Class 12 Human Geography: Nature and Scope Mock Test (CBSE)

Topics in Human Geography: Nature and Scope

• Nature of human geography
• Naturalisation of humans and humanisation of nature
• Environmental determinism and possibilism
• Neodeterminism
• Human geography through the corridors of time
• Fields and sub-fields of human geography

Human Geography: Nature and Scope practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   Medical geography is classified as a sub-field of which broad branch of human geography?

   1. (a)Urban geography
   2. (b)Social geography
   3. (c)Economic geography
   4. (d)Political geography
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (b) Social geography+1

   Answer: (b)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which phase or approach in the evolution of human geography is characterised by the application of computers and sophisticated statistical techniques to map and analyse societal and spatial patterns?

   1. (a)Regional analysis
   2. (b)Spatial organisation
   3. (c)Exploration and description
   4. (d)Areal differentiation
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (b) Spatial organisation+1

   Answer: (b)
3. Q3Short answer·3 marks
   Explain the concept of 'naturalisation of humans' with the help of a suitable example.
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   1. In the early stages of interaction with their natural environment, humans were greatly influenced by it, adapting to the dictates of nature due to low technological development.+1
   2. This type of interaction between early human society and the strong forces of nature is termed environmental determinism; the human of this stage, who listened to nature, feared its fury and worshipped it, is the 'naturalised human'.+1
   3. Example, any one of: Benda's community in the forests of the Abujh Maad area of central India (NCERT), which gets its food, shelter and medicines directly from the forest; hunting and gathering forest communities whose food, shelter and clothing come directly from their surroundings; or any other valid example.+1

   Answer: Naturalisation of humans: when technology and social development were at a low level, humans were greatly influenced by nature and adapted to its dictates, fearing and worshipping it; this is termed environmental determinism. Example: Benda's community in the Abujh Maad forests of central India, which depends directly on the forest for food, shelter and medicines (or any other valid example).
4. Q4Short answer·3 marks
   Explain the concept of 'possibilism' in human geography. How does it mark a shift from the earlier viewpoint of environmental determinism?
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   1. Definition of possibilism: The concept that nature provides neutral opportunities and human beings act as active agents, utilizing technological development to shape their cultural landscape.+1
   2. Role of human agency and example: With social and cultural development, humans build understanding of their environment, creating possibilities like agriculture, transport networks, and urban settlements.+1
   3. Shift from environmental determinism: While determinism viewed humans as passive agents dictated by natural forces, possibilism recognised human freedom, choices, and capability to modify the environment.+1

   Answer: Possibilism: nature offers opportunities and humans, as active agents with growing technology and understanding of their environment, choose among them and create possibilities, so nature bears the imprint of human effort (humanisation of nature), e.g. agriculture, transport networks and settlements. Shift: environmental determinism saw humans as passive, controlled by nature; possibilism sees them as free to choose and able to modify the environment.

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