Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Geography

Chapter

Fundamentals of Human Geography: Secondary Activities

Question:

Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follows:

Cottage industry is the smallest manufacturing unit. The artisans use local raw materials and simple tools to produce everyday goods in their homes with the help of their family members or part-time labour. Finished products may be for consumption in the same household or, for sale in local (village) markets, or, for barter. Capital and transportation do not wield much influence as this type of manufacturing has low commercial significance and most of the tools are devised locally. Some common everyday products produced in this sector of manufacturing include foodstuffs, fabrics, mats, containers, tools, furniture, shoes, and figurines from wood lot and forest, shoes, thongs and other articles from leather; pottery and bricks from clays and stones. Goldsmiths make jewellery of gold, silver and bronze. Some artefacts and crafts are made out of bamboo, wood obtained locally from the forests.

Small scale manufacturing is distinguished from household industries by its production techniques and place of manufacture (a workshop outside the home/cottage of the producer). This type of manufacturing uses local raw material, simple power –driven machines and semi-skilled labour. It provides employment and raises local purchasing power. Therefore, countries like India, China, Indonesia and Brazil, etc. have developed labour-intensive small scale manufacturing in order to provide employment to their population.

Large scale manufacturing involves a large market, various raw materials, enormous energy, specialised workers, advanced technology, assembly-line mass production and large capital. This kind of manufacturing developed in the last 200 years, in the United Kingdom, north-eastern U.S.A. and Europe. Now it has diffused to almost all over the world.

Which one of the following is not a feature of small scale manufacturing?

Options:

It engages semi-skilled labour force.

It provides employment and raises local purchasing power.

The artisans produce goods in their homes with the help of their family members or part-time labour.

It is labour intensive manufacturing.

Correct Answer:

The artisans produce goods in their homes with the help of their family members or part-time labour.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) - The artisans produce goods in their homes with the help of their family members or part-time labour.

Here's why:
1. Small-scale manufacturing usually takes place in dedicated workshops or small factories, not necessarily individual homes. While family-owned businesses are common, the scale is larger than a typical cottage industry setting.

2. Semi-skilled labour force, employment generation, and being labour-intensive are all characteristics of small-scale manufacturing. These operations rely on a workforce with some training but may not require extensive specialization. They contribute to local job creation and economic activity.

"Small scale manufacturing is distinguished from household industries by its production techniques and place of manufacture (a workshop outside the home/cottage of the producer). This type of manufacturing uses local raw material, simple power -driven machines and semi-skilled labour. It provides employment and raises local purchasing power. Therefore, countries like India, China, Indonesia and Brazil, etc. have developed labour-intensive small scale manufacturing in order to provide employment to their population."