General Instructions
1. This question paper consists of four Sections: A, B, C, and D.
2. Section A - History: Questions 1-9.
3. Section B - Geography: Questions 10-19.
4. Section C - Political Science: Questions 20-28.
5. Section D - Economics: Questions 29-38.
6. All questions are compulsory.
7. Section A carries 20 marks, Section B carries 20 marks, Section C carries 20 marks and Section D carries 20 marks.
8. There is no overall choice in the question paper. However, internal choice has been provided in some questions.
9. Draw neat diagrams wherever necessary.
AHISTORY (20 Marks)
MCQs (1 mark each):
1
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Mesolithic period?(a) Use of microlithic tools(b) Development of symbolic communication(c) Domestication of animals(d) Cave paintings
2
The concept of 'dharma' in ancient Indian society primarily referred to:(a) Religious rituals and sacrifices(b) Duties, righteousness, and social order(c) Military strength and conquest(d) Economic prosperity and trade
3
Which of the following was a major centre of trade and cultural exchange for the Mesopotamian civilization?(a) Egypt(b) Indus Valley(c) China(d) Greece
4
The ‘tri-partite struggle’ primarily involved control over which region in early medieval India?(a) Magadha(b) Kannauj(c) Pataliputra(d) Ujjain
Very Short Answer (2 marks):
5
How did early humans communicate before the invention of writing?
Short Answer (3 marks):
6
Explain the significance of the Uttaramerur inscription in understanding village governance in the Chola period.ORExplain the concept of ‘saptanga’ (seven constituents of the state) as described in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
Long Answer (5 marks):
7
Describe the major developments and characteristics of the Neolithic period, leading to the 'Neolithic Revolution'.ORDiscuss the various sources used by historians to reconstruct the past, highlighting the role of archaeological and literary sources.
Case-Based Question (4 marks):
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
"The Bronze Age Civilisations Outside India saw remarkable advancements. The Mesopotamian civilization, flourishing along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, developed city-states like Ur and Uruk. They invented cuneiform script and developed sophisticated irrigation systems. The Egyptian civilization, centered around the Nile River, is known for its pyramids, hieroglyphic writing, and advanced calendar. The Chinese civilization, along the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, developed its unique writing system and a strong centralized administration."
8
(i) Name the script used by the Mesopotamians. 1mark(ii) Why is the Nile River considered the lifeline of the Egyptian civilization? (1 mark)(iii) What common feature do these early Bronze Age civilizations share regarding their location and agricultural development? (2 marks)
Map-based Question (2 marks):
9
On the given political map of India, locate and label the following:(i) Bhimbetka(ii) Mehrgarh
BGEOGRAPHY (20 Marks)
MCQs (1 mark each):
10
The process of rocks breaking down into smaller pieces due to temperature changes, frost action, and plant roots is known as:(a) Erosion(b) Deposition(c) Weathering(d) Tectonic movement
11
Which layer of the atmosphere is responsible for reflecting radio waves back to Earth, aiding in radio transmission?(a) Stratosphere(b) Mesosphere(c) Thermosphere(d) Exosphere
12
Which of the following is NOT a primary agent of gradation?(a) Running water(b) Wind(c) Tectonic plates(d) Glaciers
13
The movement of air from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure is called:(a) Humidity(b) Precipitation(c) Wind(d) Temperature
14
The monsoon winds in India are primarily characterized by:(a) Consistent rainfall throughout the year(b) Seasonal reversal of wind direction(c) Strong westerly winds(d) Uniform temperature distribution
Assertion-Reason Questions (1 mark each):
15
Assertion (A): Landslides are common in mountainous regions.Reason (R): Steep slopes and the presence of loose or weathered rocks increase the risk of landslides.(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.
Very Short Answer (2 marks):
16
Explain the difference between weather and climate.
Long Answer (5 marks):
17
Describe the process of erosion and deposition by rivers, explaining the formation of landforms like waterfalls, meanders, and deltas.ORExplain the composition and structure of the Earth's atmosphere, detailing the characteristics of each layer.
Case-Based Question (4 marks):
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
"The phenomenon of monsoon has played a crucial role in shaping India's climate and agriculture. The seasonal reversal of winds, particularly the south-west monsoon, brings the majority of rainfall to the country. This rainfall is vital for agriculture, influencing crop cycles, food production, and water availability. However, variations in the monsoon, such as weak monsoons leading to droughts or excessive rainfall causing floods, can have significant economic and social impacts on the country."
18
(i) What is meant by the 'seasonal reversal of winds' in the context of monsoons? 1mark(ii) How does the south-west monsoon influence agriculture in India? (2 marks)(iii) What are the potential negative consequences of variations in monsoon rainfall? (1 mark)
Map-based Question (3 marks):
19
On the given outline map of India, mark and label the following:(i) Identify the direction from which the main monsoon winds arrive in India. (a) North-East (b) South-West (c) West (d) East (1 mark)(ii) Mark and label any two major river systems that receive water from the monsoon. (2 x 1/2 mark = 1 mark)(iii) On the same map, shade one region that experiences heavy rainfall due to the retreating monsoon. 1mark
CPOLITICAL SCIENCE (20 Marks)
Assertion-Reason Questions (1 mark each):
20
Assertion (A): Universal Adult Franchise is a cornerstone of democracy.Reason (R): It ensures that every citizen, regardless of their background, has a voice in choosing their representatives.(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.
MCQs (1 mark each):
21
Which of the following institutions is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in India?(a) Parliament(b) Supreme Court(c) Election Commission of India(d) President of India
22
In a democracy, the separation of powers refers to the division of governmental authority among the:(a) President, Prime Minister, and Cabinet(b) Union, State, and Local Governments(c) Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary(d) Majority party, Minority party, and Independents
23
The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, empowers citizens to:(a) Contest elections without any restrictions(b) Seek information from government agencies(c) Amend the Constitution of India(d) Appeal against court judgments
Very Short Answers (2 marks each):
24
What is meant by 'popular sovereignty' in a democracy?
25
Explain the significance of the 'rule of law' in a democratic system.
Short Answer (3 marks):
26
Discuss the importance of political parties in a democracy, highlighting their role in organizing public opinion and offering choices to voters.ORExplain the concept of ‘representation’ in a representative democracy.
Long Answer (5 marks):
27
Analyse the challenges faced by Indian democracy, such as illiteracy, misinformation, and inequality. How can these challenges be addressed?ORDescribe the various institutions and processes that support democratic values in India. Discuss the role of the media as the ‘fourth pillar of democracy’.
Case-Based Question (4 marks):
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
"The Constitution of India guarantees six Fundamental Rights to its citizens, which are essential for safeguarding their dignity and freedom. These include the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and the Right to Constitutional Remedies. These rights are justifiable, meaning citizens can approach courts if their rights are violated."
28
(i) Name any two Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. 1mark(ii) What does it mean for a right to be 'justifiable'? (1 mark)(iii) Why are Fundamental Rights considered crucial for the functioning of a democratic society? (2 marks)
DECONOMICS (20 Marks)
MCQs (1 mark each):
29
Factors used for the production of goods and services are known as:(a) Wants(b) Resources(c) Needs(d) Markets
30
Which of the following is a characteristic of a planned economy?(a) Little government intervention in economic decisions(b) Private ownership of most resources(c) All major economic decisions are made by a central planning authority(d) Prices are primarily determined by the forces of demand and supply
31
The concept that explains why the additional utility derived from consuming more units of a good decreases is:(a) Law of Demand(b) Law of Supply(c) Diminishing Marginal Utility(d) Opportunity Cost
32
In a market economy, what primarily determines the prices of goods and services?(a) Government regulations(b) Forces of demand and supply(c) Decisions of a central planning authority(d) Consumer preferences alone
33
Which of the following is a public good, typically provided or funded by the government?(a) Private car(b) Mobile phone(c) Street lights(d) Designer clothing
Assertion-Reason Questions (1 mark each):
34
Assertion (A): Human wants are unlimited.Reason (R): Economics is essentially about making choices to satisfy these wants with limited resources.(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.
Short Answers (3 marks each):
35
Explain the three key questions that economics seeks to address.
36
What is the difference between 'needs' and 'wants' in economics? Provide examples.
37
Describe the concept of 'opportunity cost' with a suitable example.
Long Answer (5 marks):
38
Discuss the characteristics of a 'market economy' and a 'mixed economy', highlighting the roles of private ownership and government intervention in each.ORExplain how the interaction between demand and supply determines market equilibrium. What factors can cause a shift in the demand or supply curve?
Answer Key
AHISTORY
1
(c) Domestication of animals
2
(b) Duties, righteousness, and social order
3
(b) Indus Valley
4
(b) Kannauj
5
Early humans communicated through gestures, facial expressions, body language, and rudimentary sounds. They also used cave paintings and rock art to convey messages and stories.
6
OR: Kautilya's Arthashastra identifies seven constituents of the state: the king (Swami), ministers (Amatya), territory (Janapada), forts (Durga), treasury (Kosh), army (Danda), and allies (Mitra). The effective functioning of the state depends on the integration and strength of these constituents.
7
The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, witnessed a revolutionary shift from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled agriculture and animal domestication. This 'Neolithic Revolution' led to the development of permanent villages, pottery for storage, weaving for textiles, and polished stone tools. These advancements enabled greater food security, population growth, and the development of early communities, laying the foundation for civilizations.OR: Historians use various sources to reconstruct the past. Archaeological sources include physical remains like tools, pottery, buildings, monuments, and artefacts, which provide tangible evidence of past life. Literary sources include written documents like ancient texts, inscriptions, coins, manuscripts, travelogues, and oral traditions. Each source offers a unique perspective on past events, societies, and cultures.
8
(i) Cuneiform script.(ii) The Nile River provided fertile soil through annual floods, water for irrigation and domestic use, and facilitated transportation, enabling the rise of a prosperous civilization.(iii) These civilizations flourished in fertile river valleys, utilizing river waters for irrigation to support agriculture, which led to settled life and the development of complex societies.
BGEOGRAPHY
10
(c) Weathering
11
(c) Thermosphere
12
(c) Tectonic plates
13
(c) Wind
14
(b) Seasonal reversal of wind direction
15
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
16
Weather refers to the day-to-day or hour-to-hour conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place, including temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind. Climate, on the other hand, is the average weather pattern of a region over a long period (usually 30 years or more), encompassing general temperature and precipitation trends.
17
OR: The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the Earth, divided into five main layers: Troposphere (weather phenomena, decreases in temperature with altitude), Stratosphere (contains ozone layer, temperature increases with altitude), Mesosphere (temperature decreases with altitude), Thermosphere (temperature increases with altitude, aids radio transmission, auroras occur), and Exosphere (outermost layer, very thin air).
18
(i) Seasonal reversal of winds refers to the change in the direction of prevailing winds with the change of seasons, most notably the shift from south-westerly winds carrying moisture from the ocean to the land in summer (south-west monsoon) to north-easterly winds blowing from land to the sea in winter (north-east monsoon).(ii) The south-west monsoon brings heavy rainfall, which is crucial for the cultivation of Kharif crops, replenishing water sources like rivers and reservoirs, and supporting the overall agricultural economy of India.(iii) Weak monsoons can lead to droughts, causing crop failure, water scarcity, and economic hardship, while excessive rainfall can result in devastating floods, damaging property, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
19
(i) (b) South-West(ii) Ganga River, Brahmaputra River, Indus River, Godavari River, Krishna River (any two)(iii) Eastern Coast of India (Tamil Nadu, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha)
CPOLITICAL SCIENCE
20
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
21
(c) Election Commission of India
22
(c) Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary
23
(b) Seek information from government agencies
24
Popular sovereignty means that the ultimate source of political power rests with the people. In a democracy, the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.
25
The rule of law means that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law. No one is above the law, and all citizens are treated equally under it. It ensures accountability and prevents arbitrary use of power.
26
OR: In a representative democracy, elected representatives act on behalf of the people. The principle of representation ensures that diverse voices and interests of the population are heard and considered in the law-making process. The number of representatives and their constituencies are determined to reflect the population's distribution.
27
OR: Democratic values in India are supported by institutions like the Legislature (Parliament, State Assemblies), Executive, and Judiciary, which uphold principles of representation, rule of law, and justice. Processes like elections (managed by ECI) ensure participation and fairness. The media, acting as the ‘fourth pillar’, plays a vital role in disseminating information, shaping public opinion, and holding the government accountable.
28
(i) Right to Equality, Right to Freedom (any two).(ii) A right is 'justifiable' if citizens can approach courts (like the High Court or Supreme Court) to seek legal recourse if their Fundamental Rights are violated.(iii) Fundamental Rights are crucial as they protect citizens from arbitrary state actions, ensure basic freedoms and dignity, promote equality and justice, and are essential for the overall development and well-being of individuals in a democratic society.
DECONOMICS
29
(b) Resources
30
(c) All major economic decisions are made by a central planning authority
31
(c) Diminishing Marginal Utility
32
(b) Forces of demand and supply
33
(c) Street lights
34
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
35
The three key questions economics addresses are: What to produce (deciding which goods and services to produce given scarcity), How to produce (choosing the most efficient methods of production, i.e., labour-intensive or capital-intensive), and For whom to produce (determining the distribution of goods and services among different sections of society based on their needs and purchasing power).
36
Needs are essential for survival, such as food, water, shelter, and basic clothing. Wants are desires that go beyond basic survival needs and add comfort or pleasure to life, such as smartphones, luxury cars, or designer clothes. Wants are unlimited and keep changing.
37
Opportunity cost is the value of the next-best alternative that is given up when a choice is made. For example, if a farmer has limited resources and chooses to grow wheat, the opportunity cost is the potential income or yield they could have earned by growing rice on the same land.
38
OR: Market equilibrium occurs at the price where the quantity demanded by consumers equals the quantity supplied by producers. At this point, there is no shortage or surplus, and prices tend to be stable. Factors that can shift the demand curve include changes in consumer income, tastes and preferences, prices of related goods, and expectations. Factors that can shift the supply curve include changes in input costs, technology, number of sellers, and expectations.
