Understanding Industries I: Location, Chapter 7, Class 8, Question and Answer Geography

1. Tick (✓) the correct option.

a. To determine the size of an industry, one must consider the capital invested, number of employees, and volume of production. Which of the following falls under the category of a large scale industry?
i. Basket weaving industry
ii. Candle-making industry
iii. Leather goods industry
iv. Cotton textile industry

Answer: iv. Cotton textile industry

b. Which of the following correctly describes the co-operative sector industry?
i. An industry owned by individuals or groups.
ii. An industry jointly owned and operated by the central and state government and private firms.
iii. An industry set up in collaboration with foreign investors.
iv. An industry owned and managed by a group of workers or raw material producers.

Answer: iv. An industry owned and managed by a group of workers or raw material producers.

c. There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided below:
Assertion (A): In India, steel plants are mainly situated near the Chota Nagpur Plateau’s iron belt.
Reason (R): Industries that use large and heavy raw materials are typically located closer to the source of raw materials.
i. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
ii. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
iii. A is true, but R is false.
iv. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: i. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

d. Choose the incorrect pair from the types of industries.
i. Basic industry — Iron and steel industry
ii. Public sector industry — Procter and Gamble
iii. Pastoral industry — Woollen textile
iv. Joint sector industry — Maruti Udyog Limited

Answer: ii. Public sector industry — Procter and Gamble (Procter and Gamble is a private sector company, not public sector)

2. Answer the following questions in 10 to 20 words.

a. Define industry.
Answer: Industry refers to economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacturing of goods in factories.

b. ‘Proximity to the market important for industries that specialise in the production of milk, fruits, and vegetables.’ Justify the statement.
Answer: These are perishable goods that need quick delivery to markets to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness.

c. Provide any two differences between large scale and small scale industries.
Answer:

  1. Large scale industries have high capital investment and mechanized production, while small scale industries have low investment and often use manual labor.
  2. Large scale industries serve national/international markets, while small scale industries typically serve local markets.

3. Answer the following questions in 50 to 70 words.

a. ‘There are three crucial stages in the concept of industry as a system — input, process, and output.’ Substantiate the statement.


Answer: In the industrial system, inputs include raw materials, labor, capital, and power. The process involves manufacturing, where raw materials are transformed through various operations. Output refers to the finished products and income generated. This systematic approach ensures efficient production and distribution of goods in the market economy.

b. ‘The location of an industry can be influenced by various factors.’ Analyse the role of any three factors that influence the location of an industry.
Answer: Three key factors influencing industrial location are:

  1. Availability of raw materials – Industries using heavy/bulky materials locate near sources to reduce transport costs.
  2. Transportation facilities – Efficient transport networks enable movement of raw materials and finished goods.
  3. Labor supply – Industries require adequate skilled/unskilled workers for operations.
    Other factors include market proximity, power supply, and government policies.

c. Explain the term ‘industrial estate’.


Answer: An industrial estate is a planned area developed specifically for industries, providing basic infrastructure like roads, water, power, and drainage. It promotes organized industrial growth by concentrating factories in one location, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact on residential areas through proper zoning regulations.

d. Classify industries on the basis of raw materials with examples.
Answer: Industries can be classified based on raw materials as:

  1. Agro-based (using plant/animal products) – cotton textile, sugar, leather
  2. Mineral-based (using minerals) – iron and steel, cement, aluminum
  3. Marine-based (using sea products) – fish processing, seaweed
  4. Forest-based (using forest products) – paper, rubber, timber

4. Give reasons.

a. Efficient and affordable transportation networks are crucial for the development of an industry.
Answer: Efficient transport is crucial because it enables the quick movement of raw materials to factories and finished goods to markets at lower costs, making products more competitive and ensuring timely delivery to customers.

b. Factories with hazardous materials are typically situated on the outskirts of the city.
Answer: Such factories are located on the city outskirts to minimize health risks from pollution to urban populations and to reduce the danger of industrial accidents affecting densely populated residential areas.

5. Think Ahead [HOTS]

Why are small-scale industries important for a country like India? Suggest any two creative ideas that can help cottage and small-scale industries grow in India.
Answer: Small-scale industries are crucial for India as they generate massive employment, promote regional development, use local resources efficiently, and require lower capital investment.
Two creative ideas for growth:

  1. Create digital marketplace platforms specifically for small industries to reach global customers directly.
  2. Establish mobile skill development units that travel to rural areas to provide modern technical training and entrepreneurial education.

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