20 multiple-choice (MCQ / objective) questions from this chapter, in the common exam-style shapes. 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 markThe word ‘diversity’, as the chapter uses it, emphasises:
(A) differences rather than inequalities(B) economic differences alone(C) inequalities rather than differences(D) only religious differences - 1 markAccording to Max Weber’s definition quoted in the chapter, a state is a body that successfully claims a monopoly of:
(A) religious authority(B) legitimate force in a territory(C) taxation(D) international trade - 1 markAccording to Box 6.1, how do policies of assimilation treat the cultural differences between groups?
(A) They allow the differences to survive in the private domain(B) They give each group its own separate state(C) They apply only to government employees(D) They try to erode the differences, often by outright suppression of group identities - 1 markPotti Sriramulu’s fast unto death led to the creation of which State?
(A) Andhra Pradesh(B) Telangana(C) Tamil Nadu(D) Karnataka - 1 markThe States Reorganisation Commission’s report was implemented on:
(A) 15 August 1947(B) 1 November 1956(C) 26 January 1950(D) 1 January 2000 - 1 markAccording to the chapter, Pakistan was divided in 1971 because:
(A) Punjabi and Urdu speakers of the west did not respect Bengali sentiments in the east(B) the SRC recommended it(C) of a currency crisis(D) of a border war with India alone - 1 markBy the chapter’s own count, the Indian nation-state currently has:
(A) 25 States and 7 Union Territories(B) 30 States and 6 Union Territories(C) 29 States and 9 Union Territories(D) 28 States and 8 Union Territories - 1 markWho is described in the chapter as ‘the chief architect of the Constitution’?
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru(B) Dr B.R. Ambedkar(C) Rabindranath Tagore(D) Mahatma Gandhi - 1 markIn the South Asian sense the chapter uses, communalism is best described as:
(A) a neutral English word for community life(B) a synonym for secularism(C) an aggressive political ideology linked to religion(D) a term for religious festivals - 1 markUnder the Right to Information Act, 2005, a public authority is expected to reply to a request within:
(A) 7 days(B) 15 days(C) 30 days(D) 90 days
2 Assertion-Reason
Assertion-Reason
- 1 markAssertion (A): The sociological sense of ‘minority’ implies more than a numerical distinction.
Reason (R): In sociology, a minority usually involves some sense of relative disadvantage, and its members form a collectivity with a strong sense of group solidarity and belonging.
(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): Parsis and Sikhs are always economically disadvantaged as religious minorities.
Reason (R): A minority group can be disadvantaged in one sense (cultural, because of small numbers) but not in another (economic).
(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 box in Column A with what it contains in Column B.
(i) Box 6.1 (ii) Box 6.4 (iii) Box 6.6 (iv) Box 6.9
(1) The Right to Information Act (2) Ambedkar’s speech on minority protection (3) Assimilation and integration policies (4) Tagore on exclusive nationalism
(A) (i)-3, (ii)-4, (iii)-2, (iv)-1(B) (i)-1, (ii)-2, (iii)-3, (iv)-4(C) (i)-4, (ii)-3, (iii)-1, (iv)-2(D) (i)-2, (ii)-1, (iii)-4, (iv)-3 - 1 markMatch the community in Column A with its distribution fact in Column B (2011 Census, Box 6.5).
(i) Muslims (ii) Christians (iii) Sikhs (iv) Buddhists
(1) Majority in Punjab (58%) (2) Majority in Jammu and Kashmir (3) Majority in three North-Eastern States (4) Highest share in Sikkim (27%)
(A) (i)-4, (ii)-2, (iii)-3, (iv)-1(B) (i)-1, (ii)-2, (iii)-3, (iv)-4(C) (i)-2, (ii)-3, (iii)-1, (iv)-4(D) (i)-3, (ii)-1, (iii)-4, (iv)-2
4 Statement-Based Questions
Statement-Based Questions
- 1 markConsider the following statements:
(i) Cultural diversity and inequality mean exactly the same thing in the chapter.
(ii) Cultural diversity can become a challenge when tied to competition over scarce resources.
Which is/are correct?
(A) Only (i)(B) Both (i) and (ii)(C) Neither (i) nor (ii)(D) Only (ii) - 1 markConsider the following statements:
(i) The Indian Constitution declares India a secular state.
(ii) The Constitution completely bans religion and language from public life.
Which is/are correct?
(A) Only (i)(B) Only (ii)(C) Both (i) and (ii)(D) Neither (i) nor (ii)
5 Arrange in the Correct Order
Arrange in the Correct Order
- 1 markArrange these events in the order the chapter narrates them:
(i) Formation of Andhra Pradesh
(ii) Potti Sriramulu begins his fast unto death
(iii) The SRC gives final formal approval to linguistic states
(iv) The Indian National Congress reorganises its provincial units on linguistic lines
(A) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)(B) (ii), (iv), (iii), (i)(C) (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)(D) (iv), (i), (ii), (iii) - 1 markArrange these religious minorities from LARGEST to SMALLEST share of India’s population (2011 Census, Box 6.5):
(i) Sikhs
(ii) Muslims
(iii) Christians
(iv) Buddhists
(A) (ii), (i), (iii), (iv)(B) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)(C) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)(D) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
6 Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the Blanks
- 1 markTwenty-two languages have been officially recognised and placed under the ______ Schedule of the Constitution.
(A) 8th(B) 5th(C) 10th(D) 3rd
7 Passage-Based Questions
Passage-Based Questions
Passage
Policies of assimilation – often involving outright suppression of the identities of ethnic, religious or linguistic groups – try to erode the cultural differences between groups. Policies of integration seek to assert a single national identity by attempting to eliminate ethno-national and cultural differences from the public and political arena, while allowing them in the private domain. Both sets of policies assume a singular national identity. (Box 6.1, adapted from UNDP Human Development Report 2004)
- 1 markAccording to the passage, what do both assimilationist and integrationist policies ultimately assume?
(A) A fully federal structure(B) Equal representation for every group(C) Multiple official languages(D) A singular national identity
Answer Key and Explanations
Direct Questions
- (A) The chapter states plainly that ‘diversity’ emphasises differences rather than inequalities.
- (B) Weber’s definition (1970:78), quoted in the chapter, calls a state a body that successfully claims a monopoly of legitimate force in a particular territory.
- (D) Box 6.1 says policies of assimilation, often involving outright suppression of the identities of ethnic, religious or linguistic groups, try to erode the cultural differences between groups. Allowing differences in the private domain is integration, not assimilation.
- (A) Sriramulu began a fast unto death in October 1952 and died in December 1952; his martyrdom provoked violent protests and led to the creation of Andhra Pradesh.
- (B) The chapter states the SRC report was implemented on 1 November 1956.
- (A) The chapter states Pakistan divided because the Punjabi and Urdu speakers of its western wing would not respect the sentiments of the Bengalis in the east.
- (D) The chapter states there are currently 28 States (federal units) and 8 Union Territories.
- (B) The chapter names Dr B.R. Ambedkar as the chief architect of the Constitution.
- (C) The chapter defines communalism, in its South Asian sense, as an aggressive political ideology linked to religion.
- (C) The chapter states a public authority is expected to reply within thirty days under the RTI Act.
Assertion-Reason
- (A) Both are true, and R gives the book’s reason for A: the term carries relative disadvantage and collectivity, which is why a statistical minority such as left-handed people is not a sociological minority.
- (D) A is false: the chapter says Parsis or Sikhs may be relatively well-off economically. R is true: it is the book’s point that such anomalous cases exist.
Match the Following
- (A) Box 6.1 = assimilation/integration (3); Box 6.4 = Tagore (4); Box 6.6 = Ambedkar (2); Box 6.9 = RTI Act (1).
- (C) Muslims = majority in J&K (2); Christians = majority in three NE States (3); Sikhs = majority in Punjab (1); Buddhists = highest share in Sikkim (4).
Statement-Based Questions
- (D) Statement (i) is false: ‘diversity’ and ‘inequality’ are explicitly different ideas in the chapter. Statement (ii) is the chapter’s own point.
- (A) Statement (i) is correct. Statement (ii) is false: the chapter says religion and language are not banished from the public sphere in India.
Arrange in the Correct Order
- (C) Order: Congress reorganises on linguistic lines (1920s) -> Sriramulu’s fast -> Andhra Pradesh formed -> SRC’s final approval (1956).
- (B) By share: Muslims 14.2%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%.
Fill in the Blanks
- (A) The chapter names the 8th Schedule as guaranteeing legal status to 22 recognised languages.
Passage-Based Questions
- (D) The passage’s last line states both sets of policies assume a singular national identity.
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