CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper 2018 Comptt (Delhi & Outside Delhi) with Solutions

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CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper 2018 Comptt (Delhi & Outside Delhi) with Solutions

Time Allowed: 3 hours
Maximum Marks: 80

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• The question paper has 26 questions in all. All questions are compulsory.
• Marks are indicated against each question.
• Questions from serial number 1 to 7 are very short answer type questions. Each question carries one mark.
• Questions from serial number 8 to 18 are 3 marks questions. Answers of these questions should not exceed 80 words each.
• Questions from serial number 19 to 25 are 5 marks questions. Answers of these questions should not exceed 100 words each.
• Question number 26 is a map question. It has two parts 26(A) and 26(B). 26(A) of 2 marks from History and 26(B) of 3 marks from Geography. After completion attach the map inside your answer book.
• There is no overall choice. However, internal choice has been provided in some questions. You have to attempt only one of the alternatives in all such-questions.

Modified as per Latest CBSE Curriculum.

Question 1.
Why did most developing countries organize themselves into the Group of 77 during 1960s? [1]
Or
Why did the East India Company appoint ‘Gomasthas’? [1]
Answer:
Developing countries did not benefit from the fast growth of the western economies experienced in the 1950s and 1960s. Hence, they organised themselves into the Group of 77.
Or
Gomasthas were appointed to supervise weavers, collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth.

Question 2.
Why could not manuscripts satisfy the increasing demand of books in Europe during fourteenth country? [1]
Answer:
Production of handwritten manuscripts was expensive, laborious and time-consuming. In addition, manuscripts were fragile and usually big in size which could not be handled easily.

Question 3.
Classify resources on the basis of exhaustibility. [1]
Answer:
On the basis of exhaustibility – (i) Renewable resources and (ii) Non-Renewable resources.

Question 4.
Differentiate between community government in Belgium and majoritarian government in Sri Lanka. [1]
Answer:
In Belgium, all the benefits of economic development and education were given to the Dutch speaking communities as well as the French minority community while in Sri Lanka, the government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala Supremacy over the Tamils, refusing to share power.

Question 5.
How can two persons have different developmental goals? [1]
Answer:
Different persons have different notions of development because life situations of persons are different. Development for one may not be development for other. It may even be destructive for the other. For example, an industrialist may want more dams for electricity but this may submerge the land and disrupt the lives of people who are displaced.

Question 6.
When we change natural products into other forms, in which category of economic sector such activity comes? [1]
Answer:
Secondary sector.

Question 7.
Why is money accepted as a medium of exchange? [1]
Answer:
Money is authorized by the government of the country to be accepted as a medium of exchange.

Question 8.
Describe the economic conditions of Britain after the ‘First World War’. [1 × 3 = 3]
Or
Describe the role of ‘Jobbers’ in the beginning of twentieth century in India. [1 × 3 = 3]
Answer:
Britain, world’s leading economy in the pre-war period, faced a prolonged crisis after the First World War.
(i) To finance war expenditure, Britain had borrowed liberally from US. This meant that at the end of the war, Britain was burdened with huge external debts.

(ii) The war had disturbed Britain’s position of dominance in the Indian market. In India, the nationalist movement had gathered strength and anti-British feeling had become stronger among common people. Promotion of Indian industries had become one of the objectives of the nationalist leaders, which adversely affected industries in Britain.

(iii) There was widespread increase in unemployment coupled with decrease in agricultural and industrial production. Cotton production collapsed and export of cotton from Britain fell dramatically.

(iv) Unable to modernize, Britain was finding it difficult to compete with U.S., Germany , .’ and Japan internationally.
Or
Role of jobbers. Industrialists usually employed jobbers to get new recruits. They became persons with some authority and power. Often, the jobbers were old and trusted workers. They got people from their villages. They ensured them jobs and helped them to settle in the city. They also provided them money in times of crisis. Gradually, they began to demand money and gifts for this favour and began controlling the lives of workers.

Question 9.
“Print created the possibility of wide circulation of ideas and introduced a new world of debate and discussion.” Analyse the statement in the context of religion in Europe. [1 × 3 = 3]
Answer:
Printing created the possibility of wide circulation of ideas and introduced a new world of debate, discussion and public opinion. Through the printed medium, those who disagreed with the established authorities, could propagate their ideas and persuade people to think differently and move them to action. This had significance in different spheres of life. Not everyone welcomed the printed books.
It was feared that if there was no control over what was printed and read, then rebellious and non-religious thoughts might spread. If that happened, the authority of ‘valuable’ literature would be destroyed. This anxiety of religious authorities, monarchs, as well as writers and artists gave rise to widespread criticism of new printed literature that was increasingly available to the masses.

Question 10.
Why is there a need to develop rainwater harvesting system in India? Explain. [3 × 1 = 3]
Answer:
Need for development of rainwater harvesting system has arisen due to:

(i) Large growing population—means more water required for domestic use and also to produce more food.

(ii) In the agricultural sector, water resources are being over-exploited to expand irrigated areas and dry-season agriculture.

(iii) There is uneven distribution of rainfall. More water required for irrigation purposes to facilitate higher food production, i.e., for doing multiple cropping and for HYV seeds.

(iv) There is greater demand for water with growing urbanisation and industrialisation. Tire quality of water is deteriorating, i.e., getting polluted by domestic and industrial wastes, chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture.

(v) An unequal access to water among different social groups.

(vi) Over exploitation of water in the urban areas. Housing societies and colonies have their own ground-water pumping devices. This causes depletion of fragile water resources in the cities. (any three)

Question 11.
Explain any three major problems faced by road transport in India. [3 × 1 = 3]
Answer:
Major problems faced by road transportation:

• The road network is inadequate in proportion to the volume of traffic and passengers.
• About half of the roads are unmetalled which makes them useless during rainy season.
• The National Highways are inadequate and lack roadside amenities.
• The roadways are highly congested in cities.
• Most of the bridges and culverts are old and narrow.

Question 12.
Under which type of federation India comes? Mention any two features of such federation. [3 × 1 = 3]
Answer:
India comes under ‘a holding together’ type federation. In this type of federation, a large country divides its power between the constituent States and the National government. There is one government for the entire country and the others are governments at the State level. Both Central and State Governments enjoy their power independent of the other. The Central government tends to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states. Often different constituent units of the federation have unequal powers.

Question 13.
Describe any three factors that are responsible for breaking down of caste system in India. [1 × 3 = 3]
Answer:
Reasons which have contributed to changes in caste system:
(i) Efforts of political leaders and social reformers like Gandhiji, B.R. Ambedkar who advocated and worked to establish a society in which caste inequalities are absent.

(ii) Socio-economic changes such as:

• urbanisation
• growth of literacy and education
• occupational mobility
• weakening of landlord’s position in the village
• breaking down of caste hierarchy have greatly contributed.

(iii) The Constitution of India prohibited any caste-based discrimination and laid the foundations of policies to reverse the injustices of the caste system.

(iv) Provision of fundamental rights has played a major role because these rights are provided to all citizens without any discrimination.

Question 14.
“Opposition party plays a crucial role in democratic government”. Explain. [1 × 3 = 3]
Answer:
An effective, vigilant, responsible and responsive Opposition is the lifeblood and backbone of a democracy. It plays a crucial and vital role in the democratic set up of the government. It plays both—positive role and negative role.

Positive Role of Opposition:

1. It ensures that the ‘Ruling Party’ does not misuse its power.
2. It exposes the weaknesses of the Ruling party.
3. It keeps a close watch on the bills and expenditure of the government.
4. It ensures that the rights and the liberties of the citizens are not curtailed and encroached upon by the government.
5. It exposes the anti-people policies of the government outside the Parliament through demonstrations. Inside the Parliament through various questions, motions and cut motions.
6. Opposition asks questions concerning the working of various departments, misuse of power by the civil servants and lapses on the part of the government.
7. It provides a political alternative if the ruling party loses the confidence of the people and falls on the floor of the Parliament.
8. It helps ventilate the grievances of the people and helps the government know their problems. Thus, it helps the government in the formation of policies.

Negative Role of Opposition:

• Opposition simply opposes and criticises all governmental measures and does not propose alternative measures or solutions of the problems that plague the nation. It fails to provide constructive suggestions or solutions.
• It aims at dislodging and discrediting the government.
• Through stalling the proceedings of the parliament and through Dhamas and Gheraos, it curtails the progress of the country.

Question 15.
Why is sustainable development essential for economic growth? Explain. [3]
Answer:
(i) Development of a country needs to be continuous. Every country would like to have the level of development go up further.

(ii) Many scientists have warned that the present levels of development cannot be sustained for the future as the present rate of consumption of both renewable and non-renewable resources is very high. Resources are limited in supply and hence should be used judiciously.

(iii) Sustainable development aims at development without damaging the environment and at the same time conserving for the future.

(iv) Development should take place in the present without compromising the needs of the future. Sustainability of development is essential not only for the present generation but also for future generations to ensure a good life.

Question 16.
How does public sector contribute to the economic development of the nation? Explain. [3]
Answer:
Role of Public sector in economic development. The Public sector is that sector of the economy in which the government owns most of the assets and provides all the services e.g., railways, post and telegraph.
(i) It promotes rapid economic development through creation and expansion of infrastructure.

(ii) The public sector provides various services and facilities like construction of roads, bridges, railways, irrigation through dams, etc. where heavy spending is required.

(iii) A large number of activities are a primary responsibility of the government like
schools, hospitals, housing, safe drinking water, etc.

(iv) Certain activities are meant to be supported by the government, like providing electricity to small scale industries at low prices, supply of food to the poor, etc. It encourages development of small, medium and cottage industries.

(v) It ensures availability of goods and services at moderate rates and also contributes to community development through creation and expansion of infrastructure.

Question 17.
“The credit activities of the informal sector should be discouraged.” Support the statement with arguments. [1 × 3 = 3]
Answer:
The credit activities of the informal sector should be discouraged because:
(i) 85% of loans taken by the poor households in the urban areas are from informal sources. There is no organisation that supervises the credit activities of lenders in the informal sector.

(ii) Informal lenders charge very high interest on their loans. They try to charge more and more interest on their loans as there are no boundaries and restrictions.

(iii) Higher cost of borrowing means a larger part of the earnings of the borrowers is used to repay the loan.

(iv) In certain cases, the high interest rate for borrowing can mean that the amount to be repaid is greater than the income of borrower. This could lead to increasing debt and debt trap, therefore the credit activities of the informal sector should be discouraged.

Question 18.
What do you understand by formal and informal credit? Who supervises the formal sector and how? Should there be a supervisor for informal lenders also Why? [3 × 1 = 3]
Answer:
Various types of loans are grouped as formal and informal loans. Formal sector loans
include loans from banks and co-operatives. Informal Sector sources of loans include money-lenders, traders, relatives and friends.
The Reserve Bank of India supervises the functioning of loans from formal sector only. The Reserve Bank of India makes sure that the banks maintain a minimum cash balance. It also sees that banks give loans not just for profit-making businesses and products but also to agriculturists and small-scale industries.
Periodically, banks have to submit information to the Reserve Bank of India on how much they are lending, to whom, at what interest rate, etc.
The informal sector of credit is makes sure so vast and uncertain that it cannot be supervised or controlled. The only way to control it is the expansion and easy availability of credit from the formal sector.

Question 19.
Describe any five measures introduced by the French Revolutionaries to create a sense of collective identity amongst the French people. [5 × 1 = 5]
Answer:
The first clear-cut expression of nationalism came with the French Revolution in 1789. In 1789, France was under the rule of an absolute monarch.
When the revolutionaries came to power in France, they were determined to create a new sense of unity and nationhood. For this, they emphasized the concept of France being the father land (La Patrie) for all French people, who were from now on addressed as citizens (citoyen). They were given the tri-colour flag, the three colours representing liberty, equality and fraternity.
French revolutionaries introduced various other measures such as:

• The Estate General was elected by the body of active citizens and renamed the National Assembly.
• New hymns were composed, oaths taken and martyrs commemorated all in the name of the nation.
• A centralized administrative system was put in place and it formulated uniform laws for all citizens within its territory.
• Internal customs, duties and dues were abolished and a uniform system of weights and measures was adopted. .
• Regional dialects were discouraged and French, as it was spoken and written in Paris, became the common language of the nation.
• They further declared that it was the mission and the destiny of the French nation to liberate the people of Europe from despotism and help them to become nations.

Question 20.
Why did Gandhi decide to launch a nationwide ‘Satyagraha’ against the proposed Rowlatt Act (1919)? How was it opposed? Explain. [2 + 3 = 5]
Or
Why was the ‘Salt March’ considered an effective symbol of resistance against colonialism? Explain. [5]
Answer:
Provisions of Rowlatt Act. The Rowlatt Act was passed despite the united opposition of the Indian members of Imperial Legislative Council.
(i) The Act gave the government enormous powers to oppress political agitations.

(ii) It had allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. There was no provision for appeal.
The passing of this Act aroused large-scale indignation.
Gandhiji’s Reaction. Gandhiji, who had formed a Satyagraha Sabha earlier, called for a country-wide protest against the proposed Rowlatt Act. Throughout the country, 6 April 1919 was observed as a National Flumiliation Day. Gandhiji wanted a non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust laws. Hartals and rallies were organised in various cities. Workers went on strike in railway workshops. Shops were closed down. Communication, railway, telegraph lines were disrupted. The movement was non-violent but proved to be effective.

Or, Mahatma Gandhi found in salt a powerful symbol that could unite the nation.

(i) On 31st January, 1930 he sent a letter to Viceroy Irwin stating eleven demands, one of which was the demand to abolish Salt Tax.

(ii) Salt was one of the most essential food items consumed by the rich and poor alike. The tax on salt and the government monopoly over its production was considered an oppression on the people by the British Government.

(iii) Mahatma Gandhi’s letter was an ultimatum and if his demands were not fulfilled by March 11, he had threatened to launch a civil disobedience campaign.

(iv) So, Mahatma Gandhi started his famous Salt March accompanied by 78 of his trusted volunteers. The march was over 240 miles, from Gandhiji’s ashram in Sabarmati to the Gujarati coastal town of Dandi.

(v) The volunteers walked for 24 days, about 10 miles a day. Thousands came to hear Mahatma Gandhi wherever he stopped, and he told them what he meant by Swaraj and urged them to peacefully defy the British.

(vi) On 6th April, he reached Dandi, and ceremonially violated the law, manufacturing salt by boiling sea water. This marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Question 21.
Assess the need for the conservation of forests and wildlife in India. [1 + 4 = 5]
Or
Write four steps taken by the Government for conservation of wildlife. [5]
Answer:
There is a need to conserve the forests and wildlife in India:
(i) Conservation of biodiversity is necessary because it preserves the ecological diversity.

(ii) Forests and wildlife preserve our life support systems, i.e., water, air and soil. For example, the plants, animals and micro-organisms recreate the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil that produces our food without which we , cannot survive.

(iii) It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth and breeding of species. For example, in agriculture we are still dependent on traditional crop varieties.

(iv) Fisheries too are heavily dependent on the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity.

(v) Forests are primary producers on which all other living beings depend not only for food but indirectly for many other forest produces which are used for varied purposes.
Or
Five steps that have been taken to protect the wildlife in India:

(i) Under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972, an All India list of protected species was published. The thrust was on protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species by-(a) banning hunting, (b) giving legal protection to their habitats and (c) restricting trade in wildlife.

(ii) Many wildlife sanctuaries have been developed and National Parks have been set up.

(iii) Many projects have been started for protecting specific animals which were gravely threatened, e.g. Project Tiger, One-horned Rhino, the Kashmir Stag (hangul), three types of crocodiles-the fresh water, salt-water and Gharials, the Asiatic Lion, etc.

(iv) Most recently, some animals have been given full or partial legal protection against hunting and trading throughout India, e.g., Indian elephant, black buck, great Indian bustard and the snow leopard, etc.

(v) Setting up of biosphere reserves for conserving flora and fauna in their natural surroundings and protection of wetland ecosystems is another step taken in this direction.

Question 22.
“The declining share of agriculture in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a matter of serious concern in India.” Support the statement. [5 × 1 = 5]
Answer:
Contribution of agriculture is showing a declining trend:

(i) The share of agriculture in GDP has shown a declining trend since 1951.

(ii) In 2010-11 about 52% of the total work force was employed by the farm sector which makes more than half of the Indian population dependent on agriculture for sustenance.

(iii) The declining share of agriculture in the GDP is a matter of serious concern because any decline and stagnation in agriculture will lead to a decline in other spheres of the economy having wider implications for society.

(iv) Although GDP growth rate of the country is increasing, it is not generating sufficient employment opportunities in the country, especially in the field of agriculture.

(v) Farmers are dragging away their investment from agriculture because they have to face big challenges from international competition. This has resulted in further downfall in employment in agriculture.

(vi) The growth rate in agriculture is decelerating which is an alarming situation.

Question 23.
Describe the importance of regional political parties in strengthening democracy. [5]
Or
Describe the importance of political parties in a Democratic Government. [5]
Answer:
The state parties also referred to as regional parties are not necessarily regional in ideology. Some of these parties are all India parties that happen to have succeeded only in some states. Over the last three decades, the number and strength of these parties has expanded. This made the parliament of India politically more and more diverse. No one national party is able to secure on its own a majority in the Lok Sabha.

As a result, the national parties are compelled to form alliances with state parties. Since 1996, nearly every one of the state parties got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.
Examples of state parties having national level political organisation with units in several states are Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samata Party.
Or
We can understand the necessity of political parties by imagining a situation without parties. Every candidate in the election will be independent. Therefore, no major policy changes will be made. Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency but no one will be responsible for the smooth running of the country.
As societies become large and complex, they need an agency to gather views on various issues and to present them to the government. There is need to bring various representatives together so that a responsible government can be formed.
A mechanism is needed to support or restrain the government to make policies, justify or oppose them. Political parties fulfil the needs of a representative government and are thus a necessary condition for a democracy. Modem democracies cannot exist without political parties.

Question 24.
‘Complaints are treated as testimony to the success of democracy.’ Justify this statement. [5]
Answer:
Democracy provides scope for complaints through:
(i) Freedom of speech and expression, carrying out of agitations and struggles through different methods by different sections of people. A democratic government is the only government that constantly improves itself. Complaints therefore help in improving a democracy. It is then that a democracy strengthens and deepens itself.

(ii) Complaints make a democratic government accountable and in the process ensure better decision-making.

(iii) A democratic government is legitimate and this makes ordinary citizens value their democratic rights and take a position that democracy can address all social, economic and political problems. Critical evaluation of the policies of the government by the electronic media and newspapers also results in a healthier and vibrant democracy.

Question 25.
How can consumers and producers be benefited from ‘foreign trade’? Explain with examples. [5 × 1 = 5]
Or
How have our markets been transformed in recent years? Explain with examples. [5]
Answer:
Consumers and producers both are benefitted from foreign trade:
(i) The basic function of foreign trade is to create opportunities for the producers to reach beyond domestic markets (markets of their own countries), both for selling their goods and for buying raw materials.

(ii) Producers can compete with other manufacturers in foreign markets. Import of goods allows buyers to have more choice of goods produced in other countries also.

(iii) ‘Foreign Trade’ has facilitated the travel of goods from one market to another. It is one way of expanding the choice of goods for the buyers.

(iv) Producers of different countries have to compete in different markets.

(v) Prices of similar goods in two markets in two different countries become almost equal.
Or
Markets have been transformed completely in recent years. This transformation has been largely brought about by globalisation.

(i) Greater competition among producers (both local and foreign) has been advantageous to consumers, particularly the well-off section. Rich people enjoy improved quality and lower prices for several products and enjoy a higher standard of living. We have a wide choice of goods and services before us.

(ii) MNCs have increased their investments in India over the past 20 years in industries such as cell phones, automobiles, electronics, soft drinks, fast food and services such as banking thereby providing consumers with a vast variety of products. The latest models of digital cameras, mobile phones and televisions made by leading manu-facturers of the world are within our reach.

(iii) Today, Indians are buying cars produced by nearly all the top companies in the ” world. Every season new models of automobiles can be seen on Indian roads.

(iv) A similar explosion of brands can be seen for many other goods; from shirts to televisions to processed fruit juices.

(v) Top Indian companies have benefitted from competition. They have invested in newer technology and production methods indirectly benefitting the consumers in the Indian markets who now enjoy a much higher standard of living than ever before.

Question 26.
(A) Two features (a) and (b) are marked on the given political outline map of India. Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked on the map:
(i) The place where the Indian National Congress Session was held. [1]
(ii) The city where ‘Jallianwalla Bagh’ incidence took place. [1]
(B) Locate and label the following with appropriate symbols on the same given outline political map of India. [2]
(i) Kandla — Major Sea Port
(ii) Nagarjun —Sagar Dam
(ii) Kaiga — Nuclear Power Plant

Answer: