Samacheer Kalvi Class 6 Social Science Solutions Term 1 Chapter 1 What is History

 

I. Choose the correct answer

 

Question 1. What was the step taken by the early man to collect his food?
(a) trade
(b) hunting
(c) painting
(d) rearing of animals
Answer: (b) hunting
In simple words: Early humans used hunting to get food. They needed to find animals to eat for their survival.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that early humans were primarily gatherers and hunters, directly interacting with nature for sustenance.

 

II. Match the statement with the reason. Tick the appropriate answer

 

Question 1. Statement: Pre historic man went along with the dog for hunting. Reason: Dogs with its sniffing power would find out other animals.
(a) Statement is true, but reason is wrong.
(b) Statement and reason are correct.
(c) Statement is wrong, but reason is correct.
(d) Both statement and reason are wrong.
Answer: (b) Statement and reason are correct
In simple words: Both parts are true. Ancient humans took dogs when hunting because dogs have a very strong sense of smell that helped them find other animals. This shows how early humans learned to work with animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: When evaluating statement-reason questions, first determine if each part is factually correct, then assess if the reason directly supports the statement.

 

Question 2. Statement: The objects used by the early man are excavated. They are preserved to know the lifestyle of the people. Find out which of the following is related to the statement.
(a) Museum
(b) Burial materials
(c) Stone tools
(d) Bones
Answer: (a) Museum
In simple words: Museums are places where old objects used by early humans, like tools and bones, are kept safe. These objects help us learn about how people lived long ago.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always associate the preservation and study of historical artifacts with museums and archaeological departments.

 

Question 3. Find out the wrong pair:
(a) Old stone age - Stone tools
(b) Rock paintings - Walls of the caves
(c) Copper plates - A source of history
(d) Cats - First domesticated
Answer: (d) Cats - First domesticated
In simple words: Cats were not the first animals to be tamed by humans. Dogs were domesticated much earlier than cats.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to keywords like "wrong pair" or "odd one out" to ensure you select the incorrect option rather than a correct one.

 

Question 4. Find the odd one:
(a) Paintings were drawn on rocks and caves.
(b) There were paintings depicting hunting scenes.
(c) It was drawn to show his family members about hunting.
(d) The paintings were painted by using many colours.
Answer: (c) It was drawn to show his family members about hunting.
In simple words: Cave paintings were mostly about hunting or daily life, and their main purpose was not to show things to family members. They served other purposes, like rituals or records.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the common purposes of prehistoric cave paintings, which often involved rituals, storytelling, or recording events, not just family display.

 

III. Fill in the blanks

 

Question 1. The Old Stone age man lived mostly in ............
Answer: Caves
In simple words: During the Old Stone Age, people mostly lived in caves. These caves offered them shelter from weather and wild animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the basic living conditions and shelter options available to humans in the Paleolithic era.

 

Question 2. ............ is the Father of history.
Answer: Herodotus
In simple words: Herodotus is known as the Father of History. He was an ancient Greek writer who recorded historical events.

🎯 Exam Tip: This is a direct factual recall question; commit names of significant historical figures to memory.

 

Question 3. ............ was the first animal tamed by Old Stone Age man.
Answer: Dog
In simple words: The dog was the very first animal that humans tamed. This helped early humans with hunting and protection.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that dogs were crucial for early humans, assisting in hunting and providing companionship and security.

 

Question 4. Inscriptions are ............ sources
Answer: archaeological
In simple words: Inscriptions are writings carved into hard surfaces, like rocks or metal, and they are important archaeological sources of information. They give direct evidence from the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between literary sources (written documents) and archaeological sources (physical remains, inscriptions, artifacts).

 

Question 5. Ashoka Chakra has ............ spokes.
Answer: 24
In simple words: The Ashoka Chakra has 24 spokes. It is an important symbol found in India's national flag, representing movement and progress.

🎯 Exam Tip: Learn key facts about national symbols and their historical origins.

 

IV. State True or False

 

Question 1. Stone tools belonging to the Old Stone age have been excavated at Athtirampakkam near Chennai.
Answer: True
In simple words: Yes, very old stone tools from the Old Stone Age have been found at a place called Athtirampakkam, close to Chennai. This site is significant for understanding early human presence in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing specific archaeological sites and their importance can earn you full marks in true/false questions about discoveries.

 

Question 2. The materials used by the ancient people are preserved in the museums by the Archaeological Department.
Answer: True
In simple words: Yes, old items used by ancient people are kept safe in museums. This work is done by the Archaeological Department, which studies and protects historical objects.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the role of museums and archaeological departments in preserving and interpreting historical artifacts for future generations.

 

Question 3. During the period of Ashoka, Buddhism spread across the country.
Answer: True
In simple words: Yes, during the time of King Ashoka, the religion of Buddhism spread widely throughout India. Ashoka himself became a Buddhist and helped spread its teachings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect important rulers with major historical events or religious movements that occurred during their reign.

 

V. Match the following

 

Question. Match the following

Answer:
1. - d (Rock paintings - to understand the lifestyle)
2. - a (Written records - Copper plates)
3. - b (Ashoka - the most famous king)
4. - c (Religious Literature - Devaram)
In simple words: Rock paintings help us understand how ancient people lived. Copper plates are a type of written record. Ashoka was a very well-known king. Devaram is a form of religious literature.

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching questions, connect each item based on its primary association or definition, double-checking for accuracy.

 

VI. Answer in one word

 

Question 1. Can you say any two advantages of writing a diary?
Answer:
1. Diary writing helps to record the events.
2. It reveals the lifestyle of people of that period.
In simple words: Diaries help us remember past events and also show us how people lived at a certain time. They act like a personal record of history.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing advantages, use clear, concise points and ensure they directly answer the question asked.

 

Question 2. How do we know the people's lifestyle of the Old Stone Age?
Answer: We understand the lifestyle of people of the Old Stone Age from used stone tools, their paintings on the rocks and walls of the caves.
In simple words: We learn about people from the Old Stone Age by looking at their stone tools and the pictures they drew on cave walls. These items are like clues from the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on archaeological evidence like tools and art as primary sources for understanding prehistoric lifestyles, as written records did not exist.

 

Question 3. Is inscription a written record?
Answer: Yes. The inscription is a written record.
In simple words: Yes, an inscription is a type of written record. It's writing carved onto things like stone or metal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define key historical terms like "inscription" and its role as a primary source.

 

Question 4. What is proto history?
Answer: Protohistory is the period between prehistory and history.
In simple words: Protohistory is the time after prehistory but before actual recorded history. It's when some societies started writing, but not all of them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between prehistory (no written records), protohistory (some records but limited), and history (extensive written records).

 

Question 5. Name an epic.
Answer: Silapadhikaram.
In simple words: Silapadhikaram is an epic. Epics are long stories or poems about heroes and important events.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be able to recall examples of different types of literary works, such as epics, as a quick recall fact.

 

VII. Answer the following

 

Question 1. What is history?
Answer:
1. History is a record of past events in chronological order.
2. The term History has been derived from the Greek word Istoria which means learning by enquiry.
In simple words: History is the story of things that happened in the past, arranged in the correct time order. The word "history" comes from a Greek word meaning to learn by asking questions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember both the definition of history as a chronological record and its etymological origin for a complete answer.

 

Question 2. What do you know about the prehistoric period?
Answer:
1. The period between the use of the first stone tools and the invention of writing systems is pre-history.
2. Stone tools, excavated materials, and rock paintings are the major sources of pre-history.
In simple words: Prehistory is the time when people first started using stone tools until they learned to write. We learn about this time by studying old stone tools, things dug from the ground, and cave paintings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the absence of written records and the reliance on archaeological evidence when discussing the prehistoric period.

 

Question 3. What are the sources available to know about the prehistoric period?
Answer: Paintings on the rocks and the walls of the caves, stone tools, excavated materials are the sources available to know about the pre-historic period.
In simple words: To learn about prehistoric times, we look at paintings drawn on rocks and cave walls, old stone tools, and other items dug up from the earth. These things tell us about how people lived then.

🎯 Exam Tip: List specific examples of archaeological sources, such as cave paintings and tools, as they provide concrete evidence.

 

Question 4. Mention the places from where we got pre-historic tools.
Answer: We find the pre-historic tools at Kondapur, Nevasa, Mehrgash, Rock shelters of Bhimbetka, and Edakkal caves in India. In Tamilnadu Attirampakkam, Ariyalur, Perambulur, Adichanalur are the places where we came across the pre-historic tools.
In simple words: Old tools from prehistoric times have been found in places like Kondapur, Nevasa, Mehrgash, Bhimbetka, and Edakkal in India. In Tamilnadu, places like Attirampakkam, Ariyalur, Perambulur, and Adichanalur are important sites for these finds.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the names of key archaeological sites in India that are famous for yielding prehistoric tools and artifacts.

 

Question 5. What are the benefits of a museum?
Answer:
1. Museums are community centres designed to inform and teach the public.
2. The educational benefit of a museum is academic learning.
3. Museums are the caretakers of history as much as they offer connections to history.
4. Museums are full of stories, and it is interesting for students to hear these stories.
5. Museums offer opportunities for children to compare and contrast, leading to critical thinking skills.
6. Children's curiosity comes out in the form of questions.
7. Students are exposed to new ideas and concepts.
8. Museums inspire students to wonder, imagine, and dream of possibilities that are beyond what they know.
9. Students are exposed to opportunities that spark creative moments.
In simple words: Museums are places where everyone can learn and be taught. They keep history safe and help us connect with the past. They tell stories, encourage children to think deeply, learn new things, and inspire them to be curious and creative.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing the benefits of institutions like museums, highlight their roles in education, preservation, inspiration, and fostering critical thinking.

 

Question 6. Name some tools used by early man to hunt animals.
Answer:
1. Blade cores were used. These were chunks of sharp rocks.
2. An end scraper is a tear-drop shaped piece of stone used to scrap fur and fatty tissue from the hides of animals.
3. Burins were stone tools with a rounded grasping end and at the sharp, razor-like working end.
4. Awls were small circular stone flakes.
In simple words: Early humans used different stone tools for hunting. They had sharp rock pieces called blade cores, end scrapers to clean animal hides, burins for carving, and small circular awls. These tools were essential for survival.

🎯 Exam Tip: List specific examples of prehistoric tools and their functions to demonstrate detailed knowledge of the period.

 

Question 7. Why were paintings drawn on rocks?
Answer:
1. Paintings could have been drawn on rocks to convey their lifestyles to future generations.
2. They might have wished to record their activities through their paintings.
In simple words: Rock paintings were made to show how people lived to those who would come later. They also wanted to record their daily activities and important events.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider the various possible motivations for prehistoric art, including communication, ritual, and documentation of daily life.

 

Question 8. Name any two artifacts.
Answer: Potteries, Toys, Tools, and Ornaments. An artefact is something made or given shape by men, such as a tool or a work of art, especially an object of archaeological interest. Some of these are potteries, toys, tools, and ornaments.
In simple words: Artifacts are objects made by humans, like pottery, toys, tools, and ornaments. They are important because they give us clues about past human life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define "artifact" and provide a range of examples to show your understanding of items studied by archaeologists.

 

VIII. HOTS

 

Question 1. How dogs were useful to prehistoric man?
Answer:
1. Dogs with their sniffing power helped them find out other wild animals.
2. Dog helped them prevent the entry of dangerous animals.
3. Thus dogs helped them in hunting and protection.
In simple words: Dogs helped prehistoric humans in many ways. Their strong sense of smell helped find wild animals for hunting. They also guarded against dangerous animals, offering both hunting aid and protection.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the symbiotic relationship between early humans and dogs, focusing on how dogs contributed to survival through their natural abilities.

 

Question 2. Compare the lifestyle of Old Stone Age man with present-day lifestyle.
Answer:
Old Stone age man:
1. He was a nomad.
2. Took shelter on branches of trees, in holes and caves.
3. Wore dresses made out of leaves, the skin of animals, and barks of trees.
4. Ate vegetables, fruits, and roots which he gathered from jungles.
5. Not civilized.
Present-day man:
1. Settled in villages and towns.
2. Lives in well-built houses.
3. Wears dresses made out of cotton and other materials.
4. Eats all kinds of food grains.
5. Well civilized.
In simple words: Old Stone Age humans moved from place to place, lived in simple shelters like caves, wore clothes from nature, and gathered wild food. Today, people live in settled homes, wear manufactured clothes, eat farmed food, and live in organized, civilized societies.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing, create clear contrasting points for each aspect (e.g., shelter, food, clothing) to show the evolution of human lifestyle.

 

IX. Activity (For Students)

 

Question. 1. Write down the important events of your family with years. Draw a timeline with the help of your teacher or with your classmates.
2. Early man used stones as a weapon. Make an album showing the various uses of stone.
3. Identify the category of the following sources of history.
    ○ Urns excavated from Adhichanallur.
    ○ Copper plates of Velvikudi.
    ○ Mahabharatha.
    ○ Sanchi Stupa
    ○ Pattinappaalai.
    ○ The earthernwares form keezhadi
    ○ Toys of Indus Civilisation.
    ○ Big Temple of Thanjavur.

🎯 Exam Tip: For activities, follow instructions carefully and categorize historical sources correctly (e.g., archaeological, literary, monumental) to show understanding.

 

X. Life Skill (For Students)

 

Question. 1. Make some weapon models used by the old stone Age man using clay.
2. Discuss with your grandpa, grandma, neighbours, and teachers and collect information about your street, villages, town or school. With the collected data, try to write its history titling your writing as "I am a Historian".

🎯 Exam Tip: Engaging in hands-on activities like model-making or local history research helps reinforce learning and develop practical skills.

 

XI. Answer Grid

 

Question 1. Early men scribbled and painted on me Today they used me to build houses and lay roads. Who am I?
Answer: Rock.
In simple words: The answer is "Rock". Early humans used rocks for drawing, and today, rocks are still used to build homes and make roads.

🎯 Exam Tip: For riddle-style questions, think about common materials or objects that have served multiple purposes across different historical periods.

 

Question 2. Name any two archaeological sources?
Answer:
1. Coins
2. Inscriptions
In simple words: Two archaeological sources are coins and inscriptions. These are physical items that archaeologists study to learn about the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide clear and distinct examples of archaeological sources, differentiating them from literary or oral sources.

 

Question 3. Name the types of literary sources?
Answer:
1. Secular literature
2. Religious literature
In simple words: Literary sources are divided into two main types: secular, which is about everyday life, and religious, which is about faith and spirituality.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the categories of literary sources to better analyze historical texts; secular literature covers non-religious topics, while religious literature focuses on spiritual aspects.

 

Question 4. Expand BC (BCE).
Answer: Before the common era
In simple words: BC means "Before Christ," and BCE means "Before the Common Era." Both refer to the years before the year 1.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the full forms and that both BC and BCE refer to the same historical period before year 1.

 

Question 5. What is the meaning of the Greek word “Istoria"?
Answer: Learning by enquiry
In simple words: The Greek word "Istoria" means to learn by asking questions. This is why history is all about investigating the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the origin of the word "history" to its core method of inquiry and investigation.

 

Question 6. Expand AD (CE).
Answer: Common era
In simple words: AD means "Anno Domini," which is Latin for "in the year of the Lord," and CE means "Common Era." Both refer to the years after year 1.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know the full forms and that both AD and CE refer to the same historical period after year 1.

 

Question 7. ............ is the study of inscriptions..
Answer: Epigraphy
In simple words: Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions. It helps us understand old writings carved on stone or metal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Learn the specific terminology for different branches of historical study, such as epigraphy for inscriptions.

 

Question 8. ............ is the study of coins.
Answer: Numismatics
In simple words: Numismatics is the study of coins. Coins are important historical objects because they can tell us about rulers, economies, and cultures of the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know the specific terminology for different branches of historical study, such as numismatics for coins.

 

Question 9. I can help you to talk, see, hear, write, and read. There is no world without me. Who am I?
Answer: Mobile Phone
In simple words: The answer is "Mobile Phone". Mobile phones are essential tools today, connecting us to communication, information, and the wider world.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider how modern technology impacts our daily lives and aligns with the descriptions given in riddles.

 

6th Social Science Guide What is History? Additional Important Questions and Answers

 

I. Choose the correct answer

 

Question 1. Dhamma is a word.
(a) Prakrit
(b) Sanskrit
(c) Latin
(d) Greek
Answer: (a) Prakrit
In simple words: The word Dhamma comes from the Prakrit language. It means "righteousness" or "moral law" in Buddhism.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate key terms from ancient Indian history, like Dhamma, with their original languages of origin.

 

II. Match the statement with the reason

 

Question 1. Statement: Ashoka was the first ruler to give up war after victory. Reason: He was upset and grief-stricken at the sight of the war.
(a) Statement is true but the reason is wrong.
(b) Both statement and reason are correct.
(c) Both statement and reason are wrong.
(d) Statement is wrong but the reason is correct.
Answer: (b) Both statement and reason are correct
In simple words: Both parts are true. Ashoka truly gave up war after winning the Kalinga War, and his decision was because he felt deep sadness and regret over the violence and suffering he witnessed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand Ashoka's transformation after the Kalinga War and how it impacted his policies and the spread of Buddhism.

 

Question 2. Statement: Archaeological sources help to know about the early man. Find out which of the following is related to the statement.
(a) Monuments
(b) Pictures
(c) Metals
(d) Books
Answer: (a) Monuments
In simple words: Archaeological sources help us learn about early humans, and monuments are a good example of these sources. Monuments are old buildings or structures that tell us about the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying archaeological sources, think about physical structures and artifacts rather than written texts.

 

Question 3. Find out the wrong pair.
(a) Numismatics - The study of coins
(b) Epigraphy - The study of Inscription
(c) Epic - Pattinapaalai
(d) Copper plates - Velvikudi
Answer: (c) Epic - Pattinapaalai
In simple words: The pair "Epic - Pattinapaalai" is wrong. While Pattinapaalai is a work of Sangam literature, it is not an epic in the same sense as major epics like Silappatikaram or Manimekalai.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure precise knowledge of historical terms and their corresponding examples to correctly identify mismatched pairs.

 

Question 4. Find the odd one.
(a) The dharma chakra has 24 spokes.
(b) It is seen in our National Flag.
(c) It was taken from Sanchi Stupa.
(d) It belongs to the Mauryan period
Answer: (c) It was taken from Sanchi Stupa
In simple words: The Ashoka Chakra on the flag is a symbol that represents movement and is indeed from the Mauryan period, but it's specifically from the Sarnath Lion Capital, not directly from the Sanchi Stupa.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between similar historical monuments; the Ashoka Chakra in the flag specifically derives from the Sarnath Lion Capital, not Sanchi Stupa.

 

III. Fill in the blanks

 

Question 1. The Big Temple is in ............
Answer: Thanjavur.
In simple words: The Big Temple, also known as Brihadeeswarar Temple, is located in Thanjavur. It is a famous and ancient temple.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the locations of significant historical and architectural landmarks.

 

Question 2. The most famous ruler of ancient India was ............
Answer: Ashoka.
In simple words: Ashoka was a very famous king in ancient India. He was known for spreading Buddhism and his moral teachings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key figures in Indian history who had a lasting impact on the subcontinent.

 

Question 3. Istoria means ............
Answer: Learning by enquiry.
In simple words: The word "Istoria" means to learn by asking questions. This idea is central to how we study history.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recalling the etymology of "history" helps reinforce its meaning as a process of investigation.

 

IV. State True or False

 

Question 1. The term History has been derived from the Latin word 'Istoria'.
Answer: False
In simple words: The term History comes from the Greek word "Istoria," not Latin. It means "learning by enquiry."

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between the origin languages of historical terms; "Istoria" is Greek, not Latin.

 

Question 2. We understand the lifestyle of old stone age people from used stone tools.
Answer: True
In simple words: Yes, by studying the stone tools used by people in the Old Stone Age, we can understand how they lived and what activities they performed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize that artifacts like stone tools are crucial archaeological evidence for understanding ancient human behavior.

 

Question 3. Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal is in Thanjavur.
Answer: False
In simple words: Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal is actually in Madurai, not Thanjavur. It's a grand palace built by King Thirumalai Nayak.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be precise with the locations of historical monuments to avoid common geographical errors.

 

V. Match the following

 

Question. Match the following

Answer:
1. - b (Toys - Archaeological source)
2. - a (Epics - Literary source)
3. - d (Stupa - Sanchi)
4. - c (Fort - Vellore)
In simple words: Toys are archaeological finds that tell us about ancient life. Epics are a kind of literary source, like old stories. Sanchi is a famous place for stupas. Vellore is known for its fort.

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching, link items by category, location, or type of historical evidence they represent.

There are no questions located between page 15 and page 17 of the provided PDF document. The content on these pages consists of a section heading ("VI. Mind Map") and website footer/navigation elements. Following the instructions to process *only* questions in this range, the output is empty.