constitutional rights by the government of various Indian states.
Answer:
C.K. Janu, an Adivasi activist has pointed out that one of the violators of Constitutional rights guaranteed to tribal people are governments in the various states of India. It is they who allow non- tribal encroachers in the form of timber merchants, paper mills, etc., to exploit tribal land and to forcibly evict tribal people from their traditional forests in the process of declaring forests as reserved or as sanctuaries. She has also said that in cases where tribals and adivasis have already been evicted and cannot go back to their lands, they must be compensated.

Question 6.
In which way the reservation policy work?
Answer:
Governments across India have their own list of Scheduled Castes or Dalits, Scheduled Tribes and backward and most backward castes. The central government too has its list. Students applying to educational institutions and those applying for posts in government are expected to furnish proof of their caste or tribe status, in the form of caste and tribe certificates. If a particular Dalit caste or a certain tribe is on the government list, then a candidate from that caste or tribe can avail of the benefit of reservation.

Question 7.
Mention the important features of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
Answer:
The important features of Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 are as follows:

It meant to undo the historical injustices meted out to forest dwelling populations in not recognising their rights to land and resources.
This Act recognises their right to homestead cultivable and grazing land and to non-timber forest produce.
The Act also points out that the rights of forest dwellers includes conservation of forests and bio-diversity.

Question 8.
Dalits asserted themselves. How?
Answer:
Dalits asserted themselves in the following ways:

During 1970s and 1980s, in parts of southern India, a number of assertive Dalit groups came into being and asserted their rights. They refused to perform their so-called caste duties and insisted on being treated equally.
These groups demanded new laws that would list the various sorts of violence against dalits and prescribe stringent punishment for those who indulge in them.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Adivasi people successfully organised themselves and demanded equal rights and for their land and resources to be returned to them.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss few crimes listed in Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989.
Answer:
Few crimes which are listed in Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 are as follows:
(i) Firstly, it lists modes of humiliation that are both physically horrific and morally reprehensible and seeks to punish those who:

force a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe to drink or eat any inedible or obnoxious substance.
forcibly removes clothes from the person of a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe or parades him or her naked or with painted face or body or commits any similar act which is derogatory to human dignity.

(ii) Secondly, it lists actions that dispossess Dalits and Adivasis of their meagre resources or which force them into performing slave labour. Thus, the Act sets out to punish anyone who wrongfully occupies or cultivates any land owned by, or allotted to, a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe or get the land allotted to him transferred.

(iii) At another level, the Act recognises that crimes against Dalit and tribal women are of a specific kind and, therefore, seeks to penalise anyone who assaults or uses force on an woman belonging to a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe with intent to dishonour her.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Prasanna

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 4 Agriculture

JAC Class 8th Geography Agriculture InText Questions and Answers

Page 43

Question 1.
Who discovered the coffee plant?
Answer:
In about AD 850, Kaldi, an Arab goat- herder, who was puzzled by the queer antics of his flock, tasted the berries of the evergreen bush on which the goats were feeding. On experiencing a sense of exhilaration, he proclaimed his discovery to the world.

JAC Class 8th Geography Agriculture Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Answer the following questions.
(i) What is agriculture?
Answer:
Agriculture is a primary activity which includes growing crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers and rearing of livestock. It is also known as farming.

(ii) Name the factors influencing agriculture?
Answer:
The factors influencing agriculture are the climate and topography of soil.

(iii) What is shifting cultivation? What are its disadvantages?
Answer:
Shifting cultivation is also known as slash and bum agriculture. In this cultivation a plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. Then the ashes are mixed with the soil and crops are grown. The land is abandoned after the soil loses its fertility and the cultivator moves to a new plot. The disadvantages are deforestation occurs and trees are burnt which are not good for environment.

(iv) What is plantation agriculture?
Answer:
Commercial farming where only a single type of crop is grown such as banana, coffee, tea, sugarcane is known as plantation agriculture. In this type of agriculture, large amount of capital and labour are required The produce is either processed in the farm itself or in i nearby factories.

(v) Name the fibre crops and name the climatic conditions required for their growth.
Answer:
The fibre crops are cotton and jute. The climatic conditions required for their growth are:
Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 days and bright sunshine for its growth. Jute requires high temperature, heavy rainfall and humid climate.

Tick the correct answer.

Question 2.
(i) Horticulture means
(a) growing of fruits and vegetables
(b) primitive farming
(c) growing of wheat
Answer:
(a) growing of fruits and vegetables

(ii) Golden fibre refers to
(a) tea
(b) cotton
(c) jute
Answer:
(c) jute

(iii) Leading producers of coffee
(a) Brazil
(b) India
(c) Russia
Answer:
(a) Brazil

Question 3.
Give reasons.

In India agriculture is a primary activity.
Different crops are grown in different regions.

Answer:
1. In India agriculture is a primary activity because two third of the population depends on agriculture and it provides around 65% of work to labour force. It is also responsible for 25% of Gross Domestic Product and total value of nation’s export is 16%.

2. Since different crops require different climatic and geographical conditions hence different crops are grown in different regions. Certain human factors also play an important role such as labour, demand of yield and technology level.

Question 4.
Distinguish between the followings.

Primary activities and tertiary activities.
Subsistence farming and intensive farming.

Answer:
1.

Primary activities	Tertiary Activities
It includes all those connected with extraction and production of natural resources.	It provides support to the primary and secondary sectors through services.
Agriculture, fishing and gathering are examples of this activity.	Transport, trade, banking, insurance and advertising are examples of this activities.

Subsistence Farming	Intensive Farming
It is practised to meet the needs of the farmer’s family.	The farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.
Low levels of technology and household labour are used to produce on vsmall output.	In this type of farming, quality seeds, rich manure and fertilisers are used

Question 5.
Activity

Collect seeds of wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, ragi, maize, oilseeds and pulses available in the market. Bring them to the class and find out in which type of soil they grow.
Find out the difference between the life style of farmers in the USA and India on the basis of pictures collected from magazines, books, newspapers and the internet.

Answer:

Type of soil in which the following grows:
Rice – Alluvial clayey Wheat – Alluvial soil Jowar, bajra and ragi – Desert Maize, oilseeds – Alluvial, Black Pulses- Red, Alluvial
Students need to do on their own.

Question 6.
For Fun.
Solve the crossword puzzle with the help of given ciues

Across:
1. Crop that needs well drained fertile soils, moderate temperatures and lots of sunshine (5)
2. Increasing production through use of HYV seeds, chemical fertilisers and pesticides (5,10)
4. USA, Canada, Russia, Australia are major producers of this crop (5)
10. Type of farming to meet family needs (11)
13. Rearing of animals for sale (9)
14. Growing grapes for wines (11)

Down:
1. Coarse grains are also called (7)
3. Cultivation involving slash and bum (8)
5. Growing of crops, fruits and vegetables (11)
6. Tea, coffee, sugarcane and mbber are grown in (11)
7. Requires 210 frost-free days for growth (6)
8. Growing of flowers (12)
9. Also called ‘Golden Fibre’ (4)
11. Also known as paddy (4)
12. Activity concerned with extraction of natural resources (7)
Answer:

JAC Class 8th Geography Agriculture Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The process in which farmers use organic manure and natural pesticides instead of chemicals is called
(a) Mechanical farming
(b) Non-organic farming
(c) Organic farming
(d) All of these
Answer:
(c) Organic farming

Question 2.
Thescienceofcommercially cultivating grapes is called .
(a) Viticulture
(b) Horticulture
(c) Sericulture
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Viticulture

Question 3.
Tertiary activities are……
(a) provide support to only primary activities.
(b) provide support to only secondary activities.
(c) provide support to both primary and secondary activities.
(d) none of these
Answer:
(c) provide support to both primary and secondary activities.

Question 4.
Coarse grains are….. .
(a) rice
(b) millets
(c) wheat
(d) all of these
Answer:
(b) millets

Question 5.
The word ‘agriculture’ origins from
a. Latin term agri means soil.
(b) Latin term culture means cultivation.
(c) Neither a nor b
(d) Both a and b
Answer:
(d) Both a and b

Question 6.
The inputs of a farm system are…….
(a) seeds and fertiisers
(b) labour
(c) machinery
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these

Question 7.
Out of the following which is not a cropping season of India?
(a) Kaffir
(b) Rabi
(c) Kharif
(d) Zaid
Answer:
(a) Kaffir

Question 8.
Jhumming, Ladang, Milap, Roca & Ray are also known as:
(a) Shifting Farming
(b) Commercial Farming
(c) Nomadic Farming
(d) Intensive Farming
Answer:
(a) Shifting Farming

Question 9.
………. is……. grown in winter. It requires rainfall during growing season and bright sunshine at the time of harvest.
(a) Rice
(b) Watermelon
(c) Wheat
(d) Bajra
Answer:
(c) Wheat

Question 10.
The land on which crops are grown is known as:
(a) Wet Land
(b) Arable Land
(c) Dry Land
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Arable Land

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by agricultural development?
Answer:
Agricultural development refers to efforts made to increase the production of farm in order to meet the growing demand of the increasing population.

Question 2.
What is the science of commercial silk worm rearing known as?
Answer:
The science of commercial silk worm rearing is known as Sericulture.

Question 3.
What is the position of India in terms of rice production in the world?
Answer:
India is the second largest producer of rice in the world.

Question 4.
What percentage of world’s coffee production does India produce?
Answer:
The percentage of world’s coffee production does India produce is 3.2%.

Question 5.
Name the two most important staple food crops of the world.
Answer:
The two most important staple food crops of the world are rice and wheat.

Question 6.
What requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine?
Answer:
Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine.

Question 7.
List some animals reared by nomadic herders.
Answer:
Sheep, camel, yak and goats are most commonly reared animals by nomadic . herders.

Question 8.
How many types of subsistence farming is present?
Answer:
Two types of subsistence farming are there. They are intensive subsistence and primitive subsistence farming.

Question 9.
What do you mean by mixed farming?
Answer:
n mixed farming the land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock.

Question 10.
Where is wheat grown extensively and substantially?
Answer:
Wheat is grown extensively and substantially in USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and India.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What are the activities under the secondary sector?
Answer:
All activities connected with the manufacturing of goods with natural resources comes under secondary activities. Steel manufacturing, weaving cloth are the examples of secondary activities.

Question 2.
There are different kinds of cultivation. What are they?
Answer:
The different kinds of cultivation are Agriculture, Horticulture, Viticulture, Sericulture and Pisciculture.

Agriculture is cultivation on the soil.
Horticulture is growing vegetables, fruits and flowers for commercial use.
Viticulture is cultivation of grapes.
Sericulture is rearing of silk worms to extract silk.
Pisciculture is breeding of fish in specially constructed tanks and ponds.

Question 3
Shifting cultivation is known by different names in different regions of the world What are they?
Answer:
Shifting cultivation is known by different names in different parts of the world They are:

Jhumming – North-East India
Milpa -Mexico
Roca – Brazil
Ladang – Malaysia

Question 4.
When does food security exist?
Answer:
Food security exists when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Question 5.
What are the climatic conditions required for growing maize? In which countries they are grown?
Answer:
Maize requires moderate temperature, rainfall and lots of sunshine. It also needs well drained fertile soil. They are grown in North America, Brazil, China, Russia, India, Canada and Mexico.

Question 6.
What are the climatic conditions required for growing tea?
Answer:
Tea is a beverage crop grown on plantations. This requires cool climate and well distributed high rainfall throughout the year for the growth of its tender leaves. It needs well-drained loamy soils and gentle slopes. To pick the leaves, labour in large number is required.

Question 7.
Can agricultural development be achieved? How?
Answer:
Yes, agricultural development can be achieved in many ways such as increasing the cropped area, the number of crops grown, improving irrigation facilities, use of fertilisers and high yielding variety of seeds. Mechanisation of agriculture is also another aspect of agricultural development.

Question 8.
What type of agriculture is practiced in developing countries?
Answer:
Developing countries with large populations usually practise intensive agriculture where crops are grown on small holdings mostly for subsistence.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What are the different types of subsistence farming?
Answer:
The different types of subsistence farming are intensive subsistence and primitive subsistence farming:
(i) Intensive subsistence agriculture:
In intensive subsistence agriculture the farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour. The main crop is rice. Other crops include wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds. Intensive subsistence agriculture is prevalent in the thickly populated areas of the monsoon regions of south, south-east and east Asia.

(ii) Primitive subsistence agriculture:
It includes shifting cultivation and nomadic herding.Shifting cultivation is practised in the thickly forested areas of Amazon basin, tropical Africa, parts of south-east Asia and north-east India. A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava are grown. After the soil loses its fertility, the land is abandoned and the cultivator moves to a new plot.

Nomadic herding is practised in the semi-arid and arid regions of Sahara, Central Asia and some parts of India, like Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. In this type of farming, herdsmen move from place to place with their animals for fodder and water, along defined routes.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 3 Mineral and Power Resources

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Prasanna

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 3 Mineral and Power Resources

JAC Class 8th Geography Mineral and Power Resources InText Questions and Answers

Page 25

Question 1.
Identify the Canadian Shield, the Appalachians, Western Cordilleras and Lake Superior with the help of an atlas.
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

Page 26

Question 2.
List uses of any five minerals.
Answer:
Uses of five minerals:

Granite:
Used as a building stone such monuments, statues. Also used in highway construction and railway ballast.
Lead:
Used in television tubes and batteries.
Aluminum:
Used in manufacturing aeroplane and automobiles. It is also used in canning and bottling industries.
Copper:
Used in electric cables and wires, switches, coins and jewelry.
Gold:
Used for scientific and electronic instruments, computer circuitry, aerospace industry. Also used in jewelry, medicine and dentistry.

JAC Class 8th Geography Mineral and Power Resources Textbook Questions and Answers

Answer The Following Questions.

(i) Name any three common minerals used by you every day.
Answer:
Three common minerals used by us every day are iron, aluminum and copper.

(ii) What is an ore? Where are the ores of metallic minerals generally located?
Answer:
Ores are the minerals which are rich in a particular element and can be mined. The ores of metallic minerals are generally located in igneous and metamorphic rock formations.

(iii) Name two regions rich in natural gas resources.
Answer:
Two regions which are rich in natural gas resources are:
In the world Russia and Norway.
In India Krishna Godavari Delta and Jaisalmer.

(iv) Which sources of energy would you suggest for
Answer:
Sources of energy suggested for:

Rural areas – Biogas and solar energy are feasible options.
Coastal areas – Tidal energy and hydel energy are good options.
Arid regions – Solar energy and wind energy are suitable options.

(a) rural areas
(b) coastal areas
(c) Arid regions

(v) Give five ways in which you can save energy at home.
Answer:
Five ways in which we can save energy at home are:

For cooking fuel use of biogas would save energy.
Misuse of electricity should be avoided such as switch off the lights and fans when not required.
Solar energy must be used as much as we can.
Energy efficient devices should be used such as LED bulbs and tubes.
While cooking using energy efficiently such as covering with lid, pressure cook, etc.

Tick the correct answer.

Question 2.
(i) Which one of the following is NOT a characteristic of minerals?
(a) They are created by natural processes.
(b) They have a definite chemical composition.
(c) They are inexhaustible.
(d) Their distribution is uneven.
Answer:
(c) They are inexhaustible.

(ii) Which one of the following is a leading producer of copper in the world?
(a) Bolivia
(b) Ghana
(c) Chile
(d) Zimbabwe
Answer:
(c) Chile

(iii) Which one of the following practices will NOT conserve LPG in your kitchen?
(a) Soaking the dal for some time before cooking it.
(b) Cooking food in a pressure cooker.
(c) Keeping the vegetables chopped before lighting the gas for cooking.
(d) Cooking food in an open pan kept on low flame.
Answer:
(d) Cooking food in an open pan kept on low flame.

Question 3.
Give reasons.

Environmental aspects must be carefully looked into before building huge dams.
Most industries are concentrated around coal mines.
Petroleum is referred to as “black gold”.
Quarrying can become a major environmental concern.

Answer:

Environmental aspects must be carefully looked into before building huge dams because it can create imbalance and deforestation may happen. Humans, wild animals become displaced.
Most industries are concentrated around coal mines because it ensures the availability of fuel and transportation costs get reduced.
Petroleum is referred to as “black gold” because in the crude form it is in black colour and its derivatives are extremely valuable such as petroleum. Different products of petroleum are used in are day to day life such as petrol, diesel, kerosene.
Quarrying can become a major environmental concern because pits are not covered so they may cause environmental threats after quarrying.

Question 4.

Distinguish between the followings.

Conventional and
Biogas and natural gas
Ferrous and nonferrous minerals
Metallic and nonmetallic minerals

Conventional Sources of energy	Non-conventional N Sources of energy
From long time they have been used.	These sources have been identified in recent past.
These are mostly polluting.	These are non-polluting
Firewood, coal are the examples.	Wind energy, solar energy, tidal energy are the examples.

Biogas	Natural Gas
It is a non- conventional source of energy.	It is a conventional source of energy.
It is a renewable source.	It is a non-renewable source.
It is obtained from the decaying of the organic waste.	It is a by-product which is obtained from the extraction of petroleum.

Ferrous Minerals	Non-ferrous N minerals
Minerals which contain iron are Ferrous minerals.	Minerals which do not contain iron are Non- ferrous minerals.
Iron ore is a ferrous mineral.	Limestone is a non- ferrous mineral.
These are magnetic in nature.	These are non-magnetic in nature.
India has abundant of ferrous minerals.	India is deficient of non-ferrous mineralsv

Metallic Minerals	Non-metallic Minerals
In raw form, metals are found.	It does not contain metals.
New products can be obtained by melting them.	On melting, they do not give new products.
These are associated with igneous rocks.	These are associated with sedimentary rocks.
Bauxite is a metallic mineral.	Gypsum is a non-metallic mineral.

Question 5.
Activity

Use pictures from old magazines to show different kinds of fuels used by us in our lives and display them on your bulletin board.
Design a poster highlighting energy conservation tips you would take for your school.
Salma’s class took up an action campaign to do an energy audit of their school by surveying electricity consumption. They prepared survey sheets for the students of the school.

Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

JAC Class 8th Geography Mineral and Power Resources Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Minerals are
(a) naturally occurring substances that have definite chemical compositions.
(b) artificially made substances that have a definite chemical compositions.
(c) human made substances that have definite chemical compositions.
(d) liquids and gases that are found everywhere.
Answer:
(a) naturally occurring substances that have definite chemical compositions.

Question 2.
Physical properties of minerals are
(a) population and economy.
(b) pollution and political factors.
(c) colour, density, hardness, and chemical properties such as solubility.
(d) weather and plant action.
Answer:
(c) colour, density, hardness, and chemical properties such as solubility.

Question 3.
The process of simply digging out minerals such as lead and coal that lie near the surface of the earth is called.
(a) drilling
(b) quarrying
(c) open cast mining
(d) none of these
Answer:
(b) quarrying

Question 4.
The colour of a rock if it contains a large amount of copper is.
(a) green
(b) quarrying
(c) silver
(d) red
Answer:
(b) quarrying

Question 5.
The world’s leading tin producers are:
(a) India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
(b) India, China, and USA
(c) China, USA, and Austral
(d) China, Malaysia, and Indonesia
Answer:
(d) China, Malaysia, and Indonesia

Question 6.
Aluminum, obtained from its ore bauxite is used in.
(a) automobiles
(b) buildings
(c) airplanes
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these

Question 7.
The ways to conserve minerals so that they may also be available to future generations are
(a) reuse, reduce use, and recycle.
(b) reuse and recycle.
(c) reduce use and recycle.
(d) none of these
Answer:
(a) reuse, reduce use, and recycle.

Question 8.
The disadvantages of using firewood as a fuel are:
(a) It is polluting and promotes the greenhouse effect.
(b) It takes time to collect.
(c) It results in deforestation.
(d) All of these
Answer:
(a) It is polluting and promotes the greenhouse effect.

Question 9.
Natural gas is usually found with deposits of .
(a) firewood
(b) iron ore
(c) petroleum
(d) coal
Answer:
(c) petroleum

Question 10.
The main parts in a hydro-electric power station:
(a) a generator, a turbine, and a motor
(b) a water reservoir, a turbine, and a motor
(c) a generator, a rocket, and a turbine
(d) a water reservoir, a turbine, and a generator
Answer:
(d) a water reservoir, a turbine, and a generator

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How many types of minerals have been identified and how many are considered as ore minerals?
Answer:
There are around 2,800 types of minerals which have been identified and only about 100 are considered ore minerals.

Question 2.
Which country has no minerals?
Answer:
Switzerland has no known minerals.

Question 3.
Which country is the largest producer of bauxite in the world?
Answer:
Australia is the largest producer of bauxite in the world.

Question 4.
What are the two naturally occurring radioactive elements?
Answer:
Uranium and Thorium are the two naturally occurring radioactive elements.

Question 5.
Which is the most abundantly found fossil fuel?
Answer:
The most abundantly found fossil fuel is coal.

Question 6.
In which place of India has huge tidal mill farms?
Answer:
Gulf of Kachchh in India has huge tidal mill farms.

Question 7.
Name the first country to develop hydroelectricity in the world.
Answer:
Norway was the first country in the world to develop hydroelectricity in the world.

Question 8.
Name two areas in Australia which have large deposits of gold.
Answer:
Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie areas of western Australia have the largest deposits of gold.

Question 9.
Where is the site of the world’s first solar and wind powered bus shelter?
Answer:
The site of the world’s first solar and wind powered bus shelter is in Scotland.

Question 10.
Name the places where the geothermal power plants located in India.
Answer:
In India, geothermal plants are located in Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh and Puga Valley in Ladakh.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
CNG is considered an eco-friendly fuel. Why?
Answer:
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a popular eco-friendly fuel because it causes less pollution than petroleum and diesel.

Question 2.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of geothermal energy.
Answer:
Advantage – Clean, eco-friendly and always available. Disadvantages – Located far away from cities and so costly to transport the electricity.

Question 3.
What are the main types of power resources?
Answer:
The main types of power resources are conventional and non-conventional resources.

Question 4.
Explain in brief the mineral salt?
Answer:
The mineral salt is obtained from seas, lakes and rocks. India is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of salt.

Question 5.
Coal is known as “buried sunshine”. Why?
Answer:
Coal is known as “Buried Sunshine” because the coal which we are using today was formed millions of years ago when giant ferns and swamps got buried under the layers of earth.

Question 6.
“All minerals are rocks but all rocks are not minerals”. Justify in brief.
Answer:
All minerals are rocks but all rocks are not minerals because more than 2,800 types of minerals have been identified but only about 100 are considered ore minerals which can be used.

Question 7.
Minerals are considered non. renewable. Why?
Answer:
Minerals are a non-renewable resource because it takes thousands of years for the formation. The rate of formation is much smaller than the rate at which the humans consume these minerals.

Question 8.
How do we get nuclear energy?
Answer:
We get nuclear power from energy stored in the nuclei of atoms of naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium and thorium. These fuels undergo nuclear fission in nuclear reactors and emit power.

Question 9.
What are the nuclear power stations in India.
Answer:
The nuclear power stations in India are located in Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, Tarapur in Maharastra, Ranapratap Sagar near Kota in Rajasthan, Narora in Uttar Pradesh and Kaiga in Karnataka.

Question 10.
Distinguish between a rock and an ore.
Answer:
Difference between a rock and an ore:

A rock	Ail ore
A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals but without definite and fixed composition of constituent of mineral.	Rocks from which minerals are mined are called ores.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
(a) Coal
(b) Crude oil
Answer:
(a) Coal
Advantages

It is extensively available.
It is efficient to convert to electricity.
It offers a low capita investment.
It is a full time energy resource.

Disadvantages

It is a source of pollution.
It is bulky to transport.
It is not a renewable resource.
It creates high level of radiation.
Clean coal also has high level of methane.

(b) Crude oil Advantages

It is easier to transport such as tankers are used.
It is the basis of petro-chemical industry.
It can be extracted easily.
It is a powerful source of energy. Disadvantages
Depletion of oxygen due to oil spillage.
Pollutants released caused acid rain.
Exploration of new fuel is not easy.
It is a non-renewable source.

Question 2.
Briefly explain the method of extraction.
Answer:
The method of extraction consists of mining, drilling and quarrying.
(i) Mining:
The process of taking out minerals from rocks which are buried under the earth’s surface is called mining. Open-cast mining Minerals that lie at shallow depths are taken out by removing the surface layer, this is known as open-cast mining.

Shaft mining :
Deep bores called shafts have to be made to reach mineral deposits that lie at great depths. This is known as shaft mining.

(ii) Drilling:
Petroleum and natural gas occur far below the earth’s surface. Deep wells are bored to take them out. This process is known as drilling.

(iii) Question uarrying :
Minerals that lie near the surface are simply dug out, by the process known as quarrying.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Prasanna

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Geography Chapter 2 Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources

JAC Class 8th Geography Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources InText Questions and Answers

Page 7

Question 1.
Observe the land, type of soil and water availability in the region you live. Discuss in your class, how it has influenced the lifestyle of people there.
Answer:
Students need to answer on thier own according to the places they live.

Page 8

Question 2.
Talk to some elderly person in your family or neighbourhood and collect information about changes in the land use over the years, in the place where you live. Display your findings on a bulletin board in your classroom.
Answer:
Findings:

Page 12

Question 3.
In India soils could be alluvial, black, red, laterite, desertic and mountain soil. Collect a handful of different types of soil and observe. How are they different?
Answer:
Alluvial soil are the fine-grained soil which are formed by river and it is very fertile. The colour of the soil is grey. It is found from Punjab to Assam and West Bengal. Also found in deltas in the rivers such as Krishna, Mahanadi etc. Black soil is found in central, southern and western state in India. It is a black coloured soil, very fertile and suitable for the growth of cotton crops. It is formed by the volcanic eruptions.

Red soil is made of old crystalline rock. It is red in colour because the soil contains iron. It is found in states such as Tamil Nadu, southern Karnataka, north-eastern Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Laterite soil are found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam. This type of soil is less fertile.

It is formed in wet and hot tropical areas and soil is rich in aluminum and iron. Desert soil is formed from arid condition with very less rainfall hence also known as arid soil. The colour of the soil is red to brown. It is sandy and alkaline due to less moisture and found in Thar desert, Rajasthan. Mountain soil is the infertile soil and very thin. It is found on the hill slopes. The soils occupy about XA 0f the total land area of India.

Page 13

Question 4.
Take two trays A and B of same size. Make six holes at one end of these trays and then fill them with the same amount of soil. Leave the soil in tray A bare while sow wheat or rice grains in tray B. When the grain in tray B has grown a few centimetres high, place both the trays in such a way that they are on a slope. Pour one mug of water from the same height into each tray. Collect the muddy water that trickles down the holes of both trays in two separate containers and compare how much soil is washed out of each tray?

Answer:
From tray A, more soil is washed out whereas from tray B less soil is washed out because the soil layer is covered with grass.

Page 14

Question 5.
An average urban Indian uses about 150 litres of water every day

Use	Litres per person per day
Drinking	3
Cooking	4
Bathing	20
Flushing	40
Washing clothes	40
Washing utensils	20
Gardening	23
Total	150

Can you suggest some ways to bring down this amount?
Answer:
We should try not to waste water and use it judiciously. Some ways are:

Water used for washing vegetables can be used in gardening.
We should use bucket and mug while bathing instead of shower.
Water used for washing utensils and clothes can be used in toilet.

Page 18

Question 6.
Read the news item and find out how fire started in California? Could it be avoided?
Answer:
The winds can push a fire the length of a football field in a minute, said Scott McLean, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Call Fire. And the hundreds of members pushed in front of the fires become small spot fires themselves, he said. High winds also dissipate fire retardant dropped by aircraft, McLean said. The Diablo winds caused the same problems in Northern California in October. California’s deadly wildfires have a straightforward solution, experts say: stop building homes in places that are likely to bum- and make homes that already exist in those areas a whole lot tougher.

JAC Class 8th Geography Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Answer the following questions.

(i) Which are the two main climatic factors responsible for soil formation?
Answer:
The two main climatic factors which are responsible for soil formation are:

Temperature – The fluctuations in temperature between hot and cold forms cracks in the rocks.
Rainfall – By applying pressure it contributes in breaking the rocks.

(ii) Write any two reasons for land degradation today.
Answer:
Two reasons for land degradation today are:

Deforestation – Destruction of forest region.
Due to growing population, demands are growing rapidly. It leads to excess use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

(iii) Why is land considered an important resource?
Answer:
Land is considered as an important resource because most activities and works are done on land. It provides us to do farming, living, forestry, industries, etc.

(iv) Name any two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals.
Answer:
Two steps that government has taken to conserve plants and animals are:

Awareness programs such as Vanamahotasava and social forestry are encouraged and endorsed at the community and regional level.
Establishment of wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves and national parks in different parts of the country to conserve the vegetation and wildlife.

(v) Suggest three ways to conserve water.
Answer:
Three ways to conserve water are:

Drip or trickle irrigation should be used in dry regions. Also in irrigation process, canals should be built properly so that water is not wasted.
Rainwater harvesting should be implemented. It is a process of collecting water and storing it when it rains and can used in future.
Water wastage should be minimised. We can use the water used in washing vegetables for gardening and likewise.

Tick the correct answer.

Question 2:
(i) Which one of the following is NOT a factor of soil formation?
(a) time
(b) soil texture
(c) organic matter
Answer:
(b) soil texture

(ii) Which one of the following methods is most appropriate to check soil erosion on steep slopes?
(a) shelter belts
(b) mulching
(c) terrace cultivation
Answer:
(c) terrace cultivation

(iii) Which one of the following is NOT in favour of the conservation of nature?
(a) switch off the bulb when not in use
(b) close the tap immediately after using
(c) dispose polypacks after shopping
Answer:
(c) dispose polypacks after shopping

Match the followings:

Question 3.

(i) Land use	(a) prevent soil erosion
(ii) Humus	(b) narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
(iii) Rock dams	(c) productive use of land
(iv) Biosphere	(d) organic matter deposited on top soil
(e) contour ploughing	(a) prevent soil erosion

Answer:

(i) Land use	(c) productive use of land
(ii) Humus	(d) organic matter deposited on top soil
(iii) Rock dams	(a) prevent soil erosion
(iv) Biosphere	(b) narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
(e) contour ploughing	(c) productive use of land

Question 4.
State whether the given statement is true or false. If true, write the reasons.

Ganga-Brahmaputra plain of India is an overpopulated region.
Water availability per person in India is declining.
Rows of trees planted in the coastal areas to check the wind movement is called intercropping.
Human interference and changes of climate can maintain the ecosystem.

Answer:

True. Land is very fertile and suitable for cultivation and habitat.
True. There is lot of wastage and also drying up of water resources due to water pollution. Also due to growth in population, the demand of water also increased which reduces the fresh water reserves.
False
False

Question 5.
Activity
(i) Discuss some more reasons which are responsible for changes of land use pattern. Has your place undergone any change in the land use pattern in recent years?
Answer:
Land use pattern in recent years have changed which has been reflected in the changing activities of the people such as building up of industries and markets, housing complexes in urban areas and expanding agricultural lands in rural areas. The main factor responsible for such change in land use pattern is mainly due to the rising needs and demands of the people. Other factors are urbanisation, population increase and demand for food, changes in the living standard etc.

(ii) Find out from your parents and elderly people. You can conduct an interview by asking the following questions given in the book in the form of table. Why do you think that land use patterns change over the years?
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

JAC Class 8th Geography Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation and Wildlife Resources Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Which of the following sentence is true about land?
(a) Low-lying areas are susceptible to water logging.
(b) Thick forested areas are normally densely populated by humans.
(c) Plains and river valleys are sparsely populated as they offer land suitable for agriculture.
(d) About 70% of the area of the earth’s surface is covered with land.
Answer:
(d) About 70% of the area of the earth’s surface is covered with land.

Question 2.
The human factors that determine the patterns of land use are…….
(a) population and technology.
(b) geographic shapes and atmosphere.
(c) atmosphere and population.
(d) time and technology.
Answer:
(c) atmosphere and population.

Question 3.
Community land also known as…….
(a) Common property resources.
(b) Personal property resources.
(c) Group property resources.
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Common property resources.

Question 4.
Which one of the following is not a method used to conserve land?
(a) Aforestation
(b) Land reclamation
(c) Regulated use of chemical pesticide and fertilisers
(d) Increased use of fossil fuels
Answer:
(d) Increased use of fossil fuels

Question 5.
The natural phenomena which triggers landslides are ……
(a) floods
(b) earthquakes
(c) volcanoes
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these

Question 6.
The breaking up and decay of exposed rocks, by temperature changes, frost action, plants, animals and man are called as .
(a) Articulating
(c) Weathering
(b) Recycling
(d) Feathering
Answer:
(c) Weathering

Question 7.
The following method/s are used to conserve soil is/are
(a) mulching and intercropping.
(b) terrace farming and contour ploughing.
(c) shelter belts and rock dams.
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these

Question 8.
The cause/s of the contamination of water is/are
(a) treatment of effluents before discharging them into bodies of water.
(b) discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents in bodies of water.
(c) fall in the number of industrial effluents entering bodies of water.
(d) building of canals that dispose effluent waste deep into the oceans.
Answer:
(b) discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial effluents in bodies of water.

Question 9.
The growth of vegetation primarily depend on
(a) temperature and moisture.
(b) technology and temperature.
(c) technology and moisture.
(d) population and technology.
Answer:
(a) temperature and moisture.

Question 10.
The hunting of these animals is banned in India:
(a) lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards, and peacocks
(b) lions, tigers, dogs, great Indian bustards, and cats
(c) lions, tigers, fish, horses, and peacocks
(d) lions, tigers, giraffe, great Indian bustards, and peacocks
Answer:
(a) lions, tigers, deer, great Indian bustards, and peacocks

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Name the major threats to soil as a resource.
Answer:
The major threats to soil as a resource are soil erosion and depletion.

Question 2.
Which process of soil conservation is used in coastal and dry regions?
Answer:
Shelter belts are used for conservation of the soil in coastal and dry regions.

Question 3.
What is the percentage of fresh water which is fit for human use?
Answer:
Only 1 per cent of freshwater is available and fit for human use.

Question 4.
List the major types of vegetation in the world.
Answer:
The major types of vegetation in the world are forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra.

Question 5.
How the soil becomes fertile?
Answer:
The soil becomes fertile by the right mix of minerals and organic matter.

Question 6.
What do you mean by national parks?
Answer:
National park is a natural area designed and designated to protect the ecological integrity of one or more ecosystems for present and future generations of animals and birds.

Question 7.
What do you mean by rainwater harvesting?
Answer:
Rainwater harvesting is the method of collecting rainwater from roof tops and directing or passing it to an appropriate location and storing if for future use.

Question 8.
What do you mean by intercropping?
Answer:
Intercropping is a multiple cropping practice or method in which different crops are grown in alternate rows and are sown at different times to protect the soil from rain wash.

Question 9.
What do you understand by the term biosphere?
Answer:
Natural vegetation and wildlife exist only in the narrow zone of contact between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere is known as biosphere.

Question 10.
What is ecosystem?
Answer:
In the biosphere, the life supporting system is known as the ecosystem where the living beings are interrelated and interdependent on each other for survival.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Land is considered as an important resource. Why?
Answer:
Land is used for different purposes such as agriculture, forestry, mining, building houses, roads and setting up of industries. Hence, the land is considered as an important resource.

Question 2.
Name the areas which are sparsely populated or uninhabited?
Answer:
The areas which are sparsely populated or uninhabited are the rugged topography, steep slopes of the mountains, low- lying areas susceptible to water logging, desert areas, and thick forested areas.

Question 3.
What are the possible reasons for water shortage?
Answer:
The possible reason for water shortage may be the outcome of variation in seasonal or annual precipitation or rainfall or can be caused by overexploitation and contamination of water sources.

Question 4.
List the major causes affecting soil formation.
Answer:
The major causes affecting soil formation are the nature of the parent rock and climatic factors. Other causes and factors are the topography, role of organic material and time taken for the composition of soil formation.

Question 5.
What do you mean by landslides and how do they occur?
Answer:
Landslides are defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope. They often take place in conjunction and concurrence with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. A prolonged spell of rainfall can cause heavy landslide that can block the flow of river for quite some time. The formation of river blocks can cause havoc to the settlements downstream on its bursting.

Question 6.
In India, per person water availability is declining. Why is it happening?
Answer:
In India, per person water availability is declining due to increasing population, rising demands for food and cash crops, increasing urbanisation and rising standards of living. These are the major causes leading to scarcity in supply of fresh water either due to drying up of water sources or water pollution.

Question 7.
Distinguish between tropical forests and deciduous forests.
Answer:

Tropical Forests	Deciduous Forests
Tropical forests do not shed their leaves simultaneously in any season of the year.	Deciduous forests shed their leaves in a particular season to conserve loss of moisture through transpiration.
These are also known as evergreen forests. Conifers, Eucalyptus ytrees are found here.	Maple, Aspen, elm are some of the trees found here.

Question 8.
Do you think rainfall affect vegetation? If yes, how?
Answer:
In areas of heavy rainfall, huge trees may thrive and grow. Thus, the forests are associated with areas having abundant water supply. As the amount of moisture decreases the size of trees and their density reduces. In the areas of moderate rainfall short stunted trees and grasses grow forming the grasslands of the world. In dry areas of low rainfall, thorny shrubs and scrubs grow. In such areas plants have deep roots and leaves have thorny and waxy surface to reduce loss of moisture by transpiration. So we can say that rainfall affect the vegetation.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
“Vegetation and wildlife are valuable resources.” Describe in brief.
Answer:
“Vegetation and wildlife are valuable resources.” The following points will describe it:

Plants provide us with food for animals and insects, give shelter to animals.
It produces oxygen we breathe, gives us timber.
It protects soils so essential for growing crops, act as shelter belts.
Help in storage of underground water, give us fruits, nuts, latex, turpentine oil, gum, medicinal plants and paper.
Wildlife includes animals, birds, insects as well as the aquatic life forms. They provide us milk, meat, hides and wool.
Insects like bees provide us honey, help in pollination of flowers and have an important role to play as decomposers in the ecosystem.
The birds feed on insects and act as decomposers as well. Vulture due to its ability to feed on dead livestock is a scavenger and considered a vital cleanser of the environment.

Question 2.
Describe what are the threats exist in natural vegetation and wildlife?
Answer:
Threats that exist in natural vegetation and wildlife are:

The loss of natural habitats for the plants and animals are due to changes of climate and human interferences.
Many species have become vulnerable or endangered and some are on the verge of extinction.
Some of the human made and natural factors which together accelerate the process of extinction of these great natural resources are deforestation, soil erosion, constructional activities, forest fires, tsunami and landslides.
One of the major issues is the increasing incidents of poaching that result in a sharp decline in the number of particular species.
For self-interest, human beings are cutting precious trees which is also one of the major threats.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Prasanna

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 10 Law and Social Justice

JAC Class 8th Civics Law and Social Justice InText Questions and Answers

Page 121

Question 1.
Why do we need a law on minimum wages?
Answer:
We need a law on minimum wages because the employers usually take advantage of the worker’s poverty and pay them low wages and make them work for extra hours. If there is a law then the workers may get a fair wage for their work.

Question 2.
Find out:
(a) What is the minimum wage for a construction worker in your state?
(b) Do you think the minimum wage for a construction worker is adequate, low or high?
(c) Who sets the minimum wages?
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.
Hint:
(a) The minimum wage rate for unskilled worker in Delhi is ?14,468 per month.
(b) Not to low but not too high as well.
(c) The Ministry of Labour sets the minimum wages.

Page 127

Question 3.
Why do you think enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory?
Answer:
Enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory is important because serious disaster may happen if this law is not present or enforced. Many people work at high risk since they don’t have any other choice, they have to earn their livelihood. It is important in any factory for the security of the workers and people residing near the factory.

Question 4.
Can you point to a few other situations where laws (or rules) exist but people do not follow them because of poor enforcement? (For example, over-speeding by motorists, not wearing helmet/seat belt and use of mobile phone while driving). What are the problems in enforcement? Can you suggest some ways in which enforcement can be improved?
Answer:
Few other situations where laws (or rules) exist but people do not follow them because of poor enforcement are:

Giving bribe to make their own work in illegal way.
Employing children under 14 years of age in roadside dhabas or as domestic help.
Boarding in a running bus.
Giving and taking dowry at the time of marriage.

The problems in enforcement are as follows:

Untrained staff
Irresponsible citizen

Some ways in which enforcement can be improved are as follows:

Deployment of trained and adequate staff for the enforcement of the law.
Strict punishments for those who are not following the law.

Poge 128

Question 5.
A ‘clean environment is a public facility.’ Can you explain this statement?
Answer:
Clean environment is a public facility because it is a right for every citizen, to keep the environment neat and clean. So that the person himself and the surrounding people can take advantage and it will be safe for everyone’s welfare.

Question 6.
Why do we need new laws?
Answer:
For the welfare of people such as to check pollution, banning the use of plastic bags, clean river, etc., we need new laws.

Question 7.
Why are companies and contractors able to violate environmental laws?
Answer:
Companies and contractors are able to violate environmental laws because these laws are not strictly administered by the government.

Page 129

Question 8.
Do you think everyone got justice in the case cited above (See NCERT page 129)?
Answer:
No, everyone didn’t get justice in the case cited above.

Question 9.
Can you think of other ways in which the environment can be protected? Discuss in class.
Answer:
The other ways in which the environment can be protected are:

Afforestation
Banning the use of plastic bags
Disposal of sewage properly
Minimum use of private vehicle.

JAC Class 8th Civics Law and Social Justice Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Talk to two workers (For example, construction workers, farm workers, factory workers, workers at any shop) to find out if they are receiving the minimum wages laid down by law.
Answer:
Farm workers : These workers are receiving below the minimum wages.
Construction workers: These workers are also getting less wages.

Question 2.
What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?

Answer:
The advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India are as follows:

Availability of very cheap labour.
Longer hours of work at low wages.
Minimum additional expenses such as for housing facilities for workers.
Cost cutting by including lower working conditions that consist of lower safety measures.
Foreign companies can save costs and earn higher profits in India in this way.

Question 3.
Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.
Answer:
No, the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy didn’t get a complete justice. This tragedy was caused due to negligence of safety measures by the factory management. The Indian government represented the people to legally claim compensation for the affected people and demanded 3 billion dollar as a compensation but the company paid only 470 million dollars. Even today, after 36 years of disaster, people are still seeking justice. Financial aid was sufficient for the victim’s but many of them are still fighting for safe drinking water, healthcare facilities and jobs.

Question 4.
law enforcement? Who is responsible for enforcement? Why is enforcement so important?
Answer:
The implementation and execution of law is known as law enforcement. The government is responsible for the laws to be enforced so that the citizens can benefit from the same. The government is responsible for the enforcement of laws. For protecting the rights of the citizens, enforcement is important.

Enforcement is important when the law seeks to protect the weaker section from the stronger section. It is also necessary to control the activities of individuals or private companies so as to ensure a safe working environment and complete social justice.

Question 5.
How can laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair? Give two examples to support your answer.
Answer:
Laws can ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair in the following ways:

Workers are not exploited and the government should keep a check on the worksites and punish those who violates the law.
The government should also keep a check on the market price of the essential commodities.

Two examples are:

Right against exploitation
Child Labour Prevention Act

Question 6.
Imagine yourself to be a worker working in a chemical factory, which has received orders from the government to move to a different site 100 kms away from the present location. Write about how your life would change? Read out your responses in the classroom.
Answer:
Student need to do it on their own. (Hint: Due to the relocation of the factory, I have to shift to a place nearby the factory. The education of the kids will get affected. Look for a new house. Even if, I shift alone then I have to bear the expenses of two places.)

Question 7.
Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.
Answer:
The various roles of the government that we have read in this unit are as follows:

Enforcement of laws regarding safety at workplace.
Fixing minimum wages for workers and revising it from time to time.
Enforcement of laws against child labour.
Enforcement of laws regarding safety of environment.
Protecting the interests of consumers in the market.

Question 8.
What are the sources of environmental pollution in your area? Discuss with respect to (a) air; (b) water and (c) soil. What are the steps being taken to reduce the pollution? Can you suggest some other measures?
Answer:
The sources of environmental pollution in my area with respect to:

Air: Factories, industries and transport emits more dangerous and unsafe gases.
Water: Disposal of industrial waste in Yamuna river, immersion of idols, pouring garbage in river.
Soil: There is no chance of soil pollution as cultivation land is not available.

Suggestions:

Stop the misuse or overuse of resources.
Strict action should be taken against the practices that cause environmental pollutions such as use of plastic bags, disposal of all type of wastes and harmful emissions from industries.
Promoting the use of CNG as fuel in vehicles and banned old vehicles. Diesel vehicles should be prohibited
Pollution checking norms should be followed strictly.
Encourage recycling of used materials.

Question 9.
How was environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.
Answer:
In the earlier days, the environment was treated as a ‘free entity’. There was no check on the factories and industries which caused the pollution. The government paid no attention to safeguard the environment. Very few laws were applied and executed to protect and conserve the environment. There has been a vast change in perception. Now a days, government is more alert and active towards conserving the nature.

It has implemented various laws and acts to protect the environment. New and amended laws have been imposed by the government according to which the tainted person will be accountable for the harm and destruction done to the environment and shall be liable to punishment.The recent one is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Several judgements have been given to uphold the right to a healthy environment as intrinsic to the fundamental right to life.

Question 10.
What do you think the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman is trying to convey in this cartoon? How does it relate to the 2016 law that you read about on page 123?

It’s really cruel burdening kids like this. I had to hire that boy to help my son!
Answer:
The famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman is trying to convey in this cartoon that how we treat children of the same age group. One child is from rich family and gets the sympathy of mother whereas, the other child is from poor family and earns for his family hence bearing the load of books, working hard to get paid.

This is injustice. The law says that it banned the employment of children below the age of 14 years in all occupations and of adolescents (14-18 years) in any occ upations and processes. It made employing these children or adolescents a cognizable offence.

Question 11.
You have read about the Bhopal gas tragedy and the on-going struggle. Students from countries across the world have come together to support this struggle for justice. From protest marches to awareness campaigns, you can read about their activities on the website www.studentsforbhopal.com.

The website also has resources such as photos, posters, documentaries, victims’ statements, etc. Use this and other sources to make a wallpaper/exhibition on the Bhopal gas tragedy for your classroom. Invite the whole school to see and talk about it.
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

JAC Class 8th Civics Law and Social Justice Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place in the year……..
(a) December 1980
(b) December 1984
(c) January 1984
(d) March 1985
Answer:
(b) December 1984

Question 2.
……….incident brought the issue of environment to the forefront.
(a) Uttarakhand flood
(b) Bengal famine
(c) Latur earthquake
(d) Bhopal Gas tragedy
Answer:
(d) Bhopal Gas tragedy

Question 3.
The government amended the Child Prevention Act in……..banning children under 14 years of age from working in factories and as domestic help.
(a) October 2006
(b) October 2005
(c) July 2006
(d) June 2005
Answer:
(a) October 2006

Question 4.
Union Carbide was a/an……
(a) English Company
(b) American Company
(c) Indian Private Company
(d) Government owned Company
Answer:
(b) American Company

Question 5.
The owner of Union Carbide plant at present is…….. .
(a) Indian Government
(b) United Chemical
(c) Dow Chemical
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Dow Chemical

Question 6.
Union Carbide Bhopal plant produced
(a) fertilisers
(b) pesticides
(c) both a and b
(d) none of these
Answer:
(c) both a and b

Question 7.
Pollution caused by the Bhopal gas tragedy was…….. .
(a) water pollution
(b) air pollution
(c) no pollution
(d) both a and b
Answer:
(d) both a and b

Question 8.
The following industry/ies are hazardous:
(a) Ship-breaking industry
(b) Textile industry
(c) Sugar industry
(d) Both a and c
Answer:
(a) Ship-breaking industry

Question 9.
The gas that leaked from Union Carbide plant was……… .
(a) Ethyl alcohol
(b) Methyl Iscocyanite
(c) Methyl Isocynide
(d) Ethyl Isocyanite
Answer:
(b) Methyl Iscocyanite

Question 10.
Right to a healthy and clean environment is an essential part of the Fundamental Rights of ……
(a) Right to Freedom
(b) Right to Equality
(c) Right to Life
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Right to Life

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Economically how are the people of working class exploited?
Answer:
Economically the people of working class exploited by making them to work for lower pay and for longer hours.

Question 2.
Why do the workers willingly work in unsafe conditions?
Answer:
The workers willingly work in unsafe conditions because there is so much unemployment and they know that in return they will get wages as they are very poor.

Question 3.
What does the Right Against Exploitation state?
Answer:
The Right Against Exploitation states that no one can be forced to work for low wages or under bondage.

Question 4.
What does Article 21 of the Constitution state?
Answer:
Article 21 of the Constitution is Right to Life which is a Fundamental Right and it states that the right to the life of pollution free air and water for full enjoyment of life.

Question 5.
Who are responsible to set the minimum wages?
Answer:
The Minimum Wages Act 1948 is an Act of Parliament concerning Indian Labour Law that sets the minimum wages must be paid to skilled and unskilled labours.

Question 6.
List the three basic rights of workers.
Answer:
Three basics rights of workers are:

Right to work
Right to a fair wage
Decent work conditions

Question 7.
What is the full form of CNG?
Answer:
The full form of CNG is Compressed Natural Gas.

Question 8.
Which three states have published plans to rescue and rehabilitate children who are working as domestic helps.
Answer:
Three states who have published plans to rescue and rehabilitate children who are working as domestic servants are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Question 9.
List three South Asian countries which play hosts for industries producing pesticides, asbestos, etc.
Answer:
Three South Asian countries which play hosts for industries producing pesticides, asbestos, etc., are India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Question 10:
Why were the textile mills in Ahmedabad closed down during the 1980s and 1990s?
Answer:
The textile mills in Ahmedabad closed down during the 1980s and 1990s because they were facing stiff competition from power looms during the 1980s and 1990s.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Why do you think enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory?
Answer:
Enforcement of safety laws is important in any factory for the safety of the workers and general public. As the lawmaker and enforcer, the government is supposed to ensure that safety laws are implemented. It is also the duty of the government to ensure that the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution is not violated.

Question 2.
Why are dvanced countries relocating the toxic and hazardous industries to developing countries?
Answer:
Advanced countries are relocating the toxic and hazardous industries to developing countries to take advantage of the weaker laws in these countries and keep their own countries safe. South Asian countries – particularly India, Bangladesh and Pakistan – play hosts for industries producing pesticides, asbestos or processing zinc and lead.

Question 3.
How can the government meet the challenges where everyone can benefit from the clean environment?
Answer:
One way this can be done is to gradually move to cleaner technologies and processes in factories. The government has to encourage and support factories to do this. It will need to fine those who pollute. This will ensure that the workers livelihoods are protected and both workers and communities living around the factories enjoy a safe environment.

Question 4.
What is the role of government and citizens in establishing a state of law and social justice?
Answer:
A major role of the government is to control the activities of private companies by making, enforcing and upholding laws so as to prevent unfair practices and ensure social justice. While the government has a leading role in this respect, people can exert pressure so that both private companies and the government act in the interests of society.

Question 5.
What are the reasons for the sharp differences in safety standards between the two Union carbide factories in the USA and India?
Answer:
In India, one worker can easily replace another. Since there is so much unemployment, there are many workers who are willing to work in unsafe conditions in return for a wage. Making use of the workers’ vulnerability, employers ignore safety in workplaces. Thus, there were the sharp differences in safety standards between the two Union carbide factories in the USA and India.

Question 6.
In which ways the government certifications such as ISI certification help the consumer?
Answer:
The government certifications such as ISI certification, Hallmark certification help the consumer in following ways:
When the product has a certification mark, then the consumer can be certain that the product is of good quality and safe to use.

It assures the customer that a company has a good Question uality Management System. Consumers might be put to a risk by the poor quality of products such as medicines, electrical goods, etc., if the government has not setup the Bureau of Indian Standards. Hallmark certification assures the purity of the gold when the consumer buys it.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain in brief the Bhopal gas tragedy.
Answer:
An American Company started its factory in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India named Union Carbide which produced pesticides. In midnight, on 2nd December 1984, a poisonous gas, methyl isocyanides started leaking from the factory plant. Within three days, the dead people number reached to 8,000. Lakhs of people were maimed. Most of the poor people and working class people were exposed to the poisonous gas.

More than 50,000 people who are sick till date and are not able to perform any task. They are sick. Those who survived this tragedy are alive with many disabilities such as severe respiratory disorders, eye problems and other disorders. Children developed strange and weird abnormalities. Bhopal gas tragedy is considered as one of the worst disaster in the world.

Question 2.
Explain the causes for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
Answer:
For almost 4 years, The Union Carbide tank’s alarm did not work. Nothing was in order. The steam boi ler which intended to clean the pipes was not working properly and water sprays designed to knock down gas leaks were very poorly designed. No action plans were made to cope with this type of incidents. Moreover, the local authorities were not informed of the quantities or dangers of chemicals used and manufactured at the factory. These were the major causes for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Prasanna

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 9 Public Facilities

JAC Class 8th Civics Public FacilitiesInText Questions and Answers

Page 108

Question 1.
You have seen the four situations illustrated above (See NCERT page 106-107). Based on these, what impression do you get of the water situation in Chennai?
Answer:
From these four situations, we get the impression of the water situation in Chennai is that the water supply is not same for all the areas. There is a shortage of supply and demand is very high. As a result of this, only those who can afford to pay for water have sufficient access and those who can’t faces many difficulties.

Question 2.
Pick out the various sources of water for household use from the description alongside (See NCERT page 108).
Answer:
The various sources of water for household use from the description alongside are municipal water, water tanker, private borewell.

Question 3.
What, in your view, is similar, and what is different in Subramanian’s and Padma’s experiences.
Answer:
Similarities in Subramanian’s and Padma’s experiences are as follow:

Both use borewell water
Water shortage problem both of them.
Both get water from tankers.

The differences are:

Subramanian gets municipal water once in two days whereas, Padma does not have a tap connection.
Subramanian spends upto ? 500/- on buying water from the tankers.
Subramanian uses borewell water for washing and sanitation purposes whereas, Padma uses borewell water drinking and washing.

Question 4.
Write a paragraph describing the water supply situation in your area.
Answer:
Students need to do it on their own.

Question 5.
Why does water flow in a trickle in summer in most places in India? Find out.
Answer:
Water flow in a trickle in summer in most places in India because the demand for water is higher and supply is limited. The underground water level also goes down in summer due to hot weather and yield less water.

Question 6.
Discuss: Is there a general shortage of water for everyone in Chennai? Can you think of two reasons why different people get varying amounts of water?
Answer:
Yes, there is a general shortage of water for everyone in Chennai. Two reasons why different people get varying amounts of water are as follows:

Different financial status, some are rich, some are poor.
More demand and less supply.

Page 111

Question 7.
As Amu and Kumar ride around Chennai…
Amu:
Did you notice that the roads in Saidapet were so bumpy and without streetlights? / wonder what the place is like at night.

Kumar:
What better can you expect in a slum!

Amu:
Why should slums be like that? Shouldn’t they have public facilities?

Kumar: I think public facilities are for all those who live in proper houses in colonies. They are the people who pay taxes.

Amu: Why do you say that! Slum dwellers are also citizens and they have rights too.

Kumar: Arrey! The government will go bankrupt this way!

Amu: Well, it has to find a way. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a slum without proper roads, water, electricity?

Kumar: Err….

Amu: Our Constitution recognises many of the public facilities as being a part of the Right to Life. The government must see that these rights are protected so that everyone can lead a decent life. point of view do you agree Whose with?
Answer:
I agree with Amu’s point of view.

Page 114

Question 8.
Discuss:
Do you think this would be a right step? (See NCERT page 114) What do you think would happen if the government withdraws from the task of supplying water?
Answer:
I don’t think it would be a right step. If the government withdraws from the task of supplying water then it would fail to perform its duty and many people will face serious problems. If the private companies take over the task of supplying water then they would look for more profit rather than thinking about the poor people who cannot afford to buy water. Government’s task is to ensure public facilities to all.

Question 9.
Discuss the main ideas in the above section (See NCERT page 115). What do you think can be done to improve water supply?
Answer:
This section dealt with the successful example of public water supply in Brazil and unsuccessful example of water supply in Bolivia. It also gave details about the better conditions of water supply in Mumbai and Hyderabad. Chennai has also taken steps in rain harvesting process. To improve the water supply certain steps can be taken such as afforestation, rain harvesting, repairing of water pipes, etc.

Question 10.
Do you think it is also important to conserve resources like water and electricity, and to use more public transport?
Answer:
Yes, it is also important to conserve resources like water and electricity, and to use more public transport.

Page 116

Question 11.
Do you think that lack of access to proper sanitation facilities affects peoples’ lives? How?
Answer:
Yes, lack of access to proper sanitation facilities affects peoples’ lives. It directly affects the health of the people and will become victims of many diseases like dysentery, cholera, etc. They won’t be able to work efficiently due to poor health conditions.

Question 12.
Why do you think that this would impact women and girls more acutely?
Answer:
This would impact women and girls more acutely because they are given less attention most of the time.

JAC Class 8th Civics Public Facilities Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Why do you think there are so few cases of private water supply in the world?
Answer:
There are so few cases of private water supply in the world because water is a basic necessity of life and everyone should get access to safe drinking water either free or at affordable rates. It is the government’s responsibility to provide water to everyone. Private companies work towards the only goal of maximising profits. If the responsibility of water supply is handed over to private companies, there would be a steep rise in the price of water, making it unaffordable for many.

Question 2.
Do you think water in Chennai is available to and affordable by all? Discuss.
Answer:
Water in Chennai is not available to and affordable by all. There is an unequal distribution of water in different parts of the city. Certain areas like Anna Nagar receive abundant water while areas like Mylapore get very little water. Municipal supply fails to meet the demand of water in the city.

People from the upper class and middle class buy packaged drinking water or water from tankers. But the situation is different and worst for the poor people as they cannot afford the expense of tankers or packaged water. In the slum areas, water supply runs for barely an hour every day and that too from a single tap that serves over thirty families for all their water needs.

Question 3.
How is the sale of water by farmers to water dealers in Chennai affecting the local people? Do you think local people can object to such exploitation of ground water? Can the government do anything in this regard?
Answer:
Due to the water shortage in Chennai, many private companies have taken it as an opportunity to earn huge profits by selling water in the city. The water is taken from nearby towns and from villages to the north of the city using a fleet of over 13,000 water tankers.

Every month the water dealers pay farmers an advance for the rights to exploit water sources on their land.Due to this trade, the water levels have dropped drastically in all these towns and villages. The water that is taken away from the farms is creating a deficit not only for irrigation but also for drinking water for the villagers.

Yes, the local people can object to such exploitation of ground water because water is a necessity and everyone has equal right to access it. The government should take a strict action against such offensive activities and disallow private companies from buying and supplying water.

Question 4.
Why are most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas?
Answer:
Most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas because they offer their services at high prices to earn profits and these services are affordable only by the affluent dwellers in the city.

Question 5.
Do you think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair? Give an example of your own to explain.
Answer:
No, I don’t think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair. For example, people living in cities avail all facilities such as healthcare, electricity, public transport, etc., but these facilities are not available fully in smaller towns and villages. They face major crisis of certain things such as electricity, not have a well developed transport system.

Question 6.
Take some of the public facilities in your area, such as water, electricity, etc. Is there scope to improve these? What in your opinion should be done? Complete the table.
Answer:

Water	Is it available?	How can it be improved?
Electricity	Yes	By making its supply available for all the day long and improve the quality of water.
Roads	Yes	By providing its supply for whole day and keep a check on its theft.
Public	Yes	Repairing of worn-out roads.
Transport	Yes	Increasing the frequency of the buses by making more buses on roads available.

Question 7.
Are the above public facilities shared equally by all the people in your area? Elaborate.
Answer:
The above public facilities are not shared equally by all the people in my area. The people living in posh localities avail best facilities. But the people living in slum areas doesn’t have all the facilities. They have crisis of water and electricity. On the other hand, people living in posh areas hardly face any water or electricity crisis.

Question 8.
Data on some of the public facilities are collected as part of the Census. Discuss with your teacher when and how the Census is conducted.
Answer:
The census is conducted in every 10 years. It counts the population of the country means the detailed information are collected. This information is used to measure important things such as ratio of males and females, number of literate people, etc.

Question 9.
Private educational institutions:
schools, colleges, universities, technical and vocational training institutes are coming up in our country in a big way. On the other hand, educational institutes run by the government are becoming relatively less important. What do you think would be the impact of this? Discuss.
Answer:
The impact of this would be that the weaker sections of the society will be deprived of quality education and the end result of this disparity will be that only the rich will get good education from the private educational institutions while the poor would not be able to afford the same. Education is a basic need and necessity and there should be universal access to education.

The main motive of private education institutes is earning profits, they charge high fees which are affordable only by the affluent section of the society. Thus, the right to quality education is only fulfilled for the rich class. Similarly, if government education institutes are not up to the mark, then weaker sections are again deprived of quality education. This, in turn, results in the disparity of quality education between the rich and the poor.

JAC Class 8th Civics Public Facilities Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The following is are considered to be a public facilities:
(a) water, health, and education
(b) health, hospital, and gas
(c) water, house, and car
(d) both a and b
Answer:
(a) water, health, and education

Question 2.
The chief feature of the public facilities is:
(a) Once it is provided, its benefits cannot be shared with other people.
(b) Once it is provided, its benefits cannot be taken in the future.
(c) Once it is provided, its benefits can be shared by several people.
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Once it is provided, its benefits can be shared by several people.

Question 3.
The government gets money from the:
(a) loan from foreign banks.
(b) loan from Indian banks.
(c) tax collected from the people.
(d) all of these
Answer:
(c) tax collected from the people.

Question 4.
The Constitution of India recognises the right to water as being a part of the under Article 21.
(a) Right to Equality
(b) Right to Education
(c) Right to Health
(d) Right to Life
Answer:
(d) Right to Life

Question 5.
The basic needs of human beings is / are ……..
(a) Healthcare
(b) Water
(c) Food
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 6.
Which of the following is the main source of water for poor people?
(a) Borewell water
(b) Water tanker
(c) Muncipal water
(d) Bottled water
Answer:
(b) Water tanker

Question 7.
The is a water borne disease.
(a) Dysentery
(b) Measles
(c) Flu
(d) Polio
Answer:
(a) Dysentery

Question 8.
……… is guaranteed for all children aged between 6-14 years.
(a) Right to Life
(b) Right to Education
(c) Right to Equality
(d) Cultural Right
Answer:
(b) Right to Education

Question 9.
……… is not a source of water in rural areas.
(a) Overhead tanks
(b) Wells
(c) Borewells
(d) Handpumps
Answer:
(a) Overhead tanks

Question 10.
According to the standard set by the urban water commission, the supply of water per person in an urban area should be about .
(a) 120 litres per day
(b) 140 litres per day
(c) 160 litres per day
(d) 135 litres per day
Answer:
(d) 135 litres per day

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Mention few public facilities that are also provided by private companies.
Answer:
Few public facilities that are also provided by private companies are school, colleges, healthcare and transportation.

Question 2.
What is the reason for the maximum death among children in India?
Answer:
The reason for maximum death among children in India is caused by the water¬borne diseases.

Question 3.
Name some public facilities that are provided by the government.
Answer:
Public facilities that are provided by the government are healthcare, sanitation, electricity, public transport, roads, schools and colleges.

Question 4.
Which age group of children should get compulsory education according to ‘Right to Education’?
Answer:
The age group of 6 – 14 years of children should get compulsory education according to ‘Right to Education’?

Question 5.
Is right to safe drinking water a fundamental right?
Answer:
Yes. Right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use.

Question 6.
What is the role of government in public facilities?
Answer:
One of the most important roles of the government is to ensure that these public facilities are made available to everyone.

Question 7.
What do you mean by government budget?
Answer:
Government budget is an account of the expenses the government has made on its programmes and projects in the past year and how much it plans to spend in the coming year.

Question 81.
What is universal access to water?
Answer:
Universal access to water is the right of every person, whether rich or poor to have sufficient amounts of water to fulfill his/her daily needs at a price that he/she can afford.

Question 9.
Which NGO has been working for three decades to address the problem sanitation?
Answer:
The NGO that has been working for three decades to address the problem of sanitisation is Sulabh.

Question 10.
What do you think is regarded as a sign of failure of the government?
Answer:
A shortage of basic public amenities such as water, healthcare, electricity is taken as a sign of failure of the government.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question l.
What do you mean by sanitation?
Answer:
The provision of facilities for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces is known as sanitation. This is done by construction of toilets and pipes to carry the sewerage and treating the waste water. This is necessary so as to avoid contamination and diseases.

Question 2.
What is Right to Water?
Answer:
The right to water is recognised as being a part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. This implies that it is the right of every person whether rich or poor to have sufficient amounts of water to fulfill his/ her daily needs at a price that he/she can afford.

Question 3.
What do you mean by company?
Answer:
A form of business set up by people or by the government is known as a company. Those that are promoted and owned by individuals or groups are called private companies. For example, Reliance is a private company whereas SAIL is a company run by the government.

Question 4.
From where does the government get money for the public facilities?
Answer:
The main source of revenue for the government is the taxes collected from the people and the government is empowered to collect these taxes and use them for such programmes and projects. Such as to supply water, the government has to incur costs in pumping water, carrying it over long distances, laying down pipes for distribution, treating the water for impurities and finally collecting and treating waste water. It meets these expenses partly from the various taxes that it collects and partly by charging a price for water. This price is set so that most people can afford a certain minimum amount of water for daily use.

Question 5.
Why does a lack of proper sanitation affect women and girls more acutely?
Answer:
Lack of proper sanitation affects women and girls more acutely because they often have to wait until dark to go to the toilet. To avoid the need for such frequent toilet use, women often drink less water which causes severe health impacts.

Question 6.
When there is a shortage of public facilities say water then what type of situation arise?
Answer:
When there is a shortage of public facilities say water then the situation which arises is burden for the poor since the shortfalls which occur falls mostly on the poor. Though the middle class people able to cope with it like buying bottled water from private companies or by digging borewells. People who can afford it have safe drinking water but poor people are left out. The poor people faces the crisis the most.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write in brief the availability of water in different regions of Chennai.
Answer:
The availability of water in different regions of Chennai are:

(i) One of the posh area is Anna Nagar in Chennai. This area looks lush and full with greenery. Then lush greens are maintained by enough spraying of water. Bunglows of rich people have tap water for major part of the day. When the water supply is inadequate, these rich people speak to a senior official whom he knows in the municipal water board and a water tanker is easily arranged for their house.

(ii) Like most areas of the city, the middle class people, Subramanian’s apartments in Mylapore suffers from water shortage. Once in two days, this area gets municipal water. A private borewell meets some of the resident’s water needs but the water is brackish so the residents use it in their toilets and for washing. For other uses they purchase water from tankers. Water purifiers are installed at homes for drinking purposes.

(iii) Siva lives on a rented house in Madipakkam and gets water once in four days. There is acute shortage of water. For drinking, they buy bottled water.

(iv) Padma lives in the slum area in Saidapet and works as a domestic help. There is a cluster of hutment, which has neither a bathroom nor a tap connection. For 30 such hutments there is a common tap at one comer, in which water comes from a borewell for 20 minutes twice daily.

A family gets to fill a maximum of three buckets within this time. The same water is used for washing and drinking. In summer, the flow becomes a trickle, so that one family gets water only at the cost of another. People have to wait long hours for water tankers. There situation becomes more pathetic during summers.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 1 How, When and Where

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Veer

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Notes History Chapter 1 How, When and Where

→ How Important are Dates?

History is certainly about changes that occur over time. It is about finding out how things were in the past and how things have changed.
We can only refer to a span of time, an approximate period over which particular changes became visible.
For different events such as when the king was crowned, when he got married, etc., specific dates can be determined, and in histories such as these, debates about dates continue to be important.

→ Which dates?

Dates become vital because we focus on a particular set of events as important. If our focus of study changes, and we begin to look at new issues, a new set of dates will appear significant.
In the histories written by British historians in India, the rule of each Governor-General was important.
All the dates in these history books were linked to these personalities – to their activities, policies, achievements.
In the histories that revolve around the life of British Governor-Generals, the activities of Indians simply do not fit, they have no space.

→ How do we periodise?

In 1817, a Scottish economist and political philosopher, named James Mill published a massive three-volume work, A History of British India.
In this, he divided Indian history into three periods – Hindu, Muslim and British. This periodisation came to be widely accepted.
We periodise in an attempt to capture the characteristics of a time, its central features as they appear to us. So, the terms through which we periodise – that is, demarcate the difference between periods become important.
Mill thought that all Asian societies were at a lower level of civilisation than Europe. According to him, history, before the British came to India, Hindu and Muslim despots ruled the country.
Religious intolerance, caste taboos and superstitious practices dominated social life. British rule, Mill felt, could civilise India.
In fact, Mill suggested that the British should conquer all the territories in India to ensure the enlightenment and happiness of the Indian people. For India was not capable of progress without British help.
We should also remember that even rulers in ancient India did not all share the same faith.
If we don’t consider British classification, historians have usually divided Indian history into ‘ancient’, ‘medieval’ and ‘modem’. This division too has its problems.
Under British rule people did not have equality, freedom or liberty. Nor was the period one of economic growth and progress. Many historians therefore refer to this period as ‘colonial’.

→ What is colonial?

When the subjugation of one country by another leads to these kinds of political, economic, social and cultural changes, we refer to the process as colonisation.
All classes and groups did not experience these changes in the same way.

→ How do We Know?
Administration produces records

One of the important sources is the official records of the British administration. The British believed that the act of writing was important. Every instruction, plan, policy decision, agreement, investigation had to be clearly written up.
The British also felt that all important documents and letters needed to be carefully preserved. So, they set up record rooms attached to all administrative institutions.
The village tahsildar’s office, the collector, the commissioner’s office, the provincial secretariats, the law courts had their record rooms. Specialised institutions like archives and museums were also established to preserve important records.
In the early years of the nineteenth century, these documents were carefully copied out and beautifully written by calligraphists.
By the middle of the nineteenth century, with the spread of printing, multiple copies of these records were printed as proceedings of each government department.

→ Surveys become important

The practice of surveying also became common under the colonial administration. The British believed that a country had to be properly known before it could be effectively administered.
By the early nineteenth century detailed surveys were being carried out to map the entire country.
From the end of the nineteenth century, Census operations were held every ten years.
There were many other surveys such as botanical surveys, zoological surveys, archaeological surveys, anthropological surveys, forest surveys.

→ What official records do not tell

Official records tell us what the officials thought, what they were interested in and what they wished to preserve for posterity. These records do not always help us understand what other people in the country felt, and what lay behind their actions.
We have diaries of people, accounts of pilgrims and travellers, autobiographies of important personalities and popular booklets that were sold in the local bazaars.
Leaders and reformers wrote to spread their ideas, poets and novelists wrote to express their feelings as printing spread.
All these sources, however, were produced by those who were literate. It becomes difficult to know about the tribals and peasants.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 India After Independence

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Bhagya

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 India After Independence

→ A New and Divided Nation:

When India became independent in August 1947, it faced a series of very great challenges with refugees to settle down with home and jobs.
Around 500 princely states were there, each of whom had to be persuaded to join the new nation.
The new nation had to adopt a political system that would best serve the hopes and expectations of its population.
At Independence, the vast majority of Indians lived in the villages.
In the cities, factory workers lived in crowded slums with little access to education or healthcare.
The new nation had to lift its masses out of poverty by increasing the productivity of agriculture and by promoting new, job-creating industries.

→ A Constitution is Written

Between December 1946 and November 1949, some 300 Indians had a series of meetings on the country’s political future. The meetings of this “Constituent Assembly” were held in New Delhi.
These discussions resulted in the framing of the Indian Constitution, which came into effect on 26 January 1950.
One feature of the Constitution was its adoption of universal adult franchise.
All Indians above the age of 21 years would be allowed to vote in state and national elections. This was a revolutionary step for never before had Indians been allowed to choose their own leaders.
A second feature of the Constitution was that it guaranteed equality before the law to all citizens, regardless of their caste or religious affiliation.
Under the new Constitution, they would have the same rights as Hindus – the same opportunities when it came to seeking jobs in government or the private sector, the same rights before the law.
A third feature of the Constitution was that it offered special privileges for the poorest and most disadvantaged Indians.
After a long debate, the Constituent Assembly also recommended that a certain percentage of seats in legislatures as well as jobs in government be reserved for members of the lowest castes.

→ Along with the former untouchables, the adivasis or Scheduled Tribes were also granted reservation in seats and jobs.

The Constituent Assembly spent many days discussing the powers of the central government versus those of the state governments.
Some members thought that the Centre’s interests should be foremost.
Other members felt that the provinces should have greater autonomy and freedom.

→ The Constitution sought to balance these competing claims by providing three lists of subjects:

A Union List, with subjects such as taxes, defence and foreign affairs, which would be the exclusive responsibility of the Centre;
A State List of subjects, such as education and health, which would be taken care of principally by the states;
A Concurrent List, under which would come subjects such as forests and agriculture, in which the Centre and the states would have joint responsibility.

→ Another major debate in the Constituent Assembly concerned language.

A compromise was finally arrived at: namely, that while Hindi would be the “official language” of India, English would be used in the courts, the services, and communications between one state and another.
The most important role was played by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who was Chairman of the Drafting Committee, and under whose supervision the document was finalised.
In his final speech to the Constituent Assembly, Dr Ambedkar pointed out that political democracy had to be accompanied by economic and social democracy.

→ How were States to be Formed?

Back in the 1920s, the Indian National Congress, the main party of the freedom struggle had promised that once the country won independence, each major linguistic group would have its own province.
India had been divided on the basis of religion: despite the wishes and efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, freedom had come not to one nation but to two.
Both Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Vallabhbhai Patel were against the creation of linguistic states.
The Kannada speakers, Malayalam speakers, the Marathi speakers had all looked forward to having their own state. The strongest protests, however, came from the Telugu-speaking districts of what was the Madras Presidency.

→ In October 1952, a veteran Gandhian named Potti Sriramulu went on a hunger strike demanding the formation of Andhra state to protect the interests of Telugu speakers. As the fast went on, it attracted much support. Hartals and bandhs were observed in many towns.

On 15 December 1952, fifty-eight days into his fast, Potti Sriramulu died.
On 1 October 1953, the new state of Andhra came into being, which subsequently became Andhra Pradesh.
A States Reorganisation Commission was set up which submitted its report in 1956 recommending the redrawing of district and provincial boundaries to form compact provinces of Assamese, Bengali, Oriya, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu speakers respectively.
In 1960, the bilingual state of Bombay was divided into separate states for Marathi and Gujarati speakers.
In 1966, the state of Punjab was also divided into Punjab and Haryana, the former for the Punjabi speakers (who were also mostly Sikhs), the latter for the rest (who spoke not Punjabi but versions of Haryanvi or Hindi).

→ Planning for Development

Lifting India and Indians out of poverty, and building a modem technical and industrial base were among the major objectives of the new nation.
In 1950, the government set up a Planning Commission to help design and execute suitable policies for economic development.
There was a broad agreement on what was called a “mixed economy” model. Here, both the State and the private sector would play important and complementary roles in increasing production and generating jobs.
In 1956, the Second Five Year Plan was formulated. This focused strongly on the development of heavy industries such as steel, and on the building of large dams.
These sectors would be under the control of the State.
Some felt that it had put inadequate emphasis on agriculture. Others argued that it had neglected primary education. Still others believed that it had not taken account of the environmental implications of economic policies.

→ The Nation, Sixty Years On

On 15 August 2007, India celebrated sixty years of its existence as a free nation.
That India is still united, and that it is still democratic, are achievements that we might justly be proud of.
As many as thirteen general elections have been held since Independence, as well as hundreds of state and local elections. There is a free press, as well as an independent judiciary. Finally, the fact that people speak different languages or practise different faiths has not come in the way of national unity.
On the other hand, deep divisions persist. Despite constitutional guarantees, the Untouchables or, as they are now referred to, the Dalits, face violence and discrimination.
As many observers have noted, the gulf between the rich and the poor has grown over the years.
The Constitution recognises equality before the law but in real life some Indians are more equal than others. Judged by the standards it set itself at Independence, the Republic of India has not been a great success. But it has not been a failure either.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 9 The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Bhagya

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Notes History Chapter 9 The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947

→ The Emergence of Nationalism:

What is this country of India and for whom is it meant? The answer that gradually emerged was: India was the people of India – all the people irrespective of class, colour, caste, creed, language, or gender. And the country, its resources and systems were meant for all of them.
The awareness came that the British were exercising control over the resources of India and the lives of its people and until this control was ended India could not be for Indians.
The consciousness began by the political associations formed after 1850 especially in the 1870s and 1880s.
Most of these were led by English educated professionals such as lawyers. The more important ones were the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Indian Association, the Madras Mahajan Sabha, the Bombay Presidency Association, and of course the Indian National Congress.
They worked with the idea that the people should be sovereign means a modern consciousness and a key feature of nationalism.

→ The Arms Act was passed in 1878 disallowing Indians from possessing arms.

The Act allowed the government to The Making of the National Movement: 1870s – 1947 confiscate the assets of newspapers including their printing presses if the newspapers published anything that was found objectionable.
In 1883, there was a furore over the attempt by the government to introduce the Ilbert Bill.
The bill provided for the trial of British or European persons by Indians and sought equality between British and Indian judges in the country. But when white opposition forced the government to withdraw the bill, Indians were enraged.
The Indian National Congress was established when 72 delegates from all over the country met at Bombay in December 1885.
The early leaders were Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, W.C. Bonnerji, Surendranath Banerji, Romesh Chandra Dutt, S. Subramania Iyer and others was largely from Bombay and Calcutta.
Naoroji was a businessman and publicist settled in London and for a time member of the British Parliament had guided the younger nationalists.
A retired British official, A.O. Hume also played a part in bringing Indians from the various regions together.

→ A nation in the making

In the first twenty years, the Congress was moderate in its objectives and methods.
During this period, it demanded a greater voice for Indians in the government and in administration.
The demand for Indianisation of the administration was part of a movement against racism since most important jobs at the time were monopolised by British officials and they generally assumed that Indians could not be given positions of responsibility.
Other demands included the separation of the judiciary from the executive, the repeal of the Arms Act and the freedom of speech and expression.
The early Congress also raised a number of economic issues.
The Congress demanded reduction of revenue, cut in military expenditure, and more funds for irrigation.
The Moderate leaders wanted to develop public awareness about the unjust nature of British rule.
They published newspapers, wrote articles and showed how British rule was leading to the economic ruin of the country.
They felt that the British had respect for the ideals of freedom and justice and so they would accept the just demands of Indians.

→ “Freedom is our birthright”

In Bengal, Maharashtra and Punjab, leaders such as Bepin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai were beginning to explore more radical objectives and methods.
They criticised the Moderates for their ‘politics of prayers’ and emphasised the importance of self-reliance and constructive work.
Tilak raised the slogan, ‘Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it! ’

→ In 1905, Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal. At that time Bengal was the biggest province of British India and included Bihar and parts of Orissa.

The main British motives perhaps were to curtail the influence of Bengali politicians and to split the Bengali people.
All sections of the Congress, the Moderates and the Radicals as they may be called opposed the partition of Bengal.
The struggle that unfolded came to be known as the Swadeshi movement which was strongest in Bengal but with echoes elsewhere too. In deltaic Andhra for instance, it was known as the Vandemataram Movement.
To fight for swaraj, the radicals advocated mass mobilization and boycott of British institutions and goods.
Some individuals also began to suggest that ‘revolutionary violence’ would be necessary to overthrow British rule.
A group of Muslim landlords and nawabs formed the All India Muslim League at Dacca in 1906.

→ The League supported the partition of Bengal.

Some seats in the councils were now reserved for Muslims who would be elected by Muslim voters.
The Congress split in 1907. After the split the Congress came to be dominated by the Moderates with Tilak’s followers functioning from outside. The two groups reunited in December 1915.
Next year the Congress and the Muslim League signed the historic Lucknow Pact and decided to work together for representative government in the country.

→ The Growth of Mass Nationalism

The First World War altered the economic and political situation in India.
It led to a huge rise in the defence expenditure of the Government of India.
On the other hand, business groups reaped fabulous profits from the war.
The war also led the British to expand their army.
Many returned after the war with a view in which imperialist powers were exploiting the peoples of Asia and Africa and with a desire to oppose colonial rule in India.
In 1917, there was a revolution in Russia. News about peasant’s and worker’s struggles and ideas of socialism circulated widely which inspired Indian nationalists.

→ The advent of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhiji, aged 46, arrived in India in 1915 from South Africa.
His South African campaigns had brought him in contact with various types of Indians: Hindus, Muslims, Parsis and Christians, Gujaratis, Tamils and north Indians and upper class merchants, lawyers and workers.
Mahatma Gandhi spent his first year in India travelling throughout the country, understanding the people, their needs and the overall situation.
His earliest interventions were in local movements in Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad where he came into contact with Rajendra Prasad and Vallabhbhai Patel. In Ahmedabad he led a successful millworkers’ strike in 1918.

→ The Rowlatt Satyagraha

In 1919, Gandhiji gave a call for a satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act that the British had just passed.
Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and others felt that the government had no right to restrict people’s basic freedoms.
Gandhiji asked the Indian people to observe 6 April 1919 as a day of non-violent opposition to this Act. Satyagraha Sabhas were set up to launch the movement.
The Jallianwala Bagh atrocities inflicted by General Dyer in Amritsar on Baisakhi day (13 April), were a part of this repression.
On learning about the massacre, Rabindranath Tagore expressed the pain and anger of the country by renouncing his knighthood.

→ Khilafat agitation and the Non-Cooperation Movement

In 1920, the British imposed a harsh treaty on the Turkish Sultan or Khalifa.
The leaders of the Khilafat agitation, Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali now wished to initiate a Non-Cooperation Movement.
Gandhiji supported their call and urged the Congress to campaign against ‘Punjab wrongs’ means Jallianwala massacre, the Khilafat wrong and demand swaraj.
The Non-Cooperation Movement gained momentum through 1921-22.
Many lawyers such as Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, C. Rajagopalachari and Asaf Ali gave up their practices.
British titles were surrendered and legislatures boycotted.
The imports of foreign cloth fell drastically between 1920 and 1922.

→ People’s initiatives

Different classes and groups, interpreting Gandhiji’s call in their own manner, protested in ways that were not in accordance with his ideas.
In Kheda, Gujarat, Patidar peasants organised non-violent campaigns against the high land revenue demand of the British.
In coastal Andhra and interior Tamil Nadu, liquor shops were picketed.
In the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, tribals and poor peasants staged a number of ‘forest satyagrahas’.
In Sind now in Pakistan, Muslim traders and peasants were very enthusiastic about the Khilafat call.
In Bengal, the Khilafat-Non-Cooperation alliance gave enormous communal unity and strength to the national movement.
In Punjab, the Akali agitation of the Sikhs sought to remove corrupt mahants who were supported by the British from their gurudwaras.
In Assam, tea garden labourers, shouting ‘Gandhi Maharaj ki Jai’ demanded a big increase in their wages. In the Assamese Vaishnava songs of the period the reference to Krishna was substituted by ‘Gandhi Raja’.

→ The people’s Mahatma

Gandhiji wished to build class unity and not class conflict. Peasants could imagine that he would help them in their fight against zamindars and agricultural labourers believed he would provide them land.
At the end of a powerful movement, peasants of Pratapgarh in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) managed to stop illegal eviction of tenants. But they felt it was Gandhiji who had won this demand for them.

→ The happenings of 1922-1929

Gandhiji abruptly called off the Non-Cooperation Movement when in February 1922 as a crowd of peasants set fire to a police station in Chauri Chaura. He was a follower of non-violence.
Chitta Ranjan Das and Motilal Nehru argued that the party should fight elections to the councils and enter them in order to influence government policies.
Through sincere social work in villages in the mid-1920s, the Gandhians were able to extend their support base. This proved to be very useful in launching the Civil Disobedience movement in 1930.
Two important developments of the mid 1920s were the formation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu organisation and the Communist Party of India.
The decade closed with the Congress resolving to fight for Puma Swaraj means complete independence in 1929 under the presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Consequently, ‘Independence Day’ was observed on 26 January 1930 all over the country.

→ The Marth to Dandi

In 1930, Gandhiji declared that he would lead a march to break the salt law.
According to this law, the state had a monopoly on the manufacture and sale of salt.
Gandhiji and his followers marched for over 240 miles from Sabarmati to the coastal town of Dandi where they broke the government law by gathering natural salt found on the seashore and boiling sea water to produce salt.
Peasants, tribals and women participated in large numbers.
The combined struggles of the Indian people bore fruit when the Government of India Act of 1935 prescribed provincial autonomy and the government announced elections to the provincial legislatures in 1937.
The Congress formed governments in 7 out of 11 provinces.
After 2 years of Congress rule in the provinces in September 1939, the Second World War broke out.

→ Quit India and Later

Mahatma Gandhi decided to initiate a new phase of movement against the British in the middle of the Second World War.
Gandhiji and other leaders were jailed at once but the movement spread. It specially attracted peasants and the youth who gave up their studies to join it.
By the end of 1943, over 90,000 people were arrested and around 1,000 killed in police firing. In many areas orders were given to machine-gun crowds from airplanes.

→ Towards Independence and Partition

In 1940, the Muslim League had moved a resolution demanding ‘Independent States’ for Muslims in the north-western and eastern areas of the country.
The provincial elections of 1937 seemed to have convinced the League that Muslims were a minority, and they would always have to play second fiddle in any democratic structure.
The Congress’s rejection of the League’s desire to form a joint Congress League government in the United Provinces in 1937 also annoyed the League.
At the end of the war in 1945, the British opened negotiations between the Congress, the League and themselves for the independence of India.
The talks failed because the League saw itself as the sole spokesperson of India’s Muslims. The Congress could not accept this claim since a large number of Muslims still supported it.
Elections to the provinces were again held in 1946. The Congress did well in the ‘General’ constituencies but the League’s success in the seats reserved for Muslims was spectacular.
In March 1946, the British cabinet sent a three-member mission to Delhi to examine

→ The Making of the National Movement: 1870s -1947 the demand and to suggest a suitable political framework for a free India.

After the failure of the Cabinet Mission, the Muslim League decided on mass agitation for winning its Pakistan demand. It announced 16 August 1946 as “Direct Action Day”.
By March 1947, violence spread to different parts of northern India.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 8 Women, Caste and Reform

September 4, 2024September 3, 2024 by Bhagya

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Notes History Chapter 8 Women, Caste and Reform

→ Two hundred years ago things were very different. Most children were married off at an early age.

In some parts of the country, widows were praised if they chose death by burning themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands.
Women who died in this manner whether willingly or otherwise, were called ‘sati’ which means virtuous women.
In many parts of the country people believed that if a woman was educated, she would become a widow.
In most regions, people were divided along lines of caste. Brahmans and Kshatriyas considered themselves as ‘upper castes’.
Traders and moneylender were referred as ‘Vaishyas’ were placed after them.
Then came peasants and artisans such as weavers and potters who were referred as ‘Shudras’.
At the lowest rung were those who laboured to keep cities and villages clean or worked at jobs that upper castes considered polluting, that is, it could lead to the loss of caste status. They were untouchables.

→ Working Towards Change

The development of new forms of communication started. For the first time, books, newspapers, magazines, leaflets and pamphlets were printed.
All kinds of issues such as social, political, economic and religious could now be debated and discussed by men and sometimes by women as well in the new cities.
The discussions could reach out to a wider public and could become linked to movements for social change.
Raja Rammohun Roy (1772-1833) founded a reform association known as the Brahmo Sabha (later known as the Brahmo Samaj) in Calcutta.
People such as Rammohun Roy are described as reformers because they felt that changes were necessary in society, and unjust practices needed to be done away with.
Rammohun Roy was keen to spread the knowledge of Western education in the country and bring about greater freedom and equality for women.

→ Changing the lives of widows

Rammohun Roy began a campaign against the practice of sati.
Rammohun Roy was well versed in Sanskrit, Persian and several other Indian and Europeon languages.
He tried to show through his writings that the practice of widow burning had no sanction in ancient texts.
In 1829, sati was banned.
Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, used the ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry.
A law was passed in 1856 permitting widow remarriage.
By the second half of the nineteenth century, the movement in favour of widow remarriage spread to other parts of the country.
In the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency, Veerasalingam Pantulu fonned an association for widow remarriage.
In the north, Swami Dayanand Saraswati who founded the reform association called Arya Samaj also supported widow remarriage.

→ Girls begin going to school

Vidyasagar in Calcutta and many other reformers in Bombay set up schools for girls.
Throughout the nineteenth century, most educated women were taught at home by liberal fathers or husbands. Sometimes women taught themselves.
In the latter part of the century, schools for girls were established by the Arya Samaj in Punjab and Jyotirao Phule in Maharashtra.
In aristocratic Muslim households in North India, women leamt to read the Koran in Arabic.
Reformers such as Mumtaz Ali reinterpreted verses from the Koran to argue for women’s education.

→ Women write about women

From the early twentieth century, Muslim women like the Begums of Bhopal played a notable role in promoting education among women. They founded a primary school for girls at Aligarh.
Another remarkable woman, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain started schools for Muslim girls in Patna and Calcutta.
By the 1880s, Indian women began to enter universities.
Tarabai Shinde, a woman educated at home at Poona published a book Stripurushtulna (A Comparison between Women and Men) criticising the social differences between men and women.
Pandita Ramabai, a great scholar of Sanskrit felt that Hinduism was oppressive towards women and wrote a book about the miserable lives of upper-caste Hindu women.
By the end of the nineteenth century, women themselves were actively working for reform.
From the early twentieth century, they formed political pressure groups to push through laws for female suffrage (the right to vote) and better health care and education for women.
In the twentieth century, leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose lent their support to demands for greater equality and freedom for women.

→ Caste and Social Reform

In Bombay, the Paramhans Mandali was founded in 1840 to work for the abolition of caste.
During the nineteenth century, Christian missionaries began setting up schools for tribal groups and lower caste children.
The poor from the villages and small towns many of them from low castes began moving to the cities where there was a new demand for labour.
Some also went to work in plantations in Assam, Mauritius, Trinidad and Indonesia.
The army also offered opportunities to lower caste people. A number of Mahar people who were regarded as untouchable, found jobs in the Mahar Regiment.
The father of B.R. Ambedkar, the leader of the Dalit movement taught at an army school.

→ Demands for equality and justice

By the second half of the nineteenth century, people from within the Non-Brahman castes began organising movements against caste discrimination and demanded social equality and justice.
The Satnami movement in Central India was founded by Ghasidas who worked among the leather workers and organised a movement to improve their social status.
In eastern Bengal, Haridas Thakur’s Matua sect worked among Chandala cultivators.
In what is present-day Kerala, a guru from Ezhava caste, Shri Narayana Guru, proclaimed the ideals of unity for his people.
According to him, all humankind belonged to the same caste. One of his famous statements was one caste, one religion, one god for humankind.

→ Gulamgiri

One of the most vocal amongst the low- caste leaders was Jyotirao Phule. He was bom in 1827 and studied in schools set up by Christian missionaries.
As the Aryans established their dominance, they began looking at the defeated population as inferior as low caste people.
According to Phule, the upper castes had no right to their land and power. In reality, the land belonged to indigenous people, the so- called low castes.
He proposed that Shudras means labouring castes and Ati Shudras means
untouchables should unite to challenge caste discrimination.
The Satyashodhak Samaj which is an association Phule founded propagated caste equality.
In 1873, Phule wrote a book named Gulamgiri meaning slavery.
He was concerned about the plight of upper caste women, the miseries of the labourer, and the humiliation of the low castes.
This movement for caste reform was continued in the twentieth century by other great dalit leaders such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in western India and E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker in the south.

→ Who could enter temples?

Ambedkar was bom into a Mahar family. In school he was forced to sit outside the classroom on the ground and was not allowed to drink water from taps that upper caste children used.
On his return to India from US in 1919, he wrote extensively about upper caste power in contemporary society.
In 1927, Ambedkar started a temple entry movement, in which his Mahar caste followers participated.
Ambedkar led three such movements for temple entry between 1927 and 1935.
His aim was to make everyone see the power of caste prejudices within society.

→ The Non-Brahman movement

In the early twentieth century, the non-Brahman movement started.
The initiative came from those non-Brahman castes that had acquired access to education, wealth and influence.
E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker or Periyar as he was called came from a middle-class family.
He had been an ascetic in his early life and had studied Sanskrit scriptures carefully.
Convinced that untouchables had to fight for their dignity, Periyar founded the Self Respect Movement.
He became a member of the Congress but left it in disgust when he found that at a feast organised by nationalists, seating arrangements followed caste distinctions.
He argued that untouchables were the true upholders of an original Tamil and Dravidian culture which had been subjugated by Brahmans.
Periyar was an outspoken critic of Hindu scriptures especially the Codes of Manu, the ancient lawgiver and the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana.
Orthodox Hindu society also reacted by founding Sanatan Dharma Sabhas and the Bharat Dharma Mahamandal in the north and associations such as the Brahman Sabha in Bengal.
The object of these associations was to uphold caste distinctions as a cornerstone of Hinduism, and show how this was sanctified by scriptures.

JAC Class 8 Social Science Notes

JAC Class 8 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 3 Why Do We Need A Parliament?

September 3, 2024September 2, 2024 by Prasanna

JAC Board Class 8th Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 3 Why Do We Need A Parliament?

JAC Class 8th Civics Why Do We Need A Parliament? InText Questions and Answers

Question 1:
What do you think the artist is trying to convey through the image of Parliament?
Answer:
The artist is trying to convey through the image of Parliament is that it is based on people’s strength and power. These people come from various background and shows unity is strength.

Page 32

Question 2.
Give one reason why you think there should be universal adult franchise.
Answer:
There should be universal adult franchise because it will help to establish equality in the society.

Question 3.
Do you think there would be any difference if the class monitor was selected by the teacher or elected by the students? Discuss.
Answer:
Yes, there would be a difference if the class monitor was selected by the teacher or elected by the students. If the
class monitor is chosen by the teacher then it will not be a democratic process. But, if the students of the class elect the monitor then he will be representative of the class and this shows a democratic process.

Page 35

Question 4.
Use the table to answer the questions below: Results of the 16th Lok Sabha Elections, (May 2014) Political Party No. of MPs National Parties

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 282
Communist Party of India (CPI) 1
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) 9
Indian National Congress (INC) 44
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) 6
State Parties (Regional Parties)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) 4
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 37
All India Trinamool Congress 34
All India United Democratic Front 3
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) 20
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) 2
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) 2
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party 3
Janata Dal (Secular) 2
Janata Dal (United) 2
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) 2
Lok Jan Shakti Party 6
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) 4
Samajwadi Party (SP) 5
Who will be present for discussions in the Lok
Shiromani Akali Dal 4
Shiv Sena 18
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) 11
Telugu Desam (TDP) 16
Other Regional Parties 7
Registered Unrecognised Parties 16
Independents 3

Grand Total 543

Who will form the government? Why? Sabha?
Is this process similar to what you have read about in Class VII?

Answer:

BJP will form the government because they have the majority.
The MPs will be present for discussions in the Lok Sabha.
Yes, this process similar.

Question 4.
The photograph on page 28 shows results from the 3rd Lok Sabha elections held in 1962.

Use the photograph to answer the following questions:
(a) Which state has the highest number of MPs in the Lok Sabha? Why do you think this is so?
(b) Which state has the least number of MPs in the Lok Sabha?
(c) Which political party has won the most seats in all states?
(d) Which party do you think will form the government? Give reasons why.
Answer:
(a) Uttar Pradesh. This state has the largest population as compared to other states.
(b) Manipur.
(c) The Congress Party
(d) The Congress Party will form the government because they have won in majority.

Page 38

Question 5.
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question uestion No: 48 Answered On: 15.12.2017 Converge of Schemes for Children Manoj Rajoria Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to converge various schemes and policies for children in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
Answer:
Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development (Dr. Virendra Kumar). (a) to (c) The Ministry has developed the National Plan of Action for Children 2016 which largely draws upon the existing programmes and schemes of various Ministries/Departments.

It provides a framework for convergence and co-ordination between Ministries/Departments and State/ UTs Governments and encourages collective action from all stakeholders to address multi dimensional vulnerabilities experienced by children. The National Plan of Action for Children 2016 categorizes children’s rights under four key priority areas.

(i) Survival, Health and Nutrition,

(ii) Education and Development,

(iii) Protection and

(iv) Participation. It identifies key programmes, schemes and policies as well as stakeholders for the implementation of different strategies. In the above question, what information is being sought information from the Minister of Women and Child Development? If you were a Member of Parliament (MP), list two questions that you would like to ask.
Answer:
The information which is being sought from the Minister of Women and Child Development were:

whether the Government proposes to converge various schemes and policies for children in the country;
if so, the details thereof; and;
if not, the reasons therefore.

If I were a MP, then I would have asked the following questions:

What is the government doing for women to bring at the level of men?
What is the government doing to give education to every child?

Page 39

Lok Sabha	Election Years	Voter Turnout (%)
1st	1951-52	61.16
4th	1967	61.33
5th	1971	55.29
6th	1977	60.49
8th	1984-85	64.01
10th	1991-92	55.88
14th	2004	57.98
15th	2009	58.19

Looking at this table would you say that people’s participation during the past 65 years has: decreased/increased/been stable after initial increase?
Answer:
After initial increase, it decreased and then increased again. It has been fluctuating.

Page 40

Question 7.
Why do you think there are so few women in Parliament? Discuss.
Answer:
People don’t want to accept women as rulers as our society is still a male dominating society. Hence, they avoid giving crucial roles to women. But, now, slowly perceptions are changing and women are coming in politics

JAC Class 8th Civics Why Do We Need A Parliament? Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Why do you think our national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote?
Answer:
Our national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote because the British government did not allow all adults to vote nor could people participate in decision making. Hence, in the struggle for independence people from all walks of life participated. They came from various backgrounds and were united in their aspirations for a free, equal and independent nation where decision-making would be in the hands of the people. The only way in which this would be possible through elections which will allow common people to have consent to and approve of a government that they have a right to choose.

Question 2.
In this 2004 map of Parliamentary constituencies alongside, roughly identify the constituencies in your State. What is the name of the MP from your constituency? How many MPs does your state have? Why are certain constituencies coloured green while others are coloured blue?

Answer:

Students need to do it on their own.
Certain constituencies are coloured green while others are coloured blue because they are reserved constituencies for SC and ST respectively.

Question 3.
You have read in Chapter 1 that the ‘Parliamentary form of government’ that exists in India has three tiers. This includes the Parliament (centra! government) and the various Sta Legislatures (state governments). Fill in the following table with information on the various representatives from your area:

Objective	State Government	CentralGovernment
Which political party/parties is/ are currently in power?
Who (name) is the current representative from your area?
Which political parties currently form the Opposition?
When were elections last held?
When will the next elections be held?
How many women representatives are there (from Question ‘our state)?

Answer:
Students need to do it on their own with the help of teacher.

JAC Class 8th Civics The Why Do We Need A Parliament? Important Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
In democratic India, people elect their representatives to the Parliament, then, one group from among elected representatives forms the government. How long members are elected for?
(a) Five years
(b) Eight years
(c) Seven years
(d) Ten years
Answer:
(a) Five years

Question 2.
In which year Indian Parliament came to existence?
(a) 1952
(b) 1949
(c) 1950
(d) 1947
Answer:
(d) 1947

Question 3.
The election for Lok Sabha is usually occur once every five years. The elected candidates are known as
(a) Ministers of State
(b) Members of Parliament
(c) Members of Constitution
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Members of Parliament

Question 4.
Which of the following function/s the Parliament needs to perform?
(a) To make law
(b) To select the national government
(c) To control, guide and inform the government
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

Question 5.
It may happen that one political party does not get a clear majority in election. In such a situation a group of parties come together to form a government. This type of government known as a……..
(a) coalition government
(b) admission government
(c) commission government
(d) opposition government
Answer:
(a) coalition government

Question 6.
……. functions primarily as the representative of the states of India in the Parliament.
(a)The Prime Minister
(b) The Judiciary
(c) The Rajya Sabha
(d) The President
Answer:
(c) The Rajya Sabha

Question 7.
Who is the leader of the ruling party in the Lok Sabha?
(a) The President
(b) The Vice President
(c) The Prime Minister
(d) The Chief Minister
Answer:
(c) The Prime Minister

Question 8.
There are elected members plus members nominated by the President.
(a) 233; 12
(b) 133; 15
(c) 233; 15
(d) 123; 20
Answer:
(a) 233; 12

Question 9.
The Parliament keeps a heck on the ministers and their work. MPs have the right to question the ministers about the working of their department. This is usually done during .
(a) the answering hour
(b) the question hour
(c) the listening hour
(d) the analysis hour
Answer:
(b) the question hour

Question 10.
The seats are reserved in Parliament for…….
(a) the people from the army
(b) the royal family members
(c) SCs and STs
(d) both a and c
Answer:
(c) SCs and STs

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by EVM?
Answer:
EVM means Electronic Voting Machine.

Question 2:
When were EVMs used for the first time?
Answer:
EVMs were used throughout the country for the first time in the 2004 general elections.

Question 3.
Name the two Houses of Parliament.
Answer:
The two houses of Parliament are the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

Question 4.
How does the Parliament session begins?
Answer:
The Parliament, session begins with a question hour.

Question 5.
What do you mean by constituency?
Answer:
Constituency is an area whose voters elect a representative to a legislative body.

Question 6.
What is the main purpose of parliament?
Answer:
Parliament enables citizens of India to participate in decision making and control the government.

Question 7.
Who presides over Lok Sabha?
Answer:
Lok Sabha (House of the People), with a total membership of 545, is presided over by the Speaker.

Question 8.
How many members does the President nominates in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
The President nominates 2 members to the Lok Sabha and 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.

Question 9.
What is the principle of universal adult franchise?
Answer:
The principle of universal adult franchise means that all adult citizens of the country have the right to vote.

Question 10
Who makes the opposition party?
Answer:
The opposition in Parliament is formed by all the political parties that oppose the majority party/coalition formed. The largest amongst these parties is called the Opposition

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Which house of parliament is more powerful with regard to financial matters and how?
Answer:
Lok Sabha is more powerful with regard to financial matters because money bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Hence, it controls the finances of the government.

Question 2.
Why do you think that there are reservation of seats in Parliament for SCs and STs?
Answer:
Some seats are reserved in Parliament for SCs and STs. This has been done so that the MPs elected from these constituencies will be familiar with and can represent Dalit and Adivasi’s interests in Parliament.

Question 3.
What is the role of opposition in’ democracy?
Answer:
The opposition parties play a crucial and important role in the healthy functioning of a democracy. They highlight drawbacks in various policies and programmes of the government and mobilise popular support for their own policies.

Question 4.
What are the basic ideals of democracy?
Answer:
The basic ideals of democracy are:
(i) The ideas of participation in decision-making.
(ii) The need for all democratic governments to have the consent of their citizens.

Question 5.
What are the major functions of the parliament?
Answer:
The major functions of the parliament are:

To select the National Government
To control, guide and inform the government
Law-Making for the people of the country.

Question 6.
What are the main components of Indian Parliament?
Answer:
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the Republic of India. It is a two chambered legislature composed of the President of India and the two houses- the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People).

Question 7.
Which are the three categories of ministers that assist the Prime minister?
Answer:
The three categories of Council of Ministers are:

The Cabinet Ministers:
The Cabinet Ministers hold important portfolios like Home, Defence, Finance, External Affairs, Railways, etc.
Ministers of State:
They may or may not hold an independent charge of any portfolio.
Deputy Ministers:
They assist the Cabinet Ministers and the Council of Ministers.

Question 8.
‘With the coming of Independence we are going to be citizens of a free country’. What did it imply?
Answer:
With the coming of independence, we were going to be citizens of a free country. This implies that the government could not do what it felt like and the government had to be sensitive to people’s needs and demands. The dreams and aspirations of the freedom struggle were made concrete in the Constitution of Independent India that laid down the principle of universal adult franchise, i.e., that all adult citizens of the country have the right to vote.

Question 9.
What were the demands of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
Answer:
The nationalists began to openly criticise the British government and make demands. The Indian National Congress in 1885 demanded that there be elected members in the legislature with a right to discuss the budget and ask questions.

Question 10.
What do you mean by reserved constituencies? What is the purpose behind such constituencies?
Answer:
Reserved constituencies are those constituencies in which seats are reserved for SCs and STs on the basis of their population. This has been done so that the MPs elected from these constituencies will be familiar with and can represent Dalit and Adivasi’s interests in Parliament.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How the political party forms the government? How are the representatives elected to the Parliament in India?
Answer:
After the Lok Sabha elections, a list is prepared showing how many MPs belong to each political party. For a political party to form the government, they must have a majority of elected MPs. Since there are 543 elected (plus 2 Anglo-Indian nominated) members in Lok Sabha and to have a majority a party should have at least half the number, i.e., 272 members or more. The Parliament in our system has immense powers because it is the representative of the people.

Elections to the Parliament are held in a similar manner as they are for the state legislature. The Lok Sabha is usually elected once every five years. The country is divided into numerous constituencies. Each of these constituencies elect one person to the Parliament. The candidates who contest elections usually belong to different political parties. Once elected, these candidates become Members of Parliament or MPs. These MPs together make up the Parliament.

Question 2.
Why do you think our national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote?
Answer:
Our national movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote because in our struggle for independence people from all walks of life participated. They came from various backgrounds and were united in their aspirations for a free, equal and independent nation where decision-making would be in the hands of the people. The only way in which this would be possible would be through elections-allowing common people advantage point from where they can consent to and approve of a government that “they” have a right to choose.