Class 10 Social Science Chapter 13 Power Sharing (Civics) Practice Paper 1

Class: X Subject: Political Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 01 - Power-sharing Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. What percentage of Belgium's population speaks Dutch?
(a) 40%
(b) 50%
(c) 59%
(d) 74%

Q2. Which language was declared the only official language of Sri Lanka in 1956?
(a) Tamil
(b) Sinhala
(c) English
(d) Sanskrit

Q3. Which city was chosen as the headquarters of the European Union?
(a) Paris
(b) Brussels
(c) Amsterdam
(d) Berlin

Q4. Majoritarianism refers to:
(a) Belief that the minority should rule
(b) Belief that all communities should share power equally
(c) Belief that the majority community should rule by disregarding minority wishes
(d) Belief in federal government

Q5. In Belgium, the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government is:
(a) Proportional to population
(b) Equal
(c) More Dutch-speaking ministers
(d) More French-speaking ministers

Q6. What is the percentage of Tamil speakers in Sri Lanka?
(a) 13%
(b) 18%
(c) 25%
(d) 30%

Q7. The civil war in Sri Lanka ended in which year?
(a) 2000
(b) 2005
(c) 2009
(d) 2015

Q8. Horizontal distribution of power refers to:
(a) Power sharing among different levels of government
(b) Power sharing among different organs of government at same level
(c) Power sharing among different social groups
(d) Power sharing among political parties

Q9. Which form of power sharing is represented by reserved constituencies?
(a) Among organs of government
(b) Among governments at different levels
(c) Among different social groups
(d) Among political parties

Q10. A prudential reason for power sharing is:
(a) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy
(b) People have a right to be consulted
(c) It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups
(d) It is morally correct

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. Explain the ethnic composition of Belgium. (2)

Q12. What is community government? Explain with reference to Belgium. (2)

Q13. Distinguish between prudential and moral reasons for power sharing. (2)

Q14. Why did the Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated from the government? Give any two reasons. (2)

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Explain any three features of the Belgian model of power sharing. (3)

Q16. Describe the majoritarian measures adopted by the Sri Lankan government. (3)

Q17. Explain any three forms of power sharing. (3)

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Compare and contrast the approaches to power sharing adopted by Belgium and Sri Lanka. What lessons can we learn from these two cases? (5)

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following case and answer the questions that follow: "Between 1970 and 1993, the Belgian constitution was amended four times to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country. The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments. Brussels has a separate government in which both communities have equal representation."
(a) Why was the Belgian constitution amended four times? (1)
(b) What does equal representation in the central government signify? (1)
(c) How does Belgium's model prevent conflicts? (2)

Q20. Read the following case and answer the questions that follow: "In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights."
(a) What was the impact of the 1956 Act on Tamil community? (1)
(b) How did preferential policies affect the Tamils? (1)
(c) What were the consequences of these majoritarian measures? (2) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 01

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(c) 59% 59% of Belgium's total population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language. Ans 2.
(b) Sinhala In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language of Sri Lanka, thus disregarding Tamil. Ans 3.
(b) Brussels When many countries of Europe came together to form the European Union, Brussels was chosen as its headquarters. Ans 4.
(c) Belief that the majority community should rule by disregarding minority wishes Majoritarianism is 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.

Ans 5.
(b) Equal The Belgian Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government to ensure balanced power sharing. Ans 6.
(b) 18% Tamil-speakers constitute 18% of Sri Lanka's population. Among Tamils, 13% are Sri Lankan Tamils and the rest are Indian Tamils. Ans 7.
(c) 2009 The civil war in Sri Lanka, which caused thousands of deaths and displacement, ended in 2009 after causing terrible setbacks to the country. Ans 8.
(b) Power sharing among different organs of government at same level Horizontal distribution of power allows different organs of government (legislature, executive, and judiciary) placed at the same level to exercise different powers with a system of checks and balances.

Ans 9.
(c) Among different social groups Reserved constituencies represent power sharing among different social groups, giving space to socially weaker sections and women in government and administration. Ans 10.
(c) It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups Prudential reasons are based on careful calculation of gains and losses. Power sharing helps reduce conflicts and ensures stability, which is a prudential reason.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Belgium has a complex ethnic composition: 59% of the population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language 40% of people live in the Wallonia region and speak French 1% of the Belgians speak German In Brussels, 80% speak French while 20% are Dutch-speaking Ans 12. Community government is a unique feature of Belgian power sharing arrangement. It is elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, or German-speaking), no matter where they live. This government has power regarding cultural, educational, and language-related issues. This ensures that each community can protect and promote its identity regardless of geographical location.

Ans 13. Prudential reasons: Based on careful calculation of gains and losses. Power sharing brings better outcomes by reducing conflicts and ensuring political stability. Moral reasons: Based on ethical principles. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy where people have a right to be consulted on how they are governed, making it intrinsically valuable. Ans 14. The Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because: Language Policy: The 1956 Act made Sinhala the only official language, completely disregarding Tamil and making it difficult for Tamils to access government services Discrimination: Preferential policies favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs, denying Tamils equal opportunities in education and employment

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Three features of the Belgian model of power sharing are:

1. Equal Representation in Central Government: The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Special laws require support of majority from each linguistic group.

2. Federal Division of Power: Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments of the two regions. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

3. Community Government: A third kind of government exists where people belonging to one language community elect a government with power regarding cultural, educational, and language- related issues, regardless of where they live. Ans 16. The Sri Lankan government adopted the following majoritarian measures:

1. Language Policy (1956): An Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, completely disregarding Tamil and the needs of Tamil-speaking citizens.

2. Preferential Policies: The governments followed policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs, discriminating against Tamil applicants.

3. Religious Preference: A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism, showing preference to the religion of the Sinhala majority and ignoring other religious communities. These measures led to increased alienation of Tamil community and eventually resulted in civil war. Ans 17. Three forms of power sharing are:

1. Horizontal Distribution: Power is shared among different organs of government such as legislature, executive, and judiciary. This ensures that no single organ can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others, creating a balance of power through a system of checks and balances.

2. Vertical Distribution (Federal Division): Power is shared among governments at different levels - a general government for the entire country (Central/Union Government) and governments at provincial or regional level (State Governments). The constitution clearly defines the powers of different levels.

3. Among Social Groups: Power may be shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups. Constitutional and legal arrangements ensure that socially weaker sections and women are represented in legislatures and administration through mechanisms like reserved constituencies.

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Belgium's Approach to Power Sharing: Belgium recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times to work out innovative arrangements for power sharing. Their approach included equal representation in central government, federal division of power, separate government for Brussels, and community governments for language groups. This accommodation prevented conflicts and possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

Sri Lanka's Approach: Sri Lanka adopted majoritarianism where the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance by virtue of their majority. They passed laws making Sinhala the only official language, followed preferential policies favouring Sinhalas, and gave special status to Buddhism. This approach ignored minority rights and led to increased alienation of Tamils. Comparison: • Belgium chose accommodation and power sharing; Sri Lanka chose majoritarianism • Belgium's approach led to peace and stability; Sri Lanka's approach led to civil war • Belgium respected all communities; Sri Lanka imposed majority dominance • Belgium's constitution was amended to protect minorities; Sri Lanka's laws discriminated against minorities Lessons Learned:

1. Power Sharing Ensures Unity: Belgium's example shows that respecting feelings and interests of different communities through power sharing can maintain unity of a diverse country.

2. Majoritarianism Undermines Unity: Sri Lanka demonstrates that when a majority community forces its dominance and refuses to share power, it can undermine the unity of the country and lead to violent conflicts.

3. Accommodation is Better than Domination: Accommodative arrangements that respect diversity are more sustainable than imposing the will of the majority on minorities.

4. Long-term Thinking is Essential: While imposing majority will may seem attractive in the short run, it undermines national unity in the long run.

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19.
(a) Why was the Belgian constitution amended four times? The Belgian constitution was amended four times to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country by recognising and accommodating regional differences and cultural diversities.
(b) What does equal representation in the central government signify? Equal representation signifies that no single community can make decisions unilaterally. It ensures balanced power sharing and requires cooperation between Dutch and French-speaking communities for governance.

(c) How does Belgium's model prevent conflicts? Belgium's model prevents conflicts by ensuring that all communities have equal stake in governance. The equal number of ministers from both linguistic groups, decentralisation of power to regional governments, and community governments all ensure that no community feels dominated or alienated. This accommodation of diversity helps avoid civic strife between major communities and prevents possible division of the country on linguistic lines. Ans 20.
(a) What was the impact of the 1956 Act on Tamil community?

The 1956 Act made Sinhala the only official language, completely disregarding Tamil. This made it difficult for Tamil-speaking citizens to access government services, education in their language, and participate fully in public life.
(b) How did preferential policies affect the Tamils? Preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs discriminated against Tamil applicants. This denied them equal opportunities in education and employment, leading to economic marginalization and feelings of injustice.

(c) What were the consequences of these majoritarian measures? These majoritarian measures had severe consequences. They gradually increased feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils who felt that their language, culture, and interests were ignored. The distrust between communities grew and eventually turned into widespread conflict. By the 1980s, political organisations demanding an independent Tamil Eelam were formed. This led to a devastating civil war lasting until 2009, causing thousands of deaths, displacement of families, and terrible setbacks to the social, cultural, and economic life of the country.