STD 10 Social Science
First Mid Term Test - 2023 | Question Paper with Solutions
Question Paper
PART - I
I. Choose the correct Answer. (7x1=7)
1.
To which country did the first Secretary General of League of Nations belong?
2.
Where did the US drop its first atomic bomb?
3.
What is the Battle of Marne remembered for?
4.
______ River is known as 'Sorrow of Bihar'.
5.
How many times has the Preamble to the Constitution of India amended?
6.
Primary sector consist of ______.
7.
______ Plains are formed by the older alluviums.
PART - II
II. Answer any five of the following questions. (5x2=10)
8. What is 'burst of monsoon'?
9. What are the classical languages of India?
10. Define National Income.
11. Name the countries in the Triple Entente.
12. What is "Jet Streams"?
13. Describe the Pearl Harbour incident.
14. Name the neighbouring countries of India.
PART - III
III. Answer any five of the following questions. (5x5=25)
15. Analyse the effects of the World War II.
16. Discuss the main causes of the First World War.
17. a) Distinguish between: i) Weather and Climate ii) North East Monsoon and South West Monsoon
b) Give reasons: i) Agriculture is the backbone of India.
18. Write the challenges of Globalization.
19. Explain the salient features of the Constitution of India.
PART - IV
20. Fill in the blanks
i) The Bandung conference was held in the year of ______.
ii) Hitler attacked ______ which was a demilitarised zone.
iii) ______ Bill cannot be introduced in the Parliament without President's approval.
iv) ______ is a device used to find out the enemy aircraft from a distance.
v) ______ is the Guardian of the Constitution.
21. Match the following.
| 1. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk | a) Versailles |
| 2. Jingoism | b) Turkey |
| 3. Kemal Pasha | c) Russia with Germany |
| 4. Emden | d) England |
| 5. Hall of Mirrors | e) Madras |
IV. Answer any one of the following. (8x1=8)
22. Mark the places in given outline map Of India.
- Aravalli Range
- Godwin Austen
- Deccan Plateau
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Ganga Plains
- Thar Desert
- Chennai
- Pamir knot
(Or)
23. Describe the Executive and Judicial powers of the President of India.
Solutions & Answer Key
PART - I: Choose the correct Answer
1. a) Britain
The first Secretary-General of the League of Nations was Sir Eric Drummond, who was from Britain.
2. c) Hiroshima
The United States dropped the first atomic bomb, "Little Boy," on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later.
3. b) trench warfare
The First Battle of the Marne (1914) marked the beginning of the static, brutal trench warfare that characterized much of World War I on the Western Front.
4. c) Kosi
The Kosi River is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent and devastating floods.
5. a) Once
The Preamble to the Constitution of India has been amended only once, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. This amendment added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'.
6. a) Agriculture
The primary sector of the economy involves the extraction and harvesting of natural products from the earth, such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining.
7. c) Bhangar
The Great Northern Plains are formed by alluvial deposits. The older, less fertile alluvium is called Bhangar, while the newer, more fertile alluvium found in floodplains is called Khadar.
PART - II: Short Answers
8. What is 'burst of monsoon'?
The 'burst of monsoon' refers to the sudden and abrupt onset of the moisture-laden South-West monsoon winds over the Indian subcontinent. It is characterized by a rapid increase in rainfall intensity, often accompanied by violent thunder and lightning, marking the beginning of the rainy season.
9. What are the classical languages of India?
The Government of India has recognized six languages as 'Classical Languages'. They are:
- Tamil (declared in 2004)
- Sanskrit (declared in 2005)
- Telugu (declared in 2008)
- Kannada (declared in 2008)
- Malayalam (declared in 2013)
- Odia (declared in 2014)
10. Define National Income.
National Income is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced by the residents of a country during a specific period, typically one financial year. It is a measure of the net output of the economy and is used to gauge the economic health and growth of a nation.
11. Name the countries in the Triple Entente.
The Triple Entente was the alliance formed before World War I. The member countries were:
- France
- Great Britain (United Kingdom)
- Russia
12. What are "Jet Streams"?
Jet Streams are fast-flowing, narrow, meandering air currents found in the upper levels of the atmosphere, specifically in the tropopause. These westerly winds play a crucial role in influencing weather patterns on a global scale, including the arrival and departure of monsoons in India.
13. Describe the Pearl Harbour incident.
The Pearl Harbour incident was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It took place on the morning of December 7, 1941. The attack was a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with its planned military actions in Southeast Asia. This event led to the United States' formal entry into World War II the next day.
14. Name the neighbouring countries of India.
India shares its land borders with seven countries:
- Pakistan (to the west)
- Afghanistan (to the northwest)
- China (to the north and northeast)
- Nepal (to the north)
- Bhutan (to the northeast)
- Bangladesh (to the east)
- Myanmar (to the far east)
PART - III: Long Answers
15. Analyse the effects of the World War II.
- Enormous Human and Economic Cost: The war resulted in an estimated 60-80 million deaths, making it the deadliest conflict in human history. It caused widespread destruction of cities, industries, and infrastructure, leading to immense economic devastation, especially in Europe and Asia.
- End of European Dominance & Rise of Superpowers: The war exhausted the major European powers like Britain and France. The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two dominant global superpowers, leading to a bipolar world order.
- The Cold War: Ideological differences between the capitalist USA and the communist USSR led to the Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension, proxy wars, and an arms race that lasted for over four decades.
- Formation of the United Nations (UNO): To prevent future global conflicts, the UNO was established in 1945, replacing the ineffective League of Nations. Its aim was to promote international peace, security, and cooperation.
- Decolonization: The weakened state of European colonial powers accelerated the process of decolonization. Many countries in Asia and Africa gained independence in the years following the war.
- Division of Germany: Germany was divided into four occupation zones, controlled by the US, UK, France, and the USSR. This eventually led to the creation of West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) and East Germany (German Democratic Republic).
16. Discuss the main causes of the First World War.
The main causes of World War I can be summarized by the acronym M.A.I.N.:
- Militarism: This was a policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war. European nations engaged in a massive arms race in the early 20th century. Germany, in particular, rapidly expanded its navy, which Britain saw as a threat to its naval supremacy. This created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion.
- Alliances: A complex system of military alliances divided Europe into two armed camps. The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Britain, Russia) meant that a conflict between two nations could quickly escalate into a continent-wide war.
- Imperialism: Imperialist ambitions to acquire colonies for raw materials, markets, and prestige led to intense competition and rivalry among European powers. Disputes over territories in Africa and the Balkans increased tensions.
- Nationalism: Aggressive nationalism, or jingoism, fueled the belief in the superiority of one's own country and created a climate of hostility. Furthermore, the desire of suppressed nationalities (like the Slavs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire) for independence was a major source of instability.
- Immediate Cause: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This event triggered a series of ultimatums and mobilizations, leading to the outbreak of war.
17. a) Distinguish between... b) Give reasons...
a) i) Distinguish between Weather and Climate
| Basis | Weather | Climate |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. | It is the average weather condition of a vast area over a long period (usually 30-35 years). |
| Duration | Short-term (hours, days, weeks). | Long-term (decades, centuries). |
| Variability | Changes frequently and can be unpredictable. | Relatively stable and changes very slowly. |
| Elements | Measures temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc., at a specific moment. | Represents the statistical average of these elements. |
a) ii) Distinguish between North East Monsoon and South West Monsoon
| Basis | South West Monsoon | North East Monsoon |
|---|---|---|
| Season | June to September (Summer Monsoon). | October to December (Winter/Retreating Monsoon). |
| Wind Direction | Winds blow from the sea (Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea) to the land. | Winds blow from the land (northeastern India) to the sea (Bay of Bengal). |
| Rainfall | Brings heavy rainfall to almost all of India (about 75% of total rainfall). | Brings rainfall mainly to the southeastern coast, especially Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. |
| Nature | Moisture-laden winds causing widespread rain. | Mainly dry winds, but pick up moisture over the Bay of Bengal to cause rain on the Coromandel coast. |
b) Give reasons: i) Agriculture is the backbone of India.
Agriculture is considered the backbone of the Indian economy for the following reasons:- Source of Livelihood: It is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India’s population.
- Contribution to National Income: Although its share has decreased over time, agriculture still contributes significantly to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Food Security: It ensures food security for the country's vast population and provides a surplus for export.
- Source of Raw Materials: Many industries, such as textiles (cotton, jute), sugar, and food processing, depend on agriculture for their raw materials.
- Support to other Sectors: The prosperity of the agricultural sector boosts demand for goods and services from other sectors like industrial goods (tractors, fertilizers) and services (transport, banking).
PART - IV: Fill in the Blanks, Matching, and Long Answer
20. Fill in the blanks
i) The Bandung conference was held in the year of 1955.
ii) Hitler attacked Rhineland which was a demilitarised zone.
iii) Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Parliament without President's approval.
iv) Radar is a device used to find out the enemy aircraft from a distance.
v) The Supreme Court is the Guardian of the Constitution.
21. Match the following
| Column A | Correct Match |
|---|---|
| 1. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk | c) Russia with Germany |
| 2. Jingoism | d) England |
| 3. Kemal Pasha | b) Turkey |
| 4. Emden | e) Madras |
| 5. Hall of Mirrors | a) Versailles |
22. Map Work (Location Description)
- Aravalli Range: A range of mountains running from Delhi to Gujarat in North-West India, primarily through Rajasthan.
- Godwin Austen (K2): The second-highest peak in the world, located in the Karakoram Range on the border between Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China.
- Deccan Plateau: A large plateau covering most of southern and central India, located between the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A group of islands located in the Bay of Bengal, to the east of mainland India.
- Ganga Plains: A vast and fertile plain in Northern India, through which the river Ganga and its tributaries flow.
- Thar Desert: The Great Indian Desert, located primarily in the state of Rajasthan in North-West India.
- Chennai: The capital city of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
- Pamir Knot: A high-altitude plateau and mountain junction in Central Asia, located to the north of India, from where several major mountain ranges like the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush radiate.
23. Describe the Executive and Judicial powers of the President of India.
Executive Powers of the President:
The President is the nominal head of the executive. All executive actions of the Government of India are formally taken in his name.- Appointment Powers: The President appoints the Prime Minister and, on the PM's advice, the other ministers of the Union Council of Ministers. He also appoints the Attorney General of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, the chairman and members of the UPSC, Governors of states, and ambassadors.
- Supreme Commander: He is the Supreme Commander of the defense forces of India (Army, Navy, and Air Force). He can declare war or conclude peace, subject to the approval of the Parliament.
- Administration: He makes rules for the more convenient transaction of business of the Union government. He can seek any information relating to the administration of affairs of the Union from the Prime Minister.
- Administration of UTs: He directly administers the Union Territories through administrators appointed by him.
Judicial Powers of the President:
- Appointment of Judges: The President appoints the Chief Justice of India and the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
- Power to Grant Pardons (Article 72): The President has the power to grant pardon, reprieve, respite, remission of punishment, or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offense:
- In all cases where the punishment is by a Court Martial.
- In all cases where the punishment is for an offense against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends.
- In all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death.
- Seeks Advice from Supreme Court (Article 143): The President can seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law or fact of public importance. However, the advice tendered by the Supreme Court is not binding on the President.