MCQs – Class 10 Economics Chapter 1: Development | CBSE | GPN

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - Chapter 1: Development

This set of 30 questions evaluates your understanding of the concept of development, different perspectives on development, national development, and sustainability as per the CBSE syllabus.

Standard MCQs (1 Mark Each)

Choose the single correct option for questions 1 to 15.

What is the primary criterion used by the World Bank to classify countries?

(a) Educational attainment

(b) Per capita income

(c) Life expectancy

(d) Political stability

Answer: (b) Per capita income
Explanation: The World Bank classifies countries based on their per capita income or average income. Countries with per capita income of US$ 1,035 or less (in 2017) are classified as low-income countries.
Which of the following is not a component of human development?

(a) Per capita income

(b) Educational levels

(c) Health status

(d) Number of vehicles owned

Answer: (d) Number of vehicles owned
Explanation: Human development focuses on capabilities and opportunities available to people, measured through indicators like life expectancy, education, and per capita income, not material possessions.
What does HDI stand for?

(a) Human Development Index

(b) Human Development Initiative

(c) Human Density Index

(d) Human Development Indicator

Answer: (a) Human Development Index
Explanation: HDI stands for Human Development Index, published by UNDP. It is a composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions: health, education, and standard of living.
Which of the following states in India has the highest per capita income?

(a) Bihar

(b) Punjab

(c) Kerala

(d) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (b) Punjab
Explanation: Among Indian states, Punjab has one of the highest per capita incomes due to its developed agricultural and industrial sectors, though Kerala leads in human development indicators.
What is the main criticism of using per capita income as a measure of development?

(a) It doesn't consider population size

(b) It ignores income distribution

(c) It's too difficult to calculate

(d) It only considers urban areas

Answer: (b) It ignores income distribution
Explanation: Per capita income is an average that doesn't show how income is distributed among people. A country with high per capita income may still have extreme poverty if wealth is concentrated in few hands.
Which of the following is a developmental goal for a landless rural laborer?

(a) More days of work

(b) Better wages

(c) Quality education for children

(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: Different people have different developmental goals. A landless rural laborer would want more employment opportunities, better wages, education for children, and social equality.
The concept of sustainable development emphasizes:

(a) Maximum exploitation of resources

(b) Development without damaging the environment

(c) Rapid industrialization at any cost

(d) Import of foreign technology

Answer: (b) Development without damaging the environment
Explanation: Sustainable development means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Which state in India has the highest literacy rate?

(a) Punjab

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Kerala

(d) Tamil Nadu

Answer: (c) Kerala
Explanation: Kerala has consistently had the highest literacy rate among Indian states, reflecting its strong focus on education and social development.
What does PCI stand for in economics?

(a) Primary Consumption Index

(b) Per Capita Income

(c) Public Credit Information

(d) Price Control Index

Answer: (b) Per Capita Income
Explanation: PCI stands for Per Capita Income, which is the total national income divided by the total population. It's a key indicator of a country's economic development.
The body that publishes the Human Development Report is:

(a) World Bank

(b) International Monetary Fund

(c) United Nations Development Programme

(d) World Trade Organization

Answer: (c) United Nations Development Programme
Explanation: The Human Development Report is published annually by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which also calculates the Human Development Index.
Which of the following is a non-renewable resource?

(a) Solar energy

(b) Wind energy

(c) Petroleum

(d) Forests

Answer: (c) Petroleum
Explanation: Petroleum is a fossil fuel that takes millions of years to form and cannot be replenished in human timescales, making it a non-renewable resource.
The infant mortality rate refers to:

(a) Number of children born per 1000 people

(b) Number of children who die before reaching one year of age per 1000 live births

(c) Number of mothers dying during childbirth

(d) Number of children attending school

Answer: (b) Number of children who die before reaching one year of age per 1000 live births
Explanation: Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is the number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births. It's a crucial indicator of a country's health system and development.
What does BMI stand for?

(a) Body Mass Index

(b) Basic Metabolic Index

(c) Body Measurement Indicator

(d) Basic Mortality Indicator

Answer: (a) Body Mass Index
Explanation: BMI stands for Body Mass Index, which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It's used as an indicator of nutritional status.
The net attendance ratio is the:

(a) Ratio of teachers to students

(b) Total number of children attending school

(c) Ratio of children attending school to total children in school-going age group

(d) Government expenditure on education

Answer: (c) Ratio of children attending school to total children in school-going age group
Explanation: Net Attendance Ratio is the percentage of children in the official school age group who are attending school. It's a better indicator than literacy rate for current educational development.
Which of these countries has a higher HDI rank than India?

(a) Pakistan

(b) Bangladesh

(c) Sri Lanka

(d) Nepal

Answer: (c) Sri Lanka
Explanation: Among South Asian countries, Sri Lanka has consistently had a higher HDI ranking than India due to better performance in health and education indicators.

Assertion-Reasoning Questions (1 Mark Each)

Directions: For questions 16 to 25, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Choose the correct option:

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

Assertion (A): Different people have different developmental goals.
Reason (R): What may be development for one may not be development for another; it may even be destructive for others.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Development goals are subjective. For example, industrialists may want dams for electricity, while tribal people might oppose them for displacing their homes, as R explains why A is true.
Assertion (A): Per capita income is not a useful measure for comparing the development of countries.
Reason (R): Per capita income doesn't show how income is distributed among people in a country.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: While per capita income is commonly used, it has limitations. The reason correctly explains one major limitation - it ignores inequality, which makes it less useful for true development comparison.
Assertion (A): Kerala has a better human development ranking than Punjab.
Reason (R): Kerala has higher per capita income than Punjab.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Assertion A is true - Kerala has better HDI due to superior health and education indicators. However, Reason R is false as Punjab has higher per capita income than Kerala.
Assertion (A): Sustainable development is essential for long-term progress.
Reason (R): It ensures that resources are conserved for future generations while meeting present needs.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Sustainable development balances present and future needs. The reason correctly defines sustainable development and explains why it's essential for long-term progress as stated in A.
Assertion (A): The World Bank uses only per capita income to classify countries.
Reason (R): Per capita income is the most comprehensive measure of development.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Assertion A is true - the World Bank primarily uses per capita income for classification. However, Reason R is false because per capita income is not comprehensive; it ignores many aspects like health and education.
Assertion (A): Public facilities are essential for development.
Reason (R): They ensure that even the poor can access basic services like education, healthcare, and sanitation.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Public facilities like government schools and hospitals provide essential services to all citizens regardless of income. R correctly explains why these are essential for inclusive development as stated in A.
Assertion (A): HDI is a better indicator of development than per capita income.
Reason (R): HDI considers health and education along with income.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: HDI is considered more comprehensive because it measures multiple dimensions of development (health, education, income) rather than just economic aspects, as correctly explained in R.
Assertion (A): Renewable resources should be preferred over non-renewable resources.
Reason (R): Renewable resources can be replenished naturally over time.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Renewable resources like solar and wind energy are sustainable because they can be naturally replenished (R), which is why they should be preferred for long-term development (A).
Assertion (A): National development means thinking about fair and just path for all.
Reason (R): Development should benefit not just a few but all sections of society.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: True national development requires inclusive growth that benefits everyone. R correctly explains what "fair and just path for all" means in the context of development.
Assertion (A): Money cannot buy all the goods and services needed for well-being.
Reason (R): Some needs like pollution-free environment and unadulterated medicines require public facilities.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: While money can buy private goods, public goods like clean air, water, and healthcare safety require collective action and public provision, as R explains why A is true.

Case-Based Questions (1 Mark Each)

For questions 26 to 30, read the case/source carefully and answer.

Case: "In a village, two development projects are proposed: (1) A factory that will provide jobs but cause pollution, and (2) An organic farming cooperative that will provide sustainable income but fewer jobs initially. Villagers are divided in their preferences."
What does this situation demonstrate about development?

(a) Development goals are the same for everyone

(b) There are always clear right and wrong choices in development

(c) Different groups may have conflicting developmental goals

(d) Development always requires sacrificing the environment

Answer: (c) Different groups may have conflicting developmental goals
Explanation: This case illustrates that development is not uniform. Some villagers prioritize immediate employment (factory), while others prefer environmental sustainability (organic farming), showing conflicting goals.
Case: Study the data of two countries:

Indicator Country A Country B

Per Capita Income $12,000 $8,000

Life Expectancy 68 years 75 years

Literacy Rate 85% 92%

Infant Mortality Rate 40 per 1000 15 per 1000

Based on the data, which statement is correct?

(a) Country A is more developed than Country B in all aspects

(b) Country B has better human development indicators despite lower income

(c) Per capita income is the only reliable development indicator

(d) Both countries are equally developed

Answer: (b) Country B has better human development indicators despite lower income
Explanation: While Country A has higher income, Country B performs better on key human development indicators (life expectancy, literacy, infant mortality), showing that income alone doesn't determine development level.
Case: "A multinational company offers to set up a mining project that will bring jobs and revenue to a region but will destroy forests and displace tribal communities. The government must decide whether to approve the project."
What development dilemma does this case present?

(a) Choice between economic growth and environmental/social costs

(b) Conflict between state and central government

(c) Technical difficulties in mining

(d) Lack of skilled workers for the project

Answer: (a) Choice between economic growth and environmental/social costs
Explanation: This is a classic development dilemma - balancing immediate economic benefits (jobs, revenue) against long-term environmental damage and social injustice (displacement of tribal communities).
Case: "In State X, the government focuses on building schools and hospitals. In State Y, the government focuses on attracting industries and building roads. After 10 years, State X has better health and education indicators, while State Y has higher income levels."
What does this comparison reveal about development strategies?

(a) All development strategies lead to the same outcomes

(b) Different development priorities lead to different outcomes

(c) Health and education are not important for development

(d) Industry is more important than education

Answer: (b) Different development priorities lead to different outcomes
Explanation: The case shows that development priorities shape outcomes. State X prioritized social infrastructure (schools, hospitals) leading to better human development, while State Y prioritized economic infrastructure leading to higher income.
Case: "A study found that countries investing in women's education have lower population growth rates, better child health, and faster economic growth. Educated women tend to have fewer children, take better care of their family's health, and contribute more to the economy."
What important development principle does this case illustrate?

(a) Women's education is unrelated to development

(b) Investing in human capital (especially women's education) has multiple positive development outcomes

(c) Only technical education matters for development

(d) Population control should be the only development goal

Answer: (b) Investing in human capital (especially women's education) has multiple positive development outcomes
Explanation: This case demonstrates the multiplier effect of investing in human capital, particularly women's education, which leads to improved health outcomes, demographic changes, and economic growth - showing interconnected development benefits.

Indicator	Country A	Country B
Per Capita Income	$12,000	$8,000
Life Expectancy	68 years	75 years
Literacy Rate	85%	92%
Infant Mortality Rate	40 per 1000	15 per 1000

📘 Final Practice and Mastery Tips

Understand concepts: Focus on understanding key concepts like development, sustainability, HDI, and per capita income rather than just memorizing definitions.

Compare indicators: Practice comparing development using different indicators and understanding why they might give different pictures.

Real-life connections: Relate concepts to real-world examples - compare Indian states, discuss sustainable practices in your locality.

Data interpretation: Practice reading and interpreting development data from tables and graphs as these frequently appear in exams.

Value-based approach: Remember that development has ethical dimensions - consider questions of equity, sustainability, and social justice in your answers.

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