Part I: Choose the correct answer (10 x 1 = 10)
1. What was the step taken by the early man to collect his food?
b) Hunting
2. Tanzania is situated in the continent of ______.
b) Africa
3. Indus Civilisation belonged to ______.
d) Metal Age
4. Which City is not related to the Bay of Bengal?
d) Kancheepuram
5. Circle the odd one.
d) horses
6. The galaxy in which our Solar System is found ______.
c) Milky way
7. Which of the following oceans is the busiest ocean?
b) The Atlantic Ocean
8. Mawsynram, the land of highest rainfall is located in ______.
d) Meghalaya
9. 'Discovery of India' - a book was written by ______.
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
10. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was conferred Bharat Ratna in the year ______.
a) 1997
Part II: Fill in the blanks (5 x 1 = 5)
11. ______ was the first animal tamed by old stone Age man.
Dog
12. Group of people form ______.
society
13. The word planet means ______.
wanderer
14. ______ is the mineral rich plateau in India.
Chota Nagpur Plateau
15. ______ was the independent India's first law minister.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Part III: Match the following (4 x 1 = 4)
| 16. Mohenjo - Daro |
- |
Mound of dead |
| 17. Red planet |
- |
Mars |
| 18. Zoroastrianism |
- |
Religion |
| 19. Article 17 |
- |
Abolition of untouchability |
Part IV: Answer the following (Any 8) (8 x 2 = 16)
20. Mention the places from where we got Pre-historic tools.
Places where pre-historic tools were found include:
- Athirampakkam, Pallavaram, Gudiyam cave in Tamil Nadu.
- Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh.
- Hunsgi valley in Karnataka.
21. Why did humans move from place to place?
Early humans moved from place to place for several reasons:
- In search of food and water.
- To follow the movement of herds of animals which they hunted.
- To find shelter in caves and protect themselves from wild animals and harsh weather.
22. What are the uses of metal?
Metals are used for:
- Making tools for agriculture and hunting.
- Creating weapons for defense.
- Crafting ornaments and jewellery.
- Making utensils for cooking and storage.
23. Mention the other names of Madurai.
Other names for Madurai are Koodal, Naanmadakoodal, Thirualavai, and Malligai Maanagar (City of Jasmine).
24. Name the inner Planets.
The inner planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They are also known as Terrestrial planets.
25. What is a Continent?
A continent is a vast, continuous expanse of landmass, usually separated by large bodies of water (oceans). There are seven continents on Earth: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
26. Why is India called a Sub Continent?
India is called a subcontinent because it has distinct geographical features like mountains (Himalayas), plateaus, plains, and oceans that separate it from the rest of Asia. It also possesses a wide variety of cultures, languages, and climates, making it a large and distinct landmass.
27. What is discrimination?
Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, gender, caste, or religion. It is the action taken based on prejudice.
28. What is the difference between Naalangadi and Allangadi?
In ancient Tamil cities like Madurai, 'Naalangadi' referred to the day market, which was active during the daytime. 'Allangadi' referred to the night market, where business continued after sunset.
29. Distinguish between an Ocean and a Sea.
Ocean: An ocean is a vast and continuous body of saltwater that covers about 71% of the Earth's surface. Oceans are the largest water bodies (e.g., Pacific Ocean).
Sea: A sea is a smaller body of saltwater that is often partially enclosed by land or is a part of an ocean (e.g., Arabian Sea).
30. List out some of the classical dances of India.
- Bharatanatyam - Tamil Nadu
- Kathak - North India
- Kathakali - Kerala
- Kuchipudi - Andhra Pradesh
- Odissi - Odisha
- Manipuri - Manipur
31. What are the articles that are discussing the equality in the Indian Constitution?
The Indian Constitution discusses equality in several articles, primarily:
- Article 14: Equality before law.
- Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
- Article 17: Abolition of Untouchability.
Part V: Answer in Detail (Any 4) (4 x 5 = 20)
32. Indus Civilisation is called Urban Civilisation. Give Reasons.
The Indus Valley Civilisation is rightly called an urban civilisation because of its remarkable town planning and advanced infrastructure. The key reasons are:
- Well-Planned Cities: Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were built on a grid pattern, with streets cutting across each other at right angles.
- Advanced Drainage System: They had a sophisticated covered drainage system. Every house had drains that connected to the main street drains, which were covered with bricks or stone slabs.
- Use of Baked Bricks: They used high-quality, uniform-sized baked bricks for construction, which ensured the durability of buildings.
- Great Bath and Granaries: The presence of large public structures like the Great Bath in Mohenjo-Daro and massive granaries in Harappa indicates a high degree of social and administrative organisation.
- Division of the City: The cities were typically divided into two parts: a raised citadel for important public buildings and a lower town for residential areas.
33. Write a Paragraph about the City Poompuhar with special reference to trade.
Poompuhar, also known as Kaveripoompattinam, was one of the most significant ancient port cities of the Chola kingdom. Located at the mouth of the river Kaveri, it served as a bustling hub for maritime trade. The city's prosperity is elaborately described in Sangam literature, especially in epics like 'Silappathikaram' and 'Pattinappalai'.
Poompuhar had a thriving trade relationship with foreign countries, including Greece and Rome. Ships from various nations docked at its harbour, bringing in valuable goods and taking back local products. Horses were imported by sea, while goods like pepper, pearls, precious stones, and fine textiles (cotton and silk) were exported. The city had well-organised markets and warehouses to facilitate this trade. The presence of a lighthouse guided ships safely to its port. Poompuhar stands as a testament to the advanced trading capabilities and economic power of the ancient Tamil kingdoms.
34. Distinguish between inner and outer planets.
| Feature |
Inner Planets |
Outer Planets |
| Names |
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars |
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune |
| Composition |
Made of dense, rocky materials. |
Made of gases like hydrogen and helium (Gas Giants). |
| Size |
Smaller in size. |
Much larger in size (Giants). |
| Distance from Sun |
Closer to the Sun. |
Far from the Sun. |
| Rings |
Do not have rings. |
All have rings. |
| Moons |
Have few or no moons. |
Have many moons. |
35. Write about the importance of Oceans.
Oceans are vital for life on Earth and play a crucial role in the planet's systems. Their importance can be understood through the following points:
- Climate Regulation: Oceans absorb a significant amount of solar energy and distribute it around the globe through currents, regulating global weather and climate patterns.
- Source of Rain: Most of the rainfall on Earth originates from the evaporation of ocean water, making them the primary source of freshwater through the water cycle.
- Biodiversity: Oceans host a vast array of marine life, from microscopic plankton to the largest whales, supporting rich and complex ecosystems.
- Food Source: They are a major source of food for humans, providing fish, shellfish, and other seafood.
- Transportation and Trade: Oceans have been the primary medium for transportation and trade between continents for centuries, connecting economies and cultures.
- Oxygen Production: Marine plants, like phytoplankton, produce more than half of the oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere.
36. "India is a land of diversity, Yet we are all United". Explain.
The phrase "Unity in Diversity" perfectly describes India. India is a land of immense diversity, which is visible in its geography, culture, language, and religion.
Diversity in India:
- Cultural Diversity: India has numerous festivals (Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Guru Nanak Jayanti), different forms of classical and folk dances, and varied customs and traditions.
- Linguistic Diversity: There are 22 officially recognised languages, and over 1,600 dialects are spoken across the country.
- Religious Diversity: It is the birthplace of four major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism) and is home to people following Islam, Christianity, and other faiths.
- Geographical Diversity: India has diverse landforms, from the Himalayan mountains in the north to the coastal plains in the south, and from the deserts in the west to the dense forests in the east.
Unity among Indians:
Despite these differences, a strong sense of unity binds all Indians. This unity is fostered by:
- A Single Constitution: All citizens are governed by the same set of laws and enjoy the same rights.
- National Symbols: The National Flag, National Anthem, and National Emblem invoke a feeling of patriotism and oneness.
- Shared History: The common experience of the freedom struggle against British rule created a strong bond among people from all regions and communities.
- Interdependence: People from different regions depend on each other economically and culturally, which promotes harmony.
Thus, India stands as a proud example of a nation where diverse cultures coexist peacefully, bonded by a common identity of being an Indian.
37. What are the causes of Prejudice?
Prejudice, which is a preconceived opinion or feeling that is not based on reason or actual experience, arises from several causes:
- Ignorance and Misinformation: Lack of correct information about a particular group of people can lead to negative assumptions and stereotypes.
- Stereotypes: Fixing a generalized image or idea about a particular group of people. When people act on these stereotypes, it leads to prejudice.
- Socialization: People often learn prejudiced attitudes from their family, peers, and society. If a community holds negative views about another group, children may grow up absorbing these views.
- Economic Factors: Competition for jobs, resources, and opportunities can lead to one group blaming another for their problems, fostering resentment and prejudice.
- Historical Conflicts: Past conflicts or wars between different groups can leave a legacy of bitterness and mistrust that fuels prejudice for generations.
- Fear of the 'Other': People can be fearful or suspicious of those who are different from them in terms of culture, religion, or appearance, leading to prejudice.
Part VI: Mark the following places in the outline map of India (5 x 1 = 5)
38. Locate the following on an Indian map:
- Delhi: Located in Northern India, it is the National Capital Territory.
- Lothal: An ancient port city of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in the state of Gujarat on the west coast.
- Harappa: A major city of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in the Punjab province of modern-day Pakistan. (Note: This is outside the modern political map of India).
- Chennai: The capital city of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast (southeast coast) of India.
- Indian Ocean: The large body of water located to the south of the Indian peninsula.
