MCQ Questions Chapter 1 Power-sharing Class 10 Social Science

Please refer to MCQ Questions Chapter 1 Power-sharing Class 10 Social Science with answers provided below. These multiple-choice questions have been developed based on the latest NCERT book for class 10 Social Science issued for the current academic year. We have provided MCQ Questions for Class 10 Social Science for all chapters on our website. Students should learn the objective based questions for Chapter 1 Power-sharing in Class 10 Social Science provided below to get more marks in exams.

Chapter 1 Power-sharing MCQ Questions

Please refer to the following Chapter 1 Power-sharing MCQ Questions Class 10 Social Science with solutions for all important topics in the chapter.

MCQ Questions Answers for Chapter 1 Power-sharing Class 10 Social Science

Question. A general government for the entire country is called:
(a) General government
(b) Central government
(c) State.government
(d) Federal government

Question. The percent of Sinhale-speaking in Sri Lanka are:
(a) 64
(b) 70
(c) 72
(d) 74

Question. In 1956, an Act was passed which recognised Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding:
(a) Tamils
(b) Muslims
(c) Christians
(d) Buddhists

Question. The capital city of Belgium is:
(a) Rome
(b) Moscow
(c) Brussels
(d) Sydney

Question. In a good democratic government:
(a) Due respect is not given to diverse groups
(b) Due respect is given to ministers only
(c) Due respect is given to diverse groups and views
(d) None of the above

Question. The governments at the provincial jor regional level, in India, are called:
(а) Zila parishad
(b) Gram parishad
(c) Central government
(d) State government

Question. Judges can cheek the functioning of laws made by the:
(a) Judiciary
(b) Executive
(c) Legislature
(d) All the above

Question. Sri-Lanka emerged as an independent country in:
(a) 1945
(b) 1946
(c) 1947
(d) 1948

Question. ‘Community government’ exists in:
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Germany
(c) USA
(d) Belgium

Question. In a democracy, the citizens must have freedom:
(а) To choose their rights
(b) To choose among various contenders for power
(c) Not to vote
(d) None of the above

True or False :

Question . The state governments in Belgium, are subordinate to the central government. 

Question . Tamil natives of Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankan Tamils.

Question . Tyranny of the minority is not just oppressive for the majority; it often brings ruin to the minority as well. 

Question . Power is shared among different organs of governments, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. 

Question . In a democracy people are ruled indirectly through institutions of self governance.

Question. Which of the following features are common to Indian and Belgian form of power-sharing arrangements?
A. Power is shared among governments atdiffer nt 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 & D
(c) A & C
(d) A, C & D

Question. 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 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.

Question. 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

Question. A system of ‘checks and balances’ is another name for which one of the following powersharing 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.

Question. 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.

Question. Consider the following statements about the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka:
A. Major social groups are the Sinhalaspeaking (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

Question. 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 & D
(c) All are correct
(d) A, B & C

Assertion-Reason Questions
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.

1. Assertion. Tyranny of the majority is highly desirable.
Reason. It helps in making the political order more stable.
Ans. (d) Both assertion and reason are false.
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.

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

3. 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. 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.

4. 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. 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.

5. Assertion. Sinhala was recognized as only official language of Sri Lanka.
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. 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.

6. 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.
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 any particular community.

7. 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.
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.

8. 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.
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.

9. 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. 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.

10. Assertion. Power Sharing is good.
Reason. It leads to ethical tension.
Ans. (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
Power Sharing is good because it helps in reducing the chances of conflict between different social groups and ensures stability of the political system.

Picture Based Questions

Question. The photograph of a street address in Belgium is signifying what?
(a) Belgium Capital
(b) Names and Direction in two languages
(c) Two different things
(d) None of the above 

Question. What is the relationships between democracy and concentration of power?
(a) In democracy, two leaders are required to run government.
(b) In democracy, power resides in the hands the leaders.
(c) In democracy, tight concentration of power is required.
(d) None of the above

Question. Which one of the following options signifies this cartoon?
(a) Problem of power distribution
(b) Problems of running the Germany’s grand coalition
(c) Power to be shared equally among two parties
(d) All of the above

Source/Case Based Questions

1. Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In a democracy, the citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. In contemporary democracies, this takes the form of competition among different parties. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand. In the long run, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups.

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate options:

Question. How is power shared between people and the political parties?
(a) People have the right to criticize political party.
(b) People have the right to choose candidates through elections.
(c) People can carry protest movements.
(d) People can criticize the government.

Question. How is power shared among political parties?
(a) By participating in parliamentary discussions
(b) By forming coalition or alliances
(c) By criticizing each other
(d) Only A and C

Question. How is power shared between the parliament and the government?
(a) the members of the parliament can ask from the members of the cabinet.
(b) the members of the parliament can pass no v ote of confidence against the government.
(c) the members of the parliament may not allow the government to pass a bill.
(d) all the above

Question. How has there been power sharing between majority and minority in India?
(a) By providing fundamental rights to all the citizens of the country
(b) By following the principle of majoritarianism
(c) By providing reservations to the minority classes
(d) By providing economic opportunities to the minorities

2. 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. But their demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils was repeatedly denied. By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate options:

Question. Why was there dissatisfaction among Sri Lankan Tamils?  
(a) The Sri Lankan government had followed the principle of majoritarianism.
(b) The Sri Lankan government did not follow the principle of power sharing.
(c) The government of Sri Lanka gave preference to Sinhalas.
(d) All the above

Question. What were the steps taken by the government of Sri Lanka to alienate Tamils?
(a) Non-recognition to Tamil language
(b) Preference through Sinhalas in education and jobs
(c) State protection to Buddhism
(d) All the above

Question. Which areas of Sri Lanka had the majority of Sinhalas?
(a) Southern part
(b) Western part
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above

Question. What were the main demands of Tamils?
(a) Independence in areas occupied by Tamils
(b) Autonomy in the areas occupied by Tamils
(c) Recognition of Hinduism as the state religion
(d) To drive out Sinhalas from Sri Lanka

3. In Belgium, the leaders have realised that the unity of the country is possible only by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions. Such a realisation resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power. Sri Lanka shows us a contrasting example. It shows us that if a majority community wants to force its dominance over others and refuses to share power, it can undermine the unity of the country.

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate options:

Question. Name the different communities in Belgium.
(a) Dutch, English and Germans
(b) Dutch, French and Polish
(c) Dutch, French and Germans
(d) Germans, Dutch and Spanish

Question. How did Belgium solve the problem of ethnic diversity?
(a) Accommodation
(b) Majoritarianism
(c) Horizontal power sharing
(d) None of the above

Question. Name the majority community in Sri Lanka.
(a) Indian Tamils
(b) Native Tamils
(c) Sinhalas
(d) None of the above

Question. What principle did the government of Sri Lanka follow while making the constitution?
(a) Power sharing
(b) Horizontal power sharing
(c) Vertical power sharing
(d) Majoritarianism

4. In Belgium, the Dutch community could take advantage of its numeric majority and force its will on the French and German-speaking population. This would push the conflict among communities further. This could lead to a very messy partition of the country; both the sides would claim control over Brussels. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community enjoyed an even bigger majority and could impose its will on the entire country.

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate options:

Question. What was the percentage of Dutch in Belgium?
(a) 52%
(b) 59%
(c) 53%
(d) 58%

Question. What problem did the Dutch face in Brussels?
(a) The French were in minority in Brussels
(b) The Dutch were in minority in Brussels.
(c) The Germans were in majority in Brussels
(d) Both (a) and (b)

Question. Who was in minority in Belgium?
(a) Dutch
(b) French
(c) Germans
(d) Belgians

Question. Name the community which protested the principle of majoritarianism in Sri Lanka.
(a) Indian Tamils
(b) Sri Lankan Tamils
(c) Buddhists
(d) All of them

5. Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of MAJORITARIAN measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.

Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate options:

Question. What do you mean by majoritarianism?
(a) Rule of the majority
(b) laws of the country are based on the will of the majority.
(c) language of the majority is declared as the official language
(d) All the above

Question. Name the community which was in minority in Sri Lanka.
(a) Tamil
(b) Sinhalas
(c) Others
(d) None of the above

Question. How did the government of Sri Lanka resolve the problem of ethnic diversity?
(a) Power sharing
(b) Majoritarianism
(c) Federal distribution of powers
(d) System of checks and balances

Question. Why should the principle of power sharing be followed by the countries?
(a) It prevents disintegration of the country
(b) It prevents ethnic conflicts
(c) It enhances the democratic spirit
(d) All the above