Class 10 Social Science Chapter 9 Agriculture (Geography) Practice Paper 3

Class: X Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 04 - Agriculture 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. Maize is grown in which season in Bihar?
(a) Kharif only
(b) Rabi only
(c) Both Kharif and Rabi
(d) Zaid only

Q2. Which oilseed is grown both as Rabi and Kharif crop?
(a) Groundnut
(b) Linseed
(c) Castor seed
(d) Mustard

Q3. In 2020, India was the second largest producer of which horticulture product after China?
(a) Rice
(b) Fruits and vegetables
(c) Cotton
(d) Tea

Q4. Bajra grows well on which type of soil?
(a) Deep alluvial soil
(b) Sandy soils and shallow black soil
(c) Red soil
(d) Laterite soil

Q5. Which state is known for oranges from Nagpur?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Karnataka

Q6. Rubber is mainly grown in which state?
(a) Punjab
(b) West Bengal
(c) Kerala
(d) Assam

Q7. Cotton requires how many frost-free days to mature?
(a) 100 days
(b) 150 days
(c) 210 days
(d) 300 days

Q8. Which crop covers approximately 12% of the total cropped area of India?
(a) Pulses
(b) Oilseeds
(c) Cotton
(d) Sugarcane

Q9. Major pulse producing states in India do NOT include:
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Kerala
(d) Karnataka

Q10. What was the main product of Operation Flood?
(a) Wheat
(b) Rice
(c) Milk
(d) Pulses

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What are Zaid crops? Give three examples with their uses.

Q12. Explain why India is called an agriculturally important country despite industrial development.

Q13. Differentiate between food crops and non-food crops with two examples of each.

Q14. Why is groundnut considered an important oilseed crop? Mention its major producing states.

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Describe the three important millets grown in India along with their growing conditions and major producing states.

Q16. What is crop rotation? Explain its importance with special reference to pulses in maintaining soil fertility.

Q17. Discuss the geographical conditions and cultivation areas of coffee in India. Why is Indian coffee in great demand worldwide?

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Compare and contrast the four types of farming systems practiced in India - Primitive Subsistence, Intensive Subsistence, Commercial, and Plantation farming. Discuss their characteristics, advantages, and limitations.

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

Q19. Case Study 1: India is the largest producer as well as the consumer of pulses in the world. These are the major source of protein in a vegetarian diet. Major pulses grown in India are tur (arhar), urad, moong, masur, peas, and gram. Pulses need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions. Being leguminous crops, all these crops except arhar help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air. Therefore, these are mostly grown in rotation with other crops. (i) Why are pulses important in the Indian diet? (1 mark) (ii) Name any three pulses grown in India. (1 mark) (iii) How do leguminous crops restore soil fertility? (1 mark) (iv) Which pulse does NOT help in nitrogen fixation? (1 mark)

Q20. Case Study 2: In 2020, India was the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China. India is a producer of tropical as well as temperate fruits. Different regions are famous for different products - mangoes of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, oranges of Nagpur, bananas of Kerala, lichi and guava of Uttar Pradesh, pineapples of Meghalaya, grapes of Maharashtra, and apples of Jammu and Kashmir are in great demand worldwide. This diversity is possible due to India's varied climatic conditions.

(i) What is India's rank in world production of fruits and vegetables? (1 mark) (ii) Name two temperate fruits mentioned in the passage. (1 mark) (iii) Why can India produce both tropical and temperate fruits? (1 mark) (iv) Which state is famous for pineapples? (1 mark) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 03

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Q1. Answer:
(c) Both Kharif and Rabi Maize is a kharif crop which requires temperature between 21°C to 27°C, but in some states like Bihar, maize is grown in rabi season also.

Q2. Answer:
(c) Castor seed Castor seed is grown both as rabi and kharif crop. Groundnut is mainly a kharif crop, linseed and mustard are rabi crops, and sesamum is kharif in north and rabi in south India.

Q3. Answer:
(b) Fruits and vegetables In 2020, India was the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China. India produces both tropical and temperate fruits due to its varied climatic conditions.

Q4. Answer:
(b) Sandy soils and shallow black soil Bajra grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soil. Major bajra producing states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana.

Q5. Answer:
(c) Maharashtra Maharashtra is known for oranges from Nagpur and Cherrapunjee (Meghalaya) which are in great demand worldwide.

Q6. Answer:
(c) Kerala Rubber is mainly grown in Kerala, along with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andaman and Nicobar islands, and Garo hills of Meghalaya. It requires moist and humid climate with rainfall of more than 200 cm and temperature above 25°C.

Q7. Answer:
(c) 210 days Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall or irrigation, 210 frost-free days, and bright sunshine for its growth. It is a kharif crop and requires 6 to 8 months to mature.

Q8. Answer:
(b) Oilseeds Different oilseeds are grown covering approximately 12% of the total cropped area of the country. Main oilseeds include groundnut, mustard, coconut, sesamum, soybean, castor seeds, cotton seeds, linseed, and sunflower.

Q9. Answer:
(c) Kerala Major pulse producing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. Kerala is not a major pulse producing state.

Q10. Answer:
(c) Milk Operation Flood, also known as the White Revolution, was associated with milk production. It was one of the strategies initiated in the 1960s and 1970s to improve Indian agriculture.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Q11. Answer: Zaid Crops: These are crops produced during the short season between the rabi and kharif seasons during summer months. Three examples with uses:

1. Watermelon: Consumed as a refreshing fruit during hot summers; provides hydration

2. Muskmelon: Eaten as a nutritious fruit; rich in vitamins and minerals

3. Cucumber: Used as vegetable in salads and cooking; helps in maintaining body temperature

4. (Other examples: vegetables and fodder crops)

Q12. Answer: India is called an agriculturally important country because: Employment: Two-thirds of its population is engaged in agricultural activities, providing livelihood to more than 60% of people Food Production: Agriculture produces most of the food consumed by the population Raw Materials: It provides raw materials for various industries like textiles, sugar, jute, etc. Exports: Agricultural products like tea, coffee, and spices earn valuable foreign exchange

Q13. Answer: Food Crops: Crops grown primarily for human consumption Examples: Rice (cereal), Wheat (cereal), Pulses (protein source), Sugarcane (food and sweetener) Non-Food Crops: Crops grown for industrial use or other purposes, not directly consumed as food Examples: Cotton (fiber for textiles), Jute (fiber for gunny bags and ropes), Rubber (industrial raw material)

Q14. Answer: Importance of Groundnut: It is a kharif crop and accounts for about half of the major oilseeds produced in the country In 2020, India was the second largest producer of groundnut in the world after China It is edible and used as cooking medium Also used in production of soap, cosmetics, and ointments Major Producing States: Gujarat (largest producer), followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu (in 2019-20)

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Q15. Answer: Three Important Millets in India:

1. Jowar: Third most important food crop with respect to area and production Rain-fed crop mostly grown in moist areas which hardly needs irrigation Major producing states: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh

2. Bajra: Grows well on sandy soils and shallow black soil Suitable for dry regions with low rainfall Major producing states: Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana

3. Ragi: Crop of dry regions; grows well on red, black, sandy, loamy, and shallow black soils Very rich in iron, calcium, other micronutrients, and roughage Major producing states: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh

Q16. Answer: Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of growing different crops in succession on the same land to maintain soil fertility and prevent soil depletion. Importance of Crop Rotation: Prevents soil exhaustion by varying nutrient demands Controls pests and diseases naturally Maintains soil structure and organic matter Reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers Special Reference to Pulses: Pulses are leguminous crops (except arhar) that have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil through root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria When pulses are grown in rotation with other crops, they naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth This nitrogen fixation helps in restoring soil fertility without using chemical fertilizers Therefore, pulses are valuable crops in crop rotation as they improve soil health for subsequent crops while requiring less moisture themselves

Q17. Answer: Geographical Conditions for Coffee: Climate: Tropical and subtropical climate Altitude: Hill slopes and elevated areas Rainfall: Well-distributed rainfall throughout the year Temperature: Warm temperatures but not extremely hot Soil: Well-drained fertile soil Cultivation Areas: Initially introduced on Baba Budan Hills Currently confined to Nilgiri in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu Karnataka is the major coffee producing state Why Indian Coffee is in Great Demand: Indian coffee is known for its good quality worldwide The Arabica variety produced in India (initially brought from Yemen) is in great demand Indian coffee has distinctive flavor and aroma due to ideal growing conditions Quality control and processing methods ensure premium product

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Q18. Answer: Four Types of Farming Systems in India:

1. Primitive Subsistence Farming: Characteristics: Practiced on small patches of land with primitive tools (hoe, dao, digging sticks) Uses family/community labor Depends on monsoon and natural soil fertility 'Slash and burn' agriculture where farmers shift to fresh patches when fertility decreases Advantages: Allows natural soil regeneration; low input costs Limitations: Low productivity; soil erosion; deforestation; inefficient land use

2. Intensive Subsistence Farming: Characteristics: Practiced in areas of high population pressure Labor-intensive farming with high doses of biochemical inputs and irrigation Maximum output extracted from limited land Land holdings often uneconomical due to division through inheritance Advantages: Higher productivity per unit area; maximum land utilization Limitations: Small land holdings; lack of alternative livelihoods; overuse of chemical inputs

3. Commercial Farming: Characteristics: Uses higher doses of modern inputs (HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides) Aims for higher productivity for market sale Degree of commercialization varies by region and crop Example: Rice is commercial in Punjab but subsistence in Odisha Advantages: Higher productivity; better income; contributes to economy Limitations: Requires capital investment; market price fluctuations affect farmers; environmental concerns

4. Plantation Agriculture: Characteristics: Single crop grown on large area (tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, banana) Interface of agriculture and industry Capital-intensive with migrant laborers All produce used as raw material in industries Requires well-developed transport and communication network Advantages: Large-scale production; quality control; integrated processing; export-oriented Limitations: Requires huge capital; labor exploitation issues; environmental impact; market dependent Comparison: These farming systems represent evolution from traditional to modern agriculture, varying in scale, technology, labor use, productivity, and market orientation. Choice depends on geographical conditions, population pressure, capital availability, and market access.

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Q19. Answer: (i) Importance in Indian diet: Pulses are important in the Indian diet because they are the major source of protein in a vegetarian diet, which is followed by a large portion of India's population. (ii) Three pulses: Three pulses grown in India are: Tur (arhar) Moong Gram (Other examples: urad, masur, peas) (iii) Restoring soil fertility: Leguminous crops restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air through nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in root nodules. This process naturally adds nitrogen to the soil, which is an essential nutrient for plant growth.

(iv) Pulse not fixing nitrogen: Arhar is the pulse that does NOT help in nitrogen fixation, though all other pulses mentioned (urad, moong, masur, peas, gram) do help in restoring soil fertility through this process.

Q20. Answer: (i) India's rank: In 2020, India was the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China. (ii) Two temperate fruits: Two temperate fruits mentioned are: Apples (from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh) Pears (from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh) (Other temperate fruits mentioned in chapter: apricots, walnuts) (iii) Why both tropical and temperate: India can produce both tropical and temperate fruits due to its varied climatic conditions. The country extends from tropical regions in the south to temperate regions in the northern mountainous areas, providing diverse climatic zones suitable for different types of fruits.

(iv) State famous for pineapples: Meghalaya is the state famous for pineapples. (The passage mentions pineapples of Meghalaya are in great demand.)