Political Science (Class-10th ) - Chapter 1 (Objective Type Questions)

Q1. In Belgium, out of the total population, 59 per cent live in the Fle mish region and speak
_______ language.

(a) Dutch (b) French (c) English (d) German

Answer: Option (a)

Q2. In Belgium, there were tensions between the Dutch-speaking and ______-speaking
communities during the 1950s and 1960s.

(a) German (b) French (c) English (d) Russian

Answer: Option (b)

Q3. In the island nation of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Tamil population is concentrated in
the _______ and _____ of the country.

(a) South and West (b) South and East (c) North and Central (d) North and East

Answer: Option (d)

Q4. Most of the Sinhala-speaking people of Sri Lanka are ______.

(a) Christians (b) Hindus (c) Buddhists (d) Muslims

Answer: Option (c)

Q5. Sri Lanka emerged as an inde pendent country in _______.

(a) 1948 (b) 1947 (c) 1949 (d) 1958

Answer: Option (a)

Q6. In __________, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language,
thus disregarding Tamil.

(a) 1958 (b) 1956 (c) 1968 (d) None of the above

Answer: Option (b)

Q7. The amended Constitution of Belgium prescribed that the numbe r of ______ and
French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Governme nt.

(a) Italian (b) German (c) English (d) Dutch

Answer: Option (d)

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Q8. _______ is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French
and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government has the power
regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

(a) District Government (b) State Government (c) Community Government (d) Central Government
Answer: Option (c)

Q9. When many countries of Europe came together to form the European Union, ______
was chosen as its headquarters.

(a) Brussels (b) Paris (c) London (d) Zurich

Answer: Option (a)

Q10. Which of the following statements about power sharing is false?

(a) Power sharing helps in reducing the conflicts between social groups.

(b) Power sharing is a good way to establish political order.

(c) Power sharing is not the spirit of democracy.

(d) All of the above.

Answer: Option (c)

Q11. Which of the following statements are true about power-sharing?

(a) Power is shared among different organs of government.

(b) Power can be shared among governments at different levels.

(c) Power may also be shared among different social groups.

(d) All of the above.

Answer: Option (d)

Q12. __________ means a social division based on shared culture.

(a) Ethnic (b) Democracy (c) Secularism (d) None of the above
Answer: Option (a)
Q13. _________ is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in
whichever way it wants by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
(a) Majoritarianism (b) Minoritarianism (c) Secularism (d) None of the above
Answer: Option (a)

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Q14. ________ in Belgium is a good example of power sharing among different social
groups.
(a) Community Government (b) District Government (c) Central Government (d) State Government

Answer: Option (a)

Q15. The major social groups in Sri Lanka are the Sinhala speakers, which constitute
_____ of the population.

(a) 35 per cent (b) 50 per cent (c) 74 per cent (d) 30 per cent
Answer: Option (c)

Q16. In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent of people speak ______ while 20 per cent are
_____ speaking.

(a) French, Dutch (b) Dutch, French (c) French, German (d) German, French
Answer: Option (a)

Q17. Out of the total population of Belgium, _________ of people live in the Wallonia
region and speak French.

(a) 40 per cent (b) 50 per cent (c) 20 per cent (d) 10 per cent
Answer: Option (a)

Q18. Belgium has borders with France, Netherlands, ________ and Luxembourg.

(a) Sweden (b) Austria (c) Italy (d) Germany

Answer: Option (d)

Q19. _________ is a violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that
becomes so intense that it appears like a war.

(a) Civil war (b) Proxy war (c) Colonial war (d) None of the above
Answer: Option (a)

Q20. Which of the following statements is true?

(a) A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the
system.
(b) Prudential reasons stress that power-sharing will bring out better outcomes; moral reasons
emphasise the very act of power sharing as valuable.

(c) A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to
live with its effects.

(d) All of the above. Answer: Option (d)

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Source:- https://byjus.com/cbse/power-sharing-class-10-mcqs/

Q1. Choose the incorrect statement.

(a) Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies
(b) Both of them dealt with the question of power-sharing similarly
(c) In Belgium, leaders realised that unity of the country was possible only by respecting the
feelings and interests of all communities
(d) In Sri Lanka, majority community forced its domination over others and refused to share
power.
Answer: (b) Both of them dealt with the question of power-sharing similarly

Q2. Which one of the following communities constituted majority in Brussels?

(a) French Speaking (b) Dutch Speaking (c) German Speaking (d) None of them
Answer: (a) French Speaking

Q3. Power can be shared in modern democracies in the following ways:

(a) Among different organs of the government (b) Among various levels
(c) Among different social groups (d) All the above
Answer: (d) All the above

Q4. Who elects the community government in Belgium?

(a) People belonging to one language community only (b) By the leader of Belgium
(c) The citizens of the whole country (d) The community leaders to Belgium
Answer: (a) People belonging to one language community only

Q5. Which one of the following communities constituted majority in Brussels?

(a) French Speaking (b) Dutch Speaking (c) German Speaking (d) None of them
Answer: (a) French Speaking

Q6. In which one of the following countries principles of majoritarianism led to civil war?
(a) Pakistan (b) Sri Lanka (c) Belgium (d) India
Answer: (b) Sri Lanka

Q7. Which of the following statements is not true?

(a) In Belgium, leaders realised that unity of the country is possible only by sharing power

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(b) In Sri Lanka, the majority community wants to force domination over others
(c) In Sri Lanka, the demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by Tamils has been
granted
(d) Division of Belgium along linguistic lines was averted due to power sharing
Answer: (c) In Sri Lanka, the demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by Tamils has
been granted

Q8. Which two languages are generally spoken in Belgium?

(a) French and English (b) Dutch and English (c) French and Dutch (d) Dutch and Sinhala
Answer: (c) French and Dutch

Q9. Which of the following ethnic groups in Belgium has the largest population?
(a) Walloon (b) Flemish (c) German (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Flemish

Q10. Division of powers between higher and lower levels of government is called
(a) horizontal distribution (b) parallel distribution (c) vertical division (d) diagonal division
Answer: (c) vertical division

Q11. Which one of the following is not a valid reason for power sharing?
(a) for majoritarianism (b) being part and parcel of democracy
(c) to reduce tensions (d) for political stability
Answer: (a) for majoritarianism

Q12. Which one of the following statements about coalition Government is true?
(a) Power is shared among the different organs of the government
(b) Power is shared among governments at different levels
(c) Power is shared by different social groups
(d) Power is shared by two or more political parties
Answer: (d) Power is shared by two or more political parties

Q13. The Government in which power is shared by two or more political parties, is known as:
(a) Community Government (b) Unitary Government (c) Federal Government (d) Coalition Government
Answer: (c) Federal Government

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Q14. Which one of the following communities is not related to Sri Lanka?
(a) Sinhalas (b) Indian Tamils (c) Parsis (d) Sri Lankan Tamils
Answer: (c) Parsis

Q15. Tamil natives of Sri Lanka are called:

(a) Sri Lankan Tamils (b) Indian Tamils (c) Muslim Tamils (d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Sri Lankan Tamils

Q16. What is the percentage of German-speaking people in Belgium?

(a) 59 (b) 40 (c) 60 (d) 10
Answer: (d) 10

Q17. Which one of the following is the only official language of Sri Lanka?
(a) English (b) Hindi (c) Tamil (d) Sinhala
Answer: (d) Sinhala

Q18. Power sharing is desirable because it helps

(a) to increase pressure on government (b) to reduce possibilities of conflicts
(c) to generate awareness among people (d) to increase percentage of votes
Answer: (b) to reduce possibilities of conflicts

Q19. Which one of the following statements about community government is true?
(a) Power is shared among different organs of the government
(b) Power is shared among governments at different levels
(c) Power is shared by different social groups
(d) Power is shared by two or more political parties
Answer: (c) Power is shared by different social groups

Q20. Which major social group constituted the largest share in population of Sri Lanka?
(a) Sinhalas (b) Sri Lankan Tamils (c) Indian Tamils (d) Muslims
Answer: (a) Sinhalas

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Q 21. Which of the following languages is not spoken in Belgium?
(a) French (b) Dutch (c) Danish (d) German
Answer: (c) Danish

Q22. In which one of the following year Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country?
(a) 1947 (b) 1948 (c) 1948 (d) 1950
Answer: (b) 1948

Q23. How many times the Constitution of Belgium was amended between 1970 and 1993?
(a) Two times (b) Three times (c) Five times (d) Four times
Answer: (d) Four times

Q24. Power sharing is good because:

(a) It increases the conflict between social groups
(b) It ensures the instability of political order
(c) It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups
(d) It leads to violence
Answer: (c) It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups

Q25. Which of the statements about power-sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka are
correct?
(a) In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the
minority French-speaking people
(b) In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-
speaking majority
(c) The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power-sharing to protect their
culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs
(d) The transformation of Belgium from a unitary government to a federal one prevented the
division of country on linguistic lines.
Answer: (d) The transformation of Belgium from a unitary government to a federal one
prevented the division of country on linguistic lines.

Q26. Which of the following was not one of the initial demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils?
(a) Recognition of Tamil as an official language

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(b) Regional autonomy
(c) Equality of opportunity in securing jobs and education
(d) Creation of an independent Tamil Eelam (state)
Answer: (d) Creation of an independent Tamil Eelam (state)

Q27. Which is a prudent reason for power-sharing?

(a) It reduces the possibility of conflict between communities and ensures the stability of
political order
(b) Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy
(c) Both the above
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) It reduces the possibility of conflict between communities and ensures the stability
of political order

Question 28. Which language was declared as the only official language of Sri Lanka by an Act
passed in 1956?
(a) Tamil (b) Sinhala (c) Hindi (d) English
Answer: (b) Sinhala

Q29. Which of the following is not one of the aspects of federal division of powers?
(a) Sharing of powers among central provincial and local governments
(b) Division of powers involving higher and lower levels of government
(c) The Constitution clearly lays down powers of different levels of government
(d) There is no vertical division of powers
Answer: (d) There is no vertical division of powers

Q30. Choose the incorrect statement.

(a) Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies
(b) Both of them dealt with the question of power-sharing similarly
(c) In Belgium, leaders realised that unity of the country was possible only by respecting the
feelings and interests of all communities
(d) In Sri Lanka, majority community forced its domination over others and refused to share power.
Answer: (b) Both of them dealt with the question of power-sharing similary

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Q31. Non-sharing of power leads to
(a) peace among all the communities (b) tyranny of the majority and oppression of the minority
(c) negation of the very spirit of democracy (d) both (b) and (c)
Answer: (d) both (b) and (c)

Q32.Which of the following countries has federal division of powers?

(a) India (b) Belgium (c) Sri Lanka (d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)

Q33. What led to tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities in
Belgium during the 1950s and 1960s?
(a) Both the communities demanded special powers
(b) The minority French-speaking community was richer and more powerful than the majority
Dutch-speaking community
(c) The majority Dutch-speaking community was richer and more powerful than the minority
French-speaking community
(d) Both the communities were equal in socio-economic ladder and this was resented by the
French-speaking community
Answer: (b) The minority French-speaking community was richer and more powerful than the
majority Dutch-speaking community

Q34. Which of the statements about power-sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka are
correct?
(a) In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the
minority French-speaking people
(b) In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-
speaking majority
(c) The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power-sharing to protect their
culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs
(d) The transformation of Belgium from a unitary government to a federal one prevented the
division of country on linguistic lines.
Answer: (d) The transformation of Belgium from a unitary government to a federal one
prevented the division of country on linguistic lines.

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Q35. Most of the Sinhala-speaking people are
(a) Buddhists (b) Hindus (c) Muslims (d) Christians
Answer: (a) Buddhists

Q36. Which of the following was not one of the initial demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils?
(a) Recognition of Tamil as an official language
(b) Regional autonomy
(c) Equality of opportunity in securing jobs and education
(d) Creation of an independent Tamil Eelam (state)
Answer: (d) Creation of an independent Tamil Eelam (state)

Q37. In which part of Sri Lanka are the Sri Lankan Tamils concentrated?
(a) North and South (b) North and East (c) East and West (d) South and East
Answer: (b) North and East

Q38. Which of the following is not a major social group in Sri Lanka?
(a) Sinhala-speakers or Sinhala Community (b) Sri Lankan Tamils
(c) Indian Tamils (d) Anglo-Indians
Answer: (d) Anglo-Indians

Q39. Which is the capital city of Belgium?

(a) Wallonia (b) Brussels (c) Bonn (d) Paris
Answer: (b) Brussels

Q40. Which language was declared as the only official language of Sri Lanka by an Act passed
in 1956?
(a) Tamil (b) Sinhala (c) Hindi (d) English
Answer: (b) Sinhala

Source: https://www.learncram.com/cbse/mcq-questions-for-class-10-civics-chapter-1/

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Q1. Which of the following features are common to Indian and Belgian form of power-sharing
arrangements?
A. Power is shared among governments at different levels.
B. Power is shared among different organs of government.
C. Power is shared among different social groups.
D. Power is shared among different parties and takes the form of competition.
(a) A, B, C, D
(b) B, C and D
(c) A and C
(d) A, C and D
Answer: (b) B, C and D

Q2. In dealing with power sharing, which one of the following statements is NOT correct about
democracy?
(a) People are the source of all political power. !
(b) In a democracy, people rule themselves j through institutions of self-governance.
(c) In a democracy, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society.
(d) In a democracy, if the power to decide is dispersed, it is not possible to take quick decisions
and enforce them.
Answer: d

Q3. A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it
wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority is:
(a) Power Sharing (b) Central Government (c) Majoritarianism (d) Community Government
Answer: c

Q4. A system of ‘checks and balances’ is another name for which one of the following power-
sharing arrangements:
(a) Power sharing among different social groups.
(b) Vertical division of power or power shared among different levels of government.
(c) Horizontal division of power or power shared among different organs of the government.
(d) Power sharing in the form of political parties, pressure groups and governments. Answer: c

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Q5. Which one of the following statements about power-sharing arrangements is correct?
(a) Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic
divisions.
(b) Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisions.
(c) Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social
divisions.
(d) Power-sharing is not necessary at all.
Answer: c

Q6. Consider the following statements about the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka:
A. Major social groups are the Sinhala- speaking (74%) and Tamil-speaking (18%)?
B. Among the Tamils, there are two sub-groups, Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.
C. There are about 7% Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.
D. Most of the Sinhala-speaking are Hindus or Muslims and most of the Tamil-speaking are
Buddhists.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) A, B, C
(b) A, B, D
(c) B, C, D
(d) A, B, C, D
Answer: (a) A, B, C

Q7. Prudential reasons of power sharing stress on the facts that:

A. It ensures the stability of political order.
B. It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups.
C. It gives a fair share to minority.
D. It is the very spirit of democracy.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) A & B
(b) A, C and D
(c) All are correct
(d) A, B & C Answer: d

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 Fill in the Blanks

Q1. When European countries came together to form the European Union (EU), ………. was
chosen as the headquarters.
Q2. The ………. distribution of power is also called a system of checks and balances.
Q3. The religion followed by Sinhala-speaking people in Sri Lanka is ……….
Q4. ………. division of power means power to be shared among the government at different
levels.
Q5. In ………. leaders realised that unity of the country is possible by respecting the interests of
different communities.
Q6. In the year ………. an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the official language.

Answers:
1. Brussels
2. horizontal
3. Buddhism
4. Federal
5. Belgium
6. 1956

Source: https://www.learncbse.in/mcq-questions-for-class-10-social-science-power-sharing-with-answers/

Q1. Belgium Shares borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany and ……?

A. England B. Norway C. Luxembourg D. Italy

Q2. In the capital city Brussels, 80 percent people speak………?

A. French B. Dutch C. German D. English

Q3. 20 % of the people of Brussels Speak………?

A. Dutch B. English C. German D. Italian

Q4. Brussels presented a special problem: What was it?

A. Dutch-speaking people constituted a minority in the country, but a majority in the capital

B. Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital

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C. Other foriehn languages were seeping in

D. English was becoming dominant

Q5. What percentage of Srilankan Population is Tamil Speaking?

A. 50% B. 20% C. 18% D. 16%

Q6. The people whose forefathers came from India to Srilanka as plantation workers during the
colonial period are called…….

A. Sri Lankan Tamils B. Indian Tamils C. Tamil Indians D. Indian Sri Lankans

Q7. Most of the Sinhalese Speaking people in Srilanka are…………?

A. Hindus B. Christians C. Muslims D. Buddhists

Q8. When did Sri Lanka emerge as an independent country?

A. 1949 B. 1950 C. 1948 D. 1951

Q9. In ……….an Act was passed to recognise Sinhalese as the only official language, thus
disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhalese
applicants for university positions and government jobs?

A. 1956 B. 1957 C. 1958 D. 1959

Q10. All these government measures, coming one after the other, gradually increased the
…………among the Sri Lankan Tamils?

A. Protests B. Favouritism C. Feeling of alienation D. Subordination

Q11. By the 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding ……..?

A. Certain rights B. Independent Tamil Eelam (state)

C. Sovereign State D. Priority in Jobs for Tamils

Q12. When did the Civil War of Sri Lanka end?

A. 2010 B. 2009 C. 2005 D. 2011

Q13. How many times was the constitution of Belgium amended between 1970 and 1993?

A. Three times B. Two times C. Four times D. Once

Q14. The Constitution of Belgium prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking

ministers ……….. in the central government?

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A. Shall be equal B. Dutch speaking shall be more

C. French speaking will be more D. None of the above

Q15. The ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community –
Dutch, French and German-speaking. What powers does it hold?

A. Cultural, educational and language-related issues B. Political issues

C. Defence related issues D. All of the above

Q16. Give reason as to why power sharing can be good for a country?

A. it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups

B. is a good way to ensure the stability of political order

C. It does not lead to confusion in managing the state

D. A & B

Q17. Give one moral reason as why power sharing is good?

A. it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups

B. It does not lead to confusion in managing the state

C. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

D. power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order

Q18. The idea of power-sharing has emerged in opposition to …….?

A. Democracy B. Dictatorship C. Monarchy D. Undivided political power under

one sect

Q19. Give an example of horizontal distribution of power?

A. governments at the provincial or regional level

B. legislature, executive and judiciary

C. among different social groups

D. political parties, pressure groups and movements

Q20. Which is a federal division of power?

A. governments at the provincial or regional level B. legislature, executive and judiciary

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C. among different social groups D. political parties, pressure groups and movements

Q21. Where power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature,
executive and judiciary, what is the functioning of this system called?

A. Horizontal system B. system of checks and balances

C. System of shared duties D. System of limited power

Q22. Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri
Lanka.
1. In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the
minority French-speaking community.
2. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-
speaking majority.
3. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharing to protect their
culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
4. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible
division of the country on linguistic lines
Which of the statements is correct?

A. All of the above B. 1, 2 and 4 C. 3 and 4 D. 2, 3 and 4

Q23. In Sri lanka, there are about….. percent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala?

A. 10 B. 15 C. 7 D. 12

Q24. In Srilanka the democratically elected government adopted a series of ……….. measures to
establish Sinhala supremacy?

A. Extreme B. Democratic C. Political D. Majoritarian

Q25. In Sri Lanka, a new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster
…………Tamil Indians

A. Hindu B. Buddhist C. Christain D. Islam

Q26. In Belgium …………………………………………

A. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government

B. The state governments are subordinate to the Central Government

C. The state governments have no say before the central government

D. The state government can contradict the Central government

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Q27. When many countries of Europe came together to form the European Union, ………. was
chosen as the headquarter?

A. Paris B. Brussels C. Rome D. London

Q28. Name one prudential reason for power sharing?

A. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.

B. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

C. Citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system

D. Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social
groups

Q29. Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify
those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given
below? Power sharing:
1. reduces conflict among different communities
2. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
3. delays decision making process
4. accommodates diversities
5. increases instability and divisiveness
6. promotes people’s participation in government
7. undermines the unity of a country

A. 1, 2, 4, 6

B. 1, 3, 5, 6

C. 1, 2, 4, 7

D. 2, 3, 4, 7

Q30. Consider the following two statements on power sharing and select the answer using the
codes given below:
1. Power sharing is good for democracy.
2. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
Which of these statements are true and false?

A. 1 is true but 2 is false B. Both 1 and 2 are true

C. Both 1 and 2 are false D. 1 is false but 2 is true

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Answer keys for Class 10 Political Science Book Chapter 1 Power Sharing MCQs

Q. No. Ans. Q. No. Ans. Q. No. Ans.

1 C 11 B 21 B

2 A 12 B 22 B

3 A 13 C 23 C

4 B 14 A 24 D

5 C 15 A 25 C

6 B 16 D 26 A

7 D 17 C 27 B

8 C 18 D 28 D

9 B 19 B 29 C

10 C 20 A 30 B

Source: https://www.successcds.net/class10/sst/civics-mcq/mcqs-class-10-political-science-chapter-
1-power-sharing-with-answers.html

Q1. Which one of the following countries does not share its boundary with Belgium?

(a) France (b) Netherlands (c) Sweden (d) Luxembourg

Ans : (c) Sweden

Q2. In Belgium, the percentage of French community is:

(a) 54% (b) 40% (c) 30% (d) 20%

Ans : (b) 40%

Q3. Which language is dominantly spoken in Belgium?

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a. Dutch (b) Spanish (c) France (d) Italian
Ans : (a) Dutch

Q4. Power struggle demanding separate Eelam was launched by:

a. Sinhalese (b) Buddhists (c) Tamilians (d) none of these

Ans : (c) Tamilians

Q5. Which of the following is the capital city of Belgium?

a. Bruges (b) Brussels (c) Ghent (d) Antwerp

Ans : (b) Brussels

Q6. Belgium shares its border with:

a. France (b) Germany (c) Luxembourg (d) all of the above

Ans : (d) all of the above

Q7. What proportion of population speaks French in the capital city of Belgium?

a. Bruges (b) Brussels (c) Ghent (d) Antwep

Ans : (d) Antwep

Q8. Power shared among governments at different levels is also called:

(a) horizontal distribution (b) vertical distribution (c) slant distribution (d) none of the above
Ans : (b) vertical distribution

Q9. A war-like conflict between two opposite groups in a country is called

(a) Cold war (b) Civil war (c) Ethnic war (d) None of these
Ans : (b) Civil war

Q10. Belgium has worked on the principles of:

(a) majoritarianism (b) accommodation (c) both (a) and (b) (d) none of the above
Ans : (b) accommodation

Q11. Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometres from the Southern coast of
(a) Goa (b) Kerala (c) Tamil Nadu (d) Lakshadweep
Ans : (c) Tamil Nadu

Q12. Majoritarianist constitution was adopted by:

(a) Belgium (b) India (c) Sri Lanka (d) Pakistan

Ans : (c) Sri Lanka

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Q13. What is the percentage of Sinhala-speaking people in Sri Lanka?

(a) 74% (b) 75% (c) 14% (d) 19%

Ans : (a) 74%

Q14. What is the percentage of Sri Lankan Tamils out of the total population of Sri Lanka?

(a) 10 percent (b) 19 percent (c) 13 percent (d) 25 percent

Ans : (c) 13 percent

Q15. Power sharing is desirable because it

(a) helps the people of different communities to celebrated their festivals.

(b) imposes the will of the majority community over others.

(c) reduces the conflict between social groups.

(d) ensures the stability of political order.

Ans : (c) reduces the conflict between social groups

Q16. Intelligent sharing of power is done among

(a) Legislature and Central Government (b) Executive and Judiciary

(c) Legislature and Executive (d) Legislature, Executive and Judiciary

Ans : (d) Legislature, Executive and Judiciary

Q17. Division of power between higher and lower level of government is known as

(a) vertical division of power (b.) horizontal distribution of power

(c.) union division of power (d.) community division of power

Ans : (a) vertical division of power

Q18. The capital city of Belgium is:

(a) Dutch (b) France (c) Brussels (d) none of the above
Ans : (c) Brussels

Q19. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of:

(a) population (b) political order (c) both (a) and (b) (d) none of the above
Ans : (b) political order

Q20. When power is shared among different organs of the government it is called as

(a) horizontal distribution of power (b.) community distribution of power

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(c.) coalition of power (d.) federal distribution of power
Ans : (a) horizontal distribution of power

Q21. Which of the following is not the benefit of power sharing?

(a.) It upholds the spirit of democracy.

(b.) Political parties get their expected share.

(c.) It ensures political stability in the long-run.

(d.) It reduces the possibility of conflicts between social groups.

Ans : (b) Political parties get their expected share.

Q22. An Act of recognising Sinhala as the official language was signed in:

(a) 1942 (b) 1956 (c) 1954 (d) 1948

Ans : (b) 1956

Q23. Which of the following is not the form of power sharing?

(a.) Vertical division of power (b.) Horizontal division of power

(c.) Division of power between people (d.) Division of power among social groups
Ans : (c) Division of power between people

Q24. Power struggle demanding separating Eelam was launched by:

(a.) Sinhalese (b) Buddhists (c) Tamilians (d) none of the above
Ans : (c) Tamilians

Q25. Which of the following features are common to Indian and Belgian form of power- sharing
arrangements?

A. Power is shared among governments at different levels.

B. Power is shared among different organs of government.

C. Power is shared among different social groups.

D. Power is shared among different parties and takes the form of competition.

(a) A, B, C, D (b) B, C and D (c) A and C (d) A, C and D

Answer: (b) B, C and D

26. In dealing with power sharing, which one of the following statements is NOT correct about
democracy?

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(a) People are the source of all political power.

(b) In a democracy, people rule themselves j through institutions of self-governance.

(c) In a democracy, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society.

(d) In a democracy, if the power to decide is dispersed, it is not possible to take quick decisions
and enforce them.
Answer: d

Q27. A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it
wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority is:

(a) Power Sharing (b) Central Government (c) Majoritarianism (d) Community Government
Answer: c

Q28. A system of ‘checks and balances’ is another name for which one of the following power-
sharing arrangements:

(a) Power sharing among different social groups.

(b) Vertical division of power or power shared among different levels of government.

(c) Horizontal division of power or power shared among different organs of the government.

(d) Power sharing in the form of political parties, pressure groups and governments.
Answer: c

Q29. Which one of the following statements about power-sharing arrangements is correct?

(a) Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic
divisions.

(b) Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisions.

© Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social
divisions.

(d) Power-sharing is not necessary at all.

Answer: c

Q30. Consider the following statements about the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka:

A. Major social groups are the Sinhala- speaking (74%) and Tamil-speaking (18%)?

B. Among the Tamils, there are two sub-groups, Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.

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C. There are about 7% Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.

D. Most of the Sinhala-speaking are Hindus or Muslims and most of the Tamilspeaking are
Buddhists.

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) A, B, C (b) A, B, D (c) B, C, D (d) A, B, C, D

Answer: (a) A, B, C

Q31. Prudential reasons of power sharing stress on the facts that:

A. It ensures the stability of political order.

B. It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups.

C. It gives a fair share to minority.

D. It is the very spirit of democracy.

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) A & B (b) A, C and D (c) All are correct (d) A, B & C
Answer: d

Fill in the Blanks

Q1. When European countries came together to form the European Union (EU), ………. was
chosen as the headquarters.

Q2. The ………. distribution of power is also called a system of checks and balances.

Q3. The religion followed by Sinhala-speaking people in Sri Lanka is ……….

Q4. ………. division of power means power to be shared among the government at different
levels.

Q5. In ………. leaders realised that unity of the country is possible by respecting the interests of
different communities.

Q6. In the year ………. an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the official language.

Answers:
1. Brussels 2. horizontal 3. Buddhism 4. Federal 5. Belgium 6. 1956

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 FILL IN THE BLANKS

Q1. In Belgium, three communities are living ................. , …................ and ...................... .
Ans. French, Dutch and Germans

Q2. __________has started power struggle demanding separate Eelam in Sri Lanka.

Ans. Sri Lankan Tamils

Q3.................. was started in Sri Lanka due to distrust between the two communities.

Ans. Civil War

Q4. In Belgium, lastly the power is shared between ............., …........... and ................. .

Ans. Central Government, State Government and Community Government

TRUE OR FALSE

Q1. Power sharing increases the possibility of conflict between social groups. Ans: False

Q2. Sri Lanka is facing the problems because of supporting the Tamilians in the state. Ans: True

Q3. Belgium has French people in majority whereas the others struggle for their rights. An: False

Q4. Power sharing is desirable and reduces possibilities of conflict within the country. Ans: True

Q5. Belgium and Sri Lanka are the two similar causes in the struggle of people. Ans: True

Q6. The feeling of accommodation has led to the problem in Sri Lanka. Ans : False

ASSERTION AND REASON DIRECTION :

Mark the option which is most suitable:

(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.

(d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Q1. Assertion : Tyranny of majority is highly desirable.

Reason : It helps in making the political order more stable.

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Ans : (d) Both assertion and reason are false.

Explanation: Tyranny of majority community is oppressive for the minority community and can
also ruin the majority. It is a source of dissatisfaction and tension which is a source of political
instability.

Q2. Assertion : In Belgium, the leaders realized that the unity of the country is possible by

respecting the feelings and interest of different countries.

Reason : Belgium favoured Dutch speaking community.

Ans : (d) Both assertion and reason are false.

Explanation: Belgians adapted a power sharing arrangement in which all the communities have
equal representation. This helped in relieving tension between the different communities. Thus
they did not favour am/ particular community.

Q3. Assertion : French speaking community in Belgium was rich and powerful.

Reason : Belgian Government favoured French speaking community.

Ans : (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.

Explanation: There was ethnic tension between French speaking and Dutch speaking
communities in Belgium. For resolving, the government adopted a power sharing armgemnt
where all the communities got equal representation.

Q4. Assertion : In a democracy, everyone has voice in the shaping of public policies.

Reason : India has federal system.

Ans : (b) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

Explanation: In a democracy, people elect the representatives who participate in the decision
making process. Due respect and proper representation is given to diverse groups in a democratic
system. Hence, in democracy everyone has voice in the shaping of public policies. However the
reason does not justify the assertion.

Q5. Assertion : Power should reside with one person and group located at one place in a
democracy.

Reason : If the power is dispersed, it will not be possible to take decision quickly and
enforce it.

Ans : (d) Both assertion and reason are false.

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Explanation: In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and
views that exist in the society. Hence, political power should be distributed among citizens.

Q6. Assertion : Belgium and Sri Lanka both faced ethical tension among different communities.

Reason : Both the countries resolved the conflict by power sharing arrangement which gave
equal representation to all the communities.

Ans : (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.

Explanation: Belgians adopted a power sharing model where all the communities got equal
representation; this helped in solving tension between different communities. However, Sri
Lanka tried to promote the supremacy of Sinhala community which eventually led to civil war.
Thus the reason is false.

Q7. Assertion : There was a feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.

Reason : The Sri Lankan government denied them equal political rights and discriminated
against them in getting jobs and other opportunities,

Ans : (a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

Explanation: An act was passed in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as an official language. The
government of Sri Lanka favoured people from Sinhala community for higher education and
government jobs. It led to resentment among Sri Lankan Tamils as government was not sensitive
to their culture and language.

Q8. Assertion : Community government in Belgium is elected by one language community.

Reason : Community government helped in resolving conflict between different linguistic

groups.

Ans : (a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

Explanation: Community government is elected by people of one language community, i.e.

French, Dutch and German speaking. Such a government has power related to culture, education
and language issues. It helps in resolving conflicts between different ethical groups by
safeguarding the interest of its group. Assertion : Sinhala was recognized as only official
language of Sri Lanka.

Q9. Reason : The government of Sri Lanka wanted to establish the supremacy of Sinhala
community.

Ans : (a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

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Explanation: The government of Sri Lanka passed an Act in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as only
official language of Sri Lanka. The government also formulated preferential policies to favour
Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. All this was done to establish
supremacy of Sinhala community. Thus the reason justifies the assertion.

Q10. Assertion : Power Sharing is good.

Reason : It leads to ethical tension.

Ans : (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.

Explanation: Power Sharing is good because it helps in reducing the chances of conflict
between different social groups and ensures stability of the political system.

Source: https://opjsrgh.in/Content/Worksheet/PRACTICE-WS/2021-2022/day91/10-DP.pdf

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