History: CBSE Sample Question Paper with Solutions - 5 | Sample Papers for Class 11 Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Q.1. Multiple Choice Questions
(i) Very few Mesopotamians could read and write because:
(a) People did not pay attention towards education
(b) The signs could only be coded by royal family
(c) The signs used ran into hundreds and were complex
(d) People were more interested in economic activities

Correct Answer is option c.

(ii) Sumer was the _______plains of Mesopotamia.
(a) Southern
(b) Northern
(c) Western
(d) Eastern

Correct Answer is option a.

(iii) When did the rule of Yuan dynasty come to an end in China?
(a) 1389
(b) 1258
(c) 1385
(d) 1368

Correct Answer is option d.

(iv) After the decline of the Manchu empire, a Republic of China was established in:
(a) 1911
(b) 1950
(c) 1902
(d) 1921

Correct Answer is option b.

Q.2. Fill in the blanks.
(i) The _______ were the inhabitants of North Mexico.
(ii) The __________ was signed between China and Japan in 1895.
(iii) John Cabot reached __________in 1497.
(iv) __________ is a cave site in Spain.
(v) The Late Antiquity refers to the period of __________ to ___________ centuries.
(vi) Mathematical texts composed in _______ .
(vii) Countries to the east of the Mediterranean were known as_________.
(viii) Japan followed the path of modernization dominated by ________.
(ix) Mesopotamia was based on a ___________ plan.

(i) Aztecs
(ii) Treaty of Shimonoseki
(iii) Newfoundland
(iv) Altamira
(v) 14th, 17th
(vi) 1800 BCE
(vii) Orient
(viii) Western Imperial powers
(ix) Definite

Q.3. State whether true or false
(i) Nishapur was a Perso-Islamic center of learning.
(ii) Guilds were economic organisations formed in 11th - 12th century Europe for mutual aid.
(iii) Cave lazaret is the earliest example of cave-dwelling.
(iv) Wild pigs were known as bison in the USA.
(v) Tepochcalli was a school for the nobility.
(vi) The Christian notion of man was that man was a sinner.
(vii) Mobile animal herders were a threat to town life.

(i) True
(ii) True
(iii) True
(iv) False
(v) False
(vi) True
(vii) False

Q.4. Differentiate between ‘Anthropology’ and ‘Ethnography’.

Anthropology is a field of study that focuses on the examination of human culture and the evolutionary aspects of human biology. Ethnography, a subfield of anthropology, specializes in studying the characteristics of modern ethnic groups. This includes their customs, traditions, dietary habits, and social structures. Ethnography also investigates the roles of gender, political institutions, and religious practices.

Q.5. Explain briefly the importance of trade to the Mongols.

Due to the limited resources available in the steppes, the Mongols and other Central Asian tribes engaged in trade and bartering with their sedentary neighbors in China. This mutually beneficial arrangement allowed for the exchange of goods such as agricultural produce and iron utensils from China for horses, furs, and game from the steppe. However, at times, both parties applied pressure to increase their profits. When these efforts failed, it often led to outright plunder, which had devastating consequences for the settled societies, disrupting agriculture and causing significant losses. In contrast, the nomads suffered minimal losses and were able to retreat relatively unscathed.

Q.6. How did political unification and the growing demand for food and luxury items in urban areas expand the scope of trade?

The Muslim Empire was able to expand its reach and dominate the trading routes of the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean due to favorable geographical conditions. For a period of five centuries, Arab and Iranian traders had a monopoly on maritime trade between China, India, and Europe. This trade was conducted along major trade routes, with high-value goods such as spices, textiles, porcelain, and gunpowder being shipped from India and China through ports in the Red Sea and Gulf regions. From there, these goods were transported via camel caravans to warehouses located in Baghdad, Damascus, and Aleppo for local use. During the Hajj season, the caravans passing through Mecca grew larger. The exports to Europe were primarily handled by Jewish merchants. However, starting from the 10th century, the Red Sea route became increasingly important due to the rise of Cairo as a center of power and commerce and the growing demand for Eastern goods from trading cities in Italy.

Q.7. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The late Roman bureaucracy, both the higher and middle echelons, was a comparatively affluent group because it drew the bulk of its salary in gold and invested much of this in buying up assets like land. There was of course also a great deal of corruption, especially in the judicial system and in the administration of military supplies. The extortion of the higher bureaucracy and the greed of the provincial governors were proverbial. But government intervened repeatedly to curb these forms of corruption – we only know about them in the first place because of the laws that tried to put an end to them, and because historians and other members of the intelligentsia denounced such practices. This element of ‘criticism’ is a remarkable feature of the classical world. The Roman state was an authoritarian regime; in other words, dissent was rarely tolerated and government usually responded to protest with violence(especially in the cities of the East where people were often fearless in making fun of emperors). Yet a strong tradition of Roman law had emerged by the fourth century, and this acted as a brake on even the most fearsome emperors.Emperors were not free to do whatever they liked, and the law was actively used to protect civil rights. That is why in the later fourth century it was possible for powerful bishops like Ambrose to confront equally powerful emperors when they were excessively harsh or repressive in their handling of the civilian population.’
(i) Give the main reason for the administration's corruption.

The primary cause of corruption was the exploitation of the upper bureaucracy and the avarice of the provincial governors.

(ii) Discuss the Roman Empire's legal system.

During the fourth century, Roman law came into existence and the emperors were bound by it. The law was utilized to safeguard civil liberties, which led to influential bishops like Ambrose opposing harsh actions towards civilians by powerful emperors during the late fourth century.

(iii) How did the Roman government deal with widespread corruption in the upper echelons of government?

The government frequently intervened to manage corruption. The Roman government was characterized by authoritarianism, dissent was seldom accepted, and demonstrations were often suppressed using violent means.

Q.8.  Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Thomas Jefferson, third President of the USA, and a contemporary of Wordsworth, spoke of the natives in words that would lead to a public outcry today:‘
This unfortunate race which we have been taking so much pains to civilise... have justified extermination.’
(i) What made him famous?

He is a well-known author who authored the book "Declaration of Independence".

(ii) What was Thomas Jefferson's background?

The third President of the United States was Thomas Jefferson.

(iii) What were his thoughts on native Americans?

Jefferson held the belief that Native Americans were an unfortunate people who had endured a great deal of suffering in their efforts to civilize others.

Q.9.  Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
We also caused to be painted, by the exquisite hands of many masters from different regions, a splendid variety of new windows...
Because these windows are very valuable on account of their wonderful execution and the profuse expenditure of  painted  glass  and  sapphire  glass,  we  appointed  an  official  master  craftsman  for  their  protection,  and  also  a  goldsmith...who  would  receive  their  allowances,  namely,  coins  from  the  altar  and  flour  from  the  common  storehouse of the brethren, and who would never neglect their duty, to look after these.

(i) What did the goldsmith get as an allowance?

The brethren's common storehouse would provide Goldsmith with allowances such as coins from the altar and flour.

(ii) Who was tasked with protecting the windows?

A goldsmith and an official master craftsman for their protection.

(iii) Why were windows so valuable?

The exquisite workmanship and lavish use of stained and sapphire glass make the windows highly valuable.

Q.10. Describe five key characteristics of the Renaissance.

The Renaissance was a period of cultural and intellectual rebirth that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe in the following centuries. Some key features of the Renaissance are:
Humanism: The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical humanism, which emphasized the study of ancient Greek and Roman culture, literature, and philosophy. Humanists believed in the value of human beings, their dignity, individuality, and potential for achievement.
Secularism: The Renaissance marked a shift away from the medieval worldview, which was heavily influenced by religion. People began to question the authority of the Church and look to the world around them for answers.
Artistic Innovation: Renaissance art broke away from the rigid stylization of the Middle Ages and embraced naturalism, perspective, and new techniques. Artists experimented with realism, chiaroscuro, and sfumato, creating lifelike portraits and realistic depictions of the human form.
Scientific Advancements: Renaissance thinkers were fascinated by science and made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and anatomy. The development of the printing press and the spread of knowledge contributed to the growth of scientific inquiry.
Individualism: The Renaissance saw the rise of the individual, as people began to value personal achievement, self-expression, and self-reliance. This emphasis on individualism led to the development of the idea of the "Renaissance man," a well-rounded person who excelled in many fields of study and pursued his own interests and passions.

Q.11. Describe in detail Mesopotamian civilization's achievements.

Mesopotamia, located in the eastern Mediterranean region, is regarded as the cradle of civilization and one of the earliest human civilizations. Its achievements were vast and have left an indelible mark on human history. Here are some of the major achievements of Mesopotamian civilization:
Invention of Writing: The Sumerians invented cuneiform writing around 3500 BCE. This system of writing involved making marks on clay tablets with a stylus. The invention of writing enabled the creation of records, laws, and literature that could be passed down through generations. It was a major breakthrough in human communication.
Advancements in Mathematics: Mesopotamians made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. They invented the concept of the circle, sphere, and cylinder. They also developed a complex number system based on the number 60. This system of measurement is still used in measuring time, angles, and geographic coordinates.
Development of Agriculture: Mesopotamia was the birthplace of agriculture. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided the fertile land for farming. The Mesopotamians developed irrigation systems to control water flow, which enabled them to cultivate crops all year round. They domesticated animals, including sheep, goats, and cattle, for food and clothing.
Architecture and Engineering: Mesopotamians built impressive structures, such as ziggurats, which were multi-tiered towers with religious significance. They also constructed cities with massive walls to protect against invasions. Mesopotamian engineers developed systems of canals and aqueducts to transport water across the region.
Legal Code: The Babylonian King Hammurabi established one of the earliest known legal codes, the Code of Hammurabi. The code contained 282 laws that set standards for justice and punishment. It established the principle of “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth” that is still relevant in modern legal systems.
In conclusion, the Mesopotamian civilization was a remarkable achievement in human history. Its contributions to writing, mathematics, agriculture, architecture, engineering, and legal codes have had a profound impact on the modern world.

Q.12. Describe the Mongols' social and political history.

The Mongols were a diverse group of people, united by a common language. Some were pastoralists who tended to livestock, while others were hunter-gatherers who traded in animal furs. They inhabited the Steppes of Central Asia and the Siberian forests. The harsh conditions and limited resources often led to conflicts over pasture lands and livestock, resulting in the formation of short-term confederacies for offensive or defensive purposes. Genghis Khan's confederation was similar in size to that formed by Attila in the fifth century. The Mongols did not engage in farming and moved with their herds between summer and winter pastures.

Q.13. Describe the two paths to modernization that Japan and China have taken.

Japan and China both pursued different paths towards modernization in the 19th and 20th centuries. Japan embraced rapid modernization through Westernization and industrialization, while China initially resisted and then adopted a more gradual approach.
In the mid-19th century, Japan was forced out of its isolation by Western powers and realized the need to modernize quickly to defend against colonialism. Japan's leaders recognized the superiority of Western technology and began a period of rapid industrialization and modernization. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked the beginning of a new era in Japan, where the government instituted reforms that encouraged industrialization, urbanization, and education. Japan's leaders sought to emulate Western practices, importing technology, ideas, and institutions. They created a modern legal system, reformed the educational system, and modernized the military. As a result, Japan emerged as a major world power in a relatively short time.
China, on the other hand, initially resisted Western influence and modernization. The Qing dynasty was unable to cope with the challenges of modernization and was weakened by internal rebellion, external threats, and foreign encroachment. The Chinese government was slow to adopt Western technology and ideas, and initially resisted the pressure to modernize. However, following the Opium Wars, the government recognized the need for change and began to introduce limited reforms, including the Self-Strengthening Movement in the late 19th century. The movement aimed to modernize China by selectively borrowing Western technology while maintaining traditional values and institutions. However, the movement was undermined by conservative officials and lacked sufficient funding and popular support. The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 demonstrated the popular resistance to Westernization and reform.
After the fall of the Qing dynasty, the Nationalists and Communists both sought to modernize China. The Nationalists pursued a more Western-style approach, seeking to build a strong central government and modernize industry and infrastructure. The Communists, on the other hand, sought to modernize through socialist and Marxist principles, emphasizing collective ownership and rural reform. Following the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party emerged as the victor and has since pursued a unique form of modernization, combining socialist principles with market reforms. China has experienced rapid economic growth and development in recent decades, becoming one of the world's largest economies.

Q.14. Mark the following major seas on the map:
(a) The Black Sea
(b) The Adriatic Sea
(c) The Caspian Sea
(d) The Red Sea