📘 CBSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

Class XII – Geography (Course A)

Chapter 1: Human Geography – Nature and Scope

Total Marks: 70
Time: 3 Hours

SECTION A — VERY SHORT ANSWER (MCQs & One-word) [1 × 14 = 14 Marks]

Q1. Human Geography deals with:

a) Physical features only
b) Human and natural relationships
c) Climate elements only
d) Rocks and minerals
Answer: b) Human and natural relationships

Q2. Who is regarded as the father of possibilism?

Answer: Paul Vidal de la Blache

Q3. Which concept believes that “nature is the dominant force and humans follow nature”?

a) Determinism
b) Possibilism
c) Behaviouralism
d) Radical geography
Answer: a) Determinism

Q4. ‘Stop and Go Determinism’ was given by _____.

Answer: Griffith Taylor

Q5. Which branch studies population size, structure, distribution and migration?

a) Cultural geography
b) Political geography
c) Population geography
d) Economic geography
Answer: c) Population geography

Q6. Identify the term: “Human reshaping of nature with technology.”

Answer: Humanisation of Nature

Q7. Name the phase in which geography adopted mathematical and statistical methods.

Answer: Quantitative Revolution

Q8. Which discipline is closely related to Human Geography for studying human culture?

Answer: Anthropology

Q9. The study of ‘health conditions and diseases’ falls under which sub-field?

Answer: Medical Geography

Q10. Who proposed the idea that “Nature offers possibilities, humans choose”?

Answer: Possibilists

Q11. The cultural landscape is created by _____.

Answer: Humans / Human activities

Q12. The study of villages and rural life is called _____.

Answer: Rural Geography

Q13. Which revolution changed human–nature relationships permanently?

Answer: Neolithic Revolution

Q14. Which approach focuses on social justice and inequality?

Answer: Radical Geography

SECTION B — SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (2 × 6 = 12 Marks)

Q15. Define Human Geography.

Answer:
Human Geography is the study of the relationship between humans and their natural environment. It examines how humans adapt to, modify and organise space on the earth through economic, social, cultural and political activities.

Q16. Mention any two features of Environmental Determinism.

Answer:

1. It considers nature as the dominant force controlling human activities.
2. Climate, landforms and natural resources determine lifestyle, culture, economy and human behaviour.

Q17. What is meant by the Naturalisation of Humans?

Answer:
Naturalisation of humans refers to the stage when humans lived in complete dependence on nature. Early humans adapted their lifestyles according to natural conditions such as climate, water, vegetation and landforms due to limited technology.

Q18. State two differences between Physical Geography and Human Geography.

Answer:

1. Physical Geography studies natural features; Human Geography studies human and cultural features.
2. Physical Geography explains landforms and climate; Human Geography explains settlement, economy and population.

Q19. Give two examples of sub-fields of Economic Geography.

Answer:

1. Agricultural Geography
2. Industrial Geography
   (Other valid answers: Transport Geography, Trade Geography)

Q20. What is the main idea behind Neo-determinism?

Answer:
Neo-determinism believes nature sets limits, but humans can develop within these limits. Human actions must be environmentally responsible to avoid ecological damage.

SECTION C — SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (3 × 6 = 18 Marks)

Q21. Explain the concept of Humanisation of Nature with examples.

Answer:
Humanisation of Nature occurs when humans use knowledge, tools and technology to modify the environment.
Examples:

1. Building dams to control rivers.
2. Using irrigation to overcome low rainfall.
3. Urban development on natural land.
   This shows humans as active agents shaping nature.

Q22. Describe any three sub-fields of Human Geography.

Answer:

1. Cultural Geography: Studies language, religion, traditions, and cultural landscapes.
2. Political Geography: Studies boundaries, nations, geopolitics, federalism and elections.
3. Urban Geography: Studies cities, growth patterns, land use, transport and urban problems.

Q23. What are the characteristics of Human Geography as a discipline?

Answer:

1. Deals with spatial organisation of human activities.
2. Connects natural sciences with social sciences.
3. Examines cultural and economic diversity across regions.
4. Dynamic and evolving with technological and social changes.
5. Focuses on human–environment interaction.

Q24. Explain the role of technology in changing human–nature relationships.

Answer:
Technology empowers humans to:

1. Overcome natural limitations (e.g., irrigation in deserts).
2. Exploit resources (e.g., mining, industrialisation).
3. Modify landscapes (e.g., roads, ports, urbanisation).
   Thus, technology shifts dependence to control and management of nature.

Q25. Discuss three major phases in the evolution of Human Geography.

Answer:

1. Environmental Determinism: Nature dominates man.
2. Possibilism: Man chooses activities within natural limits.
3. Quantitative Revolution: Use of mathematics and models for accuracy.

Q26. How does Human Geography interact with Economics and Sociology?

Answer:

• Economics: Human Geography studies distribution of industries, crops, labour, markets and trade; economics studies production and consumption.
• Sociology: Both study social groups, caste, communities, urbanisation and demographic changes.
  Together they help understand human behaviour in space.

SECTION D — LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (5 × 4 = 20 Marks)

Q27. Describe in detail the relationship between Humans and Nature.

Answer:
Human–Nature relationship is central to Human Geography.

• Early humans lived in harmony with nature due to technological limitations.
• Nature influenced shelter, food, movement, occupations and culture.
• With technological advances, humans modified nature—irrigation, dams, machines, settlements, industries.
• Humanisation of nature created cultural landscapes.
• Today, both are interdependent; misuse of nature creates problems like pollution, climate change.
• Sustainable development is essential to balance this relationship.

Q28. Explain the broad fields and sub-fields of Human Geography.

Answer:
Human Geography is a vast discipline divided into many branches:

1. Population Geography – distribution, density, migration, growth.
2. Cultural Geography – language, religion, traditions, identity.
3. Political Geography – elections, boundaries, geopolitics, states.
4. Economic Geography – agriculture, industry, transport, trade.
5. Historical Geography – evolution of landscapes and societies.
6. Social Geography – caste, class, ethnicity, community structure.
7. Urban Geography – towns, cities, metropolitan regions, spatial planning.
8. Rural Geography – villages, agriculture, rural economy.
9. Environmental Geography – ecosystems, pollution, resource conservation.
10. Medical Geography – disease patterns and health services.
11. Tourism Geography – tourist regions, cultural heritage, economic impact.

These sub-fields collectively explain human life on earth.

Q29. Discuss the major approaches that shaped Human Geography in the 20th century.

Answer:

1. Deterministic Approach: Nature controls humans; climate determines culture.
2. Possibilist Approach: Nature offers opportunities; humans decide.
3. Behavioural Approach: Focus on human perception, emotions, decisions.
4. Humanistic Approach: Focus on meaning of place, human experiences.
5. Radical/Marxist Approach: Focus on inequality, exploitation, social justice.
6. Post-modern Approach: Emphasis on diversity, multiple narratives and identities.

These approaches made human geography more inclusive and scientific.

Q30. “Human Geography is a synthesis of physical and social sciences.” Explain.

Answer:

• Human Geography links natural sciences (like climatology, geomorphology, ecology) with social sciences (like sociology, economics, political science).
• Human activities depend on natural conditions; resources and climate shape occupations.
• Social processes, technology, population and culture influence the way humans modify nature.
• Thus, Human Geography combines natural constraints with human creativity, making it a true synthesis of environment and society.

SECTION E — MAP SKILL (1 × 6 = 6 Marks)

Q31. On a blank outline map of the world, mark the following:

a) A region dominated by nomadic herding
b) A major industrial region
c) A densely populated region
d) A sparsely populated region
e) A major port city
f) One cultural region

Answer (Description for checking):

a) Central Asia
b) North-Eastern USA / Western Europe
c) South Asia
d) Sahara Desert
e) Shanghai / Rotterdam (any one)
f) Middle East / Latin America (any one)