Class 12 Human Settlements Mock Test (CBSE)

Topics in Human Settlements

• Types of rural settlement
• Clustered, semi-clustered, hamleted and dispersed settlements
• Urban settlements
• Evolution of towns in India
• Urbanisation in India
• Functional classification of towns
• Smart cities mission

Human Settlements practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   In which of the following regions of India are dispersed or isolated settlements typically found due to extremely fragmented terrain and land resource base?

   1. (a)Paddy growing plains of Bihar
   2. (b)Hilly tracts of Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya
   3. (c)Fertile alluvial plains of Ganga
   4. (d)Deltaic regions of West Bengal
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (b) Hilly tracts of Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya+1

   Answer: (b)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   According to the Census of India, 2011, which of the following is a key demographic and economic criterion for classifying a settlement as urban?

   1. (a)A minimum population of 5,000, a density of at least 400 persons per sq km, and at least 75% of male main working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits
   2. (b)A population density of less than 100 persons per sq km with municipal governance
   3. (c)At least 50% of the population engaged in agricultural activities
   4. (d)A minimum population of 2,500 and density of 200 persons per sq km
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a)+1

   Answer: (a)
3. Q3Short answer·2 marks
   Classify the evolution of towns in India into three distinct historical periods based on their origin and provide one appropriate example of a town from any one of these periods.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First period: ancient towns.+0.5
   2. Second period: medieval towns.+0.5
   3. Third period: modern towns.+0.5
   4. Example of a town from any one period, any one of: ancient - Varanasi, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Patna (Pataliputra), Madurai; medieval - Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Agra, Nagpur; modern - Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat, Puducherry, Shimla, Chandigarh; or any other valid example.+0.5

   Answer: Ancient towns, medieval towns and modern towns; an example from any one period, e.g. Varanasi (ancient), Delhi (medieval) or Mumbai (modern).
4. Q4Short answer·2 marks
   Explain briefly the evolution of towns in India across major historical periods, mentioning one suitable example for any two periods.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Evolution explained: ancient towns, with over 2,000 years of history, grew mostly as religious and cultural centres; medieval towns grew as headquarters of principalities and kingdoms, often fort towns on the ruins of ancient towns; modern towns were developed by the British and other Europeans as trading ports, administrative centres and hill stations, and after independence as administrative and industrial towns.+1
   2. First example, a town of any one period: ancient — Varanasi, Prayagraj, Pataliputra (Patna), Madurai; medieval — Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Agra, Nagpur; modern — Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat, Shimla, Chandigarh, Bhilai; or any other valid town of that period.+0.5
   3. Second example, a town of a different period from the same list.+0.5

   Answer: Ancient towns (over 2,000 years old) grew as religious and cultural centres, e.g. Varanasi; medieval towns grew as headquarters of kingdoms and fort towns, e.g. Delhi; modern towns were developed by Europeans as ports, administrative centres and hill stations, and after independence as administrative and industrial towns, e.g. Mumbai, Chandigarh. Examples for any two periods are credited.
5. Q5Short answer·3 marks
   Explain any three major problems associated with rapid urbanisation in India.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First problem explained, any one of: growth of slums and squatter settlements due to an acute shortage of housing and high land costs; air, water and noise pollution; inadequate sewage and solid waste disposal; overburdened infrastructure, causing traffic congestion, water shortages and power cuts; unemployment and underemployment of migrants; inadequate social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals; rising crime and social problems; or any other valid problem.+1
   2. Second problem explained, a different one from the same list.+1
   3. Third problem explained, a different one from the first two.+1

   Answer: Any three of: growth of slums from housing shortage and high land costs; air, water and noise pollution; inadequate sewage and waste disposal; overburdened infrastructure (traffic congestion, water and power shortages); unemployment and underemployment; inadequate schools and hospitals; rising crime.
6. Q6Short answer·3 marks
   Explain the functional classification of towns in India based on their economic activities, and provide one suitable example for each of any three categories.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First category and its main function, any one of: administrative towns (seats of national or state government); industrial towns (manufacturing is the main activity); transport towns (ports for export-import, or hubs of inland road and rail transport); commercial towns (trade and commerce); mining towns (developed in mineral-rich areas); garrison cantonment towns; educational towns; religious and cultural towns; tourist towns; or any other valid functional category.+0.5
   2. Example for the first category, a town of that type: administrative — New Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal; industrial — Jamshedpur, Bhilai, Coimbatore; transport — Kandla, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Mughal Sarai, Itarsi; commercial — Kolkata, Saharanpur, Satna; mining — Jharia, Raniganj, Digboi; cantonment — Ambala, Mhow, Udhampur; educational — Roorkee, Pilani, Aligarh; religious and cultural — Varanasi, Amritsar, Puri, Tirupati; tourist — Nainital, Shimla, Mount Abu; or any other valid town of that type.+0.5
   3. Second category and its main function, a different one from the same list.+0.5
   4. Example for the second category, a town of that type.+0.5
   5. Third category and its main function, a different one from the first two.+0.5
   6. Example for the third category, a town of that type.+0.5

   Answer: Any three of: administrative (e.g. New Delhi, Chandigarh), industrial (e.g. Jamshedpur, Bhilai), transport and port (e.g. Kandla, Visakhapatnam), commercial (e.g. Kolkata, Saharanpur), mining (e.g. Jharia, Digboi), garrison cantonment (e.g. Ambala, Mhow), educational (e.g. Roorkee, Pilani), religious and cultural (e.g. Varanasi, Amritsar), tourist (e.g. Nainital, Shimla), each with its main function.

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