Rural Livelihoods - Class 6 Civics - Extra Questions

In some villages in central India, both farming and _________ from the forest are important sources of livelihood.

In some villages in central India, both farming and collection from the forest are important sources of livelihood.


Compare the situation of Sekar and Ramalingam by filling out the following table:
SekarRamalingam
Land cultivated
Land required
Loans required
Selling of harvest
Other work done by them

  Sekar Ramalingam
 Land cultivated 2 Acres20 Acres 
 Land requiredNo labour requiredHe hires labour
 Loans requiredHe requires loan for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. He takes loan from the trader.He takes loan from the govt, bank for establishing a rice mill.
 Selling of harvestHe sells a few bags of paddy to pay back the loan.
Other work done by themHe has a hybrid cow, whose milk he sells in the local milk cooperatives.He owns a rice mill and a shop selling seeds, pesticides etc.


Poor rural labourers like Thulasi often do not have access to good medical facilities, good schools, and other resources. You have read about inequality in the first unit of this text. The difference between her and Ramalingam is one of inequality. Do you think this is a fair situation? What do you think can be done? Discuss in class.

No, this is not a fair situation. There should be a ceiling of land. It will help everyone to have some land where one can earn one's livelihood. Opportunity should be equal for all. Primary education should be made compulsory. Efforts should be made to promote education among the poor. It will help them know their rights and other awareness.


How is Ramalingam different from others according to Thulasi?

Unlike others, Ramalingam does not go looking for cheaper labour from other villages. Whenever there is work, he calls Thulasi.


Why did Thulasi borrow from Ramalingam?

She did so for her daughter's treatment.


Match the items in list 1 correctly with those given in list 2.

(i)-(c), (ii)-(f), (iii)-(e), (iv)-(b), (v)-(a), (vi)-(d)


What does Thulasi's husband do when he finds no work on the farm?

In such situation he finds work outside either loading sand from the river or stone from the quarry nearby.


Name some other activities which poor families in rural areas often do for the household apart from farming.

Collecting firewood, getting water and grazing cattle.


What is the main crop of Kalpattu village?

 Kalpattu is coastal village in Tamil Nadu. As the village is surrounded by low hills, paddy is the main crop here. Most of the families earn a living through agriculture. Besides agriculture, people do many non-farm activities such as making baskets, utensils, pots, bricks, bullock carts, etc.


Write a brief note on the lifestyle of the people of Chizami.

Chizami is a village in Phek district in Nagaland. The people of this village do terrace farming. They have their own individual fields. But, they also work collectively in each other's fields. They form groups of six or eight and take an entire mountain side to clean the needs on it. Each group eats together once their work for the day is over.


During which period do fish breed?

They breed during the monsoon.


List the three situations in which crops can be ruined.

The three situations in which crops can be ruined are:
(a) If the seeds are not of good quality.
(b) If pests attack the crop.
(c) If the monsoon does not bring enough rain.


Under which circumstances poor farmers find themselves unable to pay back their loans? What happens after that?

Poor farmers are bound to take loans for agriculture purposes. Sometimes they successfully pay back the loans but there are also moments when they fail to do that in time because of crop failure. This is a very tough time for them. For the family to survive, they have to borrow more money. Soon the loan becomes so large that no matter what they earn, they are unable to repay. This is when we can say they are caught in debt. Whenever this situation occurs, farmers become helpless. Their helplessness to repay the loan sometimes compels them to commit suicide.


Describe different types of work that Sekar do for a living.

Sekar is a small farmer having only two acres of land. He grows paddy in his field with the help of his family members. He also works in Ramalingam's rice milk. He helps him collect paddy from other farmers is the neighbouring villages. He also has a hybrid cow, whose milk he sells in the local milk cooperative.


How do fishermen manage during the monsoon period?

During the monsoon period fishermen survive by borrowing from the trader.


What different activities are done by the people of Kalpattu village?

Kalpattu is a coastal village in Tamil Nadu. As the village is surrounded by low hills paddy is the main crop here. Most of the families earn a living through agriculture. Besides agriculture, people do many non-farm activities such as making baskets, utensils, pots, bricks, bullock carts, etc. The village has no dearth of service providers like blacksmiths, nurses, teachers, washermen, weavers, barbers, cycle repair mechanics and so on. One can find here shopkeepers and traders too. There is a bazaar where a variety of small shops such as tea shops, grocery shops, a tailor, etc. can be found. There are some coconut groves around the village. A group o people earn their living by working in mango orchards. In the village, there are small farmers as well as big farmers. There are landless laborers too who work in other's fields.


How did Tulasi pay back the loan to Ramalingam.

She paid back her loan to Ramalingam by selling her cow.


You have probably noticed that people in Kalpattu are engaged in a variety of non-farm work. List five of these.

(i) Making baskets, utensils, pots, bricks bullock-carts etc.
(ii) Teaching
(iii) Washing clothes
(iv) Weaving
(iv) Repairing cycle.


How much land does Sekar own?

Sekar owns two acres of land.


What work does Sekar do at Ramalingam's rice mill?

He helps Ramalingam collect paddy from other farmers in the neighbouring villager.


Why do fishermen go far into the sea?

They go far into the sea to get a better catch.


Why does Sekar need to earn some extra money?

Whatever he produces last only eight months. So, he needs to earn some extra money.


How does small farmer arrange the capital for farming?

Small farmers generally borrow money to arrange the capital for their farming. They borrow it from large farmers, village moneylenders or traders.


List the different types of people you read about in Kalpattu who depend on farming. Who is the poorest among them and why?

These people are Thulasi, Sekar and Ramalingam.
Thulasi is the poorest among them. It is because she has no land of her own. She works on Ramalingam's field and earns Rs. 40 per day. Although she is not satisfied with her wages, yet she continues her work in Ramalingam's field because of the fact that she can depend on him.


Imagine you are a member of a fishing family and you are discussing whether to take a loan from the bank for an engine. What would you say?

I would say that it is better to take a loan from bank for this purpose than to go to a moneylender. Money lenders usually charge high rate of interest which pushes the borrowers in great hardships.


What do you think the government can do to help farmers like Sekar when they get into debt? Discuss.

Government can provide assistance to farmers like Sekar. Interest-free loan or loan at the lowest rate can help him. Seeds, fertilizers and pesticides can also be provided to him on subsidised rate.


The people of Pudupet village earn their living by ____________.

People in Pudupet village earn their living by fishing. Their houses are close to the sea, where rows of catamarans and nets lay around.


Write a short note on the lives of fishing families.

Fishing families usually live close to the sea. Their lives revolve around the sea and fish. One can find rows of catamarans and nets lying around their houses. Their day usually starts at 7 o'clock in the morning. This is the time when there is a lot of activity on the beach. After catching fish the fishermen return with their catamarans. Women then gather to buy and sell fish. They do not go to the sea for at least four months during the monsoon because this is when the fish breed. During these months they survive by borrowing from the trader. And thus, they are forced to sell the fish to that trader later on. The lives of fisherfolk are full of risks. Whenever there is a storm, they have to suffer a lot. In 2004, the tsunami hit them badly. They were the worst sufferers.


What is full form of RMPs? Where are they found?

Registered Medical Practitioners. They are found in the rural areas.


Class 6 Civics Extra Questions