Midterm Exam

AREKHA HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL 

CHHUKHA DZONGKHAG 

MIDTERM EXAMINATION 2025

Class: VII                                                                                            

Full Mark: 80

Subject: History                                                                              

Pass Mark: 32

Date: 

Writing Time: 2 Hours 

SECTION A [30 MARKS]

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

Question 1                                                                                                                              [15]

Direction: For multiple-choice questions, there are four alternatives: A, B, C, and D. Choose the correct alternative and write on your answer sheet. 

      i.         What is the main goal of studying material culture in archaeology?

A.   To tell stories about ancient heroes

B.    To compare old and modern tools

C.   To learn how people lived in the past

D.   To find out who ruled ancient lands

    ii.         One main issue with oral stories is that…

A.   they can slowly change with each retelling

B.    they are always written down by someone later

C.    they lose meaning when told to young children

D.   they only talk about kings and royal events

   iii.         The term "Mon" was likely used by Tibetans to refer to Bhutan, reflecting their view that the region…

A.   was a spiritual center located far from political influence

B.    followed Chinese customs and resisted religious reform

C.    was part of a larger empire but had no written language

D.   lacked Buddhist teachings and was seen as culturally undeveloped

   iv.         In early Bhutanese society, valleys developed separately, which led to 

A.   uniform farming practices and a shared alphabet

B.    one language for all Bhutanese people

C.   unique social structures and diverse languages

D.   frequent wars over trading routes and yaks

     v.         Tertön Pema Lingpa is important in the history of Bhutanese carving as he

A.    helped produce texts by using woodblock methods

B.    started carving statues for temples and shrines

C.     created carving tools for sacred art displays

D.    imported metal carving skills from nearby India

   vi.         The label "Tsenden Köpaijong", or “Land of Cypress Trees,” is significant in Bhutanese culture because…

A.   the tree symbolized royal power during the 8th century.

B.    it represents Bhutan’s national identity and religious values.

C.    cypress leaves were used as ancient Bhutanese currency.

D.   only the king was allowed to plant Tsenden trees near dzongs.

 vii.         Bhutan’s oral stories are considered special because…

A.   they are filled with magical creatures and fairy tales

B.    they reflect frequent changes in kings and rulers

C.    they were written by ancient travellers and monks

D.   they stay connected to the real and stable past

viii.         Which of the following best illustrates why Thagzo remains valued in Bhutan today?

A.   It supports religious festivals and clothing rituals

B.    It connects historical weaving to modern creativity

C.    It blends imported yarns with sacred fabrics

D.   It replaces foreign clothes with local decorations

   ix.         The construction of traditional Bhutanese homes is different from modern methods. One of the key differences is

A.   plans made by rulers and ministers only

B.    use of iron rods with wooden hammer joints

C.   absence of nails, using dovetail joining techniques

D.   roofs are built first to ensure family safety

     x.         Which of the following best shows the idea of Time and Space in Bhutanese history?

A.   Pema Lingpa born in Bumthang in Iron Horse Year

B.    Zhabdrung creating laws for a united Bhutan

C.    Bhutan trading goods with India and Tibet

D.   People in ancient Bhutan worshipping deities

   xi.         In early civilisations, people used metal tools because they 

A.   were stronger and made farming easier

B.    were used to decorate houses and clothes

C.    looked shiny and were kept as treasures

D.   were only used by kings and priests

 xii.         Which of the following best explains why farming became a major turning point in early human history and led to the beginning of civilisation?

A.   People moved more often to gather food

B.    It allowed people to grow food in forests

C.   It provided a steady food supply and led to settled life

D.   People could now live in caves and hunt better

xiii.         Feudalism was a system in which land was exchanged for loyalty and service, and society was structured into layers, meaning that

A.   everyone in the system shared equal rights and duties

B.    nobles provided land to peasants in return for taxes

C.    peasants protected knights in exchange for property

D.   kings lived as equals with the people they governed

 xiv.         Monarchy is a form of government that developed from the idea of one person ruling over all, meaning that

A.   kings or queens inherit power and rule by birthright

B.    rulers lead through cooperation with spiritual leaders

C.    rulers come to power through voting by citizens

D.   kings protect the land while priests make state decisions

  xv.         Studying history helps us understand the journey of human societies from ancient times to today, which means

A.   people only learned about farming during the Stone Age

B.    humans first used advanced tools before learning to hunt

C.    early people evolved from hunters to farmers over time

D.   ancient tribes did not practice any religion before Buddhism

Question 2                                                                                                                       [5]

Write TRUE or FALSE against each statement in your answer sheet. 

i.       The name "Mon" originally comes from a Tibetan word meaning darkness and was used because some thought Bhutan was uncivilized before Buddhism.

ii.      George Bogle was the first person to call Bhutan "Drukyul" in the 18th century.

iii.      Early Bhutanese people moved frequently with their animals in a nomadic lifestyle before switching to settled farming.

iv.     The Monpa people believe that the word "Mon" means ‘old’ and that they were the first inhabitants of Bhutan.

v.      Before the 18th century, people living south of Bhutan had many different specific names for Bhutan. 

i.               True 

ii.             False 

iii.            True 

iv.            True 

v.              False 

Question 3                                                                                                                          [5]

Read the statements carefully and fill in the blanks with the most appropriate words. 

      i.         The introduction of woodblock carving in Bhutan, which helped reproduce religious texts and images, is introduced by­­­_________________________.

    ii.         The special burl wood used to make valuable and collectible wooden cups is locally known as _________________________.

   iii.         The spiritual significance of starting sculpture work on auspicious days reflects the deep religious connection of the art form known as _________________________.

   iv.         The traditional handmade paper called desho is made from the bark of the _________________________plant.

     v.         Artists who paint religious figures and deities in Bhutan are called _________________________, and their work is considered a spiritual offering.

i.               Tertön Pema Lingpa

ii.             Za

iii.            Jimzo

iv.            Daphne

v.              Lhadrip

SECTION B [50 MARKS]

ANSWER All QUESTIONS

 Question 5 

i.    Why do you think ancient tools like namchag are still kept and valued in Bhutanese homes today? Explain with THREE reasons.                                    [3]

•   Believed to be sacred – Many people think namchag has spiritual power and blessings from the gods.

•   Family heirloom – It is passed down from ancestors and treasured as part of the family’s history.

•   Cultural importance – It connects people to Bhutan’s ancient past and shows pride in their heritage.

ii.    Why is it important to study megaliths, even when they have no writing or clear purpose? Give THREEjustifications.                                                                [3]

•   To understand ancient beliefs and rituals – Megaliths might have been used for religious or ceremonial purposes.

•   To learn about early human life – They give clues about how people lived, built structures, and used the land.

•   To preserve cultural heritage – Studying them helps protect and respect our history for future generations.

iii.    List FOUR strategies that can help preserve the accuracy of oral stories passed down from grandparents.                                                                  [4]

• • • •   Record the stories – Use audio or video recordings to capture the exact words and expressions used by elders.

      •   Write them down – Document the stories in written form to avoid forgetting or changing details.

      •   Repeat and share regularly – Telling the stories often within families and communities helps keep the memory strong and consistent.

      •   Teach the younger generation – Encourage children and youth to learn, remember, and retell the stories correctly to keep them alive across generations.

Question 6 

      i.         What are the meanings behind the names Mon, Monpa,  and Ri Drag Gi Yul?        [3]

•   Mon – This name was used by people from Tibet to describe the people living in the south, like in Bhutan. It meant people who lived outside their land and were not yet fully Buddhist.

  •   Monpa – This means "people of Mon." It was used for the original people living in Bhutan before new religions and cultures came in.

  •   Ri Drag Gi Yul – This means "land of rocky mountains./ Country of Mountainous Terrain." It is an old name for Bhutan because the country has many big mountains and rocks.

    ii.         Who were TWO important historical figures known for weaving in Bhutan?  [2]

• Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo’s wife, Khandro Sonam Peldon

• Tertön Pema Lingpa

   iii.         What are some things troekops make for religious use? Mention any TWO.    [2]

• Cups for lamps

• Bowls for offering water

   iv.  List three features that are found in religious Bhutanese buildings but not in secular ones.                                                                                                                         [3]

•   A central tower called Utse.

•   A red band called Kemar painted around the outside walls.

•   A golden pinnacle on the roof called Sertog.

Question 7

      i.   Define history in your own words and explain how it helps us understand the present.                                                                                                                   [2]

•   History is the study of past people, events, and places.

•   It helps us understand how our present life, culture, and systems have developed over time.

    ii.         Using an example from the World, explain the concept of "Time and Space" in history.                                                                                                                 [2]

Time in history refers to when an event happened, the specific period, era, or date.

• Example: World War II occurred from 1939 to 1945, which is a specific time period in the 20th century.

Space in history refers to where the event happened, the geographical location or setting.

• Example: World War II was fought in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North Africa, showing how events happen in different spaces.

•    iii.         Studying history helps us become responsible citizens." Justify this statement with two examples, one from Bhutan and one from world history.                                                                                                    [3]

• • History teaches us values like peace, unity, and critical thinking.

•   Example from Bhutan: Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified Bhutan, showing the value of national unity.

•   Example from World History: After World War II, the United Nations was formed to promote world peace and cooperation.

Question 8 

i. Give TWO reasons why early people chose to live near rivers. [2]

• Fertile soil was good for growing crops.

• Easy access to water for drinking and farming.

ii. Name TWO animals that early people kept and explain one way each animal helped them. [3]

• Cows: Provided milk for drinking.

• Goats: Provided wool and meat.

iii. Write TWO materials used to make early farming tools and give TWO examples of such tools. [2]

• Materials: Stone and metal.

• Examples: Stone axe, metal sickle.

iv. Name TWO metals used for making tools and describe ONE advantage of using metal tools over stone tools. [3]

• Metals: Copper and bronze.

• Advantage: Metal tools were stronger and lasted longer than stone tools.

Question 9 

i.     What is governance and how did it begin? [3]

• Governance is how a government works and makes decisions.

• It began when people lived in groups and needed leaders to keep order.

• As life got more complex, some people were chosen to help run things properly.

ii.     What is monarchy? Give one example. [2]

• Monarchy is a system of governance where a king or queen rules a country.

• Example: The king of Thailand.

iii.     Name four levels in the feudal system and one role for each. [3]

• King: gave land to nobles for military service.

• Nobles: gave land to knights and collected taxes.

• Knights: protected the land.

• Peasants: worked on the land.

     v.         Give one advantage and one disadvantage of theocracy. [2]

• Advantage: Decisions are made quickly.

• Disadvantage: People have less freedom to believe differently.