Half Yearly Class 7 Social Studies Set 2 (Solutions) | Social Science Class 7 - New NCERT PDF Download

Maximum Marks: 80
Time: 3 Hours
General Instructions:
(i) The question paper consists of 34 questions divided into four sections: A, B, C, and D. 
(ii) All questions are compulsory. 
(iii) Section A: Questions 1 to 15 are multiple-choice questions, carrying 1 mark each. Select the most appropriate response. 
(iv) Section B: Questions 16 to 22 are short-answer questions, carrying 2 marks each. 
(v) Section C: Questions 23 to 31 are short-answer questions, carrying 4 marks each. 
(vi) Section D: Questions 32 to 34 are short-answer questions, carrying 5 marks each. 
(vii) Write answers neatly and legibly.

Section A

Q1. Which region in India is known for its black soil, suitable for cotton cultivation? (1 mark)
(a) Northern Plains
(b) Deccan Plateau 
(c) Coastal Plains
(d) Himalayan Region

Ans: (b)
Sol: The Deccan Plateau is known for its black soil, ideal for cotton cultivation.

Q2. Which ancient city was famous for its university and learning center? (1 mark)
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Nalanda
(c) Kanchipuram
(d) Ujjain

Ans: (b)
Sol: Nalanda was famous for its ancient university, a major center of learning.

Q3. Which form of government allows citizens to vote for their leaders? (1 mark)
(a) Monarchy
(b) Oligarchy
(c) Democracy
(d) Dictatorship

Ans: (c)
Sol: Democracy allows citizens to vote for their leaders.

Q4. In the barter system, goods are exchanged: (1 mark)
(a) Using coins
(b) Without a medium of exchange
(c) Through digital payments
(d) Using paper currency

Ans: (b)
Sol: The barter system involves direct exchange of goods without money.

Q5. Which site is associated with Jainism? (1 mark)
(a) Sarnath
(b) Shravanabelagola
(c) Haridwar
(d) Ayodhya

Ans: (b)
Sol: Shravanabelagola is a significant Jain pilgrimage site.

Q6. Which geographical feature supports dense forests in India? (1 mark)
(a) Thar Desert
(b) Eastern Ghats
(c) Indo-Gangetic Plains
(d) Aravali Range

Ans: (b)
Sol: The Eastern Ghats support dense forests due to adequate rainfall.

Q7. Who was the founder of the Gupta Empire? (1 mark)
(a) Chandragupta I
(b) Ashoka
(c) Harsha
(d) Bindusara

Ans: (a)
Sol: Chandragupta I founded the Gupta Empire.

Q8. In which government does power pass through family lineage? (1 mark)
(a) Republic
(b) Monarchy
(c) Oligarchy
(d) Democracy

Ans: (b)
Sol: In a monarchy, power passes through family lineage.

Q9. Which material was commonly used for early coins in India? (1 mark)
(a) Plastic
(b) Silver
(c) Paper
(d) Iron

Ans: (b)
Sol: Silver was commonly used for early coins in ancient India.

Q10. Which region in India is prone to frequent flooding? (1 mark)
(a) Deccan Plateau
(b) Northern Plains
(c) Western Ghats
(d) Thar Desert

Ans: (b)
Sol: The Northern Plains are prone to flooding due to heavy river flow.

Q11. Which city was a major port for trade in ancient India? (1 mark)
(a) Taxila
(b) Lothal
(c) Mathura
(d) Varanasi

Ans: (b)
Sol: Lothal was a major port for trade in ancient India.

Q12. What made the barter system inefficient for large-scale trade? (1 mark)
(a) Use of heavy coins
(b) Lack of a standard value
(c) Digital transactions
(d) Excessive speed

Ans: (b)
Sol: The barter system lacked a standard value, making trade inefficient.

Q13. Which place is sacred for Hindus due to its association with Lord Rama? (1 mark)
(a) Ayodhya
(b) Sanchi
(c) Amritsar
(d) Bodh Gaya

Ans: (a)
Sol: Ayodhya is sacred for Hindus due to its association with Lord Rama.

Q14. Which empire was known for its golden age of art and literature? (1 mark)
(a) Maurya Empire
(b) Gupta Empire
(c) Chola Empire
(d) Mughal Empire

Ans: (b)
Sol: The Gupta Empire is known as the golden age for art and literature.

Q15. Which feature is unique to a democratic government? (1 mark)
(a) Hereditary rule
(b) Citizen participation
(c) Military control
(d) Rule by a small group

Ans: (b)
Sol: Citizen participation through voting is unique to democracy.

Section B

Q16. What are the major landforms found in India?  (2 marks)

Ans: Major landforms in India include the Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic Plains, Deccan Plateau, Western and Eastern Ghats, and Thar Desert.

Q17. Name two sacred rivers in India and their religious significance.  (2 marks)

Ans: The Ganga (sacred for Hindus, purifies sins) and Yamuna (associated with Lord Krishna) are revered rivers in India.

Q18. Define the term ’empire’ with an example from ancient India.  (2 marks)

Ans: An empire is a large political unit ruling over diverse territories.  
Example: The Maurya Empire under Ashoka.

Q19. What is the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy?  (2 marks)

Ans: A dictatorship has a single ruler with absolute power, while a democracy involves elected leaders accountable to citizens.

Q20. Explain the concept of a ’standard of value’ in the context of money.  (2 marks)

Ans: A standard of value is a common measure (like money) to assess the worth of goods. Example: A coin’s value determines the price of wheat.

Q21. Name two ancient cities known for their religious importance.  (2 marks)

Ans: Varanasi (Hinduism) and Sarnath (Buddhism) were ancient cities with religious importance.

Q22. What was the role of trade in the Gupta Empire?  (2 marks)

Ans: Trade in the Gupta Empire facilitated wealth accumulation, cultural exchange, and growth of cities like Ujjain.

Section C

Q23. Describe the significance of the Indo-Gangetic Plains for India’s agriculture.  (4 marks)

Ans: The Indo-Gangetic Plains are fertile due to alluvial soil from rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, supporting crops like wheat and rice. They are India’s agricultural backbone, feeding a large population.

Q24. Explain the importance of Nalanda as a center of learning in ancient India.  (4 marks)

Ans: Nalanda was a renowned university attracting scholars from across Asia. It offered education in Buddhism, mathematics, and astronomy, contributing to India’s intellectual legacy.

Q25. Why are mountains like the Himalayas considered sacred in Indian culture?  (4 marks)

Ans: The Himalayas are sacred due to their association with deities and spiritual prac- tices. For example, Mount Kailash is revered in Hinduism and Buddhism as a divine abode.

Q26. Discuss the advantages of a democratic government over a monarchy.  (4 marks)

Ans: Democracy ensures citizen participation, accountability, and equality, unlike monarchy, where a hereditary ruler holds power, often limiting public involvement.

Q27. How did the introduction of metallic coins impact trade in ancient India?  (4 marks)

Ans: Metallic coins provided a standard value, simplified trade, reduced barter inefficiencies, and enabled long-distance commerce, boosting economic growth.

Q28. Explain the role of ports in the growth of ancient Indian trade.  (4 marks)

Ans: Ports like Lothal facilitated maritime trade with regions like Mesopotamia, exporting textiles and spices, leading to wealth and urban development.

Q29. Describe the influence of the Deccan Plateau on the lifestyle of its people.  (4 marks)

Ans: The Deccan Plateau’s rocky terrain and black soil support crops like cotton, shaping an agrarian lifestyle with irrigation-based farming and trade in minerals.

Q30. Discuss the contributions of the Gupta Empire to mathematics and astronomy.  (4 marks)

Ans: The Gupta Empire advanced mathematics (zero and decimal system by Aryabhata) and astronomy (planetary motion studies), laying foundations for modern science.

Q31. How did sacred sites influence trade and commerce in ancient India?  (4 marks)

Ans: Sacred sites like Varanasi attracted traders and pilgrims, fostering markets, cultural exchange, and economic prosperity in ancient India.

Section D

Q32. Explain how India’s geographical diversity influences its economic activities.  (5 marks)

Ans:  India’s geographical diversity includes the Himalayas (climate regulation), plains (agriculture), plateaus (minerals), and coasts (trade). These shape economic activities like farming in plains, mining in plateaus, and fishing along coasts.

Q33. Discuss the rise of the Maurya Empire and its administrative system.  (5 marks)

Ans: The Maurya Empire rose under Chandragupta Maurya, unifying India. Its administration included a centralized bureaucracy, provincial governors, tax systems, and a spy network, ensuring efficient governance under Ashoka’s Dhamma.

Q34. Describe the limitations of the barter system and how money resolved them.  (5 marks)

Ans: The barter system was limited by the need for double coincidence of wants and lack of standard value. Money introduced a common medium, simplified trade, enabled taxation, and supported urban and economic growth.