Which factors do NOT affect the location of rural settlements?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Sex ratio
People choose the site of a rural settlement by looking at the land around it: water, the shape of the land, building material and safety.
Option (1) Building material — A factor. Villages grew where wood or stone was easy to get. Early villages were built in forest clearings with plenty of wood.
Option (2) Water supply — A factor. Rural settlements are usually near rivers, lakes and springs, where water is easy to get.
Option (3) Topography — A factor. The shape of the land matters. People settle on fertile plains and on upland that is not flooded.
Option (4) Sex ratio — Not a factor. Sex ratio describes the make-up of the people living in a place. It plays no part in choosing where a village is built.
Note: This question is taken from the pre-rationalised NCERT book. The latest edition (2026-27) does not have this part. An extract of the pre-rationalised NCERT book is given below for the benefit of students.
Pre-rationalised NCERT: “Water Supply Usually rural settlements are located near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and springs where water can be easily obtained.” “Land People choose to settle near fertile lands suitable for agriculture.” “Upland Upland which is not prone to flooding was chosen to prevent damage to houses and loss of life.” “Building Material The availability of building materials- wood, stone near settlements is another advantage. Early villages were built in forest clearings where wood was plentiful.” |