Authority — Class 9 MCQs with Answers
Class 9 CBSE Social Science · Chapter 14
72 practice questions · 24 Easy · 24 Medium · 24 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 9 CBSE Social Science questions from Chapter 14, "Authority". You get 9 timed quizzes made from 72 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE Board exams apart.
To score well in "Authority", 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 trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, 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 Authority, 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 9 Social Science mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Authority (Class 9 Social Science)
Every society needs some way of taking decisions that bind everyone, and that raises the question of who may rightfully do so. This chapter distinguishes power from authority, examines what makes authority legitimate, compares forms of government and explains the rule of law.
- Power
- The ability to make others act in a particular way, whether or not they accept that it is right.
- Authority
- Power that is accepted as rightful, so that people obey because they believe the holder is entitled to command.
- Legitimacy
- The belief that a ruler or institution has the right to rule; without it, government must rely on force and becomes unstable.
- Sources of legitimacy
- Tradition, personal charisma, and legal-rational rules such as a constitution, which is the basis of authority in modern states.
Authority — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 9 Social Science)
14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 58 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
What is meant by 'authority'?
A.The recognised right to give orders and expect obedience✓ CorrectB.The amount of money a person ownsC.The use of physical force to make people obeyD.The number of people living in a countryAnswer: A. The recognised right to give orders and expect obedience
Explanation: Authority is the accepted or recognised right to make decisions, give commands and expect them to be obeyed.
- Q2Easy
What does 'legitimacy' mean in the context of authority?
A.The wealth held by a rulerB.The acceptance that authority is rightful and proper✓ CorrectC.The size of an armyD.The age of a leaderAnswer: B. The acceptance that authority is rightful and proper
Explanation: Legitimacy is the belief that authority is rightful and proper, which makes people willingly obey it.
- Q3Easy
In a democracy, where does the ultimate authority lie?
A.With the people✓ CorrectB.With the army aloneC.With a single hereditary kingD.With foreign rulersAnswer: A. With the people
Explanation: In a democracy, ultimate authority rests with the people, who choose their representatives through elections.
- Q4Easy
What is the highest authority or supreme law of India?
A.The Constitution of India✓ CorrectB.The wishes of the richest personC.A newspaper editorialD.The orders of a single ministerAnswer: A. The Constitution of India
Explanation: The Constitution of India is the highest authority and supreme law, from which all other laws and powers derive.
- Q5Easy
Why do societies need authority?
A.To make some people richer than othersB.To maintain order and help people live together peacefully✓ CorrectC.To stop people from going to schoolD.To increase the number of festivalsAnswer: B. To maintain order and help people live together peacefully
Explanation: Authority helps maintain order, settle disputes and allow people to live together peacefully by providing accepted rules.
- Q6Easy
What is meant by 'power'?
A.The ability to make others do what they otherwise might not do✓ CorrectB.The right to vote in electionsC.The duty to pay taxesD.The freedom to travel anywhereAnswer: A. The ability to make others do what they otherwise might not do
Explanation: Power is the capacity or ability to influence or control the behaviour of others, even against their wishes.
- Q7Medium
A school prefect is allowed by the principal to manage the lunch queue and students follow her instructions. This is an example of authority because:
A.She is the tallest student in the schoolB.She threatens the students with violenceC.She pays the students to obey herD.Her right to give instructions is recognised and accepted by others✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Her right to give instructions is recognised and accepted by others
Explanation: It is authority because her right to manage the queue is granted by the principal and accepted by the students, not based on force.
- Q8Medium
A ruler controls people only by fear of punishment, with no public acceptance. According to the difference between power and authority, this ruler has:
A.Neither power nor any controlB.Legitimate authority but no powerC.Both full legitimacy and consentD.Power but little legitimate authority✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Power but little legitimate authority
Explanation: Controlling people only through fear shows power without legitimacy; authority requires acceptance, not just force.
- Q9Medium
In an absolute monarchy compared with a democracy, authority is mainly different because:
A.In both, authority comes equally from electionsB.In an absolute monarchy authority is inherited and concentrated, while in a democracy it comes from the people and is distributed✓ CorrectC.In a democracy authority is always inheritedD.In an absolute monarchy authority belongs to the votersAnswer: B. In an absolute monarchy authority is inherited and concentrated, while in a democracy it comes from the people and is distributed
Explanation: An absolute monarch holds inherited, concentrated authority, whereas in a democracy authority flows from the people and is distributed among institutions.
- Q10Medium
If a powerful minister breaks a law and is tried in court like any other citizen, this best demonstrates:
A.That ministers are above the lawB.The rule of law, under which everyone is equal before the law✓ CorrectC.That the courts have no authorityD.That laws apply only to ordinary peopleAnswer: B. The rule of law, under which everyone is equal before the law
Explanation: When even powerful officials are tried like everyone else, it shows the rule of law and equality of all before the law.
- Q11Medium
A robber points a knife and demands money, while a traffic police officer signals a driver to stop. What is the key difference in how each gets obedience?
A.Neither uses force or authorityB.The officer uses force, while the robber has legitimate authorityC.The robber uses force, while the officer exercises legitimate authority✓ CorrectD.Both rely equally on legitimacyAnswer: C. The robber uses force, while the officer exercises legitimate authority
Explanation: The robber compels through force, while the traffic officer is obeyed because of recognised, lawful authority.
- Q12Hard
A retired army general continues to be obeyed in his village partly because of his old rank, partly because villagers admire his personality, and partly because he heads a registered cooperative society. His authority is best described as:
A.Purely traditionalB.Purely coerciveC.A mix of traditional, charismatic and legal-rational sources✓ CorrectD.Based only on inherited wealthAnswer: C. A mix of traditional, charismatic and legal-rational sources
Explanation: Real-life authority often blends sources; here custom/respect for rank (traditional), personal admiration (charismatic) and a registered office (legal-rational) all combine.
- Q13Hard
A government has the power to enforce a deeply unpopular order using the police, but most citizens believe the order is unjust and refuse to cooperate. This situation best shows that:
A.Power without legitimacy can struggle to secure lasting obedience✓ CorrectB.Power and legitimacy are always present togetherC.Citizens can never resist any government orderD.Legitimacy is unnecessary if a government has powerAnswer: A. Power without legitimacy can struggle to secure lasting obedience
Explanation: Even with the power to enforce, a government that lacks legitimacy struggles to secure willing, lasting obedience from citizens.
- Q14Hard
Compared with a dictatorship, a key reason a democracy is considered better at limiting the abuse of authority is that it:
A.Relies on regular elections, free expression and institutions that check one another✓ CorrectB.Removes the need for any ConstitutionC.Concentrates all power in one trusted leaderD.Prevents citizens from ever criticising the governmentAnswer: A. Relies on regular elections, free expression and institutions that check one another
Explanation: Democracies limit abuse through elections, free expression and mutually checking institutions, whereas dictatorships concentrate power without such checks.
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Start this chapter free →Authority — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 9 Social Science Authority?+
Every society needs some way of taking decisions that bind everyone, and that raises the question of who may rightfully do so. This chapter distinguishes power from authority, examines what makes authority legitimate, compares forms of government and explains the rule of law. Key ideas include Power, Authority, Legitimacy, Sources of legitimacy.
What does Class 9 Social Science Chapter 14 (Authority) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 72 NCERT-based MCQs on "Authority": 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Together they make 9 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 "Authority" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Authority" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Authority" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 9 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 "Authority" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Authority" 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 Authority (Class 9 Social Science)?+
The questions that matter most test Power, Authority, Legitimacy, Sources of legitimacy. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 72 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Authority?+
Yes — Class 9 Social Science Authority 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.