GOVT GIRLS HR SEC SCHOOL, ARANI – 601101
FIRST MID-TERM MODEL TEST – 2019
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Question Paper
- Where did the Ethiopian army defeat the Italian army?
- Delville
- Orange State
- Adowa
- Algiers
- Where did the US drop its first atomic bomb?
- Kavashaki
- Innoshima
- Hiroshima
- Nagasaki
- The Southern most point of India is
- Andaman
- Kanniyakumari
- Indira point
- Kavartti
- ____________ is not a part of the world network biosphere reserves of UNESCO.
- Niligiri
- Agasthiyamalai
- Great Nicobar
- Kachch
- The secret state police in Nazi Germany was known as ____________.
- The Constitution of India was adopted on ____________.
- ____________ is the Ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
- ____________ sector is the largest sector in India.
| 9. Tongking | - Tributary of River Ganga |
| 10. Yamuna | - Tax on goods and service |
| 11. The mini constitution | - guerilla activities |
| 12. GST | - 42nd Amendment |
- What do you know of trench warfare?
- Define “Dollar Imperialism”.
- Describe the Pearl Harbour incident.
- Name the neighboring countries of India.
- What is meant by ‘normal Lapse rate’?
- Name the four distinct seasons of India.
- What is a constitution?
- What is per capita income?
- Why was the Balkan League formed?
- What was the outcome of the first Balkan war?
- Who were defeated in this war?
- What was the name of the Treaty signed at the end of this second Balkan war?
- When did Germany attack Stalingrad?
- What were the main manufactures of Stalingrad?
- What was the name of the plan formulated by Hitler to attack Stalingrad?
- What is the Significance of the Battle of Stalingrad?
- Western Coastal plains and Eastern Coastal Plains
- Weather and climate
25(a) Discuss the main causes of the first world war
(OR)
(b) Trace the circumstances that led to the rise of Hitler in Germany.
26 (a) Give a detailed account on the basin of the Ganga
(OR)
(b) Write the names of biosphere reserves and their location in India.
27 (a) What are the Duties and functions of the prime minister of India
(OR)
(b) Briefly explain various terms associated with measuring of national income.
28. Draw a time line with any five important events between the years 1910 - 1940.
29. Mark the following in the outline map of India
- Aravalli
- Karakoram
- Ganga river
- Deccan Plateau
- Mountain Forests
- Direction of south west monsoon wind
- Panna biosphere reserve
Solutions
- Answer: c) AdowaThe Ethiopian army, under Emperor Menelik II, decisively defeated the Italian forces at the Battle of Adowa in 1896. This victory secured Ethiopian sovereignty.
- Answer: c) HiroshimaThe United States dropped the first atomic bomb, named "Little Boy," on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, during World War II.
- Answer: c) Indira pointIndira Point, located in the Great Nicobar Island, is the southernmost point of the territory of India. Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland.
- Answer: d) KachchWhile the Rann of Kutch is a designated Biosphere Reserve in India, it is not yet part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Niligiri, Agasthiyamalai, and Great Nicobar are all part of the UNESCO network.
- The secret state police in Nazi Germany was known as Gestapo.
- The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th November 1949.
- The Vice-President of India is the Ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
- Service (or Tertiary) sector is the largest sector in India.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 9. Tongking | - guerilla activities |
| 10. Yamuna | - Tributary of River Ganga |
| 11. The mini constitution | - 42nd Amendment |
| 12. GST | - Tax on goods and service |
Trench warfare is a type of combat where opposing armies fight from fortified ditches, or trenches, facing each other. Key features include:
- It was a characteristic feature of World War I on the Western Front.
- Trenches protected soldiers from machine-gun fire and artillery.
- The area between the opposing trenches was called "no man's land."
- Life in the trenches was horrific, with problems like mud, diseases (like trench foot), rats, and the constant threat of attack, leading to a stalemate with huge casualties.
Dollar Imperialism refers to the foreign policy of the United States, especially in the early 20th century, where it used its economic power and financial influence (the 'dollar') to extend its political and commercial interests in other countries, particularly in Latin America and East Asia. Instead of direct military conquest, it involved giving loans and making investments to gain control over a country's economy and politics.
The Pearl Harbour incident was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941. The attack was intended to prevent the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with Japan's planned military actions in Southeast Asia. It caused severe damage to the US fleet and resulted in the United States formally entering World War II the next day.
India shares its land borders with seven countries and sea borders with two.
- Land Borders: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
- Sea Borders: Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The Normal Lapse Rate is the rate at which the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere decreases with an increase in altitude. On average, for every 1000 meters (or 1 kilometer) of ascent, the temperature drops by approximately 6.5° Celsius. This phenomenon occurs because the atmosphere is heated primarily by the Earth's surface, so it is warmer closer to the ground.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, India has four distinct seasons:
- The Winter Season: January to February.
- The Summer Season: March to May.
- The Southwest Monsoon Season (Rainy Season): June to September.
- The Post-Monsoon or Retreating Monsoon Season: October to December.
A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. It is the supreme law of the land, and all other laws must conform to it. It defines the framework of the government, the powers of its different organs, and the rights and duties of the citizens.
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a country or a specific region in a given year. It is calculated by dividing the country's total national income by its total population.
Formula: Per Capita Income = National Income / Total Population.
- Why was the Balkan League formed?
The Balkan League, an alliance of Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro, was formed in 1912 to wage war against the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and liberate the Balkan territories still under its control.
- What was the outcome of the first Balkan war?
The Balkan League was victorious. The Ottoman Empire lost almost all of its remaining territories in Europe. Albania was declared an independent state.
- Who were defeated in this war?
The Ottoman Empire (Turkey) was defeated in the First Balkan War.
- What was the name of the Treaty signed at the end of this second Balkan war?
The Treaty of Bucharest was signed in August 1913, officially ending the Second Balkan War.
- When did Germany attack Stalingrad?
Germany began its offensive to capture Stalingrad in the late summer of 1942. The battle for the city itself raged from September 1942 to February 1943.
- What were the main manufactures of Stalingrad?
Stalingrad was a major industrial center in the Soviet Union, known for producing armaments, military hardware, and heavy machinery, including tractors that were crucial for agriculture and could be adapted for military use.
- What was the name of the plan formulated by Hitler to attack Stalingrad?
The German summer offensive of 1942 that aimed to capture Stalingrad and the Caucasus oilfields was codenamed "Operation Blue" (Fall Blau).
- What is the Significance of the Battle of Stalingrad?
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major turning point of World War II. It marked the end of German advances in the East, was the first major defeat for Hitler's armies, and put the Soviet Union on the offensive, which they maintained until the capture of Berlin in 1945.
| Feature | Western Coastal Plains | Eastern Coastal Plains |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Lie between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. | Lie between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. |
| Width | Narrower. | Wider. |
| Rivers & Deltas | Rivers are swift and short, and do not form large deltas (form estuaries). E.g., Narmada, Tapi. | Rivers are slower and longer, forming large, fertile deltas. E.g., Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri. |
| Ports | Have many natural ports and harbours. E.g., Mumbai, Kandla, Kochi. | Have fewer natural ports due to a smooth coastline. E.g., Chennai, Visakhapatnam. |
| Feature | Weather | Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The day-to-day condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time. | The average weather conditions of a large area over a long period of time (typically 30 years or more). |
| Time Frame | Short-term (minutes, hours, days). | Long-term (decades, centuries). |
| Variability | Changes frequently and quickly. | Relatively stable and changes very slowly. |
| Example | "It is cloudy and rainy in Chennai today." | "The coastal regions of Tamil Nadu have a hot and humid climate." |
The main causes of World War I, which began in 1914, can be summarized by the acronym M.A.N.I.A.:
- Militarism: This was a policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war. European powers like Germany, France, and Britain engaged in an arms race, particularly a naval race between Britain and Germany. The military had a greater influence on public policy.
- Alliances: A web of complex and secret alliances divided Europe into two armed camps.
- The Triple Alliance (Central Powers): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
- The Triple Entente (Allied Powers): France, Britain, and Russia.
- Nationalism: This is an intense form of patriotism and loyalty to one's country. While it could unite people, it also caused intense competition and rivalry among nations. Aggressive nationalism fueled desires for dominance (e.g., Germany's desire for its "place in the sun") and also inspired ethnic groups (like the Slavs in the Balkans) to seek independence from empires like Austria-Hungary.
- Imperialism: European nations competed fiercely for colonies in Africa and Asia to secure raw materials and markets for their goods. This scramble for colonies led to many clashes and rivalries, for instance, between Germany and France over Morocco.
- Assassination (The Immediate Cause): The spark that ignited the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie. They were killed in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, by a Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. This event triggered a series of ultimatums and mobilizations as the alliance system kicked in, leading to the outbreak of war in August 1914.
The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party to power in Germany was the result of a combination of factors following World War I:
- Humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles (1919): The treaty imposed harsh terms on Germany. It included the "War Guilt Clause" (blaming Germany for the war), heavy financial reparations, severe military restrictions, and loss of territory. This was seen as a national humiliation and created deep resentment among Germans, which Hitler exploited.
- Weakness of the Weimar Republic: The new democratic government was politically unstable, with many different parties unable to form a strong, lasting government. It was blamed for signing the Treaty of Versailles and was perceived as weak and ineffective.
- Economic Crisis: Germany faced severe economic problems.
- Hyperinflation (1923): The government printed money to pay war debts, making the German currency worthless and wiping out people's savings.
- The Great Depression (1929): The US stock market crash led to the withdrawal of American loans, causing mass unemployment and poverty in Germany. This economic misery made people desperate for a strong leader who promised solutions.
- Appeal of Nazi Ideology and Propaganda: Hitler was a charismatic and powerful speaker. The Nazi Party used sophisticated propaganda to spread its message. They promised to restore German pride, create jobs, defy the Treaty of Versailles, and blame scapegoats (like Jews and Communists) for Germany's problems. This message appealed to many different groups in society.
- Political Intrigue: In the early 1930s, conservative politicians, believing they could control Hitler, persuaded President Hindenburg to appoint him as Chancellor in January 1933. They underestimated his ambition and ruthlessness. Soon after, Hitler used events like the Reichstag Fire to suspend civil liberties and consolidate his power, turning Germany into a totalitarian dictatorship.
The Ganga river system is the largest and most important river system in India, draining a vast basin that covers about one-fourth of the country's total area. It is revered as a holy river in Hinduism.
- Origin: The Ganga originates as the 'Bhagirathi' from the Gangotri Glacier in the Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi merges with the Alaknanda River to form the Ganga.
- Course: The river flows through the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. The total length of the river is about 2,525 km. The plain formed by the river and its tributaries, known as the Indo-Gangetic Plain, is one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world.
- Tributaries: The Ganga is fed by numerous tributaries.
- Northern (Left-bank) Tributaries: These originate in the Himalayas and include the Ramganga, Ghaghara, Gandak, and Kosi.
- Southern (Right-bank) Tributaries: These originate in the peninsular plateau and include the Yamuna (its largest tributary), Son, and Damodar.
- Delta: In West Bengal, the river bifurcates into two distributaries: the Hooghly (which flows south through Kolkata) and the Padma (which enters Bangladesh). In Bangladesh, the Padma joins the Brahmaputra (known as Jamuna) and later the Meghna, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Together, they form the Sundarbans Delta, the largest delta in the world, known for its mangrove forests and as the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Biosphere reserves are areas that are protected to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development. India has 18 designated Biosphere Reserves. Here are some of the major ones:
| Name of Biosphere Reserve | Location (State/s) |
|---|---|
| Nilgiri | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka |
| Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand |
| Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu |
| Nokrek | Meghalaya |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal |
| Manas | Assam |
| Simlipal | Odisha |
| Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh |
| Agasthyamalai | Kerala, Tamil Nadu |
| Great Nicobar | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| Panna | Madhya Pradesh |
| Khangchendzonga | Sikkim |
The Prime Minister is the real executive head of the government of India. His/her duties and functions are extensive:
- Head of the Council of Ministers: The Prime Minister selects, allocates portfolios to, and can ask for the resignation of other ministers. He/She presides over the meetings of the cabinet and coordinates the work of all ministries.
- Chief Advisor to the President: The Prime Minister is the principal channel of communication between the President and the Council of Ministers. He/She advises the President on all important matters, including the appointment of high officials like the Attorney General, CAG, and UPSC Chairman.
- Leader of the Nation and the Ruling Party: The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. As the head of the government, he/she represents the nation on both national and international platforms.
- Leader of the Parliament: The Prime Minister advises the President with regard to summoning and proroguing the sessions of the Parliament. He/She can also recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha to the President.
- Chief Architect of Foreign Policy: The Prime Minister plays a crucial role in shaping India's foreign policy and represents the country in international forums like the UN, G20, and SAARC.
Several key terms are used to measure the economic activity and income of a nation:
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total market value of all final goods and services produced within the geographical boundaries of a country during a specific period (usually a year). It focuses on production within the country, regardless of who owns the production units.
- Gross National Product (GNP): The total market value of all final goods and services produced by the nationals of a country during a year. It includes the income earned by Indian citizens abroad and excludes the income earned by foreigners in India.
GNP = GDP + Net Factor Income from Abroad (NFIA) - Net National Product (NNP): NNP is calculated by subtracting depreciation (wear and tear of capital goods) from GNP. It represents the net output of the economy.
NNP = GNP - Depreciation - National Income (NI): This is also known as Net National Product at Factor Cost (NNP at FC). It is the total income earned by all factors of production (land, labor, capital, enterprise).
NI = NNP at Market Price - Indirect Taxes + Subsidies - Per Capita Income (PCI): The average income of a person in a country. It is calculated by dividing the National Income by the total population. It is a key indicator of the standard of living.
PCI = National Income / Population - Personal Income (PI): The total income received by individuals and households of a country from all possible sources before direct taxes.
- Disposable Income (DI): The income that is left with individuals after paying direct taxes like income tax. This is the actual income available for spending and saving.
DI = Personal Income - Direct Taxes
- 1914: Outbreak of World War I.
- 1919: Treaty of Versailles signed, ending WWI; Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- 1922: Chauri Chaura incident leads to the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- 1930: Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, marking the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- 1939: Germany invades Poland, leading to the outbreak of World War II.
- Aravalli Range: A mountain range in North-Western India, running approximately 670 km in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat.
- Karakoram Range: A major mountain range spanning the borders of Pakistan, India, and China, located in the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan), Ladakh (India), and Xinjiang (China). It is the northernmost range of the trans-Himalayan region in India.
- Ganga river: Originates in the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand. Flows south and east through the Gangetic Plain of North India into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. Mark its path across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
- Deccan Plateau: A large, triangular plateau in western and southern India. It is located between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
- Mountain Forests: These are found in the Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh) and also in the higher altitudes of the Western Ghats in South India.
- Direction of south west monsoon wind: Mark arrows originating from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, moving onto the Indian mainland from a south-westerly direction. Show them splitting into two branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.
- Panna biosphere reserve: Located in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh in central India.