In the questions given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Asertion (A).
b. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
c. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
1. Assertion: The Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities.
Reason: Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their Constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Belgian leaders amended the Constitution several times to accommodate different linguistic and regional communities peacefully.
2. Assertion: Community government in Belgium is elected by one language community.
Reason: Community government helped in resolving conflict between different linguistic groups.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
The community government represents a single language group and helped reduce tensions among communities.
3. Assertion: French-speaking community in Belgium was rich and powerful.
Reason: Belgian Government favoured French-speaking community.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
The French-speaking minority enjoyed economic and political advantages in Belgium.
4. Assertion: Majority community is dominant in a few democratic states.
Reason: Dominance can undermine the unity of the country.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Dominance by the majority can create conflicts and threaten national unity.
5. Assertion: The Belgian Constitution was amended by its leaders four times.
Reason: It was amended so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
The constitutional amendments ensured accommodation and peaceful coexistence among communities.
6. Assertion: The distrust between Sinhalese and Tamil communities turned into widespread conflict in Sri Lanka.
Reason: The 1956 Act recognised Sinhala as the only official language.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
The Sinhala Only Act increased tensions and discrimination against Tamils.
7. Assertion: Sri Lanka adopted Sinhala as the only official language of the state.
Reason: The government of Sri Lanka wanted to foster their culture, language and religion.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
The Sinhala-majority government promoted Sinhala language and Buddhist culture.
8. Assertion: There was a feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.
Reason: The Sri Lankan Government denied them equal political rights and discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Discrimination in education, jobs and political rights created alienation among Tamils.
9. Assertion: Power-sharing is good.
Reason: It helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts between social groups.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Power-sharing promotes harmony and stability in diverse societies.
10. Assertion: In a democracy, everyone has voice in the shaping of public policies.
Reason: India has federal system.
Answer:
b. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Democracy ensures participation, while federalism is only one feature of India’s political system.
11. Assertion: Sri Lanka adopted Tamil as the official language of the state.
Reason: The Government of Sri Lanka adopted a series of majoritarian measures.
Answer:
d. Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true.
Explanation:
Sri Lanka adopted Sinhala, not Tamil, as the official language.
12. Assertion: Tyranny of majority is highly desirable.
Reason: It helps in making the political order more stable.
Answer:
d. Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is false.
Explanation:
Tyranny of majority creates social conflict and weakens democracy.
13. Assertion: In Belgium, the leaders realized that the unity of the country is possible by respecting the feelings and interest of different communities.
Reason: Belgium favoured Dutch-speaking community.
Answer:
c. Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
Explanation:
Belgium tried to balance the interests of all communities rather than favouring one group.
14. Assertion: Power should reside with one person and group located at one place in a democracy.
Reason: If power is dispersed, it will not be possible to take decisions quickly and enforce them.
Answer:
d. Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) may be partially true.
Explanation:
Democracy supports decentralization and sharing of power to avoid misuse and ensure participation.
15. Assertion: Belgium and Sri Lanka both faced ethnic tension among different communities.
Reason: Both the countries resolved the conflict by power-sharing arrangement which gave equal representation to all the communities.
Answer:
c. Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
Explanation:
Belgium resolved conflicts through power-sharing, but Sri Lanka failed to do so effectively.
16. Assertion: Sinhala was recognized as the only official language of Sri Lanka.
Reason: The government of Sri Lanka wanted to establish the supremacy of Sinhala community.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
The Sinhala Only Act reflected majoritarian policies in Sri Lanka.
17. Assertion: Power-sharing is good.
Reason: It leads to ethnic tension.
Answer:
c. Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
Explanation:
Power-sharing reduces social conflict instead of creating tension.
18. Assertion: Power can be shared among governments at different levels – a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level.
Reason: Such a general government for the entire country is usually called federal government.
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Federalism involves division of powers between central and regional governments.
19. Assertion: In Belgium, the Dutch community could take advantage of its numeric majority and force its will on the French and German-speaking population.
Reason: In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community enjoyed an even bigger majority and could impose its will on the entire country.
Answer:
b. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Belgium avoided domination through accommodation, while Sri Lanka experienced majoritarian dominance.
20. Assertion: Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1946.
Reason: The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority.
Answer:
d. Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is true.
Explanation:
Sri Lanka became independent in 1948, not 1946.
21. Assertion: Although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
Reason: The arrangement of monarchy is called a system of checks and balances.
Answer:
c. Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
Explanation:
The judiciary checks the executive and legislature under the system of checks and balances, not monarchy.
22. Assertion: Sri Lanka has a diverse population.
Reason: The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74%) and Tamil-speakers (18%).
Answer:
a. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation:
Sri Lanka has multiple linguistic and ethnic groups, making it a diverse society.