Class 8 Social Science: CBSE Sample Question Paper Solutions Term I – 2 | Social Studies (SST) Class 8 PDF Download

 Page 1


  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
CBSE 
Class VIII Social Science 
Term 1 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
Time: 2½ hours Total Marks: 75 
 
SECTION A 
History 
Answers  
   
1. A 
2. B 
3. A 
4. A 
5. A 
 
Answer 6 – The National Archives of India was established in Delhi in the 1920s. 
 
Answer 7 - The Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was seen as the natural leader of the 
1857 rebellion due to the symbolic importance of the Mughal dynasty as the ‘emperors of 
Hindustan’. 
 
Answer 8 – Calligraphists are professionals who specialize in the art of beautiful writing. In 
the early years of the 19
th
 century, the British government employed the services of many 
calligraphists to carefully copy out official documents and write them down beautifully for 
future records. 
 
Answer 9 – The mahalwari system was implemented in the North Western Provinces of 
the Bengal Presidency. An Englishman named Holt Mackenzie is credited with its 
conception. 
 
Answer 10 – The Khonds were the tribal community that lived in the forests of Orissa, 
hunting animals for their meat and gathering forest produce. 
 
Answer 11 - In the year 1911, King George V was crowned in England. Apparently, to 
commemorate this occasion, a grand darbar was held in Delhi. It was at this darbar that the 
decision to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced. 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2


  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
CBSE 
Class VIII Social Science 
Term 1 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
Time: 2½ hours Total Marks: 75 
 
SECTION A 
History 
Answers  
   
1. A 
2. B 
3. A 
4. A 
5. A 
 
Answer 6 – The National Archives of India was established in Delhi in the 1920s. 
 
Answer 7 - The Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was seen as the natural leader of the 
1857 rebellion due to the symbolic importance of the Mughal dynasty as the ‘emperors of 
Hindustan’. 
 
Answer 8 – Calligraphists are professionals who specialize in the art of beautiful writing. In 
the early years of the 19
th
 century, the British government employed the services of many 
calligraphists to carefully copy out official documents and write them down beautifully for 
future records. 
 
Answer 9 – The mahalwari system was implemented in the North Western Provinces of 
the Bengal Presidency. An Englishman named Holt Mackenzie is credited with its 
conception. 
 
Answer 10 – The Khonds were the tribal community that lived in the forests of Orissa, 
hunting animals for their meat and gathering forest produce. 
 
Answer 11 - In the year 1911, King George V was crowned in England. Apparently, to 
commemorate this occasion, a grand darbar was held in Delhi. It was at this darbar that the 
decision to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 12 – The East India Company government had decided to suppress the popular 
revolt of 1857 with all its might. Reinforcements were brought in from England and moved 
into the centers of the insurrection. The nerve centre of the rebellion was undoubtedly the 
Mughal capital – Delhi. The sepoys had captured Delhi at the very beginning of the revolt 
and compelled the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to bless their endeavour. With the 
reinforcements coming in, the company launched a major offensive on Delhi and 
recaptured it from the rebel forces in September 1857. Bahadur Shah was tried in court 
and sentenced to life imprisonment. He and his wife were sent to prison in Rangoon in 
1858 where Bahadur Shah died later. This way, the British moved with a firm hand and 
succeeded in recapturing Delhi. 
 
Answer 13 - Following are the reasons why the Indian sepoys were dissatisfied with the 
Company administration: 
i) The sepoys were dissatisfied with their pay, allowances and service conditions.  
 
ii) Some of the new rules, it was felt, violated their religious beliefs and norms. In 1824, 
Indian sepoys were ordered to travel to Burma by sea and fight for the Company. 
The sepoys refused as it was considered blasphemous to cross the sea. Even though 
they offered to travel the distance by land route instead, they were severely 
punished. Since this issue kept festering for a long time, the Company was 
compelled to pass a law that required sepoys to commit to traveling overseas if 
necessary. 
 
iii) Many of the sepoys came from the peasant families of the Indian heartland. As a 
result, the anger and discontent of the peasantry was quickly reflected among them 
and hence led to dissatisfaction with the Company administration. 
 
SECTION B 
Civics 
Answers 
 
1. B 
2. A 
3. C 
4. C 
5. D 
 
 
Answer 6 – Tyranny is defined as the cruel and unjust use of power or authority. 
 
 
Page 3


  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
CBSE 
Class VIII Social Science 
Term 1 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
Time: 2½ hours Total Marks: 75 
 
SECTION A 
History 
Answers  
   
1. A 
2. B 
3. A 
4. A 
5. A 
 
Answer 6 – The National Archives of India was established in Delhi in the 1920s. 
 
Answer 7 - The Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was seen as the natural leader of the 
1857 rebellion due to the symbolic importance of the Mughal dynasty as the ‘emperors of 
Hindustan’. 
 
Answer 8 – Calligraphists are professionals who specialize in the art of beautiful writing. In 
the early years of the 19
th
 century, the British government employed the services of many 
calligraphists to carefully copy out official documents and write them down beautifully for 
future records. 
 
Answer 9 – The mahalwari system was implemented in the North Western Provinces of 
the Bengal Presidency. An Englishman named Holt Mackenzie is credited with its 
conception. 
 
Answer 10 – The Khonds were the tribal community that lived in the forests of Orissa, 
hunting animals for their meat and gathering forest produce. 
 
Answer 11 - In the year 1911, King George V was crowned in England. Apparently, to 
commemorate this occasion, a grand darbar was held in Delhi. It was at this darbar that the 
decision to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 12 – The East India Company government had decided to suppress the popular 
revolt of 1857 with all its might. Reinforcements were brought in from England and moved 
into the centers of the insurrection. The nerve centre of the rebellion was undoubtedly the 
Mughal capital – Delhi. The sepoys had captured Delhi at the very beginning of the revolt 
and compelled the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to bless their endeavour. With the 
reinforcements coming in, the company launched a major offensive on Delhi and 
recaptured it from the rebel forces in September 1857. Bahadur Shah was tried in court 
and sentenced to life imprisonment. He and his wife were sent to prison in Rangoon in 
1858 where Bahadur Shah died later. This way, the British moved with a firm hand and 
succeeded in recapturing Delhi. 
 
Answer 13 - Following are the reasons why the Indian sepoys were dissatisfied with the 
Company administration: 
i) The sepoys were dissatisfied with their pay, allowances and service conditions.  
 
ii) Some of the new rules, it was felt, violated their religious beliefs and norms. In 1824, 
Indian sepoys were ordered to travel to Burma by sea and fight for the Company. 
The sepoys refused as it was considered blasphemous to cross the sea. Even though 
they offered to travel the distance by land route instead, they were severely 
punished. Since this issue kept festering for a long time, the Company was 
compelled to pass a law that required sepoys to commit to traveling overseas if 
necessary. 
 
iii) Many of the sepoys came from the peasant families of the Indian heartland. As a 
result, the anger and discontent of the peasantry was quickly reflected among them 
and hence led to dissatisfaction with the Company administration. 
 
SECTION B 
Civics 
Answers 
 
1. B 
2. A 
3. C 
4. C 
5. D 
 
 
Answer 6 – Tyranny is defined as the cruel and unjust use of power or authority. 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 7 – The Indian National Movement was a movement where thousands of men and 
women came together to fight the British rule. It emerged in the nineteenth century. This 
movement culminated during India’s Independence in 1947. 
 
Answer 8 – Freedom to interpret means having independence to understand things in our 
own way. It refers to peoples’ liberty to develop their own understanding and meaning of 
the religion they practice. 
 
Answer 9 – The Indian Constitution ensures its objectives of a secular state in the 
following manner: 
i) One religious community does not dominate another. 
ii) Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community. 
iii) The State does not enforce any particular religion or take away the religious 
freedom of individuals 
 
Answer 10 – Universal Adult Franchise means that all the people of the country have a 
right to vote and choose the government of their choice. 
 
Answer 11 - The role of citizens is crucial in helping the Parliament frame different laws. 
The laws may include the concerns that people might have. From establishing the need for 
a new law to its being passed, the voice of the citizen is a crucial element at every stage of 
the process. The voice of the people can be heard through TV reports, newspaper editorials, 
radio broadcasts, local meetings--all of which help in making the work that the Parliament 
does more accessible and transparent to the people. 
 
Answer 12 – The definitions are as follows: 
Appeal: It refers to an application to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower 
court. 
Violation: It is defined as the act of breaking a law or an act which is done unlawfully.  
Acquit: The term is used when a jury or judge at the end of a criminal trial finds the 
accused defendant not guilty. 
Eviction: It is generic word used for the act of expelling (kicking out) someone from real 
property by legal action.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 4


  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
CBSE 
Class VIII Social Science 
Term 1 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
Time: 2½ hours Total Marks: 75 
 
SECTION A 
History 
Answers  
   
1. A 
2. B 
3. A 
4. A 
5. A 
 
Answer 6 – The National Archives of India was established in Delhi in the 1920s. 
 
Answer 7 - The Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was seen as the natural leader of the 
1857 rebellion due to the symbolic importance of the Mughal dynasty as the ‘emperors of 
Hindustan’. 
 
Answer 8 – Calligraphists are professionals who specialize in the art of beautiful writing. In 
the early years of the 19
th
 century, the British government employed the services of many 
calligraphists to carefully copy out official documents and write them down beautifully for 
future records. 
 
Answer 9 – The mahalwari system was implemented in the North Western Provinces of 
the Bengal Presidency. An Englishman named Holt Mackenzie is credited with its 
conception. 
 
Answer 10 – The Khonds were the tribal community that lived in the forests of Orissa, 
hunting animals for their meat and gathering forest produce. 
 
Answer 11 - In the year 1911, King George V was crowned in England. Apparently, to 
commemorate this occasion, a grand darbar was held in Delhi. It was at this darbar that the 
decision to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 12 – The East India Company government had decided to suppress the popular 
revolt of 1857 with all its might. Reinforcements were brought in from England and moved 
into the centers of the insurrection. The nerve centre of the rebellion was undoubtedly the 
Mughal capital – Delhi. The sepoys had captured Delhi at the very beginning of the revolt 
and compelled the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to bless their endeavour. With the 
reinforcements coming in, the company launched a major offensive on Delhi and 
recaptured it from the rebel forces in September 1857. Bahadur Shah was tried in court 
and sentenced to life imprisonment. He and his wife were sent to prison in Rangoon in 
1858 where Bahadur Shah died later. This way, the British moved with a firm hand and 
succeeded in recapturing Delhi. 
 
Answer 13 - Following are the reasons why the Indian sepoys were dissatisfied with the 
Company administration: 
i) The sepoys were dissatisfied with their pay, allowances and service conditions.  
 
ii) Some of the new rules, it was felt, violated their religious beliefs and norms. In 1824, 
Indian sepoys were ordered to travel to Burma by sea and fight for the Company. 
The sepoys refused as it was considered blasphemous to cross the sea. Even though 
they offered to travel the distance by land route instead, they were severely 
punished. Since this issue kept festering for a long time, the Company was 
compelled to pass a law that required sepoys to commit to traveling overseas if 
necessary. 
 
iii) Many of the sepoys came from the peasant families of the Indian heartland. As a 
result, the anger and discontent of the peasantry was quickly reflected among them 
and hence led to dissatisfaction with the Company administration. 
 
SECTION B 
Civics 
Answers 
 
1. B 
2. A 
3. C 
4. C 
5. D 
 
 
Answer 6 – Tyranny is defined as the cruel and unjust use of power or authority. 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 7 – The Indian National Movement was a movement where thousands of men and 
women came together to fight the British rule. It emerged in the nineteenth century. This 
movement culminated during India’s Independence in 1947. 
 
Answer 8 – Freedom to interpret means having independence to understand things in our 
own way. It refers to peoples’ liberty to develop their own understanding and meaning of 
the religion they practice. 
 
Answer 9 – The Indian Constitution ensures its objectives of a secular state in the 
following manner: 
i) One religious community does not dominate another. 
ii) Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community. 
iii) The State does not enforce any particular religion or take away the religious 
freedom of individuals 
 
Answer 10 – Universal Adult Franchise means that all the people of the country have a 
right to vote and choose the government of their choice. 
 
Answer 11 - The role of citizens is crucial in helping the Parliament frame different laws. 
The laws may include the concerns that people might have. From establishing the need for 
a new law to its being passed, the voice of the citizen is a crucial element at every stage of 
the process. The voice of the people can be heard through TV reports, newspaper editorials, 
radio broadcasts, local meetings--all of which help in making the work that the Parliament 
does more accessible and transparent to the people. 
 
Answer 12 – The definitions are as follows: 
Appeal: It refers to an application to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower 
court. 
Violation: It is defined as the act of breaking a law or an act which is done unlawfully.  
Acquit: The term is used when a jury or judge at the end of a criminal trial finds the 
accused defendant not guilty. 
Eviction: It is generic word used for the act of expelling (kicking out) someone from real 
property by legal action.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 13 - Our Constitution has been framed in such a manner that the Judiciary has 
been kept independent of the Executive and Legislature. This has been done to keep a 
check on the misuse of powers by the other two organs of the government and also to 
provide a judgement which is impartial.  
 
Thus, the courts do not fall under the government and do not act on their behalf. It is this 
independence of the judiciary that allows the courts to play a central role in protecting the 
Fundamental Rights of all the citizens. Thus, anyone can approach the courts if they believe 
that their rights have been violated. 
 
SECTION C 
Geography  
Answers 
   
1. C 
2. B 
3. D 
4. A 
5. C 
 
Answer 6 – Resources are important to us as we utilise them in our daily lives to satisfy all 
our needs. They have value. Some resources like metals may have an economic value, while 
others such as a beautiful landscape may not. However, both are important and satisfy 
human needs. Resources also bring about development of the country. 
 
Answer 7 - Resources can become economically valuable with time. Certain resources like 
medicinal plants, home remedies etc have no commercial value today. Nevertheless, if they 
are patented and sold by a medical firm tomorrow, they could become economically 
valuable. 
 
Answer 8 – Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion and desertification are the major 
threats to the environment due to the expansion of agriculture and constructional 
activities. 
 
Answer 9 – Landslides are defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a 
slope. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. 
 
Answer 10 – Deep bores called shafts have to be made to reach mineral deposits that lie at 
greater depths. This is called shaft mining. 
 
 
 
Done 2 M 
 
Page 5


  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
CBSE 
Class VIII Social Science 
Term 1 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
Time: 2½ hours Total Marks: 75 
 
SECTION A 
History 
Answers  
   
1. A 
2. B 
3. A 
4. A 
5. A 
 
Answer 6 – The National Archives of India was established in Delhi in the 1920s. 
 
Answer 7 - The Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was seen as the natural leader of the 
1857 rebellion due to the symbolic importance of the Mughal dynasty as the ‘emperors of 
Hindustan’. 
 
Answer 8 – Calligraphists are professionals who specialize in the art of beautiful writing. In 
the early years of the 19
th
 century, the British government employed the services of many 
calligraphists to carefully copy out official documents and write them down beautifully for 
future records. 
 
Answer 9 – The mahalwari system was implemented in the North Western Provinces of 
the Bengal Presidency. An Englishman named Holt Mackenzie is credited with its 
conception. 
 
Answer 10 – The Khonds were the tribal community that lived in the forests of Orissa, 
hunting animals for their meat and gathering forest produce. 
 
Answer 11 - In the year 1911, King George V was crowned in England. Apparently, to 
commemorate this occasion, a grand darbar was held in Delhi. It was at this darbar that the 
decision to shift the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi was announced. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 12 – The East India Company government had decided to suppress the popular 
revolt of 1857 with all its might. Reinforcements were brought in from England and moved 
into the centers of the insurrection. The nerve centre of the rebellion was undoubtedly the 
Mughal capital – Delhi. The sepoys had captured Delhi at the very beginning of the revolt 
and compelled the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to bless their endeavour. With the 
reinforcements coming in, the company launched a major offensive on Delhi and 
recaptured it from the rebel forces in September 1857. Bahadur Shah was tried in court 
and sentenced to life imprisonment. He and his wife were sent to prison in Rangoon in 
1858 where Bahadur Shah died later. This way, the British moved with a firm hand and 
succeeded in recapturing Delhi. 
 
Answer 13 - Following are the reasons why the Indian sepoys were dissatisfied with the 
Company administration: 
i) The sepoys were dissatisfied with their pay, allowances and service conditions.  
 
ii) Some of the new rules, it was felt, violated their religious beliefs and norms. In 1824, 
Indian sepoys were ordered to travel to Burma by sea and fight for the Company. 
The sepoys refused as it was considered blasphemous to cross the sea. Even though 
they offered to travel the distance by land route instead, they were severely 
punished. Since this issue kept festering for a long time, the Company was 
compelled to pass a law that required sepoys to commit to traveling overseas if 
necessary. 
 
iii) Many of the sepoys came from the peasant families of the Indian heartland. As a 
result, the anger and discontent of the peasantry was quickly reflected among them 
and hence led to dissatisfaction with the Company administration. 
 
SECTION B 
Civics 
Answers 
 
1. B 
2. A 
3. C 
4. C 
5. D 
 
 
Answer 6 – Tyranny is defined as the cruel and unjust use of power or authority. 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 7 – The Indian National Movement was a movement where thousands of men and 
women came together to fight the British rule. It emerged in the nineteenth century. This 
movement culminated during India’s Independence in 1947. 
 
Answer 8 – Freedom to interpret means having independence to understand things in our 
own way. It refers to peoples’ liberty to develop their own understanding and meaning of 
the religion they practice. 
 
Answer 9 – The Indian Constitution ensures its objectives of a secular state in the 
following manner: 
i) One religious community does not dominate another. 
ii) Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community. 
iii) The State does not enforce any particular religion or take away the religious 
freedom of individuals 
 
Answer 10 – Universal Adult Franchise means that all the people of the country have a 
right to vote and choose the government of their choice. 
 
Answer 11 - The role of citizens is crucial in helping the Parliament frame different laws. 
The laws may include the concerns that people might have. From establishing the need for 
a new law to its being passed, the voice of the citizen is a crucial element at every stage of 
the process. The voice of the people can be heard through TV reports, newspaper editorials, 
radio broadcasts, local meetings--all of which help in making the work that the Parliament 
does more accessible and transparent to the people. 
 
Answer 12 – The definitions are as follows: 
Appeal: It refers to an application to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower 
court. 
Violation: It is defined as the act of breaking a law or an act which is done unlawfully.  
Acquit: The term is used when a jury or judge at the end of a criminal trial finds the 
accused defendant not guilty. 
Eviction: It is generic word used for the act of expelling (kicking out) someone from real 
property by legal action.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 13 - Our Constitution has been framed in such a manner that the Judiciary has 
been kept independent of the Executive and Legislature. This has been done to keep a 
check on the misuse of powers by the other two organs of the government and also to 
provide a judgement which is impartial.  
 
Thus, the courts do not fall under the government and do not act on their behalf. It is this 
independence of the judiciary that allows the courts to play a central role in protecting the 
Fundamental Rights of all the citizens. Thus, anyone can approach the courts if they believe 
that their rights have been violated. 
 
SECTION C 
Geography  
Answers 
   
1. C 
2. B 
3. D 
4. A 
5. C 
 
Answer 6 – Resources are important to us as we utilise them in our daily lives to satisfy all 
our needs. They have value. Some resources like metals may have an economic value, while 
others such as a beautiful landscape may not. However, both are important and satisfy 
human needs. Resources also bring about development of the country. 
 
Answer 7 - Resources can become economically valuable with time. Certain resources like 
medicinal plants, home remedies etc have no commercial value today. Nevertheless, if they 
are patented and sold by a medical firm tomorrow, they could become economically 
valuable. 
 
Answer 8 – Land degradation, landslides, soil erosion and desertification are the major 
threats to the environment due to the expansion of agriculture and constructional 
activities. 
 
Answer 9 – Landslides are defined as the mass movement of rock, debris or earth down a 
slope. They often take place in conjunction with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes. 
 
Answer 10 – Deep bores called shafts have to be made to reach mineral deposits that lie at 
greater depths. This is called shaft mining. 
 
 
 
Done 2 M 
 
  
 
CBSE VIII  |  Social Science 
Sample Paper – 2 Solution 
 
     
 
Answer 11 - A sharp increase in consumption of fossil fuels has led to their depletion at an 
alarming rate. The toxic pollutants released from burning conventional fuels are also 
causing concern as they cause environmental pollution.  
We therefore need to use non-conventional sources of energy that are cleaner alternatives 
to fossil fuels and are renewable. 
  
Answer 12 – Water can neither be added nor subtracted from Earth. Its total volume 
remains constant. Its abundance only seems to vary because it is in constant motion, 
cycling through the oceans, the air, the land and back again, through the processes of 
evaporation, precipitation and run-off. This as you already know is referred to as the 'water 
cycle'. Hence water is a renewable resource. 
 
Answer 13 – The distribution of these minerals is as follows: 
Iron Ore – Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, Maharashtra and 
Karnataka. 
Bauxite – Jharkhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and 
Tamil Nadu. 
Copper – Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. 
Limestone - Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat 
and Tamil Nadu.