SHALOM HILLS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION (2022-23)

SUBJECT –SOCIAL SCIENCE
CLASS –VIII
SAMPLE PAPER
ANSWER KEY

Name:__________________ Date:
Time: 3Hrs M. M.80
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General Instructions:

i. Read the paper carefully.

ii. All questions are compulsory.
iii. Attempt the paper neatly and legibly.
iv. Questions from serial No. 1 to 19 are very short answer questions. Each carry 1 mark.
Answer as per instructions.
v. Question No. 20 to 28 are 3 marks question, should not exceed 80 words each. (Three points)
vi. Questions from serial No. 29 to 34 are 5 marks questions, and should not exceed 120 words
each. (Five Points)
vii. Question No. 35 is a map question, 35-A-2 marks from History & 35-B- 2 marks from Geography.
viii. After completion, attach the map inside your answer book.

SECTION -A

1. Haider Ali was the ruler of _______. (1)

A. Bengal
B. Delhi
C. Mysore
D. Madras

2. European trading companies were attracted to India due to ______. (1)

A. Cheap Land
B. Cheap Labour
C. Raw materials like cotton, silk and spices
D. None of these

3. The term Slave meant _________. (1)

A. Paid Worker
B. Person owned by someone else – the slave owner
C. Royal Person
D. All of these

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4. Resources used carefully and giving them time to get renewed is called ______. (1)

A. Resource conservation
B. Resource planning
C. Resource depletion
D. Resource development

5. ________ forests do not shed their leaves simultaneously in any season of the year. (1)

A. Deciduous
B. Evergreen
C. Coniferous
D. None of these

6. What is the name of the Kingship or rule of a king? (1)

A. Democracy
B. Constitution
C. Monarchy
D. Dictatorship

7. The Indian Constitution intervened in Hindu religious practices in order to abolish ______ (1)
A. Education for the girl child
B. Untouchability
C. Sati
D. Child Labour

8. EVM was used throughout India, for the first time in ________. (1)
A. 2004
B. 2007
C. 2006
D. None of these

9. _______ functions primarily as the representative of the states of India in Parliament. (1)

A. Lok Sabha
B. Parliament
C. Vidhan Sabha
D. Rajya Sabha

10. Faujdari Adalat refers to criminal court. (1)

11. The Kalamkari weave was created by the weavers of Andhra Pradesh. (1)

12. Human Resource refers to the number and ability of people. (1)

13. Water availability per person in India is declining. (1)

14. The Fundamental rights are based on secular principles. (1)

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 15. One of the major functions of the Parliament is to select the Executive. (1)

16. In 1600, the East India Company acquired a charter from Queen Elizabeth 1. (1)

17. In British revenue records, mahal is a revenue state which may be a village or group of villages. (1)
18. Human factors such as population and technology are also important determinants of Land
Use pattern. (True/ False) (1)
19. Changes of climate and human interferences can cause the loss of natural habitats for the

plants and animals. (True/ False) (1)

SECTION B

20. Name the policy devised by Lord Dalhousie for annexation purpose and explain how it worked and also
name states annexed under this policy. (3)
• Ans - Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General from 1848 – 1856 and he was reason behind the final
wave of annexations. He devised a policy that came to be known as Doctrine of Lapse.
• The policy declared that if an Indian ruler died without any male heir, his kingdom would lapse and that
will become part of the Company territory.
• The states which were annexed under this policy were:
Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1850), Udaipur (1852), Nagpur (1853), and Jhansi (1854).

21. Give a brief description of the ‘ryotwari system’. (3)

• Ans - The ‘ryotwari system’ was introduced by Captain Alexander Read. This system was further
developed by Thomas Munro.
• According to the new system the revenue was to be collected directly from the farmers or ryots.
• This was necessary as the zamindari system was not prevalent in the southern regions.
• The lands of each farmer were separately assessed and the revenue was fixed accordingly.
This system was also known as the Munro System.

22. What were the findings of the Indigo Commission? (3)

Ans - The Indigo Commission was set up to enquire into the system of indigo production.

• The Commission declared that the Planters were unfair and that the farmers were not paid enough for
their toil.
• The Commission also stated that in future the farmers could refuse to grow indigo plants and the Planters
did not have a right to force them.

23. Write a brief note on the struggle for freedom in Nepal. (3)
• Ans - In Nepal, there was a people’s struggle for freedom in 1990. Democracy was established and it
lasted for 12 years until 2002.
• In October 2002, King Gyanendra began taking over the government with the assistance of the army. In
2005 King Gyanendra took over as the head of the government.
• In 2006 people’s movement for democracy began gaining immense force.

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 • In April 2006 the King restored the Third Parliament and asked the political parties to form a government.
• In 2007, Nepal adopted an Interim Constitution and Nepal gained political freedom.

24. Complete the following table: (3)

Objective Why is it
important

One religious community does not dominate another

The state does not enforce any particular religion nor

take away the religious freedom of individuals

That some members do not dominate other members

of the same religious community

Ans -
Objective Why is it important

One religious community It is important because the Constitution gives

does not dominate the right to religious freedom to all and if it is
another not provided there may be chances of riots
and a disturbance of harmony in the country.

The state does not It is important so that every individual in a

enforce any particular country has the right to follow the religion of
religion nor take away the their choice. This is what makes the nation a
religious freedom of secular country.
individuals

That some members do Religion cannot be divided on the basis of

not dominate other wealth or creed. Hence, it is important that
members of the same no member dominates other members from
religious community the same religion. Following their religion is
the right of every individual.

25. What is a Parliament? Explain the working of the Parliament? (1+2)

ANS – The Parliament of India consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

• The executive is a group of persons who work together to implement the laws made by the
Parliament. The Parliament session begins with a question hour.

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 • The question hour is an important mechanism through which MP’s (Executive) can elicit information
about the working of the government.
• By asking questions, the government is alerted to its shortcomings and also comes to know the
opinion of the people.
• Similarly, executives from the opposition party highlights the drawbacks in various policies and
programmes of the government. In this way they play a critical role in the healthy functioning of
democracy.

26. What can we do to conserve resources? (3)

ANS - To conserve natural resources we have to:

• Ensure that our natural resources are preserved.

• Ensure that we do not destroy our ecosystem.
• Renew resources where ever and whenever possible.

27. What are bio reserves? (3)

• ANS - Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems which are internationally
recognized within the framework of UNESCO.
• These reserves are rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage and encompass unique ecosystems. The goal
is the conservation of landscapes and their immense biological diversity.
• There are twelve Biosphere Reserves in India. They aim to protect ecosystems and also serve as
laboratories for evolving alternative models of development. Research and development projects are
also supported.

28. What are the causes for the destruction of natural vegetation and wildlife? (3)
ANS - Natural vegetation and wildlife are destroyed by man and by nature.
Man-made causes for destruction are:-

• Deforestation.
• Construction Activities.
• Agricultural Expansion.
• Soil Erosion.

Natural causes for destruction are: -

• Climate Change.
• Forest Fires.
• Tsunamis.
• Landslides.
• Earth Quakes.
• Floods.

SECTION C

29. Describe the changes that occurred in the composition of the Company’s army. (5)
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• Ans - East India Company adopted its own method when it began recruitment for the army.
• It was known as the sepoy army (from the Indian word sipahi, meaning soldier).
• With the change in warfare technology from the 1820s, the cavalry needs of the Company’s army
declined, because the British empire was fighting in Burma, Afghanistan, and Egypt. There the soldiers
were armed with muskets and matchlocks
• The soldiers had to keep pace with changing military requirements.
• Its infantry regiments now became more important.
• In the early 19th century the British began to develop a uniform military culture.
• Soldiers were given European-style training drills and discipline.
• They regulated their life far more than before.
• Often this created problems since caste and community feelings were ignored in building a force of
professional soldiers.

30. What were the circumstances which led to the eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal? (5)
ANS - The collapse of indigo production in Bengal was caused by the following circumstances:
a. The indigo ryots of Bengal now had the support of local zamindars and village headmen in their struggle
against the forceful and oppressive methods of the indigo planters.
b. They also believed the British government would support them in their struggle.
c. The Lieutenant Governor’s tour of the region in 1859 was seen as a sign of sympathy
d. While the magistrate’s notice stating that ryots would not be compelled to accept indigo contracts was
seen as the declaration by the Queen Victoria herself.
e. In March 1859, thousand of ryots refused to grow indigo.
f. Worried by the rebellion, the government set up the Indigo Commission to inquire into the system of
indigo production.
g. The Commission held the planters guilty.
h. It declared that indigo cultivation was not profitable for ryots and that after fulfilling the existing
contracts, they could refuse to produce indigo in future.
Consequently, indigo production collapsed in Bengal.

31. What is Indian Secularism? Explain the three strategies followed by the Indian government to ensure
secularism. (2+3)
Ans - According to the Indian Constitution Indian Secularism is:
• The state neither enforces any particular religion nor takes away the religious freedom of
individuals.
• One religious community does not dominate another.
• That same members do not dominate the other members of the same community.
The three strategies followed by the Indian government to ensure secularism are:
• Firstly, it uses the strategy of distancing itself from any religion. The Indian state is not ruled by a
religious group nor does it support any one religion.

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 • The second way is through a strategy of non-interference. This means that in order to respect the
sentiments of all religions and not interfere with religious practices, the state makes certain
exceptions for particular religious’ communities.
• Thirdly, it follows a policy of intervention in matters, which can affect society, example the
government make laws to abolish untouchability prevailing in Hindu religion.

32. A. Why do you think there are so few women candidate in parliament? (2)

ANS - Absence of any system for proper representation of women in the parliament such as, reservation
of seats for women.

• Discrimination against women in a male dominated society.

B. What is the role of opposition party play in the healthy functioning of a democracy? (3)

ANS - The Opposition party asks questions about the working of the government. The government is
alerted of its shortcomings, and also know the opinion of the people through their representatives in
the Parliament.

• They highlight drawbacks in various policies and programmes of the government and mobilise popular
support for their own policies.

• Thus, the Opposition parties play a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy.

33. Explain the term sustainable development. What are some principles of sustainable development?
(5)
ANS - Sustainable development means development should take place without damaging the
environment and development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the
future generations.

The principles of sustainable development are:

• Respect and care for all forms of life.
• Improve the quality of human life.
• Conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity.
• Minimise the depletion of natural resources.
• Change personal attitude and practices toward the environment.
• Enable communities to care for their own environment.

34. Write a brief note on distribution of natural vegetation. (5)

• ANS - The growth of vegetation depends primarily on temperature and moisture. The major vegetation
types of the world are grouped as forests, grasslands, scrubs and tundra.
• Forest - In areas of heavy rainfall, huge trees may thrive. The forests are thus associated with areas
having abundant water supply.
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• Grasslands - As the amount of moisture decreases the size of trees and their density reduces. Short
stunted trees and grasses grow in the regions of moderate rainfall forming the grasslands of the world.
• Scrubs - Thorny shrubs and scrubs grow in dry areas of low rainfall. In such areas plants have deep roots
and leaves with thorny and waxy surface reduce loss of moisture through transpiration.
• Tundra Vegetation - Tundra vegetation of cold Polar Regions comprises of mosses and lichens.

SECTION D
35. Map Work
A. On the given outline map of India, Locate the following places: (2)
i. Sambalpur
ii. Jhansi

B. On the same Political map of India, identify and locate the following the capitals of the following
states: (2)
i. Karnataka
ii. Manipur

A. (ii) JHANSI B. (ii) IMPHAL

A. (i) SAMBALPUR

B. (i)
BANGALORE

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