POLITICAL SCIENCE
20 Extremely Hard & Tricky MCQs
1. In Belgium, Brussels was a special problem because:
a) It had no government
b) Dutch speakers were majority in the country but minority in the capital
c) It was a French colony earlier
d) None of these
2. Which of these is a prudential reason for power-sharing?
a) Reduces conflict among communities
b) It is a moral duty
c) Increases concentration of power
d) Prevents democratic functioning
3. The Sri Lankan Tamil demand for Tamil Eelam arose mainly due to:
a) Cultural domination by Muslims
b) Economic backwardness
c) Discrimination and denial of rights
d) Influence of French colonialism
4. “Separation of powers” in India ensures:
a) Vertical power-sharing
b) Horizontal power-sharing
c) Reserved constituencies
d) Coalition governments
5. The Lebanese system of reserving posts for religious groups is an example of:
a) Horizontal distribution
b) Vertical division
c) Community power-sharing
d) Centralization
6. Match the following:
1. Federal Government A. India’s Union and State
2. Community Government B. Belgium
3. Separation of Powers C. Judiciary and Legislature
4. Coalition Government D. Germany (Grand Coalition)
7. Which of the following illustrates vertical power-sharing?
a) Central and State governments
b) Parliament and Judiciary
c) President and Prime Minister
d) Political parties and pressure groups
8. What does “tyranny of the majority” mean?
a) Rule by military
b) Disregard for minority rights
c) Democracy without elections
d) Centralization of power
9. The concept of “Checks and Balances” is aimed to:
a) Speed up governance
b) Distribute power at multiple levels
c) Prevent misuse of power
d) Ensure one party rule
10. The Sri Lankan Constitution preferred:
a) Equal representation of Tamils
b) Federalism
c) Sinhala supremacy
d) Minority rule
11. Which of these countries demonstrates a unitary system?
a) India
b) Belgium
c) Sri Lanka (post 1956 policies)
d) USA
12. Which type of power-sharing exists in Panchayati Raj?
a) Vertical
b) Horizontal
c) Coalition-based
d) None
13. Coalition government helps in:
a) Single-party dominance
b) Inclusive governance
c) Undivided power
d) Centralization
14. The best example of community-based power-sharing is seen in:
a) Sri Lanka
b) Belgium
c) Myanmar
d) Russia
15. The 1956 Sinhala Only Act was criticized because:
a) It promoted multilingualism
b) It disregarded Tamil rights
c) It introduced Buddhism as official religion
d) It ended Sri Lanka’s democracy
16. In a democracy, power belongs to:
a) Government officials
b) Judiciary
c) Citizens
d) President
17. In Belgium, which community was relatively rich and powerful?
a) Dutch-speaking
b) German-speaking
c) French-speaking
d) Both (a) and (b)
18. Which of these forms is NOT a power-sharing arrangement?
a) Judiciary checking Parliament
b) Central Government imposing all decisions on States
c) Pressure groups influencing decisions
d) Reserved constituencies
19. Which country’s power-sharing model prevents division along linguistic lines?
a) India
b) Belgium
c) Sri Lanka
d) Nepal
20. In a coalition government, power is shared among:
a) Pressure groups
b) Two or more political parties
c) Judiciary and Legislature
d) Only the Prime Minister
Answer Key for MCQs
1. b
2. a
3. c
4. b
5. c
6. 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D
7. a
8. b
9. c
10. c
11. c
12. a
13. b
14. b
15. b
16. c
17. c
18. b
19. b
20. b
50 Hard Competency-Based Questions
1. Why was power-sharing adopted in Belgium despite its complexity? Explain using
the concept of “unity through diversity.”
2. Analyze how the Sinhala majority’s policies in Sri Lanka contradicted democratic
principles.
3. Compare the Belgian model of power-sharing with the Sri Lankan majoritarian
model. What lessons can India draw from both?
4. Why do you think the Belgian leaders amended the Constitution four times? What
does it show about their approach to governance?
5. Evaluate the role of “Community Government” in Belgium. How does it strengthen
democracy?
6. Sri Lanka recognized Buddhism in its Constitution. How could this affect secularism
in a diverse society?
7. If Sri Lanka had adopted a federal system like Belgium, how might its history have
been different?
8. Why does “tyranny of the majority” harm even the majority community?
9. Suggest an alternate system for Lebanon other than the sectarian model. Justify your
answer.
10. Discuss the significance of “horizontal power-sharing” with an example from India.
11. In the case of Belgium, why was it essential for Dutch and French-speaking ministers
to be equal in number?
12. Explain how power-sharing prevents “civil strife” using examples from the chapter.
13. Critically analyze the impact of Sri Lanka’s official language Act of 1956.
14. Do you agree that power-sharing strengthens rather than weakens a country? Argue
both sides.
15. Identify the type of power-sharing in coalition governments and its merits/demerits.
16. How did the Belgian model avoid “Brussels becoming a flashpoint”?
17. Why is federal division of power called “vertical power-sharing”?
18. Explain the difference between prudential and moral reasons for power-sharing with
examples.
19. Examine the effects of civil war in Sri Lanka on its economic growth.
20. Why do you think Brussels was chosen as the EU headquarters despite its internal
linguistic tensions?
21. Assess how pressure groups and movements influence power-sharing in democracies.
22. Belgium is smaller than Haryana but has 3 language groups. Why is diversity
management important even in small countries?
23. If India imposed Hindi as the sole official language, what consequences might
follow? Relate this to Sri Lanka.
24. How does power-sharing promote inclusive decision-making?
25. Is Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing model sustainable in the long run? Why/why
not?
26. How is separation of powers in India a check against arbitrariness?
27. Why did the Tamils demand an independent Tamil Eelam? Was it justified?
28. How does power-sharing accommodate weaker sections in Indian legislatures?
29. Examine the role of cultural identity in power-sharing disputes.
30. How would you solve Khalil’s dilemma in Lebanon’s political system?
31. Debate: “Decentralization of power leads to better governance.”
32. Why do you think majoritarianism leads to political instability in multi-ethnic
societies?
33. Give examples where lack of power-sharing led to national disintegration (world
examples).
34. How does coalition government prevent concentration of power?
35. Explain the difference between vertical and horizontal division of power.
36. Evaluate: “Power-sharing arrangements are often a compromise but necessary.”
37. Which principle of democracy justifies power-sharing most strongly?
38. Belgium succeeded in avoiding partition while Sri Lanka failed. Why?
39. Explain how the Panchayati Raj system reflects grassroots power-sharing.
40. Predict what would happen in India if only Parliament controlled all organs of
government.
41. What is the role of diversity in determining power-sharing needs?
42. Suggest power-sharing reforms for Myanmar or any autocratic country.
43. Why is decentralization necessary in geographically large countries?
44. Analyze why Lebanon’s leaders fixed posts for specific communities.
45. In modern democracies, why is coalition politics increasing?
46. Examine the impact of discrimination against minorities on nation-building.
47. Could Sri Lanka have avoided its civil war? Suggest a roadmap.
48. Discuss the merits and drawbacks of community-based power-sharing.
49. “Checks and balances are the backbone of democracy.” Explain.
50. Design a power-sharing model for a multi-ethnic country like Afghanistan.
GEOGRAPHY
20 Extremely Hard MCQs
1. Which of the following is not a criterion for classifying resources?
a) Origin
b) Ownership
c) Colour
d) Exhaustibility
2. Which statement about laterite soil is true?
a) Rich in humus in all conditions
b) Requires intensive fertilization for agriculture
c) Found only in Rajasthan
d) Ideal for wheat cultivation
3. Which human activity is not a cause of land degradation?
a) Overgrazing
b) Afforestation
c) Mining
d) Over-irrigation
4. The main objective of Agenda 21 is:
a) Industrialization of developing nations
b) Promote global sustainable development
c) Encourage mass production
d) Increase resource exploitation
5. Which type of soil develops deep cracks during hot weather?
a) Red Soil
b) Black Soil
c) Arid Soil
d) Laterite Soil
6. Which state has abundant water resources but lacks infrastructure?
a) Punjab
b) Chhattisgarh
c) Arunachal Pradesh
d) Rajasthan
7. Which of the following is a renewable resource?
a) Fossil fuels
b) Minerals
c) Solar energy
d) Coal
8. The Rio Earth Summit adopted:
a) Kyoto Protocol
b) Agenda 21
c) Paris Agreement
d) Forest Rights Act
9. Which of these practices helps in preventing soil erosion?
a) Sheet cropping
b) Strip cropping
c) Up and down ploughing
d) Leaving land barren
10. Which of these is an example of resource-rich but economically backward region?
a) Gujarat
b) Jharkhand
c) Punjab
d) Delhi
11. Forest soils are mostly found in:
a) Desert regions
b) River plains
c) Hilly and mountainous regions
d) Coastal plains
12. Which of the following is the least important factor in land use pattern?
a) Climate
b) Soil type
c) Population density
d) Shape of Parliament
13. Gullies formed by running water lead to:
a) Terrace farming
b) Badlands
c) Laterite soils
d) Shelter belts
14. Brundtland Commission Report introduced the concept of:
a) Sustainable development
b) Global warming
c) Desertification
d) Bio-diversity conservation
15. Which soil type is typical of the Deccan plateau?
a) Alluvial
b) Black soil
c) Red soil
d) Laterite soil
16. National Forest Policy recommends forest cover of:
a) 20%
b) 33%
c) 50%
d) 60%
17. Which state is well-endowed with solar and wind energy but lacks water resources?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Punjab
c) Rajasthan
d) Kerala
18. Which of these is not a cause of soil erosion?
a) Contour ploughing
b) Deforestation
c) Overgrazing
d) Mining
19. The phrase “production by masses” was advocated by:
a) Club of Rome
b) Schumacher
c) Mahatma Gandhi
d) Brundtland Commission
20. Which of the following states predominantly practices terrace cultivation?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Gujarat
c) Uttarakhand
d) Punjab
Answer Key (MCQs)
1. c
2. b
3. b
4. b
5. b
6. c
7. c
8. b
9. b
10. b
11. c
12. d
13. b
14. a
15. b
16. b
17. c
18. a
19. c
20. c
50 Hard Competency-Based Questions
1. Explain how resource planning is essential for sustainable development in India with
real-life examples.
2. Compare and contrast biotic and abiotic resources with examples. Why is this
classification important?
3. How did technological and institutional factors hinder development in resource-rich
regions of India?
4. Analyze Gandhiji’s quote: “There is enough for everybody’s need and not for
anybody’s greed” in the context of modern resource exploitation.
5. Examine how Agenda 21 promotes global cooperation for environmental
conservation.
6. Why is land use data in India available for only 93% of the geographical area?
7. Discuss why Punjab and Haryana have a very high net sown area, while Arunachal
Pradesh has less than 10%.
8. Predict the possible consequences if India fails to achieve the 33% forest cover target.
9. Suggest steps for balanced resource planning in a region like Rajasthan with abundant
solar energy but water scarcity.
10. “Resource-rich regions are often economically backward.” Explain this paradox using
Indian examples.
11. How did colonization affect the resource development of India?
12. If all fossil fuels were exhausted tomorrow, suggest how our transport systems would
function.
13. Explain how black soil’s physical and chemical properties make it ideal for cotton
cultivation.
14. Compare Khadar and Bangar soils and assess their agricultural potential.
15. Discuss the role of human activities in accelerating soil erosion in India.
16. Why do alluvial soils vary in fertility across regions? Support your answer with
examples.
17. Examine the factors causing land degradation in Madhya Pradesh and suggest
remedies.
18. Why is over-irrigation considered a cause of land degradation in Punjab?
19. Suggest measures to conserve resources in urban areas.
20. How does overgrazing contribute to desertification?
21. Discuss the significance of the Rio Earth Summit (1992) in shaping India’s
environmental policies.
22. Analyze why laterite soils require intensive management to grow crops.
23. Suggest a sustainable development plan for Ladakh, considering its isolation and
resource scarcity.
24. Evaluate how community participation in Panchayati Raj institutions promotes
conservation.
25. Explain the formation of alluvial soils in the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains.
26. Discuss why technological advancement alone is not enough for resource
development.
27. Compare arid soils of Rajasthan with red soils of the Deccan plateau.
28. Examine the effects of deforestation due to mining in Jharkhand.
29. Propose ways to manage the increasing salinity in Punjab and Haryana’s soils.
30. Suggest alternative cropping patterns for regions facing water scarcity.
31. Why are lateritic soils called “brick soils”? Discuss their importance in tropical
regions.
32. Assess the role of contour ploughing and terrace farming in soil conservation.
33. Analyze the statement: “India’s resource base is rich, yet unevenly distributed.”
34. Examine the reasons for the decline of permanent pastures in India.
35. Discuss the environmental impact of urban land expansion in India.
36. Predict what would happen if all cultivable waste land in India were reclaimed.
37. Explain how shelter belts help in desertification control.
38. Assess why certain regions with low resources are economically developed.
39. Explain why soil takes millions of years to form and minutes to destroy.
40. Suggest a plan to promote afforestation in states with low forest cover.
41. Compare the impact of sheet erosion and gully erosion on agricultural land.
42. Propose a resource conservation strategy for your state/district.
43. Assess why resource conservation must be both a national and local responsibility.
44. Evaluate the role of industrialization in land and water pollution.
45. Why is the Brundtland Commission Report (1987) important for environmental
planning?
46. Discuss the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources with Indian
examples.
47. Suggest sustainable ways to exploit mineral resources in Chhattisgarh.
48. Why is soil considered a living system?
49. Analyze the factors contributing to the low proportion of net sown area in Mizoram
and Manipur.
50. Explain how traditional Indian practices promoted sustainable resource use
