Objective Questions:

Questions asked in Pre-boards and previous years boards. Some expected questions are also available for practice.

Q.1 Find the incorrect option from the following:

a. Belgium has a population of a little over one crore.

b. Belgium is surrounded by the borders of Germany, France, Luxembourg and Netherlands

c. Belgium is a big country in North America.

d. None of the Above.

Answer: c. Belgium is a big country in North America.

Q.2 The minority___________ speaking community is relatively rich in Belgium.

a. French

b. Dutch

c. German

d. English

Answer: French

Q.3 Identify the Country-

• Emerged as an Independent country in 1948.
• Neighboring country of India.
• 74% of population speaks Sinhala while 18% of population are Tamil speakers.
• In 1956, an Act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language of this country.

Select the appropriate option from the following.

a. Germany

b. Belgium

c. Sri Lanka

d. India.

Answer: c. Sri Lanka.

Q.4 Which one of the following religions was protected and fostered by Sri Lankans in their Constitution?

a. Christianity

b. Hinduism

c. Buddhism

d. Islam

Answer: c. Buddhism

Q.5 Prudential Reasons means_________.

a. Power sharing is the spirit of democracy.

b. Power sharing reduces the possibility of social conflicts.

c. Majority should always rule.

d. A check and balance system is necessary in a democracy.

Q.6 Identify the incorrect option from the following:

a. Belgium has a population of slightly over one crore.

b. Belgium shares borders with Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

c. Belgium is a large country in North America.

d. None of the Above.

Answer: c. Belgium is a large country in North America.

Q.7 The minority __________ speaking community is relatively affluent in Belgium.

a. French

b. Dutch

c. German

d. English

Answer: a. French

Q.8 Recognize the Country:

Achieved independence in 1948. Neighbor to India. 74% of the population speaks Sinhala while 18% are Tamil speakers. In 1956, an Act was passed to establish Sinhala as the sole official language.

a. Germany

b. Belgium

c. Sri Lanka

d. India

Answer: c. Sri Lanka.

Q.9 Which religion, protected by the Sri Lankan Constitution, was fostered by the majority of its population?

a. Christianity

b. Hinduism

c. Buddhism

d. Islam

Answer: c. Buddhism

Q.10 What is the meaning of “Prudential Reasons”?

a. Democracy is defined by power sharing.

b. Power sharing is instrumental in reducing potential social conflicts.

c. The majority should consistently dictate outcomes.

d. Democratic stability requires a system of checks and balances.

Answer: b. Power sharing is instrumental in reducing potential social conflicts.

Q.11 What kind of government exists at the community level in Belgium, elected by people from specific language communities, and has authority over cultural, educational, and language-related matters?

a. Central Government

b. State Government

c. European Union Government

d. Community Government

Answer: d. Community Government

Q.12 Why was Brussels chosen as the headquarters for the European Union when many European countries came together to form it?

a. Due to its historical significance

b. Because of its linguistic diversity

c. It was a neutral location

d. No specific reason

Answer: b. Because of its linguistic diversity

Q.13 What is one key reason in favor of power sharing?

a. It ensures the dominance of the majority community.

b. It helps avoid civic strife and potential division of the country.

c. It guarantees stability through authoritative rule.

d. It establishes a single language as the official language.

Answer: b. It helps avoid civic strife and potential division of the country.

Q.14 Which set of reasons suggests that power sharing is valuable because it brings about better outcomes and stability?

a. Ethical reasons

b. Prudential reasons

c. Cultural reasons

d. Linguistic reasons

Answer: b. Prudential reasons

Q.15 What was the traditional belief about political power in the Lesson?

a. All power should be centralized in one person or group.

b. Power should be distributed among diverse groups.

c. Democracy necessitates power-sharing.

d. Power should be exercised by elected officials.

Answer: a. All power should be centralized in one person or group.

Q.16 What is the term used for the distribution of power among different branches of government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary?

a. Vertical division of power

b. Prudential sharing

c. Horizontal distribution of power

d. Federal division of power

Answer: c. Horizontal distribution of power

Q.17 What is the system where power is shared among governments at different levels, such as a general government for the entire country and regional governments?

a. Federal division of power

b. Vertical division of power

c. Community government

d. Horizontal distribution of power

Answer: a. Federal division of power

Q.18 How can power be shared among different social groups ?

a. Through competition among political parties

b. Through alliances formed in elections

c. Through community governments

d. Through constitutional and legal arrangements

Answer: d. Through constitutional and legal arrangements

Q.19 What ensures that power does not remain in one hand in contemporary democracies?

a. Reserved constituencies

b. Division of power

c. Competition among political parties

d. Influence from interest groups

Answer: c. Competition among political parties

Q.20 Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes between Majoritarianism and Power sharing?

a. Majoritarianism emphasizes the dominance of the majority community, while Power sharing emphasizes the sharing of power among different groups.

b. Majoritarianism emphasizes the need for consensus building, while Power sharing emphasizes the exclusion of minority groups.

c. Majoritarianism emphasizes the importance of accommodating minority interests, while Power sharing emphasizes the need for majority rule.

d. Majoritarianism emphasizes the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts, while Power sharing emphasizes the use of force to impose the majority’s will.

Answer: a. Majoritarianism emphasizes the dominance of the majority community, while Power sharing emphasizes the sharing of power among different groups.

Q.21 The major objective of LTTE in Sri Lanka was to

a. establish autonomy for Buddhist people

b. attain independence for Christians

c. end Sinhala rule

d. demand separate homeland for Tamils.

Answer: d. demand separate homeland for Tamils.

Q.22 Which of the following system of power sharing is called system of checks and balances?

a. Federal division of powers

b. Horizontal distribution of powers

c. Separation of powers

d. Vertical Division of powers.

Answer: b. Horizontal distribution of powers

Q.23 Which is the capital city of Belgium?

a. Brussels

b. Amsterdam

c. Antwerp

d. Vienna

Answer: a. Brussels

Q.24 Reservation for women in Parliament is a good example of which arrangement?

a. Power shared among different parties

b. Power shared among social groups

c. Power shared among different levels of government

d. Power shared among different organs of government

Answer: b. Power shared among social groups

Q.25 Complete the following table with correct information-

a. A- 1948, B- It was for making Tamil, the official language of the country.

b. A- 1956, B- It was for making Sinhala, the official language of the country.

c. A- 1956, B- It was for making Tamil, the official language of the country.

d. A- 1948, B- It was for making Sinhala, the official language of the country.

Answer: b. A- 1956, B- It was for making Sinhala, the official language of the country.

Q.26 In Belgium, out of the total population, 59 percent live in the Flemish region and speak _________ Language.

a. Dutch

b. French

c. English

d. German

Answer: a. Dutch

Q.27 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

Answer: c. Majoritarianism

Q.28 Which of the following is FALSE with respect to steps which were taken by the Sri Lankan Government to achieve majoritarianism?

i) In 1956 an Act was passed under which Sinhala was replaced as official language.

ii) Buddhism was given priority under the Act of 1956.

a. Both (i) and (ii)

b. Only (ii)

c. Only (i)

d. Neither (i) and (ii)

Answer: d. Neither (i) and (ii)

Q.29 Major population caste groups ____________ live in Sri Lanka.

a. Christian and Buddhist

b. Hindu and Tamil

c. Tamil and Muslim

d. Sinhala and Tamil

Answer: d. Sinhala and Tamil

Q.30 Which of the following is not the form of power sharing?

a. Horizontal distribution of power

b. Vertical division of power

c. Division of power among social groups

d. Division of power between people

Answer: d. Division of power between people

Q.31 Which are the two major ethnic groups of Belgium?

a. French and German

b. Dutch and French

c. Dutch and German

d. None of these

Or

Which two languages among the following are prominently spoken by Belgium Nationals?

a. French and English

b. Dutch and French

c. Russian and Dutch

d. Russian and French

Answer: b. Dutch and French

Q.32 Consider the following statements on Power Sharing and choose the correct option:

a. Majoritarianism is the real spirit of democracy.

b. It creates balance and harmony in different groups.

c. It reduces the possibility of conflict among social groups.

d. Power Sharing is the essence of democracy

A. a,b and c

B. b,c and d

C. a,c and d

D. a,b and d

Answer: B. b,c and d

Q.33 Sri Lanka became independent in the year

a. 1956

b. 1960

c. 1947

d. 1948

Answer: d. 1948

Q.34 Earlier, the idea of power-sharing has emerged in opposition to ____________.

a. Democracy

b. Dictatorship

c. Monarchy

d. the principle of authoritarian Undivided political power.

Answer: d. the principle of authoritarian Undivided political power.

Q.35 In Belgium the state governments are ________________

a. subordinate to the Central Government

b. not a subordinate to the Central Government

c. have no say before the Central Government

d. powerful enough to contradict the Central Government

Answer: b. not a subordinate to the Central Government

Q.36 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 Tamil-speaking 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

Answer: a. A,B,C

Q.37 Annette Studies in a Dutch medium school in the Northern region of Belgium. Many French speak students in her school want the medium of instruction to be French. Her parents approach towards the respective government to realize the desire of the child. What could be the measure Belgian government will adopt in such a situation?

a. Majoritarian measures

b. Despotic measures

c. Policy of accommodation

d. All of the above

Answer: c. Policy of accommodation

Q.38 The population of Sri Lanka is divided into _______

a. Sinhala 55% and Tamil 45%

b. Sinhala 68% and Tamil 25%

c. Sinhala 74% and Tamil 18%

d. Sinhala 80% and Tamil 15%

Answer: c. Sinhala 74% and Tamil 18%

Q.39 You are a citizen of a country that has a democratic form of government. You want to ensure that the system of power-sharing in your country is effective and that no one branch of government has absolute power.

a. All power is concentrated in the hands of the legislature only.

b. Power is divided between the central government and the states or provinces, with each level having its own sphere of influence.

c. Power is separated among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with each branch having its own responsibilities and powers.

d. Power is shared among different levels of governments, such as the national, regional, and local governments, with each level having some degree of autonomy.

Answer: c. Power is separated among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with each branch having its own responsibilities and powers.

Q.40 Modern democracies maintain check and balance system. Identify the correct option based on the horizontal power sharing arrangement.

a. Central government, state government, local bodies

b. Legislative, executive, judiciary

c. Among different social groups

d. Among different pressure groups

Answer: b. Legislative, executive, judiciary

Q.41 Which of the following is a very good example of sharing power among different social group?

a. Panchayati Raj system in India

b. Municipal Corporation

c. Community Government in Belgium

d. Federal arrangement in India

Answer: c. Community Government in Belgium

Q.42 What are the similarities between Belgium and Sri Lanka?

a. Both are poor countries

b. Both are non-democratic countries

c. Both are democratic countries

d. None of these

Answer: c. Both are democratic countries

Q.43 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 instability in the political order.

Answer: c. reduces the conflict between social groups.

Q.44 Consider the following statements regarding power sharing arrangements in Belgium and identify the incorrect one from the following:

a. Equal number of members from Dutch and French community in the central government.

b. Separate government for Brussels with equal representation of communities.

c. The state government to be subordinate to the central government.

d. Community government elected by people belonging to one language community.

Answer: c. The state government to be subordinate to the central government.

Q.45 Which of the following language is not spoken in Belgium?

a. German

b. French

c. English

d. Dutch

Answer: c. English

Q.46 Sri Lanka is a unitary form of government whereas _________ has a federal government.

a. China

b. Japan

c. Belgium

d. France

Answer: c. Belgium