Virudhunagar District
First Mid Term Test - 2023
Standard 10 - SOCIAL SCIENCE
Marks: 50 | Time: 1.30 Hours
PART - I (6x1=6)
I. Choose the correct answer:
1) Who said "imperialism" is the highest stage of capitalism?
Explanation: In his book, "Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism" (1917), Vladimir Lenin argued that capitalism had developed into a global system of colonial oppression and financial strangulation of the majority of the world's population by a handful of 'advanced' countries.
2) Choose the correct statement
Assertion (A): President Roosevelt realised that the United States had to change its policy of isolation.
Reason (R): He started a programme of Lend Lease in 1941.
Explanation: President Roosevelt understood that the US could not remain isolated from the growing conflict in Europe. The Lend-Lease Act of 1941 was a clear policy shift, allowing the U.S. to supply Allied nations with war materials, thereby ending its strict neutrality and isolationism. The reason directly supports the assertion.
3) ................... is not a part of the world network biosphere reserves of UNESCO.
Explanation: While the Rann of Kachchh is a designated Biosphere Reserve in India, it is not currently part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Nilgiri, Agasthiyamalai, and Great Nicobar are all included in the UNESCO list.
4) The longest dam in the world is ...............
Explanation: The Hirakud Dam, built across the Mahanadi River in Odisha, is the longest earthen dam in the world, with a total length (main dam and dykes) of 25.79 km.
5) What is the minimum age laid down for a candidate to seek election to the Lok Sabha?
Explanation: According to Article 84 of the Indian Constitution, a person must be at least 25 years old to be eligible to contest for a seat in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament).
6) GATT's first round was held in ..............
Explanation: The first round of multilateral trade negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1947.
PART - II (4x1=4)
II. Fill in the blanks:
7) The Secret State Police in Nazi Germany was known as ....................
8) ................... River is known as 'Sorrow of Bihar'.
9) The constitution of India was adopted on ...................
10) GDP is the indicator of ................... economy.
PART - III (6x2=12)
III. Answer any 6 questions. Question No: 20 is compulsory.
11) What do you know of Trench Warfare?
Trench warfare is a type of combat where opposing armies fight from a system of fortified ditches or trenches dug into the ground. Key features include:
- It was a defining feature of World War I on the Western Front.
- Trenches provided protection from enemy fire but led to a stalemate, where neither side could advance.
- The area between opposing trenches was called "No Man's Land," which was extremely dangerous to cross.
- Life in the trenches was horrific, with problems like mud, disease (like trench foot), rats, and constant psychological stress.
12) Who were the three prominent dictators of the Post World War I?
The three most prominent dictators who rose to power in the period after World War I were:
- Benito Mussolini in Italy (Fascism)
- Adolf Hitler in Germany (Nazism)
- Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union (Communism)
13) What do you know of the White - Terror in Indo - China?
The "White Terror" in Indo-China refers to the brutal crackdown by the French colonial government against Vietnamese nationalists and communists in 1929-1930. After a failed uprising by the Vietnamese Nationalist Party, the French authorities responded with extreme force, including mass executions, arrests, and imprisonments, to suppress the independence movement.
14) Name the neighbouring countries of India.
India shares its borders with nine neighbouring countries.
- Land Borders: Pakistan, Afghanistan (in the northwest); China, Nepal, Bhutan (in the north); Bangladesh, Myanmar (in the east).
- Sea Borders: Sri Lanka (to the south) and Maldives (to the southwest).
15) What is meant by "normal lapse rate"?
The "normal lapse rate" refers to the rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. In the troposphere (the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere), the temperature generally drops by an average of 6.5° Celsius for every 1000 meters (or 1 km) of ascent.
16) State the types of agriculture practices in India.
The main types of agricultural practices in India can be broadly classified as:
- Subsistence Farming: Growing crops mainly for the farmer's own consumption. This includes Primitive Subsistence (like shifting cultivation) and Intensive Subsistence farming.
- Commercial Farming: Cultivating crops for sale in the market to earn profit.
- Plantation Agriculture: A type of commercial farming where a single crop (like tea, coffee, rubber) is grown over a large area.
- Mixed Farming: The cultivation of crops and the rearing of livestock simultaneously on the same farm.
17) What is meant by Citizenship?
Citizenship is the legal status of a person who is recognized under the law of a country as being a legal member of that state. It grants the individual civil and political rights and also imposes certain duties. In India, the Constitution provides for a single citizenship, and the methods of acquiring it are defined in the Citizenship Act of 1955.
18) What is the qualification of Judges of the Supreme Court?
To be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India, a person must:
- Be a citizen of India.
- Have been a judge of a High Court (or High Courts in succession) for at least five years.
- OR Have been an advocate of a High Court (or High Courts in succession) for at least ten years.
- OR Be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President of India.
19) Define National Income.
National Income is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced by a country during a specific period, typically one financial year. It represents the sum of factor incomes (wages, rent, interest, profit) earned by the normal residents of a country. Simply put, it measures the net output of the economy.
20) Write a short note on Multinational Corporation. (Compulsory)
A Multinational Corporation (MNC) is a large company that owns or controls the production of goods or services in at least one country other than its home country. Key characteristics include a huge asset and turnover base, operations in multiple countries, and a centralized head office that coordinates global management. MNCs play a significant role in globalization by facilitating international trade and investment.
PART - IV (2x5=10)
IV. Write in detail (Any 2 questions)
22) A) Distinguish between the following
i) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
| Feature | Western Ghats | Eastern Ghats |
|---|---|---|
| Continuity | They are a continuous range of mountains. | They are discontinuous and irregular, eroded by rivers. |
| Location | Run parallel to the western coast of India. | Run parallel to the eastern coast of India. |
| Altitude | Higher in elevation, with an average height of 900-1600 meters. | Lower in elevation, with an average height of 600 meters. |
| Rivers | Source of major peninsular rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. | Major rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri dissect them to drain into the Bay of Bengal. |
| Rainfall | Receive heavy orographic rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon. | Receive comparatively lower rainfall. |
ii) Weather and Climate
| Basis of Distinction | 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 30-35 years). |
| Time Frame | Short-term (hours, days, weeks). It changes frequently. | Long-term (decades, centuries). It is more stable. |
| Area | Refers to a smaller, specific area (e.g., a city or town). | Refers to a larger region (e.g., a country or a climatic zone). |
| Elements Measured | Temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed at a given moment. | Averages and variations of these elements over many years. |
| Example | "It is rainy and cool in Chennai today." | "The coastal region of Tamil Nadu has a hot and humid climate." |
B) Give Reason: Himalayas are called young fold mountains.
The Himalayas are called "young fold mountains" for the following reasons:
- Recent Geological Origin: They were formed relatively recently in geological history (about 40-50 million years ago) by the folding of the earth's crust due to the collision of the Indo-Australian plate with the Eurasian plate.
- Structurally Folded: The compressional forces from the plate collision caused the sedimentary rocks in the Tethys Sea to buckle and fold, creating the mountain ranges.
- Still Rising: The Himalayas are still geologically active and are rising in height by a few millimeters each year as the Indian plate continues to push northwards.
- Characteristic Features: They exhibit features typical of young mountains, such as rugged terrain, high conical peaks, deep valleys, and fast-flowing rivers, indicating they have not been extensively eroded over time.
23) Describe the Executive and Judicial powers of the President of India.
Executive Powers
The President is the head of the Union Executive. Key executive powers include:
- Appointments: Appoints the Prime Minister and, on their advice, the other members of the Council of Ministers. Also appoints the Attorney-General, Governors of states, Chief Election Commissioner, Chairman and members of UPSC, and ambassadors.
- Supreme Commander: Acts as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
- Conduct of Business: All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in the President's name.
- Administration of UTs: Administers the Union Territories through administrators appointed by him/her.
Judicial Powers
The President has significant judicial powers and immunities:
- Appointment of Judges: Appoints the Chief Justice of India and the other judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- Power of Pardon (Article 72): The President can grant a pardon, reprieve, respite, remission of punishment, or commute the sentence of any person convicted of an offense. This power extends to cases involving punishment by a Court Martial or a death sentence.
- Seek Advice from Supreme Court: Can seek the advice of the Supreme Court on any question of law or fact of public importance (Article 143), although the advice is not binding.
- Immunity: The President is not answerable to any court for the exercise of the powers and duties of the office.
PART - V (5x1=5)
V. Time Line:
25) Write any five important events from the Year 1910 - 1940.
- 1914: Outbreak of the First World War.
- 1919: Treaty of Versailles was signed, officially ending World War I.
- 1929: The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash in the USA.
- 1935: The Government of India Act was passed by the British Parliament.
- 1939: Germany invaded Poland, leading to the outbreak of the Second World War.
PART - VI (1x8=8)
VI. Answer the following questions:
26) Discuss the main causes of the First World War.
The main causes of the First World War, which began in 1914, can be analyzed through the acronym M.A.I.N.: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.
1. Alliances
By the early 20th century, Europe was divided into two armed camps due to a complex web of military alliances. These alliances, intended to maintain a balance of power, created a situation where a conflict between two nations could quickly escalate into a continental war.
- The Triple Alliance (1882): Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.
- The Triple Entente (1907): Great Britain, France, and Russia.
2. Imperialism
Imperialism is the policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization. The industrial nations of Europe competed fiercely for colonies in Africa and Asia to secure raw materials and markets for their manufactured goods. This colonial rivalry, especially between Britain, France, and Germany, created tension and mistrust.
3. Militarism
Militarism is the belief that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively. The great powers of Europe engaged in a massive arms race in the early 1900s. Germany's desire to build a navy to rival Britain's led to a naval race, increasing tensions. Armies were expanded, and military planning, like Germany's Schlieffen Plan, was based on the assumption of war.
4. Nationalism
Nationalism, or intense pride and devotion to one's country, was a powerful force. While it could unite people, it also led to aggressive and competitive relations between nations. Furthermore, the desire of subject peoples (like the Slavs in Austria-Hungary) for independence fueled unrest, particularly in the Balkan region, which was known as the "powder keg of Europe."
Immediate Cause: The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The trigger for the war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. Austria-Hungary, with Germany's backing, issued an ultimatum to Serbia. When Serbia did not fully comply, Austria-Hungary declared war, setting off a chain reaction through the alliance system that plunged Europe into war.
27) Explain the divisions of Northern Mountains and its importance to India.
The Northern Mountains of India are a vast and lofty mountain system, also known as the Himalayan Mountains. They can be divided into three main parallel ranges:
Divisions of the Northern Mountains
-
The Trans-Himalayas (The Tibetan Himalayas):
Located to the north of the Great Himalayas, mostly in Tibet. Ranges like Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zaskar are part of this division. Mt. K2 (Godwin Austen), the second highest peak in the world, is in the Karakoram Range.
-
The Himalayas: This is the main mountain range, divided into three parallel ranges:
- The Greater Himalayas (Himadri): The northernmost and highest range, with an average height of 6,000 meters. It contains the world's highest peaks like Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga and is the source of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
- The Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): Located south of the Himadri, with an average height of 3,700-4,500 meters. It comprises ranges like Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar and is famous for its hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie.
- The Outer Himalayas (Siwaliks): The southernmost range, with an average height of 900-1,100 meters. These are discontinuous ranges made of unconsolidated sediments, forming valleys called "Duns" (e.g., Dehra Dun).
-
The Purvanchal Hills (Eastern Himalayas):
These are the eastern extension of the Himalayas, running along the northeastern border of India. They include the Patkai, Naga, Manipur, and Mizo hills.
Importance of the Northern Mountains to India
- Climatic Barrier: They act as a natural barrier, protecting India from the cold winds of Central Asia and forcing the monsoon winds to shed their moisture over the subcontinent.
- Source of Perennial Rivers: The Himalayan glaciers feed major perennial rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, which are crucial for agriculture and human settlement in the northern plains.
- Fertile Plains: The rivers originating from the Himalayas bring vast amounts of fertile alluvial soil, forming the Indo-Gangetic plains, one of the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world.
- Rich Biodiversity: The mountains are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna and are considered a major biodiversity hotspot.
- Hydroelectricity: The steep slopes and fast-flowing rivers offer immense potential for the generation of hydroelectric power.
- Tourism and Pilgrimage: The scenic beauty and pleasant climate attract tourists from all over the world, while numerous pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Kedarnath hold great religious significance.
- Natural Defence: They have historically served as a formidable natural barrier, protecting India from invasions from the north.
PART - VII (5x1=5)
VII. Mark the following places on the India Outline map:
28) (i) Aravalli (ii) Mt. Everest (iii) Direction of South West Monsoon Wind (iv) Alluvial Soil Region (v) River Ganga
On an outline map of India, the locations would be marked as follows:
- Aravalli: A range of hills running in a southwest direction, starting from near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat.
- Mt. Everest: A peak located in the Greater Himalayas (Himadri). It should be marked on the border between Nepal and China (Tibet), just to the east of central Nepal.
- Direction of South West Monsoon Wind: Indicated by drawing arrows originating from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The arrows should point from a south-westerly direction towards the Indian mainland, splitting into two branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.
- Alluvial Soil Region: A large area should be shaded covering the northern plains, including the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and parts of Rajasthan and Assam. This is the region of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river basins.
- River Ganga: A line drawn originating from the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand, flowing southeast through the northern plains (UP, Bihar, West Bengal), and finally emptying into the Bay of Bengal.