Teachers recommend solving Kerala Syllabus 9th Standard Social Science Question Paper Set 1 to improve time management during exams.
Kerala Syllabus Std 9 Social Science Model Question Paper Set 1 English Medium
Max Score: 80
Time : 21⁄2 hrs.
Instructions
- First 15 minutes is cool off time.
- Read the questions and instructions carefully before writing the answers.
- While answering the questions consider score and time.
I. Answer all questions from 1 to 11 (4 × 1 = 4)
Question 1.
Who was the epigraphist who first read the Asokan inscriptions in 1838?
a) James Princep
b) Asoka
c) Maurya
d) Devanampiya
Answer:
a) James princep
Question 2.
Which of the following best describes ‘disguised unemployment’?
a) People are employed during certain seasons only
b) Job loss due to new technology
c) More workers than needed without increased output
d) Willing to work but unemployed
Answer:
c) More workers than needed without increased output
Question 3.
Which script is most commonly used in modern India and is derived from the Brahmi script?
a) Devanagari
b) Kharoshti
c) Tamil
d) Aramaic
Answer:
c) Tamil
![]()
Question 4.
Land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship in the production process are called…….
a) Remuneration
b) Productivity
c) Human capital
d) Factors of production
Answer:
d) Factors of production
Question 5.
Match the following tools with their respective ages. (2 × 4 = 8)
| A. Microliths | 1. Palaeolithic Age |
| B. Polished tools | 2. Bronze Age |
| C. Chopper | 3. Mesolithic Age |
| D. Bronze tools | 4. Neolithic Age |
Answer:
| A. Microliths | 3. Mesolithic Age |
| B. Polished tools | 4. Neolithic Age |
| C. Chopper | 1.Palaeolithic Age |
| D. Bronze tools | 2. Bronze Age |
Question 6.
Match the following passes with their locations:
| Pass | Location |
| a) Banihal Pass | 1) Connects Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh |
| b) Baralacha La Pass | 2) Connects Kulu Valley with Lahul and Spiti Valleys |
| c) Rohtang Pass | 3) Connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley |
| d) Nathula Pass | 4) Located along the India-China border |
Answer:
| Pass | Location |
| a) Banihal Pass | 3) Connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley |
| b) Baralacha La Pass | 1) Connects Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh |
| c) Rohtang Pass | 2) Connects Kulu Valley with Lahul and Spiti Valleys |
| d) Nathula Pass | 4) Located along the India-China border |
Question 7.
What is barter system? When was it practised?
Answer:
A system of exchange where goods and services are traded directly for other goods and services.
It existed before the invention of money.
Question 8.
What are Stupas?
Answer:
Stupas are buildings built on sites where the physical remains of the Buddha or objects used by the Buddha were buried.
![]()
Question 9.
What is human capital?
Answer:
The economic value of human resources, including knowledge, skills, and health.
It is formed through education, training, and healthcare.
Question 10.
Discuss the concept of federalism as outlined in the Indian Constitution.
Answer:
Federalism in the Indian Constitution refers to the division of powers between the central government and state government. While the central government has certain special powers, the states also have autonomy in specific areas. This system aims to maintain a balance between a strong central authority and regional autonomy.
Question 11.
On the given outline map of India, mark the following places.
a. Naga hills
b. Himadri
c. Punjab Haryana plain
d. Upper Ganga plain
Answer:
A- naga hills, B- Himadri, C- Punjab Haryana Plain, D- Upper Ganga Plain

II. Answer any 8 questions from 12 to 20 (8 × 3 = 24)
Question 12.
How does the Indian Constitution ensure a balance of power among the three branches of government?
Answer:
The Indian Constitution ensures a balance of power among the three branches of government by clearly defining their roles and responsibilities. Through mechanisms like judicial review, budget approval, and impeachment, each branch can check the powers of the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant.
Question 13.
How human resource productivity can be increased? (any three).
Answer:
- Providing better health facilities to ensure a healthy workforce.
- Enabling large-scale investment in education to improve skills.
- Emphasizing skill development through job training programs.
- Creating an employee-friendly work environment to enhance efficiency.
Question 14.
Discuss the significance of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian governance system.
Answer:
The Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the government to promote social and economic justice, equality, and welfare of the people. While not enforceable by courts, they are fundamental in governance and aim to create a just society.
Question 15.
What is a doab, and how is it significant in the Punjab-Haryana Plain?
Answer:
A doab is a tract of land lying between two converging rivers. In the Punjab-Haryana Plain, the region is divided into five major doabs, which are significant for their fertile land formed by riverine deposits. These doabs support intensive agriculture and are vital for the region’s agrarian economy.
![]()
Question 16.
Describe the regional divisions of the Himalayas based on cross-cutting rivers.
Answer:
The regional divisions of the Himalayas are based on the rivers that cut across them:
- Western Himalayas: Extends from the Indus River to the Kali River.
- Central Himalayas: Spans from the Kali River to the Teesta River.
- Eastern Himalayas: Stretches from the Teesta River to the Brahmaputra River.
Question 17.
What are the factors that influence human capital formation? (any three)
Answer:
- Education: Improves skills and knowledge, contributing to economic growth.
- Healthcare: Ensures a healthy workforce, increases productivity.
- Job Training: Enhances specific skills required for various professions.
- Access to Information: Facilitates awareness about opportunities and services, aiding in personal and professional growth.
Question 18.
Explain the main ideas of Asoka Dhamma.
Answer:
- Be tolerant of other religions
- Respect elders and teachers
- Be kind to slaves and the sick
Question 19.
What are the main characteristics of the Thar Desert within the Rajasthan Plain?
Answer:
The Thar Desert, located in the Rajasthan Plain, is divided into two regions: the actual desert area called Marusthali and the semi-arid plain known as Rajasthan Bagar. There are numerous salt lakes, including Sambhar, Didwana, and Sargol. The region has a non- perennial river, the Luni.
Question 20.
How does a Bill become a law?
Answer:
First Reading – Any bill other than a Money Bill is presented in either house by a Minister or a Private Member.
Second Reading – At this stage, the bill is either sent to a committee for examination or debated within the house itself. Changes or amendments can be accepted during this stage.
Third Reading At this stage, the house approves or rejects the bill. Once the bill completes all stages in the house where it was initially introduced, the same process is being repeated in the second house. If both houses agree on the final version of the bill, it is then submitted to the President for assent. Once the President gives the assent, the Bill becomes a Law.
III. Answer any 5 questions from 21 to 26 (5 × 4 = 20)
Question 21.
The system of government that prevailed in Athens 2500 years ago resembled modern democracy. Elucidate.
Answer:
This was different from the system of governance in other city-states. All males over the age of 30, except slaves, were considered as citizens. These citizens formed a committee and met four times a year to make decisions on important matters. Women, artisans and the foreigners who worked as traders were not considered as citizens.
Question 22.
Identify and explain the natural vegetation found in the North Indian Plain.
Answer:
The North Indian Plain exhibits diverse natural vegetation due to variations in topography, climate, and soil:
Tropical Deciduous Forests: Found in regions with 70-200 cm annual rainfall. These are divided into dry deciduous forests (found in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) and moist deciduous forests (along the Shiwalik range and parts of Odisha and West Bengal).
Tropical Thorn Forests: Present in semi- arid areas of southwest Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Comprise grasses and shrubs, including species like babool, ber, wild date palm, and neem.
Swamp Forests: Found in saline areas of Rajasthan, freshwater lakes in the Ganga Plain, flood plains of the Brahmaputra, and the Sundarbans delta. Dominated by mangroves, including the Sundri tree, providing habitat for aquatic species and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Question 23.
List down any four pieces of information that can be gathered on human life from the tools and art of the Palaeolithic Age.
Answer:
- Used rough stone tools
- Lived in caves and open spaces
- Hunting and gathering were the means of livelihood
- Bands were the basic units of society
- Men were engaged in hunting and women in gathering
- Food was not stored
- Nomadic life prevailed
![]()
Question 24.
Explain the importance of healthcare in human capital formation.
Answer:
Healthcare is essential for ensuring that people can contribute effectively to the progress of the country. Poor health reduces productivity, leads to absenteeism from work, and slows down production. Ensuring adequate healthcare helps to improve the quality of life, increases productivity, and supports the overall development of human resources.
The public, private, and cooperative sectors play significant roles in providing healthcare services, with government investments strengthening these efforts through various programs such as preventive medicine, immunisation, and promotion of health literacy.
Question 25.
Explain the agricultural significance of the North Indian Plain and its contribution to India’s economy.
Answer:
The North Indian Plain is vital for agriculture due to its fertile alluvial soil, flat topography, perennial rivers, and favourable climate. It supports the cultivation of wheat, rice, jute, and sugarcane, making it the granary of India. The region’s extensive irrigation infrastructure facilitates large-scale agriculture, contributing significantly to India’s food security. Additionally, the well-developed network of roads and railways supports industrialisation and urbanisation, further boosting the economic importance of the region.
Question 26.
Write any four main functions of the Parliament
Answer:
- Lawmaking
- Act as a custodian of the public treasury
- Participate in the Presidential and Vice- Presidential elections
- To control the executive
- Act as a judicial authority in the impeachment
- Consider and give assent to Constitutional amendment
IV. Answer any 2 questions from 27 to 29 (2 × 6 = 12)
Question 27.
Discuss the major physiographic divisions of India based on topography.
Answer:
The Northern Mountain Region:
- Includes the Trans Himalayas, the Himalayas, and the Eastern Hills.
- Extends from River Indus in the west to River Brahmaputra in the east.
- Contains high peaks, glaciers, and valleys with elevations ranging from 150 to 400 km in width.
- Major ranges include Karakoram, Himadri, Himachal, and Shiwaliks.
The North Indian Plain:
- Lies to the south of the Northern Mountains.
- Characterized by vast and fertile plains formed by the deposition of alluvium from rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra.
- Known for intensive agriculture due to rich soil and favourable climate.
The Peninsular Plateau:
- Located in central India, it is the oldest and most stable landmass.
- Composed of the Deccan Plateau, Chotanagpur Plateau, and Malwa Plateau.
- Rich in minerals and known for varied topography including hills, valleys, and plateaus.
The Indian Desert:
- Situated in the western part of India, primarily in Rajasthan.
- Known as the Thar Desert, characterized by sandy terrain and low rainfall.
- Sparse vegetation and unique desert ecosystem.
The Coastal Plains and Islands:
- Long coastline along the eastern and western sides of India.
- Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains support agriculture, fishing, and trade.
- The islands include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
![]()
Question 28.
What were the features of the later Vedic period?
Answer:
The period of Vedic age falls between 1500 BCE and 600 BCE
After the decline of the Harappan civilisation, the Aryans entered the Sapta Sindhu (north- west India) region.
They spoke a language that belonged to the Indo-European family of languages. Based on linguistic evidence, Aryans are believed to be the natives of Central Asia.
The Vedic period is divided into two:
- Early Vedic Period (the period when Rigveda was composed)
- Later Vedic Period (the period when Yajur, Sama and Atharva Vedas were composed)
| Early Vedic Period | Later Vedic period |
| Sapta Sindhu region | Extended up to the Gangetic plain |
| Pastoral economy | Agriculture was given importance |
| Comparatively higher social status for women | The social status of women declined |
| The forest was cleared and burned for cultivation | Use of iron |
| The society consisted of many tribes. | The Varna system became stronger |
Question 29.
Explain the processes and factors involved in the formation of the Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plain. How this plain influenced the agriculture and population distribution in the region?

Answer:
The formation of the Indo-Gangetic- Brahmaputra Plain is a result of complex geomorphic processes involving the deposition of sediments over millions of years. Key factors and processes include:
• Geomorphic Agents and Processes: External forces like running water, wind, glaciers, and waves act as geomorphic agents that transport sediments from higher regions to lower-lying areas. This continuous process of transportation and deposition leads to the formation of various landforms, including alluvial plains.
• Sediment Deposition: Rivers originating from high altitudes in the Himalayas and Peninsular India carry sediments downstream. These sediments are deposited in a vast depression formed south of the Himalayas. This continuous sediment deposition over millions of years resulted in the creation of the Indo- Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plain.
• Formation of Rivers and Plains: Rivulets from high altitudes form rills, which merge into streams and eventually into rivers. These rivers carry sediments and deposit them in low-lying areas, forming expansive alluvial plains. The Indo-Gangetic- Brahmaputra Plain stretches over approximately 3200 km from the mouth of the River Indus to the mouth of the River Ganga.
• The Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra Plain has significantly influenced agriculture and population distribution in the region due to the following reasons:
• Fertile Soil: The plain is characterized by fertile alluvial soil, which is highly suitable for agriculture. This fertility has made the region one of the most agriculturally productive areas in India.
• Water Supply: The presence of perennial rivers. provides an adequate water supply for irrigation, which supports extensive
agriculture.
• Favorable Climate: The plain experiences a favorable climate for the cultivation of various crops, including wheat, rice, jute, and sugarcane.
• Flat Topography: The flat terrain of the plain facilitates the use of modern agricultural machinery and techniques, further boosting agricultural productivity.
• Population Distribution: Due to its agricultural productivity, the plain supports a high population density. More than half of India’s population resides in this plain despite it covering less than one-fourth of the country’s total area.
• Economic Significance: The region is crucial for India’s food security and economy. It is often referred to as the “granary of India” due to its high agricultural output.
• Infrastructure Development: The well- developed network of roads and railways in the plain has facilitated industrialization and urbanization, contributing to the economic development of the region.