CBSE Class 6 Social Science Timeline and Sources of History Worksheet Set 02

Fill in the Blanks

Question. A __________ is a book of tables which shows the days of each month along with related astronomical data.
Answer: panchanga
Explanation: A panchanga is a traditional Indian calendar that tells us about festival dates, the moon's shape, and eclipses.

Question. Leaders or __________ were accountable for the well-being of the People.
Answer: Chieftains
Explanation: In early tribes, a chieftain was the head or leader whose job was to protect everyone and keep order.

Question. Paleontologists examine the remains of plants, animals and humans in the form of __________.
Answer: fossils
Explanation: Fossils are bones, shells, or leaf prints that turned into rock after being buried deep in the ground for ages.

Question. The year 1857 CE can also be expressed as __________.
Answer: 1857 AD
Explanation: CE (Common Era) and AD (Anno Domini) mean the exact same time period in history.

Question. __________ study human communities and cultures from the oldest times to the present.
Answer: Anthropologists
Explanation: Anthropologists are curious scientists who explore how humans live, dress, speak, and celebrate around the world.

Question. Early humans frequently lived near rivers because the soil was fertile.
Answer: rivers
Explanation: Rivers gave people fresh drinking water, fish to eat, and rich soil that helped plants and crops grow.

True or False

Question. Early humans didn’t believe in life after death.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early humans buried their dead with tools, food, and ornaments, showing they believed in an afterlife.

Question. Geologists study human artifacts to explain past human behaviour.
Answer: False
Explanation: Archaeologists study human artifacts; geologists study the Earth's non-living rocks and layers.

Question. The last Ice Age lasted from over 100,000 years ago to approximately 12,000 years ago.
Answer: True
Explanation: Large sheets of ice covered much of the Earth until it began melting around 12,000 years ago.

Question. The Gregorian calendar is based on the Western concept of time.
Answer: True
Explanation: It was introduced in Europe by Pope Gregory XIII and spread around the world from there.

Question. Paleontologists study the remains of plants, animals, and humans from countless years ago.
Answer: True
Explanation: Paleontologists dig up and inspect fossils that are millions of years old.

Question. Historians can use sources other than recorded documents, such as oral traditions and artifacts, to study history.
Answer: True
Explanation: Things like clay pots, old coins, and grandfather's stories help historians understand the past.

Question. Early humans are described as Homo sapiens.
Answer: False
Explanation: Earlier human ancestors included Homo habilis and Homo erectus; modern humans are Homo sapiens.

Question. Paleontologists study the traces of plants, animals, and humans from millions of years ago.
Answer: True
Explanation: Paleontologists search for buried fossils to understand how living creatures looked long ago.

Question. In early human communities, tools and land were typically owned and controlled individually by the strongest person in the group.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early groups shared their tools and worked the land together as a community rather than having one private owner.

Questions / Assertion / Reason

Question. Assertion (A): Early humans made basic ornaments such as stone or shell beads and pendants.
Reason (R): These items were likely used for personal adornment, trade, or symbolic purposes within communities.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true, but R is false.
(D) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Early humans crafted simple jewellery from shells and bones to wear as decoration, show membership in a tribe, or trade with friends.

Question. Assertion (A): Historians use only written records to examine the past.
Reason (R): Written records are the most accurate sources of history.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: (D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Explanation: Historians do not use only written books; they also study ruins, paintings, and pottery to learn about ancient times.

Question. Assertion (A): Early humans communicated using languages that are now lost.
Reason (R): They used fire and made stone tools for their existence.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(D) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
Answer: (B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Explanation: Both statements are true facts, but using fire and making tools is not the reason their spoken languages were lost over time.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. What are fossils in the field of paleontology?
Answer: Fossils are the preserved remains, impressions, or traces of ancient organisms like plants, animals, or humans, found within layers of soil or rock.
Explanation: Fossils are like nature's photo album, showing us the shapes of plants and animals that turned into stone millions of years ago!

Question. Why did early agricultural communities frequently settle near rivers?
Answer: They settled near rivers because rivers provided a reliable source of water for drinking and irrigation, and the nearby land was often more fertile for crops.
Explanation: Living things need water to survive, and the soil near riverbanks is super soft and rich, making it perfect for growing tasty crops.

Question. Explain the BCE/CE dating system. Why was it adopted, and how does one calculate the time period between a BCE date and a CE date?
Answer: The BCE/CE system (Before Common Era/Common Era) is a religiously neutral way to date historical events, replacing BC/AD. To calculate the span between a BCE and CE date, add the absolute values of the years and subtract 1, because there is no year zero (e.g., 50 BCE to 50 CE is 50 + 50 − 1 = 99 years).
Explanation: BCE and CE are like numbers on a ruler for counting years, helping everyone across the world follow the exact same historical timeline.

Question. What are oral sources of history, and give two instances?
Answer: Oral sources are historical information passed down through speech or song. Examples include family histories (genealogical records) and traditional stories or legends (folklore).
Explanation: These are tales, songs, and memories spoken aloud from grandparents to children so that ancient events are never forgotten.

Question. How can the study of ancient art, such as rock paintings or sculptures, contribute to our understanding of a historical period when written records might be rare or absent?
Answer: Ancient art provides visual clues about daily life, beliefs, rituals, environment (animals, plants), social structures, and technological capabilities. Rock paintings can depict hunting scenes or symbolic figures, while sculptures might represent deities or important individuals, offering insights into a society’s world view.
Explanation: Before humans invented writing, they drew pictures on walls to show what animals they hunted and how they spent their days!

Question. How did the development of pottery help early settled communities?
Answer: Pottery provided early communities with durable containers for storing food and water, cooking, and transporting goods, which was important for settled agricultural life.
Explanation: Clay pots were like ancient lunchboxes and cooking pans that let people cook warm soup and keep grains dry and safe from pests.

Question. Evaluate the statement: “History is an unending conversation between the present and the past.” What does this mean in the context of how we study history?
Answer: The above statement suggests that our understanding of history is continuously influenced by contemporary perspectives and societal changes. This means that historians do not simply study the past in isolation; they interpret historical events through the lens of current values, beliefs and knowledge. As society evolves, the interpretation of historical events also evolves, which can lead to new insights or reevaluations of previously accepted narratives. This dynamic relationship emphasizes the importance of context in historical study, as what we consider significant or relevant can change over time. Thus, history is not static; it is a living conversation that shapes and is shaped by the present.
Explanation: As we learn new ideas today, we look back at old stories and understand them in fresh, smarter ways.

Question. What does the word historian mean?
Answer: A historian is a person who studies, researches, interprets, and writes about the past, often specializing in a particular period or region.
Explanation: A historian is like a time detective who investigates old clues to tell us true stories about how people lived long ago.

Question. Explain the significance of fire and tool-making for early humans. How did these advancements contribute to their survival and development?
Answer: Fire provided warmth, protection from predators, a way to cook food (making it safer and more digestible), and light. Improved stone tools (axes, blades, arrowheads) made hunting more efficient, food processing easier, and allowed for crafting other necessities, significantly enhancing survival and societal development.
Explanation: Fire gave people cozy warmth and frightened off scary wild animals, while stone tools helped them hunt and build shelters.

Question. What does domestication of animals signify?
Answer: Domestication of animals is the process by which humans tame and breed animals for specific purposes like food, labor, or companionship, leading to genetic changes over generations.
Explanation: It means making wild animals friendly and helpful, like turning wolves into playful dogs or raising cows for fresh milk.

Question. Why is it important for historians to be careful of their sources and acknowledge potential biases or limitations?
Answer: Historical sources can be incomplete, unintentionally inaccurate, or deliberately biased by the creator’s perspective, purpose, or cultural context. Critical analysis helps historians identify these limitations, avoid misinterpretations, and strive for a more objective and nuanced understanding of the past.
Explanation: Sometimes old books tell only one side of an argument, so detectives of history check many clues to find the real truth.

Question. How did the end of the last Ice Age affect human settlement patterns?
Answer: The warming climate after the Ice Age improved living conditions, leading humans to settle in areas for longer periods, cultivate crops, and domesticate animals.
Explanation: When the ice melted and the earth became sunny and warm, people didn't have to freeze and wander; they could build cozy villages!

Question. How do Indian traditional calendars, like the panchanga, show a deep understanding of astronomy and its connection to daily life and cultural practices?
Answer: Panchangas are based on precise calculations of solar and lunar movements to define months and predict astronomical events like eclipses. Their inclusion of festival dates and auspicious timings shows a close integration of astronomical knowledge with religious, agricultural, and social aspects of life.
Explanation: A panchanga watches the Sun and the Moon in the night sky to tell families the best days to celebrate festivals and plant seeds.

Question. Explain the idea of welfare in the context of early community leaders.
Answer: In early communities, welfare meant the leaders or chieftains were responsible for the overall health, safety, prosperity, and well-being of all members of their group.
Explanation: Welfare means making sure that everyone in the tribe has enough food to eat, a safe place to sleep, and help when they are sick.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. What innovative technology appeared that involved making pots from clay?
Answer: Pottery.
Explanation: Pottery means shaping wet mud or clay into cups, bowls, and pots and baking them until they are hard.

Question. What is an Ice Epoch?
Answer: A period when the Earth was covered with ice is known as an Ice Age.
Explanation: Imagine the entire planet having an extra-long, freezing winter where thick ice and snow covered the ground everywhere!