ISC Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2023 with Solutions

SECTION A - 14 MARKS

Question 1
Refer to the outline Map of India provided and answer the following questions:

(i) Mark and label the following on the given map of India: [3]
(a) The western mountain range of peninsular India.
(b) The largest Gulf of India.
(c) The coastal plain of Karnataka region.

Answer:
(a) Western Ghats (Sahyadris).
(b) Gulf of Kuchch (Kutch).
(c) Kanara Coast (Karnataka Coastal Plain).

Teacher's Note:
a) Students should practice locating physical features accurately on outline maps of India.
b) Spelling mistakes in geographical names may lead to deduction of marks.

(ii) The angular value of the longitude marked L is: [1]
(A) 97⁰ 25´E
(B) 68⁰ 7´E
(C) 23⁰ 30´E
(D) 37⁰ 6´E

Answer: (A) 97⁰ 25´E

Longitude L represents the easternmost longitude of India.

Teacher's Note:
a) India extends between 68 degrees 7 minutes East and 97 degrees 25 minutes East longitudes.
b) Do not confuse eastern and western extremities of the country.

(iii) The tidal port marked P is: [1]
(A) Marmagao
(B) Nhava Sheva
(C) Kandla
(D) Paradwip

Answer: (C) Kandla

Kandla is a tidal port located in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat.

Teacher's Note:
a) Kandla was developed as a major port to ease the volume of trade from Mumbai port after partition.
b) Students must memorize major ports and their special characteristics.

(iv) The centrally located iron and steel plant marked by the Δ is: [1]
(A) Bhilai
(B) Bhadravati
(C) Vijayanagar
(D) Rourkela

Answer: (A) Bhilai

Bhilai Steel Plant is located in Chhattisgarh in the central region of India.

Teacher's Note:
a) Bhilai was established with Soviet collaboration in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh.
b) Atlas locations of core industries are important for map-pointing questions.

(v) According to the Government of India Census of 2011, the state marked E has the highest: [1]
(A) density of population.
(B) level of urbanisation.
(C) sex ratio.
(D) index of concentration of population.

Answer: (A) density of population.

Bihar has the highest population density among all Indian states as per the 2011 Census.

Teacher's Note:
a) Population density is measured as persons per square kilometre.
b) Kerala has the highest sex ratio, and Goa has the highest level of urbanisation.

(vi) Identify the following: [3]
(a) The east terminal of the 'East-West Corridor' marked T is __________.
(b) The oldest coalfield of India marked C is ______________.
(c) The left bank tributary of River Ganga marked R is ______________.

Answer:
(a) Silchar
(b) Raniganj
(c) Kosi (or Gandak / Gomati / Ghaghra as applicable by standard mapping)

Teacher's Note:
a) The East-West Corridor connects Porbandar in the west to Silchar in the east.
b) Raniganj in West Bengal is recognized as India's oldest coalfield.

Question 2

(i) India shares her shortest land border with: [1]
(A) Nepal.
(B) Bhutan.
(C) Afghanistan.
(D) Myanmar.

Answer: (C) Afghanistan.

India shares a border of about 106 km with Afghanistan in the northwestern part.

Teacher's Note:
a) Bangladesh shares the longest land border with India.
b) Afghanistan shares the shortest land border with India in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

(ii) The rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi are the headstreams of: [1]
(A) River Godavari.
(B) River Krishna.
(C) River Kaveri.
(D) River Ganga.

Answer: (D) River Ganga.

Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet at Devprayag to form the River Ganga.

Teacher's Note:
a) Confluences (prayags) of Uttarakhand are very important for drainage questions.
b) Bhagirathi originates from Gaumukh and Alaknanda from Satopanth glacier.

(iii) The total Indian population according to the latest census is ______________. [1]

Answer: 1.21 billion (or 1,210 million / 1,210,854,977)

Teacher's Note:
a) According to Census 2011, India's population was recorded at 1.21 billion.
b) Students should write official figures as published by the Census Commissioner of India.

(iv) State whether the statement given below is True or False:
The Himalayas are known as Orthoclines. [1]

Answer: False

Teacher's Note:
a) The Himalayas are young fold mountains, not orthoclines.
b) Read geological terms carefully before answering True or False questions.

SECTION B - 28 MARKS

Question 3 [4]

(i) (a) Briefly explain any two causes for rural to urban migration.
(b) Briefly discuss any two factors for low sex ratio in India.

Answer:
(a) 1. Push factors: Lack of employment opportunities, poverty, and low agricultural productivity in rural areas push people to move.
2. Pull factors: Better job prospects, higher education facilities, and improved medical facilities in urban areas attract migrants.
(b) 1. Son meta-preference: Strong cultural preference for male children leads to female foeticide and neglect of girl child health.
2. Maternal mortality: High maternal mortality rates and lower social status of women in parts of the country contribute to fewer females relative to males.

Teacher's Note:
a) Clearly distinguish between push and pull factors in migration questions.
b) Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1,000 males.

OR

(ii) (a) Explain in brief two causes of migration. Give suitable examples from India.
(b) Briefly discuss any two reasons for high dependency ratio in rural areas.

Answer:
(a) 1. Economic causes: Search for better employment. For example, migration from rural Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to industrial hubs like Mumbai and Surat.
2. Social causes: Marriage. For example, brides migrating from their parental homes to their husbands' households across India.
(b) 1. High birth rates: Rural areas generally experience higher fertility rates, leading to a large population of children below working age.
2. Out-migration of working-age adults: Young able-bodied adults migrate to cities for work, leaving behind children and elderly dependents in villages.

Teacher's Note:
a) Always provide valid Indian examples when asked in the question.
b) Dependency ratio measures the proportion of dependents (young and old) to the working-age population.

Question 4
A farmer owned a cultivable land in the plains. He left the land uncultivated for some time.

(i) What kind of a land is being referred to here? [1]

Answer: Current fallow land (or Fallow land).

Teacher's Note:
a) Fallow lands are left uncultivated to regain their lost fertility naturally.
b) Land use categories defined by land revenue records must be memorized precisely.

(ii) Why did the farmer leave his land uncultivated for some time? [1]

Answer: To allow the soil to replenish its natural nutrients and regain soil fertility after continuous cultivation.

Teacher's Note:
a) This traditional practice helps in restorative farming without heavy chemical inputs.
b) Keeping land fallow breaks pest and weed cycles.

(iii) Mention any two ways of increasing the agricultural production from this land. [2]

Answer:
1. Use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds along with appropriate chemical fertilizers.
2. Practising multiple cropping or introducing efficient irrigation facilities.

Teacher's Note:
a) Intensification of agriculture raises output per unit area.
b) Ensure both points are distinct and scientifically sound.

Question 5 [4]
A farmer in Punjab floods his fields to get a good crop. What problems can occur due to over watering of farm fields?

Answer:
1. Waterlogging: Excessive water accumulates on the surface, suffocating plant roots due to lack of oxygen.
2. Soil Salinization: As the flooded water evaporates rapidly, capillary action brings salts to the top layer, making the soil saline and infertile.
3. Nutrient leaching: Essential plant nutrients get washed deep below the root zone.
4. Decline in crop yield: Over-irrigation ultimately damages soil structure and reduces overall agricultural productivity.

Teacher's Note:
a) Canal irrigation in Punjab and Haryana often leads to waterlogging and salinity issues.
b) Mention specific environmental consequences like salinisation for full marks.

Question 6 [4]

(i) (a) Mention any two advantages that the non-conventional energy resource has over the conventional energy resource.
(b) State any two advantages of fishing industry in Japan.

Answer:
(a) 1. Eco-friendly: Non-conventional sources like solar and wind energy are renewable and cause minimal pollution.
2. Inexhaustible: Unlike coal and petroleum, they are available in abundance and will not get depleted.
(b) 1. Favorable conditions: The convergence of warm Kuroshio and cold Oyashio currents creates ideal breeding grounds for fish.
2. Indentured coastline: Japan has numerous sheltered bays and deep-water ports suitable for fishing fleets and processing.

Teacher's Note:
a) Conventional sources are exhaustible and polluting; non-conventional sources are renewable and clean.
b) Japan's mountainous terrain makes fishing a vital source of protein and economic sustenance.

OR

(ii) (a) State any two reasons for the backwardness of fishing industry in India.
(b) What are the four varieties of iron ore?

Answer:
(a) 1. Traditional methods: Fishermen largely use primitive boats and traditional gear instead of mechanized trawlers.
2. Inadequate infrastructure: Lack of adequate cold storage, processing units, and refrigerated transport leads to post-harvest losses.
(b) The four varieties of iron ore are:
1. Magnetite
2. Haematite
3. Limonite
4. Siderite

Teacher's Note:
a) Indian fisheries are largely artisanal and coastal, though marine exports have grown.
b) Haematite and Magnetite are the superior commercial grades of iron ore.

Question 7 [4]
Explain why radio is considered an important means of mass communication in India.

Answer:
1. Wide reach and accessibility: Radio signals can reach remote villages and hilly terrains where television or internet connectivity is absent.
2. Affordability: Radio sets are inexpensive and accessible to economically weaker sections of society.
3. Linguistic diversity: Programmes are broadcast in numerous regional languages and dialects, making them easily understandable.
4. Portability and battery operation: Battery-powered radios can be used anywhere without requiring a continuous electric power supply.

Teacher's Note:
a) Radio transcends the barrier of illiteracy as listeners do not need to know how to read.
b) Discuss both economic and geographical accessibility for complete answers.

Question 8 [4]
Discuss any four strategies of the Second Green Revolution.

Answer:
1. Sustainable farming: Promoting organic farming, integrated pest management, and judicious use of water and chemical fertilizers.
2. Dryland farming: Extending agricultural growth to rain-fed and arid regions by developing drought-resistant crop varieties.
3. Diversification of agriculture: Encouraging horticulture, floriculture, animal husbandry, and sericulture alongside traditional grain farming.
4. Technological upgradation: Emphasizing biotechnology, precision farming, and IT-enabled agricultural advisory services for farmers.

Teacher's Note:
a) The First Green Revolution focused mainly on wheat and rice in irrigated tracts of Punjab, Haryana, and western UP.
b) The Second Green Revolution aims at inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and regional balance.

Question 9 [4]
Analyse the problems of urbanisation in India with relevant examples.

Answer:
1. Growth of slums: Rapid rural-to-urban migration leads to housing shortages, resulting in overcrowded slum settlements like Dharavi in Mumbai.
2. Traffic congestion and pollution: Inadequate road infrastructure coupled with rising vehicle ownership causes severe traffic jams and air pollution in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru.
3. Water scarcity and waste management: Municipal bodies struggle to provide potable water and manage solid waste, leading to unhygienic conditions.
4. Social issues: High cost of living and unemployment contribute to crime, stress, and disparity in urban centres.

Teacher's Note:
a) Urbanization problems stem from population growth outpacing infrastructural expansion.
b) Support your arguments with well-known Indian metropolitan examples.

SECTION C - 28 MARKS

Question 10
Study the Rainfall and Temperature graphs for Station A and Station B given below and answer the questions that follow:

[Figure: Two climatological graphs showing Mean Monthly Temperature and Rainfall. Station A shows high summer temperature and heavy monsoon rainfall peaking around July-August. Station B shows a modified equatorial or southern peninsular pattern with relatively equable temperature throughout the year and double rainfall maxima or delayed peak.]

(i) Comment on the rainfall distribution pattern in both the Stations. Give a reason for the variation in the rainfall distribution. [3]

Answer:
Station A shows a typical continental monsoon regime with heavy rainfall concentrated during the summer months (June to September) brought by the Southwest Monsoon. Station B shows an equable or peninsular rainfall pattern where rainfall is received from both the Southwest and Retreating/Northeast monsoons, often showing a delayed peak or secondary maximum towards late autumn or winter.
The variation is due to latitudinal differences, distance from the sea (continentality), and the differential timing and influence of monsoon branch movements.

Teacher's Note:
a) Climatographs must be analyzed by reading temperature curves and rainfall bar graphs together.
b) Station A represents north/central India while Station B represents southern peninsular coastal conditions.

(ii) Briefly explain the relationship between temperature and rainfall in both the Stations. [4]

Answer:
1. Inverse relationship during monsoon: As monsoon rains commence, temperatures drop due to cloud cover and precipitation.
2. Pre-monsoon peak: Maximum temperatures are recorded just before the onset of monsoon rains in the summer months.
3. Coastal moderation: Station B exhibits lower annual range of temperature due to maritime influence compared to Station A.
4. Seasonal convection: High temperatures in summer trigger convective activity and low pressure, drawing moisture-laden winds that cause rainfall.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain how solar insolation and air pressure govern precipitation patterns.
b) Point out specific months where temperature dips correspond with heavy rainfall bars.

Question 11
In the figure given below, B is the Deccan Plateau.

[Figure: Cross-section profile of Indian topography from the Arabian Sea across the Western Ghats (A), Deccan Plateau (B), Eastern Ghats (C), Coastal Plain (D) to the Bay of Bengal, with altitudes ranging from 0 to 900 metres.]

(i) Name the features marked A and C. What are the two significant differences between these features? [4]

Answer:
A is the Western Ghats.
C is the Eastern Ghats.
Differences:
1. Elevation: Western Ghats are higher, more continuous, and precipitous (average elevation 900 to 1,600 m), whereas Eastern Ghats are lower, discontinuous, and eroded (average elevation about 600 m).
2. Continuity: Western Ghats form an unbroken wall passable only through gaps like Thalghat, Bhorghat, and Palghat, whereas Eastern Ghats are broken by major east-flowing rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

Teacher's Note:
a) Identify physical features correctly from geomorphological cross-sections.
b) Compare them based on relief, continuity, and drainage disruption.

(ii) Do the features marked A and C play a significant role in Indian monsoon pattern? Give any three reasons for your answer. [3]

Answer:
Yes, they play a vital role:
1. Orographic barrier: The Western Ghats (A) act as a mighty barrier to the Arabian Sea branch of the Southwest Monsoon, causing heavy orographic rainfall on the windward coastal plains.
2. Rain shadow effect: Feature A creates a distinct rain shadow zone on the leeward side over the Deccan Plateau, resulting in scanty rainfall in interior parts.
3. Deflection and guidance: The orientation of these ghats guides the flow of monsoon winds and influences regional wind convergence across the peninsula.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasize the concept of orographic precipitation and windward versus leeward slopes.
b) Both Western and Eastern Ghats structure the peninsular climatic experience.

Question 12

(i) (a) What is meant by multi level planning? State any three characteristics of a planning region. [4]
(b) Mention any three factors that make Bengaluru the 'Electronic capital of India.' [3]

Answer:
(a) Multi-level planning refers to the planning process carried out at various hierarchical tiers of administration (such as national, state, district, block, and village levels) to ensure balanced regional development.
Characteristics of a planning region:
1. It possesses geographical and economic homogeneity.
2. It has administrative coherence and identifiable boundaries.
3. It has a core urban center or nodal point linked to its peripheral hinterland.
(b) 1. Availability of skilled IT professionals and premier educational/research institutions (like IISc and IIT alumni pool).
2. Favorable government policies and proactive setting up of software technology parks and IT corridors.
3. Pleasant climate and robust infrastructure, along with early establishment of public sector undertakings (like BEL and ITI) that laid the foundation.

Teacher's Note:
a) Multi-level planning removes regional disparities by decentralizing decision-making.
b) Bengaluru's rise as Silicon Valley of India is due to institutional heritage and skilled human capital.

OR

(ii) (a) Which is the main beverage crop of India? Briefly explain the conditions suitable for its growth. [4]
(b) What is meant by market gardening? Why is it gaining prominence in Indian agriculture in recent times? [3]

Answer:
(a) Tea is the main beverage crop of India.
Suitable conditions for growth:
1. Climate: Tropical and subtropical climate with warm, moist, and frost-free weather throughout the year.
2. Temperature: Temperatures ranging between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
3. Rainfall: Annual rainfall between 150 cm and 250 cm, distributed evenly through the year.
4. Soil: Well-drained, deep, friable, acidic soils rich in humus and iron.
(b) Market gardening refers to the intensive cultivation of high-value crops like vegetables, fruits, and flowers primarily for urban markets.
It is gaining prominence because:
1. Rising urban incomes and changing dietary habits have increased the demand for fresh vegetables and fruits.
2. Improved transportation networks and cold chain facilities allow quick delivery of perishable produce to urban centers.
3. It offers higher economic returns to farmers compared to traditional cereal crops.

Teacher's Note:
a) Distinguish between tea and coffee climatic requirements clearly.
b) Market gardening is a type of commercial agriculture geared towards nearby urban consumption.

Question 13
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

India is one of the leading producers of cotton textile goods. It is one of the largest and important sectors in the economy in terms of output, foreign exchange earnings and providing employment in India.
In India, most of the textile mills are in the cotton growing areas. The location of cotton textile is mainly affected by raw material, proximity of market, moist weather.

(i) Why was there a need for the development of cotton textile industries in India? [2]

Answer:
1. Abundant raw material: India is a traditional producer of raw cotton.
2. Employment generation and economic output: It is a labor-intensive industry that provides massive employment and contributes significantly to foreign exchange earnings and industrial output.

Teacher's Note:
a) Cotton textile is India's premier traditional agro-based industry.
b) Base answers on both economic importance and resource availability mentioned in the passage.

(ii) How do moist climate and coastal location help in the development of cotton textile industry in Mumbai? [2]

Answer:
1. Moist climate: High humidity prevents cotton threads from snapping easily during spinning and weaving.
2. Coastal location: Port facilities facilitate easy import of machinery and export of finished textile goods, alongside cheap water transport.

Teacher's Note:
a) Atmospheric moisture is crucial for spinning raw cotton without breaking.
b) Mumbai's early leadership in cotton textiles was bolstered by its port connectivity.

(iii) State any three factors that influence the development of cotton textile industry in Ahmedabad. [3]

Answer:
1. Location in the heart of the black cotton soil (Regur) region, ensuring unhindered supply of raw cotton.
2. Flat terrain and well-developed transport network connecting it to major domestic and international markets.
3. Availability of cheap hydroelectricity and skilled/semi-skilled labor from Gujarat and neighboring states.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ahmedabad is often referred to as the Manchester of India.
b) Give specific locational advantages for full credit.