Geography Ch. 7: Lifeline of National Economy

EXERCISE

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the east-west Corridor?

    (a) Mumbai and Nagpur

    (b) Silchar and Porbandar

    (c) Mumbai and Kolkata

    (d) Nagpur and Siliguri

Answer: (b) Silchar and Porbandar

(ii) Which mode of transportation reduces trans-shipment losses and delays?

    (a) Railways

    (b) Roadways

    (c) Pipeline

    (d) Waterways

Answer: (c) Pipeline

(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) Visakhapatnam

Answer: (d) Visakhapatnam

(v) Which of the following is the most important modes of transportation in India?

    (a) Pipelines

    (b) Railways

    (c) Roadways

    (d) Airways

Answer: (c) Roadways

(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: Road transport have the following merits:

(a) Construction and maintenance cost of roads is low.

(b) Roads provided door to door service, thus the cost of loading and unloading is much lower.

(c) Road transport is also used as a feeder to other modes of transport, for example, they provide a link between railway stations, airports and sea ports.

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

Answer: Railways can transport larger number of goods and passengers over long distances at economical cost. Hence, Railways are the most convenient means of transport in the vast Northern Plains of India. The flat terrain, dense population, rich agricultural resources and greater industrial activity have favored the development of railways in this region. The Northern Plains, therefore, have the densest road networks. Railways have accelerated the development of industry and agriculture in this region by providing quick availability of raw materials and distributing the finished products to the market.

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

Answer: Border roads are of strategic importance in the northern and north-eastern border areas. These roads have improved accessibility in areas of difficult terrain and 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: Exchange of goods, commodities or services between people, states or countries is termed as trade. The Products are exchanged between regions of surplus and regions of deficiency.

The exchange of commodities between two or more countries is termed as international trade. While local trade is carried on within cities, towns or villages. Exchange of the items take place in local markets where items of local needs are catered to.

3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Why are the means of transportation and communication called the lifeline of a nation and its economy?

Answer: The means of transport provide an important link between the producers and consumers of goods. The transport routes or channels are, thus, the basic arteries of our economy. Therefore, efficient means of transport are prerequisites of fast development. They help in development of agriculture and industry by providing raw materials and distributing finished product. A well-knit transport and communication system brings people of different regions within the country and the world closer to one another. A dense and efficient network of transport and communication is a prerequisite of local, national and global trade of today. Thus, modern means of transport and communication serve as lifelines of our nation and its modern economy.

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

Answer: Exchange of information and knowledge has surpassed exchange of goods and commodities. Through its advanced software knowledge and excellence in the field of information technology, India has emerged as a viable contender at the international level and is earning huge amounts of foreign exchange through the same. Tourism too has added to India’s upgraded position in international trade. In 2010, there was a 11.8% increase in foreign tourist arrivals as against the number in 2009. Thus, international trade for India has undergone a cognizable change in the past fifteen years.