A Shirt In The Market Class 7 Questions and Answers - Free PDF Download
FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 7 Social Science Social And Political Life Chapter 8 A Shirt In The Market - 2025-26
1. Why did Swapna have to sell her cotton to the local trader instead of the Kurnool cotton market as per the NCERT textbook?
According to the NCERT solutions, Swapna, a small farmer, had taken a high-interest loan from the local trader for farming inputs like seeds and fertilisers. A key condition of this loan was a promise to sell all her cotton produce to him. This arrangement forced her to accept the trader's low price, as she was dependent on him and lacked the power to bargain or sell at the higher rates available in the Kurnool market.
2. What is the putting-out system described in Chapter 8, and how does it affect the weavers?
The putting-out system is a process where a merchant supplies raw materials (like yarn) to weavers at their homes and pays them for the finished cloth they produce. This system has two main effects on the weavers:
- They do not have to spend their own money to buy expensive yarn.
- However, they lose their independence and bargaining power. The merchants control the price and pay very little for the finished cloth, as the weavers do not know the final market price of the shirt.
3. Who are the main gainers in the market chain of a shirt, and who gains the least?
In the market chain illustrated in 'A Shirt in the Market', the biggest gainers are the foreign businesspersons and the large garment exporters. They control the final branding and retail, capturing the maximum profit. The people who gain the least are the primary producers: the cotton farmers like Swapna and the weavers working in the putting-out system. They receive only a tiny fraction of the shirt's final selling price due to their limited financial power.
4. What demands does a garment exporting factory have to meet when dealing with foreign buyers?
To secure orders from powerful foreign buyers, a garment exporting factory must meet several strict conditions. The correct step-by-step solution highlights these demands:
- Lowest Price: They are pressured to supply the garments at the lowest possible price to maximize the buyer's profit.
- High Quality: They must maintain high standards of quality in stitching and material.
- Timely Delivery: They must adhere to strict deadlines for shipping the goods. Any delay or defect can result in severe penalties or order cancellation.
5. Why is a market that offers opportunities for everyone not always a fair market?
A market can provide opportunities for people to work and sell goods, but it does not guarantee fairness. This is because market outcomes are often determined by power and influence. As shown in this chapter, powerful players like international brands and exporters can dictate terms and prices. In contrast, small producers like farmers and weavers lack capital and bargaining power, forcing them to accept unfair conditions. This demonstrates that a market often benefits the rich and powerful far more than the poor.
6. How does the market situation of a garment exporter compare to that of a weaver?
The market situations of a garment exporter and a weaver are vastly different. A garment exporter operates a large business, possesses significant capital, and deals directly with powerful foreign clients, allowing them to make substantial profits. Conversely, a weaver often works within the putting-out system, completely dependent on a merchant for raw materials and wages. The weaver has no visibility of the final product's value and earns a minimal amount for their skilled labour.
7. How can markets be made fairer for small producers like farmers and weavers?
The chapter suggests that forming cooperatives is a key solution, as it increases the collective bargaining power of small producers. Other measures that could create a fairer market include:
- Government Intervention: Implementing and enforcing fair wage laws and Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for crops like cotton.
- Direct Market Access: Creating systems that allow farmers and weavers to sell their products directly to consumers, cutting out exploitative middlemen.
- Access to Credit: Providing low-interest loans from banks so producers do not have to depend on traders.
8. How do the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 8 help in writing structured answers for its case-study based questions?
The NCERT Solutions for 'A Shirt in the Market' are particularly useful because the chapter is a case study. The solutions help students break down the complex journey of the shirt step-by-step. By providing clear, point-wise answers, they show how to identify each person in the supply chain, analyse their role, and explain the unequal distribution of profits. This structured approach helps students write comprehensive and accurate answers as per the CBSE 2025-26 examination pattern.

















