CBSE Class 10 Social Science Power Sharing Important Questions Set B

Objective Type Questions

Question. The power sharing arrangement in Belgium prevented the possible division of the country on :
(a) Linguistic basis
(b) Religious basis
(c) Regional basis
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a)

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

Question. Which religion is followed by Sinhala speaking people ?
(a) Hinduism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Islam
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b)

Question. Which is the capital city of Belgium ?
(a) Brussels
(b) Bonn
(c) Wallonia
(d) Paris
Answer: (a)

Question. In which year Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country ?
(a) 1947
(b) 1948
(c) 1949
(d) 1950
Answer: (b)

Question. Which language is spoken by the majority of Belgians?
(a) German
(b) Dutch
(c) French
(d) English
Answer: (b)

Question. Which language is spoken by 20% people of capital Brussels ?
(a) French
(b) German
(c) Dutch
(d) Latin
Answer: (c)

Question. 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)

Question. Which is the major social group of Sri Lanka ?
(a) Sinhalese
(b) Indian Tamils
(c) Sri Lankan Tamils
(d) Muslims
Answer: (a)

Question. Which is the state religion of Sri Lanka ?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Islam
(c) Hinduism
(d) Christianity
Answer: (a)

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

Question. In Brussels, the French speaking population has more representation than the Dutch speaking population. (True/False)
Answer: False

Question. The forefathers of the Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka went there as merchants and businessmen. (True/False)
Answer: False

Question. The moral reason of power sharing stress on the fact that power sharing brings better outcomes in a democracy. (True/False)
Answer: False

Question. In democracy, power can be shared only among different organs of the government. (True/False)
Answer: False

Question. Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts between social groups. (True/False)
Answer: True

Question. Federal government is a system in which power is horizontally divided into ________
Answer: Different units.

Question. Match the following :
Column A
1. Separation of powers
2. Federal government
3. Srilanka
4. Community government
5. Coalition government
Column B
(A) Power shared by two or more political parties
(B) Power shared among different organs of government
(C) Power shared by different social groups
(D) Sinhala
(E) Power shared among governments at different levels
Answer: 1. (B), 2. (E), 3. (D), 4. (C), 5. (A)

Question. Which of the following aspect best signifies this image of ‘a street address in Belgium’?
(a) Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government.
(b) The state governments are not subordinate to the central government.
(c) The Belgium model is very complicated, even for people living in Belgium.
(d) Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation.
Answer: (a)

Question. Defining moments of democracy are those moments which usually ______.
Answer: involve conflict between those groups who aspire for a share in power and exercised power.

Question. Arrange the following events in correct sequence.
(i) The relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time.
(ii) The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.
(iii) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language.
(iv) All the government measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
(a) ii-iv-i-iii
(b) iii-iv-i-ii
(c) iii-iv-ii-i
(d) i-ii-iv-iii
Answer: (b)

Question. Complete the table with correct information with regard to ethnic composition of Belgium :
% living in Flemish Region and speaks: ?
% living in Wallonia Region and speaks: ?
% speaking German: 1%
% of people speaking French and Dutch in Brussels: ?
Answer: % living in Flemish Region and speaks: 59%, Dutch; % living in Wallonia Region and speaks: 40%, French; % speaking German: 1%; % of people speaking French and Dutch in Brussels: 80% - French, 20% - Dutch

Question. Correct the following statement and rewrite. Belgium is area wise and population wise smaller than the state of U.S.A.
Answer: Belgium is area wise and population wise smaller than the state of Haryana.

Question. Correct the following statement and rewrite : The social disparity led to tensions between Dutch and French-speaking communities during the 1870s and 1880s.
Answer: The social disparity led to tensions between Dutch and French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Where is the headquarters of European Union located? OR What was the name of the independent state which was being demanded in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka?
Answer: The headquarters of European Union is located in Brussels. OR Tamil Eelam was the name of the independent state which was being demanded in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

Question. How did the feeling of alienation develop among the Sri Lankan Tamils ?
Answer: The measures of the act of 1956 introduced by Sinhalese Government made the Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhalese were sensitive towards their language and culture. They also felt that the constitution and policies of the government denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in terms of jobs and other opportunities by ignoring their interests.

Question. Explain the meaning of ‘Majoritarianism’ as practised in Sri Lanka.
Answer: The dominance of majority community to rule the country in whichever way it wants and totally disregarding the wishes and needs of minority community is known as Majoritarianism. In 1956, an act was passed by the Sinhala government to recognise Sinhala as the official language in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala government gave preferences to the Sinhalese in gettting jobs and other such benefits. The Sinhalas completely disregarded the interests of Srilankan Tamils while this act was passed. This is a case of Majoritarianism.

Question. How many times between 1970 and 1993 was Belgium constitution amended ?
Answer: Between 1970 and 1993 four times the Belgium constitution was amended.

Question. Differentiate between community government in Belgium and majoritarian government in Sri Lanka.
Answer: In the majoritarian government of Sri Lanka, the leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. Sinhala was the only official language, university positions and government jobs were for Sinhala applicants, and the new constitution favoured to protect and foster Buddhism. The Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. The community government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

Question. What do you mean by a civil war ?
Answer: It is a war between two or more opposing groups of a country. A civil war takes place within the country. They are violent conflicts. The war between Sinhalese and Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka is an example of a civil war.

Question. What is the ethnic composition of Belgium ?
Answer: Belgium has a complex ethnic composition. It has Dutch speaking people, French speaking people and German speaking people.

Question. Give one difference between prudential and moral reasons for power sharing.
Answer: Prudential reasons state how power sharing provide better outcomes, while moral reasons try to explain how much power sharing is valuable.

Question. Name the most important social groups of Sri Lanka.
Answer: (i) Sinhala speaking. (ii) Tamil speaking.

Question. Which community tried to impose their domination in Belgium ?
Answer: Dutch speaking community.

Question. What is the main advantage of horizontal distribution of power ?
Answer: Horizontal distribution of power enables different government bodies to exercise different powers being at the same levels.

Question. Define ‘Liberation Movement’.
Answer: A liberation movement is a political organisation that rebels against the policies and procedures of the government or a colonial power either violently or non violently. These movements are often organised for getting independence based on a nationalist identity and an anti-imperialist outlook.

Question. Define ‘power sharing’.
Answer: Power sharing is a political arrangement in which various groups, either from supporting parties or opposition parties, take part in the government activities.

Question. Define democracy.
Answer: Democracy refers to a country or state that is ruled by its citizens. In other words, citizens of a country or state can participate in the decisions taken by the government.

Question. Define authoritarian government.
Answer: Authoritarian government is the one in which individuals do not have any power and they need to show absolute obedience to the formal authority without questioning on any activity. The leaders in such governments handle all the activities, including economic, military, and foreign relations, as they want. Dictatorship is an example of such type of governments.