Introduction to Social Science Textbook Solutions

NIOS Class 10 Social Science Question Answer

INTEXT QUESTIONS 0.1

1. List the main subjects that build up the knowledge area of Social Science.

Ans: Economics, History and Archaeology, Geography, Political Science and Sociology.

2. Do you think studying History is necessary and important? Give two reasons for your stance.

Ans: The study of history helps us to know our roots, strengths and achievements and gives us a sense of direction.

3. Give one difference between History and Archaeology.

Ans: History is the story of human beings and of what happened in the past, while archaeology helps us to understand our past through scientific study of the material remains.

4. List five sources which can help us to study our past.

Ans: Inscriptions, coins, monuments, seals and excavated sites.

5. Find out at least four archaeological sites in India other than those mentioned in the text.

Ans: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Rakhigarhi, Dwarka and Nalanda.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 0.2

1. Can you explain how geography contributes to the understanding of History?

Ans: Geographical characteristics of a region are very important for its historical development, such as the Indus River valley for the Indus civilisation.

2. List the main components of Political Science.

Ans: Political Science is a social science concerned with the theory and practice of politics and the analysis of political systems and political behaviour.

3. What does Sociology as a subject focus on?

Ans: Sociology focuses on the study of human groups.

4. What does the study of economics deal with?

Ans: Economics is the scientific study of the way in which humans make choices about production, consumption and wealth.

5. How do you think subjects like Political Science, Sociology and Economics help you to understand the functions of society better?

Ans: They are interrelated to each other, and together they give a holistic understanding of Social processes.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 0.3a

1. Why were the early humans called nomads?

Ans: Because they kept moving from one place to another in search of food.

2. Write two differences between the tools of the Old Stone Age and New Stone Age.

Ans: The tools of the New Stone Age were sharper and polished to make them last longer, which was not the case with the Old Stone Age.

3. Mention two important discoveries of the Neolithic Age.

Ans: Discovery of the wheel and mixed farming.

4. Describe three ways in which the discovery of wheel was significant for human civilization.

Ans: For transportation and a potter’s wheel.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 0.3b

1. Why do we say that the tools made during the Chalcolithic age were better than the tools of the Stone Age?

Ans: The tools made of metal proved to be much more effective than the earlier stone implements. Metallic knives and axes were helpful in cutting down trees, and more land was cleared for agriculture.

2. Enlist the basic factors which led to settled life of early-age humans. What is the importance of those factors today?

Ans: Discovery of fire, wheel and metal, the practice of agriculture led to settled life. They are more relevant for advanced human progress in an industrial society.

3. How did community life and religion shape the functioning of society in the early age?

Ans: They led to the formation of family life, creation of common beliefs and interactivities and interdependency like trade, politics, security etc.

4. List the changes in the life of early humans brought by the discovery of iron.

Ans: Equipment became stronger and long lasting. Work efficiency increased.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 0.4

1. Identify two features from every stage of human development.

Ans:

(a) Hunting Stage: The early human beings began life as hunters preying upon beasts, birds, fish and insects for food, just as wild animals in the jungle do. They domesticated animals that gave them an assured food supply and also some new food items like milk, butter and cheese.
(b) Village Life (Rural): People discovered that they could sow seeds in the soil and make them grow into plants. This technique enabled them to grow their own food at one place.
(c) Town Life (Urban): From rural life in villages and agriculture, human beings moved towards urbanization. Human beings were no longer food gatherers. They were now food producers. The groups of families became larger, and societies were formed.
(d) City Life: Later, people started growing surplus grain and storing it for the future. This resulted in a lot of leisure time, which led to the progress of civilization and culture. More decorative crafts like metalwork and ornament making were introduced.

2. How was the hunting for animals for food by the humans different from the hunting practices of human today?

Ans: Early human beings indulged in hunting as a means of survival. They hunted animals to collect their food. These early human beings began life as hunters preying upon beasts, birds, fish and insects for food. On the other hand, hunting in the modern age was only a means of pleasure and had nothing to do with survival.

3. What factors were responsible for the formation of towns?

Ans: Central place for trade and commerce as well as administration. The discovery of metals and specialization in their preparation skills stratified the society based on their skills. They started exchanging their products and farmers also joined the trade. These activities happened at a central place. The invention of writing and keeping records added to the administrative tasks. These factors led to the formation of towns.

4. How did writing help to contribute towards human progress?

Ans: To communicate for long distances, to take account and keep records, etc.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 0.5

1. Make a list of some problems which you face in your society which are not listed in this lesson.

Ans: Education of the girl child, Violence against the weaker sections of the society etc.

2. Discuss how subjects in Social Science can help you in finding solutions to your problems.

Ans: They add to the body of knowledge which we need to solve our problems. They help to analyze the problems which we face in our day to day life. They help us to locate these facilities as well as how to use them for ourselves.

3. “With the progress of human civilization, the problems also increased” Can you identify some problems which have arisen with urbanization and industrialization.

Ans:

(a) Poverty and Hunger
(b) Inequitable distribution of wealth
(c) Unemployment and underemployment
(d) Parallel economy, tax evasion and Black money
(e) Corruption in public life
(f) Pollution and environmental degradation
(g) Lack of nationalism and love for the country
(h) Gender based problems: discrimination against women, crime against women,
dowry system, infanticide and foeticide, human trafficking, prostitution.
(i) Violence: Terrorism, Naxalism
(j) Hurdles to National Integration – Linguism, Regionalism, Casteism, Communalism

TERMINAL EXERCISES

1. How are different disciplines under social science interlinked with each other? Discuss with the help of examples.

Ans:

The study of History helps us to know our roots, strengths and achievements and gives us a sense of pride as well as direction.
Archaeology provides insights into the society and culture of ancient times.
Geography plays an important role in shaping the life and history of any society. It helps us to recognise the differences in cultures, political systems, economies, landscapes and environments across the world. It also helps us to establish links among them.
Political Science is a social science concerned with the theory and practice of politics and the analysis of political systems and political behavior. It tells us how the government is elected.
Sociology seeks to understand the structure of a society and how it works. It also seeks to define and understand the different factors that have shaped our society.
Economics is the social science of striking a balance between needs and available resources.

2. Do you think studying History is necessary and important? Give reasons for your stand.

Ans: The study of History helps us to know our roots, strengths and achievements and gives us a sense of pride as well as direction. Our past has important lessons for the present and the future. History records this legacy that has an important bearing on our lives. In essence, history relates the story of cooperative actions of a large number of men and women in their quest for a better life.

3. What is the relationship between Archaeology and History?

Ans: History is an account of events that have happened in the past. Archaeology is the study of the ancient times with respect to society and culture. The traces of those events can be found in material remains, i.e. the artifacts, burials, ruined buildings, monuments, etc. and are studied by archaeologists.

4. How do other sub-disciplines of social science contribute to the understanding of human civilisation?

Ans:

History relates the story of the cooperative actions of a large number of men and women in their quest for a better life.
Works of art like paintings, sculptures, architecture, etc., that were obtained as part of archeological excavations, will tell us about the culture of particular periods.
Geography plays an important role in shaping the life and history of any society. It helps us to recognise the differences in cultures, political systems, economies, landscapes and environments across the world.
Political science includes studies on governments, public policies, political processes, systems and political behaviour.
Sociology seeks to understand the structure of a society and how it works. It also seeks to define and understand the different factors that have shaped our society.
Economics is the social science of striking a balance between needs and available resources.

5. Write a short note on the factors that led to the rise of community and social life during Chalcolithic and Bronze Age.

Ans:

In the Chalcolithic Age, people began to use copper for making implements.
Copper was the first metal to be melted by heat to make implements.
Copper was mixed with other metals like zinc, tin, and lead to produce bronze, which came to be known as the Bronze Age.
Tools made of bronze, such as knives and axes helps humans cut down trees and clear more land for agriculture.
The period when humans used both metals and small pieces of metal is called the Chalcolithic age.

6. What was the importance of the discovery of fire?

Ans: During the Mesolithic age, when two pieces of flint stone were struck together, they produced a spark, which may have fallen on some dry leaves and caused a fire.

They found that fire frightened the animals and so could provide them safety if kept burning near the caves.
It also provided light during the night.
Even the food became softer and tastier when cooked on fire. It also warmed up the cold caves by providing heat.

7. Explain briefly the subject matter of economics.

Ans: When we make a budget for our home, we make the best use of the resources which are available to us. We can avoid many problems in this way. We call this study Economics. It is much more than making

a budget. It is the scientific study of the ways in which humans make choices about production, consumption and wealth. This becomes very important when we are faced with limited means. It is the social science of striking a balance between needs and available resources. Studying this subject will be more interesting if you apply the learning to real-life situations.

8. Economists are very important for a country. Do you agree? Why?

Ans: Yes, economists are crucial for a country’s well-being as they analyse, forecast, and guide us in developing effective policies on trade, growth, taxes, and resource allocation. All of these help us improve living standards, manage markets, and address complex social issues like poverty and inequality in different ways.

9. Find out why plastic bags need to be banned. Prepare a Project bringing out the advantages and disadvantages of metal and plastic.

Ans: Plastic is not biodegradable and can impact the environment negatively. This is why it should be banned. On the other hand, metals are more durable and lasting, which does not pose the degradability threats and is much preferred over plastic.