Class 9 Understanding Social Science Mock Test (CBSE)

Topics in Understanding Social Science

• Social science in everyday life
• Understanding society through time
• Geography, history, political science and economics
• Sources of history
• Why study social science

Understanding Social Science practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   What is the primary objective of studying social science in a democratic society?

   1. (a)To calculate precise economic growth rates using statistical formulas
   2. (b)To develop a critical understanding of society and become an informed, responsible citizen
   3. (c)To memorize historical dates and administrative divisions accurately
   4. (d)To master the physical mapping of global landforms and weather patterns
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (b). The core purpose of studying social science is to foster critical thinking about social, political, and economic structures to enable active and informed participation in a democracy.+1

   Answer: (b)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which of the following is classified as an archaeological source rather than a literary source for studying history?

   1. (a)Inscriptions on Ashokan pillars
   2. (b)Arthashastra by Kautilya
   3. (c)Rigveda
   4. (d)Accounts of Megasthenes
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a). Inscriptions are physical writings engraved on hard surfaces, making them archaeological sources, whereas the other three are written texts classified as literary sources.+1

   Answer: (a)
3. Q3Short answer·2 marks
   Give two distinct examples from everyday life that demonstrate the application of social science concepts (such as resource allocation, rules, or societal roles) in daily decision-making.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First example, any one of: budgeting limited pocket money between needs and wants (scarcity and choice); following traffic rules or waiting in a queue (rules); sharing household chores or taking roles in a school club (societal roles); electing a class monitor (democratic decision-making); or any other valid everyday example.+1
   2. Second example, a different one from the same list, showing a different concept or situation.+1

   Answer: Any two of: budgeting limited pocket money (scarcity and choice); following traffic rules or queueing (rules); sharing household chores or club roles (societal roles); electing a class monitor (democratic decision-making).
4. Q4Long answer·5 marks
   Social science helps us comprehend the complex web of human relationships, environmental interactions, and institutional structures. Discuss how the four major disciplines of social science—geography, history, political science, and economics—interact to help us understand a complex contemporary global issue such as rapid urbanisation and resource depletion. Provide a well-reasoned five-point analysis.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. 1. Role of History: Explores how historical policies, past urban planning, and industrialisation patterns laid the foundation for modern urban growth and socio-economic disparities.+1
   2. 2. Role of Geography: Analyzes the spatial distribution of resources, terrain constraints, climate factors, and human-environment interactions that dictate urban locations and expansion limits.+1
   3. 3. Role of Political Science: Examines governance structures, urban policy formulation, municipal administration, power dynamics, and citizen participation in resource management.+1
   4. 4. Role of Economics: Investigates market forces, employment opportunities, cost of living, resource allocation, and the economic drivers behind rural-to-urban migration.+1
   5. 5. Synthesis: Concludes that addressing urbanisation requires an interdisciplinary approach where these four pillars combine to formulate sustainable, equitable, and historically informed public policies.+1

   Answer: History: past policies, industrialisation and planning explain how today's cities and disparities grew. Geography: resources, terrain and climate decide where cities grow and limit their spread. Political science: governance, municipal bodies, urban policy and citizen participation manage resources. Economics: jobs, market forces, living costs and rural-to-urban migration drive growth. Synthesis: together the four give an interdisciplinary basis for sustainable, equitable urban policy.

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