MCQs – Class 10 Geography Chapter 5: Minerals and Energy Resources | CBSE | GPN

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - Chapter 5: Minerals and Energy Resources

Evaluate your understanding of minerals and energy resources with these 30 questions. This set covers distribution, types, conservation, and India's energy scenario as per the CBSE syllabus.

Standard MCQs (1 Mark Each)

Choose the single correct option for questions 1 to 20.

Which one of the following is a ferrous mineral?

(a) Bauxite

(b) Manganese

(c) Gold

(d) Mica

Answer: (b) Manganese
Explanation: Ferrous minerals contain iron. Manganese is a key ferrous mineral used in steel-making. Bauxite (aluminium), gold, and mica are non-ferrous.
Bailadila mines are famous for:

(a) Copper

(b) Iron ore

(c) Manganese

(d) Coal

Answer: (b) Iron ore
Explanation: Bailadila in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh is known for very high-grade hematite iron ore deposits.
Which one of the following is an example of a conventional source of energy?

(a) Solar energy

(b) Biogas

(c) Coal

(d) Wind energy

Answer: (c) Coal
Explanation: Conventional sources of energy have been used for a long time and are generally exhaustible, like coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Others listed are non-conventional.
Which mineral is often referred to as ‘black gold’?

(a) Coal

(b) Iron ore

(c) Petroleum

(d) Bauxite

Answer: (c) Petroleum
Explanation: Petroleum is called 'black gold' due to its immense economic value and its dark color when crude.
The largest bauxite producing state in India is:

(a) Jharkhand

(b) Odisha

(c) Rajasthan

(d) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: (b) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha is the largest producer of bauxite (aluminium ore) in India, accounting for about half of the country's production.
Which one of the following is a non-metallic mineral?

(a) Copper

(b) Lead

(c) Limestone

(d) Tin

Answer: (c) Limestone
Explanation: Limestone is a non-metallic mineral used mainly in the cement industry. Copper, lead, and tin are metallic minerals.
Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt is the leading producer of:

(a) Iron ore

(b) Mica

(c) Copper

(d) Coal

Answer: (b) Mica
Explanation: The Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt in Jharkhand is a major mica-producing region in India.
Which of the following is a fossil fuel?

(a) Uranium

(b) Biogas

(c) Natural gas

(d) Solar energy

Answer: (c) Natural gas
Explanation: Fossil fuels are formed from the decomposition of ancient organic matter under heat and pressure. Natural gas, along with coal and petroleum, is a fossil fuel.
Which state is the largest producer of manganese in India?

(a) Karnataka

(b) Odisha

(c) Madhya Pradesh

(d) Maharashtra

Answer: (b) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha is the largest producer of manganese in India, contributing over a third of the country's total production.
In which form does natural gas occur in association with petroleum?

(a) CNG

(b) PNG

(c) LPG

(d) LNG

Answer: (a) CNG
Explanation: When natural gas is found associated with oil deposits, it is called Associated Natural Gas (ANG). After extraction and compression, it becomes Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The most important oil field of Gujarat is:

(a) Digboi

(b) Naharkatiya

(c) Ankleshwar

(d) Kalol

Answer: (c) Ankleshwar
Explanation: Ankleshwar is one of the most productive oil fields in Gujarat. Digboi and Naharkatiya are in Assam.
Which of the following is NOT a nuclear power station in India?

(a) Narora

(b) Tarapur

(c) Kalpakkam

(d) Panipat

Answer: (d) Panipat
Explanation: Panipat has a large thermal power plant, but it is not a nuclear power station. Narora (UP), Tarapur (Maharashtra), and Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu) are nuclear plants.
The Kudremukh mines, known for iron ore, are located in:

(a) Karnataka

(b) Kerala

(c) Andhra Pradesh

(d) Goa

Answer: (a) Karnataka
Explanation: Kudremukh in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka had one of the largest iron ore deposits in the world (mining now stopped).
Which one of the following is a non-conventional source of energy?

(a) Firewood

(b) Cattle dung cake

(c) Tidal energy

(d) Coal

Answer: (c) Tidal energy
Explanation: Tidal energy is renewable and non-conventional. Firewood and dung cakes are traditional but conventional in rural use. Coal is a conventional fossil fuel.
The largest coal producing state in India is:

(a) Jharkhand

(b) Odisha

(c) Chhattisgarh

(d) Madhya Pradesh

Answer: (a) Jharkhand
Explanation: Jharkhand, with major coalfields like Jharia and Raniganj, is the largest coal-producing state in India.
Which mineral is obtained from monazite sands?

(a) Uranium

(b) Thorium

(c) Manganese

(d) Nickel

Answer: (b) Thorium
Explanation: Monazite sands, found abundantly along the Kerala coast, are rich in thorium, used as a nuclear fuel.
Solar energy is most abundant in which region of India?

(a) Himalayan region

(b) North-Eastern region

(c) Western Rajasthan and Gujarat

(d) Coastal areas

Answer: (c) Western Rajasthan and Gujarat
Explanation: The Thar Desert region (Rajasthan) and parts of Gujarat receive the highest solar radiation in India, making them ideal for solar energy generation.
The Hazira-Bijaipur-Jagdishpur (HBJ) pipeline transports:

(a) Water

(b) Crude oil

(c) Natural gas

(d) Petroleum products

Answer: (c) Natural gas
Explanation: The HBJ pipeline is one of Asia's longest and most important natural gas pipelines, connecting the western and northern regions of India.
Which of the following is a method of conserving energy resources?

(a) Using more fossil fuels

(b) Wasting electricity

(c) Using public transport systems

(d) Deforestation

Answer: (c) Using public transport systems
Explanation: Using mass transit reduces fuel consumption per person, which is a direct method of energy conservation. Other options increase consumption or harm the environment.
India’s first hydroelectric power plant was set up in:

(a) Mysore (1902)

(b) Darjeeling (1897)

(c) Shivanasamudra (1902)

(d) Both (b) and (c)

Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c)
Explanation: The first small hydroelectric plant was in Darjeeling (1897). The first major hydroelectric plant was at Shivanasamudra on the Kaveri river (1902). Both are considered pioneering.

Assertion-Reasoning Questions (1 Mark Each)

Directions: For questions 21 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): Mineral resources need to be conserved.
Reason (R): They are non-renewable and take millions of years to form.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The finite and exhaustible nature of minerals (as stated in R) is the fundamental reason why their conservation is essential (A).
Assertion (A): India has immense potential for non-conventional energy.
Reason (R): India is a tropical country with abundant sunshine, long coastline for tidal energy, and qualifies for wind and geothermal energy.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The reason lists the specific geographical advantages (sunshine, coastline) that directly explain why India has high potential for non-conventional energy.
Assertion (A): Open-cast mining can cause environmental degradation.
Reason (R): It involves deep shafts and is a safe method that causes no land damage.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Open-cast mining (removing top layers to extract minerals) does cause deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. The reason describes underground mining (shafts) and is false regarding safety and land damage.
Assertion (A): Natural gas is considered an environment-friendly fuel.
Reason (R): It burns completely, leaving no residue, and produces lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to coal or petroleum.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The clean-burning characteristics and lower CO2 emissions of natural gas (R) are precisely why it is considered a more environment-friendly fossil fuel (A).
Assertion (A): Solar energy will have to be used on a large scale in the future.
Reason (R): Fossil fuel reserves are limited and concentrated in a few regions, causing supply issues.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The limitations of fossil fuels (exhaustibility and uneven distribution) as stated in R necessitate the shift towards abundant and widely available solar energy, explaining the assertion.

Case-Based Questions (1 Mark Each)

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

Case: "India is rich in iron ore deposits. The major types are hematite and magnetite. Hematite has a higher iron content and is the most important industrial iron ore."
Which of the following regions is a major producer of high-grade hematite ore?

(a) Badampahar mines in Odisha

(b) Kolar gold fields in Karnataka

(c) Ankleshwar oil fields in Gujarat

(d) Darjeeling tea gardens

Answer: (a) Badampahar mines in Odisha
Explanation: Odisha's Badampahar mines, along with others in the state like Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar, are famous for high-grade hematite iron ore.
Case: Study India's energy consumption mix (approximate %):

Source Percentage of Total Consumption

Coal ~55%

Oil & Natural Gas ~35%

Hydel Power ~5%

Nuclear & Renewables ~5%

What major concern does this data highlight for India's energy security?

(a) Over-dependence on exhaustible and polluting fossil fuels.

(b) Excessive use of renewable energy.

(c) Hydel power is the dominant source.

(d) Energy consumption is too low.

Answer: (a) Over-dependence on exhaustible and polluting fossil fuels.
Explanation: The data shows about 90% of India's energy comes from finite fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), posing risks of depletion, import dependence, and high pollution, highlighting a key energy security challenge.
Case: "The Gulf of Khambhat and the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat have been identified as potential sites for tidal energy farms. The kinetic energy of the tides can be harnessed to generate electricity."
What is the primary advantage of tidal energy mentioned here?

(a) It is a non-renewable source.

(b) It is predictable and inexhaustible.

(c) It causes high greenhouse gas emissions.

(d) It is very cheap to set up initially.

Answer: (b) It is predictable and inexhaustible.
Explanation: Unlike solar or wind, tides are predictable based on lunar cycles. The energy source (gravitational pull) is perpetual, making it a reliable and renewable option.
Case: "Mining activities often lead to deforestation, soil contamination, and groundwater pollution. In regions like Jharkhand's coal belt, land subsidence and air pollution are major issues."
What does this case emphasize about mineral extraction?

(a) It has no negative impacts.

(b) It must be accompanied by strict environmental regulations and reclamation plans.

(c) All mining should be stopped immediately.

(d) Only underground mining is problematic.

Answer: (b) It must be accompanied by strict environmental regulations and reclamation plans.
Explanation: The case lists serious environmental costs of mining. The key takeaway is the need for sustainable mining practices, strict laws, and plans to restore mined land.
Case: Read about strategic minerals: "Certain minerals like manganese, nickel, cobalt, and thorium are vital for strategic industries like defence, aerospace, and nuclear energy. Their secure supply is crucial for national security."
Why are these minerals considered 'strategic'?

(a) They are used in everyday jewelry.

(b) They are essential for critical and sensitive industries related to national strength and security.

(c) They are the cheapest minerals available.

(d) They are only found in India.

Answer: (b) They are essential for critical and sensitive industries related to national strength and security.
Explanation: 'Strategic' minerals are defined by their critical role in advanced technologies, defence systems, and energy sectors that are directly linked to a nation's strategic autonomy and security.

Source	Percentage of Total Consumption
Coal	~55%
Oil & Natural Gas	~35%
Hydel Power	~5%
Nuclear & Renewables	~5%

🔍 Tips for Mastery and Revision

First pass: Answer all questions in one go without consulting notes.

Accuracy check: Match your answers with the solutions provided below each question.

Gap analysis: Identify and restudy the topics where you made errors.

Pacing: Practice to finish the set in 25-30 minutes to build exam speed.

Consolidation: Attempt the full set again after a week to transfer knowledge to long-term memory.

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