ISC Class 12 Competency Based Questions (CBQ) History

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PREFACE

With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape
in India has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to
incorporate critical thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote
memorisation and focuses on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply
in their real-world scenarios.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level
progressive examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education
in CISCE schools through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-
based assessments and the incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC
levels from the examination year 2024.
To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to
support teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking
questions in future board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice
Questions for selected subjects at the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item
Bank consists of a rich variety of questions, both objective and subjective in categories, aimed
at enhancing the subject-specific critical and analytical thinking skills of the students.
In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s
that it intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include
understanding, analysis, application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of
the higher-order recall domain. The Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a
given question, but it is neither limiting nor exhaustive.
These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments
and as samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from
offering a good practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would
allow students to gauge their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning
to develop individual learning pathways.
During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team
of experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external
reviewers as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item
bank.
I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have
contributed to the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions
for CISCE students.
We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their
teaching-learning processes.

September 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel
Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE

History ISC-Class XII

Table of Contents

S.No. Type of Questions Page Nos.

I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 1-4

II. Assertion-Reason Questions 5-6

III. Very Short Answer Questions 7-10

IV. Fill in the Blank 11-12

V. Short Answer Questions 13-21

VI. Very Long Answer Questions 22-25

Answer Key 26-34

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions

History ISC-Class XII

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ISC-CLASS XII

History

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

1. [World War II]
Study the image below, answer the question.

Source: https://www.dw.com/

Which of the following events MOST IMPORTANTLY divided Poland between USSR &
Germany in 1939?

(a) The Battle of Britain
(b) The Munich Agreement
(c) The Invasion of Poland
(d) The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (Application)

2. [Cold War 1945-91– Origin, Course, End and Impact]
Germany was formally reunited at midnight on 3 October 1990. Who among the following
became the first Chancellor of all Germany since the Second World War?
(a) Konrad Adenauer
(b) Egon Krenz
(c) Helmut Kohl
(d) Lothar de Maiziere
(Recall)

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 1

History ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions

3. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]
Based on the image below, answer the question.

Source: insightsonindia.com/modern-Indian-history

Which of the following events MOST IMPORTANTLY led to the Congress towards accepting
the Partition of India?

(a) Atlee’s Declaration
(b) The Mountbatten Plan
(c) The Indian Independence Act
(d) Direct Action Day

( Analysis & Evaluate)

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S.No. Questions

4. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]

Source: javatpoint.com/in-full-form

Which of the following were MOST LIKELY to be the significance of the INA (Azad Hind
Fauj)?

(i) Introduction of the system of Provincial Autonomy.
(ii) Formation of an Interim Government.
(iii) Strikes declared by the Royal Indian mutiny.
(iv) Hastened the process of the British leaving India.
Choose one correct option from the options provided below.
(a) (i) and (ii) are correct.
(b) (iii) and (iv) are correct.
(c) (ii) and (iv) are correct.
(d) (i) and (iv) are correct. (Analysis)

5. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]

Which of the following were the proposals of the Cabinet Mission?

P. The Centre would control Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communication.
Q. Acceptance of the Pakistan scheme.
R. Grouping of Provinces into A, B and C.
S. Transfer of power.
Choose one correct option from the following options.
(a) P and R
(b) Q and R
(c) R and S
(d) P and S (Understanding)

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S.No. Questions

6. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]

Arrange the following events in chronological order:

P. The August Offer was made by Viceroy Lord Linlithgow.
Q. The Congress proposal for provisional National Government was turned down.
R. Sir Stafford Cripps put forth the proposals, popularly known as the Cripps proposals.
S. Japan attacked Pearl Harbour.
Choose one correct option from the options given below.
(a) R, S, P, Q
(b) Q, P, S, R
(c) S, Q, R, P
(d) P, Q, R, S (Analysis & Understanding)

7. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]

Which of the following statements is NOT true with regard to the integration of Kashmir?

(a) Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh, on 26th October, 1947 handed over the Instrument of
Accession to Jawaharlal Nehru.
(b) Sheikh Abdullah was appointed by Nehru as Chief Minister.
(c) Pakistan occupied Srinagar.
(d) The Indian Army entered in Jammu and Kashmir on 27th October, 1947 to repel the invaders.

(Recall)

8. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]

Identify the leader along with the CORRECT Movement which the person had led.

(a) Potti Sriramalu: Andhra Movement
(b) C.D. Deshmukh: Naxalite Movement
(c) Krishna Menon: Samyukta Maharashtra Movement
(d) Master Tara Singh: Quit India Movement
(Recall)

9. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]

Consider the following statements about the Congress Ministries in 1939.

Statement 1: The Congress Ministries resigned.
Statement 2: The British had involved India in the Second World War.

(a) Statement 1 is true, but Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 2 is true, but Statement 1 is false.
(c) Statement 1 occurred as a consequence of Statement 2.
(d) Statement 1 and Statement 2 are independent of each other.
(Understanding)

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II. Assertion-Reason Questions (1 Mark Each)

The questions in this section have two statements marked Assertion and Reason. Read both the
statements carefully and choose the correct option.

S.No. Questions

10. [India’s Foreign Policy]
Assertion (A): The Chinese government had tried to integrate Tibet and Jawaharlal Nehru
accepted the Chinese position on Tibet in the 1954 Panchsheel agreement without even
getting a quid pro quo (a favor for a favor) on the border which was possibly a mistake.
Reason (R): In the wake of Khampa revolt in 1959, Dalai Lama with many refugees fled
to India for asylum and no Indian government could have refused asylum.

(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. (Analysis)

11. [Development of Indian Democracy (1964 – 1977)]
Assertion (A): JP’s ‘Total Revolution’ or a struggle against the very system which has
compelled almost everybody to go corrupt.
Reason (R): JP tried to popularise the concept of Party less Democracy.

(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. (Analysis)

12. [Development of Indian Democracy (1964 – 1977)]
Assertion (A): Indira Gandhi proclaimed a state of Internal Emergency under Article 352
because in her opinion India’s stability, security, integrity and democracy were in danger
from the disruptive character of the JP movement.
Reason (R): Ending the judicial review of the 42nd constitutional amendment undermined
the core principles of democracy.

(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. (Analysis)

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S.No. Questions

13. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]
Assertion (A): Junagadh was a small state on the coast of Saurashtra surrounded by Indian
territory and therefore does not have any geographical contiguity with Pakistan.
Reason (R): Nawab announced accession of his state to Pakistan even though the people
of the state, overwhelming Hindu, desired to join India.

(a) Both A and R are true.
(b) Both A and R are false.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true. (Understanding)

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III: Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

14. [World War II]
Hitler detached Britain from the Stresa Front resulting in the signing of the Anglo-German
Naval Agreement (June 1935).
What did the agreement propose? (Recall)

15. [Protest Movements]
In 1946, President Harry S. Truman appointed a committee to investigate Civil Rights of the
Black Americans. Truman was influenced by moral public opinion, national interest and
provided political advice to the Congress to address the Civil Rights issue.
State any one reason that changed the attitude of the American leaders towards African
Americans. (Recall)

16. [De-colonisation – in Asia (China) and Africa (Ghana & Kenya)]
State any one cause that led to the downfall and overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah.
(Recall)

17. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]

Given below are a few lines on the Quit India Movement.

The Quit India Movement (August Kranti), August 1942, launched in response to Mahatma
Gandhi’s national call for satyagraha. The All-India Congress Committee proclaimed a mass
protest demanding what Gandhiji called "an orderly British withdrawal" from India. It was for
the determined, which appears in his call to “Do or Die”, issued on 8 August at the Gwalior
Tank Maidan in Mumbai in 1942.

Source: https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/blogdetail.htm?7/quit-india-movement

Mention the immediate reaction of the British after the Quit India Resolution was passed.

(Recall)

18. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]
Give the expanded form of PEPSU. (Recall)

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S.No. Questions

19. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]
Look at the below picture carefully.

Source:https://www.facebook.com/fun7664edu/photos/a.1388415388121668/168371349859
1854/?type=3

State the demand of the Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti which was accepted by the Indian
Government with regard to its capital city in 1960. (Recall)

20. [Changing Face of the Indian Democracy (1977 – 1986)]

Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/december-5-1978-forty-years-
ago-5478863/

There were several reasons for the downfall of the Janata Government. What are the causes of
the ultimate downfall of the Janata government can be implied from the above news headline.

(Analysis)

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S.No. Questions

21. [Changing Face of the Indian Democracy (1977 – 1986)]
Identify any one leading political factions of the Assamese agitation.
(Recall)

22. [Indian Foreign Policy]

Panchsheel was born fifty years ago in response to a world asking for a new set of principles
for the conduct of international relations that would reflect the aspirations of all nations to co-
exist and prosper together in peace and harmony.

Source: https://www.mea.gov.in/Uploads/PublicationDocs/191_panchsheel.pdf

In which year was the Panchsheel signed? (Recall)

23. [Movement for Women’s Rights]

Source: legalvidhiya.com
Identify the legislation passed by the Indian Government to protect people from the social
issue mentioned in the image above. (Recall)

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 9

History ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions

24. [De-colonisation – in Asia (China) and Africa (Ghana & Kenya)]
Look at the poster below.

A propaganda poster from 1956, highlighting the need for economic progress
Source: https://alphahistory.com/
With which program of Mao Zedong would you associate it with?
(Recall)

25. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]
Some students from the University of Oxford supported by members of the Muslim League
like Liaquat Ali Khan were the creators of a theory that led to the creation of Pakistan. What
was the theory? (Recall)

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IV. Fill in the Blank (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

26. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]
“Dilli Chalo” was the slogan Bose gave. This slogan was associated with an organisation
founded by Bose, in 1942. This organisation was known as
______________________________. (Recall)

27. [World War II]

Italy, Germany, and Russia continued providing help to a country torn by internal conflict in
1936, this was the _______________________________War. (Recall)

28. [Development of Indian Democracy (1964 – 1977)]

Look at the pictures of erstwhile Congress leaders.

In 1969, the Congress split into two. The Congress (Requisition) was led by Mrs. Indira
Gandhi and the Congress (Organisation) was led by ___________________. (Recall)

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S.No. Questions

29. [De-colonisation – in Asia (China) and Africa (Ghana & Kenya)]

The above organisation was founded to foster African unity and supported by Kwame
Nkrumah in order to increase his international prestige. This was the
________________________________. (Recall)

30. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]

Source: Harman Juneja, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Rai, at Sonepat.

The Operation Polo 1948 involved the Princely state of ___________________________.
(Recall)

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V. Short Answer Questions (4 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions
31. [Changing Face of the Indian Democracy (1977 – 1986)]
Look at the below image carefully.

Source (Photo Credit): The Hindu Archives

Jayprakash Narayan and his supporters gathered in protest outside the Patna Secretariat
in 1974 as part of a plan to get the legislators and Ministers in Bihar to resign their seats
and join the movement against corruption.

What were the four key events of the Sampurna Kranti movement that triggered the
Emergency?

(Analysis)

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History ISC-Class XII

32. [Movements for Women’s Rights]

Read the poem below carefully.

Poem

Indian Women
Indian women, they hold their place,
Laws have been made to ensure their grace.
Yet oppression still does reign,
An irony that causes pain.

Education they receive,
And in their careers they achieve.
But at home, their rights are less,
A misfortune, a duress.

In sports, they win medals bright,
Bringing glory with all their might.
But praise like male players, they do not get,
A tragedy that leaves them upset.

In art and literature, they inspire,
Their contributions set hearts on fire.
But fame like male artists, they do not see,
An imperfection that's free.

As mothers, they nurture their children dear,
With love and care, they persevere.
But help in household chores, they do not find,
An injustice that leaves them blind.

As wives, they support their husbands true,
Standing by them through thick and thin.
But domestic violence, they may face,
A painful scar, a bitter chase.

As daughters, they care for their parents dear,
With love and devotion, they shed no tears.
But equal respect from them, they do not see,
A dishonesty, a decree.

Saroj Gautam

Source: https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/indian-women-1/

Enlist at least four organisations in India that are fighting for the problems being faced by
women. What were the four methods that were used by activists to highlight the oppression
faced by women?
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
33. [Cold War 1945-91– Origin, Course, End and Impact]

Demonstrate how the Great Leap Forward was a result of the First Five-Year Plan.
(Analysis)

34. [World War II]
Study the cartoon below carefully and answer the question that follows.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

The invasion of Manchuria by Japan was an act of aggression. State the reasons for Japan’s
actions in Manchuria. (Analysis)

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S.No. Questions
35. [Cold War 1945-91– Origin, Course, End, and Impact]

Had Gorbachev in 1985 or 1986 proposed clear and practical aims, nine-tenths of the
population, including a majority of the party, would have been behind him, such was the
confidence in him…but he had no idea what he hoped to achieve ideologically, socially,
economically or in terms of human rights. Instead, he took to improvisations and
meaningless slogans. I could never have imagined that a General Secretary could have a
mind so devoid of substance.

Source- The view of Valentin Falin, a Soviet Diplomat and Politician, a hardliner.

Above is the opinion of a communist hardliner of Gorbachev’s policy of glasnost. Explain
four aspects of the policy that would have angered communist party members.

(Application)

36. [Cold War 1945-91– Origin, Course, End and Impact]

Read the below source carefully.

One way of life is based upon the will of the majority with free institutions, elected
government, free elections, and guarantees of individual liberty…

The second way of life is based upon of the will of the minority forced upon the majority.
It relies upon terror and repression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections…I believe
that it must be the policy of the USA to support free peoples who are resisting the attempt
by armed minorities or by outside pressure to control them.

Source: A speech by President Truman of the USA in March 1947

What events resulted in this speech by President Truman? (Analysis)

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S.No. Questions
37. [Changing Face of the Indian Democracy (1977 – 1986)]

Source- News headline from Sunday Standard Newspaper

The hopes with which people had voted Janata Party to power began to disappear within
months of Morarji Desai government’s formation. The Janata Party’s fragile unity began
to crack.

Analyse any four factors responsible for the downfall of the Janata Government in 1979.

(Analysis)

38. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]

“I, therefore, want freedom immediately, this very night, before dawn, if it can be had….
Fraud and untruth today are stalking the world…. You may take it from me that I am not
going to strike a bargain with the Viceroy for ministries and the like. I am not going to be
satisfied with anything short of complete freedom. … Here is a mantra, a short one that I
give you. You may imprint it on your hearts and let every breath of yours give expression
to it. The mantra is: “Do or Die”. We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we
shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery.

Source: Mahatma Gandhi addressing the Congress delegates on the night of 8 August,
1942

State briefly the reasons that led Mahatma Gandhi to assert that he would not strike a
bargain with the Viceroy.

(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
39. [India’s Foreign Policy]

Read the extract given below carefully.

“It is no spirit of pride and arrogance that we pursue our own independent policy. We
would not do otherwise unless we are false to everything. India has stood for in the past
and stands for today. We welcome association and friendship with all the flow of thought
and ideas of all kind, but we reserve the right to choose our own path. This is called the
essence of Panchsheel”.

Source: Jawaharlal Nehru, the architect of India’s Foreign Policy delivered the above
speech in the Lok Sabha on September 15, 1955.

State the basic Principles of Panchsheel that fostered India’s association and friendship
with other nations.

(Recall)

40. [Protest Movements]
Look at the below picture carefully.

When P.W. Botha became the Prime Minister, his intention was to reform Apartheid by
dropping some of the most unpopular aspects of the cruel system.
In this context, state any four important changes introduced by Botha, which can also be
regarded as one of the ground-breaking steps towards the end of Apartheid.
(Analysis)

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S.No. Questions
41. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]

Source: https://thewire.in/history/the-first-indian-election-inclusion-independence-and-
the-making-of-we-the-people

The distinctive independence that the Indian Constitution stipulated for the Election
Commission belongs to ‘WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA’. This is so in a literal sense,
because the people had a key role in re-shaping the final constitutional provisions for
elections.

What were the features of the first General elections that established political democracy
in India?

(Analysis)

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S.No. Questions
42. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]
Look at the newspaper clip published upon the arrival of Cripps in India.

Source:https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/htthis-day-march-24-1942-cripps-
in-delhi-parleys-on-india-s-future-101647876605604.html
Analyse the circumstances which led to the arrival of the Cripps Mission in India.
(Recall)

43. [India’s Foreign Policy]

Read the excerpt below carefully.

The Indo-Pak War of 1965, or the Second Kashmir War, was a significant historical event
in the history of independent India. Enumerate any four consequences as a result of the
Indo-Pakistan War of 1965.
(Application)

44. [Establishment of Indian Democracy (1947 – 1966)]
With reference to the Bombay Statutory Corporations (Regional Reorganisation) Act,
1960, trace the circumstances which led to the linguistic reorganisation of Bombay in
1960.
(Analysis)

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S.No. Questions
45. [Changing Face of the Indian Democracy (1977 – 1986)]

The picture shows Rajiv Gandhi signing an accord with a Sikh leader. The Rajiv–
Longowal Accord was an accord signed by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the
Alkali Dal leader, on 24 July 1985.

Source(Photo credit): https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/2021/05/20/how-rajiv-
gandhis-peace-deals-materialised--vappala-balachandran.html

Name the leader and provisions of the accord that led him to withdraw the Akali Dal
agitation. (Recall & Analysis)

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VI: Very Long Answer Questions (8 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions

46. [Towards Independence and Partition: The Last Phase (1935-1947)]

Read the text below carefully:

Indian National Congress’s Haripura Session, (51st session) was held in Haripura village
in Surat district, Gujarat in 1938. It was presided over by Subhash Chandra Bose.
Congress announced its aim to attain complete independence for the whole of India,
including the princely states. They demanded a responsible government and the
guarantee of civil liberties in the states.

Source: https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?6621/1000

Analyse the achievements of the Congress ministries between 1937 and 1939.
(Application)

47. [Development of Indian Democracy (1964 – 1977)]

Read the below text carefully.

“The President has proclaimed an Emergency. This is nothing to panic about. I am sure
you are all aware of the deep and widespread conspiracy, which has been brewing ever
since I began to introduce certain progressive measures of benefit for the common man
and woman in India.”

----Former PM Indira Gandhi addressed the nation from the Doordarshan studio during
the Emergency.

Source: Express Research archive

What according to you were the four key events that led to the proclamation of
Emergency in India? Analyse four results of the same.

(Analysis)

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S.No. Questions

48. [Protest Movements]

Read the extract below written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I Have a Dream

Martin Luther King Jr. August 28, 1963

“I say to you today, my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and
tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its
creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal".

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will
not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.”

"I Have a Dream" was a public speech that was delivered by American civil rights
activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington
for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. In the speech, King called for civil and
economic rights and an end to racism in the United States.

Since the speech talks of equality – in the context of the civil rights movement, what
was the contribution of Dr King towards achieving the ideal of equality for African
Americans? (Evaluate)

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S.No. Questions

49. [Cold War 1945-91– Origin, Course, End and Impact]

Look at the photo below.

Potsdam Conference group photo, with Prime Minister Attlee seated alongside President
Truman and Marshal Stalin (Presidential Collection of Harry S. Truman).
Source: https://history.blog.gov.uk/2020/07/17/whats-the-context-opening-of-the-
potsdam-conference-17-july-1945/

At Potsdam, the Big Three worked together and hoped for post-war collaboration. No
one foresaw forty years of ‘Cold War’.
Evaluate the outcomes of the Yalta and Potsdam conferences.

(Analysis)

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S.No. Questions

50. [Middle East: Israeli-Palestine Conflict (1916-1993)]

The Yom Kippur war, or the October war, or the Ramadan war, was fought between
Israel on one side and Egypt and Syria on the other, from October 6 to 25, 1973.

Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/jpost-special-feature-yom-kippur-war-
through-the-archives-376675

The Arab-Israeli conflict escalated as a result of the Yom Kippur War. Look at the news
headlines, analyse the causes and results of the Yom Kippur war.

(Analysis)

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ANSWER KEY

Q.No. Expected Answers

1. (d) The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
(Also, known as the Molotov -Ribbentrop Pact)

2. (c) Helmut Kohl

3. (d) Direct Action Day

4. (b) (iii) and (iv) are correct.

5. (a) P and R

6. (b) Q, P, S, R

7. (c) Pakistan occupied Srinagar.

8. (a) Potti Sriramalu: Andhra Movement

9. (c) Statement 1 occurred as a consequence of Statement 2.

10. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

11. (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

12. (d) A is false, but R is true.

13. (a) Both A and R are true.

14. Hitler offered to limit the German Navy to 35 percent of the British Navy. British agreed
to condone German rearmament.

15. Politicians were worried by their conscience as the international pressure to treat their
own people well, was great. Impact of Afro-Asian independence/Contradiction to
American claims of democracy.
1. Industrialisation was introduced too quickly.
16.
2. He borrowed a vast amount of capital from abroad.
3. His vanity projects/his growing authoritarianism etc.

17. Arrest of Gandhi and Congress leaders.

18. Patiala and East Punjab States Union

19. Bombay would be the capital of the newly created state of Maharashtra.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 26

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

20. 1. Social tensions
2. Communal violence
3. Rejection of Nehru’s policy of economic development/failure of the JPs economic
policies
4. Failure to provide land reforms and higher wages
5. Economic hardships/infighting among the leaders of the party
(Any one relevant point.)

21. 1. All Assam Students Union [AASU]
2. All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad [AAGSP]
(Any one relevant point.)

22. 1950

23. Prevention of Domestic Violence against Women Act, 2005

24. The Great Leap Forward

25. Two-nation theory.

26. The Indian National Army/INA/Azad Hind Fauj

27. The Spanish Civil

28. Morarji Desai

29. Organisation of African Unity.

30. Hyderabad

31. 1. Start of the JP Movement.
2. Formation of the Bihar Chatra Sangharsh Samiti.
3. Gherao of the Bihar Assembly.
4. Patna rally for the Total Revolution or Sampurna Kranti.
5. JP’s mass meetings in Delhi- the Allahabad court verdict and JP’s call to a rally outside
PM’s residence to force her to resign – the response was immediate: the declaration of
emergency).

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 27

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

32. Organisations:
1. Progressive Organisation for Women in Hyderabad
2. Stree Sangharsh
3.Mahila Dakshita Samiti
4.Dahej Virodhi Chetna Mandal
Programs:
1. Door-to-door awareness.
2. Police intervention.
3. Plays
4. Support for Women undergoing problems related to Dowry.
5. Changes in the law.

33. 1. The Great Leap Forward was an attempt by China, under the direction of its leader,
Mao Zedong, to make China into a modern industrial power due to the slower
development of agriculture compared to the industry. The Great Leap Forward was
officially known as China's Second Five-Year Plan. It began in 1958 and ended in 1962.
China had become a communist nation in the fall of 1949 after a long civil war with
the Nationalists.
2. Mao felt that Soviet ways were not applicable to China. To make China into a socialist
power using its most abundant resource manpower.
3. By creating communes under the communist idea of collectivization. Also, by selling
much of China's agricultural products to other nations.
4. To make China into an industrial nation while remaining communist, so that the Chinese
could compete with the rest of the industrial world.

34. 1. It was a valuable trade outlet.
2. China was growing stronger under Chiang- Kai- Shek.
3. The Russo-Japanese war gave Port Arthur and a position in South Manchuria.
4. The Japanese were suffering economic hardships because of the Great depression.
(Elaborate the points)

35. 1. Well-known dissidents were released, and Sakharov wallowed to return to Moscow.
2. Pravda was allowed to print an article against Brezhnev.
3. New laws were made to protect dissidents.
4. Media was given more freedom.
5. The Union of Soviet makers and the Union of Writers were allowed to sack reactionary
heads.
6. Long-banned anti-Stalin films were banned and shown.
7. The Chernobyl accident was discussed with unprecedented frankness.

(Elaborate any four points)

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 28

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

36. 1. In Greece, communists tried to overthrow the monarchy.
2. The British appealed to the USA and Truman announced help to Greece against
communism.
3. Turkey also under threat received help from the USA of 60 million dollars.
4. The Truman Doctrine made it very clear to Russia that the USA had no intention of
returning to isolation.
5. The USA was gravely concerned about the spread of communism and therefore
intended to follow a “policy of containment” and therefore, introduced the Truman
Doctrine.
(Elaborate any four points)

37. 1. The Janata Party was not able to deal with rapidly growing social tensions in rural areas.
2. There was large-scale communal violence.
3. The Janata Party clearly refused to accept the Nehruvian vision of rapid economic
development.
4. They opposed rural development to industry-oriented growth.
5. They did not introduce land reforms.
6. Agriculture and Industry started showing stagnation.
7. They did not pursue an impactful foreign policy.
8. Each political component tried to control the party./Tussle for leadership.
(Elaborate any four points.)

38. 1. Failure of Cripps Mission.
2. Indian involvement in the Second World War without prior consultation.
3. Growing Nationalism.
4. Japanese’s threat.
5. Economic Factors.
(Elaborate any four points)

39. 1. Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.
2. Mutual non-aggression.
3. Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
4. Equality and mutual benefit.
5. Peaceful co-existence.

40. 1. Blacks were allowed to join trade unions.
2. To go on strikes.
3. Elect their own local township councils but not to vote in national elections.
4. A new constitution/setting up of two new houses of Parliament, one for the coloured
and one for the Asians.
5. Allow inter-racial marriages/abolishment of Pass Law.
(Any four relevant points)

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 29

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

41. 1. Sukumar Sen was the first Election Commissioner.
2. Electoral Rolls had been created.
3. Men and Women through the Universal Adult franchise got a chance to vote.
4. Ballot boxes were provided for voting.
5. Voting took place all over the country and it was free and fair.
(Any four relevant points.)

42. 1. Japan had just entered the war, and her initial success had alarmed the Allies.
Philippines, Indonesia, Indo-China, and Malaya were utterly overrun. Singapore had
fallen. Burma was on the point of an immediate collapse. India was also open to the danger
of an attack by Japan.
2. The constitutional deadlock hampered the war efforts.
3. The British government wanted to end this deadlock in February 1942, George Marshall
and Madame Chiang Kai Shek visited India; they realised the importance of India in
combating Japan in the Eastern zone. They also felt that only a willing India could do that
effectively. On the eve of their departure in their farewell address, they appealed to the
British government to meet India’s national demand.
4. Even among the Allies of Britain, a feeling was growing that Britain should be conceded
to India to enable her to participate in the War efforts effectively
5. Growing pressure of America/USSR/China. (Any four relevant points.)

43. 1. Pakistan was not successful in its agenda to free Kashmir.
2. India retained an area of 1840 sq. km while Pakistan only retained 540 sq. km.
3. Casualties on both sides/the UN called for a ceasefire.
4. The Tashkent Agreement was signed/an economic drain for both sides.
5. India’s prestige in the international sphere was cemented. (Any four relevant points)

44. 1. In 1956, the States' Reorganisation Committee (SRC) recommended a bilingual state
for Maharashtra-Gujarat with Bombay as its capital.
2. Opposing this, riots and protests erupted in 1956, leading to immense pressure on the
government for two separate states: Maharashtra and Gujarat. Bombay city was to
form a separate, centrally administered state.
3. The division plan faced strong opposition, especially from Maharashtra’s who were
dissatisfied with the proposed arrangement. The people of Gujarat were also
apprehensive as they felt they would be a minority in the new state. They were
unwilling to give up Bombay city to Maharashtra.
4. Despite the protests and disagreements, the government passed the States
Reorganisation Act in November 1956. This formalised the division of states. Popular
agitation persisted for nearly five years as people in Maharashtra and Gujarat
continued to voice their discontent.
5. After continued agitations by the people., in May 1960, the government agreed to
bifurcate the state of Bombay into Maharashtra and Gujarat. As per the resolution,
Bombay city was included in Maharashtra, and Ahmedabad was designated as the
capital of Gujarat. (Any four relevant points)

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 30

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

45. The Alkali Dal leader, Harcharan Singh Longowal.
1. Chandigarh would be transferred to Punjab and the Hindi-speaking villages of Punjab
were ceded to Haryana.
2. To appoint a separate commission to resolve the border dispute between Punjab and
Haryana.
3. To set up a tribunal to settle down the sharing of Ravi-Beas River water among Punjab
Regional Aspirations Haryana and Rajasthan/To provide an agreement for
compensation to better treatment to those affected by militancy in Punjab.
4. To withdraw the Armed Forces Special Power Act in Punjab.
5. The Punjabi language was to be promoted.
1. The Congress was committed to releasing all political prisoners. In UP, many prisoners
46.
including Kakori prisoners were released.
2. Congress leaders also worked to remove the restrictions on exiled political prisoners
like Rash Behari Bose. Prisoners from Andaman jail could not be released.
3. Suspension orders on political parties and similar organisations were revoked.
4. The press was granted the right of free press.
5. The Congress Ministry in Madras remitted the pending loans taken by the peasants
from the government. In Bombay and U.P., the interest on agricultural loans was
reduced.
6. The Bombay ministry passed in 1938 the Industrial Dispute Act and wages of mill
hands were increased.
7. License for selling intoxicating drugs was restricted.
8. This generated a new hope for peasants. So, the Tenancy Legislation was taken up in
all Congress-ruled provinces.
9. Everywhere efforts were made to protect the peasants from the clutches of the money
lenders and irrigational facilities were increased. This was a period of tremendous
awakening among the peasants, and they stood behind the Congress.
Laws passed for Workers:
1. Holiday with pay.
2. Leave with pay during sickness.
3. Employment insurance.
4. To fix minimum wages.
5. Recognition of trade unions.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 31

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

47. Four Events:

1. In Gujarat in 1974, began the Nav Nirman Movement, forcing the then CM Chiman
bhai Patel to resign due to charges of corruption against him.
2. There was police firing in Bhopal and 8 students were killed.
3. In 1974, students in Bihar with the ABVP formed Bihar Chatra Samiti under Lalu
Prasad Yadav. JP Narayan called it “Sampurna Kranti” or “Total Revolution” when they
demanded the dissolution of the Bihar SLA.
4. Indira Gandhi attacked JP for demanding an outcast of the elected government.
5. Jayprakash Narayan called for Sampurna Kranti.
6. On 12th June 1975, there was the Allahabad High Court ruling blaming Mrs. Gandhi
for electoral and banning her from contesting elections for the next 6 years.
7. The Allahabad High Court declared that Gandhi’s election to the Lok Sabha was void
due to electoral malpractice.

Four Results:

1. Janata Party leader Jayprakash Narayan (JP) called for the ouster of the government.
He championed a program called Sampurna Kranti (total revolution). He asked
members of the police and the military to disobey unconstitutional orders.
2. Arrest of all major opposition leaders including JP, Morarji Desai, Charan Singh,
Acharya Kripalani, etc. Even Congress leaders who were opposed to the emergency
were arrested.
3. During the emergency, civil liberties were severely restrained. The freedom of the
press was strictly curtailed, and anything published had to pass the Information and
Broadcasting ministry.
4. Indira Gandhi’s son Sanjay Gandhi wielded extra-constitutional powers. He
conducted forceful mass sterilisation of people in a bid to control the population of
the country.
5. Non-Congress state governments were sacked. Many slums in Delhi were destroyed.
6. There were many instances of human rights violations in India. Curfews were imposed
and the police detained people without trial.
7. The government amended the constitution many times (after the emergency was lifted,
the new government undid these amendments).
8. In January 1977, Gandhi called for fresh elections not reading the mood of the people
of the country. All political prisoners were released.
9. Officially, the emergency was lifted on 21 March 1977.
10. The people handed Gandhi and her party a very heavy defeat. Both Indira Gandhi and
her son were defeated in the election.
11. The Janata Party won the election, and the new government was headed by Morarji
Desai as the Prime Minister. Desai was the first non-Congress PM of India.

(Any four Results from the above points.)

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 32

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

48. Dr. Martin Luther King’s role in the Civil Movement in the USA:
1. Dr. Martin Luther King is regarded as America’s leading advocate of non-violence
and one of their greatest leaders. His contributions are manifold:
2. In 1955, he was recruited to serve as a spokesperson for the Montgomery Bus Boycott
which was a campaign by the Afro-American population to force integration of the
city’s bus lines. Subsequently, the US Supreme court ruled that racial segregation in
transportation was unconstitutional.
3. In 1957, he was elected President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to
spearhead the Civil Rights Movement.
4. In 1963, he led a coalition of Civil Rights groups in Birmingham, Alabama. In the
same year, he led the ‘March on Washington’.
5. It was during this march that he delivered his famous speech, ‘I Have a Dream’.
6. Due to his efforts, in 1964 was passed the Civil Rights Act by the US Congress which
eliminated legalised racial discrimination in the United States.
7. The following year, 1965 saw the US Congress pass the Voting Rights Act which
allowed Afro-Americans to vote.
8. Post-1965, Dr. King led several campaigns towards economic justice and international
peace.
9. In 1964, Martin Luther was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the major part that he
played in removing racial discrimination.
10. In 1966, he led a campaign against segregated housing in Chicago.
11. He began the Poor People’s campaign in 1967, which aimed at alleviating poverty
among black people and other disadvantageous groups.
12. He criticised America’s involvement in Vietnam, which upset President Johnson.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 33

History ISC-Class XII

Q.No. Expected Answers

49. Yalta Conference decisions:

1. Divide Germany into four ‘zones’, which Britain, France, the USA and the USSR
would occupy after the war.
2. Bring Nazi war-criminals to trial.
3. Set up a Polish Provisional Government of National Unity 'pledged to the holding of
free and unfettered elections as soon as possible'.
4. Help the freed peoples of Europe set up democratic and self-governing countries by
helping them to (a) maintain law and order; (b) carry out emergency relief measures;
(c) set up governments; and (d) hold elections (this was called the 'Declaration of
Liberated Europe').
5. Set up a commission to look into reparations.

Potsdam Conference decisions:

1. To set up the four ‘zones of occupation’ in Germany. Germany was not to be allowed
any military forces. The Nazi Party, government and laws were to be destroyed, and
'German education shall be so controlled as completely to eliminate Nazi and militarist
doctrines and to make possible the successful development of democratic ideas.
2. To bring Nazi war-criminals to trial.
3. To recognise the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity and hold 'free and
unfettered elections as soon as possible'.
4. Russia was allowed to take reparations from the Soviet Zone, and also 10% of the
industrial equipment of the western zones as reparations. America and Britain could
take reparations from their zones if they wished.

50. Causes

1. Israel’s victory gave her control over territories four times its previous size.
2. Anwar Sadat thought of a daring plan to attack Israel to convince that peace was
necessary.
3. Sadat wanted Egypt and Syria to attack Israel so that the US may intervene.
4. Egypt was more confident because they had Russian weapons, and the army had been
trained by Russian experts.
5. Palestinian terrorism which was turning the West away from the Palestinian cause.

Results

1. Israel had heavy casualties. War did not solve anything.
2. Egypt lost, but it enhanced the prestige of Anwar Sadat. In 1979, Egypt and Israel
signed the Egypt–Israel peace treaty but in one sense Sadat succeeded in his aim. The
USA came forward to mediate the first peace agreement – the Camp David Accords.
3. For Syria, this was a great disaster. They voted with other Arab States to expel Egypt.
4. Arab oil-producing states tried to put pressure on the USA. This caused an oil shortage
in Europe. The Western nations, now pressured Israel to negotiate with Arabs.

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 34