ISC Class 12 Geography Board Exam Question Paper 2017 with Solutions

ISC Class 12 Geography Board Exam Question Paper with Solutions 2017

PART - I (30 Marks)
Answer all questions.

SECTION - A

Question 1. [10 x 2]
(i) Name one country each which forms a frontier with India in the :
(a) North
(b) West

Answer:
(a) China
(b) Pakistan

Teacher's Note:
a) India shares its northern land frontier primarily with China (along with Nepal and Bhutan).
b) The western land frontier of India is shared with Pakistan.

(ii) Name any two standard geological eras, along with their duration. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Pre-Cambrian (over 570 million years old).
2. Paleozoic (245 - 570 million years ago).

Teacher's Note:
a) Geological eras represent major divisions of geological time based on fossil evidence and rock formations.
b) Ensure accurate numerical durations are quoted as accepted by standard ISC geological timescales.

(iii) Mention any two differences between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Western Ghats: They run parallel to the western coast in a north-south direction from the Tapi river to Kanya Kumari, with an average elevation of 900 to 1100 metres above sea level.
2. Eastern Ghats: They run in a north-south to south-west direction parallel to the eastern coast from Odisha to the Nilgiri hills, with an average elevation of about 600 metres above sea level.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Western Ghats are continuous and much higher than the Eastern Ghats.
b) The Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and eroded by several major east-flowing peninsular rivers.

(iv) State two objectives of social forestry. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. To reduce pressure on traditional forest areas by developing plantations of fuelwoods, fodder, and grasses.
2. Management and protection of forests as well as afforestation of barren lands, aimed at helping in environmental, social, and rural development.

Teacher's Note:
a) Social forestry focuses on the management and protection of forests and afforestation on barren lands to help environmental, social, and rural development.
b) Students should clearly outline both ecological and socio-economic benefits to score full marks.

(v) Define the following terms :
(a) Ribbon settlement
(b) Metropolis [2 Marks]

Answer:
(a) Ribbon settlement: Such villages develop along some road, railway, river, or canal where the main streets run parallel to the transport route or water body.
(b) Metropolis: A metropolis is a distinct form of settlement characterized by the sprawling of its built-up area and includes its interdependent nearby villages and even towns.

Teacher's Note:
a) Linear or ribbon patterns are commonly found along major transportation corridors and rivers in India.
b) A metropolis represents a large urban core influencing surrounding suburban areas functionally.

(vi) What is meant by market gardening ? State any one importance of market gardening. [2 Marks]

Answer:
Market gardening is the growing of fruits, vegetables, and flowers in suburban areas for commercial purposes and sale in urban markets.
Importance: It creates skilled employment for rural masses, especially for women folks.

Teacher's Note:
a) Market gardening requires intensive labor and good transport connectivity to urban consumption centers.
b) Mentioning both the definition and the economic significance is mandatory to secure full marks.

(vii) Mention any two factors which influence natural vegetation of a place. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Climate: It influences vegetation to a great extent, determining types such as Tropical evergreen, deciduous, grasslands, and Tundra based on temperature and precipitation.
2. Soil: It modifies vegetation significantly; for example, tidal forests in coastal areas and acacia in drier parts of Maharashtra are adaptations to specific soil conditions.

Teacher's Note:
a) Climate and soil are the primary determinants of regional flora distribution.
b) Providing specific regional examples strengthens the answer.

(viii) What is eco-tourism ? How is it promoted in India ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Eco-tourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that aims to conserve the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.
Promotion in India: It is promoted by evaluating environmental and cultural factors, initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency, water reuse, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities.

Teacher's Note:
a) Eco-tourism balances tourism development with ecological conservation and community welfare.
b) Keywords like conservation, sustainability, and local participation must be included.

(ix) Mention the locational factors which favour the growth of cement industry in India. Name any two states which serve as hinterland for the Haldia port. [2 Marks]

Answer:
Manufacturing of cement requires heavy and weight-losing materials, making it primarily a raw material oriented industry. Limestone is the main raw material (about 1.5 tonnes required per tonne of cement), along with coal used as fuel and to burn limestone.
Two states which serve as hinterland for the Haldia port are Bihar and Jharkhand.

Teacher's Note:
a) Cement plants are located near mineral sources due to high transportation costs of bulky raw materials.
b) Haldia port's hinterland includes mineral-rich eastern states like Bihar and Jharkhand.

SECTION - B

Question 2. [10 Marks]
On the outline map of India provided :
(a) Mark and name the central longitude of India.
(b) Mark and name the highest peak of Himalayas in India.
(c) Mark and name the longest river of Peninsular India.
(d) Shade and label the Meghalaya Plateau.
(e) Mark and label Chilka lake.
(f) Draw an arrow to show the direction of easterly jet streams over India.
(g) Mark with a dot the capital city of Karnataka.
(h) Shade and name the state with the largest production of groundnut.
(i) Mark with a dot and name the centre for Garden Reach Workshop.
(j) Mark with a dot and name the centre for Maruti automobile industry.
Note : All the map work, including legend (Index) should be done on the map sheet only.

Answer:
[Figure: Outline map of India showing locations of (a) 82° 30' E Std Meridian, (b) Kanchenjunga Peak, (c) R. Godavari, (d) Meghalaya Plateau, (e) Chilka Lake, (f) Easterly jet streams arrow, (g) Bengaluru, (h) Gujarat, (i) Kolkata, and (j) Gurgaon / Maruti Udyog Ltd., complete with an index/legend box.]

Teacher's Note:
a) Map work requires precise marking and labeling as per the given instructions and standard index conventions.
b) Students must ensure all ten items are clearly represented on the provided outline map.

PART - II (40 Marks)
Answer any four questions.

Question 3.
(a) Name any two physical divisions of India and state two characteristic features of each. [4 Marks]

Answer:
Himalayas and Peninsular Plateau are the two physical divisions of India.
Himalayas:
1. It is a young fold mountain composed of soft sedimentary rocks.
2. They are tectonic mountains characterized by torrential rivers and were formed during the Tertiary period.
Peninsular Plateau:
1. It is an old landmass composed of hard crystalline rocks like granite and basalt.
2. Rivers are slow-moving with low gradients and shallow valleys, formed during the Precambrian era.

Teacher's Note:
a) Contrast the structural age and rock composition between extra-peninsular and peninsular India.
b) Give exact geological formation eras for complete credit.

(b) Explain how the following factors affect India's climate : [2 Marks]
(i) Southern Oscillation
(ii) Northern Mountain Ranges

Answer:
(i) Southern Oscillation: It is a pattern of meteorological changes between the Indian and Pacific oceans. When surface pressure is high over the Pacific and low over the Indian Ocean, southwest monsoons in India are stronger; reverse conditions lead to weaker monsoons.
(ii) Northern Mountain Ranges: The Himalayas protect India from bitter cold dry winds of Central Asia during winters and act as an effective physical barrier trapping rain-bearing southwest monsoons.

Teacher's Note:
a) ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) plays a vital role in regulating Indian monsoon intensity.
b) The climatic barrier role of the Himalayas is crucial for preventing northern continental cold air masses from freezing the subcontinent.

(c) Study the climatic data provided in the table below for a city A in India and answer the questions that follow : [2 Marks]

T = Mean monthly temperature in degree Celsius (°C).
R = Average monthly rainfall in millimeters (mm).
(i) Mention two main features of the climate experienced by station A.
(ii) Calculate the annual rainfall for station A.

Answer:
(i) 1. The annual range of temperature is high, calculated as \(39^{\circ}\text{C} - 20^{\circ}\text{C} = 19^{\circ}\text{C}$.
2. The station receives maximum rainfall from the southwest monsoon.
(ii) Annual rainfall = \(14 + 23 + 27 + 42 + 121 + 231 + 300 + 306 + 289 + 160 + 34 + 5 = 1552\text{ mm}$.

Teacher's Note:
a) Temperature range is found by subtracting the lowest mean monthly temperature from the highest.
b) Annual rainfall is obtained by summing up all the monthly rainfall values given in row R.

(d) Name the major region for the following: [2 Marks]
(i) Tropical evergreen forests
(ii) Arid forests
(iii) Mountain forests
(iv) Tropical monsoonal forests

Answer:
(i) Tropical evergreen forests: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Meghalaya, and Western slopes of the Western Ghats.
(ii) Arid forests: Rajasthan, Southwest Punjab, Southwest Haryana, and parts of Gujarat.
(iii) Mountain forests: Hilly ranges of Northeast India and Himalayan parts of West Bengal and Uttarakhand.
(iv) Tropical monsoonal forests: North-eastern parts of the peninsula, middle and lower Ganga valley, and along the foothills of the Himalayas.

Teacher's Note:
a) Vegetation distribution corresponds directly to climatic and topographical variations across India.
b) Listing at least one prominent region per forest type fulfills marking scheme requirements.

Question 4.
(a) Explain any three factors that influence the spatial distribution of population in India. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Terrain: Plains encourage higher population density due to gentle slopes suitable for agriculture, transport, and industries, whereas steep Himalayan slopes restrict human activities.
2. Industries: Industrial growth offers massive employment opportunities, acting as a magnet attracting large populations, as seen in West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
3. Urbanization: Urban centers provide vast scopes for employment in trade, transport, and services compared to traditional rural agricultural areas.

Teacher's Note:
a) Geographic factors like terrain, climate, and water availability combine with economic factors to shape demographic patterns.
b) Clear heading-based explanation ensures maximum marks.

(b) Define the following terms :
(i) Stepwise migration
(ii) Urban agglomeration [2 Marks]

Answer:
(i) Stepwise migration: A migratory movement where people move from a village to a small town and later to a big city in stages.
(ii) Urban agglomeration: A continuous urban spread consisting of a core town and its adjoining urban outgrowths, or two or more physically contiguous towns with their outgrowths.

Teacher's Note:
a) Stepwise migration highlights the gradual rural-to-urban transition of population mobility.
b) Urban agglomeration is a standard census concept defining continuous built-up urban expanses.

(c) (i) What is meant by pull migration and push migration ? [3 Marks]
(ii) What are the two major differences between rural settlements and urban settlements ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
(i) Pull migration: Attraction towards urban centers due to better employment opportunities in industries, trade, and services (pull factors).
Push migration: Compulsion to leave rural areas due to unemployment, poverty, or natural disasters like floods and droughts (push factors).
(ii) 1. Size: Rural settlements are small consisting of a few houses, whereas urban settlements are large with thousands or lakhs of residents.
2. Economic Activity: People in rural areas are primarily engaged in primary activities like agriculture, while urban dwellers are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities.

Teacher's Note:
a) Push and pull factors operate simultaneously in human migration dynamics.
b) Functional and demographic criteria distinguish rural from urban settlements clearly.

(d) Study the given data and answer the following questions :

(i) Identify the state with the highest growth rate of population.
(ii) Calculate the absolute growth of population for the state mentioned by you in (d) (i) above. [2 Marks]

Answer:
(i) Bihar
(ii) Absolute growth = Population in 2011 - Population in 2001
\(= 10,38,04,637 - 8,29,98,509 = 2,08,06,128\).

Teacher's Note:
a) Percentage growth rate calculation confirms Bihar recorded the highest decadal growth rate among the given states.
b) Absolute growth is simply the arithmetic difference between current and base year populations.

Question 5.
(a) Mention any two reasons why sufficient land is not available for cultivation in India. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Barren and unculturable wasteland covering mountainous slopes, deserts, and rocky areas which cannot be cultivated except at very high costs with low returns.
2. Land put to non-agricultural uses such as settlements, infrastructure, irrigation works, industries, and mining.

Teacher's Note:
a) Land use categories in India distinguish between cultivable and uncultivable tracts.
b) Urban expansion increasingly encroaches upon agricultural land.

(b) (i) Give a reason for small size of cultivable landholdings in India. [3 Marks]
(ii) Suggest two methods for increasing the size of land holdings.

Answer:
(i) Land holdings are small due to the law of inheritance, where farming land gets divided and subdivided among heirs with each generation.
(ii) 1. Consolidation of landholdings: Reallocation of fragmented holdings into single consolidated blocks (successfully practiced in Punjab, Haryana, and UP).
2. Reclamation of culturable wasteland: Bringing degraded or water-logged wasteland back under cultivation through reclamation techniques.

Teacher's Note:
a) Subdivision and fragmentation hinder mechanization and efficient farming.
b) Consolidation acts as a structural reform to counter sub-marginal farming sizes.

(c) (i) What is meant by tank irrigation ? [3 Marks]
(ii) State one advantage each of the following means of irrigation :
(1) Tube wells
(2) Tanks

Answer:
(i) A tank consists of a water storage reservoir developed by constructing a small bund of earth or stones across a stream to impound water for irrigation.
(ii) 1. Tube wells: Can irrigate about ten times more area than ordinary wells and provide an independent, reliable source of irrigation.
2. Tanks: Construction cost is very low as many tanks utilize natural depressions.

Teacher's Note:
a) Tank irrigation is prominent in Peninsular India due to hard rocky terrain and natural depressions.
b) Tube wells offer intensive irrigation control in alluvial plains.

(d) Explain the following :
(i) Watershed management
(ii) Rainwater harvesting [2 Marks]

Answer:
(i) Watershed management: A strategy aimed at conserving water resources, increasing agricultural production, and stopping ecological degradation by managing surface and groundwater within a hydrological unit.
(ii) Rainwater harvesting: A technique of increasing groundwater recharge by capturing and storing rainwater locally in subsurface reservoirs.

Teacher's Note:
a) Both techniques are vital for sustainable water resource management in drought-prone regions.
b) Emphasize groundwater recharge and community participation in definitions.

Question 6.
(a) Briefly discuss any two problems of Indian agriculture and suggest measures to overcome the same. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Seeds: Good quality High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds are expensive for small and marginal farmers. Measure: Government established National Seeds Corporation and State Farms Corporation to distribute quality seeds.
2. Manures and Fertilizers: Soil exhaustion has led to low productivity, while chemical fertilizers are costly. Measure: Government provides fertilizer subsidies and quality control laboratories.

Teacher's Note:
a) Institutional support is vital to mitigate agrarian input challenges.
b) Mention both the problem and its institutional remedy to get full marks.

(b) State the geographical conditions favourable for the growth of : [3 Marks]
(i) Rice
(ii) Tea

Answer:
(i) Rice: Requires high temperature with mean monthly temperature of \(24^{\circ}\text{C}\) (range \(16^{\circ}\text{C}\) to \(32^{\circ}\text{C}\)), average rainfall around 150 cm, deep fertile clayey or loamy soils, and flooded fields during early growth.
(ii) Tea: Requires temperature between \(10^{\circ}\text{C}\) and \(30^{\circ}\text{C}\), average yearly rainfall of 2000 mm, altitudes between 600 - 2000 meters, and acidic soils (pH 4.5 to 5) with excellent drainage.

Teacher's Note:
a) Crop geography questions require specific parameters: temperature, rainfall, soil, and topography.
b) Ensure accurate numeric climatic ranges are cited.

(c) Discuss any two factors which influence growth of fishing industry in Kerala. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Kerala has an indented coast which facilitates the development of a large number of natural fishing ports.
2. Availability of infrastructural processing facilities like freezing, ice-making, cold storage, and canning (about 85% of India's total facilities are in Kerala).

Teacher's Note:
a) Coastal indentations provide sheltered harbors for fishing fleets.
b) Post-harvest infrastructure is crucial for marine product exports.

(d) Name the major state in India and its one centre for the production of the following : [3 Marks]
(i) Mica
(ii) Petroleum

Answer:
(i) Mica: State - Andhra Pradesh, Centre - Nellore.
(ii) Petroleum: State - Gujarat, Centre - Ankleshwar.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mineral geography questions require both the leading state and a prominent mining center.
b) Spelling of centers like Ankleshwar and Nellore must be precise.

Question 7.
(a) (i) How are roads classified in India ? [3 Marks]
(ii) Mention the different types of roads classified in India.

Answer:
(i) Roads in India are classified on the basis of their importance, maintenance, and administration.
(ii) 1. National Highways
2. State Highways
3. District Roadways
4. Village Roads
5. Border Roads

Teacher's Note:
a) Road classification reflects administrative jurisdiction and connectivity hierarchy.
b) Listing all five categories is necessary for full credit.

(b) (i) In which two fields is remote sensing data important ? [2 Marks]
(ii) Name two satellite systems of India.

Answer:
(i) Agriculture, and soil and land use (also covers water resources, forestry, and geology).
(ii) 1. INSAT Series (e.g., INSAT-3E, INSAT-3DR)
2. GSAT Series (e.g., GSAT-2, GSAT-8, GSAT-10, GSAT-16)

Teacher's Note:
a) Remote sensing applications are integral to modern geographical analysis and resource mapping.
b) Mentioning correct satellite series demonstrates awareness of Indian space technology.

(c) Mention any three geographical conditions that favour rail transport in the Northern Plains of India. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. The Northern Plain is a densely populated region with highly developed agriculture and industry.
2. Large-scale urbanization and industrialization have created massive demand for bulk rail transport.
3. The flat topography of the plains is highly suitable and cost-effective for railway construction.

Teacher's Note:
a) Physiographic flatness combined with high economic activity promotes dense rail networks.
b) Bullet points outlining terrain and socio-economic factors score best.

(d) What are the two main items of export from the following sea ports : [2 Marks]
(i) Mumbai Port
(ii) Visakhapatnam Port

Answer:
(i) Mumbai Port: Cotton textiles / Leather / Tobacco / Manganese.
(ii) Visakhapatnam Port: Iron ore / Manganese / Spices / Wood.

Teacher's Note:
a) Port hinterlands determine the nature of commodities exported.
b) Mentioning at least two valid export items per port satisfies the marking scheme.

Question 8.
(a) Explain any three factors that have led to the growth of industrialisation in India. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Raw Material: India is rich in minerals (iron ore, coal, bauxite) and agricultural produce (cotton, jute, sugarcane) supporting agro-based and mineral-based industries.
2. Power: Availability of hydroelectricity, thermal power, and other energy sources facilitates power-intensive industries like iron and steel and aluminum.
3. Labour: Availability of abundant skilled and unskilled workforce supports modern industrial units despite mechanization.

Teacher's Note:
a) Industrial localization depends heavily on raw material proximity, power supply, and labor availability.
b) Elaborate each factor with industrial examples.

(b) (i) Why is cement industry known as a basic industry ? [3 Marks]
(ii) Mention two major centres of cement industry in India.

Answer:
(i) Cement is indispensable for building and infrastructure construction. Per capita consumption of cement is considered a key indicator of economic well-being.
(ii) Satna and Kymore (or Katni / Durg).

Teacher's Note:
a) Core infrastructure industries provide foundational materials for all construction sectors.
b) Mentioning limestone-rich manufacturing hubs earns full marks.

(c) Discuss any two factors which have influenced Ahmedabad to develop as the largest centre of cotton textile industry in Gujarat. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Ahmedabad lies in the heart of the cotton-growing region of India, ensuring a steady supply of raw material.
2. Humid climate supports spinning and weaving without thread breakage, and mills produce cheap cloth catering to mass domestic markets.

Teacher's Note:
a) Historical localization factors like raw material access and climate remain crucial for textile hubs.
b) Ahmedabad is famously known as the Manchester of India.

(d) Name the following :
(i) Aluminium plant at Renukoot.
(ii) Iron and Steel plant at Paradeep.
(iii) HAL centre in South India.
(iv) First IPCL centre for Petrochemicals. [2 Marks]

Answer:
(i) Hindustan Aluminium Corporation (HINDALCO)
(ii) Daitari steel plant near Paradeep
(iii) Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Bengaluru
(iv) Union Carbide India Ltd., Trombay (1966) / IPCL Vadodara

Teacher's Note:
a) Accurate industrial plant naming tests students' geographical and economic awareness.
b) Ensure precise corporate and location nomenclature is provided.

Question 9.
(a) (i) What is a planning region? [5 Marks]
(ii) Mention two characteristics of a planning region.
(iii) Distinguish between multi-level planning and single level planning.

Answer:
(i) A planning region is a self-created spatial unit having a functional life that supports regional life and radiates unifying forces to facilitate regional planning.
(ii) 1. Should be neither too big nor too small.
2. Possesses functional unity and natural/economic cohesion.
(iii) Multi-level Planning: Planning for a variety of regions that together form a hierarchical system and subordinate system under a centralized framework.
Single-level Planning: Planning conducted uniformly at the national level, dividing the process into small administrative units.

Teacher's Note:
a) Regional planning concepts bridge economic development with geographical space.
b) Clearly differentiate planning hierarchy levels to score maximum marks.

(b) Mention any three factors which have led to the emergence of Bengaluru as the electronic capital of India. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Government incentives provided by both State and Central governments.
2. Strategic central peninsular location with a well-developed road and rail network.
3. Heavy investment by domestic and multinational IT corporations.

Teacher's Note:
a) Bengaluru's pleasant climate, skilled technical manpower, and institutional support fostered its IT growth.
b) Mentioning government policy and capital investment is essential.

(c) Name the mineral for which Chhattisgarh is the only producing state in India. [1 Mark]

Answer:
Tin

Teacher's Note:
a) Chhattisgarh holds a monopoly in the production of tin ore in India (principally in the Dantewada district).
b) One-word answers must be factually exact.

(d) Name the city that is located 105 km upstream from Haldia. [1 Mark]

Answer:
Kolkata

Teacher's Note:
a) Kolkata port trust manages both Kolkata dock system and Haldia dock complex.
b) Geographical location along the Hooghly River determines port hierarchy.