Power Sharing — Class 10 MCQs with Answers
Class 10 CBSE Civics · Chapter 1
62 practice questions · 20 Easy · 22 Medium · 20 Hard · Updated
Jump to the 6 solved questions
Practise the most important Class 10 CBSE Civics questions from Chapter 1, "Power Sharing". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 62 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 20 Easy, 22 Medium and 20 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.
To score well in "Power Sharing", focus on dates, cause and effect, and reading maps and sources. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Power Sharing, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 10 Civics mastery score. Try the 6 sample questions below: tap an option to see the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Power Sharing — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 Civics)
6 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. Tap an option to check yourself.
0 of 6 answered
- Q1 of 6Easy
Belgium's two main linguistic communities are:
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Answer: Dutch and French
Explanation: Flemish (Dutch) and Walloon (French).
- Q2 of 6Easy
Sharing of power among different organs of government like the legislature, executive and judiciary is called:
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Answer: Horizontal distribution of power
Explanation: Organs at the same level share power horizontally, allowing them to check one another.
- Q3 of 6Medium
Which statement best captures why one-person or one-group rule is undesirable in a democracy?
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Answer: It concentrates power, ignores other groups and can become oppressive
Explanation: The chapter says that in a good democratic government due respect is given to diverse groups and views and everyone has a voice in shaping public policies, and that the tyranny of the majority is oppressive for the minority; concentrating power in one person or group goes against this.
- Q4 of 6Medium
'Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups.' This statement reflects which type of reasoning?
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Answer: Prudential reasoning
Explanation: Prudential reasons stress that power sharing produces good outcomes like reduced conflict and greater stability.
- Q5 of 6Hard
Sri Lanka's majoritarian policy led to:
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Answer: Civil war between Sinhalese and Tamils
Explanation: Tamil grievances triggered prolonged civil conflict.
- Q6 of 6Hard
Read the passage and answer the question. In a democracy, we find interest groups, such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in governmental power. According to the chapter, how do such groups get a share in governmental power?
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Answer: Through government committees or by influencing decisions
Explanation: The chapter says interest groups share governmental power either through participation in governmental committees or by bringing influence on the decision-making process.
Power Sharing notes: key concepts (Class 10 Civics)
Using the contrasting stories of Belgium and Sri Lanka, this chapter shows why sharing power is desirable in a democracy. Belgium accommodated its communities and stayed united; Sri Lanka's majoritarianism bred conflict. It also classifies the forms power sharing takes and the prudential and moral reasons for it.
| Belgium | Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Main language groups | Dutch 59%, French 40% | Sinhala 74%, Tamil 18% |
| Key step | Constitution amended four times, 1970–93 | 1956 Act: Sinhala the only official language |
| Federal division of power | Done | Refused |
| Approach | Respected the feelings and interests of all communities | Asserted a single language and faith (majoritarianism) |
| Result | Unity preserved | Mistrust and civil war |
- 1948Sri Lanka becomes an independent country
- 1956Act recognises Sinhala as the only official language
- By the 1980sPolitical organisations formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam
- 2009The civil war comes to an end
| Form | Shared among | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal | Legislature, executive, judiciary | Supreme Court can declare a law passed by Parliament unconstitutional |
| Vertical | Union, state and local governments | Government of India and Government of Maharashtra |
| Among social groups | Religious, linguistic and community groups | Belgium's community government; reserved constituencies |
| Among parties and pressure groups | Parties, coalitions, pressure groups | Coalition government in Germany after the 2005 elections |
| Prudential | Moral | |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Careful calculation of gains and losses | Power sharing as valuable in itself |
| Argument | Reduces conflict between social groups; ensures stability | The very spirit of democracy; citizens' right to be consulted |
| Example | Power to panchayats reduces corruption, increases efficiency | Rule shared with those who live with its effects |
- Belgium model
- Between 1970-93 Belgium amended its constitution four times so that Dutch, French and German speakers share power equally at central, state and community levels.
- Community government
- A Belgian innovation: a government elected by people of one language group (Dutch, French, German) that controls cultural, educational and language matters.
- Brussels tension
- In the capital Brussels, French speakers are a majority though Dutch speakers form the majority in Belgium overall — a source of special tension.
- Sri Lanka majoritarianism
- The Sinhala majority (about 74%) used its numbers to dominate; the 1956 Act made Sinhala the sole official language, sidelining Tamils.
- Sri Lankan Tamils
- Tamil-speakers native to Sri Lanka's north and east; their grievances over language, jobs and religion grew into a demand for autonomy and a civil war.
- Horizontal power sharing
- Power shared among organs of government — legislature, executive and judiciary — at the same level, with each checking the others (separation of powers).
- Vertical power sharing
- Power shared among levels of government — Union, state and local bodies — where higher and lower levels each have defined authority (federal division).
- Sharing among social groups
- Space in power for religious, linguistic and community groups, e.g. Belgium's community government or reserved constituencies, so minorities are not shut out.
- Sharing among parties/pressure groups
- Competition among parties, coalitions and pressure groups spreads power so no single group holds it permanently; e.g. alliance governments.
- Prudential reason
- Power sharing is wise because it reduces conflict between social groups and lowers the risk of instability, tyranny of the majority and violence.
- Moral reason
- Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy — legitimate rule involves those affected by it — and would hold even if it yielded no practical benefit.
- Majoritarianism
- The belief that the majority community should rule as it wishes, ignoring the minority; it can undermine national unity, as Sri Lanka shows.
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Power Sharing — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 10 Civics Power Sharing?+
Using the contrasting stories of Belgium and Sri Lanka, this chapter shows why sharing power is desirable in a democracy. Belgium accommodated its communities and stayed united; Sri Lanka's majoritarianism bred conflict. It also classifies the forms power sharing takes and the prudential and moral reasons for it. Key ideas include Belgium model, Community government, Brussels tension, Sri Lanka majoritarianism, Sri Lankan Tamils, Horizontal power sharing.
What does Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 (Power Sharing) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 62 NCERT-based MCQs on "Power Sharing": 20 Easy, 22 Medium and 20 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Power Sharing" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Power Sharing" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 10 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 11 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Power Sharing" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Power Sharing" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 6 sample questions are on this page with answers: tap an option, or "Show answer", to see the correct option and a step-by-step explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Power Sharing" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Power Sharing (Class 10 Civics)?+
The questions that matter most test Belgium model, Community government, Brussels tension, Sri Lanka majoritarianism, Sri Lankan Tamils, Horizontal power sharing. This page shows 6 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 62 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Is there an online quiz for Power Sharing?+
Yes — Class 10 Civics Power Sharing has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.
Are there question answers and extra questions for Power Sharing (Class 10 Civics)?+
Yes. This page has 6 solved questions on Power Sharing, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Sign in to practise all 62 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Are there assertion–reason and case study questions for Power Sharing (Class 10 Civics)?+
Yes. The Power Sharing question bank has 7 assertion–reason questions and 2 case-based (case study) questions in the CBSE board format, alongside the regular MCQs. Each comes with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in to practise them in timed quizzes.