Chapter 7 – Public Facilities Questions and Answers

Content Structure

A. Exercise questions & answers
B. Additional questions & answers
- Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
- Fill in the blanks
- True or False
- Match the Following
- Short-type questions & answers
- Long-type questions & answers

A. Exercise questions & answers

1. Why do you think there are so few cases of private water supply in the world?
Ans: There are few private water suppliers because water is essential for life, and if private companies controlled it, they might charge high prices, making it unaffordable for many. Governments manage water to ensure it is clean, safe, affordable, and available to everyone, preventing misuse and pollution.

2. Do you think water in Chennai is available and affordable to all? Discuss.
Ans: No, water in Chennai is not available and affordable to all. There is a shortage, and the municipal supply meets only about half of the city’s needs. Some areas, especially those near storage points, get more water, while others receive less. To meet the demand, private water suppliers sell water at high prices, making it difficult for poorer people to afford it. Many slum dwellers get very little water, while wealthier areas and luxury hotels use much more.

3. How is the sale of water by farmers to water dealers in Chennai affecting the local people? Do you think local people can object to such exploitation of groundwater? Can the government do anything in this regard?
Ans: The sale of water by farmers to water dealers in Chennai is negatively affecting local people. Water meant for farming and drinking is being sold to private suppliers, leading to a drop in groundwater levels. As a result, villagers face water shortages for their daily needs, making life more difficult for them.
Local people can and should object to this exploitation since groundwater is a shared resource, not just for private profit. They can protest, demand regulations, and push for fair water distribution.

4. Why are most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas?
Ans: Private hospitals and schools are mostly in cities because they make more money there. Cities have more people who can afford fees, better roads and facilities, and more doctors and teachers. In villages and small towns, fewer people can pay, so private companies are less interested in setting up there.

5. Do you think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair? Give an example of your own to explain.
Ans: No, the distribution of public facilities in our country is not adequate and fair. While some areas get better services, others face shortages and poor-quality facilities.
For example, the water supply in Chennai is not equal. Wealthy areas and places near storage points get more water, while poorer areas and slums get very little. Similarly, in many villages, people struggle for clean drinking water, good schools, and hospitals, whereas big cities have better access to these facilities.
Since public facilities are essential for everyone, the government must ensure fair distribution so that every citizen, rich or poor, has equal access to basic needs like water, healthcare, and education.

6. Take some of the public facilities in your area, such as water, electricity, etc. Is there scope to improve these? What in your opinion should be done? Complete the table.

	Is it Available?	How can it be improved?
Water
Electricity
Roads
Public transport

Ans:

	Is it Available?	How can it be improved?
Water	Yes	The hours of water supply should be extended.
Electricity	Yes	Misuse and illegal connections should be checked.
Roads	Yes	Good materials should be used in road materials.
Public transport	Yes	Number of buses should be increased.

7. Are the above public facilities shared equally by all the people in your area? Elaborate.
Ans: No, public facilities are not shared equally by all people in most areas. Some people have better access, while others struggle to get basic services.
For example, in many cities, wealthy neighbourhoods get regular water supply, well-maintained roads, good schools, and hospitals, while poorer areas and slums often face water shortages, bad roads, and overcrowded government hospitals. Similarly, electricity supply is more stable in well-developed areas but frequent power cuts happen in poorer localities.

8. Data on some of the public facilities are collected as part of the Census. Discuss with your teacher when and how the Census is conducted.
Ans: The Census in India is conducted every 10 years by the Government of India. It is a large-scale survey that collects information about the population, housing, education, healthcare, and other public facilities.

How the Census is Conducted:

Planning: The government prepares questionnaires and training for census officers.
Data Collection: Census workers visit every house, asking questions about family members, education, jobs, water supply, electricity, and other public facilities.
Recording & Processing: The collected data is verified, organised, and analysed by the Census Department.
Publication: The final report is published and used by the government to plan better public services like schools, hospitals, and water supply.

The Census helps understand which areas lack public facilities so the government can improve them for a more equal distribution.

9. Private educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities, and technical and vocational training institutes are coming up in our country in a big way. On the other hand, educational institutes run by the government are becoming relatively less important. What do you think would be the impact of this? Discuss.
Ans: The rise of private educational institutions and the decline of government schools and colleges can have both positive and negative effects:

Positive Impact:

More Choices – Students have more options for quality education.
Better Facilities – Private institutions often provide modern infrastructure and resources.
Skill Development – More vocational and technical institutes help in job-oriented training.

Negative Impact:

Education Becomes Expensive – Many private schools and colleges charge high fees, making education unaffordable for poor students.
Inequality Increases – The gap between rich and poor widens, as only those who can pay to get a better education.
Neglect of Government Schools – If government schools decline, many children from low-income families may not get proper education.
Profit Over Quality – Some private institutes focus more on profit than quality education.

B. Additional questions & answers

Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)

1. Which of the following areas in Chennai is most affected by severe water shortages?
(a) Marina Beach
(b) Velachery
(c) T. Nagar
(d) Besant Nagar

Ans: (b) Velachery

2. Which one is not an example of eater disease?
(a) Cholera
(b) Typhoid
(c) Polio
(d) Dysentery

Ans: (c) Polio

3. Who gives the education facilities to people?
(a) Police
(b) Supreme Court
(c) Government
(d) Private Company

Ans: (c) Government

4. Right of life under
(a) Article 21
(b) Article 23
(c) Article 27
(d) Article 25

Ans: (a) Article 21

5. An urban area supplied water per day –
(a) 136 litres per day
(b) 138 litres per day
(c) 139 litres per day
(d) 135 litres per day

Ans: 135 litres per day

6. How many per cent of the households in India have access to drinking water?
(a) 86%
(b) 87%
(c) 89%
(d) 90%

Ans: (b) 87%

7. Who suffers the most from the shortage of water supply?
(a) Rich people
(b) Middle-class people
(c) Poor people
(d) Government officials

Ans: (c) Poor people

8. Our Constitution guarantees the Right to Education for all children between the ages of
(a) 6−14 years
(b) 6−12 years
(c) 5−10 years
(d) 5−12 years

Ans: (a) 6−14 years

9. Which one is not an example of the source of water?
(a) Ponds
(b) Tap
(c) Well
(d) Soil

Ans: (d) Soil

10. Which city urban area is well functioning?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Hyderabad
(c) Bengaluru
(d) Kolkata

Ans: (a) Mumbai

11. Which one of the following is not a public facility?
(a) Water
(b) Electricity
(c) House
(d) Schools

Ans: (c) House

12. The most important form of public transport over a short distance is –
(a) Auto-rickshaw
(b) Bus
(c) Metro rail
(d) Car

Ans: (b) Bus

13. Who helps in the prevention of waterborne diseases?
(a) Sanitation
(b) Clean drinking water
(c) Proper hygiene and handwashing
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above

14. Private factors provide public facilities for –
(a) Loss
(b) Profit
(c) Charity
(d) None of these

Ans: (b) Profit

15. What is the main source of income for the government?
(a) Donations
(b) Tax
(c) Loans from other countries
(d) Selling government property

Ans: (b) Tax

Fill in the blanks

1. The Indian Constitution says that water is a basic right under __________________________.
2. The government to give each person in the village _________ of clean water every day.
3. Schools, hospitals, and roads are examples of ____________________.
4. Chennai has a _________________ problem because there is not enough water for everyone.
5. Mumbai’s suburban railway is well functioning _________ transport system.
6. Drinking clean water keeps us ____________ from diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, and cholera.
7. In rural areas water is needed both for human use and for ______________.
8. ____________ are the most important way for people to travel short distances.
9. Without taxes, the government cannot provide _________________ facilities.
10. Porto Alegre is a city in ______________ that is known for its culture and history.

Ans:
1. Article 21
2. 25 litres
3. Public facilities
4. Water shortage
5. Public
6. Healthy
7. Animals
8. Buses
9. Public
10. Brazil

True or False

1. private companies must provide safe drinking water to all.
Ans: False.

2. In 2011, more homes had toilets than drinking water.
Ans: False.

3. Many private companies provide water to cities by buying it from places around the city.
Ans: True.

4. Clean water is not an important public facility.
Ans: False.

5. Rich people get better facilities than poor people in some places.
Ans: True.

6. Clean water is essential in every household work.
Ans: True.

7. The government uses tax money to build roads, schools, and hospitals.
Ans: True.

8. Compared to the rural areas, there is an even greater shortage of public water supply in urban areas.
Ans: True.

9. All people get the same amount of water and electricity.
Ans: False.

10. Buses and trains help people travel at a low cost.
Ans: True.

Match the following

Column A	Column B
1. Polio	(a) A water-borne disease.
2. Cholera	(b) A non – government organisation.
3. Mumbai’s suburban railway	(c) A preventable disease.
4. Sulabh	(d) Primary requirement of food, water etc.
5. Basic needs	(e) The Indian Constitution says that water is a basic right.
6. Article 21	(f) The densest railway route in the world

Ans:

Column A	Column B
1. Polio	(c) A preventable disease.
2. Cholera	(a) A water-borne disease.
3. Mumbai’s suburban railway	(f) The densest railway route in the world.
4. Sulabh	(b) A non-government organisation.
5. Basic needs	(d) Primary requirement of food, water, etc.
6. Article 21	(e) The Indian Constitution says that water is a basic right.

Short-type questions & answers

1. What are known as Public facilities?
Ans: The government provides essential services like water, healthcare, electricity, education, and transport for everyone. These services are called public facilities because they help people meet their basic needs.

2. Write the important characteristics of public facilities.
Ans: Public facilities are essential services they are not for profit and ensure equal access, especially for the poor. These facilities support development by improving living conditions and opportunities.

3. How can the supply of electricity to an area be useful for most people?
Ans. Electricity helps in many ways –
A. Farmers can use pumps for irrigation.
B. People can start workshops and small businesses.
C. Students can study better at night.

4. Is there a general shortage of water for everyone in Chennai?
Ans: No, not everyone in Chennai has a water shortage. Rich areas get more water, but poor areas and villages get less water.

5. Define Sanitation.
Ans: Sanitation means keeping places clean to stay healthy. It includes clean water, using toilets, throwing garbage in bins, and washing hands. Good sanitation stops germs and prevents diseases.

6. How does the government collect money to build roads, schools, and hospitals?
Ans: The government collects money through taxes paid by people and businesses. This money is used to build roads, schools, hospitals, and other important services.

7. Define budget.
Ans: A budget is a plan for managing money. The government creates a budget to decide how much money does spend on important services like schools, hospitals, roads, and water for the people.

8. Describe Sulabh International.
Ans: Sulabh International is a group that builds clean toilets for people in cities and villages. Sulabh has made many toilets and teaches people about staying clean and healthy.

9. What age group of children gets free schooling in India?
Ans: The Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Education for all children aged 6 to 14 years. This means every child between 6 and 14 has the right to free and compulsory education.

10. What role do private companies play in public facilities?
Ans: Private companies help build or manage public facilities like schools, hospitals, and electricity. They work with the government to provide these services, but sometimes they charge money for them.

Long-type questions & answers

1. Write short notes on Sulabh .
Ans: Sulabh, a non-government organization (NGO), has been working for almost 50 years to help poor people get toilets. They have built 8,500 public toilets and 1.5 million home toilets, helping 20 million people.

Sulabh works with the government to build toilets.
The government gives land and money for construction.
Some public toilets charge ₹2 for use to help with maintenance.

2. Explain how Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai have improved their water supply.
Ans.

Mumbai – The water department collects enough money from people paying for water and this money is used to cover the cost of supplying water to the city.
Hyderabad – The water department has improved by giving water to more people and better managing the money that is collected for water services.
Chennai – The government is saving rainwater to increase underground water levels and takes help from private companies to transport and supply water to the people.

3. Discuss the role of the government regarding public facilities.
Ans: Public facilities are essential services we use daily, like water, schools, roads, and electricity. The Constitution ensures that everyone gets them as they are a part of the Right to Life.

Water for Everyone (Article 21) – All people, rich or poor, should get enough clean water. However private companies sell bottled water at high prices, which poor people cannot afford. The government must give water at a low price so that everyone can have enough.
Clean Toilets and Sanitation – Many places in India do not have proper toilets. This can cause diseases. The government should build more toilets and keep places clean to keep everyone healthy.
Education for All (Ages 6-14 years) – All children have the right to free education. But private schools are increasing, and government schools are not getting enough support. The government should improve schools so that all children get a good education.
Roads and Transport – Good roads help people travel safely. The government should build and take care of roads so that cars, buses, and people can move easily.

4. Describe the public facilities. Gives two examples.
Ans: The government gives important things that everyone needs in their daily life like hospitals for healthcare, toilets for sanitation, electricity for power, buses and trains for travel, and schools and colleges for education. These are called public facilities.

A school in a village allows many children to learn, study, and build a better future.
Electricity helps in different ways—farmers can pump water to grow crops, shopkeepers can run small businesses, and students can study better even at night.

5. How is water available in different areas of Chennai?
Ans:

Rich people (Anna Nagar) – People like Mr. Ramagopal have plenty of water. If there is less water, he can easily call for a water tanker.
Middle-class people (Mylapore) – People like Subramanian get water only once in two days. Borewell water is salty, so they buy extra water from tankers, spending ₹500-600 every month.
Poorer people (Madipakkam) – People like Siva get water only once in four days. He buys bottled water and cannot bring his family to Chennai because of the water problem.
Very poor people (Saidapet slum) – People like Padma do not have water at home. They share one tap with many families and get water for only 20 minutes, twice a day. In summer, there is even less water, so they wait for hours and sometimes fight for water.