QUESTION BANK AND ANSWER KEY

GEO : MINERALS & ENERGY RESOURCES

Short answer type questions

1. How minerals are formed in sedimentary rocks? Name any two-

mineral formed due to evaporation especially in arid region.

Ans. A. In sedimentary rocks a number of minerals occur in beds and

layers.
B. They have been formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and
concentration in horizontal strata.
C. Coal and some forms of iron ore have been concentrated as a result of
long periods under great heat and pressure.
D. Another group of sedimentary minerals include gypsum, potash salt and
sodium salt. These are formed as a result of evaporation especially in arid
region.

2. Explain with an example that aluminium was widely used by the

emperors of France.

Ans. A. After the discovery of aluminium Emperor Napoleon III wore

buttons and hooks on his clothes made of aluminium.
B. Food was served to his more illustrious guests in aluminium utensils and
the less honourable ones were served in gold and silver utensils.
C. Thirty years after this incident aluminium bowls were most common with
the beggars in Paris.

3. Name any one rock mineral. Write about its formation. Name the
industry in which it is used?

Ans. A. Limestone is a rock mineral.

B. It is found in association with rocks composed of calcium carbonate or
calcium and magnesium carbonates.
C. It is found in sedimentary rocks of most geological formations.
D. Limestone is the basic raw material for cement industry and essential for
smelting iron ore in the blast furnaces.
4. Can you illustrate some suggestions to conserve minerals?

Ans. A. A concerted effort has to be made in order to use our mineral

resources in a planned and sustainable manner.
B. Improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow use of low
grade ores at low costs.
C. Recycling of metals, using scrap metals and other substitutes are steps
in conserving our minerals resources for future.

5. Study the given chart carefully and answer the following questions:
A. Which state is the largest producer of manganese in India?
B. What is the use of manganese?
C. What is the share of Madhya Pradesh in the production of
manganese ore?

Ans. A. Odisha is the largest producer of manganese ore in India.

B. Manganese is mainly used in the manufacture of steel.
C. About 22%.

6. A. Two features A and B are marked in the given political map of

India. Identify these features with the help of the following information
and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map.
1. A Coal Mine 2. Nuclear Power Plant
B. Locate and Labe Mangalore iron ore exporting port with
appropriate symbols on the same map given for identification
Ans.

7. Toothpaste is a combination of various Minerals”. Support the

statement with suitable examples.
Ans. Yes, toothpaste is a combination of so many minerals.
Toothpaste cleans our teeth. Abrasive minerals like silica, limestone,
aluminium oxide and various phosphate minerals do the cleaning.

Fluoride which is used to reduce cavities, come from a mineral fluoride.

Most toothpaste is made white, with titanium oxide, which comes from
minerals called rutile, ilmenite and anatase.

The sparkle in some toothpaste comes from mica.

The toothbrush and tube containing the paste are made of plastics from
petroleum.

8. What is the difference in approach of Geographers and Geologists

in the study of mineral resources?
Ans. Geographers study minerals as part of the earth’s crust for a better
understanding of land reforms. The Distribution of minerals resources and
associated economic activities are interest to geographers.
Geologists, however, is interested in the formation of minerals, their age
and physical and chemical composition.

9. Distinguish between metallic Minerals and Non-Metallic Minerals.

Ans. Metallic Minerals

1. Minerals from which metals are extracted.
2. They can be pressed in to wires or sheets.
3. Iron gold silver are metallic minerals
Non-Metallic Minerals
1. Minerals consist of non-metals.
2. They cannot be pressed in to wires or sheets
3. Clay, Sulphur, coal, potash are all non-metallic minerals.

10. How do decomposition and weathering influence formation of

minerals? Name a mineral formed due to decomposition and
weathering?

Ans. A. This type of formation involves the decomposition of surface rocks

under the effect of pressure, temperature and humidity.
B. Due to weathering effects of wind and water the soluble constituents,
leaving a residual mass of weathered material containing ores.
C. Bauxite is formed this way.
11. What is the contribution of coal in the installed capacity of
electricity? Why is the share of coal continuing to be highest?

Ans. A. 62% is the contribution of coal in the installed capacity of

electricity.
B. The share of coal is continuing to be highest because of the following
facts.
1. India has a huge resource of coal of different kinds, such as anthracite,
bituminous, lignite and peat.
2. The potential of India in the field of hydel power is quite high but only one
sixth has been derived developed.
3. Electricity produced by nuclear plants is only in the initial stages. This
way is not properly developed.

12. A. Two features A and B are marked in the given political map of
India. Identify these features with the help of the following information
and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map.
1. Bauxite Mine
2. Mica mine

Ans. A.i. Madhya Predesh

A.ii. Andhra Pradesh
13. Outline the uses of Energy? Explain the different sources of
energy resources.

Ans. Uses: Energy is required for all activities. It is needed to cook, to

provide light and heat, to propel vehicles and to drive machinery in
Industry.
Sources of Energy:
a. Energy can be generated from non conventional sources include- solar
energy, wind, tidal, geothermal, bio gas and atomic energy.
b. Energy is also generated from conventional sources include-firewood,
cattle dung cake, coal, petroleum, natural gas and electricity both hydel and
thermal.

14. Why the use of fire wood and dung cake should be discouraged?

Ans. A. Fire wood and dung cattle dung cake are most common in rural
India.
B. According to one estimate more than 70 per cent energy requirement in
rural households is met by these two.
C. Continuation of these is increasingly becoming difficult due to
decreasing forest area,
D. More over using dung cakes too is being discouraged because it
consumes most valuable manure which could be used in agriculture.

15. How would you classify the types of coal on the bases of
geological ages?

Ans. A. Gondwana Coal Fields: The Gondwana coal fields are 250 million
years of age. The major resources of gondwana coal which are
metallurgical coal are located in Damodar valley (West-Bengal-Jharkhand).
Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro and important coal fields. The Godavari,
Mahanadi, son and Wardha valleys also contain coal deposits.
B. Tertiary Coal Fields: The Tertiary coal fields are only 55 million years
old. Tertiary coals occur in the north eastern states of Meghalaya, Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

16. Write a short note on HVJ Pipeline.

Ans. The HVJ pipeline is Hazira-Vijaipur-jagdishpur pipeline. It is 1700 km
long. This pipeline links Mumbai High and Bassein with fertilizer, power and
industrial complexes in western and northern India. This artery has
provided an impetus to India’s gas production. The power and fertilizer
industries are the key users of natural gas. Use of Compressed Natural
Gas for vehicles to replace liquid fuels is gaining wide popularity in the
country.

17. Study the given chart carefully and answer the following
questions:
A. Name the state where Khatri mines of India lies?
B. Which state is the largest producer of copper in India?
C. Which industries mainly dependent on copper?

Ans. A. In Rajasthan

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Electrical cables, electronics and chemical industries.

18. A. Two features A and B are marked in the given political map of
India. Identify these features with the help of the following information
and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map.
1. Mica mine
2. Iron ore exporting port

B. Locate and Label Durg iron ore mine with appropriate symbols on
the same map given for identification
Ans.

19. Write about the formation of Tidal energy.

Ans. A. Oceanic tides are used to generate electricity.

B. Floodgates dames are built across inlet. During high tide water flows into
the inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed.
C. After the tide falls outside the flood gate, the water retained by the
floodgate, the water retained by the floodgate flows back to the sea via
pipes that carries it through a power-generating turbine.

20. How the people of rural areas get benefited from the setting up of
biogas plants?

Ans. A. Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to produce
biogas for domestic consumption in rural areas.
B. The plants using cattle dung are known as Gobar gas plants in rural
areas.
C. Theses provide twin benefits to the farmer of rural areas in the form of
energy.
D. Farmers also get improved quality of manure.
E. Bio gas is far the most efficient use of cattle dung.
F. It also prevents the loss of trees and manure due to burning of fuel wood
and cow dung cakes.

21. Explain the different uses of mineral oil.

Ans. A. Petroleum is a mineral oil is the next major energy source in India
after coal.
B. It provides fuel for heat and lighting, lubricants for machinery and raw
materials for a number of manufacturing industries.
C. Petroleum refineries act as a nodal industry foe synthetic textile,
fertilizers and numerous chemical industries.

22. How would you explain the occurrence of petroleum in India?

Ans. A. Most of the petroleum occurrences in India are associated with

anticline and fault traps in the rock formations of the tertiary age.
B. In regions of folding, anticlines or domes, it occurs where oil is trapped in
the crest of the up fold.
C. The oil-bearing layer is a porous limestone or sand stone through which
oil may flow.
D. The oil is prevented from rising or shrinking by intervening non-porous
layers.
23. Study the given chart carefully and answer the following
questions:
A. Which state is the largest producer of Bauxite in India?
B. Which mineral is derived from Bauxite?
C. What is the importance of aluminium?

Ans. A. Odisha
B. Aluminium
C. It combines the strength of iron but it is quite light in weight and has
good conductivity and great malleability.

24. A. Two features A and B are marked in the given political map of
India. Identify these features with the help of the following information
and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map.
1. Nuclear Plant
2. Oil Field

B. Locate and Label Koraput Bauxite mine with appropriate symbols

on the same map given for identification
Ans.

25. Write any two features of natural gas. Why is it considered an

environment friendly fuel?
Ans. A. Natural gas is an important clean energy resource found in
association with or without petroleum.
B. It is used as a source of energy as well as an industrial raw material in
the petrochemical industry.
C. Natural gas is considered an environment friendly fuel because of low
carbon dioxide emission and is, therefore the fuel for the present country.

26. Can you explain the natural gas reserves of India?

Ans. A. Large reserves of natural gas have been discovered in the
Krishna-Godavari basin.
B. Along the west coast the reserves of supplemented by finds in the Gulf
of Cambay.
C. Andaman and Nicobar islands are also important areas having large
reserves of natural gas

27. Name the type of energy whose per capita consumption is

considered as an index of development. Explain the different ways by
which this of energy resource is generated.
Ans. Electricity has such a wide range of application in today’s world that,
its per capita consumption is considered as an index of development.
Electricity is generated mainly in two ways:
A. Hydroelectricity: Hydroelectricity is generated by running water which
drives hydro turbines to generate hydroelectricity. It is renewable resource
of energy.
B. Thermal Power: It is generated by burning other fuels such as coal,
petroleum and natural gas to drive turbines to produce thermal power.

28. Write about the composition and formation of limestone. What are
the uses of it?
Ans. Composition: Limestone is found in association with rocks composed
of calcium carbonates or calcium and magnesium carbonate.
Formation: It is found in sedimentary rocks of most geological formation.
Uses: Limestone is the basic raw material for the cement industry and
essential for iron ore in the blast furnace.

29. Study the given chart carefully and answer the following
questions:
A. What does this picture show?
B. Which states of India have important wind farms?
C. Name the places which are well known for effective use of wind
energy?
Ans. A. This picture shows the wind mills, which help in generate wind
energy.
B. Tamil Nadu followed Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala,
Maharashtra and Lakshadweep have important wind farms.
C. Nagarcoil and Jaisalmer are well known for effective use of wind energy
in the country.

30. A. Two features A and B are marked in the given political map of
India. Identify these features with the help of the following information
and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map.
1. Iron ore mine
2. Manganese mine
B. Locate and Label Ajmer Mica mine with appropriate symbols on the
same map given for identification.
Ans.

31. What are the Petroleum producing areas in India. Explain.

Ans . Most of the petroleum producing areas in India are associated with
anticlines and faults traps in the rock
formations of the tertiary age. In the region folding, anticlines or domes, it
occurs where oil is trapped in the crest
of the uphold. Petroleum is also found in fault traps between porous rocks.
Major petroleum producing areas of India are …
1) ASSAM- Digboi, Naharkatia, Moran-Hugrijan, Namdang region
2) GUJRAT- Ankeleshwar, Lunez, Navgan
3) MUMBAI HIGH
4) Godavari – Mahanadi basin

32. Distinguish between Natural Gas and Bio Gas.

Ans. NATURAL GAS
• It is a mixture of combustible gaseous hydrocarbons occurring in the
rocks of earth crust.
• This is commercial energy.
• It is used as raw material in the petrochemicals.
• It is transported from one place to another through pipeline.
• Mostly used in urban areas.
• BIO GAS
• It is derived by decomposition of waste of animals and plants with the help
of microorganism in presence of water.
• Non-commercial energy
• It is produced in tanks
• It is found in rural areas

33. What is Non - Conventional sources of energy? Discuss two

sources of such types of energy.

Ans. Sources of energy which are renewable, eco-friendly and newer one
is called non-conventional sources of energy i.e. wind energy, geothermal
energy, tidal energy etc.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY:

Geothermal energy refers to the heat and electricity produced by using the
heat from the interior of the earth. Where the geothermal gradient is high,
high temperature is found at shallow depth . There are several hot springs
in India which could be used to generate electricity. Two projects, one is
MANIKARAN in Himachal and second in PUGA VALLEY in Ladakh has
been set up in India to harness Geothermal energy.

TIDAL ENERGY:

Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity. During high tides water
flows into the inlet and get trapped when it is closed. After the fall of tide the
water flows back to the sea via pipe lines that carry it through power
generating turbines. In India gulf of Kutch provides ideal conditions for tidal
energy.

34. India now ranks as a “WIND SUPER POWER “in the world. Why?

Ans. • India gets advantage of trade winds, western lies and monsoon
winds.

• Wind energy completely pollution free and non-exhaustible that’s why it

becomes popular.

• India has an ambitious program to install 250 wind driven turbines with
total capacity of 45 megawatts spread over 12 suitable locations.

• India’s potential wind power generation is of 50000 megawatts of which ¼

can be easily harnessed.
• Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have
favorable conditions for wind energy. Wind power plant at LAMBA in
Gujarat, is the largest in Asia.

35. How can we conserve energy resources in India? Explain.

Ans. Following efforts can be made to conserve energy resource in India:

i. Using public transport instead of individual vehicles.

ii. Switching of electricity when not in use.

iii. Using power saving devices.

iv. More and more use of non-conventional source of energy as they are
renewable and eco-friendly.

v. In automobiles electrical motors should be introduced.

vi. Intensified exploration and research of new sources of energy

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What are Non-Conventional Sources of Energy? Why do they have

a bright future in India.

Ans. Resources which we can use again and again and which are
renewable in nature are non-conventional resources of energy. Due to the
following reasons they have bright future in India.

Resources which we can use again and again and which are renewable in
nature are non-conventional resources of energy. Due to the following
reasons they have bright future in India.
A. India is blessed with an abundance of sunlight, water, wind and bio
mass.
B. India is tropical country. It has enormous possibilities of tapping solar
energy.
C. India now ranks a wind super power in the world. States like Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and
Lakshadweep have important wind farms
D. In India the Gulf of Kachchh, provides ideal conditions for utilizing tidal
energy.
E. There are several hundred hot spot springs in India, which could be
used to generate Geo Thermal Energy.

2. Write a short note on Bauxite, its formation, features and

distribution in India.

Ans. Bauxite is a clay-like substance from which alumina and later

aluminium is obtained. Aluminium is an important metal because it
combines the strength of metals such as iron, with extreme lightness and
also with good conductivity and great malleable ability.
Formation: Bauxite deposits are formed by the decomposition of a wide
variety of rocks rich in aluminium silicates.
Distribution:
A. It is found in the Amarkantak Plateau, Maikal Hills and the plateau region
of Bilaspur-Katni.
B. Odisha is the largest bauxite producing state in India.
C. Panchpatmali deposits in Koraput District are the most important bauxite
deposits in the state.
D. 45% of the country’s total production in 2000-01 was in Odisha.

3. Why there is a need for conservation of minerals?

Ans. A. The total Volume of workable mineral deposits in an insignificant

fraction i.e. one percent of the earth’s crust.
B. We are rapidly consuming mineral resources that required millions of
years to be created and concentrated.
C. The geological processes of mineral formation are so slow that the rates
of replenishment are infinitely small in comparison to the present rates of
consumption.
D. Mineral resources are finite and non-renewable.
E. Mining of minerals causes great threat to the environment and health of
the human beings. Due to the above discussed reasons it is necessary to
conserve the minerals and use them in a judicious way.

4. How would you classify the types of coal depending on the degrees
of compression?

Ans. Following are the types of coal on the degree of compression:

A. Peat: Decaying plants in swamps produced peat, which has a low
carbon and high moisture contents. It has very heating capacity.
B. Lignite: Lignite is a low -grade brown coal, which is soft with high
moisture content. The principal lignite reserves are in Neyveli in Tamil
Nadu and used for generation of electricity.
C. Bituminous: Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased
temperature is bituminous coal. It is the most popular coal in commercial
use. Metallurgical coal is high grade bituminous coal which has a special
value foe smelting iron in blast furnace.
D. Anthracite: It is highest quality hard coal.

5. Name the non-metallic mineral, which can be easily splits into thin
sheets. What are the properties of this mineral and it is found in which
areas?

Ans. Mica is the mineral made up of a series of plates or leaves. It splits

easily into thin sheets.
Properties:
A. Mica sheets can be so thin that a thousand can be layered in to mica
sheet of a few centimetres high.
B. Mica can be clear, black, green, red, yellow or brown, Due to its
excellent di-electric strength, low power loss factor, insulating properties
and resistance to high voltage, mica is one of the most indispensable
minerals used in electric and electronic industries.
Mica producing areas:
A. Mica is found in the northern edge of the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
Koderma Gaya- Hazaribhag belt of Jharkhand is the leading producers.
B. In Rajasthan the major mica producing area is around Ajmer.
C. Nellore mica belt of Andhra Pradesh is also an important producer in the
country.

6. Explain the different forms of occurrence of minerals.

Ans. A. Occurrence of Minerals in Igneous and Metamorphic rocks: In

igneous and metamorphic rocks minerals may occur in cracks, crevices,
faults and joints. The smaller occurrence is called veins and the larger are
called lodes. Major metallic minerals like tin, copper, zinc and lead etc are
obtained from veins and lodes.
B. Occurrence of minerals in sedimentary rocks: In sedimentary rocks a
number of minerals occur in beds and layers. They have been formed as a
result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata.
Coal and some forms of iron ore have been concentrated as a result of
long periods.
C. Occurrence of minerals through Decomposition of surface rocks:
Another mode of formation involves the decomposition of surface rocks,
and the removal of soluble constituents, leaving a residual mass of
weathered material containing ores. Bauxite is formed this way.
D. Alluvial deposits: Certain minerals may occur as alluvial deposits in
sands of valley floors and the base of hills. These deposits are called
placer deposits.
E. Minerals in ocean water and ocean beds: The ocean water contains vast
quantities of minerals. Common salt, magnesium and bromine are largely
derived from ocean water. The ocean beds too are rich in manganese
nodules

7. Distinguish between conventional and non-conventional sources of

energy.

Ans.

Conventional Non- Conventional

1. Conventional sources of energy 1. Non-conventional sources of
are non-renewable sources of energy are renewable sources of
energy. energy.
2. These sources get depleted with 2. These resources can be used
its use. again and again.
3. These are traditional sources of 3. These are recently developed
energy. sources of energy.
4. These causes large scale 4. These are environment friendly
pollution. resources.
5. For example : Coal, petroleum, 5. For example: Solar energy, wind
diesel, etc. energy, tidal energy etc.

8. Explain any five types of non-conventional sources of energy

developed in India.

Ans. A. Solar energy: India is a tropical country. It has enormous

possibilities of tapping solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts
sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is fast becoming popular in
rural and remote areas. The largest solar plant of India is located at
Madhapur, near Bhuj, where solar energy is used to sterilize milk cans.
B. Wind power: India now ranks as a wind super power in the world. The
largest wind farm cluster is located in Tamil Nadu from Nagarcoil to
Madurai.
C. Bio Gas: Shrubs, farm waste, animal and human waste are used to
produce bio gas for domestic purpose in rural area. Decomposition of
organic matter yields gas, which has higher thermal efficiency in
comparison to kerosene, dung cake and charcoal.
D. Tidal energy: Oceanic tides can be used to generate electricity.
Floodgate dams are built across inlet. During high tide water flows into the
inlet and gets trapped when the gate is closed. From that stored water
electricity is generated.
E. Geo thermal Energy: Geothermal energy refers to the heat and
electricity produced by using the heat from the interior of the earth

9. Describe the importance of minerals in human life.

OR

“Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives”. Support this

statement with examples. [2020]

Ans. A. Minerals are indispensable part of our life. Almost everything we

use, from a tiny pin towering building or a big ship, all are made from
minerals.
B. The railway lines and the tarmac of the roads, our implements and
machinery too are made from minerals.
C. Cars buses, trains, aero plans are manufactured form minerals and run
on power resources derived from the earth.
D. In all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their
livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.
E. Availability of the minerals helps in the economic development of the
country.
F. Our food too contains minerals.

10. Can you explain the different types of iron ores?

Ans. Following are the different types of Iron ores:

A. Magnetite: it is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 70
percent. It is excellent magnetic qualities, especially valuable in the
electrical industry.
B. Hematite: Hematite is the most important industrial iron ore in terms of
the quantity used, but has slightly lower iron content than magnetite. (50-60
percent).
C. Limonite: It has iron content of about 40-60 percent.
D. Siderite: It has content of iron between 40-50 percent.

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