(Paper) Social Science Sample Paper Class X (1996) Part - I

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Social Science Class - X  (CBSE)
Sample Paper 1996 (Part - I)

Q1) How does the relief affect the climate of India? Explain it with 3 specific examples from different parts of the country.
(Marks 4)
Ans. 1)
India is a huge country. The vast diversity in relief leads to climactic changes all over the country. For example, India gets its rainfall mainly from the South-West monsoons. These are governed by the relief or orography. Therefore:-
(1) The Arabian sea branch of monsoons is obstructed by the Western Ghats. The windward side of the Sahyadris receives very heavy rains (over 250 cms). But the leeward side is hardly able to receive 50 cms.

(2) Another part of Arabian sea branch strikes the Saurashtra peninsula and the Kachch. It passes over west Rajasthan and along the Aravallis causing only scanty rainfall. This is because there is no obstruction on their path as the Aravallis lie parallel to the winds.

(3) The Bay of Bengal branch enters West Bengal and Bangladesh and splits into two. One branch moves up the Brahmaputra valley in the north and north east causing rains in North - eastern India. Therefore heavy rains in Cargo and Khasi hills and Cherrapunji.

(4) The other branch moves along the Ganga plains and reaches Punjab. In the Ganga Plains it meets the Arabian sea branch and causes rainfall there but by the time it reaches Punjab, it is already devoid of most of its moistures and hence causes less rainfall over there.

Q2) How is the government helping Indian farmers in increasing their agricultural production? Explain any four points. (Marks 4)
Ans. 2)
India is an agricultural state. Therefore, in order to develop agriculture it was essential to take note of the problems of the Indian farmers & help them & thus establish a more socialist society.
(1) A number of legislations have been taken up to abolish the Zamindari system.

(2) The government has been promoting consolidation of scattered land - holdings through chakbandi & popularisation of the co-operative movement.

(3) District lead Banks were opened to provide cheap & easy credit facilities to the farmers. Nationalization of banks was also a step to provide help to the Indian farmers.

(4) National seeds corporation, National warehousing corporation, National food corporation, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Agricultural universities, National Dairy Board & several other institutions are set up to provide help to the Indian farmers.

Q 3) Growing urban population has not only created problems in the urban centres but also it has affected the rural areas. Explain two points of each (Marks 2+2=4)
Ans. 3)
Effects of growing urban population in urban areas
(1) The upsurge in population has put great strain on the existing resources & services available in cities and people are at times devoid of basic amenities.
(2) The environmental pollution, law & order problem coupled with lack of education & health facilities have become most critical problems in the urban centres.

In Villages


(1) The land holdings have become uneconomic in the rural areas because of the sub-division & fragmentation. This has resulted in making several small farmers surplus. The farmers have no other option but to migrate to cities.
(2) The rural youth, in the absence of suitable employment migrate to cities. Unable to secure a job they return to villages & create law & order problems.

Q4) How is 'coal an important source of energy & raw material as well'? Explain the statement with 5 examples in all giving at least two from each. (Marks 5)
Ans. 4)
The advent of the Industrial Revolution was based on the steam energy produced by using coal as a fuel. It is, even now, one of the most important sources of energy next only to mineral oil.
Coal as a Raw Material is used in:-
(1) Steel & chemical industries.
(2) Glass Industry.
Coal as a source of energy
(1) It is the main source of thermal power/electricity.
(2) It can be converted into gas
(3) It is an important source of power in locomotive 
(4) The conversion of coal into oil is also being worked out.

Section C - CIVICS

Q 5) Why land reform legislations have not been able to remove the inequality in holding of land among peasantry? Give any two reasons. (Marks 2)
Ans. 5)
The land reform legislations have not been able to remove the inequality in holding of land among peasantry because:-

(1) The land owners, by virtue of their economic power & high level contacts, were able to manipulate the law in their favour.
(2) The government lacked the will to enforce the laws strictly. Land ceilings & a number of land reform laws were passed. But those who owned land got away with it but transferring the land on the names of other members of the family. This defeated the whole purpose of legislation.

Q 6) 'India is a secular state'. Give any two arguments in support of this statement. (Marks 2)
Ans. 6) India is a secular state as it stresses on equal respect for all religions and does not have any state religion.

1) The constitution of India provides the freedom to profess, preach and practice any religion to individuals and groups.
2) It guarantees equality of citizenship that is no discrimination on grounds of religion, equality of opportunity in public employment, no discrimination in educational institutions and no communal electorate.

Q 7) Write any three important causes leading to urban poverty. (Marks 3)
Ans. 7) In towns & cities poverty prevails due to the following reasons:-
(1) Mass unemployment - The city's nightmare is unemployment. With the growing population & the migration of people from the rural to urban areas, the problem of unemployment remains on the rise & becomes a primary factor of poverty.

(2) Illiteracy & ignorance - A large number of people are illiterate as a result of which they are unable to find jobs. Moreover, they being ignorant, are taken for a ride very easily by the big capitalists & industrialists who do hire them & pay them less.

(3) Lack of Industrial Development - Suitable industrial development has not taken place in the country to keep pace with the increasing number of people. Hence people from lower strata in such cities are generally very poor.

Q 8) What conditions help in the development of responsible public opinion? (Marks 4)
Ans. 8) An altert and intelligent public opinion keeps a check on the Government. Some conditions that develop public opinion are :-

(a) FREE PRESS :- The most important medium for the formation of public opinion is the Press. Newspapers not only provide information about national and international matters, but also acquaint the masses with programmes of the Government. They guide the people and enable them to form their own opinion and to express it.

(b) AGILE POLITICAL PARTIES :- Political parties organise meetings and demonstrations, bring out posters and thus popularise themselves and their policies. They help people understand various problems and thus play a very important role in the formation of public opinion.

(c) ELECTIONS:- Massive propaganda and compaigning helps the people to know the inside stories of various events and thus helps in formation of public opinion.

Q 9) Advance arguments in favour of any four human rights which are included in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights & are necessary for the development of an individual. (Marks 4)
Ans. 9)
Human rights are those rights which every person should have by virtue of being a human being. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the UNO adopted on 10th December, 1944 includes a list of 
(I) Civil & Political Rights & 
(ii) Economic & Social Rights.
The Indian constitution, gives full important to these rights & has guaranteed a number of them to its citizens.

(1) Right to freedom of speech & expression enables a person to discuss freely for public & national well being.
(2) Right to have judicial remedy enables a citizen to move any court if his rights are encroached upon by the Government, a person or any other agency. Thus, this right makes all the other rights meaningful.
(3) Right to vote freely & to take part in the government of one's country ensures political rights to a citizen & are hence the foundation of a democracy.
(4) Right to have equal pay for equal work saves citizen from economic exploitation & gender degradation.

Q 10) How does the legislative procedure for passing of a money bill in the Parliament differ from an ordinary bill?
Ans10)
The Annual Budget of the Country or that of a state & every bill that envisages levy of taxes and/or some expenditure by the Government is called a Money Bill. The decision of the Speaker, whether a particular bill is a Money Bill or not is always taken as final . A Money Bill cannot be initiated in the Rajya Sabha. The following is the procedure for the passage of a Money Bill:-

(1) Prior Presidential Approval :- A money bill can be introduced only when it has been accorded the approval of the President. Constitutionally speaking, it is the President himself who gets a Money Bill introduced through the Government.

(2) Introduction :- A money bill is generally introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Finance Miniser. He makes policy statement regarding finance at that occasion . The opposition is also free to speak on these matters .

(3) Second Reading :- Here an item wise discussion on the Bill takes place. Amendments are proposed & voted in respect of each item. In this way, the whole bill is cleared.

(4) Third Reading :- The Third Reading is only a formality. Members can recommend or criticise the policy matters and provisions of the Bill , as a whole. A majority vote decides the passage or rejection of the Bill [Rejection of the Money Bill amounts to no-confidence of the Government].

(5) Money Bill in the Rajya Sabha:- After its clearance in the Lok Sabha, a Money Bill is sent to the Rajya Sabha which is allowed 14 days . During this period, the Rajya Sabha may pass it, reject it, may propose amend- ments to it and return to the Lok Sabha or may just sit over it.

If amendments are proposed, the Lok Sabha reviews them. But it is not binding upon it to accept them. In case of a difference, there is no provision for a joint session. The opinion of the Lok Sabha prevails in such a situation. After the lapse of 14 days, the Bill is deemed to be passed and sent for the President's assent. The assent of the President is never withheld as a Money Bill has a prior approval of the President.

The procedure of passing of an ordinary bill in the Parliament is also the same except that it can originate in either House of the parliament & does not require a prior assent of the President for its introduction.

OR


How is the Prime Minister the most important functionary in the country? (Marks 6)

Ans. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party which has the support of the majority of members in the Lok Sabha. He, therefore, enjoys a position of pre-eminence . He is the most important functionary because, though all the other candidates are elected just like him, he, because of his position as a leader of the ruling party, enjoys an important position. All the important decisions are taken by and him and the members of his council enjoy advisory powers.

The Prime Minister decides about the size of the cabinet, distributes portfolios, can reshuffule the ministeries and ask any Minister to resign. He can even keep on or more portfolios with himself. After the formation of the Cabinet , the Prime Minister also has the responsibility to co-ordinate its activities - dates for meetings and agenda to be discussed. He also appoints the cabinet committees and Presides over them.

The Prime Minister also plays an important part in the process of legislation. No important bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha without his consent. The budget and other important money bills are prepared under his strict scrutiny. Being the Chairman of the Planning Commission he formulates the Five Year Plans & other economic Programmes for the Country.

Barring this, the Prime Minister represents the Counry in international Conferences, Pays Official visits to foreign countries, maintains relations with the UN and other international organisations, negociates with the heads of the states and signs treaties and agreements.

The Indian Prime Minister occupies a position of exceptional and over whelming authority and is for all purposes, the real cheif executive. The powers listed are, by far, a modest appreciation of the PM's position.

Section D - ECONOMICS

Q11) Give two reasons why small scale sector be given special treatment in India. (Marks 2)
Ans 11) Small scale sector should be given special treatment in India because of the following reasons:
(1) Small scale industries are labour intensive & capital light industries by their very nature. In our economy, capital is already a scarce factor; the growth of small scale industries can absorb the surplus labour without leaving any additional burden on the already scare capital resources.
(2) Moreover, the growth of small scale industries helps in the decentralization of the industrial structure. Thus, it helps in reducing regional disparities.

Q12) Write briefly about the two main objectives of economic planning in India. (Marks 3)
Ans 12) The basic or central objective of economic planning in India is to abolish poverty & to achieve highest possible standard of living for its masses. To achieve this, certain related aims also have to be clearly defined. These are as follows:-

(1) Rapid increase in production - One of the objectives of planning is to raise the level of production which is possible by (a) improving agriculture & helping raise its productivity. This in turn can be achieved by providing good land system, irrigation, manure fertilizers, better seeds, finance & better marketing facilities, etc. (b) helping industrial growth. This can be achieved by raising investment in public sector, providing guidance & assistance to the private sector, etc., and (c) promoting the growth of trade, commerce & varied types of services.

(2) Rapid increase in employment - Unemployment & underemployment are two evils that have plagued our economy for quite a long period. One of the important objectives of planning in India has been to expand employment opportunities: first, to make better use of available manpower resources, and second, to provide means of livelihood to the growing population.

Q 13) Name six kinds of inputs other than Land in Indian agriculture. Explain briefly any one of these: (Marks 3+2=5)
Ans 13)
Six kinds of inputs used in agriculture are:-
(1) Seeds
(2) Labour
(3) Irrigation
(4) Manures & fertilizers
(5) Storage facilities
(6) Technical know -how

This is the foremost input that increases per capita productivity. Application of modern means of production includes improved varieties of seeds (HYV), chemical fertilizers, irrigation, etc. It is desirable for the Government to impart education and technical know-how in a formal way so as to derive full benefit from modern techniques of agricultural production