ICSE 2025 Geography Past Paper PDF

## ICSE 2025 EXAMINATION SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER GEOGRAPHY (H.C.G. PAPER – 2) **Maximum Marks:** 80 **Time allowed:** Two hours Answers to this Paper must be written on the answer sheet provided separately. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes. This time is to be spent in r...

## ICSE 2025 EXAMINATION SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER GEOGRAPHY (H.C.G. PAPER – 2) **Maximum Marks:** 80 **Time allowed:** Two hours Answers to this Paper must be written on the answer sheet provided separately. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers. Part I is compulsory. All questions from Part I are to be attempted. A total of five questions are to be attempted from Part II. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets []. **To be supplied with this Paper:** Survey of India Map Sheet No. G43S7 and 20 cm of twine. **Note:** - In all Map Work, make wise use of arrows to avoid overcrowding of the map. - The extract of Survey of India Map Sheet No. G43S7 must not be taken out of the examination hall. It must be handed over to the Supervising Examiner on completion of the paper. - The Map given at the end of this question paper must be detached, and after marking, must be fastened to your answer booklet. - All sub-sections of the questions attempted must be answered in the correct serial order. - All working including rough work should be done on the same answer sheet which is used to answer the rest of the paper. **Instruction for the Supervising Examiner** Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the Examination Hall. ## PART I (30 Marks) (Attempt all questions from this Part.) ### Question 1 Study the extract of the Survey of India Map sheet No. G43S7 and answer the following questions: **(i)** - (a) Give the six-figure grid reference for .201 in the eastern part of the map extract. [2] - (b) What are the brown patches in the north east quarter of the map extract? [Apply & Understanding] [2] **(ii)** Mohan goes on a bicycle from 02 northing to 12 northing in a straight line. If he moves at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour, how much time will he take to reach his destination? [Apply] [2] **(iii)** - (a) What is the compass direction of Rampura (2709) from Kotda (3005)? [2] - (b) If you are moving along the left bank of Sipu river, which settlement will you come across? [Analyse] [2] **(iv)** - (a) Ramesh returned to his native place Mahudi Moti (2404) after a gap of ten years and was happy to see the development around his village. What according to you show that the area around his village has developed? [2] - (b) What is the black vertical line made between the easting 25 and 26? [Apply & Remember] [2] **(v)** Mention two manmade and two natural features in the grid square 2508. [Understanding] [2] ### Question 2 On the outline map of India provided: - (i) Shade and label an area of alluvial soil in the north-east. [Recall] [1] - (ii) Mark using a dot and name the commercial capital of India. [1] - (iii) Mark and name the highest peak of Himalayas in India. [1] - (iv) Shade and label Gulf of Kutch. [1] - (v) Mark with arrows and name the wind bringing rainfall to Punjab in winter. [1] - (vi) Shade and label a sparsely populated area. [1] - (vii) Mark and label Eastern Ghats. [1] - (viii) Mark and name a tributary of an important peninsular river [1] - (ix) Mark and label the most important latitude passing through the country. [1] - (x) Mark and label Coromandel coast. [1] ### Question 3 Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options. (Do not copy the question, write the correct answers only.) [10] **(i)** Himalayas have a significant impact on the climate of India as they: - (a) Block the N.E. monsoon winds - (b) Causes rainfall in the Gangetic plains - (c) Create a rain shadow area in the Deccan plateau - (d) Cause cyclonic disturbance in the Bay of Bengal [Apply] **(ii)** Feel and consistency of soil is called _______ of the soil. - (a) Profile - (b) Parent rock - (c) Texture - (d) Density [Remember] **(iii)** Teak: Tropical deciduous forest - (a) Mahogany: Furniture - (b) Stilted roots: Mangrove Vegetation - (c) Ebony: Tropical Rainforest - (d) Spines: Tropical Desert Vegetation. [Remember] **(iv)** Which of the following may be used for the recharging of underground water? - (a) Planting of shelter belt - (b) Plugging of gullies and ravines - (c) Percolation pit - (d) Tube-well irrigation [Understanding] **(v)** Which type of coal is referred to as industrial coal? - (a) Peat - (b) Lignite - (c) Bituminous - (d) Anthracite [Remember] **(vi)** Assertion (A): During the late 1960s, there was a many-fold increase in the production of wheat in Punjab. Reason (R): The Green revolution brought about increased use of inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. - (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. - (b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A - (c) A is true but R is false - (d) A is false but R is true [Analysis] **(vii)** Which crop is associated with Ratooning? - (a) Sugarcane - (b) Jute - (c) Rice - (d) Cotton [Remember] **(viii)** Which steel plant amongst the following was set up with the collaboration with Germany? - (a) Bhilai - (b) Tata Steel - (c) Vishakhapatnam - (d) Rourkela [Remember] **(ix)** If you have to transport perishable goods over a long distance, which mode of transport will you use and why? - (a) Air transport because it is the fastest. - (b) Road transport as it is economical. - (c) Rail transport as it is ecofriendly. - (d) Water transport as it can handle large amount of goods. [Apply] **(x)** Which of the following methods of disposal is best applicable for the waste depicted in the picture below: - (a) Burning waste in open area. - (b) Recycling waste. - (c) Dumping. - (d) Composting. [Apply] ## PART II (50 Marks) (Attempt any five questions from this Part.) ### Question 4 **(i)** India Meteorological Department (IMD) brings a ray of hope for India's agricultural sector and weather patterns in the upcoming year. After grappling with 'below normal' rains and dry conditions in 2023, the forecast suggested above-normal rainfall in certain regions, including the southernmost parts of peninsular India, northwest India, and several parts of east-central, east, and northeast India. - Investing.com (01.11.2023) - (a) As a student of Geography, what according to you may be the possible reason for the 'below normal' rains in 2023? [2] - (b) During which months of the year does most of India receive major amount of its rainfall? [Analyse & Apply] [2] **(ii)** What is the source of winter rainfall in each of the following areas? - (a) Punjab - (b) Tamil Nadu [Remember] [2] **(iii)** Give a reason for each of the following: - (a) Kerala gets rainfall from the summer monsoons much before Uttar Pradesh. - (b) Vishakhapatnam records a low annual range of temperature. - (c) Winds are mostly offshore during the cold season. [Analyse] [3] **(iv)** Study the climatic data of station X and answer the following questions: | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Temp (°C) | 23.1 | 24.8 | 26.5 | 29.3 | 32 | 32.8 | 33.1 | 32.1 | 30.5 | 29.3 | 28.7 | 26.1 | | Rainfall (cm) | 7.3 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 20.1 | 20.8 | 9.0 | - (a) What is the annual range of temperature of station X? [Apply] - (b) Which is the driest month? [Understand] - (c) Name the wind that brings maximum rainfall to this station. [Analyse] [3] ### Question 5 **(i)** Nathu, a farmer in Bihar, does not get good yields as the soil he tills is coarse and has fair proportion of kankars. Motilal on the other hand has his field closer to the river and gets better yields. - (a) Identify the two soils that are being discussed in the above passage. [2] - (b) Give a possible reason why Motilal benefits from having his field along the river banks. [Remember and Apply] **(ii)** With reference to soil erosion in India answer the following questions. - (a) State any two human activities that have led to soil erosion in India. [2] - (b) Mention any two innovative agricultural techniques that can help to prevent soil erosion. [Apply] **(iii)** With reference to Red Soil, answer the following: - (a) How is it formed? [Understanding] - (b) Why is it good for Dry Farming? [Apply] - (c) Name any two areas where it is found. [Recall] **(iv)** Give a reason for the following statements: - (a) Black Soil has self-ploughing property. - (b) Laterite Soil is not suitable for cultivation. - (c) Alluvial soil is extensively found in the Northern Plains. [Analyse] ### Question 6 **(i)** Mahesh went for an excursion with his friend and came across a marshy area with trees that had stilt like roots. - (a) Which natural vegetation belt did he come across? [Apply] - (b) Name an area in India where this kind of vegetation is found. [Recall] **(ii)** - (a) Why is tropical deciduous forest commercially the most important forest belt of India? [Evaluate] - (b) Why are long and deep roots a typical characteristic of desert vegetation? [Evaluate] **(iii)** Give three reasons why forest conservation is the need of the hour. [Analyse] [3] **(iv)** - (a) Name a forest conservation method that involves the local community. [Remember] - (b) Which primitive system of agriculture had led to large scale destruction of forest in the past? [Remember] - (c) Name the process which involves planting two saplings for each tree that is felled. [Remember] ### Question 7 **(i)** State two reasons why there is a need for irrigation in India. [Understand] [2] **(ii)** Distinguish between Inundation Canals and Perennial Canals. [2] **(iii)** - (a) Name a state in India where tube wells are commonly used. [Analyse] - (b) Give two geographical conditions that favour tube well irrigation in this state. [Analyse] **(iv)** - (a) What is meant by Rainwater Harvesting? - (b) Mention any two water harvesting practices followed in India. [Understand and Remember] [3] ### Question 8 **(i)** There is ample potential of setting up biogas plants in India. The National Bioenergy Programme has been recommended by the concerned Ministry, for implementation in two phases. The spread of biogas technology is a boon for Indian farmers with its direct and guaranteed benefits. (https://biogas.mnre.gov.in) - (a) Why do you think generation of biogas can be achieved in every household of rural India? - (b) Mention two ways in which generation of this form of energy proves to be a boon for Indian farmers. [Analyse and Evaluate] [2] **(ii)** With reference to Hirakud project answer the following: - (a) On which river is it based? [Remember and Apply] - (b) Name an Indian state benefitted by the project. [2] **(iii)** - (a) Give any one use of iron ore. - (b) Name the mineral used to strengthen steel. [Apply & Remember] - (c) Name two Indian states where copper is found. [3] **(iv**): - (a) Identify the type of energy being harnessed in the above picture. - (b) Mention why this form of energy is preferred over fossil fuels. - (c) Why does India stand at an advantage in the production of this type of energy. [Understand, Evaluate & Apply] ### Question 9 **(i)** Mention two agricultural reforms done by the government for the betterment of the agricultural sector. [Understand] [2] **(ii)** - (a) State one point of difference between Rabi and Kharif cropping seasons. [Analyse & Remember] - (b) Name the state that is the leading producer of groundnut in India. [2] **(iii)** With reference to cultivation of pulses answer the following: - (a) Name a soil found suitable for the growth of pulses. [Understand] - (b) Name any two varieties of pulses grown in India. [Remember] - (c) Give a reason why is it a popular food crop of India. [Evaluate] **(iv)** Rohan, a farmer, hired some labourers to help him with 'GINNING’. - (a) Name the crop grown by Rohan. [Apply] - (b) Mention any two climatic conditions suitable for this crop. [Recall] [3] ### Question 10 **(i)** Mention two points of difference between Small scale and Large scale industry. [Analyse] [2] **(ii)** Explain two ways in which cotton textile industry is important for India's economy. [Understand] [2] **(iii)** With reference to petrochemical industry answer the following: - (a) State a reason for the growing popularity of this industry in recent times. [Apply] - (b) Why is it located close to oil refineries? [Evaluate] - (c) Name any two petrochemical products. [Remember] **(iv)** Give one reason to explain each of the following: - (a) Sugar production is gradually gaining importance in peninsular India. - (b) Indian silk products are becoming less popular in the international market. - (c) The importance of the iron and steel industry will never decline. [Analyse] [3] ### Question 11 **(i)** Mention two disadvantages of using waterways. [Understand] [2] **(ii)** The Golden Quadrilateral has contributed towards improvement of the Indian economy- Explain. [Understand) [2] **(iii)** - (a) Which rail gauge is mostly limited to hilly areas only? - (b) Name the organization responsible for the maintenance of the National Highways of India. [Understand & Remember] - (c) Which is the Inland Waterway that connects Prayagraj to Haldia? [3] **(iv)** Give a reason for each of the following: - (a) At present times, airports are being established even in smaller towns of India. - (b) Railways are well developed in the northern states of India. - (c) Helicopter services are crucial during emergencies. [Analyse] ### Question 12 **(i)** What is the impact of waste generation on the following? - (a) Surface water - (b) Landscape [Understand) [2] **(ii)** Why is dumping considered a harmful method of waste disposal? [Analyse] [2] **(iii)** Fire broke out at the Kochi city waste treatment plant. Thick clouds of toxic smoke engulfed the city. The waste at the plant also contained plastic and biomedical wastes, both of which on combustion are extremely harmful for the general health of people. - Economic Times, 10.03.2023 - (a) Which method of waste management would have helped in reducing health hazard in the above case? [Analyse] - (b) Mention one measure you can adopt in school to reduce waste. [Apply] - (c) State one way in which domestic waste can be made useful. [Understand] **(iv)** - (a) What are landfills? - (b) Enumerate two advantages of composting as a method of waste disposal. [Remember & Apply] [3] *** ## Map of India for Question 2 The document contains a blank outline of India for use in answering question 2. The outline of India is marked with sections for the student to complete the diagram. ## Map Sheet No. G43S7 The document contains a map of a section of India. It is not possible to recreate the image using markdown. The map sheet is marked with contour lines, geographical features, and other important details. ## DRAFT MARKING SCHEME – GEOGRAPHY (H.C.G. PAPER 2) This document contains the draft marking scheme. Due to the space constraints of the markdown environment, the marking scheme is not included here.