Choose the correct option:
Question 1.
Tamil natives of Sri Lanka are called the
(a) Indian Tamils
(b) Muslim Tamils
(c) Sri Lankan Tamils
(d) Christian Tamils
Answer
Answer: (c) Sri Lankan Tamils
Question 2.
The term Eelam stands for
(a) government
(b) state
(c) country
(d) political party
Answer
Answer: (b) state
Question 3.
Division of powers between higher and lower levels of government is called
(a) horizontal division
(b) parallel division
(c) vertical division
(d) none of the above
Answer
Answer: (c) vertical division
Question 4.
Which two languages are generally spoken in Belgium?
(a) French and English
(b) Dutch and Sinhala
(c) French and Sinhala
(d) Dutch and French.
Answer
Answer: (d) Dutch and French.
Question 5.
Brussels is the capital of
(a) Belgium
(b) the Netherland
(c) Sri Lanka
(d) West Indies
Answer
Answer: (a) Belgium
Question 6.
A system of ‘checks and balances’ is another name for which one of the following power-sharing 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.
Answer
Answer: (c) Horizontal division of power or power shared among different organs of the government.
Question 7.
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 j 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.
Answer
Answer: (d) In a democracy, if the power to decide is dispersed, it is not possible to take quick decisions and enforce them.
Question 8.
System of ‘checks and balances’ means:
(a) Horizontal distribution of powers.
(b) Separation of powers.
(c) Put a check on the exercise of unlimited powers of the organs of government by maintaining a balance of power among various institutions.
(d) Federal division of powers
Answer
Answer: (c) Put a check on the exercise of unlimited powers of the organs of government by maintaining a balance of power among various institutions.
Question 9.
Power sharing is:
(a) the very spirit of democracy
(b) separation of powers at different levels.
(c) system of checks and balances.
(d) a type of balancing powers.
Answer
Answer: (a) the very spirit of democracy
Question 10.
Who elects the community government in Belgium?
(a) People belonging to one language community only.
(b) By the leader of Belgium.
(c) The citizens of the whole country.
(d) The community leaders of Belgium.
Answer
Answer: (a) People belonging to one language community only.
Question 11.
In which year Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country?
(a) 1947
(b) 1948
(c) 1949
(d) 1950
Answer
Answer: (b) 1948
Explanation:
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.
Question 12.
Which is the state religion of Sri Lanka?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Hinduism
(c) Islam
(d) Christianity
Answer
Answer: (a) Buddhism
Explanation:
In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
Question 13.
Which major social group constituted the largest share in population of Sri Lanka?
(a) Sinhalas
(b) Sri Lankan Tamils
(c) Indian Tamils
(d) Muslims
Answer
Answer: (a) Sinhalas
Explanation:
The major social groups in Sri Lanka are the Sinhala-speakers (74 per cent) and the Tamil-speakers (18 per cent)
Question 14.
Which language is spoken by the majority of Belgians?
(a) German
(b) French
(c) Dutch
(d) English
Answer
Answer: (c) Dutch
Explanation:
Of the Belgian’s total population, 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language.
Question 15.
Which religion is followed by Sinhala speaking people?
(a) Hindus
(b) Muslims
(c) Buddhists
(d) None of these
Answer
Answer: (c) Buddhists
Explanation:
Most of the Sinhala speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims.
Question 16.
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
Answer: (b) Sinhala
Explanation:
In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.
Question 17.
Which of the following is not one of the three organs of government powers are shared?
(a) Legislature
(b) Bureaucracy
(c) Executive
(d) Judiciary
Answer
Answer: (b) Bureaucracy
Explanation:
Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
Question 18.
Which of the following is not one of the aspects of federal division of powers?
(a) Sharing of powers among central provincial and local governments
(b) Division of powers involving higher and lower levels of government
(c) The Constitution clearly lays down powers of different levels of government
(d) There is no vertical division of powers
Answer
Answer: (d) There is no vertical division of powers
Explanation:
The aspects of federal division of powers are sharing of powers among central provincial and local governments, Division of powers involving higher and lower levels of government.
Question 19.
What led to non-sharing of power?
(a) Peace among all the communities
(b) The tyranny of the majority and oppression of minority
(c) Negation of the very spirit of democracy
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer
Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c)
Explanation:
Non-sharing of power led to tyranny of the majority and oppression of minority and negation of the very spirit of democracy.
Question 20.
How many times was the Constitution of Belgium amended between 1970 and 1993?
(a) Two times
(b) Three times
(c) Five times
(d) Four times
Answer
Answer: (d) Four times
Explanation:
Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.
Picture-based Questions:
Look at the given cartoon taken from the NCERT Textbook Page 8 and answer the question that follow:
Question:
In 2005, some new laws were made in Russia giving more powers to its President. During the same time the US President visited Russia. What, according to this cartoon, is the relationship between democracy and concentration of power? Can you think of some other examples to illustrate the point being made here?
Answer
Answer:
A good democracy opposes the idea of concentration of powers. It welcomes the idea of sharing of power for the smooth running of the government. One basic principle of democracy is that people are the ultimate source of all political power. Giving more power to the Russian President means power is concentrated in one person which is against the principle of democracy.
