SSLC SECOND TERM EXAM 2025
SOCIAL SCIENCE - ANSWER KEY
Standard: X
Time: 2½ Hours
Total Score: 80
Note: This answer key provides suggested answers. In questions with choices (OR), answers for both options are provided where possible.
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (1-8)
Each question carries 1 score. (8 × 1 = 8)
1. Identify the correct pairs from the following.
Answer:
Explanation: The correct pairs are: i) Linguistic Provinces Commission of 1948 - S.K.Dhar and iv) Instrument of Accession - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
2. Who described the decision of Gandhiji to stop the Non-Cooperation Movement as a "national calamity"?
Answer:
Explanation: Subhas Chandra Bose strongly disagreed with Gandhi's decision to halt the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident.
3. Choose the correct pairs related to the equatorial climatic region.
Answer:
Explanation: The correct pairs are: South America - Brazil and Africa - Democratic Republic of Congo, both having significant equatorial regions.
4. Which among the following preventive measures is not against the spread of fake news and messages?
Answer:
Explanation: Sharing unverified news on social media contributes to the spread of fake news, not prevents it.
5. Identify the right pairs associated with Reformation.
Answer:
Explanation: Correct pairs: Martin Luther - Germany, Henry VIII - England, Huldrych Zwingli - Switzerland. John Calvin was associated with Switzerland, not Italy.
6. Which among the following is an example for slow movement (diastrophic movement)?
Answer:
Explanation: Orogenic processes (mountain building) are slow diastrophic movements, unlike earthquakes, volcanism, and landslides which are rapid.
7. Rearrange the payment systems with appropriate descriptions.
Answer:
Explanation: NEFT makes bank transactions easier/faster, RTGS transfers large amounts, and UPI allows connecting accounts via mobile app.
8. Sort out the following as true and false statements.
Answer:
Explanation: League of Nations formed after WWI (true); Blackshirts were Mussolini's militia (false); Soviet Union & USA were Allies, not Axis (false); Gestapo was Nazi secret police (true).
Section B: Short Answer Questions (9-16)
Answer in two or more sentences. Each carries 2 score. (8 × 2 = 16)
9. (A) Compare the painting styles of Middle Ages and Renaissance period
Suggested Answer: Medieval paintings were predominantly religious, two-dimensional, symbolic, and followed Gothic/Byzantine styles with gold backgrounds. Renaissance paintings embraced realism, perspective, humanism, naturalism, and secular themes, focusing on anatomical accuracy and depth.
OR (B) Substantiate the importance of Dante's 'The Divine Comedy' based on Renaissance values.
Suggested Answer: Dante's work, written in vernacular Italian (not Latin), emphasized humanism, individualism, and critical thinking. It explored human morality, reason, and the afterlife, reflecting Renaissance values of human potential and classical learning revival.
10. (A) a) Identify the type of rainfall shown in the picture. b) How does this rain occur?
Suggested Answer (if picture shows convectional rainfall): a) Convectional rainfall. b) It occurs when the sun heats the ground, causing warm air to rise, cool, condense, and form cumulonimbus clouds that release heavy rainfall, often with thunderstorms.
OR (B) How does the direction of flow of air within cyclones and anticyclones vary in Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
Suggested Answer: In cyclones, air moves inward and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, inward and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. In anticyclones, air moves outward and clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, outward and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, due to the Coriolis effect.
11. (A) Individual problems or complex social problems cannot be understood properly by using commonsense knowledge. Substantiate based on housing problems.
Suggested Answer: Commonsense might blame individuals for housing issues, but sociological analysis reveals structural factors: urbanization, economic inequality, government policies, land speculation, and discrimination. These require systematic study beyond commonsense.
OR (B) What do you mean by self-reflexivity? Elucidate its importance in sociological imagination.
Suggested Answer: Self-reflexivity is critically examining one's own biases, assumptions, and social position. In sociological imagination, it helps researchers recognize how their background influences interpretation, ensuring objectivity and deeper understanding of social issues.
12. (A) How does utility become individual-based? Elucidate with an example.
Suggested Answer: Utility is subjective; value depends on individual preferences. For example, a raincoat has high utility for someone in rainy area but low utility for someone in a desert, showing utility varies per individual needs/circumstances.
OR (B) Nandu's case: promised good job abroad but got inadequate job. What steps can resolve this?
Suggested Answer: 1) File complaint with institution; 2) Contact embassy/consulate; 3) Approach consumer court for false promises; 4) Report to Ministry of External Affairs; 5) Seek legal aid; 6) Contact NGOs helping migrant workers.
13. What do you mean by velocity of circulation of money? How does it influence economic growth?
Suggested Answer: Velocity of money is the rate at which money circulates in an economy (number of times money changes hands). Higher velocity indicates more transactions, increased demand, production, and economic growth. Lower velocity may signal economic slowdown.
14. Elucidate the role of opposition parties in shaping public opinion.
Suggested Answer: Opposition parties critique government policies, offer alternatives, expose failures, mobilize public through rallies/media, and raise issues in legislature. They ensure accountability, debate, and inform citizens, shaping public opinion against government dominance.
15. Mention the key proposals of Cabinet Mission.
Suggested Answer: Key proposals: 1) United India with a weak central government; 2) Three groups of provinces (Hindu-majority, Muslim-majority NW, Muslim-majority NE); 3) Constituent Assembly to draft constitution; 4) Interim government with representation from major parties.
16. What do you mean by the term 'spread' in the income of commercial banks?
Suggested Answer: 'Spread' refers to the difference between the interest rate banks charge on loans and the interest rate they pay on deposits. It is a primary source of bank income, covering operational costs and generating profit.
Section C: Medium Answer Questions (17-22)
Answer in three or more sentences. Each carries 3 score. (6 × 3 = 18)
17. Why do people live in volcanic regions even though volcanoes are dangerous?
Suggested Answer: Volcanic soils are extremely fertile for agriculture. These regions offer geothermal energy resources, tourism opportunities, and mineral wealth. Communities often have historical/cultural ties, and with modern monitoring, risks can be managed, making benefits outweigh dangers for many.
18. Elucidate the participation of various sections in Civil Disobedience Movement.
Suggested Answer: Women: Participated in protests, picketing, rallies, and salt manufacturing, breaking social norms. Tribal people: Joined forest satyagrahas against restrictive laws, asserting rights over forest resources. Labourers: Engaged in strikes, boycotts, and supported nationalist causes, though industrial worker participation was limited compared to peasants.
19. (A) Although equatorial regions have thick forests, commercial extraction remains challenging. Analyse.
Suggested Answer: Challenges include: dense biodiversity making selective logging difficult; lack of transport infrastructure; heavy rainfall causing soil erosion; high humidity deteriorating timber; international regulations against deforestation; and remote locations increasing costs.
OR (B) Describe lifestyle changes of Eskimos through contact with Europeans.
Suggested Answer: Traditional hunting/fishing supplemented by store-bought goods; introduction of firearms, snowmobiles replacing dog sleds; Western clothing; settlement in permanent communities; formal education; exposure to cash economy; and cultural changes including language and religion shifts.
20. What are various banking services provided by commercial banks?
Suggested Answer: Services include: accepting deposits (savings, current, fixed); providing loans (personal, business, housing); money transfer (NEFT, RTGS, IMPS); locker facilities; issuing bank drafts/cheques; debit/credit cards; internet/mobile banking; foreign exchange; and investment services like mutual funds.
21. (A) Mention main ideas in Declaration of Human Rights of France.
Suggested Answer: Key ideas: natural and inalienable rights (liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression); equality before law; freedom of speech, religion; presumption of innocence; sovereignty residing in nation; and separation of powers to prevent tyranny.
OR (B) Evaluate educational reforms implemented by Napoleon in France.
Suggested Answer: Napoleon established the University of France, centralized education under state control, standardized curriculum emphasizing obedience/discipline, created lycées for secondary education, and promoted technical/scientific education to produce efficient administrators and loyal citizens for the state.
22. How do earthquakes occur? Elucidate.
Suggested Answer: Earthquakes occur due to sudden release of energy along faults in Earth's crust. Tectonic plates move, building stress at plate boundaries. When stress exceeds rock strength, rocks fracture and slip, releasing seismic waves that cause ground shaking. Volcanic activity or human actions (mining, reservoirs) can also trigger earthquakes.
Section D: Long Answer Questions (23-29)
Answer in four or more sentences. Each carries 4 score. (7 × 4 = 28)
23. What is mercantilism? How did it help European countries increase wealth?
Suggested Answer: Mercantilism was an economic policy (16th-18th centuries) emphasizing national wealth through favorable trade balance, accumulation of precious metals, and state intervention. It helped European countries by: establishing colonies for raw materials; creating monopolies; imposing tariffs on imports; promoting domestic industries; and accumulating gold/silver through trade surpluses, funding state power and military expansion.
24. (A) (i) What is inflation? (ii) Analyze table on inflation rates.
Suggested Answer: (i) Inflation is sustained increase in general price level, reducing purchasing power. (ii) a) In Sept 2023, India's total inflation (6.83%) was higher than Kerala's (5.02%), indicating Kerala had better price stability. b) Kerala's total inflation decreased from 6.26% (Aug) to 5.02% (Sept), a reduction of 1.24 percentage points, showing significant improvement.
OR (B) Explain how RBI acts as banker's bank and government's bank.
Suggested Answer: As banker's bank: RBI maintains accounts for commercial banks, acts as lender of last resort, clears interbank transactions, sets CRR/SLR, and regulates banking operations. As government's bank: RBI manages central/state government accounts, handles public debt, issues government securities, advises on financial matters, and acts as fiscal agent.
25. Non-Cooperation Movement was important method in Indian freedom struggle. Explain.
Suggested Answer: It marked shift to mass, nonviolent resistance under Gandhi. Methods included boycotting British goods, institutions, courts, titles; promoting swadeshi and khadi; involving students, women, peasants nationwide. It united diverse groups, fostered national consciousness, challenged British economic/political authority, and established Gandhi's leadership, laying groundwork for future movements.
26. Explain how apparent movement of sun affects Tundra region's climate.
Suggested Answer: Due to Earth's tilt, Tundra experiences extreme seasonal variations. In summer, continuous daylight (midnight sun) allows slight warming (avg. 3-12°C), melting surface snow and enabling brief plant growth. In winter, prolonged darkness (polar night) causes extreme cold (-34°C to -28°C), freezing ground permanently (permafrost). Low sun angle even in summer limits heat, maintaining cold climate year-round.
27. Art and literature influence formation of public opinion. Substantiate with examples.
Suggested Answer: Art/literature reflect and shape societal values. Examples: Renaissance art promoted humanism, challenging medieval dogma. Dickens' novels exposed Victorian industrial exploitation, influencing social reforms. Indian nationalist literature (e.g., Bankim Chandra's Anandamath) fostered anti-colonial sentiment. Picasso's Guernica condemned war, shaping pacifist opinion. Contemporary films/media raise awareness on issues like climate change or equality.
28. Identify and mark on world map:
Locations: A) Atacama Desert - West coast of South America (Chile/Peru). B) Mediterranean climate in North America - California coast. C) Downs - Southeastern Australia. D) Temperate grasslands in Asia - Steppes (Central Asia, Mongolia).
29. Explain steps taken for integration of princely states.
Suggested Answer: Steps: 1) Persuasion by Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon; 2) Instrument of Accession for defense, foreign affairs, communications; 3) Standstill Agreements for continuity; 4) Referendum in some states (Junagadh); 5) Military action in Hyderabad (Operation Polo); 6) Creation of states union for larger states; 7) Constitutional provisions for privy purses and privileges initially.
Section E: Detailed Answer Questions (30-31)
Answer in detail. Each carries 5 score. (2 × 5 = 10)
30. (A) Along with Gandhian methods, other methods influenced freedom movement. Substantiate based on revolutionary activities and peasant movements.
Suggested Answer: Revolutionary activities: Early 20th-century revolutionaries (Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, etc.) used armed struggle, assassinations, and propaganda to inspire youth, challenge British militarily, and keep radical resistance alive, complementing Gandhi's nonviolence. Peasant movements: Movements like Champaran (1917), Kheda (1918), Bardoli (1928), and Tebhaga (1946) addressed local grievances, mobilized rural masses, linked economic demands with nationalism, and demonstrated mass capacity for protest, strengthening the broader struggle.
OR (B) Elucidate concept of totalitarianism. Examine similarities in Italy and Germany.
Suggested Answer: Totalitarianism is a regime seeking complete control over all aspects of public/private life through ideology, terror, propaganda, and single-party rule. Similarities in Italy (Fascism) and Germany (Nazism): 1) Extreme nationalism and militarism; 2) Charismatic leader cult (Mussolini/Hitler); 3) One-party dictatorship suppressing opposition; 4) Use of secret police (OVRA/Gestapo) and terror; 5) Control of media/education for propaganda; 6) Aggressive foreign expansionism; 7) Scapegoating minorities (Jews in Germany, ethnic groups in Italy).
31. (A) Natural vegetation of equatorial region maintains global ecological balance. Substantiate.
Suggested Answer: Equatorial rainforests are "lungs of the planet" – they absorb massive CO2, produce oxygen, regulate global climate by influencing rainfall patterns and temperature through transpiration, host immense biodiversity (50% of world's species), maintain soil fertility via nutrient cycling, and act as carbon sinks mitigating climate change. Their preservation is crucial for atmospheric balance, water cycles, and biodiversity conservation globally.
OR (B) What is weathering? Explain different types.
Suggested Answer: Weathering is breakdown of rocks in situ by atmospheric/biological agents. Types: 1) Physical/Mechanical: Disintegration without chemical change, e.g., freeze-thaw, thermal expansion, salt crystallization, root pressure. 2) Chemical: Decomposition via chemical reactions, e.g., oxidation, hydration, carbonation, hydrolysis (acid rain dissolving limestone). 3) Biological: Through living organisms, e.g., plant roots fracturing rocks, lichen acids, burrowing animals.
Disclaimer: This answer key provides model answers for reference. Actual exam evaluation may consider alternative valid points. Students should consult official sources for definitive answers.