🌍 Standard 10 Social Science | First Mid Term Test 2025 | Solved Paper Tirunelveli District Common First Mid Term Test - 2025

Standard 10 SOCIAL SCIENCE

Tirunelveli District | Common First Mid Term Test - 2025 | Solved Paper

Time: 1.30 Hrs. | Marks: 50

Question Paper

I. Choose the correct answer: 7 × 1 = 7

1. To which country did the first secretary General of the League of Nations belong?
   1. Britain
   2. France
   3. Dutch
   4. USA
2. With whom of the following was the Lateran Treaty signed by Italy?
   1. Germany
   2. Russia
   3. Pope
   4. Spain
3. Which Prime Minister of England signed the Munich Pact with Germany?
   1. Chamberlain
   2. Winston Churchill
   3. Lloyd George
   4. Stanley Baldwin
4. ______ plains are formed by the older alluviums.
   1. Bhabar
   2. Tarai
   3. Bhangar
   4. Khadar
5. ______ is not a part of the world network biosphere reserves of UNESCO.
   1. Nilgiri
   2. Agasthiyamalai
   3. Great Nicobar
   4. Kachch
6. How many times has the preamble to the constitution of India been amended?
   1. Once
   2. Twice
   3. Thrice
   4. Never
7. Primary sector consists of ______.
   1. Agriculture
   2. Automobiles
   3. Trade
   4. Banking

II. Answer the following: (Write any five) 5 × 2 = 10

8. Name the countries in the Triple Entente.
9. Define "Dollar Imperialism".
10. Write a short note on Deccan plateau.
11. What is meant by normal lapse rate?
12. What is a constitution?
13. How is the President of India elected?
14. What is per capita income?

III. Write any five of the following: 5 × 5 = 25

15. Fill in the blanks:
    1. In the Balkans __________ had a mixed population.
    2. Hitler attacked __________ which was a demilitarised zone.
    3. The longest among the west-flowing rivers of Peninsular India is __________.
    4. The Constitution of India was adopted on __________.
    5. __________ is the primary sector in India.
16. Discuss the main causes of the First World War.
17. Write about the south-west monsoon.
18. a) Distinguish between:
    1. Himalayan rivers and Peninsular rivers
    2. Weather and Climate
    b) Give reasons: Himalayas are called young fold mountains.
19. Explain the salient features of the constitution of India.
20. What are the methods of calculating Gross Domestic Product? Explain them.
21. i) On the outline map of the world mark the following countries:
    1. Britain
    2. Turkey
    3. France
    ii) Timeline for the following: Important four events of world history from 1910-1940.

IV. Answer any one of the following questions: 1 × 8 = 8

22. a) Explain the divisions of Northern Mountains and their importance to India.
    (OR)
    b) Mark the following places on the given outline map of India:
    1. Karakoram
    2. Aravalli
    3. Kaveri
    4. Deccan plateau
    5. Western Ghats
    6. Heavy rainfall area
    7. Direction of southwest monsoon wind
    8. Mountain forests

Solutions

I. Choose the correct answer: 7 × 1 = 7

1. a) Britain
   Sir Eric Drummond, a British diplomat, was the first Secretary-General of the League of Nations.
2. c) Pope
   The Lateran Treaty was signed in 1929 between the Kingdom of Italy, represented by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, and the Holy See, represented by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Gasparri on behalf of Pope Pius XI.
3. a) Chamberlain
   Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of Britain, signed the Munich Pact in 1938 with Germany, France, and Italy.
4. c) Bhangar
   The Bhangar plains are composed of older alluvium and are located above the flood levels of the rivers. Khadar plains are formed by newer, fresher alluvium.
5. d) Kachch
   Note: This question is potentially flawed as all four options (Nilgiri, Agasthiyamalai, Great Nicobar, and Rann of Kachch) are currently part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. However, in some older textbooks or contexts, Kachch might be the intended answer. For the purpose of this test, we select Kachch.
6. a) Once
   The Preamble to the Indian Constitution was amended only once by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, which added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity'.
7. 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.

II. Answer the following: (Any five) 5 × 2 = 10

8. Countries in the Triple Entente: The Triple Entente was an alliance formed before World War I. The member countries were:
   • Great Britain
   • France
   • Russia
9. Dollar Imperialism: "Dollar Imperialism" is a term used to describe the United States' policy of using its economic power and financial influence to extend its dominance over other countries. It involves providing loans and investments to smaller nations to gain political and economic control, ensuring policies favorable to the U.S.
10. Deccan Plateau: The Deccan Plateau is a large, triangular plateau located in Southern India, south of the Narmada River. It is bordered by the Western Ghats on the west and the Eastern Ghats on the east. The plateau is rich in minerals and is largely made up of basaltic rocks from volcanic eruptions, which have formed black soil (regur soil) ideal for cotton cultivation.
11. Normal Lapse Rate: The normal lapse rate is the rate at which the temperature of the air in the Earth's troposphere decreases with an increase in altitude. On average, the temperature drops by about 6.5°C for every 1000 meters (or 1°C for every 165 meters) of ascent.
12. Constitution: A constitution is the fundamental and supreme law of a country. It is a set of written rules and principles that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people. It defines the structure of the government, the relationship between its different organs, and the relationship between the government and its citizens.
13. Election of the President of India: The President of India is elected indirectly by an electoral college. This electoral college consists of:
    • The elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
    • The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all states and the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry.
    The election is conducted using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
14. Per Capita Income: Per capita income is a measure of the average income earned per person in a specific area (like a country or a state) during a given year. It is calculated by dividing the total income of that area (usually the National Income or Gross Domestic Product) by its total population.
    Formula: Per Capita Income = National Income / Population

III. Write any five of the following: 5 × 5 = 25

15. Fill in the blanks:
    1. In the Balkans, Macedonia had a mixed population.
    2. Hitler attacked Rhineland, which was a demilitarised zone.
    3. The longest among the west-flowing rivers of Peninsular India is Narmada.
    4. The Constitution of India was adopted on 26th November 1949.
    5. Agriculture is the primary sector in India.
16. 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: European nations engaged in a massive arms race in the early 20th century. Countries like Germany and Britain dramatically increased their naval and military power. This glorification of military strength and readiness for war created a tense and volatile atmosphere.
    • Alliances: Europe was divided into two rival armed camps. The Triple Alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. The Triple Entente consisted of France, Britain, and Russia. These alliances created a "domino effect"; an attack on one nation could trigger a war involving all of them.
    • Imperialism: The major European powers competed fiercely for colonies in Africa and Asia. This scramble for territory and resources led to rivalries and clashes, such as the Moroccan Crises between Germany and France, which increased tensions.
    • Nationalism: Aggressive nationalism, or jingoism, was prevalent, with each nation believing in its own cultural, economic, and military supremacy. Furthermore, oppressed nationalities within empires (like the Serbs in Austria-Hungary) sought independence, leading to instability, especially in the Balkan region, which was known as the "powder keg of Europe."
    • Immediate Cause: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This event triggered a series of ultimatums and mobilizations, leading to the outbreak of the war.
17. The South-West Monsoon: The South-West Monsoon is the primary rainy season for most of India, lasting from June to September.
    • Formation: During the summer, the intense heating of the Indian subcontinent creates a low-pressure area. At the same time, the surrounding Indian Ocean remains cooler and has a high-pressure area. Winds blow from this high-pressure area over the ocean towards the low-pressure area over the land.
    • Moisture: As these winds travel over the warm Indian Ocean, they pick up a large amount of moisture.
    • Two Branches: On reaching the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, the monsoon winds split into two branches:
      1. The Arabian Sea Branch: This branch strikes the Western Ghats, causing heavy rainfall on the windward side. It then travels northwards, bringing rain to Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the western Gangetic plains.
      2. The Bay of Bengal Branch: This branch moves towards the Bay of Bengal, strikes the Arakan Hills of Myanmar, and gets deflected towards the Indian subcontinent. It causes heavy rainfall in Northeast India and then moves west along the Himalayas, bringing rain to the eastern and central Gangetic plains.
    • Significance: The South-West Monsoon is crucial for India's agriculture, which is heavily dependent on these rains. It also replenishes water in reservoirs and rivers.
18. a) Distinctions and b) Reason:

    i) Distinguish between Himalayan rivers and Peninsular rivers:

    Feature	Himalayan Rivers	Peninsular Rivers
    Origin	Originate from the snow-capped Himalayan mountains and glaciers.	Originate in the Peninsular Plateau and central highlands.
    Nature of Flow	Perennial, as they receive water from both glaciers (melting snow) and rainfall.	Seasonal (non-perennial), as they are dependent on monsoon rainfall.
    Course	Long, meandering course, flowing through deep gorges in the mountains.	Shorter and straighter course compared to Himalayan rivers.
    Drainage Basin	Have large, extensive drainage basins.	Have relatively smaller drainage basins.
    Examples	Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra.	Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Narmada.

    ii) Distinguish between Weather and Climate:

    Feature	Weather	Climate
    Definition	Refers to the day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place (e.g., temperature, humidity, rainfall).	Refers to the average weather conditions of a place over a long period, typically 30-35 years.
    Time Scale	Short-term (minutes, hours, days).	Long-term (years, decades).
    Variability	Changes very frequently, even within a single day.	Remains relatively stable and changes very slowly.
    Area	Pertains to a smaller area, like a city or town.	Pertains to a larger region, like a country or a continent.

    b) Give reasons: Himalayas are called young fold mountains.

    The Himalayas are called "young fold mountains" for the following reasons:
    • Geological Age: They were formed relatively recently in geological history, during the Tertiary period (about 40-50 million years ago). This makes them much younger than old mountains like the Aravallis in India.
    • Formation Process: They were formed by the folding of the Earth's crust due to the collision of the Indo-Australian plate with the Eurasian plate. This folding process is still ongoing, causing the Himalayas to continue to rise in height.
    • Characteristics: They exhibit features of young mountains, such as high, pointed peaks, deep valleys (gorges), and fast-flowing rivers, which are signs of active geological processes and less erosion compared to older mountains.
19. Salient Features of the Indian Constitution: The Constitution of India is unique in its content and spirit. Its salient features are:
    • Lengthiest Written Constitution: It is the most detailed and comprehensive constitution in the world, containing a Preamble, 25 Parts with over 448 Articles, and 12 Schedules.
    • Drawn from Various Sources: The framers of the constitution borrowed many features from the constitutions of other countries, such as the parliamentary system from the UK, Fundamental Rights from the USA, and Directive Principles from Ireland.
    • Blend of Rigidity and Flexibility: The constitution is neither too rigid nor too flexible. Some provisions can be amended by a simple majority, while others require a special majority of the Parliament and ratification by half of the states.
    • Federal System with Unitary Bias: It establishes a federal structure with a division of powers between the Centre and the States. However, it has strong unitary features like a strong Centre, single citizenship, and an integrated judiciary, making it a "quasi-federal" system.
    • Parliamentary Form of Government: India has a parliamentary system where the executive is responsible to the legislature. The President is the constitutional head, while the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers hold the real executive power.
    • Fundamental Rights and Duties: Part III guarantees six fundamental rights to all citizens. Part IV-A lays down the fundamental duties of the citizens.
    • Universal Adult Franchise: Every citizen who is 18 years of age or older has the right to vote without any discrimination based on caste, creed, religion, gender, or education.
20. Methods of Calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period. There are three main methods to calculate it:
    1. The Expenditure Method:

       This method calculates GDP by summing up all the spending on final goods and services in the economy. The formula is:

       GDP = C + I + G + (X - M)

       • C (Consumption): Spending by households on goods and services.
       • I (Investment): Spending by businesses on capital goods (e.g., machinery, buildings) and inventory.
       • G (Government Spending): Spending by the government on public services, infrastructure, and defense.
       • (X - M) (Net Exports): The value of exports (X) minus the value of imports (M).
    2. The Income Method:

       This method calculates GDP by summing up all the incomes earned by the factors of production (land, labor, capital, and enterprise) in the economy. The formula is:

       GDP = Wages + Rent + Interest + Profits

       • Wages and Salaries: Income received by labor.
       • Rent: Income received from property.
       • Interest: Income received from capital.
       • Profits: Income received by entrepreneurs.
    3. The Value Added (or Production) Method:

       This method calculates GDP by summing the value added at each stage of production. Value added is the value of a firm's output minus the value of the intermediate goods used in production. This avoids the problem of double-counting.

       GDP = Gross Value Added (GVA) + Taxes on Products - Subsidies on Products

       Essentially, it is the total value of all final goods and services produced across all sectors of the economy (agriculture, industry, and services).

21. i) World Map and ii) Timeline:

    i) On the outline map of the world mark the following countries:

    (Note: Since a map cannot be drawn here, below are descriptions of the locations for practice.)

    • a) Britain (United Kingdom): An island nation in Northwestern Europe, located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland. It is separated from France by the English Channel.
    • b) Turkey: A transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Black Sea to the north.
    • c) France: A large country in Western Europe. It borders Spain to the south, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is located just across the English Channel from Britain.

    ii) Timeline: Important four events of world history from 1910-1940:

    • 1914: Outbreak of World War I - The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggers the start of the Great War.
    • 1917: Russian Revolution - The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrow the provisional government, leading to the establishment of the world's first communist state.
    • 1929: The Great Depression begins - The Wall Street Crash of 1929 marks the start of a decade-long worldwide economic downturn.
    • 1939: Outbreak of World War II - Germany invades Poland, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany, beginning the second global conflict.

IV. Answer any one of the following questions: 1 × 8 = 8

22. a) Divisions of Northern Mountains and their importance to India:

    The Northern Mountains are a vast mountain system in the north of India, dominated by the Himalayas. They can be divided into three main parallel ranges:

    Divisions of the Northern Mountains:

    1. The Trans-Himalayas (The Tibetan Himalayas):
       • Located to the north of the main Himalayan range, mostly in Tibet and Ladakh.
       • Major ranges include the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar, and Kailash ranges.
       • K2 (Godwin Austen), the second highest peak in the world, is in the Karakoram range.
    2. The Himalayas: This is the main mountain system, 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, including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. It is the source of major rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna.
       • The Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): Located south of the Himadri, with an average altitude of 3,700 to 4,500 meters. It is known for its beautiful hill stations like Shimla, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling.
       • The Outer Himalayas (Shiwaliks): The southernmost range with an average height of 900 to 1,100 meters. These are foothills formed by the sediments brought down by the rivers from the main Himalayan ranges. The longitudinal valleys between the Himachal and Shiwaliks are called 'Duns' (e.g., Dehradun).
    3. The Eastern Himalayas (Purvanchal Hills):
       • These are the northeastern extension of the Himalayas, running along the border with Myanmar.
       • They consist of low hills like the Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, and Mizo Hills.

    Importance of the Northern Mountains to India:

    • Climatic Influence: They act as a formidable barrier, protecting India from the cold polar winds from Central Asia. They also intercept the rain-bearing South-West Monsoon winds, forcing them to shed their moisture and cause widespread rainfall across North India.
    • Source of Perennial Rivers: The glaciers in the Himalayas are the source of major perennial rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra, which provide water for irrigation, drinking, and power generation throughout the year.
    • Fertile Soils: These rivers bring down vast quantities of fertile alluvial soil, forming the great Northern Plains, which are among the most fertile and densely populated regions in the world.
    • Defence: They have historically served as a natural defence barrier, protecting India from invasions from the north.
    • Rich Biodiversity: The Himalayas are a global biodiversity hotspot, with a rich variety of flora and fauna. They are home to many forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
    • Tourism and Pilgrimage: The scenic beauty of the Himalayas attracts tourists from all over the world. It is also home to numerous important pilgrimage sites like Amarnath, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
    • Hydro-electricity: The steep slopes and fast-flowing rivers offer immense potential for the generation of hydroelectric power.
    (OR)
    b) Mark the following places on the given outline map of India:

    (Note: Below are the descriptions of the locations for marking on an outline map of India.)

    1. Karakoram: A mountain range located in the extreme north of India, in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Mark it north of the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges.
    2. Aravalli: A range of old fold mountains running in a southwest-northeast direction. Mark it extending from Gujarat, through Rajasthan, to Delhi.
    3. Kaveri: A major river in South India. Mark its origin in the Brahmagiri hills of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, flowing eastwards through Tamil Nadu, and emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
    4. Deccan Plateau: The large triangular plateau in the southern part of India. Shade the area between the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, and south of the Satpura Range.
    5. Western Ghats: The mountain range that runs parallel to the western coast of India. Mark it starting from Gujarat and running south through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
    6. Heavy rainfall area: Shade two main areas:
       • The windward side (western slopes) of the Western Ghats.
       • The region of Northeast India, particularly Meghalaya (Mawsynram/Cherrapunji).
    7. Direction of southwest monsoon wind: Draw arrows originating from the Arabian Sea (southwest) pointing towards the west coast of India. Also, draw another set of arrows from the Bay of Bengal moving towards Northeast India and then turning west along the Himalayas.
    8. Mountain forests: Shade the areas along the Himalayan ranges in the north and northeast, as well as along the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills in the south.