CBSE Board Question Paper 2009
Class – X (Foreign)
SOCIAL SCIENCE
[Time allowed: 3 hours] [Maximum marks: 80]
General Instruction:
(i) There are 29 questions in all. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) Marks for each question are indicated against the questions.
(iii) Questions from serial number 1 to 10 are 1 mark questions. Answer of these questions may be from one word to one sentence.
(iv) Questions from serial number 11 to 18 are 3 marks questions. Answer of these questions should not exceed 80 words each.
(v) Questions from serial number 19 to 28 are 4 marks questions. Answer of these questions should not exceed 100 words each.
(vi) Questions No. 29 is a map work question. Attach the map inside your answer book.
1. Where was the first printing press established in India ?
OR
Name the earliest novel written in Marathi language. 1
2. Name the dam, constructed on Narmada river. 1
3. Why is iron and steel industry called the basic industry ? 1
4. Name the terminal cities of North-South corridor. 1
5. How does social difference lead to social division ? 1
6. Mention one similarity and one dissimilarity between John Carlos and Peter Norman. 1
7. When does a political party get recognition as a national party in India ? 1
8. What is `Public Distribution System' (PDS) ? 1
9. Mention two main components of `Human Development Index'. 1
10. Name the neighbouring country of India which had higher rank in Human Development Index for 2004 than India. 1
11. Describe in brief the reactions of the people immediately after Jallianwala Bagh incident. 3
12. Study the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : 1+2=3
On 6 January, 1921, the police in United Provinces fired at peasants near Rae Bareli. Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to go to the place of firing, but was stopped by the police. Agitated and angry, Nehru addressed the peasants who gathered around him. This is how he later described the meeting :
‘They behaved as brave men, calm and unruffled in the face of danger. I do not know how they felt but I know what my feelings were. For a moment my blood was up, non-violence was almost forgotten - but for a moment only. The thought of the great leader, who by God’s goodness has been sent to lead us to victory, came to me, and I saw the kisans seated and standing near me, less excited, more peaceful than I was - and the moment of weakness passed. I spoke to them in all humility on non-violence - I needed the lesson more than they - and they heeded me and peacefully dispersed.’
(12.1) Why were the peasants of Awadh agitating against the Talluqdars and the Landlords ?
(12.2) Explain the feelings of 'Nehru when he addressed the peasants.
Note : Below are given three Groups A, B and C for questions number 13 and 14. Select any one group for answering these two questions.
GROUP A
13. What were `Corn Laws' ? Why did the British Government decide to abolish these laws ? 1+2=3
14. Why could Britain not recapture their hold on the Indian market after the First World War ? Explain.
GROUP B
13. Explain the miserable conditions of industrial workers in Britain during the nineteenth century. 3
14. Why was the first underground railway started in London ? Explain its two features. 1+2=3
GROUP C
13. Explain the impact of the Great Depression on Indian farmers in the early twentieth century. 3
14. Why ' were housing schemes planned for the workers in London in the beginning of the twentieth century ? Explain. 3
15. Who invented the printing press ? How did he develop the printing technology ? 1+2=3
OR
Who wrote the novel 'Saraswativijayam'? Briefly explain its theme. 1+2=3
16. Examine any three problems of road transportation in India. 3
17. What is single issue movement ? How does it differ from a long term movement ? Explain with examples. 1+2=3
18. What is the three-tier quasi-judicial machinery set up for redressal of consumer disputes ? Mention their jurisdiction. 3
19. Describe in brief any four features of the ‘Vienna Treaty’ of 1815. 4
OR
Describe four main features of the ‘Tonkin’ free school.
20. What is the importance of soil ? Explain any three features of black soil. 4
21. Look at the given picture carefully and answer the questions that follow : 1+2+1=4
(21.1) Name the crop shown in the picture.
(21.2) What type of climate and soils are needed for growing this crop ?
(21.3) Name the two major producing states of this crop.
Note : The following question is for the Blind Candidates only, in lieu of Q. No. 21. Describe any four characteristics of plantation farming.
22. Distinguish between conventional sources of energy and non-conventional sources of energy. Explain four points of difference. 4x1=4
23. What is majoritarianism ? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils ? Explain with examples. 1+3=4
24. Explain any four forms of casteism in Indian politics.
25. Why is democracy known as a better form of government ? Explain four reasons. 4
26. What is Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ? How do we count the various goods and services for calculating Gross Domestic Product ? Explain with examples. 4
27. Who supervises the functioning of banks ? In what ways is the supervision done ? 4
28. What is globalization ? How do we feel the direct impact of globalisation on our daily life ? Explain with examples. 4
29. Six features with serial numbers (i) to (vi) are marked in the given political outline map of India (on page 11). Identify these features with the help of the following information and write their correct names on the lines marked in the map. 6
(i) A region of large scale industries in 1931
(ii) An important centre of overseas trade of India during seventeenth century
(iii) A Bauxite Mine
(iv) A Mica Mine
(v) A Silk Textile Centre
(vi) An important Thermal Power Station
OR
Locate and label the following items with appropriate symbols on the given political outline map of India (on page 12) : 6x1=6
(i) Champaran
(ii) Amritsar
(iii) Hirakud - Dam
(iv) Tarapur - Nuclear Power Plant
(v) Bhadrawati -. Iron and Steel Plant
(vi) Hyderabad - Software Technology Park
Note The following questions are for the Blind Candidates only, in lieu of Q. No. 29.
(29.1) 'Name the city where Jallianwala Bagh incident occurred.
(29.2) Name the southernmost industrial centre of India in 1931.
(29.3) Name the river on which Hirakud Dam is constructed.
(29.4) Name the iron and steel plant located in Karnataka.
(29.5) Name the major mica field of Rajasthan.
(29.6) In which state is the Loktak thermal power plant located ?