Power Sharing Class 10 Social Science Exam Questions

Please refer to Power Sharing Class 10 Social Science Exam Questions provided below. These questions and answers for Class 10 Social Science have been designed based on the past trend of questions and important topics in your class 10 Social Science books. You should go through all Class 10 Social Science Important Questions provided by our teachers which will help you to get more marks in upcoming exams.

Class 10 Social Science Exam Questions Power Sharing

Class 10 Social Science students should read and understand the important questions and answers provided below for Power Sharing which will help them to understand all important and difficult topics.

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 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.

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. Brussels presented a special problem: What was it
(a) Dutch-speaking people constituted a minority in the country, but a majority in the capital
(b) Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital
(c) Other foreign languages were seeping in
(d) English was becoming dominant

Question. What percentage of Srilankan Population is Tamil Speaking
(a) 50%
(b) 20%
(c) 18%
(d) 16%

Question. Intelligent sharing of power is done among
(a) Legislature and Central Government
(b) Executive and Judiciary
(c) Legislature and Executive
(d) Legislature, Executive and Judiciary

Question. Division of power between higher and lower level of government is known as
(a) vertical division of power
(b) horizontal distribution of power
(c) union division of power
(d) community division of power

Question. Which language is dominantly spoken in Belgium?
(a) Dutch
(b) Spanish
(c) France
(d) Italian

Question. Belgium shares its border with:
(a) France
(b) Germany
(c) Luxembourg
(d) all of the above

Question. A war-like conflict between two opposite groups in a country is called
(a) Cold war
(b) Civil war
(c) Ethnic war
(d) None of these

Question. Belgium has worked on the principles of:
(a) majoritarianism
(b) accommodation
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of the above

Question. In Belgium……
(a) The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government
(b) The state governments are subordinate to the Central Government
(c) The state governments have no say before the central govt
(d) The state govt can contradict the Central government

Question. When many countries of Europe came together to form the European Union, ………. was chosen as the headquarter?
(a) Paris
(b) Brussels
(c) Rome
(d) London

Question. Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometres from the Southern coast of
(a) Goa
(b) Kerala
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Lakshadweep

Question. 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

Question. The ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking. What powers does it hold
(a) Cultural, educational and language-related issues.
(b) Political issues
(c) Defence related issues
(d) All of the above

Question. Give reason as to why power sharing can be good for a country?
(a) it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups
(b) is a good way to ensure the stability of political order
(c) It does not lead to confusion in managing the state
(d) A & B

Question. Power sharing is desirable because it
(a) helps the people of different communities to celebrated their festivals.
(b) imposes the will of the majority community over others.
(c) reduces the conflict between social groups.
(d) ensures the stability of political order.

Question. The capital city of Belgium is:
(a) Dutch
(b) France
(c) Brussels
(d) none of the above

Question. Give an example of horizontal distribution of power
(a) governments at the provincial or regional level.
(b) legislature, executive and judiciary
(c) among different social groups
(d) political parties, pressure groups and movements

Question. Which is a federal division of power?
(a) governments at the provincial or regional level.
(b) legislature, executive and judiciary
(c) among different social groups
(d) political parties, pressure groups and movements

Question. Which of the following is not the benefit of power sharing?
(a) It upholds the spirit of democracy.
(b) Political parties get their expected share.
(c) It ensures political stability in the long-run.
(d) It reduces the possibility of conflicts between social groups.

Question. An Act of recognising Sinhala as the official language was signed in:
(a) 1942
(b) 1956
(c) 1954
(d) 1948

Question. Which one of the following countries does not share its boundary with Belgium?
(a) France
(b) Netherlands
(c) Sweden
(d) Luxembourg

Question. In Belgium, the percentage of French community is:
(a) 54%
(b) 40%
(c) 30%
(d) 20%

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

Question. Consider the following statements about the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka:
A. Major social groups are the Sinhala- speaking (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 Tamilspeaking 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. Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka.
1. In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French-speaking community.
2. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority.
3. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharing to protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
4. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines
Which of the statements is correct?
(a) All of the above
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Question. In Sri lanka, there are about….. percent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala
(a) 10
(b) 15
(c) 7
(d) 12

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

Question. Belgium Shares borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany and ……
(a) England
(b) Norway
(c) Luxembourg
(d) Italy

Question. In the capital city Brussels, 80 percent people speak………
(a) French
(b) Dutch
(c) German
(d) English

Question. Power struggle demanding separate Eelam was launched by:
(a) Sinhalese
(b) Buddhists
(c) Tamilians
(d) none of these

Question. Which of the following is the capital city of Belgium?
(a) Bruges
(b) Brussels
(c) Ghent
(d) Antwerp

Question. 20 % of the people of Brussels Speak………
(a) Dutch
(b) English
(c) German
(d) Italian

Question. The people whose forefathers came from India to Srilanka as plantation workers during the colonial period are called…….
(a) Sri Lankan Tamils
(b) Indian Tamils
(c) Tamil Indians
(d) Indian Sri Lankans

Question. Majoritarianist constitution was adopted by:
(a) Belgium
(b) India
(c) Sri Lanka
(d) Pakistan

Question. What is the percentage of Sinhala-speaking people in Sri Lanka?
(a) 74%
(b) 75%
(c) 14%
(d) 19%

Question. Most of the Sinhalese Speaking people in Srilanka are…………
(a) Hindus
(b) Christians
(c) Muslims
(d) Buddhists

Question. All these government measures, coming one after the other, gradually increased the …………among the Sri Lankan Tamils
(a) Protests
(b) Favouritism
(c) Feeling of alienation
(d) Subordination

Question. Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:
1. reduces conflict among different communities
2. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
3. delays decision making process
4. accommodates diversities
5. increases instability and divisiveness
6. promotes people’s participation in government
7. undermines the unity of a country
(a) 1, 2, 4, 6
(b) 1, 3, 5, 6
(c) 1, 2, 4, 7
(d) 2, 3, 4, 7

Question. Consider the following two statements on power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below:
1. Power sharing is good for democracy.
2. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
Which of these statements are true and false?
(a) 1 is true but 2 is false
(b) Both 1 and 2 are true
(c) Both 1 and 2 are false
(d) 1 is false but 2 is true

Very Short Answer Type Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Explain two reasons why power sharing is desirable in a democracy.
Answer : Two reasons can be given in favour of power sharing :
(i) In a democracy, people are the source of all political power. In a good democracy, proper respect should be given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. So, political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible. Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Social conflict leads to violence and political instability. Tyranny of the majority is bad for both minority and majority as well.
(ii) A legitimate government is one where citizens participate in the system. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be ruled. In a democracy, people enjoy this benefit. A democratic rule involves sharing power among its citizens. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. It implies maximum popular participation through decentralisation of powers, so that people would be consulted on how they are to be governed.

Question. Why horizontal distribution of power often is referred to as the system of checks and balances? Explain.
Answer : Under horizontal distribution of power, power is shared among totally different organs of the government like legislature, executive and judiciary. This method is also known as the system of checks and balances. The reasons are enumerated as :
(i) All three organs of the government are placed at an identical level.
(ii) The power distribution ensures that no organ fully exercise unlimited power.
(iii) Each organ exercises a check on the others.

Question. Describe the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.
Answer : Sri Lanka is an Island nation in the Indian Ocean about 80 km, in the East of the Southern tip of India. It is home to more than two crore people. Sri Lanka has been a centre of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. It is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation. Beside Buddhism, (69.1%) religions like Hinduism (7.1%), Christianity (6.2%), Islam (7.6%) and others are also there. Here, the major social groups are the Sinhala speakers (74%) and Tamil speakers (18%). Among Tamils there are two sub-groups
(i) Sri Lankan Tamils (13%)
(ii) Indian Tamils (5%). Sri Lankan Tamils are the natives of the country and the rest who migrated from India during colonial times are called Indian Tamils. The main languages spoken by the people in Sri Lanka are Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Describe any three demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils.
How did they struggle for their demands?
Answer : Disillusioned by the government’s Majoritarian Policy,
the Sri Lankan Tamil started their struggle. They wanted
(i) Recognition of Tamil as an official language,
 (ii) Regional autonomy
(iii) Equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. These were there three demands.

But i.e., the demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils were repeatedly rejected. By the 1980s, several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Tamil launched their own political party LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). The conflict between the two communities turned into widespread conflict and it soon turned into a Civil War. As a result, thousands of people of both the communities have been killed and this caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of the country.

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