NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Geography Chapter 6 Tertiary and Quaternary Activities

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

i. Which one of the following is a tertiary activity?

• (a) Farming
• (b) Trading
• (c) Weaving
• (d) Hunting

Answer: (b) Trading.

ii. Which one of the following activities is NOT a secondary sector activity?

• (a) Iron Smelting
• (b) Catching fish
• (c) Making garments
• (d) Basket Weaving

Answer: (b) Catching fish.

iii. Which one of the following sectors provides most of the employment in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata?

• (a) Primary
• (b) Quaternary
• (c) Secondary
• (d) Service

Answer: (d) Service.

iv. Jobs that involve high degrees and level of innovations are known as:

• (a) Secondary activities
• (b) Quaternary activities
• (c) Quinary activities
• (d) Primary activities

Answer: (c) Quinary activities.

v. Which one of the following activities is related to quaternary sector?

• (a) Manufacturing computers
• (b) Paper and Raw pulp production
• (c) University teaching
• (d) Printing books

Answer: (c) University teaching.

vi. Which one out of the following statements is not true?

• (a) Outsourcing reduces costs and increases efficiency.
• (b) At times engineering and manufacturing jobs can also be outsourced.
• (c) BPOs have better business opportunities as compared to KPOs.
• (d) There may be dissatisfaction among job seekers in the countries that outsource the job.

Answer: (c) BPOs have better business opportunities as compared to KPOs.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

i. Explain retail trading service.

Answer: Retail trading is the business activity concerned with the sale of goods directly to consumers. It takes place mostly in fixed stores but also through non-store means like street peddling, handcarts, mail-order, vending machines, and the internet.

ii. Describe quaternary services.

Answer: Quaternary services involve the collection, production, and dissemination of information. They center around research and development, requiring specialised knowledge and technical skills, and are a form of advanced services in developed economies.

iii. Name the fast emerging countries of medical tourism in the world.

Answer: The fast emerging countries in medical tourism are India, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. These countries have world-class hospitals attracting overseas patients for various medical treatments.

iv. What is digital divide?

Answer: Digital divide refers to the uneven distribution of opportunities arising from Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development across the globe, resulting in differences between developed and developing nations and even within countries.

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

i. Discuss the significance and growth of the service sector in modern economic development.

Answer: The service sector, also called the tertiary sector, has become increasingly significant in modern economic development. In the early stages, most workers were engaged in the primary sector. As economies develop, more people shift to tertiary activities due to rising demand for professional services, trade, health, education, and communication.

In developed countries, a majority is employed in services, contributing substantially to GDP and economic growth. Services foster international trade, yield high monetary value through wages and charges, and provide significant foreign exchange. Infrastructure and specialized services such as retail, banking, IT, tourism, and consultancy play a crucial role. The expansion of the knowledge sector (quaternary and quinary activities) has created new job opportunities, shaped global economic patterns, and improved standards of living. Thus, the service sector is vital for both individual prosperity and national development.

ii. Explain in detail the significance of transport and communication services.

Answer: Transport and communication are pillars of the tertiary sector, essential for economic growth. Transport enables the movement of people, materials, and goods, enhancing accessibility and value at every production stage. Networks comprising nodes and links connect towns, cities, and markets, thereby aiding distribution and consumption. Transport increases the economic viability of industries and trade.

Communication services, involving the transmission of messages, facts, and ideas, are vital for coordination, connectivity, and information exchange. Advances in telecommunications like the internet, radio, and satellites have revolutionized communication, reducing time and cost, and enabling instant global connectivity. Mass media support advertising, education, and entertainment.

Efficient transport and communication systems promote integration of regions, bring efficiency to administration, foster industrial and commercial growth, and support societal progress by reducing distances and bridging gaps.

Mastering Tertiary and Quaternary Activities in NCERT Geography

This chapter highlights the role of services like trade, transport, and ICT in shaping economies. By studying NCERT solutions, you can better understand economic structure and prepare confidently for your Class 12 Geography exams.

Key areas include medical tourism, outsourcing, and the digital divide, often asked in board exams. Focus especially on differences between quaternary and quinary activities and their impact on global employment trends.

Practice exercise-based NCERT solutions for Tertiary and Quaternary Activities regularly. This will help you improve your answer writing skills and boost your chances of scoring top marks in CBSE Class 12 Geography.