NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 14: Economic Activities Around Us

THE BIG QUESTIONS?

1. How are economic activities classified?
Ans: Economic activities are classified into three sectors:

• Primary Sector: Involves the extraction of natural resources, like farming, fishing, and mining.

• Secondary Sector: Involves manufacturing and processing activities, such as factories and industries.

• Tertiary Sector: Involves services like transportation, education, and healthcare.

2. What differentiates these activities to be grouped into sectors?
Ans: Economic activities are grouped based on the nature of the work involved:

• The Primary Sector deals with natural resources.

• The Secondary Sector involves transforming raw materials into finished goods.

• The Tertiary Sector provides services that support the primary and secondary sectors and meet the needs of society.

3. How are the three sectors interconnected?
Ans: The three sectors are interconnected as they depend on each other for functioning:

• The Primary Sector provides raw materials for the Secondary Sector to produce goods.

• The Secondary Sector uses these raw materials to create products, which are then distributed and sold through services provided by the Tertiary Sector.

• The Tertiary Sector supports both the primary and secondary sectors by offering transportation, communication, and other essential services.

THINK ABOUT IT 

1. Can you think of any primary activities that you may have seen in the past? What are the natural resources used in these activities? Name two of them and discuss your experiences with your classmates. 

Ans: 

1. Farming: I have seen farmers working in the fields, growing crops like rice and wheat. The natural resources used in farming include soil, water, and sunlight. Farmers use these resources to grow crops that we consume as food.

2. Fishing: I have also seen fishermen catching fish from rivers and seas. The natural resources used in this activity are water bodies and fish. Fishermen rely on clean water and the availability of fish for their livelihoods.

LET’S EXPLORE 

Now that we have seen some examples of secondary sector activities, can you name two more economic activities in the secondary sector?

Ans: Here are two more economic activities in the secondary sector:

1. Textile Manufacturing: This involves turning raw materials like cotton or wool into fabric and clothing through processes like spinning, weaving, and dyeing.

2. Car Manufacturing: This involves assembling various parts and materials such as steel, rubber, and glass to produce cars in factories.

These activities in the secondary sector focus on processing raw materials into finished goods for consumers.

THINK ABOUT IT 

Observe the different stages of the process shown in Fig. 14.1 on page 206 and discuss them with your fellow classmates. 

Ans: In Fig. 14.1, we see a sequence that represents different stages of production, starting from the extraction of raw materials to the final sale of a product. Let’s break down the stages:

1. Tree Cutting: This represents the primary activity of cutting down trees, which is part of the Primary Sector. The natural resource here is wood.

2. Transporting Logs: After cutting the trees, the logs are loaded and transported to a factory. This involves logistics and falls under the Tertiary Sector (services).

3. Processing Logs: In this stage, the logs are processed in a factory, where they are turned into usable products like paper. This is part of the Secondary Sector as it involves manufacturing.

4. Transport of Processed Goods: The processed goods, such as paper rolls, are loaded onto trucks and transported again to the market. This step is part of the Tertiary Sector (transportation services).

5. Production of Finished Goods: The processed materials are further refined into final products like notebooks or printed materials. This also belongs to the Secondary Sector, as it's part of manufacturing.

6. Retail and Sale: Finally, the finished products are displayed and sold in shops, where consumers can buy them. This is a Tertiary Sector activity as it involves trade and services.

Each stage in the process shows how the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors are interconnected, with raw materials being transformed and delivered as final products to consumers. You can discuss how each sector plays a vital role in this chain of production with your classmates.

LET’S EXPLORE 

Label the pictures in the illustration shown in Fig. 14.1 on page 206 as:

1. Primary sector 

2. Secondary sector 

3. Tertiary sector

Ans: Here are the labels for the pictures in Fig. 14.1:

1. Primary Sector:

• Tree Cutting: The activity of cutting down trees is part of the Primary Sector because it involves the extraction of natural resources (wood).

2. Tertiary Sector:

• Transporting Logs: Loading and transporting the logs to the factory involves transportation services, which fall under the Tertiary Sector.

• Transport of Processed Goods: Moving the processed products to the market also belongs to the Tertiary Sector as it involves logistics and services.

• Retail and Sale: The final sale of finished goods to consumers is part of the Tertiary Sector, as it involves trade and services.

3. Secondary Sector:

• Processing Logs: The process of turning logs into paper or another usable product is a manufacturing activity that belongs to the Secondary Sector.

• Production of Finished Goods: The final stage of creating products like books or printed materials also falls under the Secondary Sector as it involves production and manufacturing.

Each sector plays a role in moving resources through this cycle of production, from raw materials to consumer goods.

LET’S EXPLORE 

1. List the economic activities in your neighbourhood and label them appropriately as primary, secondary or tertiary. Draw arrows to show how they are connected to each other. In what ways are they dependent on each other? What would happen if one of the activities ceased to exist? 

Ans: Economic Activities in the Neighborhood:

1. Farming (Primary Sector): Farmers grow vegetables and fruits that are sold in local markets.

2. Bakery (Secondary Sector): A local bakery uses flour and other ingredients to bake bread and cakes.

3. Grocery Store (Tertiary Sector): The grocery store sells vegetables, fruits, bread, and other goods to customers.

4. Transport Services (Tertiary Sector): Vehicles are used to transport goods from farms to the market or from the bakery to the grocery store.

5. Construction (Secondary Sector): Builders use raw materials like cement and bricks to construct houses and buildings.

Connections and Dependence:

• Farming (Primary) → Supplies vegetables and fruits to the grocery store.

• Bakery (Secondary) → Uses ingredients (e.g., flour) to produce bread sold at the grocery store.

• Grocery Store (Tertiary) → Depends on farmers and the bakery for products to sell.

• Transport Services (Tertiary) → Essential for moving goods from farms to markets and bakeries to stores.

• Construction (Secondary) → Uses materials from the primary sector (e.g., raw materials) to build homes.

Dependency:

• Primary Sector (Farming) provides raw materials to the Secondary Sector (Bakery and Construction), which produces goods that the Tertiary Sector (Grocery Store and Transport) delivers to consumers.

What Happens if One Activity Ceases to Exist?

• If farming stops, there would be no supply of fresh vegetables and fruits for the grocery store or bakery, impacting food availability.

• If transport services ceased, goods from farms and bakeries would not reach the grocery store, disrupting the supply chain and affecting both sellers and consumers.

• If the bakery ceased to operate, there would be no locally made bread or cakes, affecting the grocery store’s stock and reducing food variety for customers.

This shows how interconnected and dependent each economic activity is, highlighting the importance of every sector in sustaining the neighbourhood economy.

Questions, Activities and Projects

1. What is the primary sector? How is it different from the secondary sector? Give two examples.

Ans: The primary sector involves activities related to the extraction and use of natural resources, such as farming, fishing, and mining. It focuses on providing raw materials directly from nature.

The secondary sector, on the other hand, involves manufacturing and processing these raw materials into finished goods. This sector adds value to the products obtained from the primary sector by transforming them into usable products.

Examples:

• Primary Sector: Farming (growing crops), Fishing (catching fish)

• Secondary Sector: Textile Manufacturing (turning cotton into fabric), Car Manufacturing (assembling parts into cars)

2. How does the secondary sector depend on the tertiary sector? Illustrate with a few examples.

Ans: The secondary sector depends on the tertiary sector for services that support manufacturing and distribution of products. Without these services, the secondary sector wouldn't be able to function smoothly.

Examples:

• Transport Services: Factories rely on transportation services to deliver raw materials to the factory and distribute finished goods to markets.

• Marketing and Sales: Once goods are produced, businesses need marketing services to advertise and sell their products to customers.

• Banking and Finance: Factories often depend on financial services for loans, transactions, and managing funds for production.

3. Give an example of interdependence between primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. Show it using a flow diagram.

Ans:
Example: The production of bread.

• Primary Sector: Farmers grow wheat (raw material).

• Secondary Sector: Wheat is processed in factories to produce flour and is then baked into bread.

• Tertiary Sector: Transport services deliver bread to grocery stores, where it is sold to consumers.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 14 Economic Activities Around Us

• NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 14 Economic Activities Around Us provides simple explanations of different types of economic activities, helping students understand the role of primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.

• These solutions offer comprehensive answers to all textbook questions, ensuring students cover all key topics thoroughly.

• With clear and well-structured answers, students can prepare effectively for exams and improve their performance.

• Complex concepts like interdependence between sectors and the nature of economic activities are explained in a way that makes them easy to grasp.

• NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 14 follows the latest CBSE syllabus, ensuring students focus on the right content for their exams.

• The concise and accurate answers help students revise the chapter efficiently, saving time during exam preparation.

Important Study Material Links for Social Science Chapter 14 Class 6 

Conclusion

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 14, "Economic Activities Around Us," provide a clear understanding of the different sectors of the economy. These solutions help students grasp how primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors are interconnected and essential for economic growth. With detailed answers and easy explanations, students can confidently prepare for exams and strengthen their understanding of key concepts. The solutions make learning simple and effective, ensuring students gain the knowledge they need to succeed.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science 

Related Important Links for Class 6 Social Science 

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