Geography: CBSE Sample Question Paper (2020-21) - 3 | CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Class - XII
Geography
TIME: 3 Hrs.
M.M: 70

General Instructions:
(i) Question paper is divided into 3 sections - A, B and C.
(ii) In Section A, question number 1 to 15 are Objective type Multiple choice questions carrying 1 mark each. Attempt any 14 questions. Write the correct answer only in your answer sheets.
(iii) In Section B, Question numbers 16 and 17 are Short Source Based and Graph Based questions respectively carrying 3 marks each. Answer any three questions out of 4. Each of these sub-questions carry 1 mark.
(iv) In Section C, Question numbers 18 to 22 are Short Answer questions carrying 3 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 60-80 words.
(v) In Selection C, Question numbers 23 to 27 are Long Answer questions carrying 5 marks each. Answers to these questions should not exceed 120-150 words.
(vi) Question numbers 28 and 29 are related to location and labeling and Identification of geographical features on maps respectively, carrying 5 marks each.
(vii) Outline map of India and World provided to you must be attached within your answer book.
(viii) Use of template or stencils for drawing outline maps is allowed.

SECTION - A (OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS)

Q.1. _____________ measures the shortfall in human development.
Ans. Poverty Index

Q.2. Arrange the following phases in a sequence order according to their occurrence in Indian population:
1. Population explosion
2. Stationary phase
3. Decreased growth
4. Steady growth
(a) 1 4 2 3
(b) 4 1 3 2
(c) 2 4 1 3
(d) 3 2 4 1
Ans. c

Q.3. The actual development of mining began with the:
(a) Industrial Revolution
(b) Civil War
(c) World Wars
(d) India’s independence
Ans. a

Q.4. Movement from one place to another, usually as a response to change in temperature, food, occupation , and opportunities is known as:
(a) Migration
(b) Emigration
(c) Immigration
(d) Refuge
Ans. a

Q. 5. A country ’s level of development is measured only in terms of its:
(a) Medical growth
(b) Education growth
(c) Human growth
(d) Economic growth
Ans: d

Q.6. Name the economist who worked with Prof. Amartya Sen on “Human Development Report”.
(a) Dr. Manmohan Singh
(b) Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq
(c) Dr. Zia-ul-Haq
(d) Dr. Nawaz Sidiqi
Ans. b

Q.7. Density of population is the ratio between the number of people to the ___________ of land.
Ans. Area

Q.8. The variation across the global landscape that is normally associated with population is known as:
(a) Spatial variation
(b) Equality
(c) Sex ratio
(d) Denser variation
Ans: a

Q.9. Which of these soil types contains sand, silt and clay?
(a) Black soil
(b) Red soil
(c) Loamy soil
(d) Alluvial soil
Ans. c

Q.10. Arrange the correct sequence of column II against the column I

(a) III – 1, IV – 2, I – 3, II – 4
(b) I – 4, II – 3, III – 2, IV – 1
(c) IV – 3, I -4, II – 1, III – 2
(d) II – 1, III – 4, IV – 2, I – 3
Ans. d

Q.11. The share of the domestic sector in surface water utilization is:
(a) 2 percent
(b) 4 percent
(c) 5 percent
(d) 9 percent
Ans. d

Q.12. The term which is used to describe factors that attract people to a country, region, religion, organization, etc. is known as:
(a) push factors
(b) loose factors
(c) pull factors
(d) joint factors
Ans. c

Q.13. Which one of the following is the best description of development?
(a) An increase in size
(b) A constant in size
(c) A positive change in quality
(d) A positive change in population
Ans. c

Q.14. The energy sources like solar power, wind, wave, geothermal energy are:
(a) Exhaustible resources
(b) Inexhaustible resources
(c) Alternate resources
(d) Temporary resources
Ans. a

Q.15. Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh have more than 85 percent of their net sown area under: 
(a) irrigation
(b) use of HYV seeds
(c) use of pesticides
(d) use of technology
Ans. a

SECTION - B (SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS)
Q.16. Read the note on outsourcing given below and answer the questions that follow:
Ralegan Siddhi is a small village in the district of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. It has become an example for watershed development throughout the country. In 1975, this village was caught in a web of poverty and illicit liquor trade. The transformation took place when a retired army personnel settled down in the village and took up the task of watered development. He convinced villagers about the importance of family planning and voluntary labour; preventing open grazing, felling trees, and liquor prohibition. Voluntary labour was necessary to ensure minimum dependence on the government for financial aid. “It socialised the costs of the projects”, explained the activist. Even those who were working outside the village contributed to the development by committing a month’s salary every year. Work began with the percolation tank constructed in the village. In 1975, the tank could not hold water. The embankment wall leaked. People voluntarily repaired the embankment. The seven wells below it swelled with water in summer for the first time in the living memory of the people. The people reposed their faith in him and his visions.
A youth group called Tarun Mandal was formed. The group worked to ban the dowry system, caste discrimination and untouchability. Liquor distilling units were removed and prohibition imposed. Open grazing was completely banned with a new emphasis on stall-feeding. The cultivation of water-intensive crops like sugarcane was banned. Crops such as pulses, oilseeds and certain cash crops with low water requirements were encouraged. All elections to local bodies began to be held on the basis of consensus. “It made the community leaders complete representatives of the people.” A system of Nyay Panchayats (informal courts) were also set up. Since then, no case has been referred to the police. A Rs. 22 lakh school building was constructed using only the resources of the village. No donations were taken. Money, if needed, was borrowed and paid back. The villagers took pride in this self-reliance. A new system of sharing labour grew out of this infusion of pride and voluntary spirit. People volunteered to help each other in agricultural operations. Landless labourers also gained employment. Today the village plans to buy land for them in adjoining villages. At present, water is adequate; agriculture is flourishing, though the use of fertilisers and pesticides is very high. The prosperity also brings the question of ability of the present generation to carry on the work after the leader of the movement who declared that, “The process of Ralegan’s evolution to an ideal village will not stop. With changing times, people tend to evolve new ways. In future, Ralegan might present a different model to the country.
Answer any three questions:
(i) In which state is Ralegan Siddhi situated?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Arunachal Pradesh
Ans. c

(ii) What happened to the embankment wall in 1975?
(a) Fell down
(b) Leaked
(c) Held steady
(d) Destroyed by terrorists
Ans. b

(iii) What name was given to the youth group formed?
(a) Youth Ekta
(b) Yuva Mandal
(c) Tarun Mandal
(d) Students to Soldiers
Ans. c

(iv) How much donation was arranged to construct a school building?
(a) Nil
(b) Rs. 10 lakhs
(c) Rs. 20 lakhs
(d) Rs. 22 lakhs
Ans. a

Q.17. Study the given graph carefully and answer the following questions:

Answer any three questions:
(i) What is the trend of exports as compared to imports?
(a) Exports are more than imports
(b) Imports are more than exports
(c) Imports and exports are similar
(d) Exports are increasing as well as decreasing
Ans. b

(ii) In which period, there was a reduction in the gap between imports and exports?
(a) 1999-2000
(b) 2000-2001
(c) 2002-2003
(d) 2002-2004
Ans. b

(iii) What was the trend of exports during the period 2000-2002?
(a) Increasing
(b) Decreasing
(c) Constant
(d) Increasing at decreasing rate
Ans. c

(iv) What was the status of foreign trade surplus/deficit during 2002-2004?
(a) Decreased surplus
(b) Increased surplus
(c) Decreased deficit
(d) Increased deficit
Ans. d

SECTION - C (SHORT ANSWER AND LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS)
Q.18. What is the nature of decadal and annual growth rates of population in India?
OR
State the different types of occupational categories found in India.
Ans. The decadal and annual growth rate of population in India: The decades between 1921 to 1951 recorded steady growth of population. Overall improvement in health and sanitation minimized the mortality rate but the birth rate remained high. The next three decades 1951-81 are known as the period of population explosion. It was caused by a rapid fall in the mortality rate but birth rate remained  high. Average annual growth rate was very high as the living conditions of people improved due to developmental activities resulting in high natural increase in birth rate and thus, growth rate remained high. International migration also contributed to the high growth rate of population. Since 1981 till date, population growth rate has been high although a downward trend of crude birth rate has started.
OR
Occupational Categories found in India are:
(i) Cultivators: The people who possess the agricultural land are engaged with cultivation activity.
(ii) Agricultural Labourers: People who are engaged with farm-based activities/ cultivation to earn the wages.
(iii) Household Industrial Workers: People engaged with cottage industries, generally as house entities.
(iv) Other Workers: Workers in non-household industries/ trade/ commerce/ construction repair and other services.

Q.19. “Possibilities can be created within the limit, which do not damage the environment and there is  no free run without accidents”. Analyse the statement.
Ans. Approach to development without damaging the environment:
(i) Human beings were able to develop technology after they developed better understanding of natural laws.
(ii) Obeying nature is extremely important to develop technology and technology loosens the shackles of the environment on human beings.
(iii) Humans have to respond to the red signals and proceed to develop when nature permits modifications.
(iv) The free run, reckless approach badly affects the environment.
(v) It has resulted in greenhouse effect, depletion of ozone layer, global warming, receding glaciers and degrading lands.

Q.20. Why is the age structure considered an important indicator of population composition? Give reasons.
Ans. Age structure represents the number of people that belong to different age groups. Age structure is taken as an important indicator of population composition.
A large size of the population falling in the age group of 15 to 59 reflects a large working population.
A greater proportion of the population above the age of  60 years represents an ageing population, which requires more expenditure on medical facilities. Similarly a high proportion of the young population would mean that the area has a high birth rate which leads to a youthful population.

Q.21. Study the diagram given below and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Which class of towns/cities support the largest population?
(ii) Explain any two reasons for such a high concentration of population in this class of towns/ cities.
Ans. (i) Cities/ Class I towns support the largest urban population. [Population > 1 lakh]
(ii) Cities/ Class1 towns are much larger than other towns or a city is a leading town. Cities perform a greater number of economic activities. They also house transport terminals, major financial institutions etc.
Reasons for such a high concentration of population:
1. Rural-Urban migration on a large scale to avail the vast economic opportunities, availing educational and health care facilities etc.
2. Decrease in death rate and increase in birth rate because of improvements in public health and sanitation, inoculation against epidemics and other communicable diseases, the urban population is on rest.

Q.22. Study the given diagram carefully and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Identify and name the pattern of rural settlement shown in the diagram.
(ii) Explain any two characteristics of this type of pattern of rural settlement.
Ans. (i) Circular pattern
(ii) (a) Circular villages develop around lakes, tanks.
(b) Central part remains open and is used for keeping the animals. (CBSE Marking Scheme 2019)

Q.23. What is “Human Development”? Classify the countries on the basis of human development scores earned by them.
Ans: Human Development: Development that increases people’s choices and improves their lives.
Classification: Countries can be classified into four groups on the basis of the human development scores earned by them:
(i) Very High
(ii) High
(iii) Medium
(iv) Low
Characteristics: Level of development score in Development Index:
(i) Very High Above 0.800
(ii) High Between 0.701 to 0.796
(iii) Medium Between 0.550 to 0.699
(iv) Low Below 0.5 (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2017)
Detailed Answer: (i) Countries with very high human development index are those which have a score of over 0.800.
According to the Human Development Report of 2016, this group includes 51 countries.
(ii) Countries with high human development index are those which have a score between 0.701 and 0.799. This group includes 55 countries. Providing education and healthcare is an important government priority. Countries with higher human development are those where a lot of investment in the social sector has taken place.
(iii) Countries with medium levels of human development form the largest group. There are a total of 46 countries in this group. Most of these are countries which have emerged in the period after the Second World War. Many of these countries have been rapidly improving their human development score by adopting more people-oriented policies and reducing social discrimination.
(iv) As many as 46 countries record low levels of human development. A large proportion of these are small countries which have been going through political turmoil and social instability in the form of civil war, famine or a high incidence of diseases.

Q.24. Explain the economic and cultural factors that influence the distribution of population in the world.
OR
Define the term ‘density of population’. Elaborate any four geographical factors that influence the distribution of population in the world.
Ans. Factors that influence the distribution of population:
Economic factors:
(i) Minerals
(ii) Urbanisation
(iii) Industrialisation
(iv) Any other relevant point (Any three points to be explained)
Cultural factors
(i) Impact of religious or cultural significance.
(ii) Educational centres.
(iii) Any other relevant point. [CBSE Marking Scheme 2019]
Detailed Answer: Factors influencing the distribution of population in the world are:
Economic factors:
(i) Minerals: The regions which are rich in natural resources like coal, water, etc, favour the growth of population. These resources help in the development of trade, commerce and industry.
(ii) Urbanization: People move from villages to live in cities in order to hunt for better employment opportunities, medical facilities and other amenities which results in the growth of the population of the cities.
(iii) Industrialization: Industrial areas provide better job opportunities for the people as a result more and more people prefer to move towards the industrial belt.
(iv) Agriculture: Rich and fertile soil always helps in the development of agricultural activities and hence results in the growth of a dense population.
Social and cultural factors: 
(i) People are attracted towards certain areas as these areas have some religious and cultural significance.
(ii) Social and political unrest such as riots results in the movement of people towards areas where they can live a peaceful life.
(iii) Governments of some places offer incentives to people to live in sparsely populated areas.
OR
Density of population: The ratio between the numbers of people to the size of land.
Density of population = Population/Area
Geographical factors:
(i) Availability of water
(ii) Land forms
(iii) Climate
(iv) Soils

Q.25. Classify urban settlements on the basis of size, functions and services available into five categories and explain an important characteristic of each type.
OR
Shortage of housing and growth of slums—major problems of urban settlements in developing countries. Explain.
Ans. Depending on the size, functions and the service available, urban settlements are designated as towns, cities, million city, conurbation and megalopolis.
(i) Towns: Population size in town is higher than in the village. Functions such as manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade and professional services exist in towns.
(ii) City: A city may be regarded as a leading town. Cities are much larger than towns and have a greater number of economic functions. They tend to have transport terminals, major financial institutions and regional administrative offices. When the population crosses one million mark it is designated as a million city.
(iii) Million City: The city having more than a million population is known as a million city. The number of these types of cities in the world has been increasing as never before.
(iv) Conurbation: The term ‘conurbation’ was introduced by Patrick Geddes in 1915 and applied to a large area of urban development resulting from the merging of originally separate towns or cities. Greater London, Greater Mumbai, Manchester, Chicago are some of the examples.
(v) Megalopolis: This Greek word meaning ‘great city ’ was popularised by Jean Gottmann (1957) and signifies ‘super metropolitan’ region extending union of conurbations. The urban landscape stretching from Boston in the North to Washington in the South of the USA is the best example of megalopolis.
OR
Shortage of housing and growth of slums—major problems of urban settlements:
(i) People flock to cities to avail of employment opportunities and civic amenities.
(ii) Urban settlement creates severe congestion.
(iii) There is a shortage of houses.
(iv) Growth of slums is a common feature.
(v) People live in substandard hutments and shanties.
(vi) The unplanned growth of urban settlements defaces the beauty of the cities.
(vii) In most million plus cities in India, one in four inhabitant lives in illegal settlements.
(viii) In the Asia Pacific countries, around 60 per cent of the urban population lives in squatter settlements. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2016)
Detailed Answer:
(i) People flock to cities to avail of employment opportunities and civic amenities: People from rural areas move to urban areas in search of greener pastures. This huge gush or inflow of migrants leads to lack of accommodation.
(ii) Urban settlement creates severe congestion: The  inflow of migrants leads to a severe accommodation crunch and this forces the mushrooming of illegal construction without any proper planning.
(iii) There is a shortage of houses: Due to the inflow of huge migration rush, there is a shortage of proper housing and planning.
(iv) Growth of slums is a common feature: Growth of unplanned and haphazard construction with lack of proper sanitation and hygiene facilities crops up on the outskirts of the cities.
(v) People live in substandard hutments and shanties: The substandard hutments and shanties are called slums.
(vi) The unplanned growth of urban settlements defaces the beauty of the cities: The slums led to spread of diseases and filth all over.
(vii) In most million plus cities in India, one in four inhabitants lives in illegal settlements: One of the biggest examples of this is the slums of Dharavi, Mumbai.
(viii) In the Asia Pacific countries, around 60 per cent of the urban population lives in squatter settlements: These settlements lack basic hygiene and sanitation facilities and are prone to outbreak of diseases.

Q.26. Study the given map carefully and answer the questions that follow:

(i) Mention the source of origin of this canal.
(ii) Why is the area to the east of the canal under lift irrigation?
(iii) Explain the economic significance of this canal for the command area.
Ans. (i) Canal originates at Harike Barrage/ Confluence of Satluj and Beas
(ii) Areas of the East of the canal are under lift irrigation because water is lifted up to make it flow against the slope of the land/ high land area.
(iii) Economic significance:
(a) Canal irrigation has led to increase in cultivated area and intensity of cropping.
(b) Traditional  crops  sown  here gram and Bajra have been replaced by Wheat, Cotton, Groundnut and Rice, which led to increase in agricultural and livestock production.
(c) Any other relevant point.

Q.27. What makes rural settlement different from urban settlement in India? Explain.
Ans. Difference between rural and urban settlements in India are: Rural Settlements:
(i) Most of the people are engaged in primary activities to support their life.
(ii) The people in the rural society had homogeneity and thus enjoyed more or less the same social status and had informal social relationships with each other.
(iii) Inadequate educational facilities.
(iv) Inadequate infrastructure.
(v) Life in the society is very simple and reflected in the way of living, dressing, food habits, shelter and manners, etc., showing low standards of living.
Urban Settlements:
(i) Most of the people are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities other than primary activities.
(ii) The people in the city belong to different castes, creeds, religions and cultures, thus do not enjoy the same social status and have formal relationships with each other.
(iii) Adequate educational facilities.
(iv) Adequate infrastructure.
(v) Life in the city is not simple but very complex and complicated, showing a high living standard. 

Q.28. On the outline map of India mark and indicate the following features:

(i) The oldest copper mine of India.
(ii) Mayurbhanj - an iron ore mining area.
(iii) The integrated iron and steel plant located in Chhattisgarh.
(iv) A lignite coal mine in Tamil Nadu.
(v) The software technology park located in Gujarat.
(vi) An international airport situated in Punjab.
(vii) The leading tea producing state.
Ans:

Q.29. In the outline map of the world, five features are shown. Identify them with the help of the information given below and write the correct names.
(a) Shipping canal joining Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea
(b) Shipping canal in Central America
(c) Inland waterways of Europe
(d) Inland waterways of North America
(e) The waterway that connects the interior of USA with the Gulf of Mexico

Ans.
(a) Suez Canal
(b) Panama Canal
(c) Rhine Inland Waterways
(d) St. Lawrence Seaway
(e) The Mississippi Waterways