Brain Grain · braingrain.in
Social Science — Practice Paper · Set 1
Class: 10CBSE / NCERTMax Marks: 51
Name: ____________________Reg No: ____________
Part I — Multiple Choice Questions 15 × 1 = 15
Choose the correct answer. (Answer all questions.)
1.The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:(a). National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.(b). Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.(c). Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.(d). Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.[1]
2.Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?(a). Intensive cultivation(b). Deforestation(c). Over irrigation(d). Overgrazing[1]
3.Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the stratas of which of the following rocks?(a). sedimentary rocks(b). metamorphic rocks(c). igneous rocks(d). none of the above[1]
4.Consider the following statements on the meaning of communal politics. Communal politics is based on the belief that: A. One religion is superior to that of others. B. People belonging to different religions can live together happily as equal citizens. C. Followers of a particular religion constitute one community. D. State power cannot be used to establish the domination of one religious group over others. Which of the statements are correct?(a). A, B, C, and D(b). A, B, and D(c). A and C(d). B and D[1]
5.In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?(a). Punjab(b). Plains of Uttar Pradesh(c). Haryana(d). Uttarakhand[1]
6.Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the east-west corridor?(a). Mumbai and Nagpur(b). Silchar and Porbandar(c). Mumbai and Kolkata(d). Nagpur and Siligudi[1]
7.Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects?(a). Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.(b). Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow helps to control floods.(c). Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.(d). Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.[1]
8.Consider the following two statements. A. In a federation, the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated. B. India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects. C. Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces. D. India is no longer a federation because some powers of the States have been devolved to the local government bodies. Which of the statements given above are correct?(a). A, B and C(b). A, C and D(c). A and B only(d). B and C only[1]
9.Which of the following neighbouring countries has better performance in terms of human development than India?(i). Bangladesh(ii). Sri Lanka(iii). Nepal(iv). Pakistan[1]
10.Which one of the following industries uses bauxite as a raw material?(a). Aluminium Smelting(b). Cement(c). Paper(d). Steel[1]
11.In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct– democracies have successfully eliminated:A.. conflicts among peopleB.. economic inequalities among peopleC.. differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treatedD.. the idea of political inequality[1]
12.Which one of the following terms is used to describe trade between two or more countries?(a). Internal trade(b). International trade(c). External trade(d). Local trade[1]
13.When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to:(a). Biological difference between men and women(b). Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women(c). Unequal child sex ratio(d). Absence of voting rights for women in democracies[1]
14.Which one of the following is the most important modes of transportation in India?(a). Pipeline(b). Railways(c). Roadways(d). Airways[1]
15.Which mode of transportation reduces trans-shipment losses and delays?(a). Railways(b). Roadways(c). Pipeline(d). Waterways[1]
Part II — Short Answer Questions 18 × 2 = 36
Answer briefly. (Answer all questions.)
16.Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India?[2]
17.Discuss the steps to be taken to minimise environmental degradation by industry?[2]
18.Why do developed countries want developing countries to liberalise their trade and investment? What do you think should the developing countries demand in return?[2]
19.“The impact of globalisation has not been uniform.” Explain this statement.[2]
20.What is a political party?[2]
21.Social divisions based on _________ are peculiar to India.[2]
22.Write a newspaper report on: a) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre b) The Simon Commission[2]
23.Why do we need to expand formal sources of credit in India?[2]
24.List a few examples of environmental degradation that you may have observed around you.[2]
25.Choose the most appropriate answer. (a) The sectors are classified into public and private sector on the basis of: (i) employment conditions (ii) the nature of economic activity (iii) ownership of enterprises (iv) number of workers employed in the enterprise (b) Production of a commodity, mostly through the natural process, is an activity in _________ sector. (i) primary (ii) secondary (iii) tertiary (iv) information technology (c) GDP is the total value of _________ produced during a particular year. (i) all goods and services (ii) all final goods and services (iii) all intermediate goods and services (iv) all intermediate and final goods and services (d) In terms of GVA the share of tertiary sector in 2017–18 is between _________ per cent. (i) 20 to 30 (ii) 30 to 40 (iii) 50 to 60 (iv) 60 to 70[2]
26.Why did some people fear the effect of easily available printed books? Choose one example from Europe and one from India.[2]
27.State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.[2]
28.How did the East India Company procure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles from Indian weavers?[2]
29.Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.[2]
30.Fill in the blanks: Since the United States is a ___________________ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are ______________vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a _____________________ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the ____________ government has more powers.[2]
31.State different forms of communal politics with one example each.[2]
32.Explain the three types of movements or flows within international economic exchange. Find one example of each type of flow which involved India and Indians, and write a short account of it.[2]
33.Imagine that you have been asked to write an article for an encyclopaedia on Britain and the history of cotton. Write your piece using information from the entire chapter.[2]
🔑 Show Answer Key — Set 1
- 1. (d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
- 2. (c) Over irrigation
- 3. (a) sedimentary rocks
- 4. (c) A and C
- 5. (d) Uttarakhand
- 6. (b) Silchar and Porbandar
- 7. (c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
- 8. (c) A and B only
- 9. (ii) Sri Lanka
- 10. (a) Aluminium Smelting
- 11. D. the idea of political inequality
- 12. (b) International trade
- 13. (b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women
- 14. (b) Railways
- 15. (c) Pipeline
- 16. Local communities have protected nature through resistance, customary rules and shared management. Villagers in Sariska opposed mining that threatened the reserve. The Chipko Movement prevented commercial felling and encouraged community afforestation with indigenous species. Farmers’ movements such as Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya preserved diverse crop varieties. Sacred groves in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the Aravallis and the Western Ghats protect patches of forest through religious belief. Bishnoi communities safeguard blackbuck, chinkara, nilgai and peacocks. Under Joint Forest Management, village institutions protect degraded forests and receive non-timber products and a share in harvests. These examples show that conservation is strongest when local rights, knowledge and benefits are recognised.
- 17. Industries should minimise water use by reusing and recycling it through successive stages, harvest rainwater and treat hot water and effluents before discharge. Primary, secondary and tertiary treatment can remove solids, biological waste and toxic chemicals. Factories should use cleaner fuels and processes, fit electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers and filters to chimneys, and recover or safely dispose of solid waste. Machinery can be redesigned, maintained and enclosed to reduce noise; generators can use silencers. Green belts around plants absorb dust and noise. Energy efficiency, waste recovery, continuous monitoring and enforcement of environmental standards reduce pollution at its source.
- 18. Developed countries and their firms seek access to new markets, cheaper production locations and investment opportunities. Developing countries should demand genuinely reciprocal market access, reduction of rich-country agricultural subsidies and protectionism, fair technology transfer, labour and environmental standards, and policy space to protect vulnerable producers during transition.
- 19. Well-off consumers have gained more brands, lower prices and improved quality. Large Indian companies and skilled workers in sectors such as IT have accessed investment and global markets. Some small firms have benefited as suppliers. But many small producers have lost markets to imports, and workers face temporary jobs, long hours and pressure on wages as exporters compete. Benefits therefore vary by wealth, skill, sector and bargaining power.
- 20. A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in government, agreeing on policies and programmes intended to promote a collective view of public good.
- 21. caste
- 22. a) Amritsar, 13 April 1919: Brigadier-General Dyer entered the enclosed Jallianwala Bagh, blocked the exits and ordered troops to fire on a peaceful crowd gathered for Baisakhi and to protest repression. Hundreds were killed. The massacre and the humiliations imposed afterwards provoked anger across India. b) Bombay, 1928: The all-British Simon Commission arrived to review India’s constitutional system but included no Indian member. Congress and other groups greeted it with hartals and black flags bearing the slogan ‘Go Back Simon’. Police attacked demonstrators, and the exclusion intensified the demand for Indian control over constitutional reform.
- 23. Banks and cooperatives are supervised, charge generally lower interest and follow clearer terms than moneylenders, traders or employers. Expanding formal credit can prevent debt traps, support productive investment and make borrowing more equitable, especially for poor households. Access must also improve because formal lending remains uneven and often requires collateral or documents.
- 24. Possible observations include polluted drains and rivers, plastic waste in open spaces, smoke from traffic and waste burning, declining groundwater, loss of trees to construction, soil erosion, noise from vehicles and generators, and reduced local biodiversity. These examples show degradation of water, air, land and habitats.
- 25. (a) (iii) ownership of enterprises; (b) (i) primary; (c) (ii) all final goods and services; (d) (iii) 50 to 60 per cent.
- 26. Authorities and religious leaders feared that ordinary readers would encounter rebellious or ‘heretical’ ideas beyond established control. In Europe, the Roman Catholic Church reacted to Protestant writings and popular interpretations by maintaining an Index of Prohibited Books. In India, the colonial government feared vernacular newspapers that criticised misrule and encouraged nationalism, so it passed the Vernacular Press Act and later used wartime laws to censor or suppress papers. In both cases, fear arose from print’s ability to create independent public opinion.
- 27. Most people still marry within their caste, and untouchability has not disappeared despite its constitutional ban. Older caste hierarchies overlap with economic inequality: privileged castes are disproportionately urban, educated and wealthy, while Dalits, Adivasis and many backward groups are more likely to be poor and landless. Access to education, occupations, land and social dignity therefore remains unequal, even though urbanisation and occupational change have weakened some traditional rules.
- 28. After gaining political power, the Company eliminated competing traders and created direct control over weavers. It appointed gomasthas to supervise production, collect cloth and inspect quality. Weavers received advances to buy raw material but had to sell all finished cloth to the Company and could not bargain with other buyers. Gomasthas often enforced low prices through coercion and punishment. The advance system tied weavers to the Company and ensured regular supply at terms favourable to it.
- 29. In semi-arid Rajasthan, houses traditionally collect rooftop rainwater through pipes that lead into underground tanks called tankas, built inside the main house or courtyard. The first rain is often allowed to wash the roof and pipes; later showers are stored. The cool tank water can last until the next rainy season and is especially valuable when other sources become saline. In rural areas, khadins and johads capture surface runoff: embankments hold water so that it infiltrates the soil and supports cultivation or recharges groundwater. These systems are locally adapted to low and uncertain rainfall and reduce dependence on distant supplies.
- 30. Since the United States is a coming together type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are strong vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a holding together type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the Central government has more powers.
- 31. Communalism can appear as everyday belief in the superiority of one religion; as a majoritarian demand that one community dominate the state; as political mobilisation using sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeals and fear; and as communal violence, riots or massacre. Examples include a leader claiming only one religion truly belongs to the nation, parties seeking votes solely in a religious community’s name, religious processions used for mobilisation, and violent riots during Partition.
- 32. The three flows are trade in goods, movement of labour and movement of capital. An Indian trade example is the export of fine cotton textiles and later raw materials, with manufactured British goods imported in return. A labour example is nineteenth-century indenture, under which Indian workers travelled to plantations in the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, Ceylon and Malaya. A capital example is British investment and ‘home charges’ within the colonial economy, while Indian bankers such as the Shikaripuri shroffs financed export agriculture in Central and Southeast Asia. The flows were connected but unequally controlled under empire.
- 33. Cotton became the leading sector of Britain’s industrial transformation. Before factories, merchants organised rural households in a proto-industrial system. Eighteenth-century inventions in carding, spinning and weaving, especially Richard Arkwright’s cotton mill, concentrated machinery and labour in factories. Britain initially imported fine Indian cottons, but protective duties and mechanised production helped Manchester goods capture domestic and overseas markets. Raw cotton arrived through imperial trade, while machine-made cloth entered colonies such as India, damaging many traditional producers. Even so, mechanisation was uneven: hand labour remained important, and industrial growth depended on markets, empire, transport and finance as well as inventions.
Brain Grain · braingrain.in
Social Science — Practice Paper · Set 2
Class: 10CBSE / NCERTMax Marks: 51
Name: ____________________Reg No: ____________
Part I — Multiple Choice Questions 15 × 1 = 15
Choose the correct answer. (Answer all questions.)
1.Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?(a). oil(b). uranium(c). thorium(d). coal[1]
2.Which among the following statements about India’s Constitution is wrong? It(a). prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.(b). gives official status to one religion.(c). provides to all individuals freedom to profess any religion.(d). ensures equality of citizens within religious communities.[1]
3.Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing: A. reduces conflict among different communities B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness C. delays decision making process D. accommodates diversities E. increases instability and divisiveness F. promotes people’s participation in government G. undermines the unity of a country(a). A, B, D, F(b). A, C, E, F(c). A, B, D, G(d). B, C, D, G[1]
4.Who among the following is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?A.. Kanshi RamB.. Sahu MaharajC.. B.R. AmbedkarD.. Jotiba Phule[1]
5.Development of a country can generally be determined by(i). its per capita income(ii). its average literacy level(iii). health status of its people(iv). all the above[1]
6.In which of the following states black soil is predominantly found?(a). Uttar Pradesh(b). Maharashtra(c). Rajasthan(d). Jharkhand[1]
7.Which one of the following states is not connected with the H.V.J. pipeline?(a). Madhya Pradesh(b). Maharashtra(c). Gujarat(d). Uttar Pradesh[1]
8.In the context of assessing democracy, which among the following is the odd one out. Democracies need to ensure:A.. free and fair electionsB.. dignity of the individualC.. majority ruleD.. equal treatment before law[1]
9.Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation?(a). Joint forest management(b). Beej Bachao Andolan(c). Chipko Movement(d). Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries[1]
10.Consider the following statements on parties. A. Political parties do not enjoy much trust among the people. B. Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top party leaders. C. Parties are not necessary to run governments. Which of the statements given above are correct?(a). A, B, and C(b). A and B(c). B and C(d). A and C[1]
11.Which one of the following is a rabi crop?(a). Rice(b). Gram(c). Millets(d). Cotton[1]
12.Which one of the following industries manufactures telephones, computer, etc.(a). Steel(b). Electronic(c). Aluminium Smelting(d). Information Technology[1]
13.Koderma, in Jharkhand is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?(a). bauxite(b). mica(c). iron ore(d). copper[1]
14.Which one of the following minerals is formed by decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material?(a). coal(b). bauxite(c). gold(d). zinc[1]
15.In India seats are reserved for women in(a). Lok Sabha(b). State legislative assemblies(c). Cabinets(d). Panchayati Raj bodies[1]
Part II — Short Answer Questions 18 × 2 = 36
Answer briefly. (Answer all questions.)
16.What is the status of women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies?[2]
17.How do banks mediate between those who have surplus money and those who need money?[2]
18.Read the following passage and answer the questions given below: Muhammad Yunus is a famous economist of Bangladesh. He received several international honours for his efforts to promote economic and social development for the benefit of the poor. He and the Grameen Bank that he started jointly, received the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2006. In February 2007, he decided to launch a political party and contest in the parliamentary elections. His objective was to foster proper leadership, good governance and build a new Bangladesh. He felt that only a political party different from the traditional ones would bring about new political culture. His party would be democratic from the grassroots level. The launching of the new party, called Nagarik Shakti (Citizens’ Power), has caused a stir among the Bangladeshis. While many welcomed his decision, some did not like it. “Now I think Bangladesh will have a chance to choose between good and bad and eventually have a good government,” said Shahedul Islam, a government official. “That government, we hope, would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority.” But leaders of traditional political parties who dominated the country’s politics for decades were apprehensive. “There was no debate (over him) winning the Nobel, but politics is different – very challenging and often controversial,” said a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Some others were highly critical. They asked why he was rushing into politics. “Is he being planted in politics by mentors from outside the country,” asked one political observer. Do you think Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party? Do you agree with the statements and fears expressed by various people? How do you want this new party organised to make it different from other parties? If you were the one to begin this political party, how would you defend it?[2]
19.Discuss the Salt March to make clear why it was an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism.[2]
20.Give two examples from history to show the impact of technology on food availability.[2]
21.For each of the sectors that we came across in this chapter why should one focus on employment and GVA? Could there be other issues which should be examined? Discuss.[2]
22.Analyse the role of credit for development.[2]
23.Write short notes to show what you know about: a) The Gutenberg Press b) Erasmus’s idea of the printed book c) The Vernacular Press Act[2]
24.Give reasons for the following: a) Woodblock print only came to Europe after 1295. b) Martin Luther was in favour of print and spoke out in praise of it. c) The Roman Catholic Church began keeping an Index of Prohibited books from the mid-sixteenth century. d) Gandhi said the fight for Swaraj is a fight for liberty of speech, liberty of the press, and freedom of association.[2]
25.Write a note on the changing nature of the international trade in the last fifteen years.[2]
26.In India, about 80 per cent of farmers are small farmers, who need credit for cultivation. (a) Why might banks be unwilling to lend to small farmers? (b) What are the other sources from which the small farmers can borrow? (c) Explain with an example how the terms of credit can be unfavourable for the small farmer. (d) Suggest some ways by which small farmers can get cheap credit.[2]
27.Fill in the blanks: (i) Majority of the credit needs of the _________________households are met from informal sources. (ii) ___________________costs of borrowing increase the debt-burden. (iii) __________________ issues currency notes on behalf of the Central Government. (iv) Banks charge a higher interest rate on loans than what they offer on __________. (v) _______________ is an asset that the borrower owns and uses as a guarantee until the loan is repaid to the lender.[2]
28.Explain how public sector contributes to the economic development of a nation.[2]
29.What is meant by the idea of satyagraha?[2]
30.The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non-Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.[2]
31.What do you understand by disguised unemployment? Explain with an example each from the urban and rural areas.[2]
32.State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.[2]
33.Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.[2]
🔑 Show Answer Key — Set 2
- 1. (c) thorium
- 2. (b) gives official status to one religion.
- 3. (a) A, B, D, F
- 4. A. Kanshi Ram
- 5. (iv) all the above
- 6. (b) Maharashtra
- 7. (b) Maharashtra
- 8. C. majority rule
- 9. (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
- 10. (b) A and B
- 11. (b) Gram
- 12. (b) Electronic
- 13. (b) mica
- 14. (b) bauxite
- 15. (d) Panchayati Raj bodies
- 16. Women’s representation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies has remained low compared with their share of the population and with many other countries. In contrast, constitutional reservation of at least one-third of seats in panchayats and municipalities has brought large numbers of women into local government. The chapter therefore presents national and state representation as inadequate despite progress at the local level.
- 17. Banks accept deposits from people with surplus funds, keep a small cash reserve for withdrawals and use the larger share to make loans. Depositors receive interest and payment facilities; borrowers pay a higher interest rate for credit. The difference helps cover banking costs and income.
- 18. Launching a party is a legitimate attempt to turn ideas about good governance into electoral choice, though success in development work does not automatically provide political skill. Supporters reasonably hope for cleaner leadership; critics are also entitled to test his independence and programme, but suspicion alone is not evidence. To be different, the party should hold internal elections, publish accounts and donations, select candidates transparently, reserve meaningful roles for women and marginalised groups, and allow grassroots members to shape policy. I would defend it by publishing its constitution and finances, accepting public scrutiny and arguing that democracy improves when citizens organise rather than merely criticise established parties.
- 19. Salt was consumed by rich and poor alike, and the government monopoly and tax exposed colonial control over an everyday necessity. After the viceroy ignored his demands, Gandhiji walked about 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi with 78 followers, gathering crowds and explaining swaraj along the route. On 6 April 1930 he broke the salt law by making salt. The simple act was easy to imitate and opened a broader Civil Disobedience Movement in which people made salt, boycotted cloth and liquor, refused taxes and violated forest laws. Salt therefore united diverse groups around a concrete, universally understood injustice.
- 20. First, railways, steamships and refrigerated ships made it possible to transport grain and perishable meat cheaply over long distances. Animals could be slaughtered in America, Australia or New Zealand and frozen meat shipped to Europe, lowering prices. Second, faster transport linked new agricultural regions to ports, so food grown in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Americas could feed Britain’s expanding industrial population. Technology enlarged supply and made varied diets affordable to more people.
- 21. GVA shows each sector’s contribution to production, while employment shows how many livelihoods it supports. Comparing them can reveal low productivity or jobless growth—for example, many workers remain in agriculture despite its smaller output share. Other issues include wages, job security, working hours, social protection, gender equality, environmental costs and regional distribution. High output is not sufficient if work is unsafe or benefits are concentrated.
- 22. Credit finances seeds, tools, education, housing and enterprises before income is available. When the activity succeeds and terms are fair, it raises production, employment and income. But expensive or risky loans can cause asset loss and debt traps. Development therefore depends not only on more credit, but on affordable formal sources, suitable repayment periods and protection against shocks.
- 23. a) Johann Gutenberg adapted existing presses and developed movable metal type. His first major printed book was the Bible. The press reproduced pages faster and more consistently than hand copying and became the model for European printing. b) Erasmus feared that an uncontrolled flood of books would circulate irreligious, ignorant or scandalous writing and bury valuable learning under harmful excess. c) The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 gave the colonial government power to censor Indian-language newspapers. Officials could warn presses, seize machinery and confiscate printed material judged seditious, while English-language publications received different treatment.
- 24. a) Marco Polo returned to Italy from China in 1295 with knowledge of woodblock printing; Europeans then began using the technique. b) Print rapidly circulated Luther’s criticism of Church practices, enabled debate and helped create the Protestant Reformation, so he praised it as a powerful gift. c) Printed criticisms and heretical interpretations spread beyond Church control. To suppress dissent, the Church listed works Catholics were forbidden to read. d) Speech, press and association allowed Indians to form public opinion, expose colonial rule and organise resistance. Colonial repression of these freedoms therefore directly obstructed swaraj.
- 25. India’s international trade has shifted from mainly exporting primary products toward a more varied exchange of manufactured goods, engineering products, petroleum products, chemicals, gems and jewellery, alongside agricultural and mineral items. Imports include petroleum, machinery, electronics, chemicals and other inputs required by a growing economy. Information technology and other services have become major foreign-exchange earners, so trade is no longer confined to physical goods. Liberalisation, improved transport and communications, multinational production and expanding global markets have increased both volume and complexity. The balance of trade depends on whether export earnings exceed the value of imports, with energy imports remaining especially important.
- 26. (a) Small farmers may lack collateral, formal records and assured income, while crops face weather risk. (b) They borrow from moneylenders, traders, employers, relatives, cooperatives and SHGs. (c) A trader may lend at high interest on condition that the farmer sells the crop to him at a low price, reducing income and prolonging debt. (d) More rural bank and cooperative lending, Kisan Credit Cards, SHG linkage, crop insurance, simpler documentation and effective priority-sector targets can provide cheaper credit.
- 27. (i) poor; (ii) high; (iii) Reserve Bank of India; (iv) deposits; (v) collateral.
- 28. The public sector builds infrastructure, provides education and health, supports agriculture and industry, and supplies essential goods or services at affordable prices. It can invest where returns are slow, regulate natural monopolies, reduce regional inequality and protect vulnerable groups. These functions raise productivity and human capability beyond the direct income of public enterprises.
- 29. Satyagraha was Gandhiji’s method of mass struggle based on truth and non-violence. A satyagrahi did not seek to defeat an opponent through physical force; by refusing cooperation with injustice and accepting suffering without retaliation, the satyagrahi appealed to the oppressor’s conscience. Gandhiji believed that truth could unite people and that non-violence gave ordinary people moral strength to resist.
- 30. No. Belgium’s settlement respects linguistic communities through equal representation, regional autonomy and a community government responsible for language and culture. A blanket ban imposes the majority language instead of accommodating diversity. Integration should enable participation while protecting identity, not reproduce the majoritarian domination that Belgium’s power-sharing arrangement was designed to prevent.
- 31. Disguised unemployment exists when more people work than production requires, so removing some workers does not reduce output. In a rural example, eight family members cultivate a small field that needs only five. In an urban example, several family members crowd into a small shop where two could handle all customers; the extra workers appear employed but add little output.
- 32. Political parties contest elections, present policies and programmes, make laws through elected representatives, form and run governments, and act as opposition by scrutinising those in power. They shape public opinion through campaigns and movements and connect citizens with government machinery and welfare schemes.
- 33. Tea requires a warm, moist, frost-free climate, frequent showers, well-drained fertile soil rich in humus and organic matter, and abundant skilled labour. Sloping ground prevents waterlogging.
Brain Grain · braingrain.in
Social Science — Practice Paper · Set 3
Class: 10CBSE / NCERTMax Marks: 51
Name: ____________________Reg No: ____________
Part I — Multiple Choice Questions 15 × 1 = 15
Choose the correct answer. (Answer all questions.)
1.Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that:A.. democracy and development go together.B.. inequalities exist in democracies.C.. inequalities do not exist under dictatorship.D.. dictatorship is better than democracy.[1]
2.Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?(a). Pulses(b). Jawar(c). Millets(d). Sesamum[1]
3.Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?(a). State government — State List(b). Central government — Union List(c). Central and State governments — Concurrent List(d). Local governments — Residuary powers[1]
4.What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?A.. Bahujan SamajB.. Revolutionary democracyC.. Integral humanismD.. Modernity[1]
5.Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka. A. In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French-speaking community. B. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority. C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharing to protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs. D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines. Which of the statements given above are correct?(a). A, B, C and D(b). A, B and D(c). C and D(d). B, C and D[1]
6.Which one of the following describes a system of agriculture where a single crop is grown on a large area?(a). Shifting Agriculture(b). Plantation Agriculture(c). Horticulture(d). Intensive Agriculture[1]
7.Consider the following two statements on power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below: A. Power sharing is good for democracy. B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Which of these statements are true and false?(a). A is true but B is false(b). Both A and B are true(c). Both A and B are false(d). A is false but B is true[1]
8.Which one of the following ports is the deepest land-locked and well-protected port along the east coast?(a). Chennai(b). Paradwip(c). V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin)(d). Vishakhapatnam[1]
9.The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:(a). National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.(b). Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.(c). Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.(d). Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.[1]
10.Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?(a). Intensive cultivation(b). Deforestation(c). Over irrigation(d). Overgrazing[1]
11.Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the stratas of which of the following rocks?(a). sedimentary rocks(b). metamorphic rocks(c). igneous rocks(d). none of the above[1]
12.Consider the following statements on the meaning of communal politics. Communal politics is based on the belief that: A. One religion is superior to that of others. B. People belonging to different religions can live together happily as equal citizens. C. Followers of a particular religion constitute one community. D. State power cannot be used to establish the domination of one religious group over others. Which of the statements are correct?(a). A, B, C, and D(b). A, B, and D(c). A and C(d). B and D[1]
13.In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?(a). Punjab(b). Plains of Uttar Pradesh(c). Haryana(d). Uttarakhand[1]
14.Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the east-west corridor?(a). Mumbai and Nagpur(b). Silchar and Porbandar(c). Mumbai and Kolkata(d). Nagpur and Siligudi[1]
15.Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects?(a). Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.(b). Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow helps to control floods.(c). Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.(d). Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.[1]
Part II — Short Answer Questions 18 × 2 = 36
Answer briefly. (Answer all questions.)
16.Why did nationalist tensions emerge in the Balkans?[2]
17.What were the effects of the spread of print culture for poor people in nineteenth century India?[2]
18.What were the reasons for putting barriers to foreign trade and foreign investment by the Indian government? Why did it wish to remove these barriers?[2]
19.Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations: • Following a High Court directive, a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door. • A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India. • Following an allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.[2]
20.Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.[2]
21.What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? What are the limitations of this criterion, if any?[2]
22.What is a mineral?[2]
23.Explain land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?[2]
24.Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions. Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity. Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language. Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.[2]
25.Explain the causes of the Great Depression.[2]
26.Find the odd one out and say why. (i) Tourist guide, dhobi, tailor, potter (ii) Teacher, doctor, vegetable vendor, lawyer (iii) Postman, cobbler, soldier, police constable (iv) MTNL, Indian Railways, Air India, Jet Airways, All India Radio[2]
27.Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.[2]
28.Explain the objective of implementing the MGNREGA 2005 or Viksit Bharat-G RAM G 2025.[2]
29.The workers in the unorganised sector need protection on the following issues : wages, safety and health. Explain with examples.[2]
30.Why did some industrialists in nineteenth-century Europe prefer hand labour over machines?[2]
31.Based on the information given below classify each of the situations as ‘suffering from water scarcity’ or ‘not suffering from water scarcity’. (a) Region with high annual rainfall. (b) Region having high annual rainfall and large population. (c) Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted. (d) Region having low rainfall and low population.[2]
32.In what ways does the Reserve Bank of India supervise the functioning of banks? Why is this necessary?[2]
33.What are the characteristics of a political party?[2]
🔑 Show Answer Key — Set 3
- 1. B. inequalities exist in democracies.
- 2. (a) Pulses
- 3. (d) Local governments — Residuary powers
- 4. C. Integral humanism
- 5. (d) B, C and D
- 6. (b) Plantation Agriculture
- 7. (b) Both A and B are true
- 8. (d) Vishakhapatnam
- 9. (d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
- 10. (c) Over irrigation
- 11. (a) sedimentary rocks
- 12. (c) A and C
- 13. (d) Uttarakhand
- 14. (b) Silchar and Porbandar
- 15. (c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
- 16. The Balkans contained many ethnic groups, largely Slavic, under a weakening Ottoman Empire. Romantic nationalism encouraged subject peoples to claim independence by invoking earlier histories of freedom. As new states emerged, they became jealous rivals and each sought territory from its neighbours. At the same time Russia, Germany, Britain and Austria-Hungary competed for trade, colonies and strategic influence in the region. The combination of Ottoman decline, rival national claims and great-power intervention produced repeated wars and helped lead to the First World War.
- 17. Cheap small books sold at crossroads and public libraries brought reading within reach of more poor people. Social reformers used print to criticise caste inequality: Jyotiba Phule wrote Gulamgiri, while B.R. Ambedkar and E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker later developed forceful critiques. Workers also produced accounts of exploitation; Kashibaba’s Chhote Aur Bade Ka Sawal linked caste and class, and factory workers composed and circulated poems. Literacy remained unequal, so collective reading and oral transmission were important, but print gave subordinated groups new tools to describe injustice and organise thought.
- 18. After Independence, India protected new domestic industries from strong foreign competition so they could develop capacity and conserve foreign exchange. From 1991, the government removed many barriers because it believed competition and foreign investment would improve efficiency, technology, quality and access to world markets. This policy shift is called liberalisation.
- 19. The temple case reveals caste discrimination despite formal equality; anti-discrimination law, local monitoring and representation of Dalits in temple management can make equal access effective. Farmer suicides reveal economic distress and weak responsiveness; affordable institutional credit, crop insurance, fair prices, counselling and accountable rural support are needed. The alleged fake encounter raises police abuse and impunity; an independent, time-bound investigation, judicial oversight, witness protection and public findings can enforce accountability. Each case requires institutions that turn constitutional rights into practical equality and control over state power.
- 20. Rights work only when buyers check information, preserve evidence and complain. A consumer should inspect expiry dates and certification before buying packaged food, preventing unsafe purchase. A buyer of an appliance should keep the bill and warranty so a defective product can be challenged before the seller or Consumer Commission. Awareness converts legal rights into practical protection.
- 21. The World Bank mainly uses per capita income, calculated by dividing a country’s total income by its population. It enables comparison between differently sized populations, but an average hides how income is distributed. Countries with the same per capita income may have very different inequality, health, education, security and public services. It also does not measure sustainability or non-material goals such as dignity and freedom.
- 22. A mineral is a homogeneous, naturally occurring substance with a definite internal structure. It has a characteristic chemical composition and physical properties formed through geological processes.
- 23. India’s land is divided among forests, land not available for cultivation, other uncultivated land, fallow land and net sown area. The pattern varies with physical factors such as topography, climate and soil and with population, technology and culture. Net sown area is high in Punjab and Haryana but low in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Forest area remains below the desired 33 per cent. Since 1960–61 it has increased only modestly because land faces competing demands from agriculture, settlements, roads, industries, mining and development projects. Degraded forests and incomplete reporting also limit the recorded gain, while afforestation has not fully offset diversion and depletion.
- 24. Sangeeta’s position is best supported. India did not impose Hindi as the sole national language and allowed states to choose official languages; English continued for Union purposes alongside Hindi. Reorganising states on linguistic lines, such as creating Andhra Pradesh and later other language states, gave communities recognition within the Union rather than forcing them to secede. Accommodation reduced fear of cultural domination and made the federation more stable.
- 25. Agricultural overproduction caused prices to fall, so farmers expanded output to maintain income, which drove prices lower and increased debt. In the mid-1920s the United States lent heavily overseas, but lenders withdrew credit when trouble appeared. This created banking failures and currency crises abroad. The US stock-market crash and domestic bank failures cut consumption and investment. As American financing stopped and imports fell, the shock spread through trade and payment links. By 1933 global production, employment and trade had contracted severely.
- 26. (i) Potter is the odd one because the potter produces a good; the others mainly provide services. (ii) Vegetable vendor is the odd one because the others provide specialised professional services. (iii) Cobbler is the odd one because the others are generally public-sector employees. (iv) Jet Airways is the odd one because the others are public-sector organisations in the chapter’s classification.
- 27. The right to safety protects against hazardous goods and services. The right to information requires disclosure of quality, quantity, price, ingredients and risks. The right to choose guards access to alternatives at competitive prices. The right to be heard ensures consumer interests and complaints receive consideration. The right to seek redressal permits repair, replacement, refund or compensation. The right to consumer education helps people understand and exercise all these protections.
- 28. MGNREGA aims to guarantee up to 100 days of wage employment to rural households whose adults volunteer for unskilled manual work. If work is not provided within the specified period, an unemployment allowance is due. The programme creates rural assets such as water-conservation works while providing income, reducing distress migration and strengthening the right to work.
- 29. Minimum-wage enforcement is needed because farm, construction and domestic workers may be paid below legal rates or irregularly. Safety rules and equipment are vital for construction workers, miners and workshop labourers exposed to falls, dust or machinery. Health protection requires clean workplaces, reasonable hours, maternity support, medical care and compensation for injury. Written records and inspections make these rights enforceable.
- 30. Machines required large capital investment, often broke down and were costly to repair. In Victorian Britain labour was abundant and wages were low, so hiring workers could be cheaper. Demand also fluctuated seasonally, making flexible employment useful. Machines produced standardised goods, while hand labour could make varied designs, intricate shapes and individually finished products demanded by upper classes. Industrialists therefore mechanised selectively rather than replacing labour everywhere.
- 31. (a) Not necessarily suffering from water scarcity. (b) Suffering from water scarcity because demand from a large population may exceed supply. (c) Suffering from water scarcity because pollution makes available water unusable. (d) Not necessarily suffering from water scarcity if the small population’s demand remains within the limited supply.
- 32. The RBI monitors that banks maintain required cash reserves, lend rather than keep all deposits idle, submit information on lending, and provide credit not only to large profitable borrowers but also priority sectors and smaller borrowers. Supervision protects depositors, maintains confidence and reduces unfair or unstable banking practices.
- 33. A party has leaders, active members and followers; a shared set of policies or broad ideological direction; an organisation that nominates candidates and campaigns; and the aim of gaining political power through elections to implement its programme.