SST PRACTICE PAPER-1 ANSWER KEY

Grade-8                                                                                                                                                               Answer-1

1.       When is the joint sitting of both the houses held concerning the passing of a bill?                  1

Ifs bill is not passed by the second house a joint session of the houses is held and the bill is voted upon. When both the houses pass the bill, it is sent to the President fir its approval.

2.       Why is the payment of Wages Act important for the protection of workers’ wages?                               1

The payment of wages Act is important because it protects the workers from illegal deduction in wages and unnecessary delay in payment of wages.

3.       Why is Wood’s despatch of 1854 described as the ‘Magna Carta of English education in India’?1

Wood’s despatch is described as the ‘Magna Carta of English education in India’ as it presented a comprehensive plan for the development of education system of India.

4.       What type of government did the makers of the Indian Constitution want for India?             2

The makers of the Indian Constitution wanted for India a government which would be sensitive to the needs of the people and fulfill them as they were deprived of the same during the oppressive British rule.

5.       What is the composition of the Rajya Sabha?                                                                                             2

Rajya Sabha can have maximum of 250 members out of which 12 members are nominated by the President from people who have special knowledge or practical experience in field of literature, science, art, sports etc.

6.       Explain the composition of the Lok Sabha.                                                                                                  2

The Lok Sabha can have maximum of 552 members out of which 530 are to be represented by States, 20 from Union Territories and no more than 2 members can be nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community.

7.       What was unique about the Sayajirao University of Baroda as compared to other universities of that time?                                                                                                                                                                       2

The Sayajirao University of Baroda had complete freedom to introduce new branches of studies suitable to the needs of the region in particular and of the country in general. It would be free to take decisions in all academic matters.

8.       When can at Vice President be removed?                                                                                                   2

The Vice President can be removed from office if a resolution is passed by majority of members of Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha should agree to the same. The resolution to remove the Vice President can be moved only if the President has been given a 14 day notice for the same.

9.       Mention the Executive Powers of the President.                                                                                     3

The President appoints the Prime Minister of the country. He/She also has the power to appoint the governors, ambassadors and other dignitaries of the state. The President of India is the supreme commander of the Indian defence forces, the Army, navy and Air Force. The President represents India when dealing with other countries.

10.   Why did Western education make more progress than traditional education during the time of the British?                                                                                                                                                                     3

English education was the only provision for higher appointments opened to the Indians. Further, the entire system of indigenous learning was dependent mainly on the patronage of opulent Hindu and Muslim families. As, a result Western Education made rapid progress and the traditional system of Indian learning gradually declined.

11.   Why was education in India during the pre- British period termed as flexible?                         3

Education in India in the pre-British period was termed as flexible because the local schools had no printed books, no fixed fee, no separate school building, no classrooms , no roll calls , no annual examinations and no fixed time table.

12.   What type of education did the British East India Company have to invest a sum of one lakh rupees annually?                                                                                                                                                 3

The British East India Company had to spend a sum not less than one lakh rupees annually on the revival and improvement of literature, to encourage the learned natives of India. It had to be also spent onthe introduction of the study of science among the subjects of the British territories of India.

13.   How does the form of government adopted by a country affect the lives of its people?       3

The form of government surely affects the lives of the people of the country. If the form of government is based on the principle of peace and equality to all it will have a peaceful existence and the people feel secured and the country progresses. For eg; the Parliament has passed various laws to uplift the downtrodden giving them reservations in education and jobs.

14.   Why did Western education make more progress than traditional education during the time of the British?                                                                                                                                                                     3

English education was the only provision for higher appointments opened to the Indians. Further, the entire system of indigenous learning was dependent mainly on the patronage of opulent Hindu and Muslim families. As, a result Western Education made rapid progress and the traditional system of Indian learning gradually declined.

15.   What was Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a school?                                                                              3

Rabindranath Tagore envisioned a school where a child would be free, happy, and creative and was able to explore his thoughts. He felt that self learning should be promoted from childhood and it should be outside the rigid schooling system of the British.

16.   What according to Mahatma Gandhi was the impact of colonial education on Indians?         3

Mahatma Gandhi believed that colonial education had enslaved Indians. They began admiring British rule and considered Western civilization to be superior. Indians educated in British institutions began to treat their own culture as inferior.

17.   Why is land an important geographical factor in location of industries?                                        3

Factories are generally located on the outskirts of the city because of availability of large areas required for their construction. This is also safe considering the fact that most industries may cause pollution and some of them handle hazardous raw material and products. Normally, flat land which is not prone to flooding is an ideal location for setting up industries.

18.   Steel is called the backbone of modern industry. Give reason.                                                          4

Steel is useful because of its hardness, strength, durability, low cost and wider utility. By adding small amount of aluminum, nickel and copper special alloys of steel can be made, which further makes steel an indispensible raw material. Transportation industry, engineering industry, construction industry, etc. all derives their raw material from steel industry. It is for this reason that steel is called the backbone of modern industry.

19.   Write a short note on Sikh Reforms.                                                                                                               4

Religious reforms among the Sikhs were initiated by the establishment of the Singh Sabha all over the country for the strengthening and purification of Sikh life.  It worked to promote education in the Sikh society. The leaders of the Sabha established Khalsa College at Amritsar in 1892. It sought to rid Sikhism from the prevailing superstitions and caste distinctions and to bring modernisation. Later the reformist tradition was continued by the Akali Dal which started a powerful movement to reform the Gurudwaras. The Mahants who looked after the Gurudwaras viewed the religious place as their personal property.

20.   How can agriculture make better use of natural resources for its development?                      4

Natural resources should be used judiciously, especially those of soil, water, plant and animal diversity, vegetation cover, renewable energy sources. Planning keeping in mind the climate, and ecosystem of the area is important. Agricultural development should focus not only on increased productivity but also on natural resource management. A broad plan of development which includes the different ecologies, locations and cultures in the area should be encouraged.

21.   The structure of the Indian judiciary is pyramidal in nature. Give reasons.                                   4

There are three levels of courts. There is one apex court, namely, the Supreme Court. It is the highest authority. Below the Supreme Court are High Courts located in each State. Some Union Territories have a common high court. Subordinate courts come at the bottom of the pyramidal structure. District courts, nyaya panchayats and lok adalats are some types of subordinate courts. The decision of the Supreme Court is final and binding on all other courts.

22.   What reforms were brought about by him with regards to women?                                                               5

Raja Rammohan Roy wanted to improve the condition of Indian women and bring about greater freedom and equality for them. He encouraged education for women and campaigned against the practice of sati. He tried to prove through his writings that the practice of sati was not permitted by the Hindu Shastras. His campaign though roused the hostility of the orthodox section of people against him but eventually in 1829, he succeeded in imposing a ban on sati under Governor- General Lord William Bentinck. He played a notable part in improving the condition of widows. He also opposed polygamy. He advocated widow remarriage and fought against child marriage.

23.   What efforts are taken by different countries to increase the agricultural production?         5

Agriculture started as a subsistence activity but most of the countries of the world are now making a serious effort to increase the production of the crops so as to meet the ever growing demand of food for the ever increasing population.

This can be achieved through:

Using improved methods of farming, Increasing land under cultivation, Growing more than one crop in a year, Improving irrigation facilities, Using high yielding variety of crops, Using organic and chemical fertilizer, Use of machinery to increase the productivity of the land.

24.   What are the powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India?                                                               5

The Prime Minister is responsible for framing the national policies of the government. The Prime Minister is responsible for the functioning of the Executive and the Legislature. The Prime Minister supervises the meetings of the Cabinet and Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister also supervises the work of other ministers. The Prime Minister also acts as a link between the President and the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister advises the President on all matters and the President is bound by Article 54 of the Indian Constitution to act on the former’s advice.

25.   What was the impact of educational policies of the British?                                                                               5

The British Government looked at modern education as the medium to strengthen the foundations of their political power in India. The decision to make English as the medium of Indian education failed to take into account the Muslims and women. Elementary schools were not opened in large numbers as more emphasis was given on modern and higher education. Therefore, mass education was neglected through vernacular schools. The government was not willing to spend on education more than the money allotted for the purpose and relied on the ‘filtration theory’. According to the theory, the government would educate a handful of Indians who would expect to educate the masses and spread modern ideas among them. English education was the only provision for higher appointments opened to the Indians. Further, the entire system of indigenous learning was dependent mainly on the patronage of opulent Hindu and Muslim families. As a result, Western education made rapid progress and the traditional system of Indian learning gradually declined.

26.   Mark the following in the world map given below.                                                                                 4

a.       wheat producing countries

b.      maize growing countries

c.       state where rubber plantations are found.

d.      Silicon Valley of USA - California