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 given outline map of India, locate and label the following:(a) Western Ghats (1/2 mark)(b) Eastern Ghats (1/2 mark)
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 all eligible citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status, have the right to vote.(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 is NOT considered a fundamental right in the Indian Constitution?(a) Right to Equality(b) Right to Property(c) Right to Freedom(d) Right against Exploitation
22
The concept of 'separation of powers' in a democracy primarily aims to:(a) Centralize all governmental authority(b) Prevent the concentration of power in one organ of government(c) Eliminate the need for elections(d) Increase the influence of the judiciary
23
Which of the following institutions plays a crucial role in registering political parties and allocating election symbols in India?(a) Supreme Court of India(b) Parliament of India(c) Election Commission of India(d) President of India
Very Short Answer (2 marks):
24
What is meant by the 'Rule of Law'?
25
Distinguish between a direct democracy and a representative democracy.
Short Answer (3 marks):
26
Explain the importance of the media as the 'fourth pillar of democracy'.
Long Answer (5 marks):
27
Discuss the significance of Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties in a democratic system. Provide examples to illustrate your points.ORExplain the role of the Election Commission of India in ensuring free and fair elections. What measures does it take to achieve this?
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. These rights are essential for the overall development of individuals and the nation. The Right to Equality ensures that no citizen is discriminated against on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, and that everyone has equal opportunities. The Right to Freedom guarantees freedoms such as freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession. The Right against Exploitation prohibits human trafficking and forced labour. The Right to Freedom of Religion allows individuals to practice and propagate their religion freely. The Cultural and Educational Rights protect the interests of minorities, allowing them to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Finally, the Right to Constitutional Remedies empowers citizens to approach the courts for the enforcement of their Fundamental Rights."
28
(i) Name any two Fundamental Rights that protect minority groups in India. 1mark(ii) How does the Right to Freedom of Religion contribute to the secular nature of India? (1 mark)(iii) Why is the Right to Constitutional Remedies considered the 'heart and soul' of the Fundamental Rights? (2 marks)
DECONOMICS (20 Marks)
MCQs (1 mark each):
29
The value of the next best alternative that is foregone when a choice is made is called:(a) Opportunity cost(b) Scarcity(c) Utility(d) Production
30
Which of the following is a characteristic of a planned economy?(a) Private ownership of means of production(b) Dominance of market forces(c) Central planning authority makes economic decisions(d) Consumer sovereignty
31
If the price of a good increases, and as a result, the quantity demanded decreases, this illustrates:(a) The Law of Supply(b) The Law of Demand(c) Market Equilibrium(d) Diminishing marginal utility
32
In which type of economic system do both government and private enterprises play a significant role?(a) Planned Economy(b) Market Economy(c) Mixed Economy(d) Traditional Economy
33
Which of the following is a factor of production?(a) Demand(b) Price(c) Capital(d) Profit
Assertion-Reason Questions (1 mark each):
34
Assertion (A): Scarcity is a fundamental problem in economics.Reason (R): Human wants are unlimited, while the resources to satisfy them are limited.(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 Answer (3 marks each):
35
Explain the concept of 'opportunity cost' with the help of a real-life example.
36
Differentiate between 'needs' and 'wants'. Why is this distinction important in economics?
37
Describe any two challenges that governments face when they intervene in markets.
Long Answer (5 marks):
38
Discuss the three fundamental questions that every economy must answer: 'What to produce?', 'How to produce?', and 'For whom to produce?'. Explain how different economic systems attempt to address these questions.ORExplain the concepts of demand and supply. How do changes in factors other than price affect the demand curve and the supply curve, respectively?
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, vocal sounds, body language, and later through cave paintings and symbols.
6
The Uttaramerur inscription details the functioning of village assemblies in the Chola period, including their composition, selection process, disqualification criteria, and administrative committees (variyams). It provides insights into the self-governing nature of villages. OR Kautilya's Arthashastra identified seven constituents of a state: the king (Swami), ministers (Amatya), territory and population (Janapada), forts (Durga), treasury (Kosha), army (Danda), and allies (Mitra). These were considered essential for the effective functioning and stability of the kingdom.
7
The Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age, marked a significant transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and domestication of animals. Key developments included the invention of polished stone tools for farming, the settlement in permanent villages, the development of pottery for storage and cooking, and advancements in weaving. This shift to a settled agricultural lifestyle is termed the 'Neolithic Revolution', which fundamentally changed human society. OR Historians use various sources to reconstruct the past. Archaeological sources include material remains like tools, pottery, monuments, and artefacts, which provide tangible evidence of past human activities. Literary sources include written documents like scriptures, chronicles, travelogues, and administrative records, offering insights into social, political, and cultural life. Oral traditions and folklore also contribute to understanding the past.
8
(i) Cuneiform script. (ii) The Nile River provided fertile land for agriculture through its annual floods, a source of water, and a means of transportation, making it essential for the survival and prosperity of the Egyptian civilization. (iii) These civilizations were all located in fertile river valleys (Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Yellow-Yangtze) which facilitated the development of early agriculture and supported large populations, leading to urban settlements.
9
(i) Bhimbetka (Locate and label on map). (ii) Mehrgarh (Locate and label on map).
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 even hour-to-hour atmospheric conditions in a particular place, such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed. Climate, on the other hand, is the average weather pattern of a region over a long period, typically 30 years or more.
17
Erosion is the process where natural agents like rivers wear away rocks and soil, transporting them to new locations. Deposition occurs when these agents lose energy and deposit the eroded material. In its upper course, a river's strong erosive power forms V-shaped valleys and waterfalls. In the middle course, it forms meanders and oxbow lakes as it deposits sediment. In the lower course, the river deposits large amounts of sediment at its mouth, forming deltas. OR The Earth's atmosphere is a blanket of gases divided into five main layers: Troposphere (weather phenomena, temperature decreases with altitude), Stratosphere (contains ozone layer, temperature increases with altitude), Mesosphere (temperature decreases with altitude), Thermosphere (temperature increases with altitude, aurora occurs, aids radio transmission), and Exosphere (outermost layer, very thin air).
18
(i) Seasonal reversal of winds refers to the change in wind direction with the change of seasons, particularly the shift from winds blowing from the sea to the land (summer monsoon) and from land to the sea (winter monsoon). (ii) The south-west monsoon brings the majority of rainfall to India, which is crucial for its agriculture. This rainfall supports crop cultivation, ensures food production, and replenishes water resources like rivers and reservoirs. (iii) Weak monsoons can lead to droughts, impacting food security and water availability, while excessive rainfall can cause severe floods, leading to destruction of property, loss of life, and displacement.
19
(i) (b) South-West (ii) Locate and label any two major river systems like Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, Godavari, Krishna etc. (iii) (a) Western Ghats (Locate and label). (b) Eastern Ghats (Locate and label).
CPOLITICAL SCIENCE
20
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
21
(b) Right to Property
22
(b) Prevent the concentration of power in one organ of government
23
(c) Election Commission of India
24
The Rule of Law means that all citizens, including the government itself, are subject to and accountable under the law. No one is above the law, and all are entitled to equal legal protection.
25
In a direct democracy, citizens directly participate in decision-making and law-making. In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives who make decisions and laws on their behalf.
26
The media, by disseminating information, holding governments accountable through investigative journalism, and providing a platform for public debate, acts as the 'fourth pillar of democracy'. It informs citizens, shapes public opinion, and ensures transparency in governance.
27
Fundamental Rights are essential guarantees provided by the Constitution to protect citizens' dignity, freedom, and equality. Examples include the Right to Equality (preventing discrimination) and the Right to Freedom (of speech, assembly). Fundamental Duties, on the other hand, are the responsibilities of citizens towards the nation, such as respecting the Constitution, national flag, and national anthem, and protecting the country's composite culture. Both are crucial for a functioning democracy. OR The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent body responsible for conducting free and fair elections. It prepares electoral rolls, registers political parties, sets election schedules considering various factors, ensures adherence to the Model Code of Conduct, monitors election campaigns, and oversees the counting of votes and declaration of results, thus safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
28
(i) Cultural and Educational Rights. (ii) It allows individuals to practice, profess, and propagate any religion, promoting religious freedom and tolerance, thereby upholding India's secular character. (iii) The Right to Constitutional Remedies allows citizens to approach courts (High Courts and Supreme Court) to enforce their Fundamental Rights if they are violated. This power of judicial review makes these rights meaningful and enforceable.
DECONOMICS
29
(a) Opportunity cost
30
(c) Central planning authority makes economic decisions
31
(b) The Law of Demand
32
(c) Mixed Economy
33
(c) Capital
34
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
35
Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that must be given up when a choice is made. For example, if a student decides to spend their evening studying for an exam instead of watching a movie, the opportunity cost of studying is the enjoyment and relaxation they would have gained from watching the movie.
36
'Needs' are essential for survival (e.g., food, water, shelter, basic clothing). 'Wants' are desires beyond basic survival (e.g., a smartphone, designer clothes, foreign holidays). This distinction is important because economic decisions are made to satisfy unlimited wants with limited resources, and understanding the difference helps prioritize which wants to pursue.
37
Two challenges governments face when intervening in markets are: (a) Compliance Burdens: Regulations, licenses, and procedures can be complex and costly, especially for small businesses, hindering ease of doing business. (b) Unintended Consequences: Intervention, like price controls, can lead to shortages or surpluses, or create black markets, disrupting the natural market mechanism.
38
Every economy faces three fundamental questions: 'What to produce?' (deciding which goods and services to produce given limited resources), 'How to produce?' (choosing the production technique, e.g., labour-intensive or capital-intensive), and 'For whom to produce?' (determining the distribution of goods and services among consumers). In a planned economy, the government decides these. In a market economy, demand and supply forces guide these decisions. A mixed economy combines elements of both, with government regulation and market forces playing roles. OR Demand is the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to buy at various prices during a given period. The Law of Demand states that, ceteris paribus, as price increases, quantity demanded decreases. Changes in factors like consumer income, tastes and preferences, price of related goods (substitutes and complements), and future expectations can shift the entire demand curve. Supply is the quantity of a good or service that producers are willing and able to offer for sale at various prices during a given period. The Law of Supply states that, ceteris paribus, as price increases, quantity supplied increases. Changes in factors like input costs, technology, prices of related goods in production, and future expectations can shift the entire supply curve.
