General Instructions
1. This question paper consists of four Sections - A, B, C and D.
2. Section A comprises 9 questions of 20 marks.
3. Section B comprises 10 questions of 20 marks.
4. Section C comprises 9 questions of 20 marks.
5. Section D comprises 10 questions of 20 marks.
6. All questions are compulsory.
7. Internal choice is provided in two questions of 2 marks each, two questions of 3 marks each and two questions of 5 marks each.
8. Marks allotted against each question are indicated in brackets.
9. Answers should be concise and to the point.
AHISTORY (20 Marks)
1
Which of the following was the main intention of the Habsburg rulers of Austria to suppress the movements of the 1815?(a) To promote liberal ideas (b) To restore the old order(c) To establish a unified German state (d) To implement new economic policies
2
Which of the following was the main characteristic of the ‘Proto-Industrialisation’ phase?(a) Large-scale factory production (b) Production by skilled artisans in factories(c) Production by weavers and spinners in their homes (d) Mechanized production by machines
3
In the context of the print culture in Europe, what does ‘circulated’ mean?(a) Hand-written manuscripts that were copied(b) Production of books in large quantities at low cost(c) Books were read individually and silently(d) Restricted circulation of books due to high cost
4
Which of the following is NOT a valid reason for the emergence of modern nationalism in India?(a) Development of anti-colonial consciousness(b) Revival of indigenous folk culture(c) Exploitation of resources by the British government(d) The Great Depression leading to economic hardship
5
Which of the following is an example of a global market connecting distant countries in the pre-modern world?(a) The European Union trading bloc(b) The Silk Route(c) The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)(d) The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)
6
Explain any one reason for the depletion of resources. 2marks
7
"Ideas of national unity in the early nineteenth century Europe were closely allied to the ideology of liberalism." Examine the statement. 3marks
OR
"The cover of the journal 'L' Italia' designed by Giovanni Fattori in 1848 symbolises the unification of Italy." Examine the statement.
8
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:"In the countryside, peasants and tribals had been agitated by the commercialisation of agriculture, the demand for grains for the cities, high taxes and the restrictions on forest resources. The most stirring of all was the demand to abolish the salt tax. Salt was something consumed by the rich and the poor alike, and it was one of the most essential items of food."(a) Which movement is being referred to in the passage? (1 mark)(b) Why were peasants and tribals agitated by the commercialisation of agriculture? (1 mark)(c) Explain the significance of the demand to abolish the salt tax in the context of the movement. 2marks
9
On the given outline map of Europe (Map I), identify and label any two of the following:(a) The region that came under the control of Napoleon Bonaparte.(b) The country that was not part of the Allied Powers in WWII.(c) A major centre of printing in 17th century Europe.
BGEOGRAPHY (20 Marks)
10
Which of the following minerals is obtained from decomposed plants and animals which are buried under the earth for millions of years?(a) Bauxite (b) Coal (c) Iron Ore (d) Mica
11
Which type of soil is known for its capacity to hold moisture and is ideal for growing rice?(a) Alluvial soil (b) Black soil (c) Laterite soil (d) Mountain soil
12
Assertion (A): Agriculture is a primary activity.Reason (R): It involves the production of raw materials for various industries.(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
13
Which one of the following is a non-conventional source of energy?(a) Petroleum (b) Natural Gas (c) Tidal energy (d) Coal
14
Why is the conservation of minerals essential for sustainable development?(a) Minerals are renewable resources and their conservation is not necessary.(b) Minerals are non-renewable and their reserves are finite.(c) Over-extraction of minerals leads to increased employment.(d) Industrial development depends solely on mineral extraction.
15
Explain any two reasons for the decline of forest cover in India. 2marks
16
"The manufacturing sector is considered the backbone of economic development of India." Justify this statement with any two arguments. 3marks
17
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:"The Sardar Sarovar Project will provide irrigation facilities to 18.45 lakh hectare of land, covering 3112 villages in 15 districts of Gujarat. It will also irrigate 2,46,000 hectare of land in the strategic desert districts of Barmer and Jalore in Rajasthan and 37,500 hectare in the tribal hilly tract of Maharashtra through lift. About 75 per cent of the command area in Gujarat is drought prone while entire command area in Rajasthan is arid."(a) Name the river on which the Sardar Sarovar Project is built. (1 mark)(b) What are the main benefits of the Sardar Sarovar Project? (1 mark)(c) Explain any two challenges associated with large multi-purpose river projects, using the passage as a reference. 2marks
18
On the given outline map of India (Map II):(a) Two major programmes for water conservation are identified. Mark and label any one of them.(b) Two important iron ore producing states are identified. Mark and label any one of them.(c) Two centres of the textile industry are identified. Mark and label any one of them.
CPOLITICAL SCIENCE (20 Marks)
19
Which of the following best describes the situation in Belgium after the constitutional amendments between 1970 and 1993?(a) Power was concentrated in the hands of the central government.(b) Regional governments were given powers that were no longer dependent on the central government.(c) The Dutch-speaking community dominated the French-speaking community.(d) The country was divided into two separate nations based on language.
20
Assertion (A): The Indian Constitution provides for a three-tier government.Reason (R): Decentralisation in India aimed at strengthening the local self-government.(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
21
Which of the following is NOT a common outcome of democracy?(a) Regular and free elections(b) Accountability of the government to the people(c) Reduced inequality of incomes(d) Dignity and freedom of individuals
22
Which of the following is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution regarding religion?(a) The right to practice and propagate any religion (b) The right to establish religious institutions (c) The right to impose religious beliefs on others (d) The right to have a state religion
23
Which of the following is NOT a function of political parties?(a) To contest elections(b) To form and run governments(c) To ensure complete absence of opposition(d) To influence policies and programmes
24
Explain any one of the following in about 40 words:(a) Vertical division of power(b) Communal politics
25
"Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between the central authority and various constituent units." Explain this statement with reference to India. 3marks
26
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:"In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community enjoyed an even bigger majority and could rule simply by imposing its will on the Tamil minority. In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority tried to rule the French-speaking minority. In both the cases, the majority tried to dominate the minority. But this led to great resentment and conflict."(a) What was the majoritarian approach adopted in Sri Lanka? (1 mark)(b) How did this approach lead to conflict in Sri Lanka? (1 mark)(c) Explain how power sharing in Belgium helped to avoid similar conflicts. 2marks
27
(a) 'Political parties are necessary for a democracy.' Justify the statement. OR(b) 'Democracy is a better form of government than any other alternative.' Analyse this statement with suitable arguments. 5marks
DECONOMICS (20 Marks)
28
Which of the following is the most important sector for employment in India?(a) Secondary sector (b) Tertiary sector (c) Primary sector (d) Quaternary sector
29
Assertion (A): Globalisation has led to increased competition among producers.Reason (R): Removal of trade barriers allows goods from different countries to be imported and exported easily.(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
30
Which of the following is a formal source of credit?(a) Moneylender (b) Trader (c) Bank (d) Employer
31
Which of the following represents the development goal for landless rural labourers?(a) More income through higher support prices for their crops(b) To have more days of work and better wages(c) To send their children to good schools abroad(d) To have access to modern amenities and technologies
32
Which of the following is a non-market activity?(a) A farmer selling crops in the market(b) A doctor providing medical services for a fee(c) A government employee providing services during duty hours(d) A mother caring for her child at home
33
Why is the issue of sustainability important for development? Explain. 2marks
34
Explain the role of banks in the economy. 2marks
35
"Different people have different notions of development." Explain the statement with examples. 3marks
36
"Globalisation has benefited consumers and producers in India." Explain with examples. 3marks
37
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:"A large number of workers in India are in the unorganised sector. They are deprived of basic amenities like medical facilities, safe working conditions, etc. The government has enacted the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment in a year to every rural household. This aims to provide employment and secure livelihoods."(a) What is the unorganised sector? (1 mark)(b) What is the main aim of MGNREGA? (1 mark)(c) Explain any two ways in which the unorganised sector workers can be protected. 2marks
38
(a) Analyse the importance of the tertiary sector in the development of the Indian economy. OR(b) Explain the importance of the consumer movement in India. 5marks
--- ANSWER KEY ---
AHISTORY (20 Marks)
1
(b) To restore the old order
2
(c) Production by weavers and spinners in their homes
3
(a) Hand-written manuscripts that were copied
4
(d) The Great Depression leading to economic hardship
5
(b) The Silk Route
6
Any one reason: e.g., Depletion of resources for satisfying greed of few individuals; Accumulation of resources in few hands leading to division in society; Indiscriminate use of resources leading to ecological crises.
7
(Internal Choice Provided)(a) Liberalism stood for freedom for the individual and equality before the law. It emphasised the idea of government by consent. It advocated the end of autocracy and clerical privileges, a constitution and representative government through parliament. For the economic sphere, liberalism stood for the freedom of markets and the abolition of state-imposed restrictions on the movement of goods and capital.OR(b) Giovanni Fattori's cover for the journal 'L' Italia' depicted Italy as a woman, Marianne, dressed in Italian tricolour. She is shown as a motherly figure, standing with one foot on the Alps and the other on Vesuvius, symbolizing the unification of Italy under her leadership, with the Italian flag and a crown of stars.
8
(a) The Civil Disobedience Movement.(b) Peasants and tribals were agitated because they were forced to pay high taxes and sell their produce at low prices due to commercialisation, and faced restrictions on collecting forest resources.(c) The salt tax was significant because salt was a basic necessity consumed by both the rich and the poor. Abolishing it represented a powerful symbol of opposition to British policies and British rule.
9
(Map questions require a map to be provided. Indicative answers for identification:)(a) Any region within the French Empire, e.g., Northern Italy or parts of Germany.(b) Japan or Italy.(c) Frankfurt or Wittenberg.
BGEOGRAPHY (20 Marks)
10
(b) Coal
11
(a) Alluvial soil
12
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
13
(c) Tidal energy
14
(b) Minerals are non-renewable and their reserves are finite.
15
Any two reasons: Deforestation for agricultural expansion, industrialisation, urbanisation; Overgrazing; Shifting cultivation; Forest fires; Illegal logging; Commercial logging.
16
Any two arguments: Manufacturing sector converts raw materials into finished goods of higher value; It creates employment opportunities beyond agriculture; It promotes industrialisation and modernisation; It helps in export, earning foreign exchange.
17
(a) The Narmada River.(b) It provides irrigation facilities to drought-prone and arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan and also parts of Maharashtra.(c) Any two challenges: Large scale displacement of people (implied by the mention of thousands of villages and tribal tracts); Environmental degradation (though not explicitly stated in the passage, it's a known challenge of such projects); Induced earthquakes, waterborne diseases, pollution.
18
(Map questions require a map to be provided. Indicative answers for identification:)(a) Rooftop rainwater harvesting or Tank system or Gully/Kuls.(b) Jharkhand or Odisha or Chhattisgarh or Karnataka.(c) Mumbai or Coimbatore or Ahmedabad.
CPOLITICAL SCIENCE (20 Marks)
19
(b) Regional governments were given powers that were no longer dependent on the central government.
20
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
21
(c) Reduced inequality of incomes
22
(a) The right to practice and propagate any religion
23
(c) To ensure complete absence of opposition
24
(Internal Choice Provided)(a) Vertical division of power refers to the sharing of power among different levels of government, such as the central government, state government, and local government.(b) Communal politics is a political practice based on the belief that religion is the basis of a social community and that one religion is superior to others, leading to discrimination and conflict.
25
India has a federal system with power divided between the Union Government and the State Governments. The Constitution specifies the powers and functions of each level. Subjects are divided into Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. States have their own governments, legislatures, and executive. The judiciary acts as an umpire.
26
(a) The majoritarian approach in Sri Lanka involved the Sinhala community imposing its will on the Tamil minority, as they formed a large majority.(b) This led to a feeling of alienation among the Tamils, who felt that their language and culture were not respected, eventually leading to civil war.(c) In Belgium, power sharing involved forming a community government for linguistic communities and giving significant powers to regional governments, ensuring representation and avoiding unilateral decisions by any single community, thus preventing conflict.
27
(Internal Choice Provided)(a) Political parties are necessary in a democracy because they bring together diverse views, formulate policies and programmes, provide a platform for people to express their aspirations, contest elections to form governments, and hold governments accountable. They act as intermediaries between the people and the government.(b) Democracy is better than other alternatives because it promotes equality of citizens, upholds the dignity and freedom of individuals, ensures accountability of the government to the people, and allows for peaceful resolution of differences and accommodation of diversity. It creates conditions for development and social justice.
DECONOMICS (20 Marks)
28
(c) Primary sector
29
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
30
(c) Bank
31
(b) To have more days of work and better wages
32
(d) A mother caring for her child at home
33
Sustainability is important because development should take place without damaging the environment or depleting resources for future generations. Our future depends on the responsible use of resources today.
34
Banks accept deposits from the public and lend it to those who need credit. They play a crucial role in mobilising savings and channelising them into productive investments, thus facilitating economic growth.
35
Development goals vary because people have different backgrounds, needs, and aspirations. For instance, landless rural labourers seek more work and better wages, while prosperous farmers desire higher prices for their produce. Similarly, urban unemployed youth want job opportunities, whereas a girl from a rich urban family might aspire for equal opportunities as her brother.
36
Consumers benefit from globalisation through a wider variety of goods and services available at competitive prices. Producers benefit from access to larger markets, advanced technology, and opportunities for export, leading to increased production and employment. For example, Indian consumers have access to global brands, and Indian IT companies have expanded their services globally.
37
(a) The unorganised sector includes small, scattered units where employment is not regular, working conditions are poor, and workers lack job security and social security benefits.(b) The main aim of MGNREGA is to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a year to every rural household to enhance rural livelihoods and provide a safety net.(c) Any two ways: Enforcing labour laws regarding working hours, wages, and safety; Promoting formal employment opportunities; Providing social security benefits like health insurance and pensions; Encouraging Self-Help Groups for collective bargaining.
38
(Internal Choice Provided)(a) The tertiary sector, or service sector, is increasingly important in India's development. It contributes significantly to the Gross Value Added (GVA) and employment. Its growth is driven by new services like IT, communication, transport, banking, and education, which support the primary and secondary sectors and improve the quality of life.(b) The consumer movement arose due to unfair trade practices by sellers. Consumer rights ensure protection against defective goods, misleading advertisements, and overcharging. The movement advocates for consumer education, legal redressal mechanisms (like consumer forums), and strict enforcement of laws to safeguard consumers' interests and promote fair markets.
