Rosary High School, Badlapur

Political| Chapter Two | Constitutional Design

Q1.) Multiple Choice Questions

1. The title of autobiography written by Mandela is

(a) Long Walk to Freedom (b) The Story of My Life

(c) Running with Scissors (d) A Walk in the Woods

2. Who gave this statement-"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free
society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal
opportunities"?

(a) BR Ambedkar (b) Nelson Mandela

(c) Aung San Suu Kyi (d) Nkrumah

3. In which year Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment?

(a) 1960 (b) 1982 (c) 1964 (d) 1952

4. The native people of South Africa are ................ in colour.

(a) black (b) white (c) blonde (d) red

5. Which organisation led the struggle against the policies of segregation in South
Africa?

(a) The African National Congress

(b) Agang South Africa

(c) United Democratic Movement

(d) National Freedom Party

6. Which national leader first tried to draft a Constitution for India?

(a) Jawaharlal Nehru (b) Motilal Nehru

(c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) BR Ambedkar

7. From which of the colonial laws the Indian Constitution adopted many
institutional details and procedures?

(a) Government of India Act, 1858 (b) Indian Councils Act, 1892

(c) Charter Act, 1853 (d) Government of India Act, 1935

8. How many members were there in the Constituent Assembly, which wrote the
Indian Constitution?

(a) 199 (b) 273 (c) 299 (d) 229

9. The Bill of Rights' which inspired the Indian leaders is associated with which
country?

(a) Ireland (c) Canada (b) France (d) USA

10. The Constituent Assembly represented to whom?

(a) Indian National Congress (b) Muslim League.

(c) The People of India (d) Princely States

11. Some basic values were accepted by all leaders much before the ...........met to
deliberate on the Constitution.

(a) Constituent Assembly (b) All Party Meeting

(c) Simon Commission (d) None of these

12 India became a Republic on which of the following date?

(a) 26 November, 1949 (b) 22 July, 1949

(c) 26 January, 1950 (d) 15 August, 1947

13 Young India was a

(a) Political party (b) extremist group

(c) Magazine (d) moderate group

14 Who among the following considered that the truth and non-violence are key
ingredients of their philosophy?

(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Nelson Mandela

(c) Subhash Chandra Bose (d) Both (a) and (b)

15 The Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values called the

(a) Resolution (b) Preamble (c) Preface (d) Schedule

16 Who gave a historical speech "Tryst with Destiny' on 15 August, 19477

(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Jawaharlal Nehru

(c) Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (d) Dr BR Ambedkar

17 Consider the following statement regarding the Indian Constitution.

(a) It is a detailed document which is rigid in nature.

(b) It puts limits to what the government can do for providing rights to its citizens.

(c) The Constitution was enforced on 26th January, 1950.

(d) Both (b) and (c)

18 Find the incorrect option from the following.

(a) Dr. B.R Ambedkar was the Chairman of Drafting Committee.

(b) Shyama Prasad Mukharjee was the founder President of the Bhartiya Jansangh.

(c) Mahatma Gandhi was a member of Constituent Assembly.

(d) HC Mookherjee was the Vice-Chairman of the Constituent Assembly.

19 Find the incorrect option from the following.

(a) Preamble is the soul of Indian Constitution.

(b) Preamble provides a standard to examine and evaluate any law and action of
government.

(c) Preamble is an introductory statement in a Constitution

(d) None of the above

Q2) Very Short Answer Questions

1. For which offence was Nelson Mandela tried by the white South African
government?

Ans. Nelson Mandela was tried for treason by the white South African government.

2"I have fought against the white domination and I have fought against the black
domination." Who said this sentence?

Ans. Nelson Mandela made this statement.

3. Prior to 1992, South Africa practised a form of racial discrimination. What is it

termed as?

Ans. The racial discrimination practised in South Africa prior to 1992 was called
apartheid.

4. In which country did a large number of 'whites' settle and become the local
rulers?

Ans. The country is South Africa.

5. On the basis of what did the system of apartheid divide people?

Ans. On the basis of skin colour, the system of apartheid divided people.
6. On which day did South Africa gain independence from the rule of the white
minority?

Ans. South Africa gained independence from the rule of the white minority on 26th
April, 1994.

7. Which Constitution has inspired democrats all over the world?

Ans. The Constitution of South Africa has inspired democrats all over the world.

8. What did the white minority in South Africa wanted to protect through their
new Constitution?

Ans. The white minority in South Africa wanted to protect their privileges and property
through their new Constitution.

9. Which national leader tried to draft a Constitution for India a far back as in
1928?

Ans. Pandit Motilal Nehru tried to draft a Constitution for India in 1928.

10. When were the elections to the Constituent Assembly held in India?

Ans. The elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946.

11. After the partition of India and Pakistan, the Constituent Assembly was
divided into how many Assemblies?

Ans. It was divided into two assemblies. The Constituent Assemblies of India and
Pakistan were separated.

12. When did the Constituent Assembly adopt the Constitution of India?

Ans. The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26th November, 1949.

13. Name some important members of the Constituent Assembly.

Ans. Some important members of the Constituent Assembly were Dr Rajendra Prasad,
Dr BR Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr S Radhakrishnan, KM Munshi, etc.
14. Which part of the Indian Constitution is called soul of the Constitution?

Ans. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution is called soul of the Constitution.

Q3) Short Answer Type Questions.

1. What do you mean by the 'Policy of Apartheid"? How did this policy come to an
end?

Ans. The Policy of Apartheid was a system of racial discrimination unique to South
Africa. It was imposed on the blacks by the white Europeans. In this system, the blacks
were forbidden from living in white areas. They could work in white areas only if they
had a permit. Trains, buses, and other public places like, hotels, hospitals, schools,
colleges, etc were separate for the whites and the blacks. This policy came to an end on
26th April, 1994, when the Republic of South Africa was born with a multi-racial
government.

2. How did the blacks of South Africa fight? Against the practice of apartheid? Or
describe any three efforts made by the people of South Africa to struggle against
the apartheid system.

Ans. Apartheid was the name of a system of racial discrimination unique to South Africa,
which was imposed by the white Europeans on the blacks. The following three efforts
were made by the people of South Africa to struggle against the apartheid system

(i) From 1950 onwards, the blacks, coloured and Indians fought against the apartheid
system. They launched protest marches and strikes.

(ii) The African National Congress led the struggle against this policy of segregation.
Many workers ' unions and the Communist Party joined this movement.

(iii) Many whites joined the ANC and played a leading role in this movement.

3. "The system of apartheid followed in South Africa was unjust and racist."
Support the statement with three points. or "The apartheid system in South
Africa was particularly oppressive for the blacks." Justify the statement with
arguments.
Ans. The system of apartheid followed in South Africa was unjust and racist because

(i) The blacks were forbidden from living in white areas. They could work in white
areas only if they had a permit.

(ii) Trains, buses and public places like hotels, hospitals, schools and colleges, etc were
separate for the whites and blacks.

(iii) Blacks could not form associations or protest against the terrible treatment.

Thus, the apartheid system was particularly oppressive for the blacks.

4. What was the procedure adopted for making the Indian Constitution?

Ans. The following procedure was adopted for making the Indian Constitution are

 The 'Drafting Committee' chaired by Dr BR Ambedkar prepared a draft of the

Indian Constitution for discussion.
 Several rounds of discussion took place on the Draft Constitution, clause by
clause. The members worked for 114 days spread over three years.
 More than two thousand amendments were considered. Every document
presented and every word spoken in the Constituent Assembly has been
recorded and preserved.

5. Mention any three characteristics of the Indian Constitution. Or

Highlight the salient features of the Constitution of India.

Ans. The Indian Constitution is very long and detailed document. The features of
Constitution are:

(i) Values that inspired and guided the freedom struggle are incorporated in the
Constitution.

(ii) It generates trust and coordination that is necessary for different kinds of people to
live together in our country.

(iii) The Indian Constitution lays down a procedure for choosing persons to govern
specifies how the government the country. It will be constituted and who will have
power to take which decisions.
(iv) The Indian Constitution needs to be amended quite regularly to keep it updated.

6. What is the significance of the 'Preamble' to the Indian Constitution?

Ans. Indian Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. This is called
the Preamble to the Constitution. It is very significant because:

(i) The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is like a poem on democracy. It contains the
philosophy on which the entire Constitution has been built.

(ii) It is regarded as the soul of the Indian Constitution. It provides a standard to

examine and evaluate any law and action of government to find out whether it is good
or bad.

(iii) It guides all the Articles of the Indian Constitution.

Q4) Long Answer Type Questions.

1. Evaluate how the white minority and the black majority agreed to draw up a
common Constitution for South Africa. or How was the new Constitution of South
Africa formed?

Ans. The white minority and the black majority agreed to draw up a common
Constitution for South Africa in the following ways

(i) The white regime changed its repressive policies and repealed its discriminatory
laws. Ban on Political Parties and restrictions on media were lifted.

(ii) The Black leaders appealed to fellow blacks to forgive the whites for the atrocities
committed by them.

(iii) There was long sessions of debates and discussions and they searched a solution to
the existing problems.

(iv) It was agreed that everyone should be a part of the country irrespective of the
differences and whatever they had done in the past.

(v) The constitution tried to build a new South Africa based on equality of all races and
men and women, on democratic values, social justice and human rights.
2. What is a Constitution? Why do we need a Constitution? Give any five reasons.
or Why do we need a Constitution in a democracy? Explain any three reasons.

or What is a Constitution? Why do we need a Constitution?

or Why do we need a Constitution? Describe any three main functions of a

Constitution.

Ans. The Constitution of a country is a set of written rules that are accepted by all
people living together in a country. Constitution is the Supreme Law that determines
the relationship among people living in a territory (called citizens) and also the
relationship between the people and government. We need a Constitution because

(i) It generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kinds of
people to live together.

(ii) It specifies how the government will be constituted and who will have power to take
which decisions.

(iii) It lays down limits to the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of
the citizens are.

(iv) It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

(v) The Indian Constitution safeguards the interests of minorities, the backward classes,
poor and weaker sections of our society. It gives Universal Adult Franchise to all and
establishes equality for all.

Thus, it has become a practice in all democracies to have a written Constitution.

3. Explain five major factors which contributed to the making of our Constitution.
or "Formation of Indian Constitution was no less a struggle than that of South
Africa." Do you agree? Explain with five arguments.

Ans. The making of the Constitution for a huge and diverse country like India was not an
easy affair. The major factors which contributed to the making of our Constitution were
(i) People of India at that time were emerging from the status of subjects to that of
citizens. They became conscious of their rights and privileges.

(ii) Our leaders gained confidence to learn from other countries, but on our own terms.
Many of them were inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution.

(iii) Our leaders were also influenced by the practices of Parliamentary democracy in
Britain and the Bill of Rights in the US.

(iv) Social Revolution in Russia inspired many Indians to think of shaping a system
based on social and economic equality.

(v) The makers of the Constitution were not simply imitating the Constitution of other
countries. At each step, they were questioning whether the values and ideals they
accepted suited our country or not.

4. Highlight the salient features of the Constitution of India.

Ans. The salient features of the Constitution of India are

(i) Indian Constitution is the most unique and the longest written Constitution in the
world. Originally had 395 Articles which are further divided into 22 parts and 8
schedules.

(ii) With the help of Article 368, Parliament can amend the Constitution. Every part of
the Constitution can be amended by Parliament except its 'basic structure'. Any law
which violates the basic structure of the Constitution is declared unconstitutional and
invalid by the court.

(iii) The Constitution provides certain fundamental rights to the citizens which are
legally enforceable by a court of law.

(iv) It provides a novel feature called "Directive Principles of State Policy", which are
not legally enforceable by a court of law. These principles promote social and economic
democracy and aim to establish India as a welfare state.
(v) It provides for Universal Adult Franchise as a basis of elections to the Lok Sabha and
the state legislative assemblies. Those above the age of 18 can vote.

5. Why is the Preamble very important?

Ans. The Constitution of the Republic of India is introduced to us through a wisely

formulated and well written Preamble. The importance of Preamble is:

(i) It declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic.

(ii) It envisages justice - social, economic and political for all the citizens of India.

(iii) It promises liberty of all types necessary for the individual, i.e., freedom of thought
and , expression, freedom of faith, freedom of belief and of worship.

(iv) It would strive for equality of status and opportunity to all individuals.

(v) It promotes fraternity which assures the dignity of the individual and the unity and
integrity of the nation.

(vi) It contains the philosophy on which the entire constitution has been built. It is the
soul of Indian constitution.

vii) It provides a standard to examine and evaluate any to find out law and action of
government, whether it is good or bad.

Q5) Read the extract and answer the questions that follows

The white rulers treated all non-whites as inferiors slowly, the apartheid system started
oppressing blacks. In this system, the non-whites did not have voting rights and they
were forbidden from living in white areas. The non-whites could work in white areas
only if they had a permit. Trains, buses, taxis, hospitals, schools, colleges, etc. were all
separate for the whites and blacks. This was known as segregation. Blacks could not
enter a church where the whites worshipped and even they did not have the right to
form associations or protest against the whites. But, after the emergence of democratic
South Africa, black leaders appealed to fellow blacks to forgive the whites for the
atrocities they had committed while in power. They wanted to build up a new South
Africa based on equality of all races.
Questions:

(i) Which type of tactics did the white racist government of South Africa used to
continue their rule?

(ii) "The apartheid system was particularly oppressive for blacks." Justify by giving two
reasons.

(iii) What would have happened in South Africa if the black majority had decided to take
revenge on the whites for all their oppression and exploitation?

Answers:

(i) The white racist government continued to rule by detaining, torturing and killing
thousands of black and coloured people.

(ii) The apartheid system was particularly oppressive for blacks because of the
following reasons (a) they were forbidden from living in white areas. They could work
in white areas only if they had a permit to do so. (b) They could not even visit the
churches where the whites worshipped. Blacks could not form associations or protest
against the terrible treatment.

(iii) If the blacks had not forgiven the whites for all their oppression and exploitation
and decided to take revenge upon them, there would have been bloodshed everywhere.
It could have led to a division of the country and they would not be seen as a united and
peaceful South Africa.

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