Class 6 Social Science Chapter 8 Unity in Diversity, or Many in the One Practice Paper 1

Class: VI Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 08 - Unity in Diversity, or 'Many in the One' Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. What percentage of the world's population lives in India according to the chapter?
(a) About 15 percent
(b) About 18 percent
(c) About 20 percent
(d) About 25 percent

Q2. The 'People of India project' was conducted by which organisation?
(a) Archaeological Survey of India
(b) Anthropological Survey of India
(c) Geological Survey of India
(d) Botanical Survey of India

Q3. How many communities were surveyed in the 'People of India project'?
(a) 3,635
(b) 4,635
(c) 5,635
(d) 6,635

Q4. Which of the following is NOT a type of silk sari mentioned in the chapter?
(a) Banarasi
(b) Kanjivaram
(c) Chanderi
(d) Patan Patola

Q5. The stone relief of a woman in a sari from Vaishali is located in which modern state?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) West Bengal
(d) Jharkhand

Q6. Makara Sankranti marks the beginning of which season?
(a) Monsoon season
(b) Winter season
(c) Harvest season
(d) Summer season

Q7. What is the name of Makara Sankranti in Assam?
(a) Pongal
(b) Lohri
(c) Magh Bihu
(d) Uttarayan

Q8. The Pañchatantra exists in approximately how many adaptations in more than 50 languages?
(a) About 100
(b) About 150
(c) About 200
(d) About 250

Q9. Which printed cotton fabric from India became so popular in 17th-century Europe that England and France banned its import?
(a) Muslin
(b) Chintz
(c) Khadi
(d) Calico

Q10. 'Pañcha Pāṇḍavar' stone depicting five Pandava brothers is maintained by which tribal community?
(a) Bhils
(b) Gonds
(c) Irula
(d) Mundas

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is meant by 'staple grains'? Give two examples each of cereals and pulses mentioned in the chapter.

Q12. Who said the following and what does it mean: "How, in the face of such bewildering diversity, can a history of India be written?"

Q13. What is a 'relief' in the context of art? Mention the example given in the chapter.

Q14. Name any four tribal communities of India that have their own versions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Explain how the example of Indian food reflects both 'unity' and 'diversity'. Give specific examples from the chapter.

Q16. Describe how the sari represents unity in diversity in Indian culture. Include information about its varieties and historical significance.

Q17. What are the two Indian epics mentioned in the chapter? Briefly describe their main themes and explain how they illustrate 'unity in diversity'.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. "India offers unity in diversity" - Explain this statement with reference to the following aspects:
(a) Languages and scripts
(b) Food and spices
(c) Clothing and textiles
(d) Festivals (e) Literature and epics

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: "The Anthropological Survey of India conducted a massive survey called 'People of India project' of 4,635 communities across all States of the country. It counted 325 languages using 25 scripts; it also observed that many Indians may be called migrants, in the sense of people not living near their birthplace or with their original community."
(a) When was this survey conducted? (1 mark)
(b) What does the term 'migrants' mean in this context? (1 mark)
(c) How does this survey data demonstrate India's diversity? (2 marks)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: "For a very long time, India produced the finest cotton in the world and Indian textiles were exported as far away as Europe. One beautiful type of printed cotton called 'chintz' became so popular in 17th-century Europe that the sale of some European dresses dropped sharply. Eventually, to protect their own products, England and France decided to ban the import of chintz from India!"
(a) What was the quality of Indian cotton compared to other countries? (1 mark)
(b) Why did England and France ban the import of chintz? (1 mark)
(c) What does this historical event tell us about India's textile industry and its global impact? (2 marks) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 01

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(b) About 18 percent India has over 1.4 billion inhabitants which is about 18 percent of the world's population. Ans 2.
(b) Anthropological Survey of India The Anthropological Survey of India, a national organisation, conducted the 'People of India project'. Ans 3.
(b) 4,635 The People of India project surveyed 4,635 communities across all States of the country. Ans 4.
(c) Chanderi The chapter mentions Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Paithani, Patan Patola, Muga and Mysore as famous silk saris. Chanderi is not mentioned.

Ans 5.
(b) Bihar The stone relief of a woman in a sari from Vaishali is located in modern-day Bihar. Ans 6.
(c) Harvest season Makara Sankranti marks the beginning of the harvest season in many parts of India on or around January 14. Ans 7.
(c) Magh Bihu In Assam, the festival of Makara Sankranti is celebrated as Magh Bihu. Ans 8.
(c) About 200 It is estimated that about 200 adaptations of the Pañchatantra exist in more than 50 languages. Ans 9.
(b) Chintz Chintz, a beautiful type of printed cotton from India, became so popular in 17th-century Europe that England and France banned its import.

Ans 10.
(c) Irula The shrine containing the 'Pañcha Pāṇḍavar' stone in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu is maintained by Irula tribals.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Staple grains: These are the basic food grains that form the main diet for most Indians. Examples of Cereals: Rice, Wheat, Barley (any two) Examples of Pulses: Various kinds of dals, Rajma, Chana dal, Arhar dal (any two) (1 mark for definition + ½ mark each for two cereals + ½ mark each for two pulses = 2 marks) Ans 12. Speaker: This was said by the British historian Vincent Smith over a century ago. (1 mark) Meaning: Vincent Smith wondered how anyone could write a unified history of India when there was so much bewildering diversity in languages, customs, traditions, and cultures. However, he answered this himself by stating that India offers 'unity in diversity' - meaning despite the external differences, there is an underlying unity that connects all Indians. (1 mark) Ans 13.

Relief: A relief is a design that stands out from the surface of a panel, which may be made of stone, wood, ceramic or another material. (1 mark) Example from chapter: The chapter mentions a stone relief from Vaishali (today in Bihar) showing a woman wearing a sari, dating back a few centuries BCE. This demonstrates that the sari has a long history in Indian culture. (1 mark) Ans 14. Four tribal communities with their own versions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata:

1. Bhils

2. Gonds

3. Mundas

4. Irula tribals (Also acceptable: tribes of India's northeast and Himalayan regions, including Kashmir) (½ mark for each correct tribal community = 2 marks)

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Indian food beautifully demonstrates unity in diversity: Unity (Common Elements): Common cereals: Rice, barley, and wheat are used throughout India Common millets: Pearl millet (bajra), sorghum (jowar), finger millet (ragi) Common pulses: Various kinds of dals and grams Common spices: Turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and ginger are used across the country (1.5 marks) Diversity (Regional Variations): The number of different dishes in India runs into thousands, if not lakhs The same ingredients are used in countless combinations to create endless varieties of dishes Each region has its own unique preparations and cooking styles (1.5 marks) Ans 16.

The Sari as Unity in Diversity: Unity: The sari is a single, unstitched piece of cloth worn across most parts of India. It represents a common traditional dress that connects women across different regions and communities. (1 mark) Diversity: Made from different fabrics: cotton, silk, and synthetic materials Famous varieties: Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Paithani, Patan Patola, Muga, Mysore silk saris Produced by different methods of weaving and designing Endless variations in colours using different pigments Many ways of wearing/draping that vary from region to region (1 mark) Historical Significance: The sari has a long history as shown by the stone relief from Vaishali (Bihar) dating back several centuries BCE. Indian cotton textiles, including the famous chintz, were exported worldwide and became so popular that European countries banned their import. (1 mark) Ans 17.

Two Indian Epics: The Ramayana and the Mahabharata (0.5 marks) Main Themes: Mahabharata: The Pandavas, with Krishna's help, fight their own cousins, the Kauravas, to recover their kingdom. It focuses on re-establishing dharma and asks questions about right and wrong. (0.5 marks) Ramayana: Rama, with the help of his brother Lakshmana and Hanuman, defeats the demon Ravana, who had kidnapped his wife Sita. It also emphasizes dharma and values. (0.5 marks) Unity in Diversity through Epics: These Sanskrit poems (filling about 7,000 pages) have been translated/adapted into regional literatures across India and beyond for over two millenniums Countless folk versions exist - about 100 versions of Mahabharata in Tamil Nadu folklore alone Many tribal communities (Bhils, Gonds, Mundas, Irula) have their own versions Communities preserve legends connecting their history with these epics These epics created a dense web of cultural interactions across India and Asia (1.5 marks)

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. "India offers unity in diversity" - Comprehensive Explanation:
(a) Languages and Scripts: The People of India project counted 325 languages using 25 different scripts. Despite this vast linguistic diversity, there is cultural unity as Indians share common values, traditions, and a sense of national identity. Many Indians are multilingual, bridging different linguistic communities. (1 mark)
(b) Food and Spices: While India has thousands of different dishes, certain staple grains are common throughout the country - cereals like rice, wheat, and barley; millets like bajra, jowar, and ragi; and various pulses.

Common spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom, and ginger are used across regions. The same ingredients (unity) are combined in different ways (diversity) to create endless varieties of dishes. (1 mark)
(c) Clothing and Textiles: The sari is a perfect example - it is a single type of traditional dress (unity) worn across India, but comes in hundreds of varieties - Banarasi, Kanjivaram, Paithani, Patan Patola, Muga, Mysore silks, and many cotton varieties. The methods of weaving, designing, colouring, and draping vary greatly (diversity). India produced the finest cotton in the world, with chintz becoming so popular in Europe that it was banned. (1 mark)
(d) Festivals:

Common festivals are celebrated across India at the same time but with different names. Makara Sankranti (January 14) marking the harvest season is known as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Magh Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat, Khichdi Parv in Bihar, and by other names in different regions. The underlying celebration (unity) takes different forms (diversity). (1 mark) (e) Literature and Epics: The Ramayana and Mahabharata are two epics that have been translated and adapted into regional literatures for over 2,000 years. The Pañchatantra has about 200 adaptations in more than 50 languages. These common literary treasures (unity) exist in countless regional and folk versions (diversity). Tribal communities like Bhils, Gonds, and Mundas have their own versions, creating a dense web of cultural interactions across India. (1 mark)

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19.
(a) When was this survey conducted? The survey was conducted in the late 20th century by the Anthropological Survey of India. (1 mark)
(b) What does the term 'migrants' mean in this context? In this context, 'migrants' refers to people who are not living near their birthplace or with their original community. This means many Indians have moved from their native places to other parts of the country for various reasons like work, education, or marriage. (1 mark)
(c) How does this survey data demonstrate India's diversity?

The survey data demonstrates India's diversity in multiple ways: It surveyed 4,635 different communities across all States, showing the vast number of distinct social and cultural groups in India It counted 325 different languages being spoken, indicating enormous linguistic diversity These languages use 25 different scripts, showing diversity in written communication systems The presence of many 'migrants' shows how communities have intermingled while maintaining their distinct identities This data proves that India is home to an incredibly diverse population in terms of communities, languages, scripts, and patterns of movement and settlement. (2 marks) Ans 20.

(a) What was the quality of Indian cotton compared to other countries? India produced the finest cotton in the world for a very long time. The quality of Indian cotton and textiles was superior to that of other countries, including European nations. (1 mark)
(b) Why did England and France ban the import of chintz? England and France banned the import of chintz from India to protect their own textile products. The Indian chintz had become so popular in 17th-century Europe that the sale of European-made dresses dropped sharply, threatening local textile industries. (1 mark)
(c) What does this historical event tell us about India's textile industry and its global impact?

This historical event reveals several important facts about India's textile industry: Superior Craftsmanship: India possessed highly skilled weavers and artisans who could produce textiles of exceptional quality that were unmatched in Europe Global Trade Dominance: Indian textiles were exported as far away as Europe, showing India's significant role in international trade Market Influence: Indian products were so desirable that they could impact and disrupt markets in distant countries Economic Threat: The popularity of Indian textiles was so significant that powerful European nations felt the need to impose bans to protect their domestic industries Cultural Contribution: This demonstrates how Indian craftsmanship contributed to the diversity of global fashion and textiles This event shows that India was once a major economic power in the global textile trade, with products that were highly valued for their beauty and quality. (2 marks)