ADEPT YOURSELF
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CBSE CLASS X – SOCIAL SCIENCE (CODE NO. 087)
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER – SET 2 | ACADEMIC SESSION 2026–2027
General Instructions:
- The question paper comprises Six Sections: A, B, C, D, E and F.
- There are 37 questions in total.
- All questions are compulsory.
- Section A contains Questions 1–20. Each question carries 1 mark.
- Section B contains Questions 21–24. Each question carries 2 marks.
- Section C contains Questions 25–29. Each question carries 3 marks.
- Section D contains Questions 30–33. Each question carries 5 marks.
- Section E contains Questions 34–36. Each case-based question carries 4 marks.
- Section F contains Question 37, carrying 5 marks, based on map skills.
- Internal choices are provided in selected questions.
SECTION A – MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (20 Marks)
Q1.
Who among the following played an important role in the unification of Italy?
[1]
Q2.
Which event marked the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement in India?
[1]
Q3.
Which crop is mainly grown in areas having black soil and a warm climate?
[1]
Q4.
Which of the following best describes horizontal power sharing?
[1]
Q5.
Which one of the following is a non-renewable source of energy?
[1]
Q6.
Which institution supervises the formal sources of loans in India?
[1]
Q7.
Which one of the following is a major reason for the rapid spread of print culture in the nineteenth century?
[1]
Q8.
Which mineral is the basic raw material for the aluminium industry?
[1]
Q9.
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of federalism?
[1]
Q10.
Which of the following is an example of an organised sector activity?
[1]
Q11.
What was the main aim of the Rowlatt Act?
[1]
Q12.
Which soil is ideal for the cultivation of sugarcane, paddy and wheat?
[1]
Q13.
Which of the following is a regional political party?
[1]
Q14.
What is meant by collateral?
[1]
Q15.
Which factor has significantly enabled the process of globalisation?
[1]
Q16.
Which statement best explains the importance of political competition in democracy?
[1]
Q17.
Arrange the following events in chronological order:
I. Gandhi-Irwin Pact
II. Rowlatt Act
III. Lahore Congress Session
IV. Champaran Satyagraha [1]
I. Gandhi-Irwin Pact
II. Rowlatt Act
III. Lahore Congress Session
IV. Champaran Satyagraha [1]
Q18.
Which one of the following is primarily used in the cement industry?
[1]
Q19.
Assertion (A): Democracy enhances the quality of decision-making.
Reason (R): Democratic decisions generally involve discussion and consultation. [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Reason (R): Democratic decisions generally involve discussion and consultation. [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Q20.
Assertion (A): Globalisation has increased competition among producers.
Reason (R): Removal of trade barriers has allowed goods and services to move more freely across countries. [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Reason (R): Removal of trade barriers has allowed goods and services to move more freely across countries. [1]
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
SECTION B – VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (8 Marks)
Q21.
Explain any two ways in which the image of Bharat Mata helped in creating a feeling of nationalism in India.
[2]
Q22.
Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources with one example of each.
[2]
Q23.
Why is decentralisation considered an important feature of federalism?
[2]
OR
Why did Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated after independence?
Q24.
Why do banks keep only a small proportion of deposits as cash with themselves?
[2]
SECTION C – SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (15 Marks)
Q25.
Explain three ways in which the Non-Cooperation Movement spread among different social groups in India.
[3]
Q26.
Explain any three measures for the conservation of forests and wildlife in India.
[3]
OR
Explain three major reasons for the depletion of forests and wildlife.
Q27.
Explain any three features that make India a federal country.
[3]
Q28.
Why has the tertiary sector become increasingly important in the Indian economy? Give three reasons.
[3]
Q29.
Explain any three ways in which MNCs organise production across different countries.
[3]
SECTION D – LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (20 Marks)
Q30.
Explain the role of different social groups in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
[5]
OR
Explain the causes and significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Q31.
Explain the importance of manufacturing industries for the economic development of India. Discuss any five points.
[5]
OR
Explain the importance of coal and petroleum as conventional sources of energy in India.
Q32.
Describe the major challenges faced by political parties in India.
[5]
OR
Explain the various forms of power sharing in modern democracies.
Q33.
Explain the role of money as a medium of exchange and describe how modern banking facilitates credit.
[5]
OR
Explain the major factors that have enabled globalisation and discuss its impact on Indian producers.
SECTION E – CASE-BASED INTEGRATED UNITS (12 Marks)
Q34. Read the source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
[4](a) Why was salt chosen as a symbol of protest? [1]
(b) Where did Gandhi begin the Salt March? [1]
(c) Explain two ways in which people participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement. [2]
The Civil Disobedience Movement began with the Salt March. Mahatma Gandhi found salt to be a powerful symbol because it was consumed by rich and poor alike. The British government had imposed a tax on salt and had a monopoly over its production. Gandhi began the march from Sabarmati Ashram with his followers and reached Dandi, where he violated the salt law. The movement spread to different parts of the country. People refused to obey certain colonial laws, boycotted foreign cloth and picketed liquor shops. Women participated in large numbers in several regions.
(b) Where did Gandhi begin the Salt March? [1]
(c) Explain two ways in which people participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement. [2]
OR
Explain the role played by women in the Civil Disobedience Movement. [2]
Q35. Read the source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
[4](a) Why is water considered a renewable resource? [1]
(b) Mention one major reason for increasing water demand. [1]
(c) Explain two advantages of rainwater harvesting. [2]
Water is a renewable resource, but its availability varies greatly across regions and seasons. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and intensive agriculture have increased the demand for water. In many regions, groundwater is being over-exploited. Multipurpose projects have been constructed for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control and other purposes. However, such projects may also lead to displacement of people and ecological changes. Rainwater harvesting and watershed management can help conserve water and recharge groundwater.
(b) Mention one major reason for increasing water demand. [1]
(c) Explain two advantages of rainwater harvesting. [2]
OR
Mention two problems associated with excessive groundwater extraction. [2]
Q36. Read the source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
[4](a) What is the role of elections in a democracy? [1]
(b) What is meant by dynastic succession? [1]
(c) Explain any two challenges faced by political parties. [2]
In a democracy, citizens have the right to choose their representatives through elections. Political parties provide candidates, policies and programmes to voters. After elections, the party or coalition with majority support forms the government, while other parties may perform the role of opposition. Political parties also shape public opinion and bring different issues before the government. However, parties face challenges such as lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money and muscle power, and limited meaningful choices for voters.
(b) What is meant by dynastic succession? [1]
(c) Explain any two challenges faced by political parties. [2]
OR
Explain any two functions performed by political parties. [2]
SECTION F – MAP SKILL-BASED QUESTION (5 Marks)
Q37.(a) History Map Item – 2 Marks
Identify the following places on the outline political map of India:
A. The place associated with the Champaran Satyagraha.
B. The place where the Indian National Congress session of September 1920 was held. [2]
(b) Geography Map Item – 3 Marks
Locate and label ANY THREE of the following:
(i) Singrauli Thermal Power Plant – Madhya Pradesh
(ii) Bokaro Iron and Steel Plant – Jharkhand
(iii) Kandla Major Sea Port – Gujarat
(iv) Haldia Major Sea Port – West Bengal [3]
Identify the following places on the outline political map of India:
A. The place associated with the Champaran Satyagraha.
B. The place where the Indian National Congress session of September 1920 was held. [2]
(b) Geography Map Item – 3 Marks
Locate and label ANY THREE of the following:
(i) Singrauli Thermal Power Plant – Madhya Pradesh
(ii) Bokaro Iron and Steel Plant – Jharkhand
(iii) Kandla Major Sea Port – Gujarat
(iv) Haldia Major Sea Port – West Bengal [3]
CBSE CLASS X SOCIAL SCIENCE (087) – SOLUTIONS & MARKING SCHEME – SET 2
SECTION A – ANSWERS
Q1. (b) Giuseppe Mazzini [1]
Q2. (b) Dandi March [1]
Q3. (a) Cotton [1]
Q4. (b) Power sharing among different organs of government [1]
Q5. (c) Coal [1]
Q6. (b) RBI [1]
Q7. (c) Production of books in large numbers [1]
Q8. (b) Bauxite [1]
Q9. (c) Different levels of government have constitutionally guaranteed powers [1]
Q10. (c) Government school teaching [1]
Q11. (b) To suppress political activities and allow detention without trial [1]
Q12. (a) Alluvial soil [1]
Q13. (a) DMK [1]
Q14. (b) An asset pledged as security against a loan [1]
Q15. (a) Improvement in information and communication technology [1]
Q16. (a) It gives political parties an incentive to serve people [1]
Q17. (a) IV → II → III → I [1]
Champaran Satyagraha – 1917; Rowlatt Act – 1919; Lahore Congress – 1929; Gandhi-Irwin Pact – 1931.
Champaran Satyagraha – 1917; Rowlatt Act – 1919; Lahore Congress – 1929; Gandhi-Irwin Pact – 1931.
Q18. (a) Limestone [1]
Q19. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. [1]
Q20. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. [1]
SECTION B – ANSWERS
Q21.
- Bharat Mata was portrayed as a mother figure representing the nation.
- Her image created emotional attachment and encouraged people to identify the nation with a sacred motherland.
Q22.
- Renewable resources: Resources that can be replenished naturally in a relatively short period, e.g. solar energy.
- Non-renewable resources: Resources available in limited quantities and taking millions of years to form, e.g. coal.
Q23.
Decentralisation transfers power from higher levels of government to lower levels such as municipalities and Panchayats. It allows local people to participate directly in decision-making and helps address local problems more effectively.
OR
Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because government policies favoured the Sinhala-speaking majority in language, education, employment and other areas. [2]
OR
Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because government policies favoured the Sinhala-speaking majority in language, education, employment and other areas. [2]
Q24.
Banks keep only a small portion of deposits as cash because most depositors do not withdraw money at the same time. The remaining deposits are used to provide loans to borrowers.
[2]
SECTION C – ANSWERS
Q25.
- In towns, the middle class participated through boycotts of foreign goods and institutions.
- Peasants joined movements against high rents and oppressive landlords in several regions.
- Tribal groups and plantation workers also interpreted the movement according to their own local grievances.
Q26.
- Expansion of protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- Implementation of laws against hunting and illegal wildlife trade.
- Afforestation and involvement of local communities in forest conservation.
- Agricultural expansion and commercial exploitation of forests.
- Mining, industrialisation and large development projects.
- Overgrazing, hunting and excessive collection of forest products.
Q27.
- There are two or more levels of government.
- The Constitution clearly specifies the jurisdiction of different levels.
- Changes in fundamental federal arrangements require constitutional procedures rather than unilateral action.
Q28.
- Growth of agriculture and industry creates demand for transport, banking, communication, storage and trade.
- Rising incomes increase demand for education, healthcare, tourism and other services.
- Rapid technological development has created new information and communication services.
Q29.
- MNCs establish or acquire production units in different countries.
- They collaborate with local companies and provide technology and investment.
- They outsource production to local producers and distribute goods through international networks.
SECTION D – ANSWERS
Q30.
Role of Different Social Groups in the Civil Disobedience Movement:
- Rich peasant communities such as the Patidars and Jats participated actively because they were affected by high revenue demands.
- Poor peasants participated in movements against landlords and sought reduction of rents.
- Business groups supported the movement because they wanted protection from imports and favourable economic policies.
- Industrial workers participated in selected areas through strikes and demonstrations.
- Women participated in large numbers through demonstrations, picketing and participation in salt-making activities.
- It was launched in 1920 under Gandhi’s leadership in association with the Khilafat issue.
- Students, teachers and lawyers were encouraged to leave government institutions.
- Foreign cloth was boycotted and liquor shops were picketed.
- Peasants, tribal groups and plantation workers interpreted the movement according to their own grievances.
- Gandhi withdrew the movement in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident because he opposed violence.
Q31.
Importance of Manufacturing Industries:
- Manufacturing helps modernise agriculture by providing machinery, fertilisers and equipment.
- It reduces excessive dependence on agriculture by creating employment opportunities.
- It helps earn foreign exchange through exports.
- It increases the value of raw materials by converting them into finished products.
- Industrial growth contributes to infrastructure development and overall economic progress.
- Coal is a major source of energy for thermal power generation and industries.
- Coal is also used as a raw material in several industries.
- Petroleum provides fuel for transport and machinery.
- Petroleum products are used as raw materials in petrochemical industries.
- Both resources are important for India’s energy security and industrial development.
Q32.
Challenges Faced by Political Parties:
- Lack of internal democracy: Decision-making is often concentrated in the hands of a few leaders.
- Dynastic succession: Leadership positions are frequently passed within families.
- Money and muscle power: Wealthy candidates and criminal influence can affect elections.
- Limited meaningful choice: Similar policies among major parties may reduce genuine alternatives.
- Organisational weakness: Ordinary members may have limited influence over important decisions.
- Power is shared among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
- Power is shared among governments at different levels.
- Power may be shared among different social groups.
- Power may be shared among political parties, pressure groups and movements.
- Such arrangements reduce the possibility of concentration of power.
Q33.
Money and Banking:
- Money acts as a medium of exchange and removes the difficulties of barter.
- It provides a common measure of value for goods and services.
- People deposit surplus money in banks.
- Banks keep a small portion as cash and use the remaining deposits to provide loans.
- Credit supports production, trade, consumption and investment.
- Improved transport and communication have connected markets across countries.
- Liberalisation has reduced restrictions on international trade and investment.
- MNCs have organised production across different countries.
- Globalisation has increased competition and consumer choice.
- Large producers often benefit, while small producers may face intense competition from imported goods.
SECTION E – ANSWERS
Q34.
- (a) Salt was used by everyone, rich or poor, and the British salt tax affected all sections of society. [1]
- (b) Sabarmati Ashram. [1]
- (c) People boycotted foreign cloth, refused to obey colonial laws, made salt, picketed liquor shops and participated in demonstrations. [2]
Q35.
- (a) Water is renewed through the hydrological cycle. [1]
- (b) Rapid population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation or intensive agriculture. [1]
- (c) Rainwater harvesting reduces dependence on groundwater and helps recharge underground aquifers. It also provides water during periods of scarcity. [2]
Q36.
- (a) Elections allow citizens to choose their representatives and change governments. [1]
- (b) Dynastic succession means leadership being concentrated within members of the same family. [1]
- (c) Major challenges include lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money and muscle power, and limited meaningful choice. Any two. [2]
SECTION F – MAP WORK SOLUTIONS
Q37(a).
- A – Champaran, Bihar
- B – Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal
Q37(b).
- Singrauli Thermal Power Plant – Madhya Pradesh
- Bokaro Iron and Steel Plant – Jharkhand
- Kandla Major Sea Port – Gujarat
- Haldia Major Sea Port – West Bengal