Class 6 Social Science: Sample Paper Solutions - 5 | Sample Papers For Class 6 PDF Download

Clear all your Class 6 doubts with EduRev Join for Free

Join for Free

Time: 3 hrs
Total Marks: 80

General Instructions:

1. The question paper consists of 34 questions and is divided into four sections: A, B, C, and D.
2. All questions are compulsory.
3. Section A comprises question numbers 1 to 15. These are multiple-choice questions carrying one mark each. You are to select one most appropriate response out of the four provided options.
4. Section B comprises question numbers 16 to 22. These are short-answer questions carrying two marks each.
5. Section C comprises question numbers 23 to 31. These are short-answer questions carrying four marks each.
6. Section D comprises question numbers 32 to 34. These are short-answer questions carrying five marks each.

Section A 

Q1: Why did the ancient Greeks call India "Indoi" or "Indike" instead of "Hindu"? (1 Mark)
(a) They preferred a shorter name for simplicity
(b) Their language lacked the "h" sound, so they dropped it from the Persian "Hindu"
(c) They based it on the Chinese term "Yindu"
(d) They named it after a Greek explorer’s discovery

Ans: b
Greek phonetics omitted the “h” from Persian “Hindu” (from Sindhu), forming “Indoi,” not from Chinese or explorers.

Q2: What is the main purpose of having three separate organs of government? (1 Mark)
(a) To maintain power within a single group
(b) To ensure a balanced and fair governance system
(c) To complicate the legal system
(d) To focus power in the judiciary only

Ans: b
Three branches (legislature, executive, judiciary) balance power, preventing dominance and ensuring fairness.

Q3: What was the Harappans’ main river besides the Indus? (1 Mark)
(a) Ganga
(b) Sarasvati
(c) Yamuna
(d) Narmada

Ans: b
The Sarasvati hosted many Harappan settlements, alongside the Indus, unlike the Ganga or others.

Q4: Why do modern societies need laws related to cybercrime? (1 Mark)
(a) To reduce internet usage
(b) To address crimes committed through digital means
(c) To promote freedom of expression online
(d) To discourage the use of digital technologies

Ans: b
Cybercrime laws tackle digital offenses (e.g., hacking), not to limit internet use or expression.

Q5: Which ancient Indian school of thought proposed that the material world is the only reality, rejecting the idea of life after death? (1 Mark)
(a) Vedanta
(b) Yoga
(c) Chārvāka
(d) Buddhism

Ans: c
Chārvāka (Lokāyat(a) was materialist, denying afterlife, unlike spiritual Vedanta or Buddhism.

Q6: How are Sarpanchs selected in the Panchayati Raj system? (1 Mark)
(a) Appointed by the state government
(b) Elected directly by the members of the Gram Sabha
(c) Nominated by the district officer
(d) Selected by the national government

Ans: b
Sarpanchs are democratically elected by the Gram Sabha (village adults), not appointed.

Q7: Why are there no specific words for 'cousin' in many Indian languages? (1 Mark)
(a) Because family terms are not important
(b) Because cousins are considered as close as brothers and sisters
(c) Due to a lack of vocabulary development
(d) Because cousins rarely interact in Indian culture

Ans: b
Cousins are treated like siblings in Indian families, reflecting close ties, not a vocabulary gap.

Q8: What distinguishes the primary sector from other economic sectors? (1 Mark)
(a) It focuses solely on education and health services
(b) It involves the extraction and harvesting of natural resources
(c) It is mainly involved in service provision like banking and insurance
(d) It deals exclusively with manufacturing and construction

Ans: b
Primary sector extracts resources (e.g., farming, mining), unlike services or manufacturing.

Q9: If Gautama Buddha was born around 560 BCE and it’s now 2024 CE, how many years ago was his birth? (1 Mark)
(a) 2,583 years
(b) 2,584 years
(c) 1,464 years
(d) 2,485 years

Ans: a
560 BCE + 2024 CE = 2584, subtract 1 (no year zero) = 2,583 years.

Q10: What is a key feature of economic activities? (1 Mark)
(a) They are always performed within the family
(b) They involve transactions that include payment in money or kind
(c) They have no impact on the economy
(d) They are rarely documented

Ans: b
​Economic activities involve payment (e.g., wages, barter), impacting the economy, not just family-based.

Q11: Which of the following is a challenge unique to mountain living rather than plains or plateaus? (1 Mark)
(a) Depletion of groundwater from irrigation
(b) Sudden avalanches caused by melting snow
(c) High population density and pollution
(d) Rocky soil limiting crop growth

Ans: b
Avalanches are mountain-specific due to snow and slopes, unlike groundwater or density issues.

Q12: How did the Persians adapt the name "Sindhu" to refer to India in the 6th century BCE? (1 Mark)
(a) They transformed it into "Indoi" by dropping the "s"
(b) They called it "Hind" or "Hidu," altering "Sindhu" in their language
(c) They used "Jambudvipa" from Indian sources
(d) They named it "Yintu" based on trade routes

Ans: b
Persians modified “Sindhu” to “Hind/Hidu” in their tongue, influencing later names like “India.”

Q13: What role do urban citizens play in the effectiveness of local governance? (1 Mark)
(a) They only vote in elections
(b) Their participation in community duties supports urban governance
(c) They are only involved in paying taxes
(d) They have no role in governance

Ans: b
Citizens’ duties (e.g., waste management) bolster urban governance, beyond just voting or taxes.

Q14: Why is the functioning of wards varied across states? (1 Mark)
(a) Due to differences in international laws
(b) Because of uniform state policies
(c) Each state can make its own rules
(d) All wards function identically

Ans: c
States tailor ward rules to local needs, causing variation, not uniformity or international influence.

Q15: How are tertiary sector activities classified? (1 Mark)
(a) Activities that involve resource extraction
(b) Activities focused solely on technological development
(c) Services that support the primary and secondary sectors
(d) Activities that produce tangible goods

Ans: c
Tertiary sector provides services (e.g., transport, education) aiding primary (extraction) and secondary (manufacturing) sectors.

Section B 

Q16:  How does Earth’s tilt cause seasons? (2 Marks)

Ans: Earth’s 23.5° tilt causes seasons because it changes how directly sunlight hits different parts of the planet as it orbits the Sun. When the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, it gets more warmth and longer days, creating summer; when it tilts away, it’s colder with shorter days, making winter. This tilt shifts weather patterns every few months, like hot summers or chilly winters in India. It’s why places far north or south feel these changes even more strongly.

Q17: Why is South America narrow? (2 Marks)

Ans: South America is narrow because its land tapers from a wide northern part to a thin southern tip, shaped long ago by tectonic plates crashing and pulling apart. This squeezing formed a stretched-out continent, with the Andes mountains on one side and oceans pressing in. The narrow end affects how ships move along its coasts, like around Chile. It’s a unique shape compared to wider lands like Africa, influencing trade and travel routes.

Q18: How do mountains block rain? (2 Marks)

Ans: Mountains block rain by stopping wet winds from crossing over easily, forcing the air to rise, cool, and drop water as rain on one side. The other side stays dry because the moisture can’t reach it, creating a rain shadow. For example, the Himalayas catch rain for northern India but leave places like Tibet much drier. This shapes where people farm or settle, depending on water.

Q19: How do myths help history? (2 Marks)

Ans: Myths, like tales of ancient kings or gods, help history by mixing real events with imagination, giving clues about times before writing existed. They’re passed down through generations, hinting at old beliefs or big happenings, such as a flood or battle. For instance, a story of a heroic leader might reflect a real ruler’s deeds. They fill gaps when no solid records are left, keeping the past alive in people’s minds.

Q20: Why are the Aravallis worn down? (2 Marks)

Ans: The Aravallis are worn down because they’re super old mountains, battered by wind and rain for millions of years, unlike the sharp, young Himalayas. This erosion has smoothed them into low, rounded hills across places like Rajasthan. Time and weather have chipped away their height, leaving them gentler now. They stand as quiet survivors of Earth’s long history, showing how nature reshapes land.

Q21: Why did Harappans use bronze? (2 Marks)

Ans: Harappans used bronze, made by mixing copper and tin, because it’s tougher and lasts longer than plain copper for tools and weapons. This stronger metal helped them cut wood, farm fields, or fight better, boosting their daily work. Bronze items like axes or knives show they knew how to blend metals cleverly. It gave them an edge in trading and building their big cities too.

Q22: How does the Ramayana teach duty? (2 Marks)

Ans: The Ramayana teaches duty through Rama’s life, like when he leaves his throne to honor his father’s promise, showing kids to put family first even when it’s tough. His choice to face exile instead of power highlights sticking to what’s right. It’s a story that tells us to keep promises and care for others, no matter the cost. Kids hear it and learn to respect their roles at home or school.

Section C 

Q23: (i) What is the Arctic Circle?
(ii) How does it affect daylight? (4 Marks)

Ans: (i) The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line at 66.5°N, circling the top of the Earth, where the Sun acts strangely due to the planet’s tilt. It marks a special zone near the North Pole where unique light patterns happen every year.
(ii) It affects daylight by giving 24-hour sun in summer, when the area tilts toward the Sun, and total darkness in winter, when it tilts away, lasting for weeks or months. This happens because of Earth’s slant, making days or nights extreme up there. For people and animals, like polar bears, it changes how they live—hunting in constant light or sleeping through long dark spells. It’s a wild shift unlike the steady days further south, shaping a tough, icy life.

Q24: (i) What is North America’s largest river?
(ii) How does it help the continent? (4 Marks)

Ans: (i) The Mississippi River is North America’s largest, winding through the middle of the USA from top to bottom, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico after a long journey. It’s a giant waterway cutting through the land, famous for its size and reach.
(ii) It helps by carrying goods like grain on boats, watering farms along its banks, and flattening land for cities to grow big and busy. Farmers use its water to grow crops like corn, feeding millions across the continent. Ships haul stuff up and down, linking towns for trade. It’s like a lifeline, making life easier and richer for people from the middle to the southern shores.

Q25: (i) How are plateaus eroded?
(ii) Name one eroded plateau in India. (4 Marks)

Ans: (i) Plateaus erode when wind and water scrape away their flat tops and sides over ages, cutting rivers or cliffs into the rock. Rain washes off soil, and breezes wear down edges, slowly breaking the high land apart. It’s a long, patient process that changes their shape bit by bit.
(ii) The Chota Nagpur Plateau in India is one, worn down with rivers like the Damodar slicing through it, leaving rugged hills behind. It’s packed with coal and other minerals, dug up from its ancient layers. This erosion has made it a mix of high spots and dips, still useful for mining and farming in spots today.

Q26: (i) What are seals as sources?
(ii) Give an Indian example. (4 Marks)

Ans: (i) Seals are small, carved stones from old times, stamped on goods or used to show who owned something, giving us hints about trade and art back then. They’re like tiny history markers, often with pictures or writing etched in.
(ii) Harappan seals from India are a great example, showing animals like bulls or unicorns, and a strange script we can’t read yet. Found in ancient cities, they point to a busy trading life, maybe marking bags of grain or cloth. These seals tell us people long ago had systems to organize their stuff, linking them to far-off places through business. They’re a window into a lost world’s ways.

Q27: (i) What is the Brahmaputra’s path?
(ii) How does it aid farming? (4 Marks)

Ans: (i) The Brahmaputra starts high in the Himalayas, flows through Assam’s wide valleys in India, then twists into Bangladesh before hitting the Bay of Bengal. It’s a long, winding river carving through mountains and plains alike.
(ii) It aids farming by flooding fields with rich silt, a natural fertilizer that makes Assam’s rice paddies green and full, feeding tons of people every year. When it overflows, it drops this muddy goodness, perfect for crops. Farmers along its banks depend on it to grow enough to sell and eat. It’s a big helper, turning flat lands into food baskets despite its wild floods sometimes.

Q28: (i) What were Harappan fire altars?
(ii) What do they suggest? (4 Marks)

​Ans: (i) Fire altars were brick pits built in Harappan cities like Kalibangan, probably for burning offerings or holding rituals with flames, dug up from their old streets. They were simple but sturdy, tucked into homes or special spots.
(ii) They suggest Harappans had religious beliefs, maybe praying to fire or sky gods, showing they cared about more than just daily chores. These altars hint at ceremonies where people gathered, offering things to seek blessings. It tells us their lives mixed work with a spiritual side, a bit like how folks today light lamps for luck. They were thinkers, not just builders, with ideas we’re still guessing about.

Q29: What new schools of thought emerged in India in the 1st millennium BCE? What are their core principles? (4 Marks)

Ans: During the early 1st Millennium several new schools of thoughts emerged from Vedas.

• Yoga was one of them which developed methods to achieve one’s consciousness.
• Vedanta was another thought which evolved through Upanishads. Upanishads were group of texts which were built upon Vedic concepts like rebirth and karma.
• Vedanta principles believed that everything including human life, nature and the universe is one divine essence called Brahman, the supreme existence.
• Together these thoughts laid the foundation of Hinduism.
• Other school of thoughts also emerged which didn’t accept Vedas authority were Buddhism, Jainism and Charvaka School.
• Their core principle was that God is only one. We are the one giving indifferent names to them.
• The core principles of Buddhism was the idea of ahimsa, which is generally
  translated as non-violence means non¬injuring. He also preached sincore inner discipline.
• The core principles of Jain teachings include ahimsa, anekantavada and aparigra- ha. These ideas, shared to a large extent with Buddhism and the Vedantic school of thoughts are central to Indian culture.
• The core principles of Charvaka School of thought was that there was no life after death. Charvaka School disappeared with time as its principles were not popular.

Q30: (i) How do faiths unite India?
(ii) Name one shared ritual. (4 Marks)

Ans: (i) Faiths unite India because people of all beliefs—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs—often join in each other’s celebrations, like visiting temples or mosques together, showing respect. This mixing builds bridges, letting folks share joy despite different gods or prayers. It’s a country where diversity turns into friendship at festivals or holy spots.
(ii) Lighting lamps is a shared ritual, popping up in Diwali for Hindus or even some Christian homes, symbolizing hope and togetherness across beliefs. It’s a simple act—flickering flames chasing out dark—that ties people in a warm, glowing way. This habit shows how faith can connect, not divide, in India’s big, colorful mix.

Q31: (i) How do families save money?
(ii) Why does it help? (4 Marks)

Ans: (i) Families save money by cutting waste, like cooking at home instead of eating out, and stashing cash in banks or jars for later. Some skip fancy buys, fixing old things instead, or grow veggies to spend less. It’s about planning smart for what’s ahead.
(ii) It helps by keeping them ready for tough times, like paying for a doctor when someone’s sick, or funding kids’ school so they can learn and grow. Savings mean they don’t panic if work stops or crops fail. For example, a little put aside might buy books or fix a roof, making life steadier and safer. It’s a shield that keeps the family strong and hopeful.

Section D 

Q32: How do local bodies work together? Why is coordination key? (5 Marks)

Ans: 

•  Local bodies like Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads team up in a step-by-step system to run rural areas smoothly. 
• Gram Panchayats fix small stuff, like cleaning a village pond or lighting streets, while Panchayat Samitis connect villages to build shared roads or clinics. 
• Zila Parishads take charge district-wide, planning big things like schools or hospitals that help everyone. 
•  They meet up, share ideas, and pass funds from one level to the next, making sure needs get heard. 
• Coordination is key because without it, plans mess up—like a village needing water but the block not funding a pump, leaving folks dry. 
•  It stops waste, like two groups fixing the same road twice, and spreads help evenly, from tiny hamlets to whole districts. 
•  For instance, a Zila Parishad might send money for a bridge only if the Samiti asks, linking farms to markets. 
•  This teamwork keeps rural life fair, connected, and growing strong.

Q33: Solve the Crossword (5 Marks)

Across
1. Abundantly produced by the oceans
3. A large expanse of landmass
6. A large continent of which India is a part
8. A major source of pollution of the oceans
10. The coldest continent

Down
2. The largest island on Earth
4. A huge destructive wave from the ocean
5. The smallest continent
7. The largest body of water on the Earth
8. A landmass (but not a continent) surrounded by the sea or ocean

Ans: 

Q34: What are the various ways in which people are compensated for various economic activities? Give some examples. (5 Marks)

Ans: People are compensated in different ways while performing an economic activity.These are:
(a) Wages: The type of cash payment made to workers for working for – a short period of time.
(b) Salaries: The type of payment made to permanent workers on monthly basis is called Salary.
(c) Fee: The type of payment made to an individual or an organisation in exchange of professional advice or service. For example: fee charged by a tutor, doctor or a lawyer.
(d) Payment in Kind is the non-cash payment given for a small work. For example giving part of farm output to the labourer working in the farm.
(e) Profits: Big companies earn profits from running a business.
(f) Rent: Landowners earn rent on the land owned by them.