What is Case Study Question / Paragraph Based Question?
A case study is a scenario in a particular academic / professional context which students are expected to analyse and respond to, guided by specific questions posed concerning the situation. In many cases, the scenario or case study involves a number of issues or problems that must be dealt with in a academic / professional workplace.
Why Case Study Questions are included in academics?
Case study assignments usually require students to identify problems and issues in a scenario, to demonstrate their developing knowledge of theories and academic / professional policies and to make decisions and recommendations based on these to either prevent or solve some of the issues in that scenario.
How to solve Case Study Questions?
There are several steps to writing an answer to a case study assignment:
STEP 1: Read the case study and questions carefully.
- Read the case and associated questions carefully.
- Highlight the main points of the case and any issues that you can identify.
- Read the questions closely and analyse what they are requiring you to do.
- Read the case again, linking the information that is relevant to each question you have been asked.
STEP 2: Identify the issues in the case study.
Case studies describe a situation which may arise in a particular profession or social context. They often involve a number of people in a complex situation. They will often describe a situation which is problematic, possibly in how it is dealt with, or in its complexity. An important part of your answer is to analyse the situation and to identify the issues/actions described in the case which may be problematic. The following questions may help you to do this:
- What actions were taken in the case?
- Were these actions the most appropriate and why?
- Were there any consequences of the actions taken?
- Was anything omitted or not considered?
- Were actions/procedures in line with existing codes of practice, policy or theories?
STEP 3: Link theory to practice.
Use your knowledge of existing codes of practice, theories and/or other academic / professional documents and behaviours to decide what was done appropriately and what was not.
STEP 4: Plan your answer.
It can be useful to use the questions you have been set as headings and to answer each part in turn, reducing the chance of omitting set questions. You can always take out the headings before you submit if you wish. Lecturers usually set questions in a logical order, so answer in the order they are written in your question.
STEP 5: Start writing your case study answer (for theory only)
Like any assignment, you will need an introduction, body sections in which you answer the questions put to you regarding the case study, and a conclusion.
STEP 6: Edit and proofread.
Read through your paper yourself to detect and correct other errors and omissions.
Check you have answered all questions and backed up your answer with relevant passage.
Types of Case Study Questions / Paragraph Based Questions
Case Study Questions / Paragraph Based Questions can be broadly classified into two types:
- MCQs type: In this type, student has to tick the correct option from various options.
- Theory type: In this type, student has to write proper solution / answer in cotext to the case study.
Case Study/ Passage Based Questions Chapter 7 Lifelines of National Economy
Type 1: MCQ type
Case Study Question 01
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
For a long time, trade and transport were restricted to a limited space. With the development in science and technology, the area of influence of trade and transport expanded far and wide. Today, the world has been converted into a large village with the help of efficient and fast moving transport. Transport has been able to achieve this with the help of equally developed communication system. Therefore, transport, communication and trade are complementary to each other.
Today, India is well-linked with the rest of the world despite its vast size, diversity and linguistic and socio-cultural plurality. Railways, airways, waterways, newspapers, radio, television, cinema and internet, etc. have been contributing to its socio-economic progress in many ways. The trades from local to international levels have added to the vitality of its economy. It has enriched our life and added substantially to growing amenities and facilities for the comforts of life.
Question.1. The world is shrinking because of advancement in _________ and _________ .
(a) science, technology
(b) art, culture
(c) dance, music
(d) All of the above
Question.2. Different types of transportation help in socio-economic development of a nation. Identify which domain of the earth the following features of transportation belong to :
Choose the correct option :
(a) a-2, b-3, c-1
(b) a-3, b-1, c-2
(c) a-2, b-1, c-3
(d) a-1, b-3, c-2
Question.3. Which one of the following is not a challenge for India to connect the world?
(a) Complex land features
(b) Cultural and linguistic diversity
(c) Access to sea
(d) Vast area
Question.4. In order to expand its global trade, India needs to:
(a) Invest more in infrastructure.
(b) Develop advance transport and communication network.
(c) Liberalise trade policies.
(d) Restrict import of foreign products.
Ans.1. (a) science, technology
Ans.2. (a) a-2, b-3, c-1
Ans.3. (c) Access to sea
Ans.4. (d) Restrict import of foreign products
Type 2: Theory Type
Case Study Question 02
Read the sources given below and answer the questions that follows :
Source A- National Water ways
- The Ganga River between Prayagraj and Haldia (1620 km)-N.W. No.1.
- The Brahmaputra river between Sadiya and Dhubri (891 km)-N.W.No.2.
- The West-Coast Canal in Kerala (Kottapurma-Kollam, Udyogamandal and Champakkara canals-205 km) — N.W. No.3.
- Specified stretches of Godavari and Krishna rivers along with Kakinada Puducherry stretch of canals (1078 km) — N.W. No.4.
- Specified stretches of river Brahmani along with Matai river, delta channels of Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers and and East Coast Canal (588 km) – N.W. No.5
Source B- Roadways
India has one of the largest road networks in the world, aggregating to about 54.7 lakh km. In India, roadways have preceded railways. They still have an edge over railways in view of the ease with which they can be built and maintained. The growing importance of road transport vis-à-vis rail transport is rooted in the following reasons:
(a) construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines,
(b) roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography,
(c) roads can negotiate higher gradients of slopes and as such can traverse mountains such as the Himalayas,
(d) road transport is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances,
(e) it also provides door-to-door service, thus the cost of loading and unloading is much lower.
Source A- National Water ways
Question.1. What is the stretch of National Waterways No. 3?
Source B- Roadways
Question.2. Why is the construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines?
Ans.1. The West-Coast Canal in Kerala (Kottapurma-Kollam, Udyogamandal and Champakkara canals-205 km) — N.W. No.3.
Ans.2. The construction cost of roads is much lower than that of railway lines because roads can traverse comparatively more dissected and undulating topography.
