- Where have people lived for several hundred thousand years, as mentioned in the text?
a) Along the Ganga River
b) Along the Narmada River
c) Near the Himalayas
d) Along the Brahmaputra RiverAnswer: b) Along the Narmada River
Explanation: The earliest people lived along the banks of the Narmada River, where they were skilled gatherers, collecting food from forests and hunting animals.
- Which geographical region is believed to be one of the first areas where people began growing crops like wheat and barley?
a) Deccan Plateau
b) Indo-Gangetic Plain
c) Sulaiman and Kirthar Hills
d) Western GhatsAnswer: c) Sulaiman and Kirthar Hills
Explanation: These hills, located in present-day Pakistan, were among the earliest sites of agriculture, where people started growing wheat and barley about 8000 years ago.
- Which river’s tributaries were home to some of the earliest cities about 4700 years ago?
a) Yamuna
b) Indus
c) Godavari
d) KrishnaAnswer: b) Indus
Explanation: The earliest cities flourished along the Indus River and its tributaries, forming the foundation of the Indus Valley Civilization.
- What kind of settlements were formed along the Ganga River about 2500 years ago?
a) Small hamlets
b) Large villages
c) Developed cities
d) Temporary sheltersAnswer: c) Developed cities
Explanation: Cities along the Ganga and its tributaries flourished around 2500 years ago and were important centers for trade and governance.
- The region of Magadha, an ancient powerful kingdom, is located in which present-day Indian state?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Bihar
d) RajasthanAnswer: c) Bihar
Explanation: Magadha was a powerful kingdom located in present-day Bihar, south of the Ganga River.
- Which of the following was a reason why early people chose to live in caves and rock shelters?
a) To worship deities
b) To protect themselves from wild animals and weather
c) To store food
d) To conduct tradeAnswer: b) To protect themselves from wild animals and weather
Explanation: Early humans lived in caves and rock shelters because they provided protection from rain, heat, and wild animals.
- Bhimbetka, known for its prehistoric rock shelters, is located in which modern Indian state?
a) Maharashtra
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Karnataka
d) RajasthanAnswer: b) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh is famous for its rock shelters and cave paintings, providing evidence of early human settlements.
- Why were many early settlements located near water sources like rivers and lakes?
a) For religious practices
b) For availability of water, food, and fertile land
c) For recreational activities
d) To protect themselves from wild animalsAnswer: b) For availability of water, food, and fertile land
Explanation: Early people needed water for drinking, farming, and fishing, and fertile lands near rivers made agriculture possible.
- What type of evidence have archaeologists found at many early human sites?
a) Metal weapons
b) Stone tools
c) Written manuscripts
d) CoinsAnswer: b) Stone tools
Explanation: Archaeologists have discovered stone tools, which were used for hunting, cutting wood, and other daily activities of early humans.
- Why did early humans start living in permanent settlements?
a) They started farming and needed to stay in one place
b) They feared wild animals in forests
c) They built large temples and cities
d) They developed writing and needed to store records
Answer: a) They started farming and needed to stay in one place
Explanation: The practice of agriculture required people to stay in one place to tend to crops, leading to the development of permanent settlements.