CBSE Solved Question Papers  Social Science Set 1

 

Question 1:
Who started the collectivisation programme in Russia?
Answer:
Stalin introduced collectivisation in Russia.

 

Question 2:
Under which slogan did Hitler integrate Austria and Germany in 1938?

Answer:
Under the slogan ‘one people, one empire, and one leader’.

 

Question 3:
What are distributaries?
Answer:
Branches of a river which flow away from the main stream.

 

Question 4:
Which is the largest river of the Peninsular Plateau?
Answer:
The Godavari

 

Question 5:
Which two island countries are India’s southern neighbours?
Answer:
Sri Lanka and Maldives

 

Question 6:
When does a citizen have an equal role in decision making?
Answer:
In a true democracy.

 

Question 7:
What type of unemployment is found in urban areas?
Answer:
Uneducated unemployment.

 

Question 8:
What was the impact of the First World War on Russia?
Answer:
Russia had to face shocking and demoralising defeats at several fronts.
Russia’s army lost 7 million soldiers by 1917. Huge destruction of crops and buildings led to over 3 million refugees in Russia. The situation discredited the Tsar. Many industries producing essential goods were closed down. Able¬bodied men were serving in war leading to shortage of labour. Large supplies of grain were supplied to the army leading to scarcity of food. Bread and flour became scarce. Riots at bread shops and ration shops became frequent.

 

Question 9:
Explain three main features of the Nazi cult of motherhood.
Answer:
Though Hitler said that ‘in my state the mother is the most important citizen,’ it was not true. In Nazi Germany, all mothers were not treated equally. Women who bore racially desirable children were awarded, while those who bore racially undesirable children were punished. Women who bore ‘desirable’ children were entitled to privileges and rewards. They were given special treatment in hospitals and concessions in shops and on theatre tickets and railway fares.

 

Question 10:
Why are most of the peninsular rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal? Give reasons. Name the two rivers draining into the Arabian Sea.
Answer:
The main water divide in Peninsular India is formed by the Western Ghats, which runs from north to south close to the western coast. Most of the major rivers of the Peninsula such as the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri flow eastwards and drain into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers make deltas at their mouths. There are numerous small stream flowing west of the Western Ghats. The Narmada and the Tapi are the only long rivers, which flow west into the Arabian Sea.

 

Question 11:
Differentiate between the Himalayan rivers and the peninsular rivers.
Answer:

The Himalayan Rivers

The Peninsular Rivers

The Himalayan rivers are perennial in nature. They are fed by the melting snow and glaciers of the lofty ranges supplemented by monsoon rains. Hence, the rivers flow throughout the year. The Himalayan rivers have long course from their sources in the mountains to the sea. The Himalayan rivers rise in the Himadri, Himachal or Shivalik section of the Himalayas and form the Northern Plains with their deposition of alluvium.

The Peninsular rivers are non-perennial in nature. They are fed by monsoon rains and have heavy flow during rainy season followed by reduced flow during dry season. So, they are seasonal rivers. The Peninsular rivers have shorter and shallower courses as compared to their Himalayan counterparts. Most of the rivers of Peninsular India originate in the Western Ghats and flow tow ards the Bay of Bengal. However, some of them originate in the Central Highlands and flow towards west.

 

 

Question 12:
Name three longitudinal divisions of the Himalayas. State one characteristic feature of each.
Answer:
The Himalayas consists of three sections comprising parallel ranges running from west to east. The nothern-most section is known as the Greater or Inner Himalayas. On account of its permanent snow cover and glaciers the section is also termed as Himadri. It is the most continuous section. The average height of these ranges is 6000 metres.
To the south of Himadri lie the rugged ranges of the Lesser Himalayas or the Himachal. Their average width is 50 km. The average height ranges between 3700 and 4500 metres.
The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Outer Himalayas or the Shivaliks. They extend over a width of 10-50 km. They are discontinuous ranges. Their average height is between 900 and 1100 metres. They are composed of unconsolidated sediments, gravel and alluvium.

 

Question 13:
What do you understand by the principle of ‘universal adult franchise’? How does it ensure political equality in a country?
Answer:
It means giving the right to vote, to get elected or elect representatives of legislative bodies without discrimination on the basis of caste, class, gender or race.
It ensures political equality because any adult citizen can elect or get elected to the legislature. Every adult citizen has one vote and each vote has one value. All citizens have equal right to elect and get elected as representatives.

 

Question 14:
“The preamble of Indian Constitution provides a philosophy and values of
Constitution.” Explain any three values that you derive from it.
Answer:
(i) Justice : Citizens cannot be discriminated on the grounds of caste, religion and gender. Social inequalities have to be reduced. Government should work for the welfare of all, especially of the disadvantaged group.
(ii) Equality : All are equal before the law. The traditional social inequalities have to be ended. The government should ensure equal opportunity for all.
(iii) Liberty : There are no unreasonable restrictions on the citizens in what they think, how they wish to express their thoughts and the way they wish to follow up their thoughts in action.

 

Question 15:
Discuss the powers and functions of the Parliament.
Answer:
Parliament is the final authority for making laws in the country. It can also change laws and make new ones in their place. It exercises control over those who run the government. In India, this control is direct and full. It also controls the finances and the budget. It is the highest forum of discussion and debate on public issues and national policies.
The Parliament plays a pivotal role in the elections of the Prime Minister, President and the Vice-President. The cabinet headed by the Prime Minister is responsible to the Lok Sabha and has to resign in case it loses die confidence of the Lok Sabha. The Parliament is also responsible for impeachment of judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts of India.

 

Question 16:
Give a brief account of inter-state disparities of poverty in India.

Answer:
(i) In 20 states and union territories, the poverty ratio is less than the national average.
(ii) In the states of Odisha, Bihar, Assam, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh, poverty percentage is more than 35. So, poverty is a serious problem in these states. Along with rural poverty, urban poverty is also high in these states.
(iii) While in the states like Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh there is significant decline in poverty.
(iv) States like Punjab and Haryana have succeeded in reducing poverty with the help of high agricultural growth rate.
(v) In West Bengal, land reform measures have helped in reducing poverty.

 

Question 17:
Write a note on the role of cooperatives in providing food and related items.
Answer:
The cooperatives are playing an important role in food security in India, especially in the southern and western parts of the country. The cooperative societies set up shops to sell goods to the poor people at lower prices. For example, out of all fair price shops operating in Tamil Nadu, nearly 94 per cent are being run by the cooperatives. In Delhi, Mother Dairy is providing milk and
vegetables to the consumers at controlled prices which is decided by the Delhi government. Amul is another example in this regard. It has brought about the White Revolution in the country. There are many more cooperatives and NGOs working intensively towards this direction.

 

Question 18:
Give three reasons why small farmers have to arrange capital by borrowing.
Answer:
(i) Small farmers have no extra or surplus money to invest in farming. They consume whatever they produce.
(ii) They need to buy seeds, fertilisers and pesticides for agriculture.
(iii) They need to arrange for irrigation and repair farm implements and tools. Banks don’t
(iv) provide them credit. So they have to borrow from moneylenders and relatives.

 

Question 19A:
Mention the various uses of forests.
Answer:
Forests give us varieties of things to satisfy our different needs — fuel, fodder, leaves, trees suitable for building ships or railways, trees that can provide hard wood. Forest products like roots, fruits, tubers, herbs are used for medicinal purposes, wood for agricultural implements like yokes, ploughs, etc. Forests provide shelter to animals and birds. They also add moisture to atmosphere. Rainfall is trapped in forest lands.
Forests are the chief habitat of all forms of flora and fauna. Apart from causing rainfall, being an important link in the food chain system, maintaining much- needed ecological balance, forests have great aesthetic value. The flora and fauna like flowers of various hues and colours and birds have inspired poets and artists since time immemorial.
Forests lend beauty to our environment.

OR

Question 19B:
How did the pastoralists cope with the changes introduced during the colonial period?
Answer:
Under colonial rule the life of the pastoralists changed completely. Their grazing grounds became less, their movements were regulated, the revenues they had to pay increased, their trade and crafts and agricultural produce declined. The pastoralists adjusted with these changes. They reduced the number of cattle in their herds. They discovered new pastures. Some bought land and began to lead a settled life. Some poor peasants borrowed money to survive. In due course of time, they lost their cattle and sheep and became labourers.

OR

Question 19C:
Which innovations helped farmers to increase agricultural production in England?
Answer:
First, new lands were brought under cultivation, landlords sliced up pasture lands, carved up open fields, cut up forests, took over marshes. The farmers started growing turnips and clover as they discovered that these crops improved the soil and made it more fertile. Turnip was also good fodder for the cattle. So, they became part of cropping system.
They also realised that nitrogen was important for crop growth. Turnip and clover restored the nitrogen and made the soil fertile again.

 

Question 20A:
How was the Maasai Society divided in precolonial period? How did the arrangement change because of the colonial policies?
Answer:
During colonial period Maasai society was divided into two categories — warriors and elders. The Elders formed the ruling group. They met in councils held from time to time to discuss affairs of the communities and resolve the disputes. The warriors consisted of young people whose main work was protection of the tribe. They defended their communities and organised cattle raids. Young men were recognised as a members of the warrior class after proving their ability.
After the colonial period the British made certain changes. The British appointed chiefs of various subgroups of Maasai. They were responsible for various affairs of the tribe. The British also imposed restrictions on raidings and wars. As a result of the British policies the chiefs accumulated wealth as they had regular income to buy land and cattle. In course of time they started trading and lived in towns. The chiefs managed to survive but other poor pastoralists were subjected to a lot of hardship.

OR

Question 20B:
What was the effect of plantations on forests of India?
Answer:
Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to make way for tea, coffee and rubber plantation. There were growing demands for these commodities in Europe. British traders expected a lot of profits in exporting these to Europe. The colonial government took over the forests, and gave vast areas to European planters at cheap rates. These areas were cleared of forests, enclosed and planted with tea or coffee or rubber.

OR

Question 20C:
Describe the ‘Open Field System’ prevailing in England in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Answer:
In large parts of English countryside vast stretches of land were open.
Peasants cultivated on strips of land around their villages. In the beginning of cropping season, each village was allotted a strip of land. There strips were located in different places and were of different quality. Every villager was allotted a mix of good and bad plots. Beyond the cultivated strips of land, lay the common land or open pastures. All villagers had access to the common land where they grazed their cattle, collected firewood and fruits from common land. The common lands were essential for survival of poor peasants. The resources from common forests supplemented their income, sustained their cattle and helped the poor tide over lean periods.

 

Question 21:
What is the difference between (a) ‘flora’ and ‘fauna’ and (b) ‘natural vegetation’ and ‘planted vegetation’?
Answer:
In any given region whatever types of plants grow in a period, due to particular physical characteristics of that region, it is called ‘flora’. It includes everything from bushes to high plants, from grass to floral plants. ‘Fauna’ is used to describe all sorts of big and small animals found in any particular region over a particular period of time.
‘Natural vegetation’ is grown naturally in any region due to the climate, soil, relief and land of any particular region. It grows without the help of any external factor. When any type of plant or vegetation is grown in any region by human beings, it is called ‘planted vegetation.’ It is controlled by human beings at every stage.

 

Question 22:
How can you say that the President occupies the position of a nominal head of the State?
Answer:
The President is not elected directly by the people. She or he can never claim the kind of direct popular mandate that the Prime Minister can. This ensures that she or he remains only a nominal executive. All the powers of the President are actually exercised by the Prime Minister of India. The Constitution gives vast powers to the President. But he/she exercises them only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The President can ask the Council of Ministers to reconsider its advice. But if the same advice is given again, she or he is bound to act according to it. Similarly, when the bill comes to the President for signatures she / he can return it to the Parliament with her / his advice but when the bill comes for her / his signatures again, she / he’ has to sign it, whether the Parliament agrees to her / his advice or not. The President also has a few discretionary powers, particularly in the appointment of the Prime Minister.

 

Question 23:
Explain the Right against Exploitation.
Answer:
The Constitution mentions three specific evils and declares these illegal. First, the Constitution prohibits ‘traffic in human beings.’ Traffic means selling and buying of human beings for immoral purposes. Second, our Constitution also prohibits forced labour or begar in any form. It also bans ‘bonded’ labour. ‘Begar’ is a practice where the worker is forced to render service to the ‘master’ free of charge or at a nominal remuneration. Finally, the Constitution also prohibits child labour. No one can employ a child below the age of 14 to work in any factory or mine or in any other hazardous work, such as railways and ports. Using this as basis, many laws have been made to prohibit children from working in industries such as beedi making, firecrackers and matches, printing and dyeing.

 

Question 24:
Describe the national level Food for Work programme.
Answer:
The national Food for Work programme was launched on November 14,2004 in 150 most backward districts of the country with the objective of intensifying the generation of supplementary wage employment. The programme is open to all rural poor who are in need of wage employment and desire to do manual unskilled work. It is implemented as a 100 per cent centrally sponsored scheme and the foodgrains are provided to states free of cost. The collector is the modal officer at the district level and has the overall responsibility of planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and supervision. For 2004-05, Rs 2020 crore was allocated for the programme in addition to 20 lakh tonnes of foodgrains.

 

Question 25:
How is attainment of food security related to hunger? Differentiate between chronic and seasonal hunger.
Answer:
Attainment of food security involves eliminating current hunger and reducing the risks of future hunger.
Chronic hunger is a consequence of diets persistently inadequate in terms of quantity and/or quality. Poor people suffer from chronic hunger because of their very low income and in turn inability to buy food even for survival. Seasonal hunger is related to cycles of food growing and harvesting. This is prevalent in rural areas because of the seasonal nature of agricultural activities and in urban areas because of the casual labour, for example, there is less work for casual construction labour during the rainy season. This type of hunger exists when a person is unable to get work for the entire year. Fortunately, the occurrence of both types of hunger has declined in India recently.

 

Question 26:
Two items A and B are marked on the given outline map of France. Identify these with the help of the given information and write their names on the map.
(A) A port city famous for slave trade.
(B) Another port city famous for slave trade.
Answer:

 

Question 27:
Locate and label the following on the given outline map of world.
(i) England (Allied Power during First World War)
(ii) Japan (Axis Power during Second World War)
Answer:

 

 

Question 28:
Locate and label the following on the given outline political map of India.
(i)  Kaziranga National Park
(ii) Simplipal National Park
(iii) Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary

(28.1) Name a city famous for slave trade in France.
(28.2) Name an Axis power in Asia during Second World War.
(28.3) Where is Kaziranga National Park located?
(28.4) Where is Simplipal National Park located?
(28.5) Where is Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Answer:
(28.1) Nantes
(28.2) Japan
(28.3) Assam
(28.4) Odisha
(28.5) Jammu & Kashmir

 

 

CBSE Solved Question Papers  Social Science Set 2

 

Question 1:
Who were the members of the first two estates in Old Regime in France?
Answer:
They were the clergy and the nobility.

 

Question 2:
Define ‘Jungvolk’.
Answer:
Nazi youth groups for children below 14 years of age.

 

Question 3:
Define ‘Drainage Basin’.
Answer:
The area drained by a single river system is called a drainage basin.

 

Question 4:
Which river is called ‘Dakshin Ganga’?
Answer:
Godavari.

 

Question 5:
What is‘loo’?
Answer:
These are strong, gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the day in summer over the north and northwestern India.

 

Question 6:
Who drafted a Constitution for India in 1928?
Answer:
Motilal Nehru and eight other Congress leaders drafted a constitution in 1928.

 

Question 7:
What is the nature of unemployment in rural areas?
Answer:
Seasonal and disguised unemployment.

 

Question 8:
How were conservatives different from Radicals and Liberals?
Answer:
The liberals did not believe in universal franchise. In contrast, radicals wanted a nation in which government was based on the majority of a country’s population. Liberals felt men of property mainly should have the vote. They did not want the vote for women. On the other hand, the radical, supported women’s suffragette movements and opposed the privileges of great landowners and wealthy factory owners. They were not against the existence of private property but disliked concentration of property in the hands of a few.
Conservatives were opposed to radicals and liberals. They accepted that change was necessary but believed that the past had to be respected and change had to be brought about slowly and gradually but steadily.

 

Question 9:
State three lessons that the German children learnt from Nazi schooling.
Answer:
(i) During schooling, German children were subjected to a prolonged period of ideological training. Racial science was introduced to justify Nazi ideas of race.
(ii) Stereotypes about Jews were popularised. Children were taught to be loyal and submissive, hate Jews, and worship Hitler.
(iii) Sports were promoted so as to nurture a spirit of violence and aggression among children.

 

Question 10:
Define the following terms :
(i) Doab
(ii) Bhangar
(iii) Bhabar
Answer:
(i) Doab : The area between two rivers or river systems.
(ii) Bhangar: The largest part of the Northern Plains is formed of older alluvium. They lie above the floodplains of rivers and present a terrace like feature. This part is called Bhangar.
(iii) Bhabar: The Himalayan rivers deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shivaliks. It is known as Bhabar.

 

Question 11:
How were the Himalayas formed?
Answer:
Geologists claim that a sea was located where the Himalayas now stand. Internal and external changes of Earth’s crust occurred. It is said that one of the crustal plates, called the Indo- Australian plate, separated from the super-continent named Gondwanaland. It drifted slowly towards the north to collide with the Eurasian plate five million years ago. The northern edge of the Indo-
Australian plate was pushed beneath the Eurasian plate. After the collision of these two plates, the sedimentary rocks of enclosed ocean folded to form the Himalayas.

 

Question 12:
Describe any three important features of the Tapi Basin.
Answer:
(i) The Tapi rises in the Satpura ranges, in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.
(ii) It also flows in a rift valley parallel to the Narmada but it is much shorter in length.
(iii) Its basin covers parts of M.P., Gujarat and Maharashtra.

 

Question 13:
How values of freedom struggle were embedded in the Preamble of Indian Constitution? Explain.
Answer:
The freedom struggle cherished and nurtured the values of brotherhood, harmony, secularism, social, economic and political equality, giving rights to people, non-discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, gender, region, race, etc.
The Preamble declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic. It guarantees social, economic and political justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. It further emphasises equality of status and of opportunity. It assures the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the country.

 

Question 14:
Mention any three values that an elected leader of a democratic country should demonstrate to run a welfare government.
Answer:
(i) An elected leader must look after the needs and concerns of people.
(ii) He must be honest, devoted to his duty and be hard working.
(iii) He must not be corrupt and must have a clean image, and work as per the spirit and rules of the Constitution of India.

 

Question 15:
Define the following :
(a) Constitution
(b) Preamble
(c) Constituent Assembly
Answer:
(a) Constitution : It is a set of written rules that are accepted by all people living together in a country.
(b) Preamble : An introductory statement in a constitution which states the reasons and guiding values of the constitution.
(c) Constituent Assembly : An assembly of people’s representatives that writes a constitution for a country.

 

Question 16:
Why is it important to develop irrigation facilities? Explain.
Answer:
Traditional methods of irrigation are not suitable in modem farming. Farmers cannot afford to rely on the Monsoons alone. Modem irrigation facilities such as diesel-run or electric-run tubewells are able to irrigate fields of crops throughout the year. Farmers can grow multiple crops in a year from the same piece of land if irrigation facilities are modem and well developed. Our farmers are dependent on crops for their livelihood. Without proper irrigation enough foodgrains cannot be grown.

 

Question 17:
How has the environment been adversely affected by the Green Revolution? Explain.
Answer:
Land being a natural resource, it is necessary to be very careful in its use. Scientific reports indicate that the modem farming methods have overused the natural resource base.
In many areas, Green Revolution is associated with the loss of soil fertility due to increased use of chemical fertilisers. Also, continuous use of groundwater for tubewell irrigation has reduced the water-table below the ground. Environmental resources like soil fertility and groundwater are built up over many years. Once destroyed it is very difficult to restore them. We must take care of the environment to ensure future development of agriculture.

 

Question 18:
Define the theory of plate tectonics. How has their movement resulted in the formation of Himalayas? Explain.
Answer:
According to this theory, the crust of the earth has been formed out of seven major and some minor plates. The movement of the plates results in the building up of stresses within the plates and the continental rocks above, leading to folding, faulting and volcanic activity.
Geologists claim that a sea was located where the Himalayas now stand. Internal and external changes of Earth’s crust occurred. It is said that one of the crustal plates, called the Indo- Australian plate, separated from the super-continent named Gondwanaland. It drifted slowly towards the north to collide with the Eurasian plate five million years ago. The northern edge of the Indo- Australian plate was pushed beneath the Eurasian plate. After the collision of these two plates, the sedimentary rocks of enclosed ocean folded to form the Himalayas.

 

Question 19A:
What is shifting agriculture? Why was it regarded as harmful by the British?

Answer:
Shifting agriculture or swidden agriculture is a traditional agricultural practice in many parts of Asia, Africa and South America. It has many local names such as ‘lading’ in South-East Asia, ‘milpa’ in Central America, ‘chitemene’ or ‘tavy’ in Africa, ‘chena’ in Sril Lanka, ‘dhya’, ‘penda’, ‘bewar’, ‘nevad’, ‘jhum’, ‘podu’, ‘khandad’ and ‘kumri’ in India.
In shifting cultivation, parts of a forest are cut and burnt in rotation, seeds are sown in ashes after the first monsoon rains and the crop is harvested by October-November. Such plots are cultivated for a couple of years and then left fallow for 12 to 18 years for the forest to grow back.
It was regarded by the British as harmful for the forests. They felt that land which was used for cultivation every few years could not grow trees for railway timber. When the forest was burnt, there was the danger of the flames spreading and burning valuable timber.

OR

Question 19B:
Why did the British introduce Wasteland Rules? How did they affect the pastoralists? Explain briefly.
Answer:
Wasteland rules were introduced because to the colonial officials all uncultivated land appeared to be unproductive. It produced neither revenue nor agricultural produce. By these rules uncultivated land was taken over and given to select individuals. These individuals were given concessions and encouraged to settle on these lands. Some of them were made headmen of villages. In most areas, lands taken over were actually grazing tracts, regularly used by pastoralists, and the decline of pastures created trouble for the pastoralists.

OR

Question 19C:
Which innovations helped farmers to increase agricultural production in England?
Answer:
First new lands were brought under cultivation, landlords sliced up pasture lands, carved up open fields, cut up forests, took over marshes. The farmers started growing turnips and clover as they discovered that these crops improved the soil and made it more fertile. Turnip was also good fodder for the cattle. So, they became part of cropping system.
They also realised that nitrogen was important for crop growth. Turnip and clover restored the nitrogen and made the soil fertile again.

 

Question 20A:
Why did cultivation expand rapidly under colonial period? Give two points.

Answer:
(i) The British colonial government directly encouraged cultivation.
(ii) In the early 19th century, the colonial state considered forests to be unproductive.
(iii) Forests were wilderness which had to be brought under plough.
(iv) Agriculture could yield foodgrains and revenue, and enhance the income of the state.
(v) Expansion of cultivation was seen as a sign of progress and prosperity which the colonial state wished to appear to the public.

OR

Question 20B:
Who were the Banjaras? Describe their activities.
Answer:
Banjaras were a well-known group of nomads and graziers who herded cattle like sheep, goats and cows. They lived at outskirts of villages of U.P., Punjab, Rajasthan, M.P., and Maharashtra. They moved from one area to another constantly in search of good pastureland for their cattle. They camped near pastures.
After setting for a brief period they moved on to new pasture. They moved over long distance selling plough cattle and other goods to villages in exchange for grain and fodder. In course of time, Banjaras became grain merchants selling goods from village to village. They moved in caravans of bullock carts selling grains.

OR

Question 20C:
What were the causes for terrifying duststorms in 1930s in the USA? Give five reasons.
Answer:
(i) Early 1930s were years of persistent drought. Rains failed year after year and temperatures soared.
(ii) Winds blew with ferocious speed.
(iii) Ordinary duststorms became black blizzards because the entire landscape had been ploughed over many times, stripped
of all grass and plants that held soils together.
(iv) When wheat cultivation had expanded dramatically in the early 20th century, zealous farmers had recklessly destroyed all vegetation.
(v) Tractors had overploughed vast tracts of farmland, had turned the soil into tiny dusts, and had broken the sod into dust.

 

Question 21:
Why existence of wildlife is important? Describe in the context of the ecosystem.
Answer:
Sun is the source of energy for the entire ecosystem. Plants are consumed by herbivorous animals, which are in turn, eaten by carnivorous animals. Lastly, dead animals and plants are consumed by microorganisms. So, all these components are important for balance in the ecosystem. If we withdraw animals from this system then the whole ecosystem is disturbed. So if we disturb the wildlife, it will affect the mankind. In order to preserve and protect the natural habitat of animals and plants, government had passed Wildlife
Protection Act in 1972. Therefore, the national parks, biosphere reserves and bird sanctuaries have been established to protect the wildlife.

 

Question 22:
What are the powers of the Supreme Court?
Answer:
The Supreme Court controls the judicial administration of the country. Its decisions are binding on all other courts of the country. It can take up any dispute : between citizens of the country; between citizens and government; between two or more state governments; between government at the Union and State level.
It is the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. It can hear appeals against the decisions of the High Courts. The Supreme Court has the power to interpret the Constitution of the country. It can determine the constitutional validity of any law. This is known as judicial review.

 

Question 23:
Describe the position of the citizens in Saudi Arabia with regard to their government.
Answer:
(i) The country is ruled by a hereditary king and the people have no role in electing or changing their rulers.
(ii) The king selects the legislature as well as the executive. He appoints the judges and can change any of their decisions.
(iii) Citizens cannot form political parties and the media cannot criticise the government.
(iv) There is no freedom of religion. Every citizen is required to be Muslim. Non- Muslim residents can follow their religion in
private, but not in public.
(v) Women are subjected to many public restrictions. The testimony of one man is considered equal to that of two women.

 

Question 24:
How is food security affected during a calamity?
Answer:
Due to a natural calamity like drought, total production of foodgrains decreases. It creates a shortage of food in the affected areas. Due to shortage of food, the prices go up. At the high prices, some people cannot afford to buy food. If such a calamity happens in a very widespread area or is stretched over a longer time period, it may cause a situation of starvation. A massive starvation might lead to a famine. A famine is characterised by widespread death due to starvation and epidemics caused by forced use of contaminated water or decaying food and loss of body resistance due to weakening from starvation.

 

Question 25:
Explain the socio-cultural and economic factors responsible for poverty.
Answer:
These are the following :
(i) Huge income inequalities due to unequal distribution of land and other resources.
(ii) Major policy initiatives like land reforms have not been implemented properly and effectively by most of the states.
(iii) People in India spend a lot of money to fulfil social obligations, and observe religious ceremonies like marriage, festivals,
etc.
(iv) Seasonal nature of employment in rural and urban areas.
(v) Indebtedness in rural areas due to lack of saving.

 

Question 26:
Locate and label the following on the given outline map of France.
(i) Paris
(ii) Marseilles
Answer:

 

 

Question 27:
Locate and label the following on the given outline map of world.
(i) Germany (Axis power during Second World War)
(ii) USSR (Allied power during Second World War)
Answer:

 

 

Question 28:
Locate and label the following on the the given outline map of the world.
(i) Manas National Park
(ii) Leh
(iii) Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Note : The following questions are for the blind candidates only, in lieu of Q. No. 26,27 and 28.
(28.1) Name the most important centre of the French Revolution.
(28.2) Name a major Allied power during Second World War.
(28.3) In which state is Manas National Park located?
(28.4) Where is Leh located.
(28.5) Where is Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary located?
Answer:
(28.1) Paris .
(28.2) USSR
(28.3) Assam
(28.4) J & K
(28.5) Karnataka