Let’s start revising chapter 1 from the Political science NCERT book. Here, we have 30+ MCQ questions, and 2 match the following questions. But before we get the answers to the questions, let’s check some of the primary phrases in Chapter 1, Power Sharing.
- Democracy: A system where the government is of the people, by the people, for the people.
- Constitution: Fundamental principles and laws governing a nation.
- Federal Government: Power is shared between central and regional authorities.
- Judiciary: Courts that interpret and apply the law.
- Legislature: The body responsible for making laws.
- Executive: Implements and enforces laws and policies.
- Equality: Ensures equal rights and opportunities for everyone.
- Liberty: Freedom from oppressive restrictions on one’s actions and way of life.
- Rights: Entitlements or freedoms protected by law.
- Conflict: A serious clash or disagreement between parties.
- Independence: Freedom from external control or influence.
- Civil War: Internal war between factions within a country.
- Majority: More than half of a group or population.
- Minority: Less than half, often a smaller group within a population.
Power Sharing Multiple choice questions for Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1
Question 1. What does power-sharing prevent in a democracy?
a) Decreased participation of citizens
b) Concentration of power in one organ
c) Improvement in educational standards
d) Increase in government jobs
Answer:
b) Concentration of power in one organ
Question 2. Which country provides an example of majoritarianism?
a) Belgium
b) Sri Lanka
c) Netherlands
d) Luxembourg
Answer:
b) Sri Lanka
Question 3. In Belgium, what percentage of the population speaks Dutch?
a) 50%
b) 40%
c) 59%
d) 70%
Answer:
c) 59%
Question 4. What was the main demand of Sri Lankan Tamils?
a) Recognition of Tamil as an official language
b) Full independence from Sri Lanka
c) Majority control in the government
d) Division of the country
Answer:
a) Recognition of Tamil as an official language
Question 5. Which of the following is an example of power-sharing at different levels?
a) Federal division of power
b) Concentration of power
c) Single-party rule
d) Majority rule
Answer:
a) Federal division of power
Question 6. What led to the civil war in Sri Lanka?
a) Economic crisis
b) Ethnic tensions between Sinhalese and Tamils
c) Natural disaster
d) Foreign intervention
Answer:
b) Ethnic tensions between Sinhalese and Tamils
Question 7. Which is a prudential reason for power-sharing?
a) Stability of political order
b) Speedy decision-making
c) Concentration of power
d) Economic growth
Answer:
a) Stability of political order
Question 8. What is the ‘community government’ in Belgium?
a) A government that represents different ethnic groups
b) A federal government
c) A government for Brussels only
d) A coalition government
Answer:
a) A government that represents different ethnic groups
Question 9. Which organ of government exercises different powers at the same level?
a) Executive
b) Legislature
c) Judiciary
d) All of the above
Answer:
d) All of the above
Question 10. What is the concept of ‘checks and balances’ related to?
a) Concentration of power
b) Horizontal distribution of power
c) Economic policies
d) Federalism
Answer:
b) Horizontal distribution of power
Question 11. In which year did Sri Lanka emerge as an independent country?
a) 1945
b) 1948
c) 1950
d) 1956
Answer:
b) 1948
Question 12. What is the role of ‘community government’ in Belgium?
a) To decide on national defense
b) To handle cultural, educational, and language-related issues
c) To oversee economic policies
d) To regulate foreign trade
Answer:
b) To handle cultural, educational, and language-related issues
Question 13. Which language was declared the only official language in Sri Lanka in 1956?
a) Tamil
b) English
c) Sinhala
d) Dutch
Answer:
c) Sinhala
Question 14. What did the Belgian leaders amend between 1970 and 1993?
a) The education policy
b) The constitution
c) The national anthem
d) The official language
Answer:
b) The constitution
Question 15. What is the result of tyranny of the majority?
a) Stability
b) Economic growth
c) Oppression of the minority
d) Enhanced democracy
Answer:
c) Oppression of the minority
Question 16. Which concept ensures that no single organ of government has unlimited power?
a) Unitary government
b) Majoritarianism
c) Checks and balances
d) Federalism
Answer:
c) Checks and balances
Question 17. What kind of power-sharing exists when different social groups are represented in the government?
a) Horizontal power-sharing
b) Vertical power-sharing
c) Community power-sharing
d) Direct democracy
Answer:
c) Community power-sharing
Question 18. What is one of the moral reasons for power-sharing?
a) Improved economic performance
b) It is the very spirit of democracy
c) Faster decision-making
d) Centralized governance
Answer:
b) It is the very spirit of democracy
Question 19. Who has the power in a democracy?
a) A single ruler
b) Military
c) People
d) Judiciary
Answer:
c) People
Question 20. What happens if power is not shared in a diverse society?
a) National unity
b) Tyranny and oppression
c) Enhanced democracy
d) Economic prosperity
Answer:
b) Tyranny and oppression
Question 21. In which city is the European Union’s headquarters located?
a) Paris
b) Berlin
c) Brussels
d) Amsterdam
Answer:
c) Brussels
Question 22. What did the Tamil Tigers demand in Sri Lanka?
a) Increased military presence
b) Sinhala as the national language
c) An independent Tamil state
d) A unitary government
Answer:
c) An independent Tamil state
Question 23. Which region in Belgium has a majority of French-speaking people?
a) Flanders
b) Wallonia
c) Brussels
d) Luxembourg
Answer:
b) Wallonia
Question 24. How does power-sharing help in reducing social conflict?
a) By excluding minority groups
b) By involving only the majority
c) By allowing different social groups to have a voice
d) By centralizing power
Answer:
c) By allowing different social groups to have a voice
Question 25. What is the consequence of not respecting cultural diversities in a country?
a) National unity
b) Economic prosperity
c) Social unrest
d) Political stability
Answer:
c) Social unrest
Question 26. What led to the amending of the Belgian constitution?
a) Economic crisis
b) Social tensions between different communities
c) Influence from neighboring countries
d) Military intervention
Answer:
b) Social tensions between different communities
Question 27. What was the aim of Sri Lanka’s majoritarian measures?
a) To protect the rights of all citizens
b) To establish Sinhala supremacy
c) To enhance democracy
d) To promote cultural diversity
Answer:
b) To establish Sinhala supremacy
Question 28. What does federal division of power prevent?
a) Economic growth
b) Tyranny of the central government
c) Cultural assimilation
d) Social equality
Answer:
b) Tyranny of the central government
Question 29. In a democracy, who has the ultimate decision-making power?
a) The President
b) The Parliament
c) The People
d) The Judiciary
Answer:
c) The People
Question 30. How does the Belgian model ensure the representation of both communities in Brussels?
a) By appointing a single ruler
b) By giving equal representation in the government
c) By concentrating power in one community
d) By establishing a military government
Answer:
b) By giving equal representation in the government
Question 31. What is the primary reason for conflicts between the Sinhala and Tamil communities in Sri Lanka?
a) Religious differences
b) Economic disparity
c) Language and cultural issues
d) Political ideology
Answer:
c) Language and cultural issues
Question 32. What is one of the benefits of power-sharing in a democracy?
a) Quick decision-making
b) Improved governance through checks and balances
c) Concentration of power
d) Reduced citizen participation
Answer:
b) Improved governance through checks and balances
Question 33. What is the effect of a unitary government on a diverse population?
a) Strengthened national unity
b) Suppression of minority voices
c) Equal representation
d) Cultural diversity
Answer:
b) Suppression of minority voices
Question 34. Which system of government ensures that regional and central governments share power?
a) Unitary system
b) Federal system
c) Dictatorship
d) Oligarchy
Answer:
b) Federal system
Question 35. What is a major consequence of majoritarianism?
a) Enhanced democracy
b) Civil war
c) National unity
d) Economic prosperity
Answer:
b) Civil war
Question 36. What does the system of reserved constituencies aim to achieve?
a) Concentration of power
b) Equal political representation for weaker sections
c) Suppression of minority voices
d) Centralized governance
Answer:
b) Equal political representation for weaker sections
Match the columns for Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1 – Power Sharing
Question 1
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Majoritarianism | A. Dutch and French-speaking ministers |
| 2. Community government in Belgium | B. Sinhala supremacy |
| 3. Federal division of power | C. Decision-making shared at different levels |
| 4. Civil war in Sri Lanka | D. Independence in 1948 |
| 5. Brussels government | E. Equal representation in the central government |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Majoritarianism | B. Sinhala supremacy |
| 2. Community government in Belgium | A. Dutch and French-speaking ministers |
| 3. Federal division of power | C. Decision-making shared at different levels |
| 4. Civil war in Sri Lanka | D. Independence in 1948 |
| 5. Brussels government | E. Equal representation in the central government |
Question 2
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Dutch-speaking majority in Belgium | A. Equal representation in Brussels |
| 2. Tamil Eelam | B. Linguistic division of power |
| 3. Brussels-Capital Region | C. Major social group in Sri Lanka |
| 4. Sinhala speakers | D. Majority in the Flemish region |
| 5. Federal arrangement in Sri Lanka | E. Demand for an independent state |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Dutch-speaking majority in Belgium | D. Majority in the Flemish region |
| 2. Tamil Eelam | E. Demand for an independent state |
| 3. Brussels-Capital Region | A. Equal representation in Brussels |
| 4. Sinhala speakers | C. Major social group in Sri Lanka |
| 5. Federal arrangement in Sri Lanka | B. Linguistic division of power |
Other Chapters MCQ for Class 10 Political Science
- Chapter 2 – Federalism Class 10 MCQ
- Chapter 3 – Gender, Religion and Caste Class 10 MCQ
- Chapter 4 – Political Parties Class 10 MCQ
- Chapter 5 – Outcomes of Democracy Class 10 MCQ
