A fruit trader sorts the oranges he buys from farmers into groups on the basis of their size and quality before selling them. Which of the following correctly names this function and states what it ensures?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Grading; it ensures that the goods belong to a particular quality
Option (1) Standardisation; it ensures that the goods belong to a particular quality — Incorrect. Sorting goods into groups is not standardisation. Standardisation means producing goods of predetermined specifications.
Option (2) Grading; it ensures that the goods belong to a particular quality — Correct. Grading is classifying products into groups by features such as quality and size. It is needed for farm goods like oranges, which are not produced to fixed specifications. Grading ensures that goods belong to a particular quality.
Option (3) Grading; it ensures that the goods conform to predetermined standards of quality — Incorrect. The name of the function is right. But conformity to predetermined standards of quality, price and packaging is what standardisation ensures.
Option (4) Standardisation; it ensures that the goods conform to predetermined standards of quality — Incorrect. Both parts describe standardisation. The trader only sorts the oranges he buys; he does not produce them to set specifications.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “4. Standardisation and Grading: Standardisation refers to producing goods of predetermined specifications, which helps in achieving uniformity and consistency in the output. Standardisation ensures the buyers that goods conform to the predetermined standards of quality, price and packaging and reduces the need for inspection, testing and evaluation of the products. Grading is the process of classification of products into different groups, on the basis of some of its important characteristics such as quality, size, etc. Grading is particularly necessary for products which are not produced according to predetermined specifications, such as in the case of agricultural products, say wheat, oranges, etc. Grading ensures that goods belong to a particular quality and helps in realising higher prices for high quality output.” |