SAMPLE TEST PAPER for NTSE

BIOLOGY

Q1.  The process of Transcription is involved in the ?
(a)  Conversation of RNA & DNA
(b)  Movement of RNA from nucleus
(c)  Formation of RNA & DNA
(d)  None of these
Ans. (c)

Q2.  Persons who received Nobel Prize for their work on green plants are
(a)  Carsan & Van – U.San
(b)  Calvin & Borlang
(c)  Beadle & Tcrick
(d)  None of these
Ans. (b)

Q3.  Genes are made of
(a) Hristones
(b) Poly nucleotides
(c) Hydrocarbon
(d) Lipoproteins
Ans. (b)

Q4.  The cell membrane is made of
(a) Phospho Proteins
(b) Proteins
(c) Phospholipid Proteins
(d)  None of these
Ans. (c)

Q5.  Which of the following diseases are sex – linked 
(a) Maliganancy   (b) Levnemia
(c) Blood ness  (d) Hepatitis
Ans. (c)

Q6.  Which vitamin deficiency caused the cracking of lips of the patient at corner ?
(a) Vitamin A  (b) Vitamin C
(c) Vitamin B2   (d) None of these
Ans. (c)

Q7.  What is weed ?
(a)  Unwanted plant along with crops
(b)  The root protein of the plants
(c)  The disease cause to plants
(d)  None of these
Ans.  (a) 
Q8.  The protein part of an enzyme is termed as
(a) Holoenzyme
(b) Ribosome
(c) Prostetic group
(d) Apoenzyme
Ans. (d)

Q9.  Fungi resemble human beings in 
(a)  Their mode of nutrition
(b)  Their requirement of oxygen for respiration 
(c)  Their stored food
(d)  All of the above
Ans.   (d)

Q10.  Quinine is obtained from
(a)  Roots of Ravoltia Serpentine
(b)  Bark of Cinchona
(c)  Stigmas of Crocus
(d)  None of these
Ans. (b)

Q11.  The first event in Photosynthesis is
(a)  Photolysis of water
(b)  Release of water
(c)  Formation of ATP & NADPH
(d)  Photoexitation of Chlorophyll & ejection of an electron
Ans. (d)

Q12.  Plants are made disease resistance by
(a)  Crossing them with their wild relatives
(b)  Crossing them with new varieties
(c)  Giving x – rays in restricted doses 
(d)  None of these
Ans.   (a)

Q13.  The total number of Amino acids in natural is 
(a) 20
(b) 25
(c) 30
(d) 200
Ans. (d)

Q14.  Protein catalysts of chemical reactions in biological systems are
(a) Hormones
(b) Enzymes
(c) Vitamins
(d)  Both Harmones & enzymes
Ans.  (b) 
Q15.  Carbohydrates may be defined chemically as 
(a)  Aldehyde or Ketone derivatives of the polyhedric alcoholes
(b)  Compounds which yield as are derivatives on Hydrolysis
(c)  Both a & b
(d)  None of these
Ans. (a)

Q16.  Lipids are important dietary constituents because of 
(a)  High energy volume
(b)  Fat – soluble vitamins
(c)  Essential fatty acids
(d)  All of the above
Ans. (d)

Q17.  Which of the following crops would require minimum quantity of urea of NPK for its growth 
(a) Sugarcane  (b) Paddy
(c) Groundnut  (d) Black – gram
Ans.   (d)

Q18.  Which of the following are non – biogradable
(a) Egg shell
(b) Butter
(c) Detergents
(d) Leather
Ans. (c)

Q19.  Symptoms of food poisoning
(a)  Nausea & abdominal pain
(b)  Head & body etching
(c) Loose motion
(d)  All of the above
Ans. (a)

Q20.  A doctor noticed that the patient is pale & loosing weight with tiredness physically. What is its
cause ?
(a)  This disease is due to Iron deficiency & Vitamin B12 
(b)  This disease is due to deficiency of Vitamin C
(c)  This disease is due to deficiency of Vitamin D& E
(d)  All of the these
Ans. (a)

Q21.  Spiracles of cockroach is known as
(a) 2 pairs
(b) 8 pairs
(c) 10 pairs
(d)  None of these
Ans.  (c) 
Q22.  Benign tertian liver in man is caused
(a) P. Vivax
(b)  P – malaria
(c)  P. Faclic prumbra
(d) P. ovale
Ans. (a)

Q23.  Water balance in fresh water protozoans is maintained by
(a) Food vacuoles
(b) Diffusion
(c) Nucleus
(d) Contractile Vacuoles
Ans. (d)

Q24.  Which is the most widely accepted theory of locomotion in Amoeba ?
(a)  Sol – gel theory
(b)  Rolling movement theory
(c)  Walking movement theory 
(d)  None of these
Ans. (b)

Q25.  Urea is produced in the body of man in a 
(a) Kidney
(b) Urinary bladder
(c) Liver
(d) Blood
Ans. (c)

Q26.  Rabbit is classified as a mammal because it posses
(a)  Mammary glands & hair & pinna
(b)  Mammary glands, hair, pinna & cochlea
(c)  Hair, pinna, cochlea & teeth
(d)  None of these
Ans. (a)

Q27.  In Kidney, glucose is mainly absorbed in the 
(a) Bowman's capsule
(b)  Distal Convoluted tubule
(c)  Loop of Henle
(d)  Proximal convoluted tubule
Ans. (d)

Q28.  What will happen to the body of an adult human being if spleen is removed ?
(a)  RBC production will be reduced
(b)  Antibody production will less
(c)  WBC production lowered
(d)  Filtration of dead RBC will not be possible
Ans.  (d) 
Q29.  Maligant fever is caused by speci
(a) Vivax
(b) Malaria
(c) Ovale
(d) Falciparum
Ans. (d)

Q30.  Malaria is transmitted by
(a) Male anopheleles
(b) Female anopheleles
(c) Anopheleles
(d) Mosquitoes
Ans.  (b)

  Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Sample Questions in Social Sciences
1.     Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
1.    ILO           -     London
2.    ICJ            -     Hague
3.    UNESCO -    Washington
4.    WHO       -     Paris

2.   Arrange the following Indo-Pak events in correct chronological order.
A.  Creation of Bangladesh 
B.  Tashkant Declaration 
C.  Simla Agreement 
D. Lahore Declaration

Which order is correct?
1.  A C D B 
2.  B A C D 
3.  D B A C
4.  A B C D
 
3-4  Direction: Read the following statement and answer the questions that follow.

        "India with over 2 percent of the world's geographical area is inhibited by
16   percent of the world population".
3.     From the above statement, it is inferred that in the world population almost every
1.     5th person is Indian
2.     6th person is Indian
3.     7th person is Indian
4.     8th person is Indian
                                                                                             
4.     Which of the following countries fits in a completely reverse position explained in
the above statement?
1.     China
2.     Bangladesh
3.     United Kingdom
4.     Australia

5.  Which pairs are correctly matched? Select the correct alternative.

a.  Brahmo Samaj - Dayanand Saraswati
b.  Arya Samaj- Vivekananda
c.  Ramakrishna Mission - Raja Ram Mohan Roy
d.  Aligarh Movement - Syed Ahmed Khan
e.  Veda Samaj - Cembeti Sridharlu Naidu
1.  a and d
2.  b and e
3.  d and e
4.  c and d

6.  Some persons and events are stated below:

A.    Warren Hastings      I     Theosophical Society of India 
B.    Col. Olcott              II      Duel Government in Bengal 
C.    Lord Ripon            III     The French Revolution 
D.    Tipu Sultan           IV     The Local Self Government
Which of the following indicates the correct matching of the above

1.    A I     B.  II      C. Ill      D. IV
2.    A II    B. III     C.  II      D.  I
3.    A II    B. I        C.  IV    D.  III
4.    A IV   B. II      C.  I       D.  III
                                                    
7.     Stated below are some statements.
a.  The Modern Age suddenly came into existence 
b.  The Renaissance emphasized the value of reason and scientific temper in life.
c.  The Industrial Revolution in England led to the decline of Cottage Industries in India.
Which statements are true?
1.    a and b
2.    b and c
3.    a and c
4.    a, b and c                                                                                              


 8-9.   Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
The later part of the eighteenth century saw two revolutions, which played an
important role in the making of the modem world.    
The first one involved English Government against its thirteen colonies. Most of
the people settled in these colonies had come from England.
8.  The passage is referring to two revolutions. Which of the following are these?
1.     Russian Revolution and French Revolution
2.     American Revolution and French Revolution
3.     American Revolution and Chinese Revolution
4.     French Revolution and Chinese Revolution
                                                                                              
9.   Which of the following Revolutions is related to the thirteen English Colonies?
1.     Russian Revolution
2.     American Revolution
3.     Industrial Revolution
4.     French Revolution
                                                                                            

10.   A volcano erupts on the ocean floor and a ship is located on the oceanic surface
very close to the epicentre. Which one of the following conditions will the ship
face?
1.    get toppled
2.    drift away
3.    wreck
4.    not much of a change

11.   Read the following statements
A.  The towns in Canadian prairies developed after the construction of    
       Canadian Pacific Railway. 
B.  Most of the Cities of India were connected by railways after these had 
       already  developed.

Which one of the following is correct? 
1.  A is true, B is false
2.  A is false, B is true
3.  Both A and B are true
4.  Both A and B are false 

12.   Which one of the following sequences of the atmospheric layers will a space shuttle
encounter while returning to the earth?
1.     Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
2.     Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Ionosphere, Troposphere
3.     Stratosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere
 4.     Ionosphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Troposphere

  13.  Given below are some characteristics of a region.
a.      Rainfall is scanty
b.     Difference between day and night temperature is high
c.     Very little vegetation is found
Which of the following regions has all these features?
1.     coasts
2.     deserts
3.     plateaus
4.      plains
 
      
15.    Read the following:
a.   80% of forests have been cleared.
 b.    A quarter of world's mammals are at risk of extinction.
 c.    Global warming will trigger a devastating rise in sea levels.
       Which of the following best explains all of the above?
1.     Increasing industrialization
2.  Large scale urbanization
3.  Increased human activity
4.  Large scale mechanization
           
Solutions to Questions on Social Science

Q.No. Key  Rationale
1.  2  International Court of Justice is located at Hague. WHO is not at Paris, UNESCO  at not at Washington, and ILO not at London.  Therefore alternative 2 is the answer.

2.  3  Lahore Declaration took place in 1929,  Tashkent Declaration in 1966,  creation  of Bangladesh in 1971, and Shimla Agreement in 1972.  Therefore alternative 3 is the answer.

3.  2  16% of the World Population means 1/6th of the population, which implies that every 6th person is an Indian.

4.  4  Australia has a large area of land but is sparsely populated.  All the other three
countries are thickly populated.  Therefore, the answer is alternative  4.

5.  3  The answer key gives the clue.
6.  3  Warren Hastings was associated with dual Government in Bengal, Col. Olcott
with Theosophical Society of India, Lord Ripon with the Local Self
Government and Tipu Sultan with the French Revolution.  The answer
therefore is at alternative 3, which shows the correct matching.

7. 2  In this question you have to reason out which statements are true.  Here the first
statement is not true, as the Modern Age could not come into existence
suddenly.  Hence, alternative 2 is correct which shows that statements b and c are true.
 
8.  2  This question is based on a given passage.  You have to find out which
revolutions the passage is referring to.   For the first revolution the hint is given
in the passage.  It involved 13 English Colonies, where the settlers were from
England.  You will realize that their colonies were located in America.  So one
Revolution is American Revolution, and the second one is French Revolution
as it was important in shaping the modern world.  The Russian Revolution and
the Chinese Revolution took place in 20th Century only.  So the answer is  alternative 2.

9.  2  This question is related to the first question.  You can reason it out because the 13 colonies mentioned here were in America.  So the answer is 2.
10. 4  
11. 3 
12. 1
13. 2 
14. 3 

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY , WHY DEMOCRACY?

Class - IX (Civics) NCERT

    “Democracy is a form of Govt. in which the rulers are Elected by the people.”
    Every country which holds election cannot be termed as a democracy. There are some other factors also. Many country’s have elections but cannot be termed as Democracy.

Features of Democracy

(i)    “Major decisions by elected leaders”
    General Parvej Musharraf led a Military Coup in Oct. 1999, he declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country. Became President in 2002, he held a referendum which granted him a five year extension. But this referendum was based on malpractices and fraud. He issued an order according to which President can dismiss the National or Provincial Assemblies. Work of the civilian cabinet was to supervised by a National Security Council dominated by military officials.
    “In a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people.”

(ii)     “Free and Fair electoral competition.”
    China - National People’s Congress appoints President of China, has 3000 members but all belong to Chinese Communist Party or her allies. The Govt. is always formed by the Communist Party.
    Mexico - Since 1920 to 2000 every election is won by PRI, they use dirty tricks to win elections.
    (a) All Govt. officials to be a part of PRI only.
    (b) Teachers force parents to vote for PRI.
    (c) Media favours only PRI
    (d) Last moment changes in Election Booths.
    (e) Govt. spent money on the campaigning of PRI candidates.
    “A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.”

(iii)     “One Person, One Vote and One Value”
    (a) In Saudi Arabia women’s don’t have the Right to Vote.
    (b) In Estonia Russian minority finds it difficult to get the Right to Vote.
    (c) In Fiji, vote of an indigenous Fijian has more value than that of an Indian Fijian.
    “In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.”

(iv)     “Rule of Law and respect for Rights.”
    Zimbabwe since its independence, has been ruled by ZANU-PF, regular elections are held in this country, even then this country cannot be termed as Democracy because,
    (a) Has amended Constitution many times to increase the powers of the President.
    (b) People don’t have the Right of Speech and Expression.
    (c) Censorship of Media
    (d) Govt. ignores court judgements which goes against it.
    Govt. violates basic rights of the citizens. For e.g. Right of Equality, Right to Freedom of Speech  and Expression, Right to form Associations, Right to Constitutional Remedies are not provided to citizens.
    “Even major decisions has to go through a series of consultation. Rights of the minorities should be protected.”

    Summery
    A Democracy must have the following features -
    (a) Representatives elected by the people take all the decisions.
    (b) Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.
    (c) Opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.
    (d) Leads to a Govt. limited by basic rules of the Constitution and citizen’s right.

    Arguments against Democracy
    (a) Leaders keep changing, it leads to instability.
    (b) All about political competition and power play, no scope for morality.
    (c) So many people have to be consulted that it leads to delays.
    (d) Leaders do not know the best interest of the people, it leads to bad decisions.
    (e) Leads to corruption.
    (f) Many people don’t know what is good for them, they should not decide anything.

    Arguments in Favour of Democracy
    (a) More accountable from of Govt.
    (b) Improves the quality of decision making.
    (c) Provides a method to deal with difference and conflicts.
    (d) Enhances the dignity of citizens
    (e) It allows us to correct its own mistakes.

French Revolution

Multiple Choice Questions on French Revolution - Answered
1. Storming of the Bastille
(a) 14th July, 1789
(b) 14th July, 1798
(c) 14th June, 1789
(d) 14th June, 1798
2. The Bastille symbolised
(a) benevolence of the king
(b) despotic power of the king
(c) armed might of France
(d) prestige and power
3. 18th century French society was divided into
(a) castes
(b) four Estates
(c) three Estates
(d) two Estates
4. Which of the following constituted the privileged class?
(a) Clergy and peasants
(b) Peasants and nobility
(c) First and Third Estate
(d) Clergy and nobility
5. The most important of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and nobility
(a) right to collect dues
(b) ownership of land
(c) participate in wars
(d) exemption from taxes to the state
6. Which of the following believed social position must depend on merit?
(a) Middle class
(b) Nobility
(c) Workers
(d) Peasants
7. Society based on freedom, equal laws and opportunities was advocated by
(a) middle class and people of the Third Estate
(b) clergy and nobility
(c) philosophers such as John Locke and Rousseau
(d) Englishmen Georges Danton and Arthur Young
8. Which of the following refuted the doctrine of divine and absolute right?
(a) John Locke
(b) Rousseau
(c) Montesquieu
(d) Voltaire
9. Who advocated government based on Social Contract?
(a) Darwin
(b) Spencer
(c) Rousseau
(d) Montesquieu
10. Division of power within the government was put forth in
(a) 'Two Treaties of Government'
(b) 'The Spirit of the Laws'
(c) 'Le Moniteur Universal'
(d) 'The Social Contract'
11. King in France at the time of the Revolution
(a) Louis XIV
(b) Louis XVI
(c) Marie Antoinette
(d) Nicholas II
12. Political body of France
(a) Duma
(b) Reichstag
(c) Lok Sabha
(d) Estates General
13. Voting in the Estates General was conducted on the principle of
(a) each member one vote
(b) male adult franchise
(c) universal adult franchise
(d) each Estate one vote
14. The Estates General was last convened in
(a) 1604
(b) 1614
(c) 1416
(d) 1641
15. Where did the Third Estate form and announce the National Assembly?
(a) Indoor Tennis Court
(b) Hall of Mirrors
(c) Firoz Shah Ground
(d) Winter Palace
16. Members of the Third Estate were led by
(a) Louis XVI and Marie Antionette
(b) Lenin and Kerensky
(c) Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes
(d) Rousseau and Voltaire
17. Which of the following was the main objective of the Constitution of 1791?
(a) to limit the powers of the king alone
(b) do away with feudal privileges
(c) give equal rights to women
(d) establish a constitutional monarchy
18. A broken chain symbolised
(a) Chains used to fetter slaves
(b) Strength lies in unity
(c) Royal power
(d) Act of becoming free
19. The winged woman personified
(а) National colours of France
(b) Act of becoming free
(c) Personification of Law
(d) Rays of the Sun will drive away the clouds of ignorance
20. Bundle of rods or fasces symbolised
(a) Royal power
(b) Equality before law
(c) Law is the same for all
(d) Strength lies in unity
21. Which of the following symbolised Eternity?
(a) Sceptre
(b) Eye within a triangle radiating light
(c) The Law Tablet
(d) Snake biting its tail to form a ring
22. Which of the following were the national colours of France during the?
(a) Blue-green-yellow
(b) Red-green-blue
(c) Blue-white-red
(d) Yellow-red-white
23. National Anthem of France
(a) Vande Matram
(b) Roget de L Isle
(c) Le Moniteur Universel
(d) Morseillaise
24. Members of the Jacbbin Club were known as
(a) Conservatives
(b) Revolutionaries
(c) Terrorists
(d) San-culottes
25. France on 21st September, 1792 was declared a
(a) Socialist State
(b) Democracy
(c) Communist State
(d) Republic
Answers:

1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (d) 6. (a) 7. (c) 8. (a) 9. (c) 10. (b) 11. (b) 12. (d) 13. (d) 14. (b) 15. (a) 16. (c) 17. (d) 18. (d) 19. (c) 20. (d) 21. (d) 22. (c) 23. (d) 24. (d) 25. (d)

NCERT announces NTSE in class X.
Last day to fill up the form 31. August.12
First Stage Examination on 18.November.12

http://www.ncert.nic.in/programmes/talent_exam/pdf_files/NTSE_2012-13.pdf

NTSE - 13 to be held for the Students of Class X
Students get prepared to avail this opportunity !
http://epaper.patrika.com/47591/Udaipur/17072012#page/1/1

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY, WHY DEMOCRACY?

Chapter no. 01, CIVICS, Class - IX
   

 “Democracy is a form of Govt. in which the rulers are Elected by the people.”
    Every country which holds election cannot be termed as a democracy. There are some other factors also. Many country’s have elections but cannot be termed as Democracy.

Features of Democracy

(i)    “Major decisions by elected leaders”
    General Parvej Musharraf led a Military Coup in Oct. 1999, he declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country. Became President in 2002, he held a referendum which granted him a five year extension. But this referendum was based on malpractices and fraud. He issued an order according to which President can dismiss the National or Provincial Assemblies. Work of the civilian cabinet was to supervised by a National Security Council dominated by military officials.
    “In a democracy the final decision making power must rest with those elected by the people.”

(ii)     “Free and Fair electoral competition.”
    China - National People’s Congress appoints President of China, has 3000 members but all belong to Chinese Communist Party or her allies. The Govt. is always formed by the Communist Party.
    Mexico - Since 1920 to 2000 every election is won by PRI, they use dirty tricks to win elections.
    (a) All Govt. officials to be a part of PRI only.
    (b) Teachers force parents to vote for PRI.
    (c) Media favours only PRI
    (d) Last moment changes in Election Booths.
    (e) Govt. spent money on the campaigning of PRI candidates.
    “A democracy must be based on a free and fair election where those currently in power have a fair chance of losing.”

(iii)     “One Person, One Vote and One Value”
    (a) In Saudi Arabia women’s don’t have the Right to Vote.
    (b) In Estonia Russian minority finds it difficult to get the Right to Vote.
    (c) In Fiji, vote of an indigenous Fijian has more value than that of an Indian Fijian.
    “In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote and each vote must have one value.”

(iv)     “Rule of Law and respect for Rights.”
    Zimbabwe since its independence, has been ruled by ZANU-PF, regular elections are held in this country, even then this country cannot be termed as Democracy because,
    (a) Has amended Constitution many times to increase the powers of the President.
    (b) People don’t have the Right of Speech and Expression.
    (c) Censorship of Media
    (d) Govt. ignores court judgements which goes against it.
    Govt. violates basic rights of the citizens. For e.g. Right of Equality, Right to Freedom of Speech  and Expression, Right to form Associations, Right to Constitutional Remedies are not provided to citizens.
    “Even major decisions has to go through a series of consultation. Rights of the minorities should be protected.”

    Summery
    A Democracy must have the following features -
    (a) Representatives elected by the people take all the decisions.
    (b) Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change the current rulers.
    (c) Opportunity is available to all the people on an equal basis.
    (d) Leads to a Govt. limited by basic rules of the Constitution and citizen’s right.

    Arguments against Democracy
    (a) Leaders keep changing, it leads to instability.
    (b) All about political competition and power play, no scope for morality.
    (c) So many people have to be consulted that it leads to delays.
    (d) Leaders do not know the best interest of the people, it leads to bad decisions.
    (e) Leads to corruption.
    (f) Many people don’t know what is good for them, they should not decide anything.

    Arguments in Favour of Democracy
    (a) More accountable from of Govt.
    (b) Improves the quality of decision making.
    (c) Provides a method to deal with difference and conflicts.
    (d) Enhances the dignity of citizens
    (e) It allows us to correct its own mistakes.

As per the information from NCERT, "From the academic year 2012, the MHRD  
has shifted NTS examination from class 8 to class 10" Details will be  
announced on 3rd week of July 2012.
http://dsert.kar.nic.in/index.asp

Exact details have still not come out. there is a meeting scheduled on 13  
July at NCERT on below mentioned points :
1. Possibility of conducting NTSE in both the classes ( Class 8 and 10 ) at  
least for this year .
2. Minimum percentage criterion in last class to be eligible to write NTSE
3. Discussion on increased no of scholarship as well as the amount.
4. time frame when the increased scholarship be applicable.

    THE STORY OF VILLAGE PALAMPUR

Class - IX, Economics

    Overview :   

    (i) Farming is the main activity, other activities are small scale manufacturing, dairy, transport etc.
    (ii) Transport is well developed. Bullock carts, tongas, bogeys to motor vehicles like motorcycles, jeeps, tractors and trucks.
    (iii) Society - has about 450 families. 80 upper caste families owns majority of land, their houses are pucca. The SCs comprise one-third of population have kuchha houses, made up of mud and straw.
    (iv) Infrastructure - have electricity connections used for powering tubewells, for small business. Two primary schools, a primary health center and one private dispensary.

    Organisation of Production

    Four requirements for production of goods and services. Every production is organised by combining land, labour, physical capital and human capital, these are known factors of production.
    (i) Land - natural resources such as water, forests and minerals
    (ii) Labour - workers who can do manual workers
    (iii) Physical capital - 

    (a) Tools, machines, buildings that can be used in production over many years.            

    (b) Raw materials and money in hand are called working capital, these are used up in production.
    (iv) Human capital - knowledge and enterprise to put together land, labour and physical capital and produce an output.

    Farming in Palampur :

    Land is fixed :
    Since 1960 in Palampur, there has been no expansion in land area under cultivation. By then, some of the wastelands in the village had been converted to cultivable land. Now there is no land left to be brought under cultivation.

    Is there a way one can grow more from the same land ?
    Multiple Cropping - In rainy season farmers grow jowar and bajra. Cultivation of potato between October and December, in winter season fields are sown with wheat. A part of the land is also devoted to sugarcane.
    Promotion of Irrigation - Electric run tubewells could irrigate much larger areas of land more effectively, which helps in growing three crops in a year in Palampur.
    Green Revolution (modern farming methods and use of HYV seeds)

    Will the land sustain ?

    Modern farming methods have overused the natural resource base (loss of soil fertility due to increased use of chemical fertilizers, reduction of water-table below the ground)

    Distribution of land between the farmers of Palampur ?

    (i) About one third of the 450 families are landless, i.e. 150 families, most of them Dalits, have no land for cultivation.
    (ii) 240 families cultivate small plots of land less than 2 hectares in size.
    (iii) About 60 families of medium and large farmers cultivate more than 2 hectares of land. A few of the large farmers have land extending over 10 hectares or more.

    Who will provide the labour ?

    Farm labourers come either from landless families or families cultivating small plots of land. They are paid wages by the farmer in cash or in kind. Wages very widely from region to region, from crop to crop, from one farm activity to another.
    The minimum wages for a farm labourer set by the government is Rs 60 per day, but labours get only Rs 35 - 40. This is due to heavy competition for work among the farm labourers in Palampur, so people agree to work for lower wages.

    The capital needed in Farming

    (i) Small farmers borrow capital from large farmers or the village moneylenders or the traders, the rate of interests is very high, and other undue conditions are also to be fulfilled.
    (ii) Medium and large farmers have their own savings from farming. They are thus able to arrange for the capital needed.

    Sale of Surplus Farm Products

    Small farmers have little surplus because their total production is small and from this a substantial share is kept for their own family needs. Large farmers have surplus production which they sell in the market. They put the money in their banks. They use the savings for lending to small farmers, to arrange for the working capital for farming in the next season.

    Non-Farm Activities in Palampur :

    1. Dairy - the other common activity        2. Small-scale manufacturing in Palampur
    3. Shopkeepers of Palampur                   4. Transport : a fast developing sector

Question Paper and Answer Key of the IESO Entrance Test - 2010 & 2011

Just go through it and check yourself, if you find yourself fit for the competition, lets get in the preparation for IESO -2013.
http://www.geosocindia.org/olympiad/ETQuestions.aspx
http://socialscience4u.blogspot.in/2012/02/geological-society-of-india.html

                        POWER SHARING 

Class X, Civics, Chapter No.1

Belgium and Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Ethnic Composition - Sinhala speakers 74%
                                 Tamil speakers 18% (13% Sri Lankan Tamils, rest Indian Tamils)
                                 Sinhala speaking people are Buddhist, Tamils are Hindu or Muslims, about
                                  7% Christians are both Tamil & Sinhala.
Steps taken by Government - • Adopted a series of Majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala
                                                    supremacy.
                                             • Act passed in 1956 to recognise Sinhala as the official language.
                                             • Favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs,
                                             • State favoured policies to protect and foster Buddhism
Outcomes                    • Increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri-Lanka Tamils.                                     • Relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time.
                                    • Tamils have launched parties & struggles, formed political organisations
                                       demanding independent Tamil Eelam.
                                    • The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict,
                                       soon turned into a Civil War.

Belgium 

Ethnic Composition - Dutch speaking population – 59% in the Flemish region.
                                 French speaking – 40% in the Wallonia region. 1% German speaking
                                 In Brussels – 80% Speaking French
                                                     20% Dutch speaking
                                 French community was relatively rich and powerful, in comparison to Dutch
                                 community who got the benefit of economic development and education much later.
Steps taken by Government - • Recognised the existence of regional differences & cultural diversities.
                                              • Amended their constitution four times to allow everyone to live together.
                                              • Equal number of Dutch & French speaking ministers in the central
                                                 government.
                                              • State government given more powers in their regions, are not subordiante
                                                to the Central Government.
                                              • Community government has the power regarding cultural, educational and
                                                language related issues.
Outcomes         -                   • Helped to avoid civil strife between the two major communities and a
                                               possible division of country on linguistic lines.
                                             • Brussels chosen as headquarter of European Union.

Why Power Sharing is desirable ?

    (a) Prudential Reasons : Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups, a good way to ensure the stability of political order. Tyranny of majority not only hurts minority, ruins the majority as well, power sharing will bring better outcomes.
    (b) Moral Reasons : Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. People have the right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. Moral reason emphasizes the very act of power sharing as valuable.

    Forms of power sharing :

    (i) Among different organs of the government – power shared among Legislature, Executive & Judiciary, also termed as horizontal distribution of power, is also called a system of checks and balances.
    (ii) Among governments at different levels - also termed as vertical division of power, power shared among central, state & local governments.
    (iii) Among different social groups - among religious & linguistic groups, socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures & administration.
    (iv) Among political parties, pressure groups & movements.