Question Bank — India's Urban Landscape

QUESTION BANK

Chapter: India’s Urban Landscape

(Class 8 – Social Science)

Section A — MCQs (1 mark each)

1. Which of the following best describes the reason cities become centres of diverse economic activities?
   a) Only political decisions
   b) Advantages of location, trade routes and access to resources
   c) Decrease in population
   d) Absence of industries

2. According to the chapter, what was the population threshold that made a place ‘urban’ in India?
   a) 220
   b) 50,000
   c) 5,000
   d) 1,00,000

3. The renaming of Sakchi to Jamshedpur in 1919 is an example of:
   a) Rural to urban transition due to industrial development
   b) Decline of a city
   c) Migration from cities to villages
   d) Only cultural growth

4. Which city is referred to as the Silicon Valley of India in the chapter?
   a) Hyderabad
   b) Mumbai
   c) Bengaluru
   d) Delhi

5. The main reason for the growth of pilgrimage-based cities such as Varanasi and Amritsar is:
   a) Industrial clusters
   b) Influx of pilgrims supporting transport, hospitality and handicrafts
   c) High population density only
   d) Lack of infrastructure

6. Assertion (A): Cities like Mumbai and Kolkata developed as major port cities.
   Reason (R): Their location along the coast facilitated domestic and international trade.
   Choose the correct option:
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

7. Assertion (A): The creation of the National Capital Region (NCR) helped reduce pressure on Delhi.
   Reason (R): Better roads, highways and metro rail improved connectivity and eased housing and infrastructure load.
   Choose the correct option:
   a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true but R is false.
   d) A is false but R is true.

8. Which feature is not mentioned as a challenge faced by Indian cities?
   a) Rising Air Quality Index levels
   b) Expansion of slums
   c) Decrease in population density
   d) Traffic congestion and waste generation

9. The grid pattern, rectangular blocks (chowkris) and use of pink sandstone are characteristic features of the planned city of:
   a) Jamshedpur
   b) Jaipur
   c) Singapore
   d) Bengaluru

10. Vertical gardens and rooftop gardens in Singapore are primarily meant to:
    a) Increase population density
    b) Reduce heat and support biodiversity
    c) Replace all public transport
    d) Eliminate the need for parks

Section B — Very Short Answer (2 marks each)

1. Define population density as given in the chapter.
2. State any two factors that led to the growth of Jamshedpur from a village to a city.
3. Identify two reasons why cities such as Agra and Varanasi attract large numbers of visitors.
4. What is meant by Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) as explained in the chapter?
5. Name any two smaller urban centres mentioned and the specialised activity each is known for.
6. State any two problems caused by the expansion of unplanned residential areas in cities.

Section C — Short Answer (3 marks each)

1. Explain, with examples from the chapter, how favourable geographical location contributes to urbanisation.
2. Compare the urban planning features of Jaipur and Singapore as described in the chapter.
3. Give three reasons why the influx of population creates pressure on city infrastructure.
4. How did the development of the film industry and stock exchange contribute to Mumbai’s growth as an economic hub?
5. Why is community participation important in reviving urban lakes? Explain with reference to Bengaluru.

Section D — Long Answer (5 marks each)

1. Analyse the causes and consequences of rapid urbanisation in India as discussed in the chapter. How does it affect both economic opportunities and living conditions?
2. “Cities need to be planned as dynamic systems.” Discuss this statement with reference to the challenges of pollution, slums and water scarcity, and the measures suggested in the chapter.
3. Examine the role of historical, cultural and economic factors in the growth of Delhi as described in the chapter. How did the creation of the NCR help address emerging problems?

Section E — Source-Based (4 marks each)

Source 1

“Throughout history, we have seen places grow to become prominent urban centres through the advantages of location near rivers that afforded ease of transportation, at the crossroads of trade routes that facilitated the development of markets, as well as ease of access to agricultural produce and raw materials that supported the development of artisan communities and manufacturing. They became centres of economic activities as well as political and administrative power.”

Sub-questions

a. List any two locational advantages mentioned in the source that help a place become an urban centre. (1)
b. How do trade routes contribute to the development of markets according to the source? (1)
c. Name any one city from the chapter that grew due to proximity to natural resources. (1)
d. Why do cities also become centres of political and administrative power? (1)

Source 2

“Slums are overcrowded city settlements with poor housing and limited water, sanitation, and other municipal services. Slums generally grow near city’s periphery, railway tracks, industrial areas where vacant land is available. This is due to lack of enough affordable housing for everyone migrating to the city.”

Sub-questions

a. Where do slums usually develop according to the source? (1)
b. State the main reason for the growth of slums mentioned in the source. (1)
c. Name any one type of informal work performed by slum dwellers as given in the chapter. (1)
d. Which government scheme is mentioned in the chapter to provide affordable housing? (1)