Maharashtra Board Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Introduction to the Parliamentary System Solutions

Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Introduction To The Parliamentary System Questions And Answers Maharashtra Board

Introduction To The Parliamentary System Class 8 Questions And Answers Chapter 1 Maharashtra Board

Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Introduction To The Parliamentary System Textbook Questions And Answers

 

Question 1. Choose the correct option and rewrite the statements:

 

Question 1. Parliamentary System of government developed in ...........
(a) England
(b) France
(c) United States of America
(d) Nepal
Answer: (a) England
In simple words: The parliamentary system, where the government is accountable to the parliament, first developed in England.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that England is often considered the birthplace of the modern parliamentary system, a key fact in political science.

 

Question 2. In the Presidential System, ........... is the executive head.
(a) Prime Minister
(b) Lok Sabha Speaker
(c) President
(d) Governor
Answer: (c) President
In simple words: In a presidential system, the President holds the main power and leads the executive branch of the government.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between parliamentary and presidential systems by identifying who holds executive power and their relationship with the legislature.

2. Complete The Information In The Following Table.

 

Question 1.

Sr. No.	Name of the Institution	Functions
1.	Legislature
2.	Executive
3.	Judiciary

Answer:

Sr. No.	Name of the institution	Functions
1.	Legislature	To make laws

In simple words: The Legislature is the part of the government responsible for creating new laws.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing tables, ensure you accurately match the institution with its primary function, as understanding these roles is fundamental to civics.

3. Explain The Following Statements With Reasons:

 

Question 1. India adopted the Parliamentary System of government.
Answer:1. The Parliamentary System of government developed primarily in England. 2. The British ruled over India for about 150 years. During this period, they ruled in accordance with this system. 3. So, Indians were familiar with this system of government. This familiarity made it a practical choice for the newly independent nation. 4. The Constituent Assembly also adopted this system after a thorough discussion. 5. Hence, the framers of the Constitution made a few changes to suit the Indian situation, and adopted the Parliamentary System.
In simple words: India chose the Parliamentary System because it was familiar with it from British rule, and the system was adapted to fit India's unique needs after careful consideration.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining why India adopted the Parliamentary System, remember to mention both the historical familiarity due to British rule and the deliberate adaptation by the Constituent Assembly.

 

Question 2. Discussions and deliberations are important in a Parliamentary System of government.
Answer:1. In a Parliamentary System of government, decisions are taken after discussions and deliberations. This ensures that various viewpoints are considered before final decisions are made. 2. Members of the opposition party also participate in the discussions. 3. They may support the government or point out shortcomings in the government policies. 4. Laws are framed after detailed discussions on questions of public welfare. This does not happen in autocratic rule. 5. Hence, to protect the welfare and freedom of common people, discussions and deliberations are important.
In simple words: Discussions and debates are crucial in a parliamentary system because they allow all parties, including the opposition, to contribute to decision-making and ensure laws benefit everyone, unlike in a system where one person makes all the rules.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize that discussions in a parliamentary system involve all members, including the opposition, leading to better laws and protecting public welfare, which is a key differentiator from autocratic rule.

Answer The Following In 25 To 30 Words:

 

Question 1. What is a Responsible Government?
Answer:1. The government system in which the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers is responsible to the Legislature for all their actions and policies, is called a Responsible Government. 2. In this system, the Council of Ministers has to take the Legislature into confidence during governance. 3. Every decision taken by any ministry/ department is considered as the decision of the government. 4. The decisions or policies of every ministry is the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers. This ensures unity in government actions. 5. Thus, the principle of collective responsibility adopted by the Council of Ministers makes it a responsible government.
In simple words: A Responsible Government means the Prime Minister and their team are accountable to the elected representatives for all their decisions and actions. They must work together and take collective responsibility.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining 'Responsible Government', always mention the key concepts of accountability to the Legislature and the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers.

 

Question 2. Enumerate the characteristics of the Presidential System of government.
Answer: The following are the characteristics of the Presidential System of government: 1. The President is directly elected by the people. 2. The President has lot of powers including power to implement laws. 3. The President is not dependent on the support of the Legislature. This provides a clear separation of powers. 4. The Legislature and the Executive are not dependent on each other, but still they have mutual control over each other.
In simple words: In a Presidential System, the President is chosen directly by the people, holds significant power, and operates independently from the Legislature, though both branches still check each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing characteristics of the Presidential System, focus on the direct election of the President, their extensive powers, and the clear separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.

Why Is The Role Of Opposition Parties Important? Write Your Opinion.

 

Question 1. Why is the role of opposition parties important? Write your opinion.
Answer: The role of opposition parties is important in Parliamentary as well as Presidential System of government. Opposition parties play a crucial role in a democracy by scrutinizing the government's policies, holding them accountable, and offering alternative viewpoints and solutions. They ensure that the ruling party does not become autocratic and that public interest is always considered.
In simple words: Opposition parties are vital because they challenge the government, make sure it's doing a good job, and give voters other choices and ideas. They act as a check on power.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing the importance of opposition parties, highlight their functions of checking the government, ensuring accountability, and providing alternative policies to the public.

1. The opposition parties participate in the discussions and point out the shortcomings in the policies of the government. 2. The opposition parties control the Executive through their arguments based on deep study of the topics discussed in the Parliament. 3. The Executive cannot behave in an irresponsible manner due to the pressure of the opposition parties. 4. The alertness of the opposition parties help in avoiding wrong practices like corruption, ignoring public welfare, passing faulty laws, etc.

Have You Thought Of This?

 

Question 1. What is a parliamentary system of government?
Answer: A parliamentary system of government is a democratic form of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature (parliament). In this system, the head of government (usually a Prime Minister) is typically a member of the legislature, ensuring a close link between the legislative and executive powers.
In simple words: It's a government where the elected representatives (parliament) choose the leader (Prime Minister) and hold them responsible for running the country.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining a parliamentary system, remember to highlight the accountability of the executive to the legislature and the role of the Prime Minister as head of government.

 

Question 2. In India we have Prime Minister but why is there no Prime Minister in the United States of America?
Answer: India follows a parliamentary system of government, where the Prime Minister is the head of government and leads the executive branch, accountable to the Parliament. The United States, however, operates under a presidential system, where the President is both the head of state and head of government, directly elected by the people and independent of the legislature (Congress). This fundamental difference in governmental structure explains the absence of a Prime Minister in the USA.
In simple words: India has a Prime Minister because it's a parliamentary system, while the USA has a President because it's a presidential system, where the President leads everything.

🎯 Exam Tip: To answer this, clearly distinguish between the parliamentary system (India, with PM) and the presidential system (USA, with President) and their respective heads of government.

 

Question 3. What is the difference between a Parliamentary and a Presidential system of government?
Answer: In a parliamentary system, the executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet) is part of the legislature and is accountable to it, meaning they can be removed by a vote of no confidence. The head of state (e.g., President or Monarch) is usually separate from the head of government (Prime Minister). In contrast, a presidential system features a President who is both the head of state and head of government, elected independently of the legislature, and cannot be easily removed by the legislature. This separation of powers is a key characteristic.
In simple words: In a parliamentary system, the government leaders are chosen from and answer to the parliament, while in a presidential system, the President is elected separately and leads both the country and the government.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on two main differences: the relationship between the executive and legislature (fused in parliamentary, separate in presidential) and the method of electing the head of government.

Project:

Watch the live telecast proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the national channel Doordarshan and write your observations.

Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Introduction To The Parliamentary Additional Important Questions And Answers

Choose The Correct Option And Rewrite The Statements:

 

Question 1. The interrelationship between the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary is decided by the ......
(a) Government
(b) Presidential System
(c) Constitution
(d) Parliament
Answer: (c) Constitution
In simple words: The Constitution is like the rulebook that defines how the different parts of the government—the law-making, law-enforcing, and law-interpreting bodies—work together.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and establishes the framework for all governmental bodies and their interactions.

 

Question 2. The English Constitution is an ........ Constitution where governance is based on conventions.
(a) changeable
(b) unchangeable
(c) unwritten
(d) written.
Answer: (c) unwritten
In simple words: The English Constitution is called 'unwritten' because it's not all in one single document, but rather a mix of laws, traditions, and past decisions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that an 'unwritten' constitution doesn't mean it's not recorded; it means it's not codified into a single, formal document.

 

Question 3. Sometimes, when no party gets a clear majority, ......... government is formed.
(a) Presidential
(b) coalition
(c) Military
(d) communist
Answer: (b) coalition
In simple words: When no single political party wins enough votes to form a government on its own, different parties join together to form a 'coalition' government.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the term 'coalition government' and its implications for stability and decision-making in a democracy.

State Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False. Correct The False Statement And Rewrite:

 

Question 1. Parliamentary System of government is considered as a contribution of United States of America.
Answer: False.
Correct: Parliamentary System of government is a contribution of England.
In simple words: The Parliamentary System of government, where the executive is accountable to the legislature, originated in England, not the United States.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between the Parliamentary system (like in England and India) and the Presidential system (like in the USA) and know their historical origins.

 

Question 2. In the Parliamentary System, the Legislature of the Central Government is known as
Answer: (Question is incomplete in the source material.)
In simple words: This question is incomplete, so a full answer cannot be provided.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always read the full question carefully. If a question is incomplete, clarify it before attempting to answer to ensure you address all parts correctly.

 

Question 3. Members of the opposition party also take part in the discussion of the questions related to public welfare.
Answer: True.
In simple words: Even parties not in power contribute to important discussions about public well-being.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that in a democracy, all elected members, including the opposition, have a role in public discussions.

 

Question 4. In the Parliamentary System, the President is directly elected by the people.
Answer: False.
Correct: In the Presidential System, the President is directly elected by the people.
In simple words: In a parliamentary system, people usually elect representatives who then choose the head of government, not the President directly. Direct election of the President happens in a presidential system.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between the election processes in Parliamentary and Presidential systems. This is a common point of confusion.

Find And Write:

Complete The Concept Map:

 

Question 1. Components of the Parliament
Answer: The components of the Parliament are:

• President
• Lok Sabha
• Rajya Sabha

In simple words: The Parliament is made up of three main parts: the President, the Lok Sabha (House of the People), and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember the three main components of the Indian Parliament for a complete answer.

 

Question 2. Types of Government System
Answer: The types of government systems are:

• Parliamentary System
• Presidential System

These two systems represent the primary ways modern democracies organize their executive and legislative powers.
In simple words: Governments can be mainly of two types: Parliamentary, where the executive is part of the legislature, or Presidential, where they are separate.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the two main types of government systems: Parliamentary and Presidential. Knowing their basic distinction is key.

 

Question 3. Branches of the government
Answer: The branches of the government are:

• Legislative
• Executive
• Judiciary

Each branch has distinct responsibilities to ensure a balance of power and effective governance.
In simple words: A government usually has three main parts: the Legislative (makes laws), the Executive (carries out laws), and the Judiciary (interprets laws).

🎯 Exam Tip: Always list the three branches of government correctly: Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary. Understanding their roles is fundamental to civics.

Write Short Notes:

 

Question 1. Characteristics of Parliamentary System of India:
Answer: The following are the characteristics of Parliamentary System adopted by India:
1. The Parliament of India is composed of the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
2. Fixed number of members of the Parliament are directly elected by the people. This structure promotes a strong connection between the legislative and executive branches.
In simple words: In India's parliamentary system, the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha form the Parliament, and people directly elect many of its members.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing the Indian Parliamentary System, always mention the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha as its components, and highlight direct election as a key feature.

 

Question 2. Responsibilities of the Executive in India:
Answer: The Executive in India has to fulfill following responsibilities:
1. Implementing the laws passed by the Parliament.
2. Framing policies for governing the nation.
3. Functioning as the members of the Legislature.
4. Striving to develop the nation through decisions related to the welfare of the people. These responsibilities are crucial for the smooth functioning of a democratic government.
In simple words: The Executive's main jobs are to put laws into action, create plans for the country, work with the lawmakers, and make decisions that help everyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing responsibilities, ensure you cover legislative, policy-making, and welfare aspects for a comprehensive answer.

Explain The Following Statements With Reasons:

 

Question 1. No-confidence motion is an effective tool of keeping a check over the Executive.
Answer:
1. In the Parliamentary System, the Executive is dependent upon the confidence of the Legislature in them.
2. If the Legislature feels that the Executive does not work in accordance to its wishes, it can pass a no-confidence motion against the Executive.
3. If the Legislature passes the no-confidence motion with a majority, then the Executive has to resign.
4. The Constitution has provided this tool to prevent the Executive from misusing its powers. This mechanism ensures accountability and prevents authoritarian rule.
In simple words: A no-confidence motion allows the lawmakers to remove the government if they lose trust in it, making sure the government doesn't misuse its power.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the no-confidence motion, clearly state its purpose, the conditions for its use, and its ultimate consequence for the Executive.

 

Question 2. The Parliament is of great importance in the Parliamentary System of government.
Answer: 1. In the Parliamentary System of government the members of the Legislature are directly elected by the people.
2. Since the elected members represent the people of the nation in the Parliament, they express and carry the hopes and wishes of the people.
3. The Parliament decides the policies for the welfare of the people.
4. If the Parliament feels that the Executive does not work in accordance to its wishes, it can remove the Executive from power by passing a no-confidence motion against it. Since the Parliament reflects the wishes and opinions of the people of the nation, it is of great importance.
In simple words: The Parliament is crucial because its members are chosen by the people, represent their desires, make laws for their well-being, and can even remove the government if it fails to act according to their wishes.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the importance of Parliament, remember to highlight its role in representation, law-making, and holding the Executive accountable, especially through motions like no-confidence.

Have You Thought Of This?

 

Question 1. What is a Parliamentary System of government?
Answer: 1. The Parliamentary System of government is the one where representatives are directly elected by the people.
2. They are the members of the Legislature, which is also known as the Parliament.
3. In this system, elections are held after fixed period.
4. The party which gets the majority forms the government.
5. In this system, the Executive is dependent on the confidence of the Legislature.
In simple words: A Parliamentary System is where people directly elect representatives who form the Legislature (Parliament), and the government (Executive) is formed by the majority party and stays in power as long as it has the Parliament's trust.

🎯 Exam Tip: To define a Parliamentary System, focus on the direct election of representatives, the role of the Legislature, fixed election periods, majority rule, and the Executive's dependence on legislative confidence.

 

Question 2. In India we have Prime Minister but why is there no Prime Minister in the United States of America?
Answer:
1. In the Parliamentary System of government, the Prime Minister is the head of the Executive, i.e. the Council of Ministers.
2. In the Presidential System of government, the President is the head of the Executive.
3. Since India has adopted the Parliamentary system, we have the post of the Prime Minister.
4. Since United States of America has adopted Presidential System, they have the post of the President.
5. The post of the Prime Minister does not exist in Presidential System of government. The US system focuses on a single executive head.
In simple words: India has a Prime Minister because it follows a Parliamentary system where the PM leads the government, while the USA has a President because it follows a Presidential system where the President is both head of state and government.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing governmental systems, clearly state the role of the head of government (Prime Minister vs. President) and link it to the specific system adopted by each country.

 

Question 3. What is the difference between a Parliamentary and a Presidential System of government?
Answer: Difference between the Parliamentary and Presidential System of government is as follows:

Parliamentary System	Presidential System
1. President is the Constitutional Head.	President is the Executive Head.
2. Prime Minister and Council of Ministers have more powers.	President has more powers.
3. Council of Ministers is formed by the elected members of Parliament.	President is directly elected by the people.
4. Parliament can remove the Prime Minister by passing a no-confidence motion.	President can be removed only by impeachment.

In simple words: The Parliamentary system divides power between a ceremonial head (President) and a real head (Prime Minister), who is accountable to the legislature. The Presidential system combines both roles in the President, who is directly elected and less dependent on the legislature.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for differences, always present your answer in a clear table format with distinct points for each category to score full marks. Focus on key aspects like head of government, power distribution, and removal process.

 

Question 4. Why is the role of opposition parties important? Write your opinion.
Answer: The role of opposition parties is important in Parliamentary as well as Presidential System of government. They play a crucial role in ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
1. The opposition parties participate in the discussions and point out the shortcomings in the policies of the government.
2. The opposition parties control the Executive through their arguments based on deep study of the topics discussed in the Parliament.
3. The Executive cannot behave in an irresponsible manner due to the pressure of the opposition parties.
4. The alertness of the opposition parties help in avoiding wrong practices like corruption, ignoring public welfare, passing faulty laws, etc.
In simple words: Opposition parties are important because they challenge the government, highlight its mistakes, and keep it accountable, preventing it from making bad decisions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing the importance of opposition, remember to mention their roles in accountability, policy critique, and preventing misuse of power.

8th Std Civics Questions And Answers