People in India are farming since thousands of years. Long before people in the Ganga Plain were saving seeds, reading the sky, and waiting for rain. That knowledge did not disappear. Lot of this knowledge is still alive in Indian fields today. This wisdom works side by side with modern tractors and drip irrigation pipes.
Chapter 1 of Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Grade 7 Part 2 is called The Story of Indian Farming, from the unit India and the World: Land and the People. It is the opening chapter of this book and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
What makes this chapter interesting is its range. It starts in prehistory and ends with a question about what farming might look like in the future. In between, it covers soil science, monsoon patterns, ancient Sanskrit texts, the Green Revolution, shrinking landholdings, and a state that banned chemical farming altogether. It does not shy away from the hard parts either. The debt farmers carry, the groundwater that is running out, the crops destroyed by untimely rain. This is one of those chapters where the facts feel personal once you sit with them.
Before you attempt the questions, a quick look at what this social studies chapter covers:
- Agriculture and allied activities: Farming, animal husbandry, fisheries, beekeeping, forestry, and silk production all count.
- Agriculture share in the economy: Over 18% of GDP and 46% of the workforce in 2022-2023.
- Women and Agriculture : More than 75% of rural farm workers are women.
- Rice cultivation, 7th-8th millennium BCE: Evidence found in the Ganga Plain, among the oldest in the world.
- Mehrgarh, 7th millennium BCE: Barley and millet grown here, thousands of years before the Harappan cities.
- Kalibangan, around 2800 BCE: Intercropping with perpendicular furrows, a practice still seen in Indian farms today.
- Animal domestication, 3500 BCE: Cattle, goats, pigs, and fowl kept during the Sindhu-Sarasvati civilisation.
- Ancient farming texts: The Arthashastra, Vrikshaayurveda and Brihatsamhita covered seeds, soil, grafting, and irrigation in detail.
- Fifteen agroclimatic zones: India is divided into 15 agroclimatic zones based on soil, climate and terrain.
- Southwest monsoon (June to September): It is the lifeline for kharif crops across north and central India.
- Northeast monsoon (October to December): It brings rain to the east and south. Due to the northeast monsoon, farmers in this region can cultivate rice year-round.
- Kharif crops: Rice, maize, bajra, cotton, groundnut, sugarcane. These crops are sown in June-July and are harvested by November.
- Rabi crops: Wheat, barley, mustard, gram. Sown in October-November, harvested by April.
- Zaid crops: Watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, pumpkin. Short summer crops between the two main seasons.
- Six soil types: The top 6 soil types in India are Alluvial, black, red, laterite, sandy, and alpine.
- Traditional soil care: Crop rotation, contour ploughing, cow dung manure, and panchagavya used for centuries.
- Kallanai anicut, 1,800 years ago: It was built by Karikala across the Kaveri River. It is irrigating farmland in the present times too.
- Traditional irrigation: Phad systems in Maharashtra, bamboo drip irrigation in the northeast.
- Beejamrit: A seed coating of cow dung and urine that protects seeds. It also speeds up germination.
- Green Revolution, 1960s-1970s: It ended food shortages in India. However, it also damaged soil, groundwater, and rural health over time.
- ICAR on traditional practices: Tested nearly 5,000 of them. Over 85% held up against modern science.
- Sikkim, 2014: Banned all chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Now the world’s first fully organic state.
- FAO heritage recognition: Saffron farming in Kashmir, forest farming in Odisha, and below-sea-level paddy in Kerala, all globally recognised.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Government crop insurance against losses from drought, floods, and other natural events.
Nearly 2,300 farmers leave agriculture every single day, according to some estimates. That number is one of the most surprising facts in this chapter. So does the story of Sikkim turning fully organic, and the 1,800-year-old dam that still works. This is a chapter that students should read slowly. They should do it not just for the exam, but because the people it talks about grow everything we eat.
Check how well you know the topic with these MCQ questions for Class 7 Social Science.
Class 7 The Story of Indian Farming Part 2 MCQ Questions with Answers
Class 7 SST Chapter 1 The Story of Indian Farming Part 2 MCQ Questions
1. Which group is included in agriculture and allied activities in India?
a) Only mining and trade
b) Farming, livestock, fisheries, and beekeeping
c) Banking, transport, and tourism
d) Only crop cultivation
Answer:
b) Farming, livestock, fisheries, and beekeeping
2. Which statement best shows the importance of women in Indian agriculture?
a) Women work only in dairy farming
b) Women mostly work in cities, not villages
c) More than 75 per cent of people working in agriculture in rural areas are women
d) Women are involved only in selling crops
Answer:
c) More than 75 per cent of people working in agriculture in rural areas are women
3. Which crop is mentioned as one of the staple crops of the Harappans?
a) Coffee
b) Wheat
c) Tea
d) Rubber
Answer:
b) Wheat
4. What does intercropping mean?
a) Growing one crop for many years
b) Growing crops only in winter
c) Growing two or more different crops together
d) Growing crops only with machines
Answer:
c) Growing two or more different crops together
5. Which pilgrim observed that soil and climate differences lead to different produce in India?
a) Fa-Hien
b) Ibn Battuta
c) Xuanzang
d) Megasthenes
Answer:
c) Xuanzang
6. Which monsoon is most important for the seasonal growth of kharif crops in northern and central India?
a) Retreating monsoon
b) Southwest monsoon
c) Local thunderstorm season
d) Winter winds
Answer:
b) Southwest monsoon
7. Which pair is correctly matched?
a) Rabi – monsoon crops
b) Kharif – winter crops
c) Zaid – summer crops
d) Zaid – mountain crops
Answer:
c) Zaid – summer crops
8. Which soil is formed by silt deposits brought by rivers and is rich in nutrients?
a) Red soil
b) Laterite soil
c) Alluvial soil
d) Desert soil
Answer:
c) Alluvial soil
9. Why is black soil also called cotton soil?
a) It is found only in cotton factories
b) It is ideal for growing cotton
c) It contains cotton fibres naturally
d) It is white in colour like cotton
Answer:
b) It is ideal for growing cotton
10. Which traditional method helps prevent soil from losing specific nutrients?
a) Crop rotation
b) Hydroponics
c) Sprinkler irrigation
d) Cold storage
Answer:
a) Crop rotation
11. Rain-fed agriculture mainly depends on what?
a) Canal water only
b) Groundwater only
c) Rainfall
d) Water tankers
Answer:
c) Rainfall
12. Which traditional irrigation system uses bamboo pipes to carry water from springs to fields?
a) Phad system
b) Tank irrigation
c) Bamboo drip irrigation
d) Canal irrigation
Answer:
c) Bamboo drip irrigation
13. What is one major advantage of drip irrigation?
a) It floods the whole field quickly
b) It delivers water directly to the roots
c) It works only during heavy rain
d) It removes the need for soil
Answer:
b) It delivers water directly to the roots
14. What criticism is made about many company-bought seeds?
a) They never germinate
b) They can grow only in mountains
c) Farmers may become dependent on seed companies
d) They need no water at all
Answer:
c) Farmers may become dependent on seed companies
15. Which statement best describes sustainable agriculture in the chapter?
a) Farming only with chemical fertilisers
b) Combining modern productivity with eco-friendly traditional practices
c) Avoiding irrigation completely
d) Growing only one crop every year
Answer:
b) Combining modern productivity with eco-friendly traditional practices
The Story of Indian Farming Class 7 Part 2 Assertion-Reason Questions
1. Assertion (A): Indian agriculture includes activities like livestock rearing, fisheries, and beekeeping. Reason (R): Agriculture and allied activities include more than crop cultivation alone.
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
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Assertion (A): Different regions of India grow different crops. Reason (R): Soil, climate, water, and terrain differ from place to place.
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
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
3. Assertion (A): Kharif crops are closely linked to the arrival of the monsoon. Reason (R): Kharif crops are mainly winter crops that need cool weather.
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
Answer:
c) A is true, but R is false
4. Assertion (A): Alluvial soil is rich in nutrients. Reason (R): It is formed by silt deposits brought by rivers.
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
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
5. Assertion (A): Contour ploughing helps reduce soil erosion on slopes. Reason (R): It follows the natural curves of a hill slope.
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
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
6. Assertion (A): Irrigated agriculture reduces dependence on monsoon rains. Reason (R): It uses artificial methods to supply water to crops.
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
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
7. Assertion (A): Drip irrigation is also called trickle irrigation. Reason (R): It sprays water over crops like artificial rain.
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
Answer:
c) A is true, but R is false
8. Assertion (A): The Green Revolution helped India become self-sufficient in food. Reason (R): It introduced HYV seeds, more irrigation, chemical fertilisers, and machinery.
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
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
9. Assertion (A): Traditional methods are always more productive than modern methods. Reason (R): Modern techniques can produce a substantial amount of food quickly.
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
Answer:
d) A is false, but R is true
10. Assertion (A): The government supports farmers through schemes, research, and training. Reason (R): Farmers need help with seeds, irrigation costs, insurance, and marketing.
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
Answer:
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
The Story of Indian Farming Class 7 Part 2 Fill in the blanks Questions
1. The word agriculture comes from Latin, where agri means __________.
Answer:
field
2. Removing the edible grain from straw or husk is called __________.
Answer:
threshing
3. The three main cropping seasons in India are kharif, rabi, and __________.
Answer:
zaid
4. The southwest monsoon generally brings rain from __________ to September.
Answer:
June
5. The dark organic matter in soil formed by decomposition is called __________.
Answer:
humus
6. The practice of growing different crops in the same field in different seasons is called __________.
Answer:
crop rotation
7. Irrigation that delivers water slowly and directly to roots is called __________ irrigation.
Answer:
drip
8. The paste made of cow dung and urine used to coat seeds is called __________.
Answer:
beejamrit
9. A farming method on hilly slopes using flat steps is called __________ farming.
Answer:
terrace
10. Plants grown in nutrient-rich water solutions without soil use a method called __________.
Answer:
hydroponics
The Story of Indian Farming Class 7 Part 2 True or False Questions
1. Agriculture in India includes forestry and horticulture also.
Answer:
True
2. Rice cultivation in the Ganga Plain is mentioned only from the 1st millennium BCE.
Answer:
False
3. Kharif, rabi, and zaid are terms of Arabic origin.
Answer:
True
4. Alpine soil is thick, smooth, and highly fertile in the chapter.
Answer:
False
5. Panchagavya is described as a biofertiliser.
Answer:
True
6. Rain-fed agriculture uses only artificial methods to supply water.
Answer:
False
7. Bamboo drip irrigation is practised in parts of northeastern India.
Answer:
True
8. The Green Revolution had no harmful long-term effects.
Answer:
False
9. Sikkim is mentioned as the world’s first 100 per cent organic state.
Answer:
True
10. One challenge faced by Indian farmers is decreasing landholding size.
Answer:
True
The Story of Indian Farming Class 7 Part 2 Match the following Questions
Question 1
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Kharif crops | A. Crops grown in summer |
| 2. Rabi crops | B. Soil rich in nutrients deposited by rivers |
| 3. Zaid crops | C. Crops grown during the monsoon |
| 4. Alluvial soil | D. Crops during the winter |
| 5. Terrace farming | E. Method of farming on hillsides |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Kharif crops | C. Crops grown during the monsoon |
| 2. Rabi crops | D. Crops during the winter |
| 3. Zaid crops | A. Crops grown in summer |
| 4. Alluvial soil | B. Soil rich in nutrients deposited by rivers |
| 5. Terrace farming | E. Method of farming on hillsides |
Question 2
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Black soil | A. Carries water through bamboo pipes |
| 2. Rain-fed agriculture | B. Depends entirely on rainfall |
| 3. Bamboo drip irrigation | C. Delivers water directly to roots |
| 4. Drip irrigation | D. Also called cotton soil |
| 5. Beejamrit | E. Paste used to coat seeds before planting |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Black soil | D. Also called cotton soil |
| 2. Rain-fed agriculture | B. Depends entirely on rainfall |
| 3. Bamboo drip irrigation | A. Carries water through bamboo pipes |
| 4. Drip irrigation | C. Delivers water directly to roots |
| 5. Beejamrit | E. Paste used to coat seeds before planting |
