Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 4 – Timeline and Sources of History Extra Questions and Answers
Class 6 Social Science Chapter 4 Extra Questions and Answers for History “Timeline and Sources of History” (based on NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond).
EXTRA IMPORTANT QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS – Social Studies History Chapter 4 – Timeline and Sources of History
Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Theme B: Tapestry of the Past
History Chapter 4: Timeline and Sources of History
This includes All types of Questions normally asked in school exams, tests, and NCERT exercises.
EXTRA IMPORTANT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Chapter 4: Timeline and Sources of History
A. Very Short Answer Questions
Q1. What is history?
Answer:
History is the study of the human past. It helps us understand how people lived, thought and organised their societies in earlier times.
Q2. What is a timeline?
Answer:
A timeline is a visual representation of events arranged in chronological order. It helps us understand the sequence of historical events.
Q3. What does BCE stand for?
Answer:
BCE stands for Before Common Era. It refers to the years before the beginning of the Common Era.
Q4. What does CE stand for?
Answer:
CE stands for Common Era. It refers to the years counted after the traditional date of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Q5. Name any one source of history.
Answer:
Coins are an important source of history because they provide information about rulers, economy and trade.
Q6. Who studies fossils?
Answer:
Palaeontologists study fossils to learn about ancient plants, animals and humans.
Q7. What is meant by an era?
Answer:
An era is a distinct period of time marked by important events or developments in history.
Q8. What is a hamlet?
Answer:
A hamlet is a small settlement or a very small village.
B. Short Answer Questions
(Answer in 3–4 sentences)
Q9. Why is there no year zero in the Gregorian calendar?
Answer:
In the Gregorian calendar, the year 1 CE comes directly after 1 BCE. There is no year zero between them. Because of this, calculations between BCE and CE dates require subtracting one year. This system was adopted historically and is followed worldwide.
Q10. Why are timelines useful in history?
Answer:
Timelines help historians arrange events in the order in which they occurred. They make it easier to understand long periods of time. Timelines also help compare events from different regions. They give a clear picture of historical progress.
Q11. What are fossils and why are they important?
Answer:
Fossils are preserved remains or impressions of plants, animals or humans found in rocks or soil. They provide evidence about life that existed millions of years ago. Fossils help scientists understand evolution. They are important sources of early history.
Q12. Who are archaeologists and what do they study?
Answer:
Archaeologists study the past by excavating remains left by humans. These include tools, pottery, houses, bones and ornaments. They help us understand how early people lived. Archaeology is an important branch of history.
Q13. How do objects act as sources of history?
Answer:
Objects such as coins, utensils and buildings give information about daily life in the past. They tell us about technology, trade and culture. Even broken objects can reveal important details. Each object is like a piece of a historical puzzle.
Q14. Why do historians consult many sources?
Answer:
Historians consult many sources to get accurate information. Sometimes sources confirm each other, and sometimes they contradict. By comparing them, historians decide what is reliable. This helps reconstruct the past more correctly.
C. Long Answer Questions
(Answer in more than 6 sentences)
Q15. Explain how time is measured in history.
Answer:
Time in history is measured using calendars and timelines. Different societies used different calendars based on important events. Today, the Gregorian calendar is commonly used across the world. Historical time is divided into years, decades, centuries and millenniums. BCE and CE are used instead of BC and AD to make the system universal. Timelines help show the sequence of events clearly. They make long spans of history easier to understand.
Q16. Describe the different sources of history.
Answer:
Sources of history are materials from which we learn about the past. Archaeological sources include tools, coins, buildings and inscriptions. Literary sources include books, manuscripts and religious texts. Oral sources include stories, songs and traditions passed through generations. Scientific sources such as climate studies and genetic research also help historians. Newspapers and electronic media are sources for recent history. Together, these sources help reconstruct historical events.
Q17. Explain why historians are often compared to detectives.
Answer:
Historians are compared to detectives because they investigate the past using clues. These clues come from objects, texts and remains left behind. Sometimes different sources give different information. Historians analyse all evidence carefully before drawing conclusions. They try to reconstruct events that cannot be directly observed. This process is similar to detective work.
Q18. Describe the life of early humans.
Answer:
Early humans lived in groups called bands for protection. They were hunters and gatherers who depended on animals and plants for food. They lived in caves, rock shelters and temporary camps. Early humans used fire and made stone tools for daily use. They expressed themselves through rock paintings. They also believed in nature and possibly life after death.
Q19. How did agriculture change human life?
Answer:
Agriculture began after the last Ice Age when the climate became warmer. Humans started growing crops and domesticating animals. This led to settled life near rivers. Food availability increased, leading to population growth. Villages developed into towns over time. Social organisation became more complex with leaders and shared responsibilities.
D. Competency-Based / HOTS Questions
Q20. Why is understanding the past necessary to understand the present?
Answer:
The present world is shaped by events of the past. Customs, traditions and institutions have historical roots. Understanding the past explains current social and political systems. It helps us learn from earlier successes and failures.
Q21. How do scientific studies help in understanding history?
Answer:
Scientific studies provide new evidence about the past. Climate studies help understand environmental conditions. Chemical analysis helps identify materials used by early humans. Genetic studies reveal information about ancient populations. These studies strengthen historical research.
E. Date-Based Practice Questions
Q22. Arrange the following dates in chronological order:
100 BCE, 2024 CE, 323 BCE, 323 CE
Answer:
323 BCE
100 BCE
323 CE
2024 CE
Q23. If someone was born in 250 BCE, which century did they belong to?
Answer:
250 BCE belongs to the 3rd century BCE.
Q24. Convert “5,000 years ago” into a date.
Answer:
5,000 years ago means approximately 3000 BCE.
F. Value-Based Question
Q25. What qualities of early humans should we appreciate today?
Answer:
Early humans showed courage, cooperation and adaptability. They worked together for survival. They used available resources wisely. Their perseverance helped humanity survive difficult conditions.