Q.1 What is the primary driver of urbanization in developing countries?
High birth rates in cities
Migration from rural areas in search of employment
Government relocation policies
Decline in agricultural productivity
Explanation - People often migrate from rural areas to cities seeking better job opportunities, higher wages, and improved living standards, making this a major driver of urbanization.
Correct answer is: Migration from rural areas in search of employment
Q.2 Which of the following best defines urbanization?
Increase in rural population
Process of population shifting from rural to urban areas
Expansion of agricultural land
Decline in city population
Explanation - Urbanization refers to the increasing number of people living in cities due to migration and natural population growth, leading to expansion of urban areas.
Correct answer is: Process of population shifting from rural to urban areas
Q.3 Which sector is most impacted by urbanization in developing countries?
Agriculture
Information Technology
Tourism
Education
Explanation - Urbanization often draws labor away from agriculture as people migrate to cities, reducing rural workforce and impacting agricultural productivity.
Correct answer is: Agriculture
Q.4 What is a common challenge caused by rapid urbanization?
Excess farmland
Traffic congestion and pollution
Decrease in city population
High rural wages
Explanation - Rapid urbanization can overwhelm infrastructure, leading to traffic jams, air and water pollution, and inadequate housing in cities.
Correct answer is: Traffic congestion and pollution
Q.5 Which of the following cities is an example of a megacity in a developing country?
New York
Tokyo
Mumbai
Berlin
Explanation - Mumbai is a megacity in India with a population exceeding 10 million, reflecting rapid urban growth in a developing country context.
Correct answer is: Mumbai
Q.6 What is the term used for informal settlements often found on city outskirts?
Suburbs
Slums
Industrial zones
Eco-villages
Explanation - Slums are overcrowded, poorly built informal settlements with limited access to basic services, common in rapidly urbanizing areas.
Correct answer is: Slums
Q.7 Which factor often accelerates urbanization in developing countries?
Technological backwardness
Natural disasters in rural areas
Industrialization and job creation
Decline of urban amenities
Explanation - Industrial growth in cities creates employment opportunities, attracting rural populations and accelerating urbanization.
Correct answer is: Industrialization and job creation
Q.8 Which of the following is an economic benefit of urbanization?
Higher agricultural output
Economies of scale in production
Decline in industrial jobs
Reduction in trade activities
Explanation - Urbanization allows businesses to access larger labor markets and customers, reducing per-unit production costs due to economies of scale.
Correct answer is: Economies of scale in production
Q.9 Which is a major social challenge associated with urbanization?
Cultural homogenization
Overcrowding and inadequate housing
Increase in rural literacy
Decline in urban jobs
Explanation - Rapid influx of people into cities can outpace housing supply, leading to overcrowding and slum formation.
Correct answer is: Overcrowding and inadequate housing
Q.10 Which infrastructure sector is most stressed due to urbanization?
Telecommunication
Transport and sanitation
Energy imports
Agricultural research
Explanation - Urbanization increases demand for roads, public transport, and sanitation systems, often leading to congestion and service shortfalls.
Correct answer is: Transport and sanitation
Q.11 What does the term 'urban sprawl' refer to?
Growth of cities in a planned manner
Expansion of cities into peripheral rural areas
High-rise building development in city centers
Decline of urban population
Explanation - Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into nearby rural land, often leading to environmental and planning challenges.
Correct answer is: Expansion of cities into peripheral rural areas
Q.12 Which is a positive environmental effect of planned urbanization?
Reduced green spaces
Improved waste management and sanitation
Increased traffic congestion
Decreased water supply
Explanation - Planned urbanization can incorporate effective infrastructure for waste collection and sanitation, reducing pollution and health hazards.
Correct answer is: Improved waste management and sanitation
Q.13 Which urban policy can reduce negative effects of urbanization?
Rural-to-urban migration restrictions
Promotion of balanced regional development
Neglecting public transport
Ignoring housing regulations
Explanation - Encouraging industrial and service development in smaller towns and rural areas reduces migration pressure on major cities.
Correct answer is: Promotion of balanced regional development
Q.14 Which demographic trend is closely associated with urbanization?
Decline in fertility rates in urban areas
Population growth in rural areas only
Increased agricultural dependency
Decline in urban population
Explanation - Urban populations often have lower fertility due to lifestyle, employment, education, and access to healthcare.
Correct answer is: Decline in fertility rates in urban areas
Q.15 Which of the following is a major economic consequence of urbanization?
Rise in informal employment
Increase in rural labor productivity
Decrease in urban consumption
Reduction in industrial output
Explanation - Rapid urbanization can create more informal or unregulated jobs due to lack of formal employment opportunities in growing cities.
Correct answer is: Rise in informal employment
Q.16 Which indicator is commonly used to measure the level of urbanization?
Percentage of population living in urban areas
GDP per capita
Population density in rural regions
Number of schools in rural areas
Explanation - The proportion of people living in cities versus rural areas provides a direct measure of urbanization.
Correct answer is: Percentage of population living in urban areas
Q.17 What is one effect of urbanization on rural areas?
Decrease in agricultural land abandonment
Labor shortages in agriculture
Improved rural health services
Decline in rural poverty
Explanation - As rural workers migrate to cities, agricultural labor decreases, sometimes affecting productivity.
Correct answer is: Labor shortages in agriculture
Q.18 Which of the following strategies can manage urban population growth sustainably?
Expanding informal settlements
Improving rural infrastructure and employment
Ignoring urban transport needs
Centralizing all industries in one city
Explanation - Providing opportunities in rural areas reduces migration to cities and encourages balanced development.
Correct answer is: Improving rural infrastructure and employment
Q.19 Which sector tends to grow the fastest in urbanizing regions?
Agriculture
Industry and services
Forestry
Fishing
Explanation - Urbanization shifts employment from agriculture to industry and service sectors, reflecting structural transformation of the economy.
Correct answer is: Industry and services
Q.20 Which problem is a direct consequence of unplanned urban growth?
Efficient public transport
Water scarcity and flooding
Reduced city pollution
Abundant green spaces
Explanation - Rapid unplanned growth can strain water resources and drainage systems, leading to shortages and urban flooding.
Correct answer is: Water scarcity and flooding
Q.21 Which of the following cities faced rapid urbanization in the 20th century?
Los Angeles
Paris
Beijing
Kolkata
Explanation - Kolkata experienced rapid population growth and urban expansion during the 20th century due to migration and economic activity.
Correct answer is: Kolkata
Q.22 What role does infrastructure play in urban development?
It has minimal effect on growth
It supports economic activities and quality of life
It only affects rural areas
It reduces urban population
Explanation - Adequate infrastructure like roads, electricity, water, and sanitation is crucial for business growth, health, and overall urban livability.
Correct answer is: It supports economic activities and quality of life
Q.23 Which of the following policies can promote sustainable urban development?
Encouraging high-density housing with proper planning
Ignoring waste management
Reducing public transport services
Prohibiting rural development
Explanation - Planned high-density housing with supporting infrastructure can efficiently accommodate urban populations while minimizing sprawl.
Correct answer is: Encouraging high-density housing with proper planning
Q.24 Which factor is least likely to contribute to urban poverty?
Rapid rural-to-urban migration
Insufficient affordable housing
High-skilled job availability
Informal employment
Explanation - Availability of high-skilled jobs provides income opportunities and reduces poverty, unlike the other factors which exacerbate urban poverty.
Correct answer is: High-skilled job availability