Class 10 Social Studies: Half Yearly Exam Papers (Solutions) Set- 3

Q1. Which calculation is used by nutrition scientists to find if an adult is nourished? (1 Mark)

(a) GDP

(b) Literacy rate

(c) Body Mass Index (BMI)

(d) Per capita income

Ans: (c)
Sol: BMI is calculated by dividing weight (kg) by the square of height (meters) to check if a student/adult is underweight, normal, or overweight.

Q2. Which commission introduced the concept of 'Sustainable Development' in 1987? (1 Mark)

(a) Simon Commission

(b) Brundtland Commission

(c) Planning Commission

(d) NITI Aayog

Ans: (b)
Sol: The Brundtland Commission Report (1987) introduced this concept in its report "Our Common Future".

Q3. Resources found in a region but not yet utilized are called: (1 Mark)

(a) Developed

(b) Stock

(c) Potential

(d) Reserves

Ans: (c)
Sol: Potential resources are those identified in an area but not used yet (e.g., solar energy in Rajasthan).

Q4. Changing natural products into other forms through manufacturing is an activity of: (1 Mark)

(a) Primary sector

(b) Secondary sector

(c) Tertiary sector

(d) Service sector

Ans: (b)
Sol: The secondary sector covers industrial activities like making sugar from sugarcane or bricks from earth.

Q5. In India, which entity is responsible for measuring the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? (1 Mark)

(a) World Bank

(b) State Governments

(c) Central Government Ministry

(d) RBI

Ans: (c)
Sol: This Ministry collects data from various departments of all states and union territories to estimate total GDP.

Q6. Giuseppe Mazzini founded which of the following underground secret societies? (1 Mark)

(a) Young Germany

(b) Young Italy

(c) Young France

(d) Young Britain

Ans: (b)
Sol: Mazzini founded 'Young Italy' in Marseilles and 'Young Europe' in Berne to train revolutionaries.

Q7. Which of the following is an example of a 'holding together' federation? (1 Mark)

(a) USA

(b) Australia

(c) India

(d) Switzerland

Ans: (c)
Sol: In India and Belgium, a large country divides its power between constituent states and the national government.

Q8. Which list in the Indian Constitution includes 'Police' and 'Agriculture'? (1 Mark)

(a) Union List

(b) State List

(c) Concurrent List

(d) Residuary List

Ans: (b)
Sol: The State List contains subjects of local and state importance.

Q9. What is the 'very spirit of democracy'? (1 Mark)

(a) Majoritarianism

(b) Power sharing

(c) Absolute rule

(d) Centralization

Ans: (b)
Sol: Power sharing is the moral reason for democracy because it involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise.

Q10. Which soil develops a 'Kankar' layer at the bottom which restricts water infiltration? (1 Mark)

(a) Alluvial

(b) Black

(c) Arid

(d) Laterite

Ans: (c)
Sol: Arid soils have increasing calcium content downwards, leading to Kankar layer formations in lower horizons.

Q11. Which of the following is a major threat to the tiger population in India? (1 Mark)

(a) Over-irrigation

(b) Poaching for trade

(c) Sustainable farming

(d) Joint Forest Management

Ans: (b)
Sol: Tigers are gravely threatened by poaching for skins and bones, shrinking habitat, and a growing human population.

Q12. According to the Human Development Report 2023-24, India's HDI rank was: (1 Mark)

(a) 78

(b) 129

(c) 134

(d) 144

Ans: (c)
Sol: India was ranked 134 in the world, while neighbors like Sri Lanka (78) and Bangladesh (129) ranked higher.

Q13. Which treaty recognized Greece as an independent nation in 1832? (1 Mark)

(a) Treaty of Vienna

(b) Treaty of Versailles

(c) Treaty of Constantinople

(d) Paris Pact

Ans: (c)
Sol: After a long struggle starting in 1821, this treaty finally recognized Greek independence.

Q14. Red and yellow soils develop a reddish color due to: (1 Mark)

(a) High rainfall

(b) Humus

(c) Diffusion of iron

(d) Salt content

Ans: (c)
Sol: These soils develop on crystalline igneous rocks, and iron diffusion gives them a red color (yellow in hydrated form).

Q15. Who wrote the famous book 'Hind Swaraj' in 1909? (1 Mark)

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru

(b) Subhas Chandra Bose

(c) Mahatma Gandhi

(d) Motilal Nehru

Ans: (c)
Sol: In this book, Gandhiji declared that British rule survived in India only because of the cooperation of Indians.

Q16. Resource planning starts with which of the following processes? (1 Mark)

(a) Using technology

(b) Identifying and inventorying resources

(c) Building dams

(d) Mining

Ans: (b)
Sol: The first step is to identify resources across regions through surveying, mapping, and measurement.

Q17. New services based on information technology include: (1 Mark)

(a) Cobblers

(b) ATM booths

(c) Washermen

(d) Barbers

Ans: (b)
Sol: In recent times, IT-based services like call centres, software companies, and ATM booths have become essential.

Q18. The political head of a Gram Panchayat is called the: (1 Mark)

(a) Mayor

(b) Sarpanch

(c) Collector

(d) Governor

Ans: (b)
Sol: A Gram Panchayat is a council of ward members (panch) led by a president or sarpanch.

Q19. Who is the political head of a Zilla Parishad? (1 Mark)

(a) Mayor

(b) Chairperson

(c) District Magistrate

(d) Prime Minister

Ans: (b)
Sol: Most members of the Zilla Parishad are elected, and the Chairperson is its political head.

Q20. Rows of trees planted to create shelter and break the force of the wind are called: (1 Mark)

(a) Strip cropping

(b) Shelter belts

(c) Terrace farming

(d) Contour ploughing

Ans: (b)
Sol: Shelter belts contribute significantly to stabilizing sand dunes and deserts in western India.

Q21. What is meant by 'National Development'? (2 Marks)

Ans: It is a country's ability to improve the lives of its citizens. It involves thinking about fair and just paths for all and deciding on ideas that benefit a large number of people.

Q22. Define 'Disguised Unemployment'. (2 Marks)

Ans: It is a situation where more people are working than is actually necessary. If a few workers are moved out, the total production will not be affected (e.g., family members on a small farm plot).

Q23. Where did the first clear expression of nationalism come from? (2 Marks)

Ans: The first clear expression of nationalism came with the French Revolution in 1789. It marked the transfer of sovereignty from the absolute monarchy to a body of French citizens.

Q24. What is 'Palar Pani'? (2 Marks)

Ans: In the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, rainwater is commonly referred to as palar pani. It is considered the purest form of natural water and is stored in underground tanks (tankas) for drinking.

Q25. Distinguish between 'Coming Together' and 'Holding Together' federations. (3 Marks)

Q27. Why did the Civil Disobedience Movement lose momentum by 1934? (3 Marks)

Q28. Describe the traditional 'Bamboo Drip Irrigation' system. (3 Marks)

Q29. Why were 'Linguistic States' created in India? (3 Marks)

Q30. Describe the major soil types in India and their characteristics. (5 Marks)

Ans:
• Alluvial Soil: Most widely spread and fertile; found in Northern plains and deltas; contains potash and lime.
• Black Soil: Found in Deccan Trap; ideal for cotton; rich in calcium carbonate and holds moisture well.
• Red and Yellow Soil: Found in low rainfall areas; reddish due to iron diffusion; yellow when hydrated.
• Laterite Soil: Formed due to intense leaching in heavy rain; useful for tea/coffee with conservation.
• Arid Soil: Sandy texture and saline nature; lacks humus and moisture; cultivable with irrigation.

Q31. Why is power-sharing desirable? Discuss both Prudential and Moral reasons. (5 Marks)

Ans:
• Prudential Reasons: Power-sharing helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict leads to violence and instability, it ensures the stability of political order.
• Moral Reasons: Power-sharing is the "very spirit of democracy." A democratic rule involves sharing power with those who have to live with its effects. It is valuable because people have a right to be consulted on how they are governed.

Q32. Explain the reforms introduced by Napoleon to make the administrative system more efficient. (5 Marks)

Ans:
• Napoleonic Code (1804): Abolished all birth privileges, established equality before the law, and secured the right to property.
• Abolition of Feudalism: He freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues.
• Guild Restrictions: Restrictions on town guilds were removed, helping producers.
• Infrastructure: Transport and communication systems were significantly improved.
• Standardization: He introduced uniform laws, standardized weights and measures, and a common currency.

Q33. Describe the land use pattern in India. Why has the area under forest not increased much? (5 Marks)

Ans: Land in India is used for forests, net sown area, fallow lands, and non-agricultural purposes (roads/buildings). The forest area is lower than the 33% desired by the 1952 National Forest Policy. It hasn't increased much because:
• Continuous land use without conservation leads to land degradation.
• Human activities like deforestation, mining, and overgrazing damage forest quality.
• Over-irrigation in states like Punjab leads to water logging and salinity.
• Mineral processing generates dust that retards water infiltration into soil.

Q34. Read the text on 'MGNREGA 2005' and answer:

In rural India, many people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. However, farming is seasonal, so workers often face unemployment during certain months of the year. To reduce rural poverty and provide livelihood security, the Government of India introduced an important law in 2005 called the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Under this Act, every rural household whose adult members are willing to do unskilled manual work is entitled to 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a year. This employment must be given within 15 days of application. If the government fails to provide work, the workers receive an unemployment allowance, meaning the right to work is legally protected.

Most of the work provided under this scheme is related to water conservation, drought relief, land development and improving rural infrastructure. This ensures that employment not only supports present income but also improves agricultural productivity in the future.

(i) What is the full form of MGNREGA? (1 Mark)

(ii) What happens if the government fails to provide the guaranteed 100 days of work? (1 Mark)

(iii) What kind of work is given preference under this Act? (2 Marks)

Ans:
(i) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
(ii) The government must pay an unemployment allowance to the person who is not provided work.
(iii) Priority is given to work that helps increase land productivity, such as water conservation, land development and rural infrastructure projects.

Q35. Read the following on 'Rainwater Harvesting in Rajasthan' and answer:

Rajasthan is one of the driest states in India, where rainfall is scarce and uncertain. To survive in such harsh conditions, people developed unique traditional methods of rainwater harvesting. One of the most important systems was the underground tanka.

A tanka is a large underground storage tank built inside the home or courtyard. Roofs are constructed to slope inward, so during rainfall the water flows through a pipe into the tanka. This stored water is then used for drinking during the dry summer months.

However, the first rainfall is not collected. Instead, it is allowed to wash away dust, leaves, bird droppings and dirt from rooftops and pipes. Only the cleaner rainwater that follows is stored.

This traditional method reflects people's respect for water as a precious resource, and shows how local communities adapted to their environment.

(i) Where were the 'tankas' usually built in the house? (1 Mark)

(ii) How is the water from the roof taken to the tanka? (1 Mark)

(iii) Why is the first spell of rain usually not collected? (2 Marks)

Ans:
(i) Tankas were usually built inside the main house or in the courtyard.
(ii) Rainwater from the sloping roof is carried through pipes into the tanka.
(iii) The first rainfall is not collected because it is used to clean the rooftops and pipes by washing away dust and impurities.

Q36. Read the text on 'Centre-State Relations' and answer:

India follows a federal system, where power is divided between the Central Government and State Governments. Earlier, the Centre had more control and sometimes misused its powers to dismiss state governments.

However, after 1990, the rise of coalition governments at the Centre changed this trend. Since no single party could easily form a government alone, national parties had to depend on regional parties for support. This meant that the interests of the states had to be respected more than before.

The Supreme Court also intervened by ruling that the Central Government cannot arbitrarily dismiss a State Government. This strengthened federalism and protected democracy.

(i) Define 'Coalition Government'. (1 Mark)

(ii) How did coalition governments strengthen federalism? (1 Mark)

(iii) What role did the Supreme Court play in this restructuring? (2 Marks)

Ans:
(i) A coalition government is one formed by the coming together of two or more political parties.
(ii) Coalition governments strengthened federalism because national parties needed the support of regional parties, leading to greater respect for state autonomy.
(iii) The Supreme Court ruled that the Central Government cannot dismiss State Governments in an arbitrary manner, which protected federalism and democratic governance.

Q37. (i) History: On the given political map of India, locate and label: (2 Marks)

(a) The place where the Non-Cooperation Movement was called off (Chauri Chaura, UP).

(b) The site of the 1928 peasant movement led by Vallabhbhai Patel (Bardoli, Gujarat).

(ii) Geography: On the same map, locate and label: (3 Marks)

(a) Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat).

(b) A major region of Arid soil (Rajasthan).

(c) A major region of Forest and Mountainous soil (Himalayas).