30+ Most Expected Questions for Half-Yearly Exams – Class 10 Social Science

If we ask you a question, which of the subjects do you fear the most? Then, the majorly the answers will be: Social Science (SST). It feels endless, full of dates, events, definitions, and so many “long answers” that it can easily become boring. Many even call it a low-scoring subject compared to Maths or Science.

But here’s the secret: SST is actually one of the easiest subjects to score high marks in,  if you prepare smartly. Why? Because the exam doesn’t test creativity or problem-solving like Maths and Science. Instead, it rewards students who can revise key topics, practice expected questions, and write clear answers.

That’s why we’ve created this curated list of the most expected questions for Class 10 SST half-yearly exams. These are based on repeated patterns and important concepts that examiners love to ask every year. Think of it as your shortcut to revision, saving you from flipping through 4 fat books at the last minute.

Why Class 10 Half-Yearly Exams Matter?

Class 10 Half-yearly exams may not be the final boards, but they play a crucial role in preparation:

• They give you a real exam experience, helping you manage time and stress.
• They highlight your strong and weak areas while there’s still time to improve.
• Many schools consider half-yearly results when giving internal assessments.
• Regular practice of expected questions boosts your confidence for boards.

In short, treating your half-yearly exams seriously is like getting a trial run before the final show.

A Note on Syllabus Variation

It’s important to remember that the half-yearly exam syllabus may vary slightly from school to school. While the core chapters remain the same as per the CBSE guidelines, schools often decide the weightage or mix of chapters based on their internal schedules. Still, the questions below are drawn from commonly repeated topics that are asked repeatedly in previous year board exams and are highly likely to appear in one form or another.

Most Expected Questions – Class 10 SST Half-Yearly

Here’s a curated list of the most expected questions of Class 10 Social Science. Practicing these will give you strong coverage for your exam prep:

History

1. What were the major causes and effects of the French Revolution?
2. Explain the process of unification of Germany.
3. What was the main aim of the Treaty of Vienna 1815? What were the main provisions of the Treaty of Vienna held in 1815?
4. What were the economic hardships faced by Europe in the 1830s?
5. Describe the role of Giuseppe Mazzini as an Italian Revolutionary.
6. Describe the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian National Movement.
7. Why did the Non-Cooperation Movement lose momentum in cities?
8. The middle classes played an important role in the Non-Cooperation Movement in the cities. Explain.
9. How did the peasants of Awadh use different methods to achieve their goal? Explain with examples.
10. Discuss the cultural importance of nationalism in the Indian freedom struggle.
11. What do you understand by Satyagraha? Briefly explain the Rowlatt Act.
12. Describe the famous incidence of Jallianwalla Bagh.

Geography

1. Define resources. Classify the resources on the basis of exhaustibility.
2. Why is soil erosion a concern? Suggest methods to control it.
3. Explain the significance of forests and wildlife resources.
4. Why is water harvesting important in India?
5. Classify the types of forests found in India and explain them.
6. What are the broad objectives of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchaee Yojana (PMKSY)?
7. Multipurpose projects and large dams have come under great scrutiny and opposition. Explain with reason.
8. Who proclaimed dams as the temples of modern India? Why?
9. Distinguish between Khadar and Bangar soil.
10. Write any three human activities which are responsible for land degradation in India.

Political Science (Civics)

1. Define power sharing. Give examples to show its importance.
2. What are the main features of federalism in India?
3. “Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.” Justify this statement with three suitable points.
4. Differentiate between the horizontal and vertical division of powers.
5. Differentiate between the ‘Coming Together Federation’ and ‘Holding Together Federation’ with examples.
6. Mention any five main features which make India a federal country.
7. What are the various ways in which women in India face disadvantage, discrimination, and oppression?
8. “Local governments have made a significant impact on Indian democracy. At the same time, there are many difficulties.” Explain.
9. Describe any three majoritarian measures adopted by the Sri Lankan Government to establish Sinhala supremacy.
10. ‘It is not politics that gets caste-ridden, it is the caste that gets politicized.’ Explain.

Economics

1. Define development. How is it measured?
2. State any two goals of development other than income.
3. What are the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors?
4. How are economic activities classified based on employment? Differentiate between them.
5. Discuss the role of the public sector in India.
6. Sunita a 25 years old woman lived in a village. Her height is 1.45 m and her weight is 36 kg. While Nisha is of the same age and height, her weight is 48 kg.  What can be said about their nutritional condition?
7. Explain the meaning of HDI. Mention three components of measuring HDI.
8. Why does Kerala have a better Human Development Index ranking in comparison to Punjab? Explain with three reasons.
9. Why do people prefer to work in the organised sector?
10. Distinguish between final goods and intermediate goods.
11. Define the term GDP. At present which sector has the maximum contribution to the GDP of India?
12. What is sustainable development? Why is it important?
13. In what ways can employment be increased in urban areas?
14. Fill in the blanks
    • One of the best ways to reduce over usage of groundwater is ______.
    • The number of deaths of children less than one year of age per 1000 live births is referred to as ______.
    • The total number of children of age group 14 and 15 years attending school as a percentage of the total number of children in the same age group is referred to as ______.
    • People may have different development goals. What is development for one, may even be ______ for the other.

Pro tip: Even if the questions are written differently in your exam, these topics usually come in some form.

Also See: Most Expected Questions for Class 10 Science Half-Yearly Exams

Tips to Score Well in SST Half-Yearly Exams

1. Write in points, not long paragraphs – examiners love clarity.
2. Revise keywords and definitions – they fetch direct marks.
3. In Geography, use maps and diagrams wherever possible 
4. In Civics/Polity answers, connect with current affairs or real-life events to make your answer stand out.
5. In Economics, focus on data, charts, or simple comparisons (like developed vs developing countries).
6. Practice previous years’ papers under timed conditions.
7. Don’t ignore 1-mark questions – they are easy and add up quickly.

Also See: Chapterwise Important Questions & Answers

History

• Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe - Important Q&A
• Chapter 2: Nationalism in India - Important Q&A
• Chapter 3: The Making of a Global World - Important Q&A
• Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialization - Important Q&A (Not coming in the 2025-26 board exam)
• Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World - Important Q&A

Geography

• Chapter 1: Resources and Development - Important Q&A
• Chapter 2: Forest and Wildlife Resources - Important Q&A
• Chapter 3: Water Resources - Important Q&A
• Chapter 4: Agriculture - Important Q&A
• Chapter 5: Minerals and Energy Resources - Important Q&A
• Chapter 6: Manufacturing Industries - Important Q&A
• Chapter 7: Lifelines of National Economy - Important Q&A (No Theoretical Questions will be asked from this chapter. Only Map Work will be assessed in the 2025-26 Board exam.)

Civics

• Chapter 1: Power-Sharing - Important Q&A
• Chapter 2: Federalism - Important Q&A
• Chapter 3: Gender, Religion, and Caste - Important Q&A
• Chapter 4: Political Parties - Important Q&A
• Chapter 5: Outcomes of Democracy - Important Q&A

Economics

• Chapter 1: Development - Important Q&A
• Chapter 2: Sectors of the Indian Economy - Important Q&A
• Chapter 3: Money and Credit - Important Q&A
• Chapter 4: Globalization and the Indian Economy - Important Q&A

List of Map Items (2025-26)

• List of Map Items for CBSE Class 10 SST 2025-26

Picture-Based Questions

• CBSE Class 10 SST Picture-Based Questions with Answers

Final Thoughts

Preparing for the Class 10 SST half-yearly exam doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. If you cover the core topics and frequently repeated questions, you’ll be more than ready to score well. Remember, half-yearly exams are your training ground for the boards. Revise smartly, practice writing answers in your own words, and go to the exam hall with confidence.

Stay calm, trust your preparation, and treat this exam as a stepping stone, not a final battle. Every effort you put in now will make your board exams much easier later.

Related posts:

Half-Yearly Exams vs Pre-Boards – What’s the Difference & What Matters More? Last 30 Days Plan for Class 10 Half-Yearly Exams – Subject-wise Guide Most Expected Questions for Class 10 Science Half-Yearly Exams Class 10 Print Culture and the Modern World Class 10: Important Questions, Easy Answers Acids, Bases and Salts Class 10 Important Questions and Answers Federalism Class 10 Most Important Questions and Answers Manufacturing Industries: Demystified with Class 10 Questions and Answers