Class 6 Social Science Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance Practice Paper 4

Class: VI Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 10 - Grassroots Democracy Part 1: Governance 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. 'Democracy' literally means:
(a) Rule of the king
(b) Rule of the army
(c) Rule of the people
(d) Rule of the rich

Q2. Which organ of government is responsible for law and order?
(a) Legislature
(b) Judiciary
(c) Executive
(d) Parliament

Q3. What does the Governor do at the State level?
(a) Makes laws
(b) Acts as nominal head
(c) Delivers justice
(d) Commands the army

Q4. How many voters did India have approximately in 2024?
(a) 500 million
(b) 700 million
(c) 970 million
(d) 1200 million

Q5. Which of the following is NOT a level of government in India?
(a) Central
(b) State
(c) Local
(d) District

Q6. The process of choosing representatives through voting is called:
(a) Selection
(b) Election
(c) Nomination
(d) Appointment

Q7. Where was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam born?
(a) Kerala
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Karnataka

Q8. The Central Government is also known as:
(a) State Government
(b) Union Government
(c) Local Government
(d) Regional Government

Q9. Which of the following maintains order and harmony in society?
(a) Chaos
(b) Rules
(c) Disagreements
(d) Disorder

Q10. In a direct democracy, who makes decisions?
(a) Only the king
(b) Only the representatives
(c) Every citizen directly
(d) Only the judges

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is the function of the Legislature in a government?

Q12. Differentiate between Central Government and State Government (any two points).

Q13. What is grassroots democracy?

Q14. Write any two inspiring thoughts of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. How do citizens participate in a democracy? Explain three ways.

Q16. Explain why India is called the world's largest democracy.

Q17. What is the role of elected representatives? How are they chosen?

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Explain the three organs of government in India. How do they maintain 'separation of powers' and 'checks and balances'? Why is this important for democracy?

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

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: Many of our institutions have mottos inspired by the wisdom of our ancient texts. The Government of India's motto, for example, is "Satyameva Jayate", which means "Truth alone triumphs". The Supreme Court's motto is "Yato Dharmastato Jayah", or, "Where there is dharma, there is victory." These mottos guide the functioning of our institutions and remind them of their duties.
(a) What is the motto of the Government of India? (1 mark)
(b) What does "Satyameva Jayate" mean? (1 mark)
(c) What is the motto of the Supreme Court of India? (1 mark)
(d) What is the significance of having mottos for institutions? (1 mark)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: Imagine that your class is planning to go for a picnic. There are two possible places, A and B. The class discusses the pros and cons — distance, time, cost, availability of basic facilities. It becomes difficult to arrive at a decision. So your teacher decides that voting can solve the problem. The number of students in favour of place A raise their hands, then those in favour of place B. The decision is taken by whichever option gets a larger number of raised hands.

(a) What were the two options the class was choosing between? (1 mark)
(b) What factors did the class discuss before voting? (1 mark)
(c) How was the final decision made? (1 mark)
(d) What type of democracy is this an example of? (1 mark) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 04

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(c) Rule of the people Democracy comes from Greek words dēmos (people) + kratos (rule/power), so it literally means 'rule of the people'. Ans 2.
(c) Executive The Executive is responsible for implementing laws and maintaining law and order. It includes the police and other enforcement agencies. Ans 3.
(b) Acts as nominal head The Governor is the nominal head of the State Government. The actual executive power lies with the Chief Minister. Ans 4.
(c) 970 million India had approximately 970 million voters in 2024, making it the world's largest democracy.

Ans 5.
(d) District District is not a separate level of government. The three levels are Central, State, and Local government. Ans 6.
(b) Election Election is the process of choosing representatives through voting. Citizens vote to elect their representatives. Ans 7.
(b) Tamil Nadu Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu in 1931. Ans 8.
(b) Union Government The Central Government is also known as the Union Government, as it governs the entire union (country) of India. Ans 9.
(b) Rules Rules maintain order and harmony in society. Without rules, there would be disagreements, disorder, and chaos.

Ans 10.
(c) Every citizen directly In a direct democracy, every citizen's opinion is directly taken to make decisions. All people participate directly in decision-making.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Function of Legislature: The Legislature is the organ that makes new laws (or 'legislates'). Its main functions include: • Making new laws for the country or state • Updating existing laws when needed • Removing outdated laws • Discussing and debating important issues This is done by an assembly of representatives of the people (MPs and MLAs). Ans 12. Central Government vs State Government: Two differences:

1. Level of Operation: • Central Government operates at the national level for the entire country • State Government operates at the state level for a particular state

2. Functions: • Central Government handles: Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency, Atomic Energy • State Government handles: Police, Public Health, Agriculture, Education at state level Ans 13. Grassroots Democracy: Grassroots democracy refers to a system that enables and encourages the participation of ordinary citizens — the base of the pyramid of governance. In such a system, the citizens can have a say in decisions which affect them directly. It emphasizes democracy at the local level where common people can participate in governance through local bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities.

Ans 14. Two Inspiring Thoughts of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:

1. "Dream is not that which you see while sleeping; it is something that does not let you sleep."

2. "If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means 'First Attempt In Learning'. End is not the end, in fact E.N.D. means 'Effort Never Dies'. If you get 'no' as an answer, remember N.O. means 'Next Opportunity'. So let's be positive."

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Three Ways Citizens Participate in Democracy:

1. Voting in Elections: Citizens above 18 years participate in elections to choose their representatives. They vote for MPs at the national level and MLAs at the state level. This is the most basic and important form of participation.

2. Through Elected Representatives: Citizens can raise their concerns with their elected representatives (MPs and MLAs) who then bring these issues to the assemblies. Representatives speak for the people in Parliament and State Assemblies.

3. Participating in Local Governance: Citizens participate in grassroots democracy through local bodies like Panchayats (in villages) and Municipalities (in towns). They can attend Gram Sabha meetings, contest local elections, and have a say in local decisions that affect them directly. Ans 16. India as the World's Largest Democracy: India is called the world's largest democracy for the following reasons:

1. Largest Number of Voters: India has approximately 970 million voters (as of 2024), which is the highest number of voters in any country in the world.

2. Universal Adult Franchise: All Indian citizens above the age of 18 have the right to vote, regardless of their caste, religion, gender, or economic status.

3. Representative Democracy: India is a representative democracy where people elect their representatives through free and fair elections at multiple levels (local, state, and national).

4. Regular Elections: Elections are held regularly, and power transfers peacefully from one government to another based on people's votes. Ans 17. Role of Elected Representatives: Role of Elected Representatives:

1. They represent the people who elected them in the assemblies

2. They discuss laws, problems, and solutions in assemblies

3. They debate issues and try to convince each other when there are different opinions

4. They vote on laws and policies on behalf of the people

5. They raise the concerns and needs of their constituents in the government How They Are Chosen:

1. Through elections, people vote for candidates they want to represent them

2. Citizens above 18 years can vote

3. The candidate who gets the most votes wins

4. At the State level, they become MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly)

5. At the national level, they become MPs (Members of Parliament)

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Three Organs of Government, Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances: Three Organs of Government:

1. Legislature: • Makes new laws (legislates) • Updates or removes existing laws • In India: Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha) at national level, Vidhan Sabha at state level

2. Executive: • Implements or 'executes' the laws • Includes the head of state, ministers, and law enforcement agencies • In India: President + Prime Minister at national level, Governor + Chief Minister at state level

3. Judiciary: • System of courts that interprets laws • Decides if someone has broken the law and determines punishment • Examines if executive decisions are right and if laws are fair • In India: Supreme Court at national level, High Courts at state level Separation of Powers: The three organs are kept separate from each other. Each has distinct functions: • Legislature only makes laws • Executive only implements laws • Judiciary only interprets laws This prevents any one group from having too much power.

Checks and Balances: Each organ can check what the other is doing: • Judiciary can check if laws made by Legislature are constitutional • Judiciary can check if Executive actions are legal • Legislature can question the Executive through debates If one organ acts beyond its expected role, others can restore balance. Importance for Democracy:

1. Prevents concentration of power in one group

2. Protects citizens' rights from government overreach

3. Ensures fair and just governance

4. Prevents dictatorship and tyranny

5. Maintains accountability in government

6. Ensures that power is exercised responsibly

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19. Case Study - Mottos of Indian Institutions:
(a) Motto of Government of India: The motto of the Government of India is "Satyameva Jayate".
(b) Meaning of "Satyameva Jayate": "Satyameva Jayate" means "Truth alone triumphs".
(c) Motto of Supreme Court: The motto of the Supreme Court of India is "Yato Dharmastato Jayah" which means "Where there is dharma, there is victory."
(d) Significance of mottos: Mottos are significant because: • They guide the functioning of institutions • They remind institutions of their duties and responsibilities • They are inspired by ancient wisdom and texts • They set the moral and ethical direction for the institution • They inspire trust and confidence in the institution among people Ans 20. Case Study - Class Picnic Voting:

(a) Two options: The class was choosing between two possible places for the picnic — Place A and Place B.
(b) Factors discussed before voting: The class discussed the following factors: • Distance • Time required • Cost • Availability of basic facilities
(c) How final decision was made: The final decision was made through voting. Students in favour of Place A raised their hands, then students in favour of Place B raised their hands. The option that got more raised hands (larger number of votes) was selected.

(d) Type of democracy: This is an example of Direct Democracy. In direct democracy, every person's (student's) opinion is directly taken to make a decision. There are no representatives — everyone participates and votes directly.