Here are the Assertion & Reason Questions of Chapter 1 ‘Power Sharing’. These questions will help you practice different types of questions which can be asked in exams.
Must practice these Assertion/Reason questions
Q.1 Assertion (A): In Belgium, the tension between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities was mainly because of economic differences.
Reason (R): The French-speaking community in Belgium was relatively rich and powerful compared to the Dutch-speaking community.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: In Belgium, the French-speaking community was economically richer and more powerful, which caused resentment among the Dutch-speaking community. This economic inequality led to tensions, making the reason the correct explanation of the assertion.
Q.2 Assertion (A): The majoritarian policies adopted by the Sinhala leaders in Sri Lanka led to the alienation of the Tamil community.
Reason (R): Sinhala was declared the only official language, and government policies favored the Sinhala community.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The Sinhala leaders passed laws promoting Sinhala language and Buddhism, and gave preference to Sinhalas in jobs and education. These actions made Tamils feel excluded and discriminated against, so the reason correctly explains the assertion.
Q.3 Assertion (A): The Belgian leaders successfully avoided civil war by sharing power among different communities.
Reason (R): The Belgian Constitution guaranteed equal representation for Dutch and French-speaking communities in the central government.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The Belgian leaders divided power carefully to balance the interests of both Dutch and French-speaking groups. Equal representation in the central government prevented dominance by one group, which helped avoid a civil war.
Q.4 Assertion (A): Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka protected the interests of all communities equally.
Reason (R): The Sinhala community used its majority to promote its own language, religion, and culture over others.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: Majoritarianism ignored minority interests. Sinhala leaders imposed Sinhala culture and language, causing Tamil alienation.
Q.5 Assertion (A): In Belgium, the Constitution prescribes equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government.
Reason (R): This arrangement was made to ensure that no single community could dominate decision-making.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Belgium’s Constitution mandated equal ministers to avoid dominance by any one linguistic group, ensuring fair power-sharing.
Q.6 Assertion (A): Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka protected the interests of all communities equally.
Reason (R): The Sinhala community used its majority to promote its own language, religion, and culture over others.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: Majoritarianism ignored minority interests. Sinhala leaders imposed Sinhala culture and language, causing Tamil alienation.
Q.7 Assertion (A): Power sharing reduces social conflicts and ensures the stability of political order.
Reason (R): Imposing the will of the majority over the minority strengthens national unity in the long run.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation: Power sharing reduces conflicts, but imposing majority’s will actually undermines unity over time — not strengthens it.
Q.8 Assertion (A): Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
Reason (R): In a democracy, people have the right to participate in decision-making processes that affect them.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Democracy means giving people a voice and participation in governance; hence, power sharing is morally essential.
Q.9 Assertion (A): Prudential reasons for power sharing focus on achieving better outcomes like political stability.
Reason (R): Moral reasons focus on the idea that sharing power is valuable in itself because it upholds democratic principles.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Prudential reasons look at practical benefits like stability, while moral reasons stress democratic values — both are true, and R explains A.
Q.10 Assertion (A): The idea of power-sharing emerged to counter the belief that political power should reside in one person or group of persons.
Reason (R): Historically, it was believed that dividing power would make it difficult to enforce decisions quickly, which led to the idea of centralizing power.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The emergence of power-sharing directly challenges the historical belief that centralized power is essential for quick decision-making.
Q.11 Assertion (A): In a democracy, horizontal distribution of power ensures that no organ of government has unlimited power.
Reason (R): This system allows the legislature, executive, and judiciary to check each other and maintain a balance of power.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The separation of power between the different organs ensures a system of checks and balances, preventing any single organ from becoming too powerful.
Q.12 Assertion (A): In a democracy, judges, although appointed by the executive, can check the actions of the executive.
Reason (R): This power of the judiciary ensures a system of checks and balances and prevents misuse of power by the executive.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Judicial review allows judges to check laws and actions of the executive, contributing to the balance of power and preventing abuse.
