Development – Class 10 | Economics | CBSE Board Exam

🔹 Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each) – 12 Qs

Q1. (2010) What is meant by development? Give two examples.
Answer:
Development means an increase in income as well as improvement in the quality of life (education, health, freedom, security).
Examples:

A factory worker wanting better wages and safe working conditions.
A farmer wanting irrigation facilities along with higher crop yield.

Q2. (2011) Why do different people have different developmental goals?
Answer:
People seek different goals depending on their situation:

A farmer wants better price for crops.
A student wants quality education.
A girl may want freedom and respect.
Hence, development is relative and varies from person to person.

Q3. (2012) Write three differences between economic development and human development.
Answer:

Economic development → Rise in income/production.
Human development → Improvement in education, health, gender equality.
Economic development may not reach all; human development ensures equity.

Q4. (2013) State any three reasons why average income is taken as a measure of development.
Answer:

It shows per capita availability of income.
Helps compare different countries/states.
Reflects standard of living of citizens.

Q5. (2014) What are Public Facilities? Give examples.
Answer:
Public facilities are services provided by the government for collective welfare.
Examples: Schools, hospitals, drinking water, sanitation, transport, electricity.

Q6. (2015) State any three limitations of per capita income as an indicator of development.
Answer:

It does not show income distribution.
Ignores non-monetary aspects like literacy/health.
High average income may hide poverty of many.

Q7. (2016) Distinguish between ‘development’ and ‘growth.’
Answer:

Growth: Quantitative increase in goods/services.
Development: Qualitative improvement in living standard.
Growth may not ensure equity; development is people-oriented.

Q8. (2017) Why is sustainable development necessary? State any three reasons.
Answer:

Natural resources are limited.
Overuse causes environmental damage.
Future generations also need resources.

Q9. (2018) What does Human Development Index (HDI) measure?
Answer:
HDI measures development based on:

Per capita income.
Life expectancy at birth.
Literacy rate/educational levels.

Q10. (2019) Why is per capita income not a true indicator of development? Explain.
Answer:

Hides inequalities.
Ignores education/health facilities.
Does not reflect sustainable use of resources.

Q11. (2020) State any three points of difference between developed and developing countries.
Answer:

Developed → High income; Developing → Low/Middle income.
Developed → High HDI; Developing → Moderate/low HDI.
Developed → Better infrastructure/health/education; Developing → Inadequate facilities.

Q12. (2022) Mention any three non-material things people look for in development.
Answer:

Equality and dignity.
Freedom of speech and choice.
Security and respect from society.

🔹 Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each) – 10 Qs

Q1. (2010) “Development of a country can generally be determined by its per capita income.” Explain with limitations.
Answer:

It shows average income per person.
Useful for comparison between countries.
Limitations:
Does not show distribution of income.
Ignores health, education, environment.
May hide poverty in large population groups.

Q2. (2011) What is Sustainable Development? Suggest five ways to achieve it.
Answer:
Meaning: Development without harming environment/resources for future generations.
Ways:

Use renewable energy.
Reduce deforestation.
Encourage recycling.
Control population growth.
Adopt eco-friendly technology.

Q3. (2012) Why do we use averages? Explain with example. What are the limitations of using averages in comparison?
Answer:

Averages help in simple comparison (e.g., comparing per capita income of states).
Limitations: Does not show inequalities, ignores non-material aspects, hides regional disparity.

Q4. (2013) Compare developmental goals of a rich farmer, landless farmer, a girl, and a businessman.
Answer:

Rich farmer → Better irrigation, machinery.
Landless farmer → Employment, fair wages.
Girl → Education, equality, safety.
Businessman → Profits, market expansion.
Conclusion: Goals differ but all aim at better quality of life.

Q5. (2014) “Public facilities are equally important as income for development.” Justify with examples.
Answer:

Education and health improve human capital.
Clean water/sanitation reduce diseases.
Public transport helps mobility.
Income alone cannot ensure a good life without these facilities.

Q6. (2015) Why is Human Development Index considered a better measure of development than income alone? Explain.
Answer:

HDI includes life expectancy, education, and per capita income.
Reflects both quantitative and qualitative development.
Income alone cannot measure equality, literacy, or health.

Q7. (2016) Explain any five problems faced by people in India due to non-availability of public facilities.
Answer:

Lack of drinking water → Diseases.
Poor sanitation → Unhygienic conditions.
Lack of healthcare → High mortality.
Inadequate education → Illiteracy/unemployment.
Poor electricity/transport → Low productivity.

Q8. (2018) “Money cannot buy all the goods and services one needs to live well.” Justify the statement.
Answer:

Education, security, pollution-free environment not always purchasable.
Public facilities like clean roads, safe drinking water require government support.
Respect, freedom, equality cannot be bought.

Q9. (2020) Explain the importance of sustainable development with examples.
Answer:

Ensures resources for future generations.
Prevents environmental degradation.
Example: Using solar power instead of coal.
Example: Water harvesting for sustainable water use.

Q10. (2023) Different people have different developmental goals. Explain this statement with examples.
Answer:

Development depends on individual needs.
Example: Worker → Better wages, Farmer → Irrigation, Student → Good education, Woman → Equality.
This shows development is multi-dimensional, not the same for everyone.

Vandita Tiwari