17 multiple-choice (MCQ / objective) questions from this chapter, in every exam-style shape used in the paper. Every question comes with an explanation along with the answer, so you remember why the option is correct, not just which one it is.
1 Direct Questions
Direct Questions
- 1 markWhich of the following is NOT one of the common images of politics?
(A) Public service(B) Manipulation and self-interest(C) What politicians do(D) Scientific research - 1 markWhich policies do governments determine?
(A) Only economic policy(B) Economic, foreign and educational policy(C) Only religious policy(D) Only military policy - 1 markIn which century did Plato and Aristotle debate monarchy versus democracy?
(A) Third century BC(B) Fifth century AD(C) Fifth century BC(D) Tenth century AD - 1 markWhat did Karl Marx argue was as crucial as freedom?
(A) Property(B) Language(C) Religion(D) Equality - 1 markWhich practice does the chapter on Rights in the Indian Constitution abolish?
(A) Untouchability(B) Child marriage(C) Dowry(D) Sati - 1 markWhat was Socrates described as in Athens?
(A) The wealthiest man(B) The wisest man(C) The most powerful ruler(D) The youngest leader - 1 markWhich question does Socrates examine in The Republic?
(A) What is power?(B) What is justice?(C) What is freedom?(D) What is religion? - 1 markWhat do words like equality concern?
(A) Objects(B) Money(C) Our relationships with other human beings(D) Geography
2 Assertion-Reason
Assertion-Reason
- 1 markAssertion (A): Politics is confined to the affairs of government.
Reason (R): People’s negotiations and demonstrations are also considered political activity.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A(C) A is true, R is false(D) A is false, R is true - 1 markAssertion (A): Political theory has many definitions of equality.
Reason (R): Mathematics also has many definitions of a triangle.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A(C) A is true, R is false(D) A is false, R is true
3 Match the Following
Match the Following
- 1 markMatch the following:
1. Socrates 2. Plato 3. Cephalus 4. Polemarchus
(i) The friend who finally accepts Socrates’ argument (ii) The first dialogue partner, whose understanding proved inadequate (iii) The book’s author, Socrates’ student (iv) The character who exposes limitations through reason
(A) 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iii, 4-iv(B) 1-iv, 2-iii, 3-ii, 4-i(C) 1-iii, 2-i, 3-iv, 4-ii(D) 1-ii, 2-iv, 3-i, 4-iii
4 Statement-Based Questions
Statement-Based Questions
- 1 markStatement I: Separate counters for the old and disabled are unjust.
Statement II: Equal opportunity alone is enough for equality, fairness is not needed.
(A) Both statements are true(B) Statement I is true, Statement II is false(C) Statement I is false, Statement II is true(D) Both statements are false - 1 markStatement I: The right to information was given through a new law.
Statement II: Global communication technology benefits only activists, not criminals.
(A) Both statements are true(B) Statement I is true, Statement II is false(C) Statement I is false, Statement II is true(D) Both statements are false
5 Arrange in the Correct Order
Arrange in the Correct Order
- 1 markArrange these thinkers/events in the correct chronological order:
(i) Rousseau arguing for freedom as a fundamental right of humankind
(ii) The adoption of the Indian Constitution
(iii) The Plato-Aristotle monarchy-versus-democracy debate
(iv) Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj
(A) iii, i, iv, ii(B) i, iii, iv, ii(C) iii, iv, i, ii(D) ii, iv, i, iii
6 Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the Blanks
- 1 markPolitics envelops us like the coils of a _______.
(A) Rope(B) Chain(C) Snake(D) Wire
7 Passage-Based Questions
Passage-Based Questions
Passage
You may have noticed that people often jump the queue in shops or doctor’s waiting rooms or government offices. Sometimes, those who do so are told to get back in line and we feel glad. Sometimes, they get ahead and we feel cheated. We resent this because we all want equal opportunity to get goods and services for which we are paying. So when we reflect on our experience, we understand that equality means equal opportunity for all. At the same time, if there are separate counters for the old and disabled, we understand that such special treatment may be justified.
- 1 markAccording to the passage, what do we understand equality to mean from the experience of queue-jumping?
(A) Equal opportunity for all(B) Opportunity only for the rich(C) No opportunity at all(D) Opportunity only for the elderly
8 True / False
True / False
- 1 markConsider the following statements.
(i) The right to livelihood has been included in the right to life.
(ii) Fundamental rights in the Constitution have never been expanded.
(A) Only (i) is true(B) Both are true(C) Only (ii) is true(D) Both are false
Answer Key and Explanations
Direct Questions
- (D) Scientific research is not part of any popular image of politics discussed in the chapter, the other three are.
- (B) According to the text, governments determine economic policy, foreign policy and educational policy.
- (C) As far back as the fifth century BC, Plato and Aristotle discussed this with their students.
- (D) Karl Marx argued that equality was as crucial as freedom.
- (A) The chapter on Rights in the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability in any form.
- (B) Socrates was described as the ‘wisest man’.
- (B) Socrates examines the question, ‘what is justice?’
- (C) Terms like equality concern our relationships with other human beings rather than with things.
Assertion-Reason
- (D) A is false, politics is not confined to government. R is true, people’s negotiations and demonstrations are also part of politics.
- (C) A is true. R is false, mathematics has only one definition of a triangle.
Match the Following
- (B) Socrates exposes limitations through reason (iv); Plato is the book’s author and Socrates’ student (iii); Cephalus is the first dialogue partner, whose understanding proved inadequate (ii); Polemarchus finally accepts Socrates’ argument (i).
Statement-Based Questions
- (D) Statement I is false, such special treatment is considered justified. Statement II is also false, equality must also include fairness.
- (B) Statement I is true. Statement II is false, this technology also gives terrorists and criminals the ability to network.
Arrange in the Correct Order
- (A) First the Plato-Aristotle debate (fifth century BC, iii), then Rousseau in modern times (i), then Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj (iv), and last the adoption of the Indian Constitution, which drew on all these ideas (ii).
Fill in the Blanks
- (C) Gandhi said that politics envelops us like the coils of a snake.
Passage-Based Questions
- (A) According to the passage, we understand that equality means equal opportunity for all.
True / False
- (A) Statement (i) is true. Statement (ii) is false, fundamental rights have been expanded over time.
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