Comprehensive question bank strictly based on NCERT textbook chapters for CBSE Board Exams, CUET, UPSC, SSC, and state competitive exams.
International Trade is a crucial chapter in Human Geography that explains the exchange of goods and services across national boundaries and its role in global economic development. The chapter covers barter system, history of international trade, balance of trade, WTO, free trade, regional trade blocs and ports. This question bank includes MCQs, one-word questions, assertion and reason questions and descriptive questions for comprehensive NCERT revision.
These questions are highly useful for CBSE Board Exams, CUET, UPSC, SSC, PSC, Railways and other competitive examinations. Important concepts such as comparative advantage, trade liberalisation, dumping, WTO, balance of trade and international ports are frequently asked in exams. The questions below are strictly based on NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 8 – International Trade.
📌 Table of Contents
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
These MCQs from International Trade are designed for objective revision and competitive exam preparation. They cover trade principles, WTO, trade blocs, free trade, balance of trade and major types of ports discussed in the NCERT chapter.
1. International trade refers to:
2. The earliest form of trade was:
3. Jon Beel Mela is famous for:
4. Which of the following was used as money in ancient times?
5. The word “salary” originates from:
6. The Silk Route connected:
7. The Silk Route was approximately:
8. Which trade emerged during European colonialism?
9. Slave trade was abolished in Great Britain in:
10. Slave trade was abolished in the United States in:
11. After the Industrial Revolution, industrialised nations mainly imported:
12. International trade is based on:
13. Which principle forms the basis of international trade?
14. Uneven distribution of resources is mainly due to:
15. Which factor determines mineral resource availability?
16. Bananas, rubber and cocoa grow mainly in:
17. Iran is famous for:
18. China is famous for:
19. Densely populated countries generally have:
20. Industrialised countries generally export:
21. Foreign investment helps developing countries by:
22. Which factor greatly expanded international trade?
23. When imports exceed exports, it is called:
24. When exports exceed imports, it is called:
25. Bilateral trade occurs between:
26. MFN stands for:
27. Trade liberalisation means:
28. Dumping refers to:
29. GATT was formed in:
30. WTO came into existence on:
31. WTO headquarters is located in:
32. WTO deals with:
33. India is:
34. WTO members as of December 2024 were:
35. Regional trade blocs encourage:
36. Regional trade blocs generate approximately:
37. Ports are known as:
38. Industrial ports mainly handle:
39. Commercial ports handle:
40. Most of the world’s great ports are:
41. Which is an inland port?
42. Athens is associated with which out port?
43. Which is an example of a refinery port?
44. Which port developed as a refuelling and watering station?
45. Singapore is an example of:
46. Dover and Calais are examples of:
47. Which are examples of naval ports in India?
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One-Word / Very Short Answer Questions
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What is the earliest form of trade?
Answer: Barter System (Page Reference: 70)
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Which fair in Assam still practices barter trade?
Answer: Jon Beel Mela (Page Reference: 70)
-
Which ancient trade route connected Rome and China?
Answer: Silk Route (Page Reference: 71)
-
What was the approximate length of the Silk Route?
Answer: 6,000 km (Page Reference: 71)
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Which organisation succeeded GATT?
Answer: WTO (Page Reference: 74)
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What does WTO stand for?
Answer: World Trade Organisation (Page Reference: 74)
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Where is WTO headquarters located?
Answer: Geneva (Page Reference: 74)
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What does MFN stand for?
Answer: Most Favoured Nation (Page Reference: 73)
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What is a negative balance of trade?
Answer: Imports exceed exports (Page Reference: 73)
-
What is a positive balance of trade?
Answer: Exports exceed imports (Page Reference: 73)
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Which country is famous for carpets?
Answer: Iran (Page Reference: 72)
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Which country is famous for porcelain?
Answer: China (Page Reference: 72)
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What is trade liberalisation also called?
Answer: Free Trade (Page Reference: 73)
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What is selling goods at different prices called?
Answer: Dumping (Page Reference: 73)
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How many WTO members were there in December 2024?
Answer: 166 (Page Reference: 74)
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Which city is the headquarters of WTO?
Answer: Geneva (Page Reference: 74)
-
Which port type handles bulk cargo and general cargo?
Answer: Comprehensive Port (Page Reference: 75)
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Which port type is located away from the sea coast?
Answer: Inland Port (Page Reference: 75)
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Which port serves as a collection centre for exports?
Answer: Entrepot Port (Page Reference: 76)
-
Name two naval ports in India.
Answer: Kochi and Karwar (Page Reference: 76)
Assertion and Reason Questions
Question 1
Assertion (A): International trade is based on comparative advantage.
Reason (R): Countries specialise in producing goods efficiently.
Question 2
Assertion (A): International trade benefits participating nations.
Reason (R): It encourages specialisation and division of labour.
Question 3
Assertion (A): Geological structure affects trade.
Reason (R): It determines mineral resource availability.
Question 4
Assertion (A): Climate influences international trade.
Reason (R): Different climates support different products.
Question 5
Assertion (A): Densely populated countries generally have large internal trade.
Reason (R): Most production is consumed domestically.
Question 6
Assertion (A): Efficient transport promotes international trade.
Reason (R): It reduces spatial barriers.
Question 7
Assertion (A): Negative balance of trade is beneficial for an economy.
Reason (R): It means imports exceed exports.
Question 8
Assertion (A): Bilateral trade occurs between two countries.
Reason (R): Countries enter agreements for specified commodities.
Question 9
Assertion (A): Trade liberalisation reduces trade barriers.
Reason (R): It allows foreign goods to compete in domestic markets.
Question 10
Assertion (A): Dumping can harm domestic producers.
Reason (R): Dumped goods are often sold at cheaper prices.
Question 11
Assertion (A): WTO promotes free and fair trade.
Reason (R): It formulates global trade rules and settles disputes.
Question 12
Assertion (A): WTO is free from criticism.
Reason (R): Many people believe it favours developed nations.
Question 13
Assertion (A): Regional trade blocs encourage trade among nearby countries.
Reason (R): Geographic proximity supports trade cooperation.
Question 14
Assertion (A): International trade can negatively impact the environment.
Reason (R): Increased production accelerates resource exploitation.
Question 15
Assertion (A): Ports are gateways of international trade.
Reason (R): Cargo and passengers move internationally through them.
Important Exam-Based Concept Questions
Facts, Years and Exam Data
- Silk Route connection: Connected Rome and China. (Page 71)
- Length of Silk Route: Approximately 6,000 km. (Page 71)
- Slave trade abolition (Denmark): Abolished slave trade in 1792. (Page 71)
- Slave trade abolition (Great Britain): Abolished slave trade in 1807. (Page 71)
- Slave trade abolition (United States): Abolished slave trade in 1808. (Page 71)
- GATT Formation: Established in the year 1948. (Page 74)
- WTO Establishment: Came into existence on 1 January 1995. (Page 74)
- WTO Headquarters: Located in Geneva, Switzerland. (Page 74)
- WTO Membership Status (Dec 2024): Consisted of 166 members. (Page 74)
- India’s Status in WTO: India is one of the founding members. (Page 74)
- Regional Trade Blocs: Around 120 regional trade blocs exist globally. (Page 74)
- Trade volume generation: Regional trade blocs generate 52% of total world trade. (Page 74)
Direct NCERT Book-Back Questions
- What is the basic function of the World Trade Organisation? (Page 76)
- Why is it detrimental for a nation to have a negative balance of payments? (Page 76)
- What benefits do nations get by forming trading blocs? (Page 76)
- How are ports helpful for trade? Give a classification of ports on the basis of their location. (Page 76)
- How do nations gain from international trade? (Page 76)
Very Important Revision Points
- International trade is the exchange of goods and services across national boundaries.
- Barter system was the earliest form of trade.
- Silk Route connected Rome and China over long distances.
- International trade is fundamentally based on comparative advantage, complementarity and transferability.
- Differences in resources, population, and development levels create diverse trade opportunities.
- Positive balance of trade occurs when exports exceed imports.
- Negative balance of trade occurs when imports exceed exports.
- Bilateral trade involves exactly two countries.
- Multilateral trade involves many countries simultaneously.
- Trade liberalisation reduces tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers.
- Dumping refers to selling products at prices completely unrelated to production costs.
- GATT was formed early on in 1948.
- WTO was subsequently established on 1 January 1995.
- The permanent WTO headquarters is located in Geneva.
- India is a proud founding member of the WTO framework.
- Regional trade blocs proactively encourage trade cooperation among proximity nations.
- Ports are strategically classified as the primary gateways of international trade.
- Industrial ports specialize heavily to handle bulk cargo.
- Commercial ports handle standard general cargo and passenger traffic.
- Comprehensive ports effortlessly handle both bulk and general cargo loads.
- Inland ports are intentionally located completely away from the sea coast.
- Entrepot ports function smoothly as specialized collection centres for exports.
- Naval ports serve critical strategic and national defence purposes.