Solving ICSE Class 10 Geography Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 Geography Question Paper 2015 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.
ICSE Class 10 Geography Question Paper 2015 Solved
Part – I (30 Marks)
(Attempt all Questions from this part)
Question 1.
Study the extract of the Survey of India Map sheet No. 45D/10 and answer the following questions:
(a) Give the four figure grid reference for a figure similar to the one given below. Identify the figure: [2]
Answer:
6322, Dry Tank with embankment
(b) How is the drainage pattern in grid square 1606 different from that in grid square 1608 ? [2]
Answer:
6217 – Radial, 6219 – Trellis
(c) Identify the correct six figure grid reference for each of the following:
(i) Gautam Maharishi Mandir 655182
(ii) 443
634164 ? [2]
Answer:
(i) 655182,
(ii) 634164
(d) Name the most prominent settlement other than ABU.
Give two reasons to support your answer. [2]
Answer:
Hetamji
(i) The settlement has a school.
(ii) The settlement has telecommunication facilities.
(e) (i) What is the general slope of the land in the north-west corner of the map extract ?
(ii) What is the compass direction of Chandela (6415) from Hanumanji ka Mandir (6719)? [2]
Answer:
(i) East to West
(ii) South West.
(f) What do you understand by the following terms as used on the map extract:
(i) Causeway (6213)
(ii) Falls 25m (6818). [2]
Answer:
(i) It is a raised metalled road across a minor stream.
(ii) Water plunge over a steep slope of 25 meters.
(g) (i) If you were to cycle at 10 km an hour, how much time would it take to cover the north-south distance depicted on this map extract?
(ii) Calculate the area enclosed by Eastings 65 to 68 and Northings 15 to 20. [2]
Answer:
(i) Speed = 10 km/h
Scale = 2 cm to 1 km
Total complete grids = 10
Distance of 1 Grid = 1 km
Distance of 10 Grid = 1 × 10 = 10 km
Time = \(\frac{D}{S}=\frac{10}{10}\) = 1 h
(ii) Total Grids = 24
Area of 1 grid = 1 sqkm
Area of 24 grids = 1 × 24 = 24 sqkm
(h) (i) Identify one natural feature in grid square 6221.
(ii) Identify one man made feature in grid square 6514. [2]
Answer:
(i) Water Stream 6221
(ii) Water tank with embankment.
(i) Give two probable reasons, other than dry water features, to indicate that the region depicted on the map extract receives seasonal rainfall. [2]
Answer:
(i) There are certains roads which are motor- able only in dry season. (6213)
(ii) The presence of open scrub indicates semi desert conditions.
(j) Calculate, in metres, the difference in height between the highest point on the map extract and the contour height given in grid square 7013. [2]
Answer:
Highest point = 1401 (grid 6619)
Contour height (7013) = 280
Difference = 1401 – 280 = 1121
Question 2.
On the outline map of India provided:
(a) Mark and name the Nilgiris. [1]
(b) **Shade and label the Malwa Plateau. [1]
(c) Shade and label the Malabar Coastal Plains. [1]
(d) Mark and name the river Gomti. [1]
(e) Shade and name the Andaman Sea. [1]
(f) Mark and name Allahabad. [1]
(g) Mark with a single arrow and name the winds that bring winter rain to north- west India. [ 1 ]
(h) Mark and name Digboi. [1]
(i) Mark an area with laterite soil below the Tropic of Cancer. [1]
(j) Mark and name the Karakoram Pass. [1]
Answer:
Part-II (50 Marks)
(Attempt any FIVE questions from this Part)
Question 3.
(a) Explain two factors that affect the climate ofIndia giving a suitable example for each. [2]
Answer:
(i) Mountain range : The Himalayan range acts as a barriers to protect the country from cold winds of Central Asia. It also creates barriers for the S-W Monsoon and causes rainfall.
(ii) Long coastline : South India is a Peninsula and has a long coastline. Peninsula situation has helped it to enjoy maritime climate.
(b) State two differences between the rainfalls that occur from June to September and that from December to February in North India. [2]
Answer:
| December to February Rainfall | June to September Rainfall |
| (i) It is caused by North East monsoon. | (i) It is caused by South-West monsoon. |
| (ii) There is very less rainfall that too in limited areas, for e.g. Tamilnadu coast. | (ii) There is heavy rainfall almost throughout India. |
(c) Give a geographic reason for each of the following:
(i) Kerala has the longest rainy season.
(ii) The Konkan coast experiences orographic rainfall.
(iii) The city of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh has a higher range of temperature than that of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. [3]
Answer:
(i)
- Kerala is the state where South West monsoon strikes the first.
- Kerala also receives rainfall from retreating monsoon.
(ii) Orographic rainfall is a rain which occurs due to uplift of air caused by relief features such as mountains. The Western Ghats rise abruptly like a wall from Western Coastal plains more or less parallel to the coastline. This wall like mountain range forces the moist laden South-West monsoons from the Arabian Sea to ascent the slope thereby giving heavy rainfall in the West Coastal Plain and the Konkan coast.
(iii) Kanpur is located away from the sea-coast whereas chennai is located on the coast.
(d) Study the climatic data given below and answer the questions that follow:
(i) Identify the hottest month.
(ii) Calculate the annual rainfall.
(iii) Name the winds that bring the maximum rainfall to this city. [3]
Answer:
(i) May with temperature of 28°C.
(ii) Annual rainfall 131.9.
(iii) North – East trade winds.
Question 4.
(a) State the characteristic of each of the soils named below that makes them most suitable for crop cultivation:
(i) Black soil
(ii) Red soil [2]
Answer:
(i)
- The black soil has the ability to retain moisture which is due to its clay contents.
- The soil is rich in calcium, carbonate, magnesium, potash, etc.
(ii)
- Red soil is light in texture.
- Soil is loamy in deep depressions and in uplands it consists of loose gravel a highly coarse material.
(b) State the geographic term for each of the following processes
(i) The process by which soluble minerals dissolve in rain water and percolate to the bottom, leaving the top soil infertile.
(ii) The process by which rain water, flowing in definite paths, removes the top soil, thus causing deep cuts to the surface of the land. [2]
Answer:
(i) Leaching
(ii) Gully erosion
(c) Define the following:
(i) Pedogenesis
(ii) Humus
(iii) Bhangar [3]
Answer:
(i) Pedogenesis is the science and study of the processes that lead to the formation of soil.
(ii) Humus : It is the organic matter present in the soil formed by the decomposition of plants and animals.
(iii)
- It belongs to old alluvium.
- It contains kankars, nodules, with calcium carbonate in subsoil so it is less fertile.
(d) Give a geographic reason for each of the following :
(i) Alluvial soil is extremely fertile.
(ii) Need for Soil conservation.
(iii) Reafforestation should be practised extensively. [3]
Answer:
(i) The alluvial soil is made up of very fine particles known as silt. It is brought down by the rivers.
(ii) Soil is the most precious and natural asset of any nation.
It takes millions of years to form soil upto a few cm in depth.
(iii) To Check Soil Erosion : The roots of trees and plants anchor and hold the soil together and so it is not easily removed by running water and wind. Trees, plants, shrubs and grasses reduce the speed of flowing water and allow the water to be absorbed by the soil.
Ecological balance : Trees play very importance role in ecological balance as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
Question 5.
(a) State two characteristics of Tropical Deciduous forests. [2]
Answer:
- These forests are found in areas receiving 200 cm-70 cm of rainfall.
- These are the most widespread forests of India.
(b) State two reasons why Tropical Evergreen forests are difficult to exploit. [2]
Answer:
- Due to dense undergrowth.
- A large number of species is found together. It creates difficulty in the commercial use of any particular variety.
- Lack of transport facilities.
(c) Identify the tree as per its characteristics mentioned below:
(i) It yields wood that is hard and scented and is usually found in high altitudes.
(ii) It is generally found in deltaic regions and is used to make boats.
(iii) The furniture made from the wood of this tree is generally the most expensive. [3]
Answer:
(i) Sandalwood
(ii) Sundari
(iii) Teak
(d) Differentiate between afforestation and deforestation. State a disadvantage of deforestation. [3]
Answer:
| Afforestation | Deforestation |
| Planting of trees for commercial purposes is known as afforestation. | Clearing or cutting of trees is known as deforestation. |
Disadvantage of deforestation:
- Deforestation leads to ecological imbalance and soil erosion.
Question 6.
(a) State two reasons why irrigation is important to a country like India. [2]
Answer:
- Rainfall in India is very uncertain and seasonal.
- There is unequal distribution of rainfall.
- Different varieties of crops are grown which require different quantities of water supply.
(b) Name two modern methods of irrigation. State one important reason for their growing popularity. [2]
Answer:
Drip irrigation and sprinkler system. These are water saving techniques.
(c) (i) Why is well irrigation still a popular means of irrigation ? Give two reasons to support your answer,
(ii) State the significance of rainwater harvesting. [3]
Answer:
(i)
- They are the simplest and cheapest source of irrigation.
- They can be dug at any convient place.
(ii)
- To overcome the inadequacy of surface water to meet our demands.
- To check a fall in groundwater levels and to enhance availability at specific place and time.
(d) (i) Why is the world in danger of facing a severe water shortage in the coming future? Give two reasons to support your answer.
(ii) State one measure the Government should adopt to handle the present water crisis. [3]
Answer:
(i) Water tables are falling in several of the world’s key farming regions, including under the North China Plain, which produces nearly one third of China’s grain harvest; in the Punjab, which is India’s breadbasket; and in the U.S. southern Great Plains, a leading grain producing region.
Population expansion is the single biggest reason for increasing pressure on water resources. Water consumption has almost doubled in the last fifty years and naturally per capita availability of water has steadily decreased.
(ii) Government should promote rainwater harvesting. Drip, sprinkle and other water saving techniques for irrigation should be promoted.
Question 7.
(a) ** State two reasons why limestone is a valuable mineral. [2]
(b) State the most important use of the following:
(i) Iron ore
(ii) Bauxite [2]
Answer:
(i) Iron ore – Iron Extraction.
(ii) Bauxite – Aluminium Extraction.
(c) Name the:
(i) Largest oil refinery in the Public sector.
(ii) State that is the largest producer of coal.
(iii) Best variety of iron ore. [3]
Answer:
(i) Guwahati Refinery (Assam)
(ii) Jharkhand
(iii) Magnetite
(d) Give a geographic reason for each of the following:
(i) Many port cities have their own oil refineries.
(ii) Petroleum is called a fossil fuel ’.
(iii) Coal is called a versatile mineral. [3]
Answer:
(i) Most of the oil fields are found in the ocean beds.
(ii) Because it has been formed from the prehistoric organic remains of plants and animals.
(iii) Because of its multiple uses as a major source of energy as well as a major raw material.
Question 8.
(a) Differentiate between a Rabi crop and a Kharif crop. [2]
Answer:
(i) Kharif crops are grown during the onset of monsoon during the months of June or early July. By the end of the monsoons i.e., early November, these are ready for harvest. Rice, maize, millets, cotton are important crops.
(ii) Rabi crops are grown during the month of November and are harvested in April-May. Wheat, tobacco, gram, mustard are important crops.
(b) State an important difference between the climatic requirements for growing cotton and jute. [2]
Answer:
table – 3
(c) Give the geographic term for each of the following:
(i) Cultivation of sugarcane from the root stock of the cane which has been cut.
(ii) The residue left behind after the crushing of oilseeds.
(iii) The process by which latex is converted into a thick, spongy mass by adding acetic acid or formic acid [3]
Answer:
(i) Ratoon
(ii) Oil Cake
(iii) Vulcinisation
(d) Give a geographic reason for each of the following:
(i) Tea is cultivated on hill slopes.
(ii) The yield per hectare of sugarcane is higher in the Southern states.
(iii) Pulses are important food crops. [3]
Answer:
(i) Tea is grown on hill slopes because stagnant water is harmful to the roots of the plant and on the hill slopes water drains away easily hence, water logging does not take place.
(ii) Due to favourable climatic condition the sucrose content is higher so yield per hectare is high in southern India as compared to Northern India.
(iii) They are a very good source of protein in a vegetarian diet.
Question 9.
(a) (i) Why is the cotton textile industry called an agro-based industry ?
(ii) Give an important reason for it being more widespread than the jute industry. [2]
Answer:
(i) Cotton the basic input is obtained from agriculture.
(ii) Availability of jute is limited to some states only whereas cotton is grown in many states.
(b) (i) State one important point of similarity between the woollen industry and the silk industry.
(ii) Name the state that produces the most woollen and silk products respectively. [2]
Answer:
(i) Both are agro based industries.
(ii) Woollen – Punjab, Silk – Karnataka
(c) (i) State two major problems faced by the sugar industry,
(ii) Name two by-products of the sugar industry. [3]
Answer:
(i)
- The sugarcane is of low quality with low sugar content.
- Transportation facilities are not adequate.
- The factories are small and uneconomical to operate.
(ii) Molasses and Bagasse
(d) (i) State one of the main problems of the silk industry.
(ii) Name two products of the jute industry, other than rope and gunny bags.
(iii) Why are synthetic fibres popular? [3]
Answer:
(i) Synthetic fibers are providing tough competition.
(ii) Jute bags and carpets.
(iii) They are cheap and durable.
Question 10.
(a) (i) Why is the iron and steel industry called a basic industry?
(ii) Define a mini steel plant. [2]
Answer:
(i) Iron and steel industry is a key or basic industry as lays the foundation of other industries. Most of the other industries such as automobiles, locomotive, rail tracks, ship building, machine building, bridges, dams and many other industries and commercial activities depend upon iron and steel industry.
(ii) The steel plants that do not do all the processing at one place are called mini- steel plants. These plants are small in size and use less capital investments. They use steel scrap in electric furnace and hence help in recycling iron and reduce the consumption of coal.
(b) With which large scale industry would you identify the following manufacturing centres? [2]
(i) Kanpur
(ii) Rourkela
(iii) Pune
(iv) Mangalore
Answer:
(i) Cotton textile
(ii) Iron and Steel Industry
(iii) Automobile
(iv) Chemical and Fertiliser
(c) (i) State two reasons for the growing importance in the status of petrochemical industries.
(ii) Name two products of the petroleum industry. [3]
Answer:
(i) Petrochemicals are those chemicals and compounds which are derived from petroleum resources. These chemicals are used for manufacturing a large variety of articles such as synthetic rubber, ferrous and non- ferrous metals, plastics, dye-stuffs, insecticides, drugs and pharmaceuticals.
(ii) Petrochemical products are cost effective
(d) (i) State two conditions necessary for the setting up of a heavy engineering industry.
(ii) Name a ship building yard on the east coast and a centre for making electric locomotives. [3]
Answer:
(i)
- Availability of cheap raw material.
- Large amount of capital.
(ii) Kolkata
Question 11.
(a) (i) Why is the Railways an important means of transport as compared to Airways?
(ii) State one economic benefit of the Golden Quadrilateral Project. [2]
Answer:
(i)
- Railway is cheap mode of transportation.
- Railway can cany bulky raw material.
(ii) It will help in expanding the market.
(b) (i) State one important difference between an expressway and a highway.
(ii) Name thefirst expressway constructed in the country.
(iii) State a reason why the Northern Rivers ate more suitable for navigation than the Deccan Rivers. [3]
Answer:
(i)
- Expressway: These have been constructed for high speed movement of vehicles.
- Highway: These provide link between one state to another.
(ii) Mumbai to Pune
(iii) Deccan rivers forms gorges and rapids whereas northern rivers don’t form major gorges or rapids.
(c) (i) “Waste segregation is important”. Give a reason to support your answer.
(ii) Why is nuclear waste harmful?
(iii) Explain briefly how as a student, you can help in the reduction of waste generation. [3]
Answer:
(i) Waste segregation is important because under this waste is segregated into different categories like biodegrdable and non-biodegrdable. It increases recycling process.
(ii)
- The iodine may affect the White Blood Cells, bone marrow, spleen, lymph, skin cancer, sterility, eye and damage to the lung.
- The strontium has the ability to aggregate in the bones and form a bone cancer and leads to tissue degeneration.
(iii)
- We should follow the principle of simple living.
- We should prefer the use of natural energy resources such as solar cooker and minimise the use of cooking gas.
- We should close all the taps when not in use.
- We should switch off electric appliances when not in use.
- We should make minimum use of auto vehicles and maximum use of the public transport vehicles
(d) (i) What is understood by biodegradable waste?
(ii) State one source of gaseous waste. [2]
Answer:
(i) Biodegradable waste includes that material which breakdown or decompose in the soil, e.g., fruits and vegetables.
(ii) Factories and vehicles