Primary Activities is an important chapter in NCERT Class 12 Geography that explains economic activities directly dependent on natural resources. The chapter covers hunting and gathering, pastoralism, agriculture, livestock rearing, dairy farming, plantation agriculture, market gardening and mining. Understanding these concepts helps students analyze the relationship between humans and the environment in different parts of the world.
These important questions include MCQs, one-word questions, assertion and reason questions and descriptive questions useful for revision and exam preparation. The chapter is highly relevant for CBSE Board Exams, CUET, UPSC, SSC, PSC, Railways and other competitive examinations because it covers major agricultural systems, commercial farming practices and resource extraction activities.
Source: NCERT Class 12 Geography Chapter 4 – Primary Activities.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
These MCQs from Primary Activities are designed for objective revision and competitive examination preparation. The questions cover hunting, gathering, pastoralism, agriculture, plantation farming, dairy farming, mixed farming and mining concepts discussed in the NCERT chapter.
1. Economic activities directly dependent on nature are called:
B. Tertiary activities
C. Primary activities
D. Quaternary activities
2. People engaged in primary activities are called:
B. White-collar workers
C. Red-collar workers
D. Gold-collar workers
3. Which of the following is NOT a primary activity?
B. Agriculture
C. Mining
D. Banking
4. The oldest economic activity known to mankind is:
B. Agriculture
C. Gathering and Hunting
D. Manufacturing
5. Primitive societies depended mainly on:
B. Wild animals
C. Trade
D. Transport
6. Gathering is generally practised in:
B. Harsh climatic regions
C. Industrial regions
D. River valleys
7. Which product is obtained from the bark of trees?
B. Quinine
C. Cotton
D. Wheat
8. Chicle, used in chewing gum, is obtained from:
B. Teak tree
C. Zapota tree
D. Bamboo
9. Nomadic herding is a:
B. Primitive subsistence activity
C. Industrial activity
D. Urban activity
10. Which animal is most important in tropical Africa?
B. Sheep
C. Cattle
D. Reindeer
11. Which animal is reared in the Arctic region?
B. Llama
C. Reindeer
D. Camel
12. Seasonal migration between mountains and plains is called:
B. Rotation
C. Transhumance
D. Nomadism
13. Gujjars, Gaddis and Bhotiyas are associated with:
B. Transhumance
C. Mixed farming
D. Mining
14. Commercial livestock ranching is associated mainly with:
B. Western cultures
C. Tribal cultures
D. Arctic cultures
15. Which country is famous for commercial livestock rearing?
B. Nepal
C. Bangladesh
D. Bhutan
16. Subsistence agriculture mainly produces for:
B. Local consumption
C. International markets
D. Industries
17. Shifting cultivation is also known as:
B. Mixed farming
C. Slash and Burn Agriculture
D. Ranching
18. Shifting cultivation is called Jhum in:
B. Malaysia
C. North-East India
D. Brazil
19. Milpa is associated with:
B. Central America and Mexico
C. Australia
D. China
20. Intensive subsistence agriculture is mainly found in:
B. Monsoon Asia
C. South America
D. Australia
21. Which crop dominates intensive subsistence farming in Asia?
B. Cotton
C. Rice
D. Barley
22. Plantation agriculture was introduced by:
B. Asians
C. Europeans
D. Africans
23. Which of the following is a plantation crop?
B. Tea
C. Barley
D. Rye
24. Plantation agriculture is characterized by:
B. Mixed cropping
C. Large estates
D. Collective ownership
25. Wheat is the principal crop in:
B. Mediterranean agriculture
C. Extensive commercial grain cultivation
D. Market gardening
26. Mixed farming combines:
B. Crops and livestock
C. Fishing and agriculture
D. Industry and agriculture
27. Dairy farming is:
B. Primitive farming
C. Highly capital intensive
D. Shifting cultivation
28. Viticulture refers to:
B. Grape cultivation
C. Wheat cultivation
D. Tea cultivation
29. The Netherlands is famous for:
B. Wheat
C. Tulips
D. Rice
30. Open-cast mining is also known as:
B. Surface mining
C. Tunnel mining
D. Gallery mining
31. Underground mining is also called:
B. Strip Mining
C. Surface Mining
D. Open Mining
32. Which factor is NOT an economic factor affecting mining?
B. Transport cost
C. Labour cost
D. Grade of ore
Looking for other chapters ?
International Trade
Transport and Communication
Tertiary and Quaternary Activities
Secondary Activities
Human Development
The World Population: Distribution, Density and Growth
Human Geography: Nature and Scope
ONE-WORD / VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
-
What are workers engaged in primary activities called?
Answer: Red-Collar Workers | Page Reference: 22 -
What is the oldest economic activity?
Answer: Hunting and Gathering | Page Reference: 22 -
Name the milky juice used for chewing gum.
Answer: Chicle | Page Reference: 23 -
Chicle is obtained from which tree?
Answer: Zapota Tree | Page Reference: 23 -
What is pastoral nomadism based on?
Answer: Livestock Rearing | Page Reference: 24 -
What is seasonal movement between mountains and plains called?
Answer: Transhumance | Page Reference: 24 -
Which animal is important in Tibet?
Answer: Yak | Page Reference: 24 -
Which animal is important in Andes?
Answer: Llama | Page Reference: 24 -
What is ranching associated with?
Answer: Commercial Livestock Rearing | Page Reference: 24 -
What is another name for shifting cultivation?
Answer: Slash and Burn Agriculture | Page Reference: 27 -
What is shifting cultivation called in North-East India?
Answer: Jhum | Page Reference: 27 -
What is shifting cultivation called in Central America?
Answer: Milpa | Page Reference: 27 -
What is shifting cultivation called in Indonesia?
Answer: Ladang | Page Reference: 27 -
Which region is associated with intensive subsistence agriculture?
Answer: Monsoon Asia | Page Reference: 27 -
Who introduced plantation agriculture?
Answer: Europeans | Page Reference: 28 -
What is grape cultivation called?
Answer: Viticulture | Page Reference: 31 -
Which country is famous for tulips?
Answer: Netherlands | Page Reference: 31 -
What is vegetable-specialized farming called?
Answer: Truck Farming | Page Reference: 31 -
What is the social ownership model of farming called?
Answer: Collective Farming | Page Reference: 32 -
Which mining method is cheapest?
Answer: Open-Cast Mining | Page Reference: 33
ASSERTION AND REASON QUESTIONS
Question 1
Assertion (A): Primary activities depend directly on natural resources.
Reason (R): They utilize land, water, vegetation and minerals.
Options:
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true
Question 2
Assertion (A): Gathering is practiced in harsh climatic conditions.
Reason (R): It requires low technology and small capital investment.
Question 3
Assertion (A): Hunting has been banned in India.
Reason (R): Many animal species became endangered due to poaching.
Question 4
Assertion (A): Nomadic herding is a commercial activity.
Reason (R): Herders move with livestock in search of pastures.
Question 5
Assertion (A): Transhumance involves seasonal migration.
Reason (R): Herders move between plains and mountains.
Question 6
Assertion (A): Commercial livestock ranching is capital intensive.
Reason (R): Grazing is scientifically managed on fenced ranches.
Question 7
Assertion (A): Shifting cultivation is called slash and burn agriculture.
Reason (R): Vegetation is cleared by fire and ash increases soil fertility.
Question 8
Assertion (A): Intensive subsistence farming is common in Monsoon Asia.
Reason (R): Population density is high and labour is abundant.
Question 9
Assertion (A): Plantation agriculture involves monoculture.
Reason (R): Single crop specialization is one of its characteristics.
Question 10
Assertion (A): Extensive grain farming has high yield per acre.
Reason (R): Farming is highly mechanized.
Question 11
Assertion (A): Mixed farming combines crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
Reason (R): Both contribute significantly to farm income.
Question 12
Assertion (A): Dairy farming is highly labour intensive.
Reason (R): Animals require continuous feeding and care.
Question 13
Assertion (A): Mediterranean agriculture is famous for viticulture.
Reason (R): The region produces high-quality grapes.
Question 14
Assertion (A): Open-cast mining is cheaper than shaft mining.
Reason (R): Minerals are extracted near the surface.
Question 15
Assertion (A): Underground mining is safer than open-cast mining.
Reason (R): Floods, fires and poisonous gases may occur underground.
IMPORTANT EXAM-BASED CONCEPT QUESTIONS
- Define primary activities and explain their significance. (Page Reference: 22)
- Explain the characteristics of hunting and gathering. (Page Reference: 22-23)
- Why is gathering losing importance at the global level? (Page Reference: 23)
- Discuss the major products obtained through gathering. (Page Reference: 23)
- Explain pastoral nomadism with suitable examples. (Page Reference: 24)
- What is transhumance? Explain with examples from India. (Page Reference: 24)
- Differentiate between nomadic herding and commercial livestock rearing. (Page Reference: 24-25)
- Discuss the features of commercial livestock ranching. (Page Reference: 24-25)
- Define subsistence agriculture. (Page Reference: 25)
- Explain the characteristics of primitive subsistence agriculture. (Page Reference: 25-27)
- Discuss the problems associated with shifting cultivation. (Page Reference: 27)
- Explain intensive subsistence agriculture. (Page Reference: 27)
- Distinguish between wet paddy farming and other intensive subsistence farming. (Page Reference: 27)
- Discuss the major features of plantation agriculture. (Page Reference: 28)
- Explain the role of colonial powers in plantation agriculture. (Page Reference: 28)
- Discuss extensive commercial grain cultivation and its characteristics. (Page Reference: 28-29)
- Explain the characteristics of mixed farming. (Page Reference: 29)
- Discuss the importance of dairy farming. (Page Reference: 29-30)
- Explain Mediterranean agriculture and its major crops. (Page Reference: 30-31)
- What is market gardening? Explain its characteristics. (Page Reference: 31)
- What is truck farming? Why is it called so? (Page Reference: 31)
- Explain factory farming and its features. (Page Reference: 31-32)
- Discuss the objectives and advantages of cooperative farming. (Page Reference: 32)
- Explain collective farming and its features. (Page Reference: 32)
- Discuss the factors affecting mining activities. (Page Reference: 32)
- Differentiate between open-cast mining and shaft mining. (Page Reference: 33)
DATA, FACTS AND LOCATION-BASED QUESTIONS
-
Name the major subsistence gathering regions of the world.
Answer: Northern Canada, Northern Eurasia, Southern Chile, Amazon Basin, Tropical Africa, Northern Australia and Interior Southeast Asia.
Page Reference: 23 -
Name the three major regions of pastoral nomadism.
Answer: North Africa to Central China, Eurasian Tundra and parts of Southwest Africa and Madagascar.
Page Reference: 24 -
Name five countries known for commercial livestock rearing.
Answer: New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and USA.
Page Reference: 25 -
Name three regional names of shifting cultivation.
Answer: Jhum, Milpa and Ladang.
Page Reference: 27 -
Name four plantation crops.
Answer: Tea, Coffee, Rubber and Cocoa.
Page Reference: 28 -
Name major regions of extensive commercial grain farming.
Answer: Prairies, Pampas, Velds, Australian Downs and Canterbury Plains.
Page Reference: 29 -
Name major dairy farming regions.
Answer: North-Western Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania.
Page Reference: 30 -
Name major Mediterranean agriculture regions.
Answer: Mediterranean Basin, California, Central Chile, South Africa and Australia.
Page Reference: 31 -
Which country specializes in tulip cultivation?
Answer: Netherlands
Page Reference: 31 -
Which farming model was introduced in the erstwhile Soviet Union?
Answer: Collective Farming (Kolkhoz)
Page Reference: 32
DIRECT NCERT BOOK-BACK QUESTIONS
- Future of shifting cultivation is bleak. Discuss. (Page Reference: 34)
- Why is market gardening practised near urban areas? (Page Reference: 34)
- How has transportation and refrigeration contributed to dairy farming? (Page Reference: 34)
- Differentiate between Nomadic Herding and Commercial Livestock Rearing. (Page Reference: 35)
- Discuss the important characteristics of plantation agriculture. (Page Reference: 35)
- Name important plantation crops grown in different countries. (Page Reference: 35)
VERY IMPORTANT BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS
- Explain the major types of primary activities.
- Discuss the characteristics and distribution of gathering and hunting.
- Explain pastoral nomadism and transhumance.
- Compare commercial livestock ranching and nomadic herding.
- Describe shifting cultivation and its regional variations.
- Explain intensive subsistence agriculture with examples.
- Discuss the characteristics of plantation agriculture.
- Explain extensive commercial grain cultivation.
- Describe mixed farming and dairy farming.
- Discuss Mediterranean agriculture and viticulture.
- Explain market gardening, truck farming and factory farming.
- Discuss cooperative and collective farming.
- Explain factors affecting mining activities.
- Differentiate between surface mining and underground mining.
- Analyze the role of primary activities in economic development.