NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter 5 Secondary Activities

1. Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.

(i) Which one of the following statements is wrong?

• (a) Cheap water transport has facilitated the jute mill industry along the Hugli.
• (b) Sugar, cotton textiles and vegetable oils are footloose industries.
• (c) The development of hydro-electricity and petroleum reduced, to a great extent, the importance of coal energy as a locational factor for industry.
• (d) Port towns in India have attracted industries.

Answer: (b) Sugar, cotton textiles and vegetable oils are footloose industries.

(ii) In which one of the following types of economy are the factors of production owned individually?

• (a) Capitalist
• (b) Mixed
• (c) Socialist
• (d) None

Answer: (a) Capitalist

(iii) Which one of the following types of industries produces raw materials for other industries?

• (a) Cottage Industries
• (b) Small-scale Industries
• (c) Basic Industries
• (d) Footloose Industries

Answer: (c) Basic Industries

(iv) Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

• (a) Automobile industry ... Los Angeles
• (b) Shipbuilding industry ... Lusaka
• (c) Aircraft industry ... Florence

Answer: (a) Automobile industry ... Los Angeles

2. Write a short note on the following in about 30 words.

(i) High-Tech industry

Answer: High-tech industries are those that apply intensive research and development to produce advanced scientific and engineering products. They feature highly skilled (white collar) workers, use of robotics, computer-aided design, and are often found in planned business parks known as technopolies.

(ii) Manufacturing

Answer: Manufacturing is the process of transforming raw materials into finished goods that have higher value. It encompasses a range from handicrafts to assembly-line mass production in factories, involving machinery, labour, and power to produce standardized products.

(iii) Footloose industries

Answer: Footloose industries are those that can be located anywhere, as they are not dependent on specific raw materials. They rely on easy transportation of components, produce in small quantities, employ fewer workers, and are usually non-polluting. Accessibility by road is a key factor.

3. Answer the following in not more than 150 words.

(i) Differentiate between primary and secondary activities.

Answer: Primary activities are those which depend directly on nature for extraction of resources. These include activities like agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, and gathering. They provide raw materials and are predominant in less developed regions. Their products often need further processing to increase value.

Secondary activities, on the other hand, convert raw materials obtained from primary activities into finished goods of higher value. They encompass manufacturing, processing, and construction industries. Secondary activities are mainly located in developed and urban areas. They involve modern machinery, specialized labour, and large-scale production, contributing significantly to economic development and urbanization.

(ii) Discuss the major trends of modern industrial activities especially in the developed countries of the world.

Answer: Modern industrial activities in developed countries show trends such as the growth of high-tech industries, automation, and mechanization. There is a focus on research and development, technological innovation, and quality control.

Industries concentrate in planned industrial regions or technopolies (like Silicon Valley). Developed regions are shifting from traditional manufacturing to high-technology and service-based industries, leading to geographically concentrated and highly specialized production hubs. There is also a trend towards offshoring and establishment of agglomeration economies to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.

(iii) Explain why high-tech industries in many countries are being attracted to the peripheral areas of major metropolitan centres.

Answer: High-tech industries are attracted to the peripheral areas of metropolitan centres due to several reasons: availability of large areas for setting up modern office and plant complexes, lower land and operation costs compared to city centres, proximity to urban infrastructure and services, and accessibility to a skilled workforce.

These areas allow companies to benefit from urban amenities while avoiding congestion and high property prices. Additionally, planned business parks provide a suitable environment for innovation and collaboration among high-tech firms.

(iv) Africa has immense natural resources and yet it is industrially the most backward continent. Comment.

Answer: Africa is rich in natural resources such as minerals and agricultural products. However, several factors contribute to its industrial backwardness: lack of developed infrastructure, limited skilled labour, political instability, and weak government policies.

Industries suffer from inadequate transport and communication networks, lack of capital, and technological backwardness. These issues hinder the development and efficient utilization of resources for industrial growth, resulting in Africa lagging behind other continents in industrialization despite its resource wealth.

NCERT Solutions Class 12 Geography Chapter 5 Secondary Activities 2025-26

Studying Secondary Activities equips students with knowledge about how raw materials are transformed into valuable finished goods. Mastering this chapter from the latest NCERT Solutions 2025-26 boosts your understanding of core concepts in human geography.

Be sure to pay attention to the characteristics of modern manufacturing and the factors influencing industrial location. Clear grasp of these areas will strengthen your answer writing skills for school and board exams.

Regular review of chapter-wise solutions for Secondary Activities helps you understand complex processes, classification of industries, and key differences between economic activities. Practicing these solutions will help you excel in your Class 12 Geography exam.