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POPULATION - Q&A

EXERCISE

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) Migrations change the number, distribution and composition of the population in
(a) the area of departure
(b) the area of arrival
(c) both the area of departure and arrival
(d) none of the above

Answer: (c) both the area of departure and arrival

Explanation: Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. When people leave a place (emigration), the population there decreases. When they arrive at a new place (immigration), the population there increases. Thus, it affects the demographics of both areas.

(ii) A large proportion of children in a population is a result of
(a) high birth rates
(b) high life expectancies
(c) high death rates
(d) more married couples

Answer: (a) high birth rates

Explanation: A "young" population structure with a large base of children (0-14 years) indicates that a large number of babies are being born, which is a direct result of high birth rates.

(iii) The magnitude of population growth refers to
(a) the total population of an area
(b) the number of persons added each year
(c) the rate at which the population increases
(d) the number of females per thousand males

Answer: (b) the number of persons added each year

Explanation: The magnitude of increase refers to the absolute numbers added each year or decade. It is calculated by subtracting the earlier population from the later population.

(iv) According to the Census, a "literate" person is one who
(a) can read and write his/her name
(b) can read and write any language
(c) is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding
(d) knows the 3 'R's (reading, writing, arithmetic)

Answer: (c) is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding

Explanation: The Census of India defines a literate person as someone aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding in any language.

2. Answer the following questions briefly.

(i) Why is the rate of population growth in India declining since 1981?

Answer: The rate of population growth has been declining since 1981 because of the rapid decline in birth rates.
Reason: This decline is attributed to rising literacy rates, increased awareness about family planning, delayed marriages, and government initiatives to control population growth.

(ii) Discuss the major components of population growth.

Answer: There are three major components of population growth:
1. Birth Rate: The number of live births per thousand persons in a year. Higher birth rates lead to population increase.
2. Death Rate: The number of deaths per thousand persons in a year. A rapid decline in death rates without a corresponding fall in birth rates leads to high growth.
3. Migration: The movement of people across regions/territories. Internal migration changes the distribution within a country, while international migration changes the population size.

(iii) Define age structure, death rate and birth rate.

Answer:
1. Age Structure: It refers to the number of people in different age groups in a country. It is usually grouped into Children (0-14 yrs), Working Age (15-59 yrs), and Aged (60+ yrs).
2. Death Rate: It is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
3. Birth Rate: It is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year.

(iv) How is migration a determinant factor of population change?

Answer: Migration determines population change in the following ways:
1. Change in Size: International migration (immigration/emigration) directly adds or subtracts from the total population count.
2. Change in Composition: It alters the age and sex composition of the population (e.g., usually young males migrate for work).
3. Urbanization: In India, rural-to-urban migration has resulted in a steady increase in the percentage of population in cities and towns.

3. Distinguish between population growth and population change.

Answer:
Population Growth:
1. It refers specifically to the increase in the number of inhabitants of a region during a specific period.
2. It is a quantitative aspect expressed in absolute numbers or percentage.
3. It focuses mainly on the difference between birth and death rates.

Population Change:
1. It is a broader concept that includes changes in the distribution and composition of the population, not just the total number.
2. It is influenced by birth rates, death rates, AND migration.
3. It includes qualitative changes like age structure, sex ratio, and literacy levels.

4. What is the relation between occupational structure and development?

Answer: There is a direct relationship between occupational structure and development:
1. Developed Nations: Have a high proportion of people engaged in secondary (industrial) and tertiary (service) activities.
2. Developing Nations: Have a higher proportion of their workforce engaged in primary activities like agriculture, fishing, and forestry.
3. Significance: A shift from primary to secondary and tertiary sectors is an indicator of economic development and industrialization. In India, the share of the secondary and tertiary sectors is gradually increasing, indicating development.

5. What are the advantages of having a healthy population?

Answer: A healthy population is an asset to the country for the following reasons:
1. Productivity: Healthy people are more productive and efficient workers, contributing more to the economy.
2. Potential: Health helps an individual realize their full potential and fight illness.
3. Development: A healthy workforce drives national development, whereas an unhealthy population becomes a liability.
4. Reduced Burden: Good health reduces the burden on healthcare infrastructure and allows resources to be used elsewhere.

6. What are the significant features of the National Population Policy 2000?

Answer: The significant features of the NPP 2000 are:
1. Education: Imparting free and compulsory school education up to 14 years of age.
2. Infant Mortality: Reducing the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to below 30 per 1000 live births.
3. Immunization: Achieving universal immunization of children against all vaccine-preventable diseases.
4. Delayed Marriage: Promoting delayed marriage for girls.
5. Family Welfare: Making family welfare a people-centered programme.

PROJECT/ACTIVITY

Conduct a class census by preparing a questionnaire. The questionnaire should contain minimum five questions. Questions should relate to students, their family members, their class performance, their health, etc. Each student is required to fill in the questionnaire. Compile the information in numerical terms (in terms of percentage). Present the information through pie-chart, bar-diagram or in any other way.

Answer: (This is a practical activity to be done by students. Below is a sample guide.)

Sample Questionnaire:
1. Age: _____
2. Number of Family Members: _____
3. Distance of home from school (km): _____
4. Favourite Subject: _____
5. Do you wear glasses? (Yes/No): _____

Steps to Compile:
1. Collect sheets from all 40 students.
2. Count how many said 'Yes' for glasses (e.g., 10 out of 40).
3. Calculate percentage: (10/40) * 100 = 25%.
4. Draw a Pie Chart where 25% is shaded as 'Wear Glasses'.

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Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!

Question

In social studies, which element is considered the 'pivotal' point of reference from which all other elements are observed and derive meaning?

Answer

Population

Question

According to the source, human beings are considered both _____ and consumers of earth's resources.

Answer

producers

Question

What is the term for an official enumeration of a population that is conducted periodically?

Answer

Census

Question

In what year was the first census held in India?

Answer

$1872$

Question

In what year was the first complete census taken in India?

Answer

$1881$

Question

Since $1881$, Indian censuses have been held regularly every _____ year.

Answer

tenth

Question

What was India's total population as of March $2011$?

Answer

$1,210.6$ million (or $1.21$ billion)

Question

As of $2011$, India accounted for more than _____% of the world's population.

Answer

$17.5\%$

Question

What is India's total land area in million square km?

Answer

$3.28$ million square km

Question

India's land area accounts for _____% of the world's total area.

Answer

$2.4\%$

Question

Which Indian state was identified by the $2011$ Census as the most populous?

Answer

Uttar Pradesh

Question

What was the population of Uttar Pradesh according to the $2011$ Census?

Answer

$199$ million

Question

Uttar Pradesh accounts for about _____% of India's total population.

Answer

$16\%$

Question

Which Himalayan state has a population of only about $0.6$ million?

Answer

Sikkim

Question

Which Indian Union Territory had a population of only $64,429$ in $2011$?

Answer

Lakshadweep

Question

Almost half of India's population lives in which five states?

Answer

Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh

Question

Which state is the largest in India by area but accounts for only $5.5\%$ of the total population?

Answer

Rajasthan

Question

How is population density calculated?

Answer

As the number of persons per unit area.

Question

What was the average population density of India in the year $2011$?

Answer

$382$ persons per sq km

Question

Which Indian state had the highest population density in $2011$?

Answer

Bihar ($1,102$ persons per sq km)

Question

Which Indian state had the lowest population density in $2011$?

Answer

Arunachal Pradesh ($17$ persons per sq km)

Question

Apart from India, which two countries are noted for having higher average population densities?

Answer

Bangladesh and Japan

Question

Which two primary factors are responsible for sparse population in areas with densities below $250$ persons per sq km?

Answer

Rugged terrain and unfavourable climatic conditions

Question

Why do the Northern plains and Kerala have high to very high population densities?

Answer

Because of flat plains with fertile soils and abundant rainfall.

Question

In the context of population, what does the term 'absolute increase' mean?

Answer

The magnitude of increase obtained by subtracting the earlier population from the later population.

Question

The rate of population increase is typically measured in units of _____.

Answer

per cent per annum

Question

If a population grows by $2$ per cent per annum, how many people are added for every $100$ persons in the base population?

Answer

Two

Question

What was the general trend of India's annual growth rate between $1951$ and $1981$?

Answer

It was steadily increasing.

Question

Since $1981$, what has been the declining trend in India's population growth?

Answer

The annual rate of growth started declining gradually.

Question

Why does a low annual growth rate still result in a large absolute increase in India?

Answer

Because the rate is applied to a very large base population.

Question

What are the three main processes that interact to change the composition of a population?

Answer

Births, deaths, and migrations

Question

How is the 'natural increase' of a population calculated?

Answer

As the difference between birth rates and death rates.

Question

What is the definition of the 'birth rate'?

Answer

The number of live births per thousand persons in a year.

Question

What is the definition of the 'death rate'?

Answer

The number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.

Question

What has been the main cause of the growth of the Indian population historically?

Answer

The rapid decline in death rates.

Question

What is the term for the movement of people across regions and territories?

Answer

Migration

Question

Which type of migration occurs within the borders of a single country?

Answer

Internal migration

Question

Internal migration does not change the _____ of a population but influences its distribution.

Answer

size

Question

In India, what are the 'push' factors that drive migration from rural areas?

Answer

Adverse conditions of poverty and unemployment

Question

What are the primary 'pull' factors that attract migrants to Indian cities?

Answer

Increased employment opportunities and better living conditions

Question

How did the percentage of India's urban population change between $1951$ and $2011$?

Answer

It increased from $17.29\%$ to $31.80\%$.

Question

According to the text, which country did India overtake in $2023$ to become the world's most populous?

Answer

China

Question

The adolescent population in India is generally grouped into which age range?

Answer

$10$ to $19$ years

Question

Adolescents constitute approximately what fraction of India's total population?

Answer

One-fifth

Question

What is a common health problem among a large number of adolescent girls in India?

Answer

Anaemia

Question

In what year did the Government of India initiate the comprehensive Family Planning Programme?

Answer

$1952$

Question

What is the full name of the policy framework launched by the Indian government in $2000$ regarding population?

Answer

National Population Policy (NPP) $2000$

Question

The NPP $2000$ provides a policy framework for free and compulsory school education up to what age?

Answer

$14$ years of age

Question

What target did the NPP $2000$ set for the infant mortality rate?

Answer

Reducing it to below $30$ per $1,000$ live births

Question

One goal of the NPP $2000$ is to achieve universal _____ of children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Answer

immunisation

Question

The NPP $2000$ promotes which specific practice to improve the health and welfare of girls?

Answer

Delayed marriage

Question

Term: Sex-ratio

Answer

Definition: The number of females per thousand males in a population.

Question

Term: Life expectancy

Answer

Definition: The average number of years a person is expected to live.

Question

Term: Dependency ratio

Answer

Definition: The ratio of people of dependent age (below $15$ and above $60$ years) to people of economically active ages ($15$-$59$ years).

Question

Term: Million plus cities

Answer

Definition: Cities with a population of more than one million or $10$ lakh.

Question

According to the Census, what defines a 'literate' person?

Answer

A person aged $7$ years and above who can read and write any language with understanding.

Question

Which state became the $29$th State of India in June $2014$?

Answer

Telangana

Question

On August $5$, $2019$, Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into which two Union Territories?

Answer

Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh

Question

What term describes the total population of an area at the beginning of a given time period?

Answer

Base population

Question

Glossary: What is a 'biome'?

Answer

Plant communities occurring in distinct groups in areas having similar climatic conditions.