Chapter 7 – Lifelines of National Economy Questions and Answers: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science – Geography

1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the east-west corridor?
(a) Mumbai and Nagpur
(b) Silcher and Purbandar
(c) Mumbai and Kolkata
(d) Nagpur and Siligudi

Answer: (b) Silcher and Purbander

(ii) Which mode of transportation reduces trans-shipment losses and delays?
(a) Railways
(b) Roadways
(c) Pipelines
(d) Waterways

Answer: (c) Pipelines

(iii) Which one of the following states is not connected with the H.V.J. pipeline?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Gujarat
(d) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (b) Maharashtra

(iv) Which one of the following ports is the deepest land-locked and well protected port along the east coast?
(a) Chennai
(b) Paradip
(c) Tuticorin
(d) Vishakhapatnam

Answer: (d) Vishakhapatnam

(v) Which one of the following is the most important modes of transportation in India?
(a) Pipeline
(b) Railways
(c) Roadways
(d) Airways

Answer: (b) Railways

(vi) Which one of the following terms is used to describe trade between two or more countries?
(a) Internal trade
(b) International trade
(c) External trade
(d) Local trade

Answer: (b) International Trade

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words:
(i) State any three merits of roadways.

Answer:- (i) Three merits of roadways are:
• The cost of construction of roads is much lower than that of railway lines.
• Roads can go through the dissected and undulating land areas.
• Transportation of goods by roadways is economical as loading costs are low and they also provided the door-to-door services.

(ii) Where and why is rail transport the most convenient means of transportation?

Answer:- (ii) Rail transport is the most convenient means of transportation in the northern plains because the region has level stretches of land making it easy for laying railway tracks. Along with this, large population and rich agricultural resources make the rail transport a profitable venture.

(iii) What is the significance of the border roads?

Answer:- (iii) Border roads are of strategic importance and they have improved accessibility in the areas of difficult terrain like the northern and north eastern border areas. They have helped in the economic development of these areas.

(iv) What is meant by trade? What is the difference between international and local trade?

Answer:- (iv) The exchange of goods among people, states and countries is termed as trade.
• Trade between two or more countries is called international trade.
• Trade occurring within a country is termed as local trade. It is carried out within cities, towns and villages of a country.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words:
(i) Why are the means of transportation and communication called the lifelines of a nation and its economy?

Answer:- (i) The means of transportation and communication are called the lifelines of a nation and its economy because they are the pre-requisites for the development of a country. They help to develop active links between different regions. This facilitates transportation of goods and services from production units to the demand locales. Fast-developing communication channels between different countries of the world has given rise to the Globalisation. Today, India is well-linked with the rest of the world which has been possible only due to transport and communication. Railways, airways, waterways, television, radio, newspapers, internet, etc., have contributed vastly to the socio-economic progress of our country. They have also added substantially to growing amenities and facilities improving our lifestyles.

(ii) Write a note on the changing nature of international trade in the last fifteen years.

Answer:-(ii) International trade has undergone a vast change in the last fifteen years:
• Exchange of information and knowledge has surpassed the exchange of goods and commodities.
• India has emerged as a software giant at the international level and is earning huge amounts of foreign exchange through its advanced software knowledge and excellence in the field of information technology.
• Tourism has also played a big role in improving India’s position in international trade. Tourism in India has grown substantially over the last three decades.
• The commodities imported by India included petroleum and petroleum products (41.87%), pearls and precious stones (29.26%), inorganic chemicals (29.39%), coal, coke and briquettes (94.17%) machinery (12.56%).
• Bulk imports as a group registered a growth accounting for 39.09% of total imports. This group includes fertilisers (67.01%), cereals (25.53%), edible oils (7.94%) and newsprint (5.51%).