Question

Read the given passage and answer the following questions:

Different types of human settlements include hamlets, villages, small towns, large towns, isolated places, cities, and conurbations. In some systems, types of human settlements are broken up into urban, suburban, and rural; for example, the U.S. Census Bureau divides settlements into urban or rural categories based on precise definitions. Small settlements, such as hamlets and villages, have low populations and restricted access to services. Larger types of settlements, such as cities, have higher populations, higher densities, and greater access to services. For example, a village may have only one or two general stores, while a large metropolis may have many specialized stores and chain stores. These differences are known as low-order service settlements and high-order service settlements. Larger settlements also have a sphere of influence affecting surrounding settlements. Settlements may also be divided by the site chosen, such as sites selected based on resources, trading points, defensive sites, shelter, and relationship to water resources. The functions of human settlements also differ, as settlements may be established as ports, market towns, and resorts. Types of rural settlements may also be classified by function, such as proximity to farming, fishing, and mining. Settlements that focus on one economic activity are called single functional settlements. Human settlements may be permanent or temporary. For example, a refugee camp is a temporary settlement, while a city is a permanent settlement.

1) Which human settlements are mentioned in the passage above?
2) On what basis are urban and rural areas classified?
3) What are the functions carried out in rural settlements?
4) Explain the difference between low-order service and high-order service settlements.

Answer 1

1. Hamlets, villages, small towns, large towns, isolated places, cities, and conurbations are the types of settlements mentioned in the passage.
2. The settlement is classified on the basis of the size of the population, density, access to higher-order and lower-order services, the site chosen, functions, permanent or temporary, etc.
3. Functions carried out in rural settlements are farming, fishing, mining, one or two general stores, etc.
4. The hamlets and villages have a low population and restricted access to lower-order services. For example, a village may have only one or two general stores. They are called low-order settlements,
   - Large metropolitan cities have a higher population, higher density, and more excellent services of higher-order
   - For example, large metropolitans may have chain stores, malls, departmental stores, supermarkets, etc. They are called higher-order settlements.