EXERCISE

Q1. What do you mean by occupation?
Answer: Occupation refers to the various activities that people perform to earn their livelihood. The type of occupation a person has is generally determined by the economic environment of their area, including the availability of resources and the level of development.

Q2. Mainly how many types of occupation are there? State them with examples.
Answer: There are four main types of occupations or economic activities:

1. Primary Occupation: Activities that involve collecting resources directly from nature. Examples: Agriculture, fishing, lumbering, and mining.
2. Secondary Occupation: Activities that involve processing raw materials from primary activities into usable products through manufacturing. Examples: Rice milling, sugar manufacturing, and textile industries.
3. Tertiary Occupation: Activities that provide services to support the primary and secondary sectors. Examples: Transport, communication, trade, education, and healthcare.
4. Quaternary Occupation: Activities that involve specialized services and knowledge-based functions. Examples: Banking, finance, research, information technology, and media.

Q3. Write the meaning of primary occupation.
Answer: Primary occupations are economic activities that are directly related to the collection or extraction of resources from the natural environment. People in this sector are involved in tasks like farming, fishing, gathering forest products, and mining. These activities are foundational to the economy, as they provide the raw materials for other sectors.

Q4. Mention the difference between primary and secondary occupations.
Answer: Primary occupations are concerned with the direct extraction of raw materials from nature. The products are often raw and require further processing. For example, a farmer growing cotton is in a primary occupation.

On the other hand, Secondary occupations are concerned with the processing of these raw materials into finished or semi-finished goods through manufacturing. For example, a worker in a textile mill turning cotton into cloth is in a secondary occupation.

Q5. Which of the economic activities are included in tertiary occupation? State them with examples.
Answer: Tertiary occupations include all economic activities that provide services rather than producing goods. They act as a support system for the primary and secondary sectors. Examples are:

1. Transport: Moving goods and people from one place to another (e.g., bus drivers, pilots).
2. Communication: Systems that facilitate information exchange (e.g., telecommunication workers).
3. Trade: Buying and selling of goods (e.g., retailers, wholesalers).
4. Healthcare: Providing medical services (e.g., doctors, nurses).
5. Education: Providing teaching and learning services (e.g., teachers, professors).

Q6. Write about the importance of quarternary occupation.
Answer: The quaternary occupation is highly important in the modern, globalized world. It deals with knowledge-based activities and specialized services. These activities, such as banking, finance, research, and information technology, are crucial for the efficient functioning and growth of the other three sectors. The rapid development of technology and global markets has made the role of quaternary occupations even more significant.

Q7. Write how economic development causes occupational change.
Answer: Economic development causes a gradual change in the occupational structure of a country or region. With progress in technology and mechanization, agriculture and other primary activities require less labour, which reduces dependence on the primary sector. At the same time, industrialization creates new opportunities in manufacturing, trade, and other secondary activities. People are attracted to these jobs because they provide higher income and better living conditions compared to traditional farming. Moreover, the growth of the service sector, such as education, health, banking, and communication, further opens up employment opportunities. As a result, workers shift from primary to secondary and tertiary sectors, bringing about a balanced and diversified economy.

Q8. Write a brief note on the occupational changes in Assam.
Answer: Before the British era, the people of Assam were mainly engaged in primary occupations like agriculture, fishing, and household weaving. With the arrival of the British, new secondary occupations were introduced with the establishment of tea, petroleum, and coal industries. This led to a shift in the occupational pattern. In the post-independence period, the tertiary sector gained importance with the growth of administrative, transport, and communication services. More recently, with the spread of banking, financial, and research institutions, the quaternary sector has also grown. This shows how social and economic changes have brought about a significant transformation in the occupations of the people of Assam.

Q9. State the factors responsible for bringing about change in the field of occupation.
Answer: The factors responsible for occupational change are:

1. Economic Development: As a country develops economically, there is a shift from a primary-based economy to a secondary and tertiary-based economy.
2. Technological Advancement: The introduction of new technologies and machinery reduces the need for manual labour in some sectors while creating new jobs in others.
3. Globalization: The increased interconnectedness of the world economy has led to the growth of international trade, finance, and services, creating new opportunities.
4. Availability of Resources: The presence of new resources, like minerals, can lead to the creation of new industries and occupations.
5. Education and Skills: A more educated and skilled workforce can drive the growth of more specialized occupations.

Q10. With which of the occupations are the people of your locality associated? Classify the people according to their occupation.
Answer: The people of my locality are associated with occupations such as farming, dairy, small industries, trade, transport, teaching, medicine, government service, and labour work. They can be classified into primary (farmers, fishermen), secondary (factory workers, carpenters), and tertiary (shopkeepers, teachers, doctors, drivers, government employees) occupations.