Competency Based Questions

latest Exam Pattern there will be 50% Competency Based Questions (CBQs) in the paper.So we
per Case-Based,
As covered all types of CBQs; Multiple Choice Questions, Assertion-Reason, Matching,
have Based Subjective Questions of
|and competency nature.
Plcture
complex
Multiple Choice Questions (Q.Nos. 1-14) (b) Itoften requires compromise and
arrangements.
countries with
dentify the primary objective of power the
(c) It is only necessary in
sharing arrangements in Belgium from
extreme ethnic divisions.
following options. (2024) (d) Asingle dominant language is the best
(a) Establishing a unitary form of government. solution for unity.
control of between
h) Centralised political 6. Acountry with a history of conflict
government. two ethnic groups is looking for a way to
(c) Establishing cultural and educational share power peacefully. Which of the
matters of Dutch. following is the most likely solution?
(a) Accommodating linguistic and regional (a) Granting absolute power to the majority
interest. group.
(b) Creating a system where each group has a
9Which one of the following languages was guaranteed share of government positions.
declared as the official language of
Sri Lanka by an Act passed in 1956? (2023] (c) Enforcing strict assimilation policies to
create a single national identity.
(a) Tamil (b)Sinhala (d) Isolating the two groups geographically to
(c) Hindi (d) English prevent further interaction.
3. What percentage of the population of 7. Which of the following is not a reason for
Belgium lives in the Flemish region? (2023] power sharing?
(a) 40% (b)80% (a) To allow participation from diverse social
(c) 59% (d) 70% groups.
(b) To ensure efficient decision-making
4. What distinguishes the Belgian model of processes.
power-sharing from the Sri Lankan
approach? (c) To promote majoritarian tendencies.
(d) To prevent any single group from holding
(a) Emphasis on cultural assimilation. absolute power.
(b) Promotion of majoritarian dominance.
(c) Recognition of linguistic and regional 8. Power sharing can be complex because
differences. (a) it requires strong leadership from a single
(d) Implementation of strict central control. individual.

5, The Belgian model of power-sharing is (b) it involves balancing the needs of different
groups.
described as "complicated". What does this (c) it necessitates frequent changes to the
Suggest about achieving peaceful coexistence Constitution.
in diverse societies?
(a) lt is an easy process that can be quickly (d) it leads to slower economic development
due to bureaucracy.
implemented.
 Cleackyate SOCIAL SCIENCE
140
CRSE Clas h
did historical
13. Identify, how
9. A country recovering from a civil war is
aiming to rebuild trust between different
ethnic groups. What is the most beneficial
shapethe
concerning
societal
Indian
I dynamics
Tamil?
appropriate examples from the
ciChoose
rcumsgovetancesrnance
and
the
approach?
(a) Focus on punishing those responsible for options.
I. Indian Tamils played: a
fol owing
the war.
(b) Create opportunities for dialogue and significant role in
shaping governance structures.

reconciliation between groups. IL Socio-economic conditions heavily

(c) Force assimilation of minority groups into
the dominant culture.
influenced the status of
within society.
Indian Tamils
(d) Suppress any reminders of the past conflict. II. Indian Tamils' migration history
10. The story of Belgium and Sri Lanka societal transformation in
regions.
their inspired
respective
highlights the importance of IV. Socio-political changes had minimal
(a) suppressing regional and cultural impact on the status and
differences
(b) finding common ground for peaceful
Indian Tamils. representationof
co-existence Options
(c) enforcing strict laws to maintain national (a) Only II (b) II and IV
unity (c) I, II and III (d) I and IV
(d) granting absolute power to the majority 14. What were the main factors leading to the
community outbreak and consequences of the civil war
11. Kenya, a nation in East Africa, has a in SriLanka.
majority of ethnic group called the Kikuyu. I. The lack of political representation for
During the early years of independence, the minority communities.
Kikuyu, despite being around 22% of the II. Competition for scarce resources and
population, held a disproportionate share of territory.
political power and economic resources. II. Historical grievances and ethnic tensions.
This led to resentment among other ethnic
groups who felt excluded and marginalised. IV. Socio-economic disparities and unequal
This is an exarmple of .. access to opportunities.
(a) Federalism (b) Majoritarianism Options
(c) Secularism (d) Democracy (a) Only III
(b) I andII
12. Consider the statements given below and (c) I, II and III
choose the correct answer.
Statement I The Sri Lankan Tamils (d) I, III and IV
launched parties and struggles for the
recognition of Tamil as an official language. |Assertion-Reason Questions (a.Nos. 15-19
Statement II The civil war has caused a
terrible setback to the social, cultural and There are two statements, Assertion (A) and
economnic life of the country. It ended in 2005. Reason (R). Answer these questions selecting the
Options appropriate option given below.
(a) Statement I is correct and statement II is (a) Both Aand Rare true and Ris the correct
incorrect explanation of A
(b) Statement Iis incorrect and statement II is (b) Both Aand R are true, but R is not the correct
correct explanation of A
incorrect (c) A is true, but R is false
(c) Both statements I and II are
(d) A is false, but R is true
(d) Both statements I and II are correct
PowerSharing 141

Assertion (A) Power sharing is not just

15. Codes
about distributing power among different A BC D A B C D
organs of government but also among (a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3
arious social groups. (c) 2 4 1 3 (d) 3 2 4 1
Reason(R) It ensures that diverse voices
are represented in decision-making 21. Match List I with List II.
processes, reducing feelings of alienation List I List II
and promoting inclusivity. 1 Reserved
A. Result of imposition constituencies
Assertion (A) Federaldivision of power of Sinhala supremacy
16. helps accommodate regional diversities B. Horizontal and 2 Checks and

within a country. vertical distribution balances

C. Representation for 3 Civil war in
Reason (R) It allows for the devolution of Sri Lanka
powers to regional governments while marginalised
communities
maintaining a unified national framework. 4. Federal division
D. Power shared among
17. Assertion (A) Belgium's power-sharing different levels of of power
model has contributed to maintaining peace government
andunity within the country. Codes
Reason (R) The Belgian model involves A BC D A B C D
equal representation of linguistic (a) 1 4 3 2 (b) 4 2 3 1
communities in the central government and (c) 2 4 3 1 (d) 3 2 1 4
significant decentralisation of powers.
18. Assertion (A) Power sharing arrangements Case-Based Ouestions (Q.Nos. 22-23)
extend to different levels of government,
including municipalities and Panchayats. 22. Read the source given below and answer the
Reason (R) Vertical division of power questions that follows.
ensures that local governments have The Belgian leaders took a different path. They
autonomy within the framework of the recognised the existence of regional differences
Central Government. and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and
1993, they amended their Constitution four
19. Assertion (A) Majoritarianism undermines times so as to work out an arrangement that
the unity of a nation by neglecting the would enable everyone to live together within
interests of minority communities. the same country. The arrangement they
Reason (R) Tyranny of the majority often worked out is diferent from any other country
leads to social conflict and political instability. and is very innovative. Here are some of the
elements of the Belgian model: Constitution
|Matoh the Following (a.Nos. 20-21) prescribes that the number of Dutch and
French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the
20. Match List I with List II. Central government. Some special laws require
List I List II the support of majority of mnembers from each
A.
Acapital city with linguistic 1. Flemish
linguistic group. Thus, no single community
can make decisions unilaterally.
diversity region
(i) What is the significance of equal
B. French-speaking 2. Brussels
community representation of Dutch and
Dutch-speaking community 3. Tamil French-speaking ministers in the Belgian
community Central government?
D. Concentrated in Northern 4. Belgium (ii) What powers were delegated to the State
and Eastern Sri Lanka Governmentsin Belgium's decentralised
governance model?
142 Checkmate SOCIAL SENCE CBSE Class
(iii) How are community () What contradiction does the
in Belgium and what governments elected illustrate between democracycartoon
and
they hold? responsibilities do centralised power?
23. Read the source given below (i1) How does the cartoon depict the
and answer the relationship between
questions that follows. democracy
concentration of power? and the
The idea of power-sharing has
emerged in
opposition to the notions of undivided (ii) What legislative changes occurred in
political
power. For a long time, it was believed that all Russia in 2005, as depicted in the
power of a government must reside in one cartoon?
25. Observe the picture given below and one.
person or group of persons located at one the following questons.
place. It was felt that if the power to decide is
dispersed, it would not be possible to take
quick decisions and to enforce them. But these
notions have changed with the emergence of
democracy. One basic principle of
is that people are the source of all democracy
political
power. In a democracy, people rule themselves
through institutions of self-government. In a
good democratic governmnent, due respect is
given to diverse groups and views that exist in
a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping
of public policies.
(i) What historical beliefs opposed the idea of
power-sharing?
(iü) What principal underscores democracy's (i) How does the German government
approach to political power? address linguistic and regional
(iii) How does power sharing contribute to the differences?
functioning of a democratic governmnent? (i) What significant role does the
German-speaking community play in
Picture Based Questions (Q.Nos. 24-25) Belgian governance?
(ii) What innovative governance model does
24. Observe the picture given below and answer the German government employ?
the following questions.
Relgning the Reies Subjective Question (Q.No. 26)
26. Read the following headline in a
newspaper. [CBSE Q8]

Agovernment in a conflict-ridden country

ofered a power-sharing agreement toa
militant group as part of a negotiation to
cease hostilities.
OCRIS Which type of reasoning for power-sharin8
is demonstrated here?
 Answers &Explanations
(Competency Based Questions)
Multijple
Choioe
Ouestions (Q.Nos. 1-14) Both nations demonstrate that recognising
Accommodating linguistic and regional and accommodating regional and cultural
differences through power sharing
interest. arrangements is essential for fostering unity
2. (b)Sinhala and stability within diverse societies.
3. (c)59% 11. (b) Majoritarianism
statement II is
i The Belgian model emphasises recognition 12, (b) Statement I is incorrect and
of linguistic and regional differences,. correct.
exemplified by equal representation of Dutch 13. (a) Only II
and French speakers in Central government 14. (a) Only III
and regional autonomy. In contrast, the Sri
Lankan approach historically favoured Assertion-Reason Questions (Q.Nos. 15-19)
maioritarian dominance, leading to conflict.
15. (a) The Assertion accurately states that power
5. (6) Describing the Belgian model as sharing extends beyond governmental organs
"complicated" implies that achieving peaceful
coexistence in diverse societies often to encompass various social groups. The
necessitates compromise and intricate Reason provides a valid explanation by
arrangernents, acknowledging and highlighting how this inclusivity ensures
diverse voices are heard in decision-making,
accommodating the complexities of cultural
reducing feelings of alienation and promoting
and linguistic diversity. a more inclusive and representative
6. (b) Creating a system where each group has a governance structure.
guaranteed share of government positions. 16. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct
1 (c) Power sharing is not aimed at promoting explanation of A
majoritarian tendencies. Instead, it strives to 17. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct
prevent any single group from holding explanation of A
absolute power, ensure participation from
diverse social groups and maintain efficient 18. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct
explanation of A
decision-making processes through checks
and balances. 19. (a)The Assertion accurately states that
8. (b) Power sharing is complex because it majoritarianism neglects minority interests,
involves balancing the diverse needs and undermining national unity. The Reason
interests of different groups within society. supports this by highlighting how tyranny of
Ihis requires careful negotiation, compromise the majority leads to social conflict and
and the establishment of mechanisms to political instability. Together, they explain how
ensure equitable representation and majoritarianism can be deterimental to the
decision-making among these groups. cohesiveness and stability of a nation by
9. (b) Create opportunities for dialogue and disregarding the rights and needs of minory
communities
10, Teconciliation between groups.
(b)The stories of Belgium and Sri Lanka Match the Following (Q.Nos. 20-21)
underscore the significance of finding
Ommon ground for peaceful co-existence. 20. (b) 21. (d)
144 Chockmate SOCIAL SCIENCE CBSE
Clas
Case-Based Questions (Q.Nos. 22-23) Pioture Based Questlons (Q.Nos. 24-25)
22. (i) The significance of equal 24. (i) The cartoon s
highlights the conflict
representation
sbetperwsieenonin
of Dutch and French-speaking democracy's emphasis on power
in the Belgian Central
Government,
ministers
prevents unilateral decision-making
and the trend|toward centralising
few hands. dipower
ensures both linguistic communities and
have () The cartoon suggests that increased
a say in presidential powers in Russia
(ii) State
governance. contradict
Governments in Belgium were democratic principles,, highlighting the risk
granted significant powers, making them of centralised authority.
autonomous entities not subordinate to (ii) The cartoon implies that Russia
the Central Government. President in 2005, granted
(ii) Communitygovernments in Belgium are
power to its
compromising democratic ideals. pootential ymore
elected by people who speak the same (i) The German government address
language, regardless of where they live.
They hold responsibilities over cultural,
25.
linguistic
and regional diversity through federal
structures and provisions for minority
educational and language-related representation and rights.
matters, ensuring community (ii) The German-speaking community in
representation and autonomy. Belgium has its own government, addressing
23. (1) Historically, it was believed that cultural and language-related issues within
concentrating all power in one entity was its jurisdiction.
necessary for quick decision-making and (ii) The German government employs a federal
enforcement. system, granting significant autonomy to its
(ii) Democracy underscores on the states while maintaining a unified national
principle that political power is derived framework.
from the people themselves, who
exercise it through various self-governing Subjective Question (Q.No. 26)
institutions, reflecting popular 26. The power-sharing agreement offered to a
sovereignty. militant group in a conflict-ridden country
(iii) Power-sharing contribute to the
functioning of a democratic government demonstrates prudential reason for
by ensuring that no single entity holds power-sharing. Prudential reason emphasise
unchecked power, promoting that power sharing helps reduce conflict and
promote stability by giving diverse groups a
accountability, preventing tyranny and stake in governance. In this case, the
maintaining a balance of power among agreement aims to end hostilities and bring
different branches or levels of
about peace by involving the militant group in
governance.
decision-making.
 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
I. Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which one of the following countries does not share its boundary with Belgium?
(a) France (b) Netherlands
(c) Sweden (d) Luxembourg
CODE-Y72V
Ans. (c) Sweden

2. In Belgiun, the percentage of French community is

(a) 54% (b) 40%
(c) 30% (d) 20%
Ans. (b) 40% CODE-rVXE
3. Which language is dominantly spoken in Belgium?
(a) Dutch (b) Spanish
(c) France (d) Italian
CODE-ASxp
Ans. (a) Dutch
4. Power struggle demanding separate Eelam was launched by
(a) Sinhalese community (b) Dutch community
(c) Tamilian community (d) French community
Ans. (c) Tamilian community CODE-s9EX
5. Which of the following is the capital city of Belgium?
(a) Bruges (b) Brussels
(c) Ghent (d) Antwerp
CODE-uSkD
Ans. (b) Brussels

6. Study the following picture and answer the following:

What does this cartoon represent?
(a) Coalition government problems
(b) Two-party system problems CODE-jb3t

(c) An antique car

(d) A car having two steering
Ans. (a) Coalition government problems
7. Belgium has worked on the principle of
(a) majoritarianism (b) accommodation
(c) dictatorship (d) monarchy
CODE-yAYK Ans. (b) accommodation
8. Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometres from the Southern
coast of
(a) Goa (b) Kerala
(c) Tamil Nadu (d) Lakshadweep
Ans. (c) Tamil Nadu CODE-Empq

PS-12 Political Science Class X

 9. Majoritarianist constitution was adopted by
(a) Belgium (b) India
(c) Sri Lanka (d) Pakistan
CODE-cZr Ans. (c) Sri Lanka

10. When did Sri Lanka become an independent country?

(a) 1956 (b) 1948
(c) 1980 (d) 1973 CODE-3RIK
Ans. (b) 1948
11. What is the percentage of Sri Lankan Tamils out of the total population of Sri Lanka?
(a) 10 percent (b) 19 percent
(c) 13 percent (d) 25 percent
CODE-82UB Ans. (c) 13 percent
What were the concerns of the Sri Lankan Tamils?
() Recognition of Tamil as an official language
(i1) Reservation of government jobs for Tamils CODE-AEW8
(iii) Establishment of a Tamil Eelam state
(iv) Regional autonomy for Sinhala provinces
Which of the following are correct options?
(a) (1), (ii) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iv) (c) i) and (iv) (d) (i), (iii) and (iv)
Ans. (a) (), (i) and (i)
13. When power is shared among different organs of the goverment it is called as
(a) Horizontal distribution of power (b) Community government
(c) Coalition government (d) Federal distribution of power
CODE-JcET
Ans. (a) Horizontal distribution of power
14.) What is the objective of the Belgium's power-sharing model?
(a) To recognise regional differences and cultural diversities
(b) To establish a centralised government
CODE-QZvv
(c) To promote a division of the country on linguistic lines
(d) To create a hierarchical structure with the Central Government in control
Ans. (a) To recognise regional differences and cultural diversities
15. An Act of recognising Sinhala as the official language was signed in
(a) 1942 (b) 1956
(c) 1954 (d) 1948
CODE-rY9
Ans. (b) 1956

16, While 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. CODE-Ny9e
(c) In a democracy, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society.
(d) In a democracy, there are some institutions that have unlimited power.
Ans. (d) In a democracy, there are some institutions that have unlimited power.

Political Science Class X PS-13

 17. Abelief 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) accommodation
CODE-FDCO (c) majoritarianism (d) community Government
Ans. (c) majoritarianism

18. Asystem of 'checks and balances" is another name for which one of the following power
sharing arangements.
(a) Power-sharing among different social groups.
(b) Vertical division of power or power shared among diferent levels of government. CODE-Gcqs
(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 govermments.
Ans. (c) Horizontal division of power or power shared among different organs of the govermment.

19. Consider the folowing statements about the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka:
A. Major social groups are the Sinhala-speaking (74%) and Tamil-speaking (18%) communities.
B. Among he Tamils, there are two sub-groups, Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.
CODE-BpPg C. There are about 7% Christians, who belong to both Tamil-and Sinhala-speaking community.
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, B, C (b) A, B,D
(c) B, C, D (d) A, B, C, D
Ans. (a) A, B, C
Match the following keywords from column A with their exxplanation in column B:
Column A(Keywords) Column B(Eplanation)
(a) Ethnic (i) Calculation of gains and losses
CODE-7Zrp
(b) Majoritarian (ii) Division based on shared culture
(c) Prudential (iii) Conflict between opposing groups within a country
(d) Civil war (iv) A belief that the majority community should rule a country
(a) (a) (iv), (b) (ii), (c) (1), (d) (i) (b) (a) (ii), (b) (iv), (c) (i), (d) (ii)
(c) (a) (ii), (b) (iv), (c) (i), (d) () () (a) (iv), (b) (ii), (c) (ü), () ()
Ans. (b) (a) (ii), (b) (iv), (c) 1), (d) (ii)
21. Which language is majorly spoken by the population Communities
in the region marked as on the given map? and
regions of
D (a) Spanish Belgium
CODE-Hib
(b) German
(c) French
(d) Dutch
Ans. (d) Dutch
Courtesy: NCERT

PS-14 Political Science Class X

 (22) Despite the French majority in Brussels, what led to the decision of granting equal representation
to the Dutch in the government?
(a) The Dutch were the natives of Belgium.
CODE-tpqs
(b) The Dutch were relatively rich and powerful in Belgium.
(c) The French were given equal representation in the Central government.
(d) The Dutch gave the threat of a war.
Ans. (c) The French were given equal representation in the Central government.
II. Assertion Reason Based Questions
In the questions given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Read the statements and choose the correct option.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is correct explanation of
Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of
Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
Assertion (A): Tyranny of majority is highly desirable.
Reason (R): Even non-democratic countries prefer democracy.
CODE-j2hi
Ans. (d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
2) Assertion (A): In Belgium, the leaders realised that the unity of the country is possible by
respecting the feelings and interest of different ceuatries Commu he.
Reason (B): Belgium favoured Dutch speaking community.
CODE-C9ds
Ans. (c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.

3. Assertion (A): French speaking community in Belgium was rich and powerful.
Reason (B): Belgian Government favoured French speaking community.
CODE-nBwh Ans. (c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.

4) Assertion (A): In a democracy, everyone has voice in the shaping of public policies.
Reason (B): India has federal system.
Ans. (b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation CODE-MGI
of Assertion (A).

III. Case Study Based Questions

Read the passage below and answer the questions.
I. Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and
judiciary. Let us call this horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of
government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Such a separation ensures that
CODE-Ve Wr
none of the organs can exercise unlimited power: Each organ checks the others. This results
in a balance of power among various institutions. Last year we studied that in a democracy,
even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the
Parliament or State Assemblies. Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they
can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures. This arrangement is
called a system of checks and balances.
Political Science Class X
PS-15
 are based purely on moral considerations.

Objective
Questions
Type
(1 Mark each)
(A) Multiple Choice Questions : Q.3. Power sharing is good because :
Select the correct answer from the given [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011, 2012]
options. (a) It increases the conflict betvween social
roups.
Q.1. The Principle of majoritarianism led to a
Civil War in (b) It ensures the instability of political order.
[CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011, 2012] (c) It reduces the possibility of conflict between
(a) Sri Lanka (b) India
social groups.
(d) It leads to violence.
(c) Belgium (d) Britain
Ans. (a) Ans. (c)
02. The Community government in Belgium is Q.4. Which two languages are generally spoken
elected by .[CBSE Sept. 2010] in Belgium ?
(a) people belonging to one language [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011]
community--Dutch, French and German. (a) French and English
(b) all the citizens. (b) Dutch and English
(c) all the community leaders. (c) French and Dutch
(d) all the leaders. (d) Dutch and Sinhala
Ans. (a) Ans. (c)
3-P
 Q.5. Q.1. Which of the following
which of the following
horlzontal sharing
is an
ol power ?
example of
Belglum has the ethnlc groups In
largeat populatlon?
(a) Power sharing betwoen ditierent states (CBSE Sept.
(6) Power shaing between dterent ongans ol
the govemment.
(a) Walloon
(c) German
(b) Flemish
id None of the
2010, 2011)
Ic) Power sharing between stifeent levels of the Ans. 0 Which one of the above
govenment.
(d) Power sharing between difterent political
Q.12.
of power sharing le called following ystem1
parties. balances ? checks20111and
[CBSE Sept.
Ans. (b) (a) Horizontal distribution of powerS
Q.6. Sri Lankan Tamil refers to which of the (b) Federal division of powers
(c) Separation of powers
followtng? ICBSE Sept. 2010, 2011)
(a) Tamil Musim (d) Power shared among different
(b) Tamil native oe the country government (vertical division of levels
powers)
ot
{c) Tamil whose forefathers came from India in Ans. (a)
Q.13. Which one of the following elements In
the colonial period Included in the Belgium model ? not
(d) Tarnil Hindu
Ans. (b) [CBSE 2021, Term-)
(a) Dutch and French speaking ministers shall ba
Q.7. Division of powers between higher and equal in the government.
lower levels of government is called : (b) Many powers of the central govenment haue
[CBSE Sept. 2010] been given to state governments.
ia) Horizontal distribution (c) Brussels has a separate government in
(b) Paralel distribution which both the communities have equal
(c) Vertical division representation.
(d) Diagonal division (d) There is a community government which has
Ans. (c) special powers of administration.
Q.8. Modern democracies matntain check and Ans. (d)
balance ystem. ldentify the correct option Q.14. Identify 'Horizontal power sharing'
based on the horizontal power sharing arrangements among the following in
arangement. (CBSE 2020 (D)) modern democracies :
(a) Central government, state government, local [CBSE 2021, Term-l)
bodies. (a) Different organs of government
(b) Legisiature, executive, judiciary. (b) Governments at different levels
(c) Among different social groups. (c) Differernt social groups
(d) Among different pressure groups. (d) Different parties, pressure groups and
Ans. (b) movements
Q.9. Which major social group constituted the Ans, (a)
largest share in population of Sri Lanka? Q.15. Community Government is :
(CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011, 2020 (D), (o) Ageneral government for the entire country
2021 Term-] (b) A government elected by the people
(a) Sinhalas (b) Sri Lankan Tamis belonging to one language community.
(c) Indian Tamils (d) Muslims (c) A social division based on shared culture.
Ans. (a) (d) Agovernment which literally means "rule by
Q.10. In Sri Lanka, the democratically elected the people".
government adopted a series of which Ans. (b)
messures to establish Sinhala supremacy ? Q.16. The other name for reglonal government n
India is : (CBSE Sept, 2011|
[CBSE Sept. 2010)
(a) Community Government (a) Provinial Government
(b) State Government
(b) Federal Government
(c) Majoritarian Government (c) Community Government
(d) Prudential Government (d) None of these
Ans. (b)
Ans. (c)
SocialSclence-10
4-P EVERGREEN Self-Study In
 Whlch of the following steplo) was /were (B) Assertion & Roasoning Based
sdopted bythe Srl Lankan
eotabllsh Sinhala upremacy?
government to Questions
1to 8 two
numbersAssertion statements are
(0In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Por question
glven-one labelled (A) ond the other
Sinhala as the only official language, thus Iabelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer to
disregarding Tamil. (H) and
hese questions from the codes W), (),
(i) The governments followed preferential (o) as gven below:
R is the correct
policiesthat favoured Sinhala applicants lor ) BothAand R are true and
university positions and government jobs. explanation of the assertion.
is not the
Anew constitution stipulated that the state ) Both A andRare true and R
shall protect and foster Buddhism. correct explanation of the assertion.
(a) Only() &() (b) Only () &(i) (H) Ais true but Ris false.
(c) Only () &() (d) All the mentioned above (o) Als false but Rs true.
Ans. (d)
Q.1. Assertion : Sri Lanka followed the principle of
0.18. Which of the following ls not correctly majoritaríanisn.
Reason : The leaders of the Sinhala cormmunity
matched ?
SOught to secure dominance over government by
virtue of their majority.
Column A Column B Ans. (i)
Q.2. Assertion: There was a tension between the
() Sinhala (a) Official language Dutch and French speaking communities in
of Sri Lanka.
Belgium.
Reason: Economic disparity and lack of power
(u) Belgium (b) Community sharing model was the basic cause.
Government Ans. ()
(H) India (c) Unitary Q.3. Assertion: Power sharing among dferent organs
of government is known as horizontal distribution
Government
of power.
(a) Only (0) (b) Only (i) Reason: It allows dififerent organs of Government
(c) Only (i) () Both (0) & (ii) placed at the same level to exercise different
powers.
Ans. (c)
Ans. (i)
Complete the box by choosing the correct Q.4. Assertion: Power sharing is good.
optlon. Reason: It helps to reduce the possibility of social
Q19. Community Government confict.
Belgium Ans. (i)
|Majoritarianism Q.5. Assertion : Majority community is dominant in
a few democratic states.
(a) Bhutan (b) Sri Lanka Reason : Dominance can underline the unity of
(c) Pakistan the country. [CBSE 2021, Term-)
(d) U.S.A
Ans. (i)
Ans. (b) Q.6. Assertion : Power sharing is good.
Q.20.Power sharing between Vertical division
Reason : It helps to reduce the possibility of
different levels of conflicts between social groups.
(CBSE 2021, Term-I]
Government Ans. ()
Q.7. Assertion : The distrust between Sinhalese and
Power sharing between Tamil communities turned into widespread conflict
dlferent organs of the in Sri Lanka.
Government Reason :1956 Act recognized Sinhala as the only
la) Majoritarlandivision (b) Dictatorship official language. [CBSE 2021, Term-I)
Ans. ()
lc) Horlzontal division (d) Diagonal division Q.8. Assertlon : Belgium amended their Constitution
Ans, (c) four times.
EVERGREEN Self-Study InnSSocial Sclence-10 sS 5-P
 The Unlon Government as well
Reason : Amendments were to enable everyone State Governments can make a
to live together the same country. subjects like forest, trade on lavws the
unlons,
Ans. (i) state
(C) Match the following items in column
A with those in column B and choose
etc.
Ans. India, Spain and Belgium are
'Holding Together Federation',
mar a
examples
ge of
Or
the correct answer from the options
given below : The Union Government as well as
Governments can make laws on the State
Column A
() Brussels
ColumnB
(A) Dutch speaking people in
majority.
(E) Fill in the BIlanks : unions,mariaconcurge, rent
subjects like forest, tradee ma etc.,

Q.1. .emerged as an
(ü) India

(ii) Belgium
(B) Dutch speaking people in
minority.
(C) Majoitarianism
country in 1948.
Ans. Sri Lanka
Q.2. Sinhala was recognised as
Independent
an
(iu) Sri Lanka (D)Secular State language of Sri Lanka in an act officlalin
(a) () - (B) (ii) - (D) (ii) - (A) (iv) -(C) passed
Ans. 1956
(b) (i) (D) (ii) -(A) (ii) -(B) (v) - (C)
rich and.speaking
powerful communitu
Q.3. The minority
(c) ()-(C) () - (A) (ii) - (D) (iv) -(B) wassrelatively in
(d) () - (D) (ü) - (B) (üi) -(A) (iv) -(C)
Ans. (a)
Ans. French
Q.4. The sharing of power at different
Belgium.
(D) Correct the following statements
government is called levels
.division.
of
Ans. Federal
and rewrite : Q.5. ......government in Belgium is
Q.1. In 1956, an act was passed in Belgium a good example of power sharing among
different social groups.
to recognise Sinhala as the only official Ans. Community.
language. Q.6. Power sharing is the very spirit of
Ans. In 1956, an act was passed in Sri Lanka to democracy because
recognise Sinhala as the only official language. [CBSE Comptt. 2020)
Q.2. The principle of Community Government is Ans. Dermocratic rule involves sharing power with tho8
followed in Sri Lanka. affected by its exercise, and who have to live with
Ans. The principle of Community Government is its effects.
followed in Belgium.
Q.3. Power sharing between state and 1local (F) Read the information and write a
government is known as horizontal power single term :
sharing. Q.1. A belief that the majority community
Ans. Power sharing between state and local should be able to rule a country in
government is known as vertical power sharing. whichever way it wants, by disregarding
Q.4. Moral reasons of power sharing stress that the wishes and needs of the minority.
the power sharing will bring out better Ans. Majoritarianism
outcome. Q.2. It is a government under which two or more
Ans. Prudential reasons of power sharing stress that the than two sets of governments govern the
power sharing willbring out better outcome. country.
Q.5. German speaking people constituted Ans. Federal government
a majority in the whole Belgium, but a Q.3. It is a government in which different social
minority in the capital. groups are given the power to handle the
Ans. Dutch speaking people constituted a majority in affairs related to their communities.
the whole Belgium, but a minority in the capital. Ans. Community government.
Q.6. India, Spain and Belgium are examples of Q.4. The concent of providing a permanent
Coming Together Federation.
share of power in the government different
[CBSE Comptt. 2020] communities or regions.
Or
Ans. Power sharing.
6-P
AZEI EVERGREEN Self.Study in Social Science-10
 Duntry wàs able to maintain uniy oT country led to civil war. Imur
the country.

SOURCE/EXTRACT/CASE BASED INTEGRATED QUESTIONS

Read the following extractssources carefully and (0 How do political parties share
answer the following questions : Ans. Political parties share power throughpower ??
alliance a
EXTRACT:1 forming a coalition government.
(u) Why is power sharing desirable? Justify
The idea of power-sharing has emerged in
opposition to the notions of undivided political giving two reasons.
power. For a long time it was believed that all Ans. Power sharing helps to reduce the possibil
power of a government must reside in one person of conflict between social groups.
or group of persons located at one place. It was It is a good way to ensure political stability.
felt that f the power to decide is dispersed, it EXTRACT:3
would not be possible to take quick decisions and Power is shared among different organs
to enforce them. government, such as the legislature, executive an
() What is power sharing ? judiciary. Let us call this horizontal distributio
of power because it allows different organs o
Ans. Power sharing is an arangement under which government
different institutions, political parties, presure placed at the same level to exercis
diiierent powers. Such a separation ensures tha
groups, movements, social group share power to none of the organs can exercise unlimited power
ensure that power does not remain in one hand. Each organ checks the others. This results in a
(0) Do you think power sharing is good for a balance of power among various
institutions.
nation ? Justify by giving one reason. 1. Give one example of power sharing in
Ans. Under this the people and the leaders of the India.
nation respect the feelings and interests of Ans. Even though ministers and government officas
different communities and regions. exercise power, they are responsible to the
Parliament or State Assemblies. Similarly,
EXTRACT:2
although judges are appointed by the executve,
Power sharing arrangements can also be seen they can check the functioning of executive of
in the way political parties, pressure groups and laws made by the legislatures.
movements control or influence thoee in power. 2. Indian Parliament and State Assemblles are
In a democracy, the citizens must have reedom an example of. power sharing.
to choose among various contenders for power. Ans. Vertical
In contemporary democracles, this takes the form ldeal. " Glve
3. "Power eharing arrangement is
of competition among different partles. Such reason. various
competition ensures that power does not remain Ans. It maintains balance of power among
inone hand. organs of the government.
Sclence-10
16-P K EVERGREEN Self-Studyyin Soclal
 CONCEPT MAP
Power Sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka
Belglum Sri Lanka
Locatlon Europe Asia
Types of Government
Before conflict -Unitary |Unitary
Ethnlc Compositlon Dutch, French and German Sinhala, Tamil (Indian Tamil,
SriLankan Tamil) Christians
Reasons for confllct Sinhalese were in majority
Economic disparty Sinhala was declared official
Dutch community majority in
the country language
Dutch in minority in the capital city State to protect and foster
Buddhism
Outcome of the conflict Constitutíon Amended four tímes Formationof political
Dutch and French ministers equal in organization for separate
Central Government and in Brussel nation
Government
Decentralisation-Unitary Government
to Federal Government
Civil War
Economic, social and cultural
Community Governmment loss

Forms of Power Sharing

Among Organs of the Among Different levels of the Among Socal Among Political Parties
Government Government and Pressure Groups
Groups
INDIAN GOVERNMENT INDIAN FEDERAL STRUCTURE Power is shared among Political parties share
different social, religious, power through
Vertical
UNION GOVERNMENT linguistic and gender coalition governments
Legislature Executive Judiciary based groups. E.g and political alliances.
Community Government Pressure groups like
’ Horizontal STATE GOVERNMENT in Belgium Narmada Bachao
Some seats are reserved Andolan, Environment
Each organ checks the for SCs and STs in the Move ment etc.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
powers of the other Indian Parliament to influence government
through arrangements of Because of different tiers give them fair share of policies and decisions.
checks and balances of the government, it representation. Sometimes political
e.g. Although Judges is called Federal division parties grow out of
Some seats (one third)
are appointed by the of power/Federal are reserved for women in movements e.g. Aam
Executive, the functioning Government. local government. Aadmi Party
of-the Executive can be Sources of revenue for
checked by the Judiciary. each level of government
are clearly specified.
 Unit ll: Political
Science

Power Sharing
COMMON INSTRUCTIONS
Questions
Assertion and Reasoning
Both Assertion(A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of
)
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is not the correct explanationAssertion (A)
of Assertion (A)
Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false
(A) is false but Reason (R) is true
() Assertion

MCQ Multiple Cholce Questions

1You are a citizen of a country that has a democratic (a)
form of government. You want to ensure that the Majoritarianism emphasizes the dominance of
the majority community, while Power sharing
system of power-sharing in your country is effective emphasizes the sharing of power among
and that no one branch of government has absolute
power. Which of the following measures would best different groups.
meet this goal? (b) Majoritarianism emphasizes the need for
(a) All power is concentrated in the hands of the consensus building, while power sharing
central government, which has the final say in emphasizes the exclusion of minority groups
all matters. (c) Majoritarianism emphasizes the importance of
(b) Power is divided between the central government accommodating minority interests, while power
and the states or provinces, with each level sharing emphasizes the need for majority rule.
having its own sphere of influence. (d) Majoritarianism emphasizes the need for
(c) Power is separated among the legislative, peaceful resolution of conflicts, while power
executive and judicial branches with each branch sharing emphasizes the use of force to impose
having its own responsibilities and powers. the majority's will.
(d) Power is shared among different levels of Ans. (a)
government, such as the national, regional and 4. Consider the following statements regarding power
local governments, with each level having some
degree of autonomy. sharing arrangements in Belgium and identify the
Ans. c) incorrect one form the following:
2. When many countries of Europe came together to (a) Equal number of members from Dutch and
form the European Union, was chosen
French community in the central government.
as its headquarters (6) Separate government for Brussels with equal
(a) Brussels (b) Paris representation of communities
(c) London (d) Zurich (c) The state government to be subordinate tothe
Ans, (a) central government
3. Which of the following statements accurately (d) Community government elected by people
distinguishes between Majoritarianism and Power belonging to one language community.
sharing? Ans. (c)
(278) Chapterwise CBSE PYQs (Social Science)-10.
5. Which one of the following religions was protected I1. Identify the significant reason of power
and fostered by Sri Lankan in their constitution?
(a) Christianity (b) Hinduism
from the following options.
(a) Reduces socio-cconomic conflicts sharlng
(c) Buddhism (d) Islam (b) Provides cthnic-cultural devclopment
Aus. (c) (c) Allows people to enjoy specific rights
6. Statement I: Many families were forced to leave the (d) Restricts supremacy of one party
country. Ans. (a)
Statement II: Thousand of people were killed. 12. Apart from the Central and.the State
Statement IIi: The country suffered from economic
loss.
Belgium has a third kind of
Identify this third kind of
Goverasnmentwell.,
government
Statement IV: All private companies were closed. following options: government from the
(a) Statement (I) and (II) are right. (a) Democratic Government
(6) Statement (1), (II) and (II) are right. (b) Socialist Government
(c) Statement (III) is right. (c) Community Government
(d) Only statement (IV) is right. (d) Liberal Government
Ans. (b) Ans. (c)
7. Statement I: Sinhala was recognised as the only 13. Why is the power shared amongst different
organs
of government called as horizontal distribution
official language by the act of 1956. of
Statement Il: Belgium successfully solved its problem power? Identify the correct reason,
by community government. (a) It gives judiciary more power than legislature
and executive.
(a) Statement (I) is correct and (II) is incorrect
(b)-It allows different organs of government to be
(b) Statement (I) is incorrect and (II) is correct
(c) Both (I) and (II) are incorrect placed at the same level.
(d) Both (T) and (I) are corect (c) It gives representation to different ideologies
at political level.
Ans. (d)
(d) It influences and coordinates in the decision
8. Which of the following is correct with respect to the
making process.
ethnic composition of Belgium? Ans. (b)
(a) 59% of people live in the Flemish region and
speak the Dutch language. 14. Consider the following statements on power sharing
(b) 30% of people living in the Wallonia region and select the answer using the codes given below:
speak French. I. It is good for democracy.
(c) 10% of Belgians speak German. II,. It creates harmony in different groups.
III. Itbrings transparency in the governance.
(d) 1% of Belgians speak Russian. IV. It brings socio-political competition among
Ans. (a) parties.
9. Identify Horizontal power sharing' arrangements
Options:
among the following in modern democracies. (a) I, II and III (b) II, III and IV
(a) Different organs of government (c) I, III and IV (d) I, II and IV
(6) Governments at different levels
Ans. (a)
(c) Different social groups horizontal.
(d) Differentparties, pressure groups and movements 15. PPower-sharing can be yertical as well as
seats in
Ans. (a) Q Allreligious communities have reserved
the central government in India.
10. Which one of the following countries adopted
majoritarianism in their Constitution? Which of the above statements is/are TRUE?
(a) Nepal (a) Only P
(b) India (b) Only Q
(c) Sri Lanka (c) BothP and Q are true.
(d) Neither nor O is true.
(d) Bangladesh
Ans. (c) Ans. (a)
 following is NOT an element of the 18.
Power Sharíng (279)
Which of the Assertion (A): The
16. Belgian
model of power-sharing? Tamil communities distrust between Sinhalese and
turned into
Somelaws can only be passed with a majority in Sri Lanka. widespread conflict
(a)
from cach linguistic group.
The central government has an equal number Reason (R): 1956 Act
(6) of Dutch and French ministers.
governments of the two linguistic regions
official language. recognised Sinhala as the only
(c) State Ans. (a)
cnjoy Some powers of the central government.
19. Assertion (A): In
Territories based on language were abolished
T
(d) and people were encouraged to live amongst .of mutually Belgium, the leaders took a path
each other. power.
acceptable arrangements for sharing
Ans. (d) Reason (R):Theleadershave realised that the
17.
"Assertion (A): Power sharing is good. unityofthe
country is possible only by respecting the feelings
Reason (R): It helps to reduce the possibility of interests of different communities and and
conflicts between social groups. Ans. (a) regions.
Ans. (a)

CBO Case-Based Questions

(280) Chapterwise CBSE PYQs (Social Science)-10.
communities and regions. Such a realisation resulted
in 4.
mutually acceptable
power. Sri Lanka shows arrangements
us a
for sharing
It showS us that if a contrasting example.
its majority
force dominance over otherscommunity wants to Cartcans
ihn
and
power, it can undermine the unity refuses to share
of the country.
(a) What is power
sharing?
(6) How have Belgium and Sri Lanka dealt with the
question of power sharing differently?
(c) The community
government in Belgium is a good
example of which form of power
Ans. (a) Power sharing means sharing? fNE ERYN ENGINEERNG
sharing of responsibilities
and powers by the different organs of The cartoon above refers to the
government.
the problems of runnino
Germany's grand coalition government
the country's two major parties, that includes
(b) In Belgium, existence of regional namely the Christian
and ultural diversities were differences Democratic Union and the Social Democratic Party.
recognised by the
leaders. The Belgian constitution was amended The two parties are rivals to each
other. They had
to forma coalition
four times to acoommodate a
proper arrangement government because neither of
them got a clear majority of seats on their
of power sharing. Equal representation was given the 2005 elections. They take own in
to the Dutchand French-speaking divergent positions
communities
in the central government. Powers of on several policy matters but jointly
run the
the central government.
government were shared with state government. Source (edited): NCERT
(a) Which disadvantage of coalition governments
Community government was introduced to take is the image highlighting?
decisions on culture, education and language (b) Why did the rival parties choose to make a
related issues.
On the other hand, SriLanka adopted majoritarian coalition despite being rivals?
measures to establish Sinhala dominance. Sinhala
(c) How does a democratic system, at times, cause
was declared official language disregarding Tamil. 6Such a challenge?
Sinhalas were preferred for university positions Ans. (a) A coalition government may not agree on policy
and government jobs. Buddhisn was made the decisions which can affect a country's progress.
state religion. Sri Lankan Tamils were denied (b) The government at the centre enforces policy
equal political rights, discriminated against in decisions that affect the entire country including
the matter of jobs. This led to stained relations the people who support each party, thus the
between the Sinhala and Tamil community rivals preferred to make a coalition.
resulting in the civil war. c) Democracy enables people to vote for their
(c) Social group sharing chosen representatives. In the absence of a clear
majority, political parties may form a coalition.