CBSE Class 6 Social Science Civics Urban Livelihood MCQs

Urban livelihood refers to the ways in which people earn a living and meet their needs in cities or towns. These livelihoods often include various occupations such as service jobs, small businesses, informal sector work, and factory-based jobs, which are prevalent in urban areas.

In urban areas, people engage in a wide range of activities, including:

• Formal sector jobs: These are jobs that are well-organized, have set wages, and are often regulated by government laws (e.g., office jobs, teaching, healthcare).

• Informal sector jobs: These jobs are not regulated by the government and often lack job security or benefits (e.g., street vendors, rickshaw pullers, domestic workers).

• Self-employment: Many people in urban areas run their own businesses, like shopkeepers, small traders, and artisans.

• Service sector jobs: Jobs in hotels, transportation, banking, entertainment, and tourism.

People living in cities may face several challenges:

• High cost of living: Prices of basic goods and housing can be high in urban areas.

• Job insecurity: Many people in the informal sector have unstable jobs without social security.

• Lack of skills: Some workers may not have the necessary skills or education to find stable work.

• Poor working conditions: Informal sector workers often work in unsafe environments without health benefits or safety regulations.

• Pollution and overcrowding: The urban environment can lead to health problems and poor living conditions due to overcrowding and pollution.

Cities provide various resources and opportunities that support livelihoods:

• Access to markets: Urban areas offer a vast market for goods and services, which helps businesses and workers.

• Availability of services: There are better educational, healthcare, and financial services in cities that improve the quality of life.

• Transport and infrastructure: Urban areas have better transport facilities that allow people to move around easily for work.

• Social networks: People can form networks for support, such as professional groups or workers’ unions.

The informal sector plays a crucial role in urban livelihoods, especially in providing employment for large segments of the population. It includes workers like street vendors, domestic helpers, small shop owners, and daily wage laborers. While these jobs might not offer job security or legal protection, they are a primary source of income for many in cities.

Having diverse livelihood options helps people in urban areas adapt to economic changes. For example, if one job sector faces a downturn, workers can shift to other available opportunities. It also ensures that individuals are not solely dependent on one source of income, thus providing more stability.