1. This practice paper covers the complete Geography syllabus (Contemporary India-II, Chapters 1–7) in the CBSE Social Science format.
2. Section A (Q1–10) carries 1 mark each — multiple-choice and assertion–reason.
3. Section B (Q11–14) carries 2 marks each — very short answers (≤40 words).
4. Section C (Q15–17) carries 3 marks each — short answers (≤60 words).
5. Section D (Q18–19) carries 5 marks each — long answers (≤120 words).
6. Section E (Q20–21) are source-based, 4 marks each (sub-parts 1+1+2).
7. These questions are deliberately set harder than the board paper. Attempt all, then open "Show answer". Assertion–Reason key: (a) Both A and R true and R is the correct explanation of A; (b) Both true but R is not the correct explanation; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.
Section A — Objective (10 × 1 = 10)
Multiple-choice and assertion–reason. Each distractor is a specific misconception — read carefully.
1Q1. A resource whose quantity is known but which cannot be used with current technology is classified, on the basis of status of development, as a:
Reserve
Stock
Developed resource
Potential resource
Show answer
(b) Stock — materials that have the potential to satisfy needs but which we lack the technology to use (e.g. hydrogen/oxygen in water for energy). A reserve is the subset of a stock that can be used with existing technology.
1Q2.Assertion (A): Over-irrigation causes land degradation in Punjab and Haryana. Reason (R): It leads to water-logging, which increases the salinity and alkalinity of the soil.
Show answer
(a) Both true and R explains A. Over-irrigation causes water-logging, raising soil salinity/alkalinity — which is exactly how it degrades land in Punjab and Haryana.
1Q3. Which conservation strategy does NOT directly involve community participation?
Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries
Joint Forest Management
Chipko Movement
Beej Bachao Andolan
Show answer
(a) Demarcation of wildlife sanctuaries — this is done by the government; the other three are community-led.
1Q4. Nehru called multi-purpose river valley projects the:
‘Temples of modern India’
‘Rivers of sorrow’
‘Golden fibre’
‘Lifelines of the economy’
Show answer
(a) ‘Temples of modern India’ — because they integrated agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialisation.
1Q5. Which is a rabi crop?
Gram
Rice
Cotton
Jute
Show answer
(a) Gram — a rabi crop sown in winter; rice, cotton and jute are kharif crops.
1Q6.Assertion (A): Minerals are finite and non-renewable resources. Reason (R): Their geological formation is extremely slow compared with the present rate of consumption.
Show answer
(a) Both true and R explains A. Because minerals form over millions of years while we consume them rapidly, replenishment is negligible — so they are finite and non-renewable.
1Q7. The finest iron ore with very high iron content and excellent magnetic qualities is:
Magnetite
Hematite
Bauxite
Lignite
Show answer
(a) Magnetite — up to 70% iron and magnetic (valuable in the electrical industry); hematite has slightly lower iron content (50-60%).
1Q8. Which industry uses bauxite as a raw material?
Aluminium smelting
Cement
Paper
Steel
Show answer
(a) Aluminium smelting — aluminium is obtained from bauxite.
1Q9. Which mode of transport reduces trans-shipment losses and delays?
Pipeline
Railways
Roadways
Waterways
Show answer
(a) Pipeline — once laid, it moves oil/gas continuously with minimal running cost and no trans-shipment losses or delays.
1Q10. ‘Balance of trade’ is favourable when:
The value of exports exceeds the value of imports
Imports exceed exports
Exports equal imports
There is no foreign trade
Show answer
(a) A favourable balance of trade means the value of exports exceeds imports; the reverse is unfavourable.
Section B — Very Short Answer (4 × 2 = 8)
Answer in about 40 words each.
2Q11. Name three states where black soil is found and the crop mainly grown in it.Show answer
Black (regur) soil is found in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat (also Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh). The crop mainly grown in it is cotton — hence it is also called ‘black cotton soil’; it retains moisture well.
2Q12. What is water scarcity and state its two main causes.Show answer
Water scarcity is the shortage of usable water relative to demand. Two main causes: (i) a large and growing population with over-exploitation of water for irrigation and industry (falling groundwater); and (ii) pollution of available water by domestic/industrial waste, making it unfit for use.
2Q13. Distinguish between ferrous and non-ferrous minerals with one example of each.Show answer
Ferrous minerals contain iron and form the base of the metallurgical industries — e.g. iron ore, manganese. Non-ferrous minerals do not contain iron and are used in engineering/electrical industries — e.g. copper, bauxite.
2Q14. State any three merits of roadways over railways.Show answer
(i) Lower construction cost than railway lines; (ii) roads can cross dissected/undulating terrain and steep gradients (even the Himalayas) and are economical for small loads over short distances; and (iii) they give door-to-door service and act as a feeder to other modes.
Section C — Short Answer (3 × 3 = 9)
Answer in about 60 words each. At least one question joins two chapters.
3Q15. Explain any three ways to control soil erosion in hilly and arid areas.Show answer
(i) Contour ploughing — ploughing along the contour lines to slow the flow of water down slopes; (ii) Terrace cultivation — cutting steps on hill slopes to restrict erosion (well developed in the western and central Himalayas); and (iii) Strip cropping and shelter belts — strips of grass between crops and rows of trees break the force of wind and have stabilised sand dunes in western India.
3Q16.(Joins Ch 5 & Ch 6.) Why is the Chhotanagpur plateau the ideal location for the iron and steel industry?Show answer
The iron and steel industry is a heavy industry needing bulky raw materials — iron ore, coking coal and limestone (≈4:2:1). The Chhotanagpur plateau offers the relative advantages of low-cost iron ore and high-grade raw materials in close proximity (coal of the Damodar valley, iron ore nearby), cheap labour from the densely populated region, and vast growth potential in the home market — so it has the maximum concentration of iron and steel plants.
3Q17. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.Show answer
Advantages: they provide irrigation, hydroelectric power, domestic and industrial water supply, flood control, navigation and fish breeding — integrating development (e.g. Bhakra-Nangal). Disadvantages: they affect the river's natural flow (sedimentation, poorer aquatic habitats), fragment rivers, submerge land and displace people (loss of livelihood), deprive floodplains of fertile silt, and can even trigger floods and cause soil salinisation.
Section D — Long Answer (2 × 5 = 10)
Answer in about 120 words each. Each needs more than one concept.
5Q18. ‘Resource planning is essential for sustainable development in India.’ Explain, describing the three stages of resource planning.Show answer
India has enormous diversity in resources — some regions are rich in minerals (Jharkhand), water (Arunachal) or solar/wind energy (Rajasthan) while others are deficient — so planning is needed for balanced, judicious use and to avoid over-exploitation that causes ecological crises. The three stages are: (1) identification and inventory of resources across regions (surveying, mapping, qualitative/quantitative estimation); (2) evolving a planning structure with appropriate technology, skill and institutional set-up; and (3) matching resource-development plans with overall national development plans. India has pursued this since the First Five Year Plan. Such planning supports sustainable development — using resources without compromising the needs of future generations.
5Q19. ‘The means of transport and communication are the lifelines of a nation and its economy.’ Justify with at least four points.Show answer
(1) Goods and services must move from supply areas to demand areas — without transport, production is useless, so the pace of development depends on efficient transport. (2) Railways have been a great integrating force, binding the country's economic life and aiding industry and agriculture. (3) Transport works only with an equally developed communication system (post, telecom, mass media) that spreads information. (4) Trade — local to international — adds vitality to the economy and earns foreign exchange, while tourism supports culture and handicrafts. (5) They connect even remote regions (border roads, airways in the north-east). Hence a dense, efficient network of transport and communication is a prerequisite for all trade — the lifelines of the economy.
Section E — Source-Based (2 × 4 = 8)
Read each source and answer the sub-parts (1 + 1 + 2 marks).
4Q20.
Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, only 55 km from Shillong (Meghalaya), receive the world's highest rainfall, yet the state capital Shillong faces an acute shortage of water — so nearly every household has a rooftop rainwater harvesting structure meeting 15-25% of its needs.
(20.1) What does this paradox show about water scarcity? (1) (20.2) Name the water-conservation method used in Shillong. (1) (20.3) Explain why this method is a suitable solution here. (2)Show answer
(20.1) It shows that water scarcity is not simply about low rainfall — even a very high-rainfall area can be scarce due to poor storage, distribution and management. (20.2)Rooftop rainwater harvesting.(20.3) It captures and stores the abundant rain locally at the household level, reducing dependence on an inadequate piped supply; it is cheap, reliable and meets a sizeable share of daily needs, which is why nearly every Shillong household uses it.
4Q21.
Pipeline is a new arrival on India's transport map. The far inland locations of refineries like Barauni, Mathura and Panipat and of gas-based fertiliser plants could be thought of only because of pipelines. Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running costs are minimal, and it rules out trans-shipment losses or delays.
(21.1) What do pipelines transport today? (1) (21.2) State one cost advantage of pipelines. (1) (21.3) Why did inland refineries become possible only because of pipelines? (2)Show answer
(21.1)Crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas (solids can go as slurry) from oil/gas fields to refineries, fertiliser factories and thermal plants. (21.2) The running cost is minimal and there are no trans-shipment losses or delays (though the initial laying cost is high). (21.3) Because pipelines can move oil and gas continuously over long distances very cheaply and reliably, they made it economical to locate refineries and fertiliser plants far inland (Barauni, Mathura, Panipat) — which road or rail transport could not do as efficiently.
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