NCERT Answers

Q1. How are economic activities different from non-economic activities?

Answer (120 words):
Economic activities are those which involve earning money or wealth. People perform them in exchange for wages, salaries, profit, or payment in kind. Examples include a teacher teaching in a school for salary, a farmer selling crops, or a doctor treating patients for a fee.

Non-economic activities are done out of love, care, gratitude, or duty, not for money. Examples are parents cooking for children, a person teaching neighbours free of cost, or volunteers cleaning a park.

Thus, while economic activities generate income and contribute to the economy, non-economic activities contribute to social welfare and emotional wellbeing. Both are valuable for society.

Q2. What kind of economic activities do people engage in? Illustrate with examples.

Answer (150 words):
People engage in various kinds of economic activities:

1. Primary Activities: Related to natural resources — farming, fishing, mining, and forestry. Example: Farmers selling wheat in the market.
2. Secondary Activities: Processing raw materials into finished goods. Example: A carpenter making furniture, factory workers making cars.
3. Tertiary Activities: Providing services. Example: Doctors, teachers, lawyers, shopkeepers, drivers.
4. Quaternary Activities (knowledge-based): Software engineers, researchers, scientists, etc.

For example, Kavya’s uncle operating a bulldozer is a secondary activity, her aunt working in the post office is a tertiary activity, and Sahil the farm labourer earning wages is a primary activity. All these activities generate income and support everyday life.

Q3. There is great value attached to people who are engaged in community service activities. Comment on this statement.

Answer (120–150 words):
Community service activities may not earn money but they are very valuable. For example, volunteers serving food at langars in gurudwaras, or people cleaning public spaces under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or planting trees during Van Mahotsav. These activities create social harmony, a cleaner environment, and mutual support.

Such work promotes values like selflessness, compassion, and cooperation. For instance, when neighbours help during floods or natural disasters, their service saves lives. Even at festivals, people decorating together and sharing food strengthen community bonds.

Therefore, community service holds great value as it improves the quality of life, builds unity, and teaches responsibility towards society.

Q4. What are the various ways in which people are compensated for various economic activities? Give some examples.

Answer (100–120 words):
People are compensated for economic activities in different ways:

1. Wages: Daily or weekly payment for labour (e.g., construction workers).
2. Salary: Fixed monthly income (e.g., teachers, office employees).
3. Profit: Earned by business people selling goods or services (e.g., shopkeepers, traders).
4. Fees: Payment for professional services (e.g., doctors, lawyers).
5. Payment in kind: Goods given instead of cash (e.g., a farm labourer receiving part of the crop).

Thus, compensation depends on the type of work and agreement between worker and employer.

Extra Questions – Chapter 13: The Value of Work

Very Short Answer Questions

1. What is meant by value addition?
   Answer: Increasing the value of a product by processing or improving it (e.g., turning wood into furniture).
2. What is sevā?
   Answer: Selfless service performed without expecting anything in return.
3. Name one community service activity practised in gurudwaras.
   Answer: Langar (community kitchen).
4. What is payment in kind?
   Answer: Non-cash payment given as goods or produce instead of money.
5. Who said, “Do work as worship”?
   Answer: Swami Vivekananda.

Short Answer Questions

Q6. Why are non-economic activities important?
Answer: They promote love, care, and social harmony. Examples include caring for elders, volunteering, or community festivals. They improve emotional wellbeing and strengthen relationships.

Q7. How do citizens contribute to cleanliness drives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
Answer: By cleaning homes and public areas, segregating waste, reducing plastic use, and spreading awareness. Their participation ensures long-term success.

Long Answer Questions

Q8. Explain with examples how both economic and non-economic activities are necessary for society.
Answer (150–180 words):
Economic activities provide money, goods, and services. Farmers grow crops, shopkeepers sell goods, doctors and teachers provide services. These activities meet material needs and keep the economy running. Without them, society cannot survive.

Non-economic activities, though unpaid, meet emotional and social needs. Parents cook food, elders guide children, volunteers serve in disasters, and people plant trees or clean neighbourhoods. These activities strengthen social bonds, spread kindness, and ensure happiness.

For example, a teacher in school (economic activity) earns a salary, while a retired teacher giving free tuition (non-economic activity) helps poor children. Both contribute equally to society’s progress.

Thus, society needs a balance of both types of activities for overall development.