Category: Social Study

SOCIAL SCIENCE

SET-I

Q.1. Who remarked “when France sneezes the rest of Europe catches cold”.

Answer. Duke Metternich

 Or

Who were called colons in Vietnam?

Answer. French citizens living in Vietnam were known as colons.

 

Q.2. Why should the use of cattle cake as fuel be discouraged?

Answer. Using dung cake or cattle cake as fuel is being discouraged because it consumes most valuable manure which could be used in agriculture.

 

Q.3. Distinguish between pressure groups and political parties by stating any one point of distinction.

Answer. Pressure groups do not aim to directly control or share political power but political parties directly control and share political power.

 

Q.4. Why did India adopt multi-party system?

Answer. India adopted multi-party system because:

1. India is a large country and has social and geographical diversities.
2. It is easy to absorb different diversities in a multi-party system.

 

Q.5. Name any two sectional interest groups.

Answer. Trade Unions and Professional bodies like lawyers, teachers etc.

 

Q.6. Why do MNCs set up their offices and factories in those regions where they get cheap labour and other resources?

Answer. MNCs set up offices and factories for products in regions where they can get cheap labour and other resources so that (i) the cost of production is low and (ii) the MNCs can earn greater profits.

 

Q.7. If any damage is done to a consumer by a trader, under which consumer right one can move to consumer court to get compensation?

Answer. Right to seek redressal. The consumers can seek redressal against trade practices of exploitation and have the right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances.

 

.Q.8. Why is the supervision of the functioning of formal sources of loans necessary?

Answer. Supervision of the functioning of formal sources of loans is necessary because banks have to submit information to the RBI on how much they are lending, to whom they are lending and at what interest rate etc.

 

Q.9. “The decade of 1830 had brought great economic hardship in Europe.” Support the statement with arguments.

Answer. The decade of 1830s was known as great economic hardship in Europe because of the following reasons:

1. Europe had come under the grip of large-scale unemployment. In most of the countries there were more seekers of jobs than employment.
2.  Cities had become overcrowded and slums had emerged as population from the rural areas migrated to the cities.
3. Small producers in towns were often faced with stiff competition from imports of cheap machine-made goods from England where industrialization was more advanced specially in the field of textile production.
4.  In those regions of Europe, where aristocracy still enjoyed power, peasants struggled under the burden of feudal dues and obligations. The rise of food prices and bad harvests added to their hardships.

Or

“The Ho Chi Minh Trail became advantageous to Vietnamese in the war against U.S.” Support the statement with arguments.

Answer. “The Ho-Chi-Minh Trail became advantageous to Vietnamese in the war against U.S.”

1. The trail symbolizes how the Vietnamese used their limited resources to great advantage.
2. The trail, an immense network of footpaths and roads was used to transport men and material from North to South.
3. It was improved in late 1950s and from 1967 about 20,000 North Vietnamese troops came south each month. The trail had support bases and hospitals along the way.
4. Mostly supplies were carried by women porters on their backs or on their bicycles.
5. The U.S regularly bombed this trail to disrupt supplies but efforts to destroy this important supply line by intensive bombing failed because they were rebuilt very quickly.

 

Q.10. What type of flag was designed during the ‘Swadeshi Movement’ in Bengal? Explain its main features.

Answer. During the ‘Swadeshi Movement’ in Bengal, a tricolour flag—red, green and yellow was designed. It had eight lotuses representing the eight provinces of British India.

It had a crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims.

 

Q.11. “The plantation workers in Assam had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the notion of Swaraj”. Support the statement with arguments.

Answer. “The plantation workers in Assam had their own understanding of Mahatma Gandhi and the notion of Swaraj”

1. For plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed.
2. Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859 plantation workers were not permitted to leave the tea gardens without permission.
3. Swaraj meant retaining a link with the village from which they had come.
4. When they heard of the Non-cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities, left the plantations and headed home.
5. They believed that Gandhi Raj was coming and everyone would be given land in their own village.

 

Q.12. Classify industries on the basis of source of raw material. How are they different from each other?

Answer. On the basis of sources of raw material industries are classified as:

(i) Agro based industries; (ii) Mineral based industries

 

Q.13. ‘Consumption of energy in all forms has been rising all over the country. There is an urgent need to develop a sustainable path of energy development and energy saving.’ Suggest and explain any three measures to solve this binning problem.

Answer. Every sector of the national economy—agriculture, industry, transport, (commercial and domestic), needs greater inputs of energy.

With increasing population and changing lifestyles energy consumption is increasing very fast. We are not self sufficient in energy according to demands. Therefore we have to adopt a cautious approach for the judicious use of our limited resources. Conservation of energy should be done at all levels.

Three measures to reduce consumption of energy in all forms:

1. We can do our bit by using public transport systems instead of individual vehicles.
2. Switching off electricity when not in use.
3. Using power saving devices or using non-conventional sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy etc.
4. Checking the power equipments regularly can help in saving of energy.

 

Q.14. Suggest any three steps to minimise the environmental degradation caused by the industrial development in India.

Answer. Steps to minimize the environmental degradation caused by industrial development in India are: –

1. Minimizing use of water for processing by reusing and recycling in two or more successive stages. Harvesting of rain water to meet water requirements of industries and other domestic purposes.
2. Treating hot water and effluents before releasing them in rivers and ponds.
3.  Particulate matter in the air can be reduced by fitting smoke to factories with electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, scrubbers and inertial separators. Smoke can be reduced by using oil or gas instead of coal in factories.
4. Machinery and equipment’s can be fitted with silencers to prevent noise pollution.

 

Q.15. What is meant by regional political party? State the conditions required to be recognised as a ‘regional political party’.

Answer. A regional party is a party that is present in only some states. Regional parties or State parties need not be regional in their ideology. They have state identity as they are present only in some states. Some of these parties are all India parties that happen to have succeeded only in states. Example, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janta Dal.

Conditions required for a party to be recognized as a regional political party:

1. A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of a state.
2. Wins at least two seats in the legislative assembly.

 

Q.16. What are public interest pressure groups? Describe their functioning.

Answer. Public Interest Groups are those that promote collective rather than selective interests. Their functioning is as follows:

1. It aims to help groups other than their own members.
2. They represent some common interest that needs to be defended.
3. The members of the organization may not benefit from the cause that the organization represents.

For example, a group fighting against bonded labour fights not for itself but for those who are suffering under such bondage. E.g., BAMCEF.

 

Q.17. Which three challenges do you feel are being faced by political parties in India? Give your opinion.

Answer. There are four major areas where the working of political parties faces challenge: 

Lack of internal democracy.

1.All over the world, there is a tendency of political parties towards the concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.

2.Parties do not keep membership register.

3.They do not conduct internal elections regularly.

4.Ordinary members of the party do not have sufficient information as to what happens inside the party.

No Transparency.

1.Since most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning, these are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.

2.Those who happen to be the leaders are in a position of unfair advantage to famous people close to them or even their family member.

3.In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.

Money and Muscle Power

1.Since parties are focussed only on winning elections, they tend to use short cuts to win elections.

2.They tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise a lot of money.

3.Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the party.

 

Q.18. “Deposits with the banks are beneficial to the depositors as well as to the nation”. Examine the statement.

Answer.

Benefit of deposits to the depositors:

1. Bank accepts the deposits and pays interest to the depositor.
2.  Banks help people save their money and keep their money in safe custody of the bank.
3. People can withdraw the money as and when they require.
4.  Banks also grant loans to people for a variety of purposes.

Benefit of deposits to the Nation:

1. Banks use the major proportion of the deposit to extend loans.
2. There is a huge demand for loans for various economic activities. In times of need, business houses and industries can borrow money from the banks.
3. Banks mediate between those who have surplus funds and those who are in need of these funds. Thus, it helps in the economic development of the Nation.

 

Q.19. Why had the Indian government put barriers to foreign trade and foreign investments after independence? Analyse the reasons.

Answer. The Indian Government removed these barriers because:

1. Liberalization of trade and investment policies allows Indian producers to compete with producers around the globe leading to an improvement in performance and quality of products.
2.  After the barriers on foreign trade and foreign investment were removed to a large
   extent, goods could be imported and exported easily and also foreign companies could set up factories and offices in India. This has led to an increase in trade with different countries.
3.  Businesses are allowed to make decisions freely about what they wish to import or export due to the liberal policies of the government.
4.  Doors of investment opened up for MNCs. They have been investing large sums of money in India and have been seeking to earn large profits.

 

Q.20. “Rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the market place.” Justify the statement with arguments.

Answer. Rules and regulations are required for consumers’ protection because:

1. Sellers usually don’t accept responsibility for the sold products if there is any defect. For example, if a consumer who bought a utensil complains about the defect, then the seller may just ask the consumer to go to another shop.

2. Exploitation of consumers can happen in different ways like use of faulty weights. For example, a trader can weigh less good than what he is supposed to.

3. Consumers can be sold adulterated good purposefully. For example, adding colour to spices and then selling them.

4. If producers are few and consumers are many, producers can exploit lack of competition. For example, big companies can sell the product at any price they want because consumers don’t have a choice.

5. False information can be advertised on media to attract buyers. For example, a company selling baby milk powder advertised for a long time that it was better than mother’s milk.

 

Q.21. “Napoleon had destroyed democracy in France but in the administrative field he had incorporated revolutionary principles in order to make the whole system more rational and efficient.” Analyse the statement with arguments.

Answer.  “Napoleon had destroyed democracy in France but in administrative field he had incorporated revolutionary principles in order to make the whole systems more rational and efficient.”

(a) All privileges based on birth were removed.

(b) Established equality before law.

(c) Right to property was given.

(d) Simplified administrative divisions.

(e) Feudal system was abolished and freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues.

(f) Guild restrictions were removed.

(g) Transport and communication systems were improved.

Or

“The peace negotiations in Geneva followed the division of Vietnam that set in motion a series of events that turned Vietnam into a battle field.” Analyse the statement with arguments.

Answer. The peace negotiations in Geneva followed the division of Vietnam that set in motion a series of events that turned Vietnam into a battle field.”

1. In the peace negotiations in Geneva that followed the French defeat, the Vietnamese were persuaded to accept the division of the country, i.e., North and South.
2. The division set in motion a series of events that turned Vietnam into a battlefield bringing death and destruction to its people as well as the environment.
3. The Bao Dai regime was soon overthrown by a coup led by Ngo Dinh Diem. Diem built a repressive and authoritarian government.
4. Anyone who opposed him was called a Communist and was jailed and killed.
5. With the help of Ho Chi Minh government in North, the NLF fought for the unification of the country. The U.S watched this alliance with fear. Worried about the communist gaining power, it decided to intervene decisively sending in troops and arms.

 

Q.22. Why did Mahatma Gandhiji decide to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement? Explain.

Answer. Mahatma Gandhi decided to call off the Civil Disobedience Movement because:

1. Worried by the development of Civil Disobedience Movement the colonial government began arresting the Congress leaders one by one.
2. This led to violent clashes in many places.
3. When Abdul Ghaffar khan, a devout disciple of Mahatma Gandhi was arrested in April 1930, angry crowds demonstrated in the streets of Peshawar, facing armoured cars and police firing. Many were killed.
4. A month later, when Mahatma Gandhi was arrested industrial workers in Sholapur attacked the police force, municipal buildings, law courts, railway stations and all other structures that symbolized British rule.
5. A frightened government responded with the policy of brutal repression. The peaceful satyagrahis were attacked, women and children were beaten and about 1 lakh people were arrested.

 

Q.23. Explain the importance of conservation of minerals. Highlight any three measures to conserve them.

Answer. Reasons for Conservation: 

(i) The strong dependence of industry and agriculture upon minerals. 

(ii) The process of mineral formation is slow. 

(iii) They are non-renewable. 

Methods to conserve: 

(i) Minerals should be used in a planned and sustainable manner. 

(ii) Improved technology needs to be constantly evolved to allow use of low grade ore at low cost. 

(iii) Recycling of metals using scrap metals. 

(iv) Wastage in the mining and processing should be minimised.

 

Q.24. “Roadways still have an edge over railways in India.” Support the statement with arguments.

Answer. Roadways score over railways:

1. Construction of roads is easier and cheaper as compared to railways.
2. Roads provide door to door service, thus the cost of loading and unloading is much . lower as compared to railways which generally leave the people and goods at the
   destined railway stations.
3. Roads can negotiate higher gradients of slope and, as such, can traverse through mountainous terrain. But railways cannot negotiate steep gradients.
4.  Road transport is economical in transportation of few persons and relatively smaller amount of goods over short distances.
5. Road transport is also used as a feeder to other modes of transport. They provide links between railway stations, airports and sea ports.
6. They link agricultural farms with markets and industries, thus linking rural and urban
   areas.

 

Q.25. Describe the popular struggle of Bolivia.

Answer. Popular struggle of Bolivia

1. People’s struggle against privatisation of water in Bolivia power that struggles are integral part of democracy.
2. The world Bank pressurised the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. The government sold these rights to a multinational company which increased the price of water by four times. Many people received monthly water bill of ?1,000 in a country where average income is around ?5,000 a month.
3. In January 2000, a new alliance of labour human rights and community leaders organised a successful gone day strike.
4. The government agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off.
5. The police resorted to brutal regression when the agitations started in February followed in April and the government imposed martial law.
6. But the power of people forced the officials of the MNC to flee the city and made the government concede to all the demand of the protestors.
7. The contract with MNC was cancelled and the water supply was restored with the municipality at old rates.
   This popular struggle came to be known as ‘Bolivia’s Water Cool’.

 

Q.26. “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy”. Analyse the statement with examples.

Answer. “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy” in the following ways:

1. Without political parties democracies cannot exist. If we do not have political parties, every candidate in elections will be independent.
2. No one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy changes.
3. The government may be formed but its utility will remain uncertain.
4. Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency, for what they do in their locality but no one will be responsible for how the country will run.
5. As societies become large and complex they also needed some agencies to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government, that’s why political parties are needed.

 

Q.27. How can the formal sector loans be made beneficial for poor farmers and workers? Suggest any five measures.

Answer. Formal sector loans can be made beneficial for poor farmers and workers in the following ways:

1. Create greater awareness among farmers about formal sector loans.
2. Process of providing loans should be made easier. It should be simple, fast and timely.
3. More number of Nationalized Banks/cooperative banks should be opened in. rural sectors. Banks and cooperatives should increase facility of providing loans so that dependence on informal sources of credit reduces.
4. The benefits of loans should be extended to poor farmers and small scale industries,
5. While formal sector loans need to expand, it is also necessary that everyone receives these loans. It is important that formal credit is distributed more equally so that the poor can benefit from cheaper loans.

 

Q.28. Describe the impact of globalisation on Indian economy with examples.

Answer. Impact of Globalisation on the Indian Economy:

1. Greater competition among producers (both local and foreign), has been advantageous to consumers, particularly the well-off section. There is greater choice before the consumers who now enjoy improved quality and lower prices for several products.
2. Globalisation has led to a higher standard of living especially in urban areas.
3. MNCs have increased their investments in India in industries such as electronics, automobiles, cellphones, soft drinks, fast food, banking services etc. leading to more job opportunities in these industries and services.
4.  Globalisation has enabled some large Indian companies to emerge as MNCs themselves like Tata Motors, Infosys, Ranbaxy, Asian Paints, etc.
5.  Globalisation has also created new opportunities for companies providing services particularly those involving IT (Information Technology). For example, call centres.
6. Local companies supply raw materials to foreign industries and have prospered. However, for a large number of producers and workers the impact has not been uniform, and globalisation has posed major challenges.

 

Q.29. Three features A, B and C are marked on the given political outline map of India. Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked in the map:

A. The place where cotton mill workers organised Satyagraha.

B. The place related to the calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement.

C. The place where the Indian National Congress Session was held.

Answer.

Note: The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q.No. 29:

(29.1) Name the city where cotton mill workers organised Satyagraha.

(29.2) Name the place related to the calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement.

(29.3) Where was the Indian Nation Congress Session held in December 1920?

Answer. (29.1) Ahmedabad (29.2) Chauri Chaura (29.3) Nagpur

 

Q.30. On the given political outline map, of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols:

A. Oil Field—Digboi

B. Iron and Steel Plant—Bhilai

C. Major Sea Port—Kochi

Answer.

Note: The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates only, in lieu of Q.No. 30:

(30.1) In which state is Digboi oil field located?

(30.2) Name the state where Bhilai Iron and Steel Plant is located.

(3Q.3) Name the Southernmost major sea port located on the eastern coast of India.

Answer. (30.1) Assam (30.2) Chattisgarh (30.3) Tuticorin

 

SET II

Q.1. Who was proclaimed German Emperor in a ceremony held at Versailles in January 1871?

Answer. Kaiser William I of Prussia was proclaimed German Emperor in a ceremony held at Versailles in January 1871.

Or

What was the main aim of the Scholar Revolt of 1868?

Answer. The main aim of Scholar Revolt of 1868 was to oppose French control and expansion of Christianity.

 

Q.2. How are ‘Gobar gas plants’ beneficial to the farmers?

Answer. “Gobar Gas Plants” are beneficial to the farmers in the form of energy and improved quality of manure.

 

Q.8. Prove with an argument that there is a great need to expand formal sources of credit in rural India.

Answer. There is great need to expand formal sources of credit in rural India because:

1. There is no organisation that supervises the credit activities of lenders in the informal sector. They lend at whatever interest rate they choose.
2. No one can stop rural money-lenders from using unfair means to get their money back.

 

Q.17. “Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with examples.

Answer. “Democracy accommodates social diversities” in the following ways:

1. Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.
2.  No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and can evolve mechanism to negotiate these differences.
   Example, Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among ethnic population. This reduces the possibility of tensions.
3.  Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.

 

Q.18. Explain by giving examples that Multinational Corporations (MNCs) are spreading their productions in different ways.

Answer. 

Multinational Corporations are spreading their productions in different ways :  (i) By setting up partnership with local companies.  (ii) By placing orders with local companies. For example, garments, footwear, sports items, etc.  (iii) By closely competing with the local companies.  (iv) By buying local companies. To take an example, Cargill Foods, a very large American MNC has bought over smaller Indian companies such as Parakh foods. Parakh Food had built a large marketing network in various parts of India, where its brand was well-reputed.

 

Q.19. ‘Credit has its own unique role for development’. Justify the statement with arguments.

Answer. 

1. Credit facilities that are extended to the people indirectly play an important role in the development aspect of the country.The credit facilities extended by formal sources (banks and cooperatives) need to expand and it is also necessary that everyone receives them

2. The high rates of interest charged by the informal sector restrict the income of people and often push them into a state of the debt trap. People in rural areas majorly depend on sources of informal credit for agricultural purposes involving costs on equipment and other resources.

3. Credit at low rates of interest, as opposed to informal sources, would lead to high incomes and increase the financial ability of the people. This would help them in growing crops, do business and set up small-scale industries or trade in goods which would eventually contribute to the healthy development of the country.

NOTE – Credit (loan) refers to the agreement wherein the lender provides the borrower with money or goods and services with a promise of repayment in future.

 

Q.22. Why did Mahatma Gandhi relaunch the Civil Disobedience Movement with great apprehension? Explain.

Answer. Mahatma Gandhi entered into a pact with Irwin on 5 March, 1931.

1.  By this Gandhi-Irwin Pact, Gandhiji committed to participate in a Round Table Conference in London and the government agreed to release the political prisoners.
2. In December 1931, Gandhiji went to London for the conference, but the negotiations broke dowrn and he returned disappointed.
3.  Back in India, he discovered that the government had begun a new cycle of repressive measures.
4. Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru were both in jail and the Congress had been declared illegal.
5.  A series of measures hacj been imposed to prevent meetings, demonstrations and boycotts. Thus, with great apprehension Gandhiji relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement.

 

Q.23. Explain any five major problems faced by road transport in India.

Answer. Problems faced by road transportation:

1. The road network is inadequate in proportion to the volume of traffic and passengers.
2. About half of the roads are unmetalled which makes them useless during rainy season.
3. The National Highways are inadequate and lack roadside amenities.
4. The roadways are highly congested in cities.
5. Most of the bridges and culverts are old and narrow.

 

Q.25. Suggest and explain any five measures to reform political parties.

Answer.

1. Law to regulate the internal affairs of political parties like maintaining a register of its members, to follow its own constitution, to have independent authority, to act as judge in case of party dispute, to hold open elections to the highest post.
2.  It should be mandatory for political parties to give one-third tickets to women candidates.
   Also there should be quota for women on the decision-making bodies of the party.
3.  There should be state funding of elections. The government should give money to parties to support their election expenses in kind (petrol, paper, telephone etc.) or in cash on the basis of votes secured by the party in the previous election.
4.  People can put pressure on political parties in various ways through petitions, publicity in media and agitations.
5. Ordinary citizens, pressure groups and movements and the media can play an important role in this. Ordinary citizens can reform politics if they take part directly and join political parties.

SET III

Q.1. Who was proclaimed the King of United Italy in 1861?

Answer. Victor Emmanuel-II

Or

Who led the ‘Scholar Revolt’ in Vietnam in 1868?

Answer. The “Scholar Revolt” in Vietnam in 1868 was led by officials at the imperial court.

 

Q.2. Why has aluminium metal great importance?

Answer. Aluminium metal has great importance because:

1. It combines the strength of metals such as iron with extreme lightness.
2. It has good conductivity and great malleability.

 

Q.8. Why are most of the poor households deprived from the formal sector of loans?

Answer. Most of the poor households are deprived from the formal sector loans because of lack of proper documents and absence of collateral.

 

Q.17. Analyse the three components of a political party.

Answer. The three components of a political party are as follows:

1. The leaders. A political party consists of leaders, who contest elections and if they win the elections, they perform the administrative jobs.
2.  The active members. They are the ones who work actively for the party. They are the assistants of the leaders and implement the plans and ideologies of the political party. (in) The followers. They are the ardent followers of the parties and their leaders and support them in the elections.

 

Q.18. How are consumers exploited in the market place? Explain.

Answer. Consumers are being exploited in the following manner:

1. Sale of adulterated goods, i.e. adding something inferior to the product being sold.
2. Misleading advertisements, i.e. advertisements falsely claiming a product or service to be of superior quality, grade or standard. eloping countries needs mostly takes the form of general, vague and mostly unforceable clauses. The system responds insufficiently to the diverse needs of developing countries which differ enormously regarding their economic power, production structure, and institutional capacity.
3.  Use of false weights and measures leading to underweight.

 

Q.19. “The consumer movement arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumers”. Justify the statement with arguments.

Answer. The consumer movement actually arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumers:

1. Many unfair practices were practised by the sellers.
2. No legal system was available to the consumers to protect them from exploitation in the marketplace.
3. Moreover, it was presumed that it was the responsibility of consumers to be careful while buying a commodity or service.
4. A major step taken by the Indian government in this regard was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.

 

Q.22. How did the Civil Disobedience Movement come into force in various parts of the country? Explain with examples.

Answer. Civil Disobedience Movement came into force in various parts of the country:

1. Gandhiji led the salt march from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi with his followers starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.
2.  Thousands in different parts of the country broke the salt law, manufactured salt and demonstrated in front of government salt factories.
3. In the countryside, the rich Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Uttar Pradesh were active in the movement. As rich communities were very hard hit by the trade depression and falling prices, they became enthusiastic supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
4.  As the depression continued and cash invoice dwindled, the small tenants found it difficult to pay the rent. They wanted the unpaid rent to the landlords to be remitted and thus they joined the movement.
5.  Merchants and industrialists supported the movement by giving financial assistance and also by refusing to buy and sell the imported goods.
6.  The industrial working class of Nagpur region also participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Railway workers, dock workers, mineral of Chota Nagpur etc. participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns .

 

Q.23. Classify communication services into two categories? Explain main features of each.

Answer. Two types of means of communication are—A. Personal communication,’ B. Mass communication.

A. Features of Personal communication:

1.  It is the communication between two or more persons at personal level.
2. The Indian postal network handles parcels as well as personal written communication.
3.  It includes cards and envelops, posts and telegraph, email etc.
4. Telephone services like STD, ISD provide easy and comfortable network to a large number of people.

A. Features of Mass communication:

1.  It is communication through which one can communicate with several people at the same time.
2. It provides entertainment and creates awareness among people about various National programmes and policies.
3.  It includes print media like newspapers, magazines, books etc. and electronic media like radio, television etc.

 

Q.25. “Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens”. Justify the statement.

Answer. Examples to illustrate that dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a democracy:

1. Dignity of women. Democracy recognises dignity of women as a necessary ingredient of society. The one way to ensure that women related problems get adequate attention is’+o have more women as elected representatives. To achieve this, it is legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies. Panchayati Raj in India has reserved one-third seats in local government bodies for women. In March 2010, the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha ensuring 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State legislative bodies.
2.  Democracy has strengthened the claims of disadvantaged and discriminated castes. When governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it. Some political parties are known to favour some castes. Democracy provides for equal status and opportunities for all castes.
3. Democracy transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen. A democracy is concerned with ensuring that people will have the right to choose their rulers and people will have control over the rulers. Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision-making that affects them all.
4. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy like India. In October 2005, the Right to Information (RTI) law was passed which ensures all its citizens the right to get all the information about the functions of the government departments. In a democracy, people also have the right to complain about its functioning.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

SET-I

Q.  1. What was the main aim of the French revolutionaries?

Answer. The main aim of the French revolutionaries was to create a sense of collective identity amongst the French people. They proclaimed that it was the people who would constitute the nation and shape its  decisions.

Or

What is the meaning of concentration camps?

Answer. Concentration camps are prisons where people are detained and tortured without due process of law.

 

Q.  2. How do minerals occur in sedimentary rocks?

Answer. In sedimentary rocks a numbers of minerals occur in beds or layers. They have been formed as a result of deposition, accumulation and concentration in horizontal strata. For example, coal, iron ore.

 

Q. 3. What was the main aim of the popular movement of April 2006, in Nepal?

Answer. Aim of popular movement of April 2006 in Nepal:

1. Restoring democracy.
2. Regaining popular control over the government from the King.

 

Q. 4. How can you say that democracies are based on political equality?

Answer. Democracies are based on political equality as individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.

 

Q. 5. Why do political parties involve partisanship?

Answer. Partisanship is marked by a tendency to take a side and inability to take a balanced view, on an issue. Parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society. Parties are a part of the society and they involve partisanship.

 

Q. 6. What is meant by double coincidence of wants?

Answer. Double coincidence of wants means when both parties have agreed to sell and buy each other’s commodities.

 

Q. 7. Suppose your parents want to purchase Gold jewellery along with you; then which logo will you look for on the jewellery?

Answer. Hallmark, is the logo to look for while purchasing Gold jewellery.

 

Q. 8. How does money act as a medium of exchange?

Answer. Money acts as a medium of exchange as it acts as an intermediate in the exchange process and transactions. A person holding money can easily exchange it for any commodity or services that he or she might want.

 

Q. 9. How did nationalism develop through culture in Europe? Explain.

Answer. Culture, music, dance and religion played an important role in the growth of nationalism.

1. Culture. Role of culture was important in creating the idea of the nation. Art, poetry, music etc. helped in developing and expressing nationalist feelings. Romanticism was a cultural movement that led to the development of nationalist sentiment. Romantic artists and poets criticized the glorification of reason and science and instead focussed on emotions and intuition.
2. Language. Language too played an important role in developing nationalist sentiments. After Russian occupation, the Polish language was forced out of schools and Russian language was imposed everywhere. In 1831, an armed rebellion against Russian rule took place which was ultimately crushed. Following this, many members of the clergy in Poland began to use language as a weapon of national resistance.
3. Music and Dance. Romantics such as the German philosopher Herder claimed that true German culture was to be discovered among the common people—das volk. It was through folk songs, folk poetry and folk dances that the true spirit of the nation was popularised.

Or

How did Paul Bernard argue in favour of economic development of Vietnam? Explain.

Answer. Paul Bernard was an influential writer and policy-maker who strongly believed that the

purpose of acquiring colonies was to make profits.

1. According to him, the development of economy will raise the standard of people and people would buy more goods. The market would consequently expand, leading to better profit for French business.
2. According to Bernard, there were several barriers to economic growth in Vietnam, such as large population, low agricultural productivity and extensive indebtedness amongst the peasants.
3. To reduce the poverty and increase agricultural productivity, it was necessary to carry out land reforms.
4. Industrialisation was also essential for creating more jobs as agriculture was not likely to ensure sufficient employment opportunities.

 

Q. 10. Describe the main features of ‘Poona Pact’.

Answer. The Poona Pact:

1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who organised the dalits into the Depressed Classes Association in 1930 demanded separate electorates for dalits in the Second Round Table Conference organised in London.
2.  When British accepted this demand in the name of Communal Award, Gandhiji started a fast into death. He believed that separate electorates for dalits would slow down the process of their integration into the society.
3. Ambedkar and Gandhi came to an agreement with Ambedkar accepting Gandhis position and the result was the Poona Pact of September, 1932.
   — It gave the depressed classes (later to be known as Schedule castes) reserved seats in provincial and central legislative councils.
   — But, they were to be voted in by the general electorate.

 

Q. 11. How did ‘Salt March’ become an effective tool of resistance against colonalism? Explain.

Answer. Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.

1. On 31st January, 1930 he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands, one of which was the demand to abolish Salt Tax.
2. Salt was one of the most essential food items consumed by the rich and poor alike and a tax on it was considered an oppression on the people by the British Government,
3.  Mahatma Gandhi’s letter was an ultimatum and if his demands were not fulfilled by March 11, he had threatened to launch a civil disobedience campaign.
4. So, Mahatma Gandhi started his famous Salt March accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers. The march was over 240 miles, from Gandhiji’s ashram in Sabarmati to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi.
5. On 6th April, he reached Dandi, and ceremonially violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

 

Q. 12. Explain the importance of railways as the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India.

Answer.

1. Railways are the principal mode of transportation for freight and passengers in India, as they link different parts of the country.
2.  They carry huge loads and bulky goods to long distances.
3. Railways make it possible to conduct multiple activities like business, tourism, pilgrimage along with goods transportation over longer distances.
4. Railways have been a great integrating force for the nation, for more than 150 years now,
5. They have been helpful in binding the economic life of the country and also promoted cultural fusion.
6.  They have accelerated the development of the industry and agriculture.

 

Q. 13. Why the ‘Chhotanagpur Plateau Region’ has the maximum concentration of iron and steel industries? Analyse the reasons.

Answer. Chhotanagpur Plateau has the maximum concentration of iron and steel industries because of the relative advantages this region has for the development of this industry like:

1.  Low cost of iron ore which is mined here.
2. High grade raw materials in close proximity.
3. Availability of cheap labour.
4. Vast growth potential in the home market.
5. Availability of power because this region has many thermal and hydel power plants.
6. Liberalisation and FDI have also given boost to the industry with efforts of private enterpreneurs.

 

Q. 14. How can solar energy solve the energy problem to some extent in India? Give your opinion.

Answer. Reasons:

1. India is a tropical country and gets abundant sunshine.
2.  It has enormous possibilities of tapping solar energy.
3. It is an inexhaustible source of energy which is freely available in nature.
4.  It is a cheaper source of energy and is fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas.
5.  Photovaltic technology is available which converts sunlight directly into electricity.
6. Because of its abundant and free availability in all parts of India in addition to its eco friendly nature, solar energy is called the energy of future.

Also use of solar energy will minimise the dependence of rural households on firewood. It will contribute to environmental conservation and reduce pressure on conventional sources of energy.

 

Q. 15. “Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political parties.” Analyse the statement.

Answer. Most political parties do not practise open and transparent procedures for their functioning. So there are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party. Those who happen to be the leaders are in a position of unfair advantage as they favour people close to them or even their family members.

In many parties in India, we see a trend of dynastic succession. The top positions are always controlled by members of a particular family, which is unfair to other members of the party, and bad for democracy. This is so because people who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy positions of power.

More than loyalty to party principles and policies, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important. This tendency is seen all over the world, even in older democracies.

 

Q. 16. How is democracy accountable and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens? Analyse.

Answer. A democracy is concerned with ensuring that people have the right to choose their rulers and have control over the rulers.

— Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision making in a democracy.

— Democracy ensures that decision-making is based on norms and procedures. A citizen has the right anti the means to examine the process of decision-making. Thus democracy entails transparency.

— For a democracy to produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government, it must ensure the following:

1. Regular, free and fair elections.
2. Open public debate on major policies and legislations. .
3. Citizens’ right to be informed about government policies.
4.  A government free from corruption.

 

Q. 17. “A challenge is an opportunity for progress.” Support the statement with your arguments.

Answer. A challenge is not just any problem. Only those difficulties are a ‘challenge’ which are significant and can be overcome and therefore carry within them an opportunity for progress. Democracy is the dominant form of government in the contemporary world. It does not face a particular challenger, but the promise of democracy is far from realised anywhere in the world. Democracy as a whole faces certain challenges.

Legal constitutional changes by themselves cannot help to overcome challenges to democracy—like economic inequality, unemployment, illiteracy, caste, gender discrimination. Democratic reforms can be carried out by political activities, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens, in order to realise the opportunity in a challenge, in order to overcome it an go up to a higher level.

 

Q. 18. Why is modern currency accepted as a medium of exchange without any use of its own? Find out the reason.

Answer. Modem forms of money currency in India include paper notes and coins which are known as Rupees and Paise.

1. It is accepted as a medium of exchange because the currency is authorised by the Government of India.
2. In India, the Reserve Bank of India issues currency notes on behalf of the Central Government. As per Indian law, no other individual or organisation is allowed to issue currency.
3.  The law legalises the use of the rupee as a medium of payment that cannot be refused in settling transactions in India.
4. No individual in India can legally refuse a payment made in rupees.
   Therefore, the rupee is widely accepted as a medium of exchange.

 

Q. 19. “Foreign trade integrates the markets in different countries.” Support the statement with arguments.

Answer. 

1.  Foreign trade creates opportunities for producers to reach beyond domestic markets.
   Producers can compete in markets located in other countries of the world. Similarly for the buyers, import of goods from another country leads to expanding choice of goods beyond what is domestically produced. Buyers can thus choose from a wide range of products to suit their individual tastes.

2. With the opening of trade, goods travel from one market to another. Choice of goods in the market rises. Prices of similar goods in two markets tend to become equal, and producers in the two countries now closely compete against each other even though they are separated by thousands of miles.
   Foreign trade, thus, results in connecting the markets or integration of markets in different countries.
   For example., There are endless number of footwear brands available in the Indian market. A consumer who is aware of international trends can choose between a local brand like Bata, Lakhani and international brands like Adidas, Nike, Reebok etc.

 

Q. 20. Explain with an example how you can use the right to seek redressal.

Answer. Right to seek redressal:

1. The consumers can seek redressal against trade practices of exploitation and have the right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances.
2.  He has a right to get compensation from a manufacturer/trader if he is harmed. The consumer can seek redressal through Consumer Courts functioning at district, state and national levels.
   Example: Mahesh sent a money order to his village for his mother’s medical treatment. The money did not reach his mother at the time when she needed it and reached months later. Mahesh, thus filed a case in the district level consumer court to seek redressal.

Q. 21. Describe any five steps taken by the French Revolutionaries to create a sense of collective identity among the French people.

Answer. The first clear-cut expression of nationalism came with the French Revolution in 1789. In 1789, France was under the rule of an absolute monarch.

When the revolutionaries came to power in France, they were determined to create a new sense of unity and nationhood. For this, they emphasized the concept of France being the father land (La Patrie) for all French people, who were from now on addressed as citizens (citoyen). They were given the tricolour flag, the three colours representing liberty*; equality and fraternity.

French revolutionaries introduced various other measures such as:

1. The Estate General was elected by the body of active citizens and renamed the National Assembly.
2.  New hymns were composed, oaths taken and martyrs commemorated all in the name of the nation.
3.  A centralized administrative system was put in place and it formulated uniform laws for all citizens within its territory.
4.  Internal customs, duties and dues were abolished and a uniform system of weights and measures was adopted.
5.  Regional dialects were discouraged and French, as it was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation. .
6. They further declared that it was the mission and the destiny of the French nation to liberate the people of Europe from despotism and help them to become nations.

Or

Describe any five steps taken by the French for the development of the ‘Mekong Delta Region’.

Answer. Steps taken by the French for the development of the ‘Mekong Delta Region’:

1. Colonies were considered essential to supply natural resources and other essential goods. Like other western nations, France also thought that it was the mission of the advanced’ European countries to bring benefits of civilization to backward people.
2. The colonial economy in Vietnam was primarily based on rice cultivation and rubber
   plantations owned by the French and a small Vietnamese elite. The French built canals and drained lands in the Mekong Delta to increase rice cultivation. A vast system of irrigation was built which led to great expansion in rice production and gradually Vietnam became the third largest exporter of rice in the world.
3. Rail and port facilities were set up to support and service this sector.
4.  Indentured Vietnamese labour was widely used in the rubber plantations, French did little to industrialise the economy.
5. in the rural areas landlordism spread and standard of living declined.

 

Q. 22. Explain the attitude of the Indian merchants and the industrialists towards the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’.

Answer. Role of merchants and the industrialists in the Civil Disobedience Movement:

1. Merchants reacted against colonial policies that restricted business activities.
2. They wanted protection against import of foreign goods and wanted a rupee-sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.
3. Industrialsits formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920.
4.  They formed the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries ‘ (FJCCl) in 1927.
5.  Thev refused to sell or buy imported goods. They gave financial assistance and supported the Civil Disobedience Movement.
6.  Industrialists like G.D. Birla and Pursnottamdas Thakurdas attacked colonial control over the Indian economy.

 

Q. 23. What is the manufacturing sector? Why is it considered the backbone of development? Interpret the reason.

Answer. Production of goods in large quantities after processing from raw materials to more valuable products is called manufacturing.

Manufacturing belongs to the secondary’ sector in which the primary’ materials are processed and converted into finished goods. The economic strength of a country is measured by the development of manufacturing industries.

Importance of manufacturing industries for development in India:

1. It helps in modernising agriculture, which is the base of our economy.
2.  It reduces heavy dependence on agricultural income by providing jobs in non- agricultural sectors.
3.  Industrial development is necessary for eradication of poverty and unemployment because people get jobs and generate more income.
4.  Export of manufactured goods expands trade and brings in much needed foreign exchange.
5. Industries bring riches faster to a nation because manufacturing changes raw materials into finished goods of a higher value, so industrial development brings prosperity to the country.

 

Q. 24. Which is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India? Assess the importance of its different forms. 

Answer. Coal is the most abundantly available fossil fuel in India.

Four types of coal and their characteristics:

(a) Anthracite. 1. It is the highest quality hard coal;

2. It contains more than 80% carbon content. It gives less smoke.

(b) Bituminous. 1. It is the most popular coal in commercial use and has 60-80% carbon content;

2. Metallurgical coal is high grade bituminous coal and is of special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces.

(c) Lignite. 1. IHs a low grade brown coal;

2. It is soft with high moisture content. The main lignite reserve is Neyveli in Tamil Nadu.

(d) Peat. 1. It has a low carbon and high moisture content;

2. It has low heating capacity and gives lot of smoke on burning.

 

Q. 25. What is meant by a political party? Describe the three components of a political party.

Answer. Political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and to hold power in the government. They agree on some policies to promote collective good. They seek to implement those policies by winning popular support through elections. Thus political parties tend to fill political offices and exercise political power.

Answer. Components of a political party are: (1) The leaders, (2) active members and (3) the followers.

1. The leaders are recruited and trained by parties. They are made ministers to run the government. The big policy decisions are taken by the political executives that come from the political parties.
2.  Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread over the country. Many of the pressure groups are the extensions of political parties among different sections of society. But since most of the members belong to a party, they go by the direction of the party leadership, irrespective of their personal opinion.
3. The followers are the ordinary citizens, who believe in the policies of their respective party and give popular support through elections. Often the opinions of the followers crystallise on the lines parties take.

 

Q. 26. Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties.

Answer. See Q. 26, 2011 (I Delhi).

 

Q. 27. How do banks play an important role in the economy of India? Explain.

Answer.

1. Banks help people to save their money and keep their money in safe custody. To ensure safety of their money, people deposit their money with banks. Banks accept deposits and pay interest on deposits. People have the provision to withdraw their money as and when they require.
2. Banks also grant loans to people for a variety of purposes. In times of need individuals, business houses and industries can borrow money from the banks.
3. Credit provided by banks is crucial for the country’s growth and economic
   development. Credit is needed for all kinds of economic activities, to set up business, buy cars, houses, etc.
4. Banks also help people in obtaining cheap and affordable loans. This can help people to grow crops, do business, set up small-scale industries or trade in goods and also help indirectly in the country’s development. They should do so, so that relatively poor people do not have to depend on informal sources of credit (money-lenders).

 

Q. 28. “Globalisation and greater competition among producers has been advantageous consumers.” Support the statement with examples.

Answer.

1.  Greater competition among producers (both local and foreign) has been advantageous to consumers, particularly the well-off section. Rich people enjoy improved quality and lower prices for several products and enjoy a higher standard of living.
2. MNCs have increased their investments in India over the past 20 years in industries such as cell phones, automobiles, electronics, soft drinks, fast food and services such as banking thereby providing consumers with a vast variety of products.
3. New jobs have been created in all these industries and services, thereby increasing purchasing power of individuals.
4. Top Indian companies have benefitted from the increased competition. They have invested in newer technology and production methods indirectly benefitting the consumers.
5.  Consumers today, enjoy much higher standards of living than was possible earlier.

 

Q. 29. Three features A, B and C are marked on the given political outline map of India.

Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked in the map:

A. The place where the Indian National Congress Session was held.

B. The place associated with the Peasant’s Satyagraha.

C. The place related to calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Answer.

Note: The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates only, in lieu of Q.  No. 29.

(29.1) Name the place where the Indian National Congress Session was held in Dec., 1920.

(29.2) Name the place associated with the movement of Indigo Planters.

(29.3) Name the place related to the Satyagraha of peasants in Gujarat.

Answer. (29.1) Nagpur (29.2) Champaran (29.3) Kheda

 

Q. 30 (30.1) Two features A and B are marked on the given political outline map of India.

Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked in the map:

A. Iron-orb mines B. Terminal Station of East-West Corridor

(30.2) On the same political outline map of India, locate and label the following:

(i) Vishakhapatnam—Software Technology Park

Answer.

Note: Tite foil Giving questions are for the VISUALLY IMPAIRED CANDIDATES only, in lieu of Q.  No. 30.

(30.1) In which state are Bailadila Iron-ore mines located?

(30.2) Name the Western Terminal Station of East-West Corridor.

(30.3) Name the well known Software Technology Park located in Karnataka State.

Answer. (30.1) Chhattisgarh (30.2) Porbandar (30.3) Bangalore or Mysore

 

SET II

Q. 2. Why has the ‘National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council’ been set up?

Answer. The trend of growth rate in the manufacturing sector over the last decade has been around 7% per annum. The desired growth rate over the next decade is 12%. The NMCC has been set up to improve productivity with government policy intervention and efforts by Industry.

 

Q. 3. What is the guiding philosophy of Bhartiya Janata Party?

Answer. The source of inspiration of Bharatiya Janata Party is the ancient Indian culture and values. Cultural nationalism (Hindutva) is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood and politics.

 

Q. 6. What is meant by trade barrier?

Answer. Barriers or restrictions that are imposed by the government on free import and export activities are called trade barriers. Tax on imports is an example of a trade barrier because it increases the price of imported commodities. The government can use a trade barrier like ‘tax’ to increase or decrease (regulate) foreign trade and to decide what kind of goods and how much of what should come into the country.

 

Q. 10. Describe the spread of Non-Cooperation Movement in the countryside.

Answer. The Non-cooperation movement spread to the countryside also.

It drew into the struggles of peasants and tribals from different parts of India.

1. In Awadh, the peasants’ movement ied by Baba Ramchandra was against talukdars and landlords who demanded extremely high rents and a variety of other cesses from the peasants. Peasants were forced to work in landlords’ farms without any payment (begar). Peasants had no security of tenure, thus being regularly evicted so that they could acquire no right over the leased land. The demands of the peasants were— reduction of revenue, abolition of begar and social boycott of oppressive landlords.
2. In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh a militant guerrilla movement spread in the early 1920s against the closure of forest areas by the colonial government, preventing people from entering the forests to graze their cattle, or to collect fuelwood and fruits. They felt that their traditional rights were being denied.
3. For plantation workers in Assam, freedom meant the right to move freely in and out of the confined space in which they were enclosed. It meant retaining a link with the village from which they had come.

Under the Inland Emigration Act of 1859, plantation workers were not permitted to leave tea gardens without permission. In fact the permission was hardly granted. When they heard of the Non-Cooperation Movement, thousands of workers defied the authorities and left for their homes.

 

Q. 12. Describe any three features of waterways in India,

Answer.

1. Waterways are the cheapest means of transport.
2.  Waterways are a fuel efficient and environment friendly mode of transport.
3. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods.
4.  India’s trade with foreign countries if carried from the ports located along the coast, and more than 95% of the’country’s trade volume is moved by the sea.

 

Q. 15. How do money and muscle power play an important role in elections?

Answer. Political parties need to face and overcome the growing challenge of Money and Muscle power during elections in order to remain effective instruments of democracy.
Since parties are focussed only on winning elections, they tend to use shortcuts to win elections, for example, like booth-rigging, distribution of food, money, alcohol, etc. to the poor voters to get their votes. Political parties tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the party. These days, parties are supporting criminals who can win elections. This is a major cause of concern to the democrats all over the world who are worried about the increasing role of rich people and big companies in democratic politics.

 

Q. 22. Explain any five major problems posed by the First World War in India.

Answer. The outbreak of the First World War had created a new economic and political situation in India:

1. Tire increased defence expenditure was financed by war loans and by raising tax rates, custom duties, etc. There was tremendous price rise during the war years. Between 1913 and 1918, the prices had almost doubled. People, particularly common people, were lacing extreme hardships.
2. Forced recruitment in the army caused widespread anger in the villages. .
3. The failure of crops in many parts of India had created food shortages, leading to the added misery of the people.
4. In addition to this, there was the outbreak of the great influenza epidemic. Millions of people perished due to influenza and starvation.
5. The nationalist movement grew stronger during the war years. A large number of Muslims were drawn into the anti-British struggle during the war. The defence of the ‘Caliphate’ (Khilafat) became an important question for Muslims. Peasant movements during war period also had helped the nationalist movement to grow stronger.

 

Q. 23. Why was the cotton textile industry concentrated in the cotton growing belt in the early years? Explain.

Answer. In the early years, the cotton growing belt was primarily concentrated in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

1. Availability of raw cotton was abundant and cheap here because these are the traditional cotton growing states.
2. Moist climate in these coastal states also helped in the development of cotton textile industry because humid conditions are required for weaving the cloth, else the yam breaks.
3. Well developed transportation system and accessible port facilities in Maharashtra and Gujarat led to their concentration there.
4. Proximity to the market was yet another factor as cotton clothes were ideal and comfortable to wear in these warm and humid states.
5. Cheap labour was also abundantly available.

 

Q. 26. “The democracy has been evolved through struggles and movements all over the world.” Support the statement with examples.

Answer.

1. Democracy has evolved through struggles and movements all over the world. The struggles in Poland, Nepal and Bolivia all relate to establishing and restoring democracy. The struggled in these countries is a reminder that popular struggles are integral to the working of democracy.
2. The role of popular struggle does not come to an end with the establishment of democracy. Democracy involves conflict of interests and viewpoints. These views are expressed in organised ways through which ordinary citizens can play a role in democracy.
3. In a democracy, several different kinds of organisations work behind any big struggle. These organisations influence the decisions in a democracy either by creating parties, contesting elections and forming government. They promote the interest and viewpoints of citizens in a democracy through interest groups or pressure groups.
4. Democracy evolves through popular struggle. Some major decisions may take place through consensus. But some decisions involve conflict between the groups who have exercised power and those who aspire to share power. Here the popular struggle helps in the expansion of democracy.

SET III

Q. 2. Why was the Haldia sea-port set up?

Answer. Haldia sea-port was set up as a subsidiary port, in order to relieve growing pressure on the Kolkata port.

 

Q. 3. What is meant by ‘transparency’?

Answer. In a democracy, every citizen has the right and means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

 

Q. 6. Why was the Consumer Protection Act enacted by the Indian Parliament?

Answer. The Consumer Protection Act was enacted by the Indian parliament in 1986 to protect the consumers from unfair trade practices and retain interest of consumers.

 

Q. 10. Describe any three major problems faced by the peasants of Awadh in the days of Non-Cooperation Movement.

Answer. The movement of Awadh peasants was led by:

1. The peasants’ movement Baba Ramchandra was against talukdars and landlords who demanded extremely high rents and a variety of other cesses from the peasants.
2. Peasants were forced to work in landlords’ farms without any payment (begar). Peasants had no security of tenure, thus being regularly evicted so that they could acquire no right over the leased land.
3. The demands of the peasants were: reduction of revenue, abolition of begar and social boycott of oppressive landlords.

 

Q. 12. Describe the significance of tourism as a trade in India.

Answer.

1. With increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting India, we earned foreign exchange worth ?21,828 crore in 2004 which is further increasing year by year making tourism an important trade.
2. Over 2.6 million foreign tourists visit India every year for appreciating our heritage, our culture, for medical purposes or for business purposes, etc.
3. Over 15 million people are directly engaged in the tourism industry.
4. Tourism promotes national integration, provides support to local handicrafts and cultural pursuits.
5. Tourism also helps in the development of international understanding about our culture and heritage.
6.  Rajasthan, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir and temple towns of south India are the most popular tourist destinations. These states earn huge sums of money from tourism trade.

 

Q. 15. “There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.” Support the statement.

Answer. Over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics.

— They have formal constitutions, hold elections, have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens. Thus, in most countries, the democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.

— No society7 can fully and permanently resolve conflict among different groups. But we can learn to respect these differences and evolve mechanisms to negotiate them. Democracy is best suited as it develops a procedure to conduct competitions. Belgium is a successful example of negotiating difference among ethnic population.

— Passion for respect and freedom is the basis of democracy and has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.

— The support for democracy is overwhelming all over the world and is evident from South Asia, where the support exists in countries with democratic as well as undemocratic regimes.

— People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them, as a democratic government is people’s own government and makes them believe that it is suitable for their country as it is a legitimate government.

 

Q. 22. How did the ‘Non-Cooperation Movement’ spread in cities across the country? Explain its effects on the economic front.

Answer. In the cities, the Non-Cooperation Movement started with middle class participation.

1. Thousands of students left government-controlled schools and colleges. Headmasters and teachers resigned and. lawyers gave up their legal practices.
2.  The Council elections were boycotted in most provinces except Madras.
3. Foreign goods and foreign cloth was boycotted. Traders and merchants also refused to trade in foreign goods.

The economic sphere was affected by the Non-Cooperation Movement.

1. Foreign goods were boycotted, liquor shops were picketed and foreign doth was burnt. The import of foreign cloth halved between 1921-1922. Its value dropped from Rs 102 crores to Rs 57 erores.
2. Many merchants and traders refused to trade in foreign goods or finance foreign trade. (Hi) People began discarding imported clothes and wearing Indian ones.
3. The production of Indian textile mills and handlooms went up. Use of khadi was popularised.

 

Q. 23. Explain the pro-active approach adopted by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for preserving the natural environment and resources.

Answer. NTPC is taking the following measures in places where it is setting up power plants to preserve natural environment and resources:

1. Optimum utilization of equipment by adopting latest techniques and upgrading existing equipment.
2. Minimizing waste generation by maximizing ash utilization.
3.  Providing green belts for nurturing ecological balance. .
4. Reducing environmental pollution through ash pond management, ash water recycling system and liquid waste management.
5. Ecological monitoring,, reviews and online data base management for all its power stations.

 

Q. 26. Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form? Explain.

Answer. Democracy is a better form of government than any other form because:

1. It is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. Thus the necessary delay in implementation.
2. Decisions are acceptable to people and are more effective.
3. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4.  Democratic government is a legitimate government, people’s own government.
5. Ability to handle differences, decisions and conflicts is a positive point of democratic regimes.
6. Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.

Social Science

SET-I

Section – A

Q. 1. Name the writer of the book ‘Hind Swaraj’. 

Answer: The book ‘Hind Swaraj’ was written by Mahatma Gandhi.

 

Q. 2. Name the river-related to National Waterways No. 2. 

Answer:National Waterways No. 2 is related to the river ‘Brahmaputra’.

 

Q. 3. Explain any one difference between a pressure group and a political party. 

Answer:

Pressure Group	Political Party
They have a specific interest and work for the collective interest of their members Eg. Railway employee association, Teacher’s association. They do not directly control or share political powers.	They have a broad programme that covers many aspects of national interest.
Their membership is limited.	The membership of political parties is broad.

 

Q. 4. Explain the meaning of democracy. 

Answer:Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and the representatives of the people are elected by the voters on the basis of adult franchise.

 

Q. 5. Name any one political party of India which grew out of a movement. 

Answer:The political party of India that grew out of movement is ‘Asom Gana Parishad.’

 

Q. 6. How does the use of money make it easier to exchange things ? Give an example. 

Answer:Money makes exchanging things easier as:

• It is in the form of authorised paper currency which gives the guarantee of the mentioned price to the owner.
• It has general acceptability.
• Its price remains constant compared to other commodities.
• It can be stored easily and doesn’t need much space.

 

Q. 7. Give an example of a violation of the consumer’s right to choose. 

 

Q. 8. How is the maximum retail price printed on packets beneficial for you? 

Answer:Through printed Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on the packets or products, consumers get to know that they do not have to pay prices more than the printed price. Then, the shopkeeper cannot cheat the consumers by overcharging them.

 

Q. 9. Describe any three economic hardships faced by Europe in the 1830s. 

OR

Describe any three problems faced by the French in the sphere of education in Vietnam.

Answer:Economic hardships faced by Europe in 1830s were:

• Increase in population.
• Unemployment, migration and price rise.
• Stiff competition in the market.
• Bad condition of peasants. (Any three)

OR

The French faced the following problems in the sphere of education in Vietnam:

(i) After receiving western education, the Vietnamese might question colonial domination as it was done by Indians in India under British rule. They would become aware of the western democracies and would put forward various demands before the French government,

(ii) Educated Vietnamese might demand various white-collar jobs or better-paid jobs such as the jobs of teachers, policemen, etc. which were being done by the French citizens called colons living in Vietnam. Thus, there was opposition from the French citizens to give education to the Vietnamese.

(iii) The elites in Vietnam were under the powerful influence of the Chinese culture. It was necessary for the French to counter this influence too.

 

Q. 10. Why did Gandhiji decide to withdraw the ‘Non-Cooperation Movement’ in February 1922? Explain any three reasons. 

Answer:Causes of withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement are as follows:

• Some activists of the Non-Cooperation Movement set a police station on fire at Chauri-Chaura (Gorakhpur), Uttar Pradesh in which 21 policemen were burnt alive.
• Gandhiji felt that people of India were not ready for a nation-wide movement of mass struggle and felt that he should withdraw the movement.
• Moreover, many members of the Indian National Congress felt that the Non-Cooperation Movement was tiresome and unnecessary since they wanted to contest the election.

 

Q. 11. Evaluate the role of business classes in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement.’ 

Answer: The role of business classes in the Civil Disobedience Movement is as follows:

• Keen on expanding their business, the business classes supported Civil Disobedience Movement and Protested against colonial policies that restricted business activities. They wanted protection against the import of foreign goods and a rupee sterling foreign exchange ratio that would discourage imports.
• To organise business classes against colonial policies, they formed the Indian Industrial and Commercial Congress in 1920 and the Federation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in 1927.
• The business community interpreted Swaraj in their own way. They came to see Swaraj at the time when the colonial restriction on business would no longer exist and the trade industry would flourish without constraint.

 

Q. 12. Describe any three characteristics of Durg- Bastar-Chandrapur Iron ore belt in India. 

Answer:The characteristics of Durg-Bastar- Chardrapur Iron-ore belt in India are as follows:

• The Durg-Bastar-Chandrapur belt of high-grade hematite iron ore. This high-quality iron ore is suitable for steel-making.
• The steel made from this ore is used to produce automobiles, railway equipment and in the defence sector.
• Half of the iron ore is exported to Japan and South Korea from the Vishakhapatnam port as building a new steel plant is a very costly affair.

 

Q. 13. Analyse the role of the manufacturing sector in the economic development of India. 

Answer:Contribution of the Manufacturing sector to the national economy:

• Creation of alternative employment: Manufacturing reduces dependence on agriculture by providing alternative employment opportunities in the factory.
• Better standard of living: The industrial labourers and other employees get higher wages and enjoy a higher standard of living compared to landless agricultural labourers.
• Support to agricultural production: Increase in use of fertilizers, pesticides, plastics, electricity and diesel in agriculture has been possible due to the growth and competitiveness of the manufacturing industries.
• In the present day world of territorial specialization, our industry needs to be more efficient and competitive Our goods must be at par with those of other countries in the international market This will fetch foreign exchange and increase national wealth. (Any three)

 

Q. 14. Examine with example the role of means of transport and communication in making our life prosperous and comfortable. 

Answer:Transportation and communication have made our life prosperous and comfortable in the following ways:

(i) Because of transport, raw materials reach the factory and finished products reach to consumers. The pace of development of a country depends upon the production of goods and services as well as their movement over time. Therefore, efficient means of transport are a prerequisite for fast development.

(ii) Apart from transport, the ease and mode of communications, like mobiles, internet, and Wi-Fi makes a seamless flow of information possible.

(iii) 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, newspaper, radio, television, cinema and internet etc., have been contributing to its socio-economic progress in many ways. The trade from local to international level has added to the vitality of its economy. It has enriched our life and has substantially added to growing amenities and facilities for the comforts of life.

 

Q. 15. Analyse the role of popular struggles in the development of democracy. 

Answer:Democracy evolves through popular struggles. It is possible that some significant decisions may take place through consensus and may not involve and conflict at all. But that would be an exception. Defining moments of democracy usually involve conflict between those groups who have exercised power and those who aspire for a share in power. These moments come when the country is going through a transition to democracy, expansion of democracy or deepening of democracy.

(i) Democratic conflict is resolved through mass mobilization. Sometimes it is possible that the conflict is resolved by using the existing institutions like the parliament or the judiciary. But when there is a deep dispute, very often these institutions themselves get involved in the dispute. The resolution has to come from outside, from the people.

(ii) These contacts and mobilizations are based on new political organisations. True; there is an element of spontaneity in all such historic moments. But the spontaneous public participation becomes effective with the help of organized politics. There can be many agencies of organized politics. These include political parties, pressure groups and movement groups.

 

Q. 16. How do pressure groups and movements strengthen democracy? Explain. 

Answer:Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in the following ways:

(i) Information campaigns, organising meetings, file petitions: Pressure groups carry out information campaigns, organise meetings and file petitions to attract public attention and gain support for their activities. They influence the media to attract more attention to their issues.

(ii) Protest activities: Pressure groups organise protest activities like strikes, demonstrations or disrupting government’s programmes. Such tactics are employed by worker’s organisations, employees’ associations and most of the movement groups in order to force the government to take note of their demand.

(iii) Lobbying: Business groups employ professional lobbyists or sponsor expensive advertisements. They participate in official bodies and committees that offer advice to the government.

(iv) Take a political stand on major issues: Pressure groups and movements do not directly take part in party politics but try to exert influence on political parties by taking a political stand on different issues. They have their own political ideology and political position on major issues.

Thus, the pressure groups and the movements exert influence on politics in different ways in a democracy. (Any three)

 

Q. 17. On the basis of which values will it be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life? Explain. 

Answer:The basic values of democracy which provide fair expectation that democracy will produce harmonious social life are:

(a) Social Equality, (b) Freedom, (c) Justice, (d) Economic justification, (e) Political freedom, civil and fundamental rights.

Moreover, the following can be understood.

• Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and the representatives of the people are elected by the voters on the basis of adult franchise.
• It promotes equality among citizens.
• It looks after the interest of the people.
• It allows accommodation of social diversity.

 

Q. 18. Explain any three loan activities of banks in India. 

Answer: Activities of banks in India who are involved in providing loan:

• Banks provide loans for various economic activities.
• Banks intermediate between those who have surplus funds and those who are in need of these funds.
• Banks offer very less interest on deposits than what they demand on loans.

 

Q. 19. How do Multinational Corporations (MNCs) interlink production across countries? Explain with examples. 

Answer:Multinational Corporations (MNCs) interlink their production across countries in various ways:

(i) A multinational corporation (MNC) is usually a large company that owns and controls the production in more than one nation. MNCs set up offices and factories for production in regions where they can easily get cheap labour and other resources. This is done to minimise the cost of production end to maximise the profit.

(ii) The MNCs not only sell its finished products globally, but more importantly, the goods and services are produced globally.

(iii) The production process is divided into small parts and spread out across the globe.

(iv) The most common route for MNC investments is to buy local companies and then to expand production.

For example: Cargill Foods, a very large American MNC had bought over an Indian company Parakh foods which had their large marketing network in various parts of India and also has a good reputation. With this advantage, Cargill is now the largest producer of edible oil in India.

(v) Also, MNCs control production by placing orders around the world with a large number of small producers of items, like garments, footwears, sports items, etc. Then MNC sells these products under its brand name.

(vi) As a result, production of MNCs in widely dispersed location is getting interlinked.

 

Q. 20. Analyse the importance of the tree-tier judicial machinery under Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), 1986 for redressal of consumer disputes. 

 

Q. 21. “The first clear expression of nationalism came with the ‘French Revolution’ in 1789.” Examine the statement. 

OR

Examine the reasons that forced America to withdraw from the Vietnam war.

Answer:It is true that “the first clear expression of nationalism came with the ‘French revolution’ in 1789″.

(i) Till 1789, France was a full-fledged territorial state under the rule of an absolute monarch.

The political and constitutional changes that came during the rise of the French Revolution, led to the transfer of sovereignty from monarchy to the body of French citizen.

(ii) The revolution proclaimed that it was the people who would hence forth constitute the nation and shape its destiny.

From the beginning, the French revolutionaries introduced various measures and practices that could create a sense of collective identity, and a feeling of nationalism among the French people. The community was enjoying equal rights under the constitution.

(iii) A new French flag, the tri-colour, was chosen to replace the former royal standard. The Estates General was deleted by the body of active citizens and renamed as National Assembly. New hymns were composed, oaths were taken and martyrs were commemorated, all in the name of nation.

(iv) Regional dialects were discouraged and French, as it was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation.

The revolutionaries further declared that they would help other people of Europe to become free nations. When the news of the events of France reached different cities of Europe, students and other members of educated middle classes began setting up Jacobin Clubs. Their activities and campaigns prepared the way for the French armies which moved into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and much of Italy in 1790s.

Thus, with the outbreak of revolutionary wars, nationalism spread in the entire Europe.

OR

Reasons of withdrawal of armed forces from the Vietnam War (The USA War in Vietnam: 1967-January 1974) are as follows:

(i) The phase of struggle with US was brutal as it widely used chemical weapons-Napalm, Agent orange and phosphorus bombs. Besides soldiers, a large number of civilians died in this war.

(ii) The US media and films played a major role in both supporting as well as criticising the war.

(iii) Hollywood made films in support of the war. Such as, John Wayne’s Green Berets (1968).

Writers such as Mary Me Carthy and actors like Jane Fonda even visited North Vietnam and praised their heroic defence of the country.

(iv) The prolongation of the war created strong reactions, even within the U.S. It was clear that the US had failed to achieve its main objective i.e, the Vietnamese resistance had not been crushed, the support of the Vietnamese people for the US action had not been won.

(v) The US war in Vietnam was the most unpopular in history. It was condemned by people all over the world including the United States.

Vietnam soon emerged as a united country. The defeat of the greatest military power in the world by the people of a very small country in Asia was an event of great significance in the history of the contemporary world.

 

Q. 22. How did the Colonial Government repress the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement Explain? 

Answer: The ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’ boycotted foreign cloth and picketed liquor shops. Peasants refused to pay revenue and taxes, village officials resigned. The Colonial Government repressed the members participating in movement.

• In many places, forest people violated forest laws by going into reserved forests to collect wood and graze cattle. Worried by the developments, the colonial government began arresting the Congress leader one by one. This lead to violent clashes in many places.
• Abdul Gaffar Khan, a devout disciple was arrested in April 1930. Many people were killed who protested it.
• When Mahatma Gandhi was arrested, industrial workers of Sholapur attacked police posts, municipal buildings, law courts and railway stations.
• British government was worried and frightened by this development of movement and it followed a policy of brutal repression.
• Peaceful Satyagrahis were attacked, women and children were beaten and about one lac people were arrested.

 

Q. 23. Why is it necessary to conserve mineral resources? Explain any four ways to conserve mineral resources. 

Answer:Minerals require millions of year to form. These are non-renewable resources and their stock is limited. Continuous extraction of minerals raises the cost of extraction as they have to be dug from greater depths. Minerals may also be low in quality.

• A concerted effort has to be made in order to use our mineral resources in a planned and sustainable manner.
• Use of substitutes in order to save minerals should be encouraged.
• Improved technologies need to be constantly evolved to allow the use of low-grade ores at low costs.
• Recycling of minerals using scrap metals and other substitutes are some steps in conserving our mineral resources for the future.

 

Q. 24. Analyse the role of chemical industries in the Indian economy. 

Answer:The chemical industry in India is diversifying and growing fast. It contributes approximately percent to 3% of GDP. It is the third-largest in Asia and occupies twelfth plate in the world in terms of its size. It comprises both large and small scale manufacturing units. Rapid growth has been recorded in both inorganic and organic sectors. Inorganic chemicals include sulphuric acid, nitric acid, alkalies, soda ash and caustic soda. These industries are widely spread over the country.

Organic chemicals include petrochemicals, which are used for manufacturing of synthetic fibres, synthetic rubber, plastics, dye-stuffs, drugs and pharmaceuticals. Organic chemical plants are located near oil refineries and petrochemical plants.

The chemical industry has its own largest consumers. Basic chemicals undergo processing for the further production of other chemicals that are used for industrial application, agriculture or directly for consumer markets.

 

Q. 25. Describe any five characteristics of democracy. 

Answer:The main characteristics of democracy vary in a wide selection of ways.

• Democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people.
• In a democracy, the final decision of making power must rest with those representatives, elected by people or citizen.
• Democracy must be based on a free and fair election, where those who are currently in power have a fair chance of losing.
• In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.
• A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ right.

 

Q. 26. “It is very difficult to reform politics through legal ways.” Evaluate the statement. 

Answer:We agree that it is very difficult to reform politics through legal ways. It is very tempting to think of legal ways of reforming politics, to think of new laws to ban undesirable things, but this temptation needs to be resisted. No doubt, the law has an important role to play in political reform. Carefully devised changes in law can help discourage wrong political practices and encourage good ones. But legal constitutional changes by themselves cannot overcome challenges to democracy. This is like the rule of cricket. A change in rules for LBW decisions helped to reduce negative batting tactics. But the improvement is possible mainly by combined efforts by the players, coaches and administrators. Similarly, democratic reforms are to be carried out mainly by political activists, parties, movements and politically conscious citizens.

 

Q. 27. Analyse any five positive effects of globalisation on the Indian economy. 

Answer:The visible impacts of globalisation on Indian economy can be described in the following ways:

(i) There is a wide choice of goods and services in the market.

For e.g., The latest models of digital cameras, mobile phones and television made by the leading manufacturers of the world are available in the markets. These products are affordable as well as within reach of the people.

(ii) Several improvements in the transportation technology has made much faster delivery of goods across long distances possible and that too on lower rates.

(iii) The improvement in information and telecommunication technology is even more remarkable. The invention and use of the computer, internet, mobile phone, fax, etc., have made contact with each other around the world quite easy.

(iv) New jobs have been created in industries where MNCs have invested such as electronics, fast foods, cell phones etc.

(v) Some Indian companies have become multinational by themselves due to globalisation, such as Tata Motors (automobiles), Ranbaxy (Medicines), Infosys (Computer and Information Technology) and L & T (construction).

 

Q. 28. What is liberalisation? Describe any four effects of liberalisation on the Indian economy. 

Answer:The liberalisation of the economy means to free the trade from direct or physical controls imposed by the government.

The four effects of liberalisation on the Indian economy are:

• Competition would improve the performance of producers within the country.
• Barriers to foreign trade and foreign investment were removed to a large extent. This meant that goods could be imported and exported easily.
• Foreign companies could set up factories and offices to boost up production.
• It allows making decisions freely.
• The competition would improve the performance of producers within the country since they have to improve their quality.

 

Q. 29. Three features A, B and C are marked on the given political outline map of India. Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map: 

A. The city is associated with the Jallianwala Bagh incident.

B. The place where the Indian National Congress session (1927) was held.

C. The place where Gandhiji violated them salt Law.

Answer:

 

Q. 30. On the given political outline map of India locate and label the following features with appropriate symbols: 

A. Narora – Nuclear Power Plant.

B. Tuticorin – Major Sea Port.

C. Bhilai – Iron and Steel Plant.

Answer:

 

SET – II

Q. 1.What is the meaning of ‘Begar’? 

Answer: Begar was a system of forced labour in parts of India. In times, when India was a colony, peasants had to do ‘begar’ and work at landlord’s farms without any payments.

 

Q. 2.Name the best variety of iron-ore found in India. 

Answer:‘Magnetite’ is the finest iron ore with a very high content of iron up to 70%.

 

Q. 3.Why is there overwhelming support to democracy all over the world? Explain one reason. 

Answer:Today, over a hundred countries of the world claim and practice democratic politics, because it provides equality among citizens and improve the quality of decision making.

 

Q. 13.Why are we not able to perform to our full potential in the production of iron and steel in India? Explain any three reasons. 

Answer:Today with 32.8 million tonnes of steel production, India ranks 9th among the world crude steel producers. It is the largest producer of sponge iron. In spite of the large production of steel, per capita consumption per annum is only 32 Kg. India’s export of steel is 2.25% of the global steel trade. Though India has many advantages for the development of this industry, which includes low cost of iron ore, high-grade raw material in proximity, cheap labour and vast growth potential in the home market. Yet we are not able to perform to our full potential largely due to:

• High cost and limited availability of cooking coal.
• Lower productivity of labour.
• Irregular supply of energy.
• Poor infrastructure.

 

Q. 14.“Tourism industry in India has grown substantially over the last three decades.” Support the statement. 

Answer:The main reasons for the growth of tourism industry in India over the last three decades are:

• Over 2.6 million tourists visit India every year and this number is increasing every year. It contributes to nearly 21,828 crore rupees as foreign exchange. More than 15 million people are directly engaged in the tourism industry.
• It has pleasing weather conditions throughout the year for the tourists in comparison to western countries.
• Foreign tourists visit India for heritage, medical, economic, culture, business, adventure tourism, etc.
• It had made access easier in the North-Eastern states and interior parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttranchal.
• It has become easier nowadays to transport valuable goods, life-saving drugs, perishable commodities, mail, etc., to distant places in a short time.

Thus, it plays an important role in popularising world-class monuments around the world which enhances Indian tourism and contributes to its economy.

 

Q. 15.How is social diversity accommodated in a democracy? Explain with examples. 

Answer:It is a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life. Democracy must fulfil two conditions in order to achieve social harmony even though there is social diversity.

(i) It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply ruled by majority opinion. The majority always needs to work with the minority so that, the possibility of tensions, becoming explosive or violent reduces. The majority and minority opinions are not permanent.

(ii) It is also necessary that the rule of the majority does not become the rule of the majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic group. Rule of the majority means that in case of every decision or every election, different persons and groups may and should form a majority.

 

Q. 22.How was the sense of collective belonging developed during the freedom movement? Explain. 

Answer:Nationalism spread in India when people began to believe that they were all part of the same nation when they discovered some unity that bound them together. This sense of collective belonging came partly through the experience of united struggle. It was in the 20th century, with the growth of nationalism that the identity of India came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata, created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

In 1870, he wrote “Vande Matram” as a hymn to the motherland.

Ideas of nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folkore.

Nationalist began recording folk tales sung by bards and they toured villages to gather folk song and legends. As the national movement developed, nationalist leaders became mdre and more aware of such icons and symbols in unifying people and inspiring in them a feeling of nationalism. In 1921, Gandhiji had designed the swaraj flag.

It was a tricolour (red, green and white) and had a spinning wheel in the centre. Carrying this flag, holding it aloft, during marches became a symbol of defiance.

Another means of creating a feeling of nationalism was through a reinterpretation of history. Indians began looking into the past to discover India’s great achievements. They wrote about the glorious developments in ancient times when art and architecture, science and mathematics, religion and culture, law and philosophy had flourished and decline in these areas began when India was colonised.

 

Q. 23.“The advancement of international trade of a country is an index of its economic development.” Justify the statement. 

Answer:“Advancement of international trade of a country is an index of economic development”.

The statement can be justified through the following point:

• As no country is self-sufficient in all resources, it cannot survive without international trade.
• If the balance of international trade is favourable in a country, it will be able to earn more foreign exchange.
• International trade encourages a country to develop secondary and tertiary sectors for exporting those goods which can fetch more foreign exchange.
• A country’s economic development and prosperity can be gauged by the health of its international trade.
• A country can earn a large amount of foreign exchange through international trade. India exports approximately 7500 commodities to about 190 countries and imports about 6000 commodities from 140 countries. India exported commodities worth the US $ 318.2 billion in 2014. And India’s share in export is increasing every year.

 

Q. 26.Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties. 

Answer:Following are the five effective measures to reform political parties:

• A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties.
• It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members.
• It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets (about 1/3rd) to its woman candidates.
• There should be a quota for the woman in the decision making bodies of the parties.
• The government should give parties money to support their election expenses in kind, for example, petrol, paper, phone bill, etc.

SET- III

Q. 1.What is meant by Satyagraha? 

Answer:Satyagraha is a non-violent method of mass agitation against the oppressor. The idea of Satyagraha emphasised the power of truth.

 

Q. 2. Where do minerals occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks? 

Answer:In igneous and metamorphic rocks, minerals are formed due to effects of heat and pressure when magma or lava cools. Minerals in these rocks are present in cracks and joints. There are various type of minerals found in these rocks like tin, copper, zinc, lead, diamond etc.

 

Q. 3. Explain the meaning of transparency in democracy. 

Answer:In democracy, every citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

 

Q. 13. “Minerals are unevenly distributed in India.” Support the statement with examples. 

Answer:“Minerals are unevenly distributed in India.” Following examples are:

• Minerals in Deccan: The peninsular rocks contain most of the reserves of coal, metallic mineral, mica, and many other non-metallic minerals.
• Minerals in western and eastern regions of India: Sedimentary rocks of the western and eastern part of India i.e., Gujarat and Assam have most of the petroleum deposits.
• Minerals in Rajasthan: Rajasthan with the rock systems of the peninsular has reserves of many non-ferrous minerals.
• Minerals in North India: The vast alluvial plains of North India are almost devoid of economic minerals. These variations exist largely because of the differences in the geological structure, processes and time involved in the formation of minerals.

 

Q. 14. Evaluate any three features of ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ Super Highways. 

Answer:The three features of ‘Golden Quadrilateral’ Super Highways are:

• It is a broad network of six lanes of superhighways including North-South Corridor and East-West Corridor. It is a major road development project that connects Delhi- Kolkata-Chennai-Mumbai.
• Delhi National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is implementing this gigantic project. With the Quadrilateral road network, the movement of trade has become easy from one comer to other comers in India.
• This road network is connected to 10 major ports, namely Kandla, Nhava-Sheva, Mormugao, Tuticorin, Chennai and Ennore, Vishakhapatnam, Paradeep, Haldia and Mumbai.

 

Q. 15. Analyse the role of opposition political parties in a democracy. 

Answer:Opposition political parties play an important role in democracy. They play both positive and negative roles.

Positive Role:

• They ensure that political party, in power, does not, abuse or misuse its power.
• It exposes the weaknesses of the ruling party.
• It keeps a close vigil on the bills and expenditure of the government.

Negative Role:

• It targets the government and aims at the lodging and discrediting the government for all the ills and troubles that people face.
• Through stalling the proceedings of the parliament, dharmas and gheravs, it curtails the progress of the country.
• Sometimes, opposition party opposes every decision of the ruling party whether it is in the favour of the nation or not.

 

Q. 22. Explain the measures taken by Gandhiji to eliminate the problem of untouchability. 

Answer:The measures taken by Gandhiji to eliminate the problem of untouchability were:

• He said that swaraj would not come for a hundred years if untouchability was not eliminated.
• Gandhiji himself cleaned toilets to dignify the work of a sweeper.
• Gandhiji persuaded the upper caste to change their heart and give up ‘sin of untouchability’.
• He organised satyagraha to secure their entry into temples, access to public wells, tanks, roads and public schools.
• He signed the Poona Pact in September 1932 with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar through which some seats were reserved for the depressed classes in the provincial and central legislative council.

 

Q. 23. Examine any five factors affecting the location of industries in India. 

Answer: Maximisation of profit which also implies cost minimisation is the most important goal in their choice of a particular place for the location of industries. Some factors influencing the same are:

• Proximity to markets: Areas or regions having high purchasing power provide large market, therefore, luxury items producing industries are located in these regions.
• Availability of raw material: Raw material used by industries should be cheap and easy to transport. Industries based on cheap, bulky and weight losing material (ores) are located close to the sources of raw material. Such as steel, sugar, and cement industries.
• Availability of labour: Some types of manufacturing requires skilled labour there-fore IT industries 
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• are located near urban-educational centres where skilled labours are easily available.
• Access to sources of energy: Industries which use more power are located near energy supplying sources such as the aluminium industry.
• Transportation and communication facilities: Speedy and efficient transport facilities reduce the cost of transport. Therefore, industries are attracted to regions which have good transport facilities.
• Government policy: Governments adopt ‘regional policies’ to promote ‘balanced’ economic development and hence set up industries in backward and tribal areas. (Any five)

 

Q. 26. “No party system is ideal for all countries and in all situations.” Analyse the statement. 

Answer:‘No party system is ideal for all countries and in all situations’.

This statement can be justified as follows:

• All countries and democracies have different social situations, economic achievements and culture and thus different political situations leading to different party systems.
• Party system is not anything that a country can choose. It evolves gradually and slowly depending on the situations in the country.
• Party system depends on the country’s social and regional differences, its history of politics and elections system.
• India has evolved a multiparty system because its regional and geographical differences are not easily absolved by even two parties.
• But not all countries have such diversity and so may not need multiparty systems. In such countries, a two-party system may be enough for the representation of various communities. Thus, no party system is ideal for all countries and in all situations.

Social Science

Section – A

Q.1. Explain the aim to form ‘Zollverein’ a Customs Union, in 1834 in Germany. 

OR

Q.1. Explain the main reason responsible for the eruption of a major protest in Saigon Native Girls School in Vietnam in 1926. 

Answer: Zollverein was a customs union formed in 1834 at the initiative of Prussia. The union abolished tariff barriers and internal custom dues and was willing to establish free trade with neighbouring states. It reduced the number of currencies from thirty to two. Most German states joined the Zollverein.

OR

Answer: A major protest occurred in Saigon Native Girls School in 1926. This protest erupted because a Vietnamese girl sitting in one of the front seats was asked to move back and make space for a French student. She was expelled when she refused to obey the order of the Principal. Other students supporting her were also expelled by the principal who was a colon. This led to spread of open protests.

 

Q.2. Why was printing of textbooks sponsored by the Imperial State in China? 

OR

Q.2. Why did Chandu Menon give up the idea of translation of ‘English Novels’ in Malayalam?

Answer: The printing of textbooks were sponsored by the Imperial State in China because China possessed a large bureaucratic system, which recruited their personnel through Civil service examinations. That is why, textbooks were printed in large numbers to provide them study material.

OR

Answer: The readers in Kerala were not familiar with the lifestyle of the characters portrayed in english Novels. Direct translation of english novels into Malayalam was thus making the novels boring because the readers could not relate. Thus, Chandu menon gave up the idea of translating them and wrote a story in Malayalam instead.

 

Q.3. How has Shillong solved the problem of acute shortage of water? 

OR

Q.3. How has Tamil Nadu solved the problem of acute shortage of water ?

Answer: Shillong has been able to deal with the problem of acute shortage of water by setting up Bamboo drip irrigation systems.

OR

Answer: Tamil Nadu has been able to deal with the problem of acute shortage of water by adopting Rooftop water harvesting techniques.

 

Q.4. How did the feeling of alienation develop among the Sri Lankan Tamils?

Answer: The measures of the act of 1956 introduced by Sinhalese Government made the Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhalese were sensitive towards their language and culture. They also felt that the constitution and policies of the government denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in terms of jobs and other opportunities by ignoring their interests.

 

Q.5. What may be a developmental goal of farmers who depend only on rain for growing crops?

OR

Q.5. What may be a developmental goal of urban unemployed youth?

Answer: The developmental goal for a farmer who depends only on rain for irrigating his crops might be to have access to better water harvesting and irrigation techniques.

OR

Answer: The developmental goal for an urban unemployed youth would be to get a decent job suitable to his/her qualifications and skills.

 

Q.6. Give one example each of modem currency and older currency. 

Answer: An example of modem currency is the plastic money that we use in the form of debit and credit cards.

An example of older currency is the bronze coins that were used in earlier times.

 

Q.7. If you want to purchase an electrical valuable good, what logo would you like to see to confirm its quality?

 

Section -B

Q.8. Describe the great economic hardship that prevailed in Europe during the 1930s. 

OR

Q.8. Describe the serious problem faced by the modem part of Hanoi in 1903.

Answer: Great economic hardships were faced by the people of Europe in the 1930s. Some of the difficulties that they faced are:

• The ratio of the rise of the population was larger than that of employment generation. People from rural areas were migrating to cities in search of employment, which was not as easily available because of overcrowding.
• Small producers in towns (especially textile-producing industries) were often overthrown by the cheap machines. They faced stiff competition from imports from England.
• Peasants still suffered under the burden of feudal dues and obligations in some regions of Europe. Rise of food prices and unemployment led to widespread pauperism in the country.

OR

Answer: The French sought to create a modem Vietnam and decided to rebuild Hanoi. The latest ideas about architecture and modem engineering skills were employed to build a new and ‘modem’ city.

(i) However, in 1903, the modem part of Hanoi was struck by bubonic plague.

(ii) The French part had wide avenues and well-planned sewer system, while the native quarter was not provided with any modem facilities. Thus, the refuse from the old city drained straight out into the river or, during heavy rains of floods, overflowed into the streets which become the cause of the plague.

(iii) Large sewers became a breeding ground for rats which began to enter the well-cared-for homes of the French through the sewage pipes, followed by massive rat hunt programme. This deteriorated the conditions. The whole city was under severe influence of this plague.

 

Q.9. How had the printing press created a new culture of reading in Europe? Explain with examples. 

OR

Q.9. How did Charles Dickens depicted the terrible effects of industrialisation on people’s lives and characters? Explain with examples.

Answer: With the introduction of the Printing Press, a new wave of print culture began in Europe. It was defined by accelerated production of books and printed material. The mass production of books lead to decrease in the prices of the books and their circulation increased. The reading culture was not restricted only to the elites but now, even the common people began to have easy access to these books.

Printers also focused on publishing the folk tales and ballads, well illustrated with pictures so that the books could be enjoyed even by a less educated audience of the villages. The books gave an opportunity to more and more people to come in contact with the ideas of philosophers and leading thinkers of the time. Thus, this changed the reading culture of Europe widely.

OR

Answer: Hard times was the tenth novel written by Charles Dickens. It was published in 1854. The process of industrialization and its effect on the labour force was the main theme of this novel. Set in the backdrop of a fictitious industrial city of Coketown, the novel sketches the condition of the then cities that were full of machinery, chimneys and smoke. The labours of the industries were considered to be ‘hands’ of the industries.

The economic pressures of the time had reduced human beings to mere instruments of production. One of his other novels, Oliver Twist also revolves around the same theme of consequences of industrialisation. Thus, Dickens proved that the prevailing idea of Utilitarianism which believed in the “the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people” actually lead to the misery of several other or the happiness of the influential lead to the misery of the labourers.

 

Q.10. Describe any three main features of ‘Alluvial soil’ found in India.

OR

Q.10. Describe any three main features of ‘Black soil’ found in India.

Answer: Major characteristics of Alluvial Soil are:

• Alluvial soil is considered as one of the most fertile soils. Alluvial soil covers the entire northern plains in India.
• Alluvial soil contains sand, silt and clay mainly due to silt deposited by Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra rivers.

According to age, it is classified into Bangar (old alluvial) and Khadar (new alluvial).

• Alluvial soil contains an ample amount of potash, phosphoric acid and lime. This soil is ideal for the growth of crops like sugarcane, wheat and rice etc.

OR

Answer: Major characteristics of Black soil are:

• Black soil is fine textured and clayey in nature.
• Black soil has high amount of lime, iron, magnesium and generally low quantities of ‘Phosphorus, Nitrogen and organic matter.
• It is formed from weathered lava rocks, thus is black in colour.
• It has a high clay content and therefore is highly retentive of water. It is extremely fertile in most of the places where it is found.

 

Q.11. “The dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods.” Analyse the statement. 

Answer: Our first Prime Minister, Mr Jawaharlal Nehru, called the dams as “the temple of modem India”. These dams that have been constructed to support the economic development of the country, can be destructive at times.

They may cause floods because sometimes, they are constructed without proper planning and also low standard construction material is used. This inferior quality of construction material increases the chances of floods. Construction of these dams can make the area in which they are constructed, ‘earthquake-prone’, which may lead to landslides and the water to flow out of dams.

 

Q.12. Name any two subjects that are included in the Concurrent List. How are laws made on these subjects? Explain.

OR

Q.12. How is the sharing of power between the Union and the State Governments basic to the structure of the Constitution of India? Explain.

Answer: Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both the Union and State government. These subjects are education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession etc.

Both the state and the Union governments can make laws on these subjects. But if the laws made by both the government contradict each other, or a deadlock is created, then the law made by the Union government will prevail.

OR

Answer: Sharing of power between the Union and the State governments is very basic to the structure of the Constitution. The Constitution has distributed the legislative powers between the state government and Union government by dividing the subjects in Union list and State list, on which, these governments can make laws respectively. There is a Concurrent list as well on which, both the governments can make laws.

Also, State governments enjoy their own power in the states like Jammu and Kashmir. Many provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable in the states without the approval of the state government. On the other hand, the Union government enjoys its own hold over some of the union territories. This distribution of power is well embedded in the provisions of the constitution and is thus is its basic structure.

 

Q.13. “Every social difference does not lead to social division.” Justify the statement.

Answer: Social differences do not always lead to social division. They sometimes unite very different people and bring them closer by penetrating through their boundaries.

In this connection, we may take the example of the athletes Tommie Smith, Peter Norman and John Carlos who had participated in the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico. Both Smith and Carlos were African-American athletes who tried to gain international attention in the medal ceremony by wearing black gloves and raising clenched fists against racial discrimination. They attended the ceremony bare feet with black socks to represent black poverty. Their demonstration was to symbolise black power. Peter Norman was an Australian but still, he supported his co-athletes and wore a human rights badge during the ceremony. This shows that social difference does not always lead to social divisions.

 

Q.14. How can caste take several forms in politics? Explain with examples. 

Answer: Caste is considered to be the sole basis of the social community. People belonging to the same caste belong to a natural social community and have the same interests which they share amongst themselves and no one else. Caste can take various forms in politics.

(i) Caste composition of the electorate is always kept in mind when the nominations are decided by the party during elections. They tend to nominate candidates of different castes so as to muster the necessary support to win elections. When governments are formed, the parties make sure that these candidates of different castes find a place in the setup. Political parties are known to favour some castes and even are recognized as representatives of these castes. This brings prejudice and biases in terms of decisions, ideologies and other such important matters.

(ii) Universal Adult franchise has helped in compelling the political parties to mobilize and have an inclusive approach towards the castes that were earlier ignored by them. However, the inclusion of caste in politics has brought unnecessary violence and controversies. Parties try to favour certain caste and in this way, secure vote bank. Parties also incite people on the pretext of casteism and thus create disasters.

 

Q.15. “Crude oil reserves are limited all over the world. If people continue to extract it at the present rate, the reserves would last only 35 – 40 years more” Explain any three ways to solve this problem. 

Answer: Crude oil is a non- renewable resource of energy. It takes millions of years for the formation of this fuel, because of to which, it must be used judiciously. This type of fuel is being used faster than they are being produced. This causes depletion and scarcity of crude oil. 

Steps which can be taken to conserve this non-renewable source of energy are:

• Use of public transport like buses and trains instead of self-owned vehicles will help to conserve petroleum. Carpooling will reduce the consumption of this fuel and thus scarcity will be dealt better with.
• Use of cycles wherever possible instead of using motorbike or car.
• Waxing floors with beeswax instead of petroleum-based commercial wax can also be beneficial.

 

Q.16. Why is it necessary to increase a large number of banks mainly in rural areas? Explain. 

OR

Q.16. Why are service conditions of formal sector loans better than informal sector? Explain. Answer: It is important to open more banks in rural areas as the formal credit sector is missing. The practice of borrowing from an informal sector that exists in rural areas, for example, local money lenders, has a number of disadvantages.

The informal sector charges high rate of interest. Informal sector makes loans very expensive as there are no external organizations controlling the credit activities of lenders.

Informal sector involves a high degree of risk as there are no proper set of rules for repayment and there is a lot of exploitation of the poor farmers. 

Lenders may exploit the borrowers, they may engage in threats and intimidation to ensure repayment of loans. There is no written agreement between the lender and the borrower. There is no legal recourse in case of informal sources of credit.

OR

Answer: Formal sector: 

• This sector is mainly supervised by the RBI.
• It includes banks and cooperatives and thus every clause is in writing and very clear.</li><li>In this, collateral is required.
• It provides loans comparatively at lower rates.
• It doesn’t lead to a debt trap.

Informal sector:

• No external organisation supervises this sector.
• The lenders are mainly money lenders, friends, relatives, traders and landowners etc.
• Collateral is not required, thus it involves risk.
• This sector charges higher interest rates without any rules or regulation.
• This could lead to a debt trap.

 

Q.17. “How can the Government of India play a major role to make globalization fairer? Explain with examples. 

OR

Q.17. How has globalization affected the life of Indians? Explain with examples.

Answer: Fair globalization would create equal opportunities for all and would ensure that the benefits of globalization are shared better. The government can play a major role in making this possible. The policies of the government must protect the interests of all the people of the country, not only of the rich and powerful. Hence, the government can play a functional role in helping to bridge the gap between the two.

It is necessary for developing countries to have stronger trade and investment rules. They should negotiate at the WTO for fairer rules and regulations.

OR

Answer: Globalization has contributed to the booming of the Indian economy in the following ways:

• Greater competition among producers resulting from globalisation is a great advantage to consumers as there is greater choice regarding every product before them.
• Due to globalisation, many MNCs have increased their investments in India, this has not only helped in the inflow of capital but also helped largely in employment generation.
• Local companies supplying raw materials to the industries that have been set as a result of globalization have prospered by leaps and bounds.
• Large Indian companies have emerged as multinational companies. This has helped our country to increase bur contacts around the world. Globalisation has helped increase our GDP and per capita income, thus making the living standards better across the globe.

 

Q.18. How are consumers enjoying the ‘right to be informed’ in their daily life? Explain with examples.

 

Section – C

Q.19. How had the ‘First World War created economic problems in India? Explain with examples.

OR

Q.19. How had a variety of cultural processes developed a sense of collective belongingness in India during the 19th century? Explain with examples.

Answer: The economic effects of the First World War were:

• The First World War led to huge expenditures in defence. These expenditures were to be financed by increasing the taxes and by raising customs duties.
• During the time of the First World War, crop failure resulted in acute shortage of food.
• During the war, the food prices increased, they almost doubled between 1913 and 1918. This increased the hardships of the people of India.
• Villages were called upon to supply soldiers. At some rural places, the colonial government forced people to join the army. It caused widespread resentment and anger amongst the people. It set the stage for the Great Depression.
• There was spread of influenza epidemic which contributed to the hardships of the people. The war weakened the gold standard.

OR

Answer: Nationalism spreads when people begin to believe that they are all part of the same nation and when they discover some unity, it binds them together. This sense of collective belonging unites people of different communities, regions or languages by the experience of many united struggles.

There were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured people’s imagination. History and fiction, folklore, and songs, popular poems and symbols, all played a vital role in the awakening of the spirit of nationalism. The identity of a nation is often symbolised by a figure or image. It was in the early 19th century, with the growth of nationalism that the identity of India came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata. The image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and in the 1870s he wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ as a hymn to the motherland. Moved by Swadeshi movement, Abanindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata. In this painting, Bharat Mata is portrayed as an ascetic figure, she is calm, composed, divine and spiritual.

Ideas of nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore. In the late 19th century India, nationalists began recording folk tales sung by bards and they toured villages to gather folk songs and legends.

These tales gave a true picture of traditional culture that had been corrupted and damaged by outside forces. When people would hear these songs, they would be filled with a spirit of belongingness to the country. They felt energised and highly patriotic. It was thus, essential to spread this folk tradition in order to discover citizen’s national identity and restore a sense of pride for their past.

 

Q.20. Describe the role of ‘technology’ in the transformation of the world in the nineteenth century. 

OR

Q.20. Describe the life of workers during the nineteenth century in England.

OR

Q.20. Describe various steps taken to clean up London in the nineteenth century.

Answer: The making of modern Global world was characterized by major discoveries and inventions. Technological inventions helped developing in these ways:

• Railways, steamships, telegraphs transformed the trade and led to easy transportation of goods and raw materials.
• Technological advancements stimulated the process of industrialization, which expanded the production of goods and trade.
• Refrigerated ships made transportation of perishable products, like meat, over long distances easy.
• There was also the development of the Printing Press that lead to print revolution.
• Communication was made easy with the invention of telephones, computers and other things like cabels, network towers etc.

OR

Answer: The life of the workers in the 19th century was miserable. They were given lower wages and were made to work for longer hours. This was the reason poverty was more prominent in cities as compared to villages. They had to work in the factories and the working environment was hazardous. They dealt with the machines without proper training and education, which was dangerous.

People from countryside rushed to cities in search of new jobs. Only a few of those, whose friends and relatives were already working into the factory could get jobs. The living conditions were so pathetic that it was expected of such people to die in a workhouse, hospital of lunatic asylum rather than in some decent working areas. Nearly 1 million Londoners (about one-fifth of the population of London at the time_ were very poor and living in un-habitable conditions.

The over-congestion was leading to epidemic diseases in the whole city. There was an urgent need to increase the number of rooms these labourers were living in. There was no proper drinking water available sometimes. The life expectancy of these poor people was nearly 29 Years of age while it was near about 55 years of age for the middle and upper-class people.

OR

Answer: The widespread use of coal in homes and industries in 19th century England raised serious problems. Shopkeepers, home owners and others complained about black fog, grey skies and black vegetation. All these factors caused bad temper, smoke related disorders and dirty clothes.

• Congestion in the city also led to a desire for clean air. Therefore, attempts were made to decongest the localities, make the open places greener, reduce pollution and make the city more beautiful.
• Large clocks of apartments were built and methods of control as introduced to ease the impact of an excessive housing shortage.
• A new garden city of new Earswick was made with common gardens, beautiful views where people would live and work. Architects made efforts to plan a green city with a larger number of green belts and gardens.
• Between the world wars, a large number of houses—most of them single-family cottages were built for the working class.

A million new houses were built and people were encouraged to live in them.

 

Q.21. Name the two major beverage crops grown ‘.in India. Describe their growing areas. 

Answer: Tea and Coffee are the two most important beverage crops of India.

Assam is the major tea producing state in India along with West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The cropping season in Assam begins as early as March and extends almost to mid-December. Besides, the popular black tea, Assam also produces small quantities of white and green tea. This state has favourable conditions for the growth of tea. The tea plant grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It requires deep and fertile well-drained soil, rich in humus and organic matter. Tea bushes require moist, frost-free and warm climate all through the year with abundant skilled labour. Frequent evenly distributed showers over the year ensure continuous growth of tender tea leaves.

The following are the conditions required for Tea cultivation:

Temperature: 10-30 degrees Celsius Rainfall- average yearly rainfall of 200 cm Altitude- ground level of between 600-2000 meters above sea level.

Coffee is a tropical plant which is also grown in a semi-tropical climate. The coffee tree requires heat, humidity and abundant rainfall. Karnataka, the largest coffee-producing state has favourable conditions necessary for coffee cultivation.

The temperature of the place is 23°C to 28°C. Growth is most rapid during hot rainy season and during cool dry season, berries ripen and get ready for picking. Bright sunshine and warm weather are necessary for harvesting.

It needs rainfall between 60-85 inches. Water stagnation is very harmful for coffee plants; therefore, hill slopes are best suitable for growing it.

Soil is the guiding factor in coffee plantation. The ideal soil is one with a good sub-surface drainage, and one that is easily workable. The presence of humus and other nitrogenous matter in the soil is an advantage.

 

Q.22. How can the industrial pollution of fresh water be reduced? Explain various ways. 

Answer: Main causes of water pollution is due to the wastes discharged from factories, refineries into the water bodies. These wastes contain harmful chemicals such as alkalis, acids etc. and toxic metals like mercury, lead, arsenic etc. which kill the aquatic life.

The following steps can be taken to reduce the industrial pollution:

• Restructuring the manufacturing processes to reduce or eliminate pollutants, like, lead, zinc, arsenic through a process called Pollution Prevention. Chimneys for treating of gaseous waste are also important.
• It is necessary to encourage industries to promote “green” methods of production and products. It includes environment-friendly operating processes.
• It is advisable to create cooling ponds which are man made and designed to cool the heated waters of industries by evaporation, condensation and radiation.
• It is very important to attach water treatment plant to the industry for filtration of the sewage before it enters the water bodies. Sewage treatment plants are important for treatment of polluted water.

 

Q.23. “Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.” Justify the statement. 

OR

Q.23. “Democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government.” Justify the statement.

Answer: In most of the democracies, a small number of ultra-rich group of people enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. The share of rich class is increasing, whereas those who are at the bottom of the society, have very little to depend upon.

Even in India, the poor constitute a large proportion of the voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet, democratically elected government does not appear to be keen on addressing the question of poverty as is expected of them. The situation is much worse in some other countries, like in Bangladesh more than half of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for basic food supplies.

Democracies are based on political equality. All citizens have equal rights in electing representatives, but this is not so in the economic field. Economic equality comes by the equitable distribution of wealth, but this is not true in democracy. The poor are becoming poorer, and sometimes they find it difficult to even meet the basic needs of life like food, shelter, health and education. There can be many factors that are prevailing in a country that make it incapable to bring about equitable distribution of wealth.

Large population: Rise in population leads to rise in family size. But, because the family income is less the people have to adjust and manage with meagre pay.

Unemployment: Because of the population explosion, the number of job opportunities are very less compared to the people. A ‘ large number of still educated people are without jobs.

Vicious circle of poverty: Poor people still have to be dependent on money-lenders to fulfill their basic needs as their income doesn’t substitute their needs.

Low literacy rate: Education is still considered to be a dream for many.

All of these factors make it difficult for a democratic government to function and work efficiently.

OR

Answer: Democracy is better than other forms of government because:

• People are their own masters. In a democracy, every individual has a right to vote and choose his representatives in the government. Thus, it is more representative and popular.
• The government is of the people and the laws are made by the people (or the chosen representatives) in the government. Laws are made to protect the liberty and freedom of the people. Thus, the laws are popular opinion of the citizens on the whole.
• In a democracy, no particular religion, region, race or language is given special preference.

All individuals are given equal rights and freedom, and there is no discrimination.

• The government is not by force. The opposition parties are allowed to criticise the government. Hence, there is a system of checks and balances in the form of democratic government.
• Since every individual is given equal rights, there is less danger of conflicts in society. There are less conflicts based on caste, religion or region and less social tensions in society. Equitable distribution of opportunities is encouraged.

 

Q.24. What is a political party? Explain any four characteristics of a political party.

Answer: Political party is an organised group of people having a common ideology and its aim is to contest elections and come to power.

Four characteristics/features of political parties are given below:

• Political parties seek control over the government through the process of election.
• Parties run the government. They ensure that a country is governed as per set ideologies.
• Parties frame their own policies in the form of manifestos which includes their vision on the basis of which they would establish governance in the country.
• Political parties make laws and policies for the country. Members of the legislature belong to various political parties and are guided by party ideologies.
• Parties give representation to diverse interests in society and give recognition to minorities.
• A political party has a leader, active members and followers who support the party. (Any four)

 

Q.25. Compare the economic activities of the private sector with that of the public sector. 

Answer: 

S.No.	Private Sector	Public Sector
1.	Ownership of assets and delivery of services is in the hands of private individuals or companies.	The govt owns most of the assets and provides all services.
2.	Their main motive is to earn a profit.	Their main motive is public welfare rather than to earn a profit.
3.	The decision regarding production and distribution are taken by managers or owners of the company.	The decision regarding production and distribution are taken by the government.
4.	Due to the movie of earning a profit, it does not invest funds to construct infrastructures for public utility/facility.	Due to motives of public welfare, it invests fund to construct infrastructures for public utility/ facility, like the construction of road, bridges, etc
5.	Examples: Tata iron and steel company Ltd. (TISCO), Reliance industries Ltd., Etc.	Examples: Railways, post office, police station, etc.

 

Q.26. (A) Two features ‘a’ and ‘b’ are marked on the given political outline map of India. Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked near them: 

(a) The place where the Indian National Congress Session was held.

(b) The place where Gandhiji violated the salt law. 

(B) Locate and label any three of the following with appropriate symbols on the same given outline political map of India:

(i) Bokaro – Iron and Steel Plant

(ii) Gandhinagar – Software Technology Park

(iii) Tarapur – Nuclear Power Plant

(iv) Salal – Dam

(v) Tuticorin – Seaport

Answer :

Social Science

Section – A

Q.1. Explain the aim to form ‘Zollverein’ a Customs Union, in 1834 in Germany. 

OR

Q.1. Explain the main reason responsible for the eruption of a major protest in Saigon Native Girls School in Vietnam in 1926. 

Answer: Zollverein was a customs union formed in 1834 at the initiative of Prussia. The union abolished tariff barriers and internal custom dues and was willing to establish free trade with neighbouring states. It reduced the number of currencies from thirty to two. Most German states joined the Zollverein.

OR

Answer: A major protest occurred in Saigon Native Girls School in 1926. This protest erupted because a Vietnamese girl sitting in one of the front seats was asked to move back and make space for a French student. She was expelled when she refused to obey the order of the Principal. Other students supporting her were also expelled by the principal who was a colon. This led to spread of open protests.

 

Q.2. Why was printing of textbooks sponsored by the Imperial State in China? 

OR

Q.2. Why did Chandu Menon give up the idea of translation of ‘English Novels’ in Malayalam?

Answer: The printing of textbooks were sponsored by the Imperial State in China because China possessed a large bureaucratic system, which recruited their personnel through Civil service examinations. That is why, textbooks were printed in large numbers to provide them study material.

OR

Answer: The readers in Kerala were not familiar with the lifestyle of the characters portrayed in english Novels. Direct translation of english novels into Malayalam was thus making the novels boring because the readers could not relate. Thus, Chandu menon gave up the idea of translating them and wrote a story in Malayalam instead.

 

Q.3. How has Shillong solved the problem of acute shortage of water? 

OR

Q.3. How has Tamil Nadu solved the problem of acute shortage of water ?

Answer: Shillong has been able to deal with the problem of acute shortage of water by setting up Bamboo drip irrigation systems.

OR

Answer: Tamil Nadu has been able to deal with the problem of acute shortage of water by adopting Rooftop water harvesting techniques.

 

Q.4. Explain the meaning of ‘Majoritarianism’ as practised in Sri Lanka. 

Answer: The dominance of the majority community to rule the country in whichever way it wants totally disregarding the wishes and needs of minority community is known as Majoritarianism. In 1956, an act was passed by the Sinhala government to recognise Sinhala as the official language in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala government gave preferences to the Sinhalese in getting jobs and other such benefits. The Sinhalas completely disregarded the interests of Srilankan Tamils while this act was passed. This is a case of Majoritarianism.

 

Q.5. What may be a developmental goal of farmers who depend only on rain for growing crops?

OR

Q.5. What may be a developmental goal of urban unemployed youth?

Answer: The developmental goal for a farmer who depends only on rain for irrigating his crops might be to have access to better water harvesting and irrigation techniques.

OR

Answer: The developmental goal for an urban unemployed youth would be to get a decent job suitable to his/her qualifications and skills.

 

Q.6. Give anyone example of the methods to make a payment without using cash. 

Answer: Using debit card to book movie tickets, or using Paytm to purchase bread and milk packet from grocery shop is one example of a cashless transaction.

 

Q.7. Which court deals with cases involving claims up to 20 lakhs under COPRA?

 

Section -B

Q.8. Describe the great economic hardship that prevailed in Europe during the 1930s. 

OR

Q.8. Describe the serious problem faced by the modem part of Hanoi in 1903.

Answer: Great economic hardships were faced by the people of Europe in the 1930s. Some of the difficulties that they faced are:

• The ratio of the rise of the population was larger than that of employment generation. People from rural areas were migrating to cities in search of employment, which was not as easily available because of overcrowding.
• Small producers in towns (especially textile-producing industries) were often overthrown by the cheap machines. They faced stiff competition from imports from England.
• Peasants still suffered under the burden of feudal dues and obligations in some regions of Europe. Rise of food prices and unemployment led to widespread pauperism in the country.

OR

Answer: The French sought to create a modem Vietnam and decided to rebuild Hanoi. The latest ideas about architecture and modem engineering skills were employed to build a new and ‘modem’ city.

(i) However, in 1903, the modem part of Hanoi was struck by bubonic plague.

(ii) The French part had wide avenues and well-planned sewer system, while the native quarter was not provided with any modem facilities. Thus, the refuse from the old city drained straight out into the river or, during heavy rains of floods, overflowed into the streets which become the cause of the plague.

(iii) Large sewers became a breeding ground for rats which began to enter the well-cared-for homes of the French through the sewage pipes, followed by massive rat hunt programme. This deteriorated the conditions. The whole city was under severe influence of this plague.

 

Q.9. How had the printing press created a new culture of reading in Europe? Explain with examples. 

OR

Q.9. How did Charles Dickens depicted the terrible effects of industrialisation on people’s lives and characters? Explain with examples.

Answer: With the introduction of the Printing Press, a new wave of print culture began in Europe. It was defined by accelerated production of books and printed material. The mass production of books lead to decrease in the prices of the books and their circulation increased. The reading culture was not restricted only to the elites but now, even the common people began to have easy access to these books.

Printers also focused on publishing the folk tales and ballads, well illustrated with pictures so that the books could be enjoyed even by a less educated audience of the villages. The books gave an opportunity to more and more people to come in contact with the ideas of philosophers and leading thinkers of the time. Thus, this changed the reading culture of Europe widely.

OR

Answer: Hard times was the tenth novel written by Charles Dickens. It was published in 1854. The process of industrialization and its effect on the labour force was the main theme of this novel. Set in the backdrop of a fictitious industrial city of Coketown, the novel sketches the condition of the then cities that were full of machinery, chimneys and smoke. The labours of the industries were considered to be ‘hands’ of the industries.

The economic pressures of the time had reduced human beings to mere instruments of production. One of his other novels, Oliver Twist also revolves around the same theme of consequences of industrialisation. Thus, Dickens proved that the prevailing idea of Utilitarianism which believed in the “the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people” actually lead to the misery of several other or the happiness of the influential lead to the misery of the labourers.

 

Q.10. Describe any three main features of ‘Alluvial soil’ found in India.

OR

Q.10. Describe any three main features of ‘Black soil’ found in India.

Answer: Major characteristics of Alluvial Soil are:

• Alluvial soil is considered as one of the most fertile soils. Alluvial soil covers the entire northern plains in India.
• Alluvial soil contains sand, silt and clay mainly due to silt deposited by Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra rivers.

According to age, it is classified into Bangar (old alluvial) and Khadar (new alluvial).

• Alluvial soil contains an ample amount of potash, phosphoric acid and lime. This soil is ideal for the growth of crops like sugarcane, wheat and rice etc.

OR

Answer: Major characteristics of Black soil are:

• Black soil is fine textured and clayey in nature.
• Black soil has high amount of lime, iron, magnesium and generally low quantities of ‘Phosphorus, Nitrogen and organic matter.
• It is formed from weathered lava rocks, thus is black in colour.
• It has a high clay content and therefore is highly retentive of water. It is extremely fertile in most of the places where it is found.

 

Q.11. Analyse the merits of Multipurpose projects. 

Answer: Merits of multipurpose projects are given below:

• Dams are built for generating hydroelectricity.
• Canals are made for irrigation purpose.
• Canals can also be used for inland navigation.
• Water supply can be used for domestic and industrial purposes.

 

Q.12. Name any two subjects that are included in the Concurrent List. How are laws made on these subjects? Explain.

OR

Q.12. How is the sharing of power between the Union and the State Governments basic to the structure of the Constitution of India? Explain.

Answer: Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both the Union and State government. These subjects are education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession etc.

Both the state and the Union governments can make laws on these subjects. But if the laws made by both the government contradict each other, or a deadlock is created, then the law made by the Union government will prevail.

OR

Answer: Sharing of power between the Union and the State governments is very basic to the structure of the Constitution. The Constitution has distributed the legislative powers between the state government and Union government by dividing the subjects in Union list and State list, on which, these governments can make laws respectively. There is a Concurrent list as well on which, both the governments can make laws.

Also, State governments enjoy their own power in the states like Jammu and Kashmir. Many provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable in the states without the approval of the state government. On the other hand, the Union government enjoys its own hold over some of the union territories. This distribution of power is well embedded in the provisions of the constitution and is thus is its basic structure.

 

Q.13. “Every social difference does not lead to social division.” Justify the statement.

Answer: Social differences do not always lead to social division. They sometimes unite very different people and bring them closer by penetrating through their boundaries.

In this connection, we may take the example of the athletes Tommie Smith, Peter Norman and John Carlos who had participated in the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico. Both Smith and Carlos were African-American athletes who tried to gain international attention in the medal ceremony by wearing black gloves and raising clenched fists against racial discrimination. They attended the ceremony bare feet with black socks to represent black poverty. Their demonstration was to symbolise black power. Peter Norman was an Australian but still, he supported his co-athletes and wore a human rights badge during the ceremony. This shows that social difference does not always lead to social divisions.

 

Q.14. “Our society is still a male-dominated society.” Explain the statement with the help of examples.

Answer: India is considered to be a patriarchal society because men are in authority over women in all aspects of society.

(i) Political participation of women in India is very less when compared to other countries. Only 10% of the total members in Lok sabha are women. The situation is worse in state assemblies where only 5% of the total members are women. The Women reservation bill to encourage the participation of women is still pending since the past decade.

(ii) Women have entered into every field but they are still paid less than their male counterparts. The proportion of women in highly paid jobs is still less and studies have shown that on average they work more than men and yet paid less. Although the Equal Remuneration Act provides provisions for equal wages should be paid for equal work.

(iii) The literacy rate amongst women is also low as compared to men. The literacy rate is only 54% as compared to 76% among men. This shows the discrimination women have to face. Men are still considered to be the head of the family. A lot of dowry issues still emerge everywhere. Men are known to dominate women in every field using strength as a factor. Women are made to stay quiet even in cases of rapes, betrayal etc.

 

Q.15. “Crude oil reserves are limited all over the world. If people continue to extract it at the present rate, the reserves would last only 35 – 40 years more” Explain any three ways to solve this problem. 

Answer: Crude oil is a non- renewable resource of energy. It takes millions of years for the formation of this fuel, because of to which, it must be used judiciously. This type of fuel is being used faster than they are being produced. This causes depletion and scarcity of crude oil. 

Steps which can be taken to conserve this non-renewable source of energy are:

• Use of public transport like buses and trains instead of self-owned vehicles will help to conserve petroleum. Carpooling will reduce the consumption of this fuel and thus scarcity will be dealt better with.
• Use of cycles wherever possible instead of using motorbike or car.
• Waxing floors with beeswax instead of petroleum-based commercial wax can also be beneficial.

 

Q.16. Why is it necessary to increase a large number of banks mainly in rural areas? Explain. 

OR

Q.16. Why are service conditions of formal sector loans better than informal sector? Explain. Answer: It is important to open more banks in rural areas as the formal credit sector is missing. The practice of borrowing from an informal sector that exists in rural areas, for example, local money lenders, has a number of disadvantages.

The informal sector charges high rate of interest. Informal sector makes loans very expensive as there are no external organizations controlling the credit activities of lenders.

Informal sector involves a high degree of risk as there are no proper set of rules for repayment and there is a lot of exploitation of the poor farmers. 

Lenders may exploit the borrowers, they may engage in threats and intimidation to ensure repayment of loans. There is no written agreement between the lender and the borrower. There is no legal recourse in case of informal sources of credit.

OR

Answer: Formal sector: 

• This sector is mainly supervised by the RBI.
• It includes banks and cooperatives and thus every clause is in writing and very clear.
• In this, collateral is required.
• It provides loans comparatively at lower rates.
• It doesn’t lead to a debt trap.

Informal sector:

• No external organisation supervises this sector.
• The lenders are mainly money lenders, friends, relatives, traders and landowners etc.
• Collateral is not required, thus it involves risk.
• This sector charges higher interest rates without any rules or regulation.
• This could lead to a debt trap.

 

Q.17. “How can the Government of India play a major role to make globalization fairer? Explain with examples. 

OR

Q.17. How has globalization affected the life of Indians? Explain with examples.

Answer: Fair globalization would create equal opportunities for all and would ensure that the benefits of globalization are shared better. The government can play a major role in making this possible. The policies of the government must protect the interests of all the people of the country, not only of the rich and powerful. Hence, the government can play a functional role in helping to bridge the gap between the two.

It is necessary for developing countries to have stronger trade and investment rules. They should negotiate at the WTO for fairer rules and regulations.

OR

Answer: Globalization has contributed to the booming of the Indian economy in the following ways:

• Greater competition among producers resulting from globalisation is a great advantage to consumers as there is greater choice regarding every product before them.
• Due to globalisation, many MNCs have increased their investments in India, this has not only helped in the inflow of capital but also helped largely in employment generation.
• Local companies supplying raw materials to the industries that have been set as a result of globalization have prospered by leaps and bounds.
• Large Indian companies have emerged as multinational companies. This has helped our country to increase bur contacts around the world. Globalisation has helped increase our GDP and per capita income, thus making the living standards better across the globe.

 

Q.18. How are consumers enjoying the ‘right to be informed’ in their daily life? Explain with examples.

 

Section – C

Q.19. How had the ‘First World War created economic problems in India? Explain with examples.

OR

Q.19. How had a variety of cultural processes developed a sense of collective belongingness in India during the 19th century? Explain with examples.

Answer: The economic effects of the First World War were:

• The First World War led to huge expenditures in defence. These expenditures were to be financed by increasing the taxes and by raising customs duties.
• During the time of the First World War, crop failure resulted in acute shortage of food.
• During the war, the food prices increased, they almost doubled between 1913 and 1918. This increased the hardships of the people of India.
• Villages were called upon to supply soldiers. At some rural places, the colonial government forced people to join the army. It caused widespread resentment and anger amongst the people. It set the stage for the Great Depression.
• There was spread of influenza epidemic which contributed to the hardships of the people. The war weakened the gold standard.

OR

Answer: Nationalism spreads when people begin to believe that they are all part of the same nation and when they discover some unity, it binds them together. This sense of collective belonging unites people of different communities, regions or languages by the experience of many united struggles.

There were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured people’s imagination. History and fiction, folklore, and songs, popular poems and symbols, all played a vital role in the awakening of the spirit of nationalism. The identity of a nation is often symbolised by a figure or image. It was in the early 19th century, with the growth of nationalism that the identity of India came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata. The image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and in the 1870s he wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ as a hymn to the motherland. Moved by Swadeshi movement, Abanindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata. In this painting, Bharat Mata is portrayed as an ascetic figure, she is calm, composed, divine and spiritual.

Ideas of nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore. In the late 19th century India, nationalists began recording folk tales sung by bards and they toured villages to gather folk songs and legends.

These tales gave a true picture of traditional culture that had been corrupted and damaged by outside forces. When people would hear these songs, they would be filled with a spirit of belongingness to the country. They felt energised and highly patriotic. It was thus, essential to spread this folk tradition in order to discover citizen’s national identity and restore a sense of pride for their past.

 

Q.20. Describe the role of ‘technology’ in the transformation of the world in the nineteenth century. 

OR

Q.20. Describe the life of workers during the nineteenth century in England.

OR

Q.20. Describe various steps taken to clean up London in the nineteenth century.

Answer: The making of modern Global world was characterized by major discoveries and inventions. Technological inventions helped developing in these ways:

• Railways, steamships, telegraphs transformed the trade and led to easy transportation of goods and raw materials.
• Technological advancements stimulated the process of industrialization, which expanded the production of goods and trade.
• Refrigerated ships made transportation of perishable products, like meat, over long distances easy.
• There was also the development of the Printing Press that lead to print revolution.
• Communication was made easy with the invention of telephones, computers and other things like cabels, network towers etc.

OR

Answer: The life of the workers in the 19th century was miserable. They were given lower wages and were made to work for longer hours. This was the reason poverty was more prominent in cities as compared to villages. They had to work in the factories and the working environment was hazardous. They dealt with the machines without proper training and education, which was dangerous.

People from countryside rushed to cities in search of new jobs. Only a few of those, whose friends and relatives were already working into the factory could get jobs. The living conditions were so pathetic that it was expected of such people to die in a workhouse, hospital of lunatic asylum rather than in some decent working areas. Nearly 1 million Londoners (about one-fifth of the population of London at the time_ were very poor and living in un-habitable conditions.

The over-congestion was leading to epidemic diseases in the whole city. There was an urgent need to increase the number of rooms these labourers were living in. There was no proper drinking water available sometimes. The life expectancy of these poor people was nearly 29 Years of age while it was near about 55 years of age for the middle and upper-class people.

OR

Answer: The widespread use of coal in homes and industries in 19th century England raised serious problems. Shopkeepers, home owners and others complained about black fog, grey skies and black vegetation. All these factors caused bad temper, smoke related disorders and dirty clothes.

• Congestion in the city also led to a desire for clean air. Therefore, attempts were made to decongest the localities, make the open places greener, reduce pollution and make the city more beautiful.
• Large clocks of apartments were built and methods of control as introduced to ease the impact of an excessive housing shortage.
• A new garden city of new Earswick was made with common gardens, beautiful views where people would live and work. Architects made efforts to plan a green city with a larger number of green belts and gardens.
• Between the world wars, a large number of houses—most of them single-family cottages were built for the working class.

A million new houses were built and people were encouraged to live in them.

 

Q.21. Name the two major beverage crops grown ‘.in India. Describe their growing areas. 

Answer: Tea and Coffee are the two most important beverage crops of India.

Assam is the major tea producing state in India along with West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The cropping season in Assam begins as early as March and extends almost to mid-December. Besides, the popular black tea, Assam also produces small quantities of white and green tea. This state has favourable conditions for the growth of tea. The tea plant grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It requires deep and fertile well-drained soil, rich in humus and organic matter. Tea bushes require moist, frost-free and warm climate all through the year with abundant skilled labour. Frequent evenly distributed showers over the year ensure continuous growth of tender tea leaves.

The following are the conditions required for Tea cultivation:

1. Temperature: 10-30 degrees Celsius Rainfall- average yearly rainfall of 200 cm Altitude- ground level of between 600-2000 meters above sea level.
2. Coffee is a tropical plant which is also grown in a semi-tropical climate. The coffee tree requires heat, humidity and abundant rainfall. Karnataka, the largest coffee-producing state has favourable conditions necessary for coffee cultivation.
3. The temperature of the place is 23°C to 28°C. Growth is most rapid during hot rainy season and during cool dry season, berries ripen and get ready for picking. Bright sunshine and warm weather are necessary for harvesting.
4. It needs rainfall between 60-85 inches. Water stagnation is very harmful for coffee plants; therefore, hill slopes are best suitable for growing it.
5. Soil is the guiding factor in coffee plantation. The ideal soil is one with a good sub-surface drainage, and one that is easily workable. The presence of humus and other nitrogenous matter in the soil is an advantage.

 

Q.22. How can the industrial pollution of fresh water be reduced? Explain various ways. 

Answer: Main causes of water pollution is due to the wastes discharged from factories, refineries into the water bodies. These wastes contain harmful chemicals such as alkalis, acids etc. and toxic metals like mercury, lead, arsenic etc. which kill the aquatic life.

The following steps can be taken to reduce the industrial pollution:

• Restructuring the manufacturing processes to reduce or eliminate pollutants, like, lead, zinc, arsenic through a process called Pollution Prevention. Chimneys for treating of gaseous waste are also important.
• It is necessary to encourage industries to promote “green” methods of production and products. It includes environment-friendly operating processes.
• It is advisable to create cooling ponds which are man made and designed to cool the heated waters of industries by evaporation, condensation and radiation.
• It is very important to attach water treatment plant to the industry for filtration of the sewage before it enters the water bodies. Sewage treatment plants are important for treatment of polluted water.

 

Q.23. “Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.” Justify the statement. 

OR

Q.23. “Democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government.” Justify the statement.

Answer: In most of the democracies, a small number of ultra-rich group of people enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. The share of rich class is increasing, whereas those who are at the bottom of the society, have very little to depend upon.

Even in India, the poor constitute a large proportion of the voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet, democratically elected government does not appear to be keen on addressing the question of poverty as is expected of them. The situation is much worse in some other countries, like in Bangladesh more than half of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for basic food supplies.

Democracies are based on political equality. All citizens have equal rights in electing representatives, but this is not so in the economic field. Economic equality comes by the equitable distribution of wealth, but this is not true in democracy. The poor are becoming poorer, and sometimes they find it difficult to even meet the basic needs of life like food, shelter, health and education. There can be many factors that are prevailing in a country that make it incapable to bring about equitable distribution of wealth.

Large population: Rise in population leads to rise in family size. But, because the family income is less the people have to adjust and manage with meagre pay.

Unemployment: Because of the population explosion, the number of job opportunities are very less compared to the people. A ‘ large number of still educated people are without jobs.

Vicious circle of poverty: Poor people still have to be dependent on money-lenders to fulfill their basic needs as their income doesn’t substitute their needs.

Low literacy rate: Education is still considered to be a dream for many.

All of these factors make it difficult for a democratic government to function and work efficiently.

OR

Answer: Democracy is better than other forms of government because:

• People are their own masters. In a democracy, every individual has a right to vote and choose his representatives in the government. Thus, it is more representative and popular.
• The government is of the people and the laws are made by the people (or the chosen representatives) in the government. Laws are made to protect the liberty and freedom of the people. Thus, the laws are popular opinion of the citizens on the whole.
• In a democracy, no particular religion, region, race or language is given special preference.

All individuals are given equal rights and freedom, and there is no discrimination.

• The government is not by force. The opposition parties are allowed to criticise the government. Hence, there is a system of checks and balances in the form of democratic government.
• Since every individual is given equal rights, there is less danger of conflicts in society. There are less conflicts based on caste, religion or region and less social tensions in society. Equitable distribution of opportunities is encouraged.

 

Q.24. Explain any five functions of the ruling party. 

Answer: Functions of the Ruling Party are following:

• The ruling party is one which has anchored dominant part in elections and has framed the legislature. Ruling party guarantees that the nation keeps running according to set belief systems and projects.
• Ruling Party offers portrayal to different enthusiasm for society, they offer acknowledgement to minorities and give access to individuals to government machinery. The nationals can likewise vent their complaints to nearby local party leaders regarding any arrangement and its execution.
• Party in power reassures and makes individuals mindful about its welfare plans, it encourages individuals to think about its accomplishments, its plan and profit and its advantages.
• It establishes foreign relations and decide the foreign policy of the country. Thus the future and the reputation of the country is upheld by them.
• Ruling Party organises schemes and campaigns for the welfare of the people. It makes schemes for the development of society both culturally and economically.

 

Q.25. Explain any five differences between organised and unorganised sectors. 

Answer: Five differences between organised and unorganised sectors are as follows:

 

 

Q.26. (A) Two features ‘a’ and ‘b’ are marked on the given political outline map of India. Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked near them: 

(a) The place where the Indian National Congress Session was held.

(b) The place where Gandhiji violated the salt law. 

(B) Locate and label any three of the following with appropriate symbols on the same given outline political map of India:

(i) Bokaro – Iron and Steel Plant

(ii) Gandhinagar – Software Technology Park

(iii) Tarapur – Nuclear Power Plant

(iv) Salal – Dam

(v) Tuticorin – Seaport

Answer :

Social Science

Section – A

Q.1. Explain the aim to form ‘Zollverein’ a Customs Union, in 1834 in Germany. 

OR

Q.1. Explain the main reason responsible for the eruption of a major protest in Saigon Native Girls School in Vietnam in 1926. 

Answer: Zollverein was a customs union formed in 1834 at the initiative of Prussia. The union abolished tariff barriers and internal custom dues and was willing to establish free trade with neighbouring states. It reduced the number of currencies from thirty to two. Most German states joined the Zollverein.

OR

Answer: A major protest occurred in Saigon Native Girls School in 1926. This protest erupted because a Vietnamese girl sitting in one of the front seats was asked to move back and make space for a French student. She was expelled when she refused to obey the order of the Principal. Other students supporting her were also expelled by the principal who was a colon. This led to spread of open protests.

 

Q.2. Why was printing of textbooks sponsored by the Imperial State in China? 

OR

Q.2. Why did Chandu Menon give up the idea of translation of ‘English Novels’ in Malayalam?

Answer: The printing of textbooks were sponsored by the Imperial State in China because China possessed a large bureaucratic system, which recruited their personnel through Civil service examinations. That is why, textbooks were printed in large numbers to provide them study material.

OR

Answer: The readers in Kerala were not familiar with the lifestyle of the characters portrayed in english Novels. Direct translation of english novels into Malayalam was thus making the novels boring because the readers could not relate. Thus, Chandu menon gave up the idea of translating them and wrote a story in Malayalam instead.

 

Q.3. How has Shillong solved the problem of acute shortage of water? 

OR

Q.3. How has Tamil Nadu solved the problem of acute shortage of water ?

Answer: Shillong has been able to deal with the problem of acute shortage of water by setting up Bamboo drip irrigation systems.

OR

Answer: Tamil Nadu has been able to deal with the problem of acute shortage of water by adopting Rooftop water harvesting techniques.

 

Q.4. Why is power sharing desirable? 

Answer: Power-sharing is desirable because it helps to reduce the possibility of struggles between social groups or communities. Since social conflicts lead to violence and political instability, power-sharing is a good way to ensure the establishment of political order. This helps in establishing a harmonious relationship between different power groups.

 

Q.5. What may be a developmental goal of farmers who depend only on rain for growing crops?

OR

Q.5. What may be a developmental goal of urban unemployed youth?

Answer: The developmental goal for a farmer who depends only on rain for irrigating his crops might be to have access to better water harvesting and irrigation techniques.

OR

Answer: The developmental goal for an urban unemployed youth would be to get a decent job suitable to his/her qualifications and skills.

 

Q.6. Give one example each of modem currency and older currency. 

Answer: An example of modem currency is the plastic money that we use in the form of debit and credit cards.

An example of older currency is the bronze coins that were used in earlier times.

 

Q.7. If you want to purchase an electrical valuable good, what logo would you like to see to confirm its quality?

 

Section -B

Q.8. Describe the great economic hardship that prevailed in Europe during the 1930s. 

OR

Q.8. Describe the serious problem faced by the modem part of Hanoi in 1903.

Answer: Great economic hardships were faced by the people of Europe in the 1930s. Some of the difficulties that they faced are:

• The ratio of the rise of the population was larger than that of employment generation. People from rural areas were migrating to cities in search of employment, which was not as easily available because of overcrowding.
• Small producers in towns (especially textile-producing industries) were often overthrown by the cheap machines. They faced stiff competition from imports from England.
• Peasants still suffered under the burden of feudal dues and obligations in some regions of Europe. Rise of food prices and unemployment led to widespread pauperism in the country.

OR

Answer: The French sought to create a modem Vietnam and decided to rebuild Hanoi. The latest ideas about architecture and modem engineering skills were employed to build a new and ‘modem’ city.

(i) However, in 1903, the modem part of Hanoi was struck by bubonic plague.

(ii) The French part had wide avenues and well-planned sewer system, while the native quarter was not provided with any modem facilities. Thus, the refuse from the old city drained straight out into the river or, during heavy rains of floods, overflowed into the streets which become the cause of the plague.

(iii) Large sewers became a breeding ground for rats which began to enter the well-cared-for homes of the French through the sewage pipes, followed by massive rat hunt programme. This deteriorated the conditions. The whole city was under severe influence of this plague.

 

Q.9. How had the printing press created a new culture of reading in Europe? Explain with examples. 

OR

Q.9. How did Charles Dickens depicted the terrible effects of industrialisation on people’s lives and characters? Explain with examples.

Answer: With the introduction of the Printing Press, a new wave of print culture began in Europe. It was defined by accelerated production of books and printed material. The mass production of books lead to decrease in the prices of the books and their circulation increased. The reading culture was not restricted only to the elites but now, even the common people began to have easy access to these books.

Printers also focused on publishing the folk tales and ballads, well illustrated with pictures so that the books could be enjoyed even by a less educated audience of the villages. The books gave an opportunity to more and more people to come in contact with the ideas of philosophers and leading thinkers of the time. Thus, this changed the reading culture of Europe widely.

OR

Answer: Hard times was the tenth novel written by Charles Dickens. It was published in 1854. The process of industrialization and its effect on the labour force was the main theme of this novel. Set in the backdrop of a fictitious industrial city of Coketown, the novel sketches the condition of the then cities that were full of machinery, chimneys and smoke. The labours of the industries were considered to be ‘hands’ of the industries.

The economic pressures of the time had reduced human beings to mere instruments of production. One of his other novels, Oliver Twist also revolves around the same theme of consequences of industrialisation. Thus, Dickens proved that the prevailing idea of Utilitarianism which believed in the “the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people” actually lead to the misery of several other or the happiness of the influential lead to the misery of the labourers.

 

Q.10. Describe any three main features of ‘Alluvial soil’ found in India.

OR

Q.10. Describe any three main features of ‘Black soil’ found in India.

Answer: Major characteristics of Alluvial Soil are:

• Alluvial soil is considered as one of the most fertile soils. Alluvial soil covers the entire northern plains in India.
• Alluvial soil contains sand, silt and clay mainly due to silt deposited by Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra rivers.

According to age, it is classified into Bangar (old alluvial) and Khadar (new alluvial).

• Alluvial soil contains an ample amount of potash, phosphoric acid and lime. This soil is ideal for the growth of crops like sugarcane, wheat and rice etc.

OR

Answer: Major characteristics of Black soil are:

• Black soil is fine textured and clayey in nature.
• Black soil has high amount of lime, iron, magnesium and generally low quantities of ‘Phosphorus, Nitrogen and organic matter.
• It is formed from weathered lava rocks, thus is black in colour.
• It has a high clay content and therefore is highly retentive of water. It is extremely fertile in most of the places where it is found.

 

Q.11. “Irrigation has changed the cropping pattern of many regions in India.” Analyse the statement. 

Answer: A well-developed irrigation facility reduces, the dependence of farmers on monsoons and ensures regular supply of water. Irrigation facilities also ensure the installation of tube wells, pumps in the farmlands that enable the farmer to irrigate large portions of land more effectively. They also facilitate the construction of dams that help in generating electricity. Better irrigation has Contributed in the increased production of maize in states like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh. Water intensive cropping is now done in places like Ganganagar and Hanumangash region of Rajasthan where Indira Gandhi canal has facilitated easier and better irrigation.

 

Q.12. Name any two subjects that are included in the Concurrent List. How are laws made on these subjects? Explain.

OR

Q.12. How is the sharing of power between the Union and the State Governments basic to the structure of the Constitution of India? Explain.

Answer: Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both the Union and State government. These subjects are education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession etc.

Both the state and the Union governments can make laws on these subjects. But if the laws made by both the government contradict each other, or a deadlock is created, then the law made by the Union government will prevail.

OR

Answer: Sharing of power between the Union and the State governments is very basic to the structure of the Constitution. The Constitution has distributed the legislative powers between the state government and Union government by dividing the subjects in Union list and State list, on which, these governments can make laws respectively. There is a Concurrent list as well on which, both the governments can make laws.

Also, State governments enjoy their own power in the states like Jammu and Kashmir. Many provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable in the states without the approval of the state government. On the other hand, the Union government enjoys its own hold over some of the union territories. This distribution of power is well embedded in the provisions of the constitution and is thus is its basic structure.

 

Q.13. “Every social difference does not lead to social division.” Justify the statement.

Answer: Social differences do not always lead to social division. They sometimes unite very different people and bring them closer by penetrating through their boundaries.

In this connection, we may take the example of the athletes Tommie Smith, Peter Norman and John Carlos who had participated in the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico. Both Smith and Carlos were African-American athletes who tried to gain international attention in the medal ceremony by wearing black gloves and raising clenched fists against racial discrimination. They attended the ceremony bare feet with black socks to represent black poverty. Their demonstration was to symbolise black power. Peter Norman was an Australian but still, he supported his co-athletes and wore a human rights badge during the ceremony. This shows that social difference does not always lead to social divisions.

 

Q.14.  “Women in India still face discrimination in various ways.” Explain with examples.
Answer: Women face disadvantages, discrimination and oppression in various ways:

(i) The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent as compared to 76 per cent among men. This is because women are deprived of an equal access to education as the males in the society. A very small percentage of girls go for higher education and the drop-out rate is also higher among the girls.

(ii) Proportion of women in highly paid jobs is very small. On an average, an Indian woman works a considerable number of hours more than an Indian man. Yet her wages are less as compared to men.

(iii) The preference to have male child over the female child has led to sex selective abortion. This has lowered sex ratio in India. This is also one of the main evidence of discrimination between the sexes.

(iv) Women are exploited and harassed at the workplace and at home. There are cases of harassment, exploitation in the urban areas as well. They are even subjected to domestic violence at homes. They are not given opportunities to stand up for.

 

Q.15. “Crude oil reserves are limited all over the world. If people continue to extract it at the present rate, the reserves would last only 35 – 40 years more” Explain any three ways to solve this problem. 

Answer: Crude oil is a non- renewable resource of energy. It takes millions of years for the formation of this fuel, because of to which, it must be used judiciously. This type of fuel is being used faster than they are being produced. This causes depletion and scarcity of crude oil. 

Steps which can be taken to conserve this non-renewable source of energy are:

• Use of public transport like buses and trains instead of self-owned vehicles will help to conserve petroleum. Carpooling will reduce the consumption of this fuel and thus scarcity will be dealt better with.
• Use of cycles wherever possible instead of using motorbike or car.
• Waxing floors with beeswax instead of petroleum-based commercial wax can also be beneficial.

 

Q.16. Why is it necessary to increase a large number of banks mainly in rural areas? Explain. 

OR

Q.16. Why are service conditions of formal sector loans better than informal sector? Explain. Answer: It is important to open more banks in rural areas as the formal credit sector is missing. The practice of borrowing from an informal sector that exists in rural areas, for example, local money lenders, has a number of disadvantages.

The informal sector charges high rate of interest. Informal sector makes loans very expensive as there are no external organizations controlling the credit activities of lenders.

Informal sector involves a high degree of risk as there are no proper set of rules for repayment and there is a lot of exploitation of the poor farmers. 

Lenders may exploit the borrowers, they may engage in threats and intimidation to ensure repayment of loans. There is no written agreement between the lender and the borrower. There is no legal recourse in case of informal sources of credit.

OR

Answer: Formal sector: 

• This sector is mainly supervised by the RBI.
• It includes banks and cooperatives and thus every clause is in writing and very clear.</li><li>In this, collateral is required.
• It provides loans comparatively at lower rates.
• It doesn’t lead to a debt trap.

Informal sector:

• No external organisation supervises this sector.
• The lenders are mainly money lenders, friends, relatives, traders and landowners etc.
• Collateral is not required, thus it involves risk.
• This sector charges higher interest rates without any rules or regulation.
• This could lead to a debt trap.

 

Q.17. “How can the Government of India play a major role to make globalization fairer? Explain with examples. 

OR

Q.17. How has globalization affected the life of Indians? Explain with examples.

Answer: Fair globalization would create equal opportunities for all and would ensure that the benefits of globalization are shared better. The government can play a major role in making this possible. The policies of the government must protect the interests of all the people of the country, not only of the rich and powerful. Hence, the government can play a functional role in helping to bridge the gap between the two.

It is necessary for developing countries to have stronger trade and investment rules. They should negotiate at the WTO for fairer rules and regulations.

OR

Answer: Globalization has contributed to the booming of the Indian economy in the following ways:

• Greater competition among producers resulting from globalisation is a great advantage to consumers as there is greater choice regarding every product before them.
• Due to globalisation, many MNCs have increased their investments in India, this has not only helped in the inflow of capital but also helped largely in employment generation.
• Local companies supplying raw materials to the industries that have been set as a result of globalization have prospered by leaps and bounds.
• Large Indian companies have emerged as multinational companies. This has helped our country to increase bur contacts around the world. Globalisation has helped increase our GDP and per capita income, thus making the living standards better across the globe.

 

Q.18. How are consumers enjoying the ‘right to be informed’ in their daily life? Explain with examples.

 

Section – C

Q.19. How had the ‘First World War created economic problems in India? Explain with examples.

OR

Q.19. How had a variety of cultural processes developed a sense of collective belongingness in India during the 19th century? Explain with examples.

Answer: The economic effects of the First World War were:

• The First World War led to huge expenditures in defence. These expenditures were to be financed by increasing the taxes and by raising customs duties.
• During the time of the First World War, crop failure resulted in acute shortage of food.
• During the war, the food prices increased, they almost doubled between 1913 and 1918. This increased the hardships of the people of India.
• Villages were called upon to supply soldiers. At some rural places, the colonial government forced people to join the army. It caused widespread resentment and anger amongst the people. It set the stage for the Great Depression.
• There was spread of influenza epidemic which contributed to the hardships of the people. The war weakened the gold standard.

OR

Answer: Nationalism spreads when people begin to believe that they are all part of the same nation and when they discover some unity, it binds them together. This sense of collective belonging unites people of different communities, regions or languages by the experience of many united struggles.

There were also a variety of cultural processes through which nationalism captured people’s imagination. History and fiction, folklore, and songs, popular poems and symbols, all played a vital role in the awakening of the spirit of nationalism. The identity of a nation is often symbolised by a figure or image. It was in the early 19th century, with the growth of nationalism that the identity of India came to be visually associated with the image of Bharat Mata. The image was first created by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and in the 1870s he wrote ‘Vande Mataram’ as a hymn to the motherland. Moved by Swadeshi movement, Abanindranath Tagore painted his famous image of Bharat Mata. In this painting, Bharat Mata is portrayed as an ascetic figure, she is calm, composed, divine and spiritual.

Ideas of nationalism also developed through a movement to revive Indian folklore. In the late 19th century India, nationalists began recording folk tales sung by bards and they toured villages to gather folk songs and legends.

These tales gave a true picture of traditional culture that had been corrupted and damaged by outside forces. When people would hear these songs, they would be filled with a spirit of belongingness to the country. They felt energised and highly patriotic. It was thus, essential to spread this folk tradition in order to discover citizen’s national identity and restore a sense of pride for their past.

 

Q.20. Describe the role of ‘technology’ in the transformation of the world in the nineteenth century. 

OR

Q.20. Describe the life of workers during the nineteenth century in England.

OR

Q.20. Describe various steps taken to clean up London in the nineteenth century.

Answer: The making of modern Global world was characterized by major discoveries and inventions. Technological inventions helped developing in these ways:

• Railways, steamships, telegraphs transformed the trade and led to easy transportation of goods and raw materials.
• Technological advancements stimulated the process of industrialization, which expanded the production of goods and trade.
• Refrigerated ships made transportation of perishable products, like meat, over long distances easy.
• There was also the development of the Printing Press that lead to print revolution.
• Communication was made easy with the invention of telephones, computers and other things like cabels, network towers etc.

OR

Answer: The life of the workers in the 19th century was miserable. They were given lower wages and were made to work for longer hours. This was the reason poverty was more prominent in cities as compared to villages. They had to work in the factories and the working environment was hazardous. They dealt with the machines without proper training and education, which was dangerous.

People from countryside rushed to cities in search of new jobs. Only a few of those, whose friends and relatives were already working into the factory could get jobs. The living conditions were so pathetic that it was expected of such people to die in a workhouse, hospital of lunatic asylum rather than in some decent working areas. Nearly 1 million Londoners (about one-fifth of the population of London at the time_ were very poor and living in un-habitable conditions.

The over-congestion was leading to epidemic diseases in the whole city. There was an urgent need to increase the number of rooms these labourers were living in. There was no proper drinking water available sometimes. The life expectancy of these poor people was nearly 29 Years of age while it was near about 55 years of age for the middle and upper-class people.

OR

Answer: The widespread use of coal in homes and industries in 19th century England raised serious problems. Shopkeepers, home owners and others complained about black fog, grey skies and black vegetation. All these factors caused bad temper, smoke related disorders and dirty clothes.

• Congestion in the city also led to a desire for clean air. Therefore, attempts were made to decongest the localities, make the open places greener, reduce pollution and make the city more beautiful.
• Large clocks of apartments were built and methods of control as introduced to ease the impact of an excessive housing shortage.
• A new garden city of new Earswick was made with common gardens, beautiful views where people would live and work. Architects made efforts to plan a green city with a larger number of green belts and gardens.
• Between the world wars, a large number of houses—most of them single-family cottages were built for the working class.

A million new houses were built and people were encouraged to live in them.

 

Q.21. Name the two most important cereal crops grown in India. Describe the conditions required to grow these two crops. 

Answer: Rice and wheat are the two most important cereal crops grown in India.

Rice is the staple food crop of most people in India, especially in coastal regions.

The geographical condition required for the growth of rice are as follows:

• It is a Kharif crop and requires a hot and humid climate for cultivation. Temperature above 25°C and high humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm are favourable for growth or rice.
• Rich alluvial soils of the floodplains, river basins and deltaic areas which are renewed every year are ideal for rice cultivation.
• Rice requires abundant rainfall or good water supply through irrigation and flooded fields during the earlier part of its growing season in June-July. Ankle deep water in the field helps the crops.
• Plenty of cheap labour is required as most of farming involves manual labour.

Wheat is the main food crop for the people residing in the North and North-western part of the country.

The geographical conditions favourable for the growth of wheat are as follows:

• Wheat is a rabi crop and requires a cool growing season. The average temperature should be between 10°C to 5°C at the time of sowing, but higher temperatures and bright sunshine is required at the time of harvesting for proper ripening of arraigns.
• Wheat requires moderate rainfall of 50 to 75 cm annually, evenly distributed over the growing season. A little winter rain before ripening helps in increasing the yield.
• Deep alluvial clayey soils of Northern Plains and even black soil of Deccan are suitable for the growth of wheat.

There are two important wheat-growing zones in the country-the Ganga-Satluj plains in the North-west and black soil region of the Deccan. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh are the major wheat-growing states.

 

Q.22. How can the industrial pollution of fresh water be reduced? Explain various ways. 

Answer: Main causes of water pollution is due to the wastes discharged from factories, refineries into the water bodies. These wastes contain harmful chemicals such as alkalis, acids etc. and toxic metals like mercury, lead, arsenic etc. which kill the aquatic life.

The following steps can be taken to reduce the industrial pollution:

• Restructuring the manufacturing processes to reduce or eliminate pollutants, like, lead, zinc, arsenic through a process called Pollution Prevention. Chimneys for treating of gaseous waste are also important.
• It is necessary to encourage industries to promote “green” methods of production and products. It includes environment-friendly operating processes.
• It is advisable to create cooling ponds which are man made and designed to cool the heated waters of industries by evaporation, condensation and radiation.
• It is very important to attach water treatment plant to the industry for filtration of the sewage before it enters the water bodies. Sewage treatment plants are important for treatment of polluted water.

 

Q.23. “Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities.” Justify the statement. 

OR

Q.23. “Democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government.” Justify the statement.

Answer: In most of the democracies, a small number of ultra-rich group of people enjoy a highly disproportionate share of wealth and income. The share of rich class is increasing, whereas those who are at the bottom of the society, have very little to depend upon.

Even in India, the poor constitute a large proportion of the voters and no party will like to lose their votes. Yet, democratically elected government does not appear to be keen on addressing the question of poverty as is expected of them. The situation is much worse in some other countries, like in Bangladesh more than half of its population live in poverty. People in several poor countries are now dependent on the rich countries even for basic food supplies.

Democracies are based on political equality. All citizens have equal rights in electing representatives, but this is not so in the economic field. Economic equality comes by the equitable distribution of wealth, but this is not true in democracy. The poor are becoming poorer, and sometimes they find it difficult to even meet the basic needs of life like food, shelter, health and education. There can be many factors that are prevailing in a country that make it incapable to bring about equitable distribution of wealth.

Large population: Rise in population leads to rise in family size. But, because the family income is less the people have to adjust and manage with meagre pay.

Unemployment: Because of the population explosion, the number of job opportunities are very less compared to the people. A ‘ large number of still educated people are without jobs.

Vicious circle of poverty: Poor people still have to be dependent on money-lenders to fulfill their basic needs as their income doesn’t substitute their needs.

Low literacy rate: Education is still considered to be a dream for many.

All of these factors make it difficult for a democratic government to function and work efficiently.

OR

Answer: Democracy is better than other forms of government because:

• People are their own masters. In a democracy, every individual has a right to vote and choose his representatives in the government. Thus, it is more representative and popular.
• The government is of the people and the laws are made by the people (or the chosen representatives) in the government. Laws are made to protect the liberty and freedom of the people. Thus, the laws are popular opinion of the citizens on the whole.
• In a democracy, no particular religion, region, race or language is given special preference.

All individuals are given equal rights and freedom, and there is no discrimination.

• The government is not by force. The opposition parties are allowed to criticise the government. Hence, there is a system of checks and balances in the form of democratic government.
• Since every individual is given equal rights, there is less danger of conflicts in society. There are less conflicts based on caste, religion or region and less social tensions in society. Equitable distribution of opportunities is encouraged.

 

Q.24. Explain any five needs to have political parties in a democratic country. 

Answer: Political party is an organised group of people having a common ideology and its aim is to contest elections and some to power.

Political Parties are very important because:

• Parties frame their own policies in the form of manifestos which includes their vision on the basis of which they would establish governance in the country.
• Existence of political parties in a representative democracy ensures that the country runs as per its policies and ideologies and has a responsible accountable government which is answerable to the people.
• Parties give representation to diverse interests in society, they give recognition to minorities, thus ensuring an all round development of the country.
• Parties help in forming and shaping public opinion. This educates the people politically and helps them by spreading awareness regarding their rights and duties.
• Political parties form links between the government administrators of the country and the common people. Their needs and aspirations are conveyed to them through these parties only.

 

Q.25. Explain any five differences between the public and private sectors.

Answer: 

S.No.	Private Sector	Public Sector
1.	Ownership of assets and delivery of services is in the hands of private individuals or companies.	The govt owns most of the assets and provides all services.
2.	Their main motive is to earn a profit.	Their main motive is public welfare rather than to earn a profit.
3.	The decision regarding production and distribution are taken by managers or owners of the company.	The decision regarding production and distribution are taken by the government.
4.	Due to the movie of earning a profit, it does not invest funds to construct infrastructures for public utility/facility.	Due to motives of public welfare, it invests fund to construct infrastructures for public utility/ facility, like the construction of road, bridges, etc
5.	Examples: Tata iron and steel company Ltd. (TISCO), Reliance industries Ltd., Etc.	Examples: Railways, post office, police station, etc.

 

 

Q.26. (A) Two features ‘a’ and ‘b’ are marked on the given political outline map of India. Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked near them: 

(a) The place where the Indian National Congress Session was held.

(b) The place where Gandhiji violated the salt law. 

(B) Locate and label any three of the following with appropriate symbols on the same given outline political map of India:

(i) Bokaro – Iron and Steel Plant

(ii) Gandhinagar – Software Technology Park

(iii) Tarapur – Nuclear Power Plant

(iv) Salal – Dam

(v) Tuticorin – Seaport

Answer :