Democracy and Diversity mcq

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - Chapter 3: Democracy and Diversity

This set of 30 questions covers the intersection of democracy, social differences, and divisions. It includes standard, assertion-reasoning, and case-based questions aligned with the CBSE exam pattern.

Standard MCQs (1 Mark Each)

Choose the single correct option for questions 1 to 15.

The Civil Rights Movement in the USA was aimed at:

(a) Giving more power to the whites

(b) Abolishing legal racial discrimination against African-Americans

(c) Promoting capitalism

(d) Establishing a dictatorship

Answer: (b) Abolishing legal racial discrimination against African-Americans
Explanation: The Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968) was a struggle for social justice to end racial segregation and discrimination against black people and secure equal rights under the law.
The athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised the issue of:

(a) Gender discrimination

(b) Religious intolerance

(c) Racial discrimination

(d) Economic inequality

Answer: (c) Racial discrimination
Explanation: At the 1968 Mexico Olympics, the African-American athletes gave the Black Power salute during the medal ceremony to protest against racial discrimination in the USA.
Social differences are mostly based on:

(a) Accident of birth

(b) Our own choices

(c) Both (a) and (b)

(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Answer: (c) Both (a) and (b)
Explanation: Some social differences are based on birth (e.g., gender, race, caste). Others are based on our choices (e.g., religion, occupation, cultural interests).
Which of the following is a positive expression of social division?

(a) Civil War

(b) Genocide

(c) Women's struggle for voting rights

(d) Racial riots

Answer: (c) Women's struggle for voting rights
Explanation: Struggles by marginalized groups (like women) for equality and justice within the democratic system are positive expressions. They make democracy more inclusive.
In Northern Ireland, the population is divided into two major sects of Christianity:

(a) Hindus and Muslims

(b) Protestants and Catholics

(c) Buddhists and Christians

(d) Shias and Sunnis

Answer: (b) Protestants and Catholics
Explanation: The conflict in Northern Ireland is between Unionists (mostly Protestants) who want to remain with the UK, and Nationalists (mostly Catholics) who want to join the Republic of Ireland.
Which of these statements about social divisions is FALSE?

(a) Democracy involves competition among various political parties.

(b) Social divisions affect voting in most countries.

(c) All social differences lead to social divisions.

(d) It is possible for people from different religions to have the same caste.

Answer: (c) All social differences lead to social divisions.
Explanation: Not all social differences lead to divisions. Divisions occur only when social differences overlap with other conflicts (like class, power) and are perceived as resulting in discrimination.
The ‘Black Power’ movement emerged in the USA during:

(a) 1950s

(b) 1960s

(c) 1970s

(d) 1980s

Answer: (b) 1960s
Explanation: The Black Power movement, advocating racial pride and self-sufficiency, gained prominence in the mid-1960s as a more radical strand of the Civil Rights Movement.
Which of these factors is crucial in deciding the outcome of politics of social divisions?

(a) How people perceive their identities

(b) How political leaders raise the demands of any community

(c) How the government reacts to demands of different groups

(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above
Explanation: The outcome depends on multiple factors: whether people see their identity as singular or multiple, whether demands are made within the constitutional framework, and the government's response.
Overlapping social differences create possibilities of:

(a) Peaceful co-existence

(b) Deep social divisions and tensions

(c) Economic growth

(d) Cultural assimilation

Answer: (b) Deep social divisions and tensions
Explanation: When social differences overlap (e.g., one kind of social difference becomes aligned with another, like race with poverty), it creates a division between 'us' and 'them', leading to conflict.
Cross-cutting social differences are easier to:

(a) Accommodate

(b) Ignore

(c) Create conflict

(d) Eliminate

Answer: (a) Accommodate
Explanation: In cross-cutting differences, groups share common interests on one issue but are on different sides on another (e.g., Catholics and Protestants are both poor). This makes tensions less likely and accommodation easier.
Which of the following is an example of cross-cutting social differences?

(a) In Northern Ireland, class and religion overlap.

(b) In the Netherlands, class and religion tend to cut across each other.

(c) In the USA, Blacks tend to be poor and homeless.

(d) In India, Dalits are mostly Hindus.

Answer: (b) In the Netherlands, class and religion tend to cut across each other.
Explanation: In the Netherlands, Catholics and Protestants are equally likely to be rich or poor. This cross-cutting of religious and class differences reduces conflict potential.
‘Homogeneous society’ is a society that has:

(a) Similar kinds of people

(b) Different kinds of people

(c) Racial discrimination

(d) No democracy

Answer: (a) Similar kinds of people
Explanation: A homogeneous society has fewer significant ethnic, linguistic, or cultural differences among its people. Germany and Sweden are often cited as examples.
The idea of ‘Black Power’ was popularized by:

(a) Martin Luther King Jr.

(b) Stokely Carmichael

(c) Nelson Mandela

(d) Barack Obama

Answer: (b) Stokely Carmichael
Explanation: Stokely Carmichael, a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), popularized the term 'Black Power' in 1966, emphasizing racial pride and self-defense.
Which of these statements is true about social divisions in a democracy?

(a) They are always dangerous.

(b) They are unique to India.

(c) They are reflected in politics.

(d) They do not affect elections.

Answer: (c) They are reflected in politics.
Explanation: In a democracy, political parties often mobilize support along social divisions. These divisions get expressed in political competition, making them a part of politics.
A society that has similar kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences, is called a:

(a) Heterogeneous society

(b) Secular society

(c) Homogeneous society

(d) Socialist society

Answer: (c) Homogeneous society
Explanation: A homogeneous society is marked by similarities in ethnicity, language, or culture among its members, minimizing major internal social divisions.

Assertion-Reasoning Questions (1 Mark Each)

Directions: For questions 16 to 25, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Choose the correct option:

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

Assertion (A): The Black Power movement believed in non-violent methods.
Reason (R): It was an extension of the peaceful Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
Answer: (d) A is false but R is true
Explanation: The assertion is false. The Black Power movement, in contrast to the mainstream Civil Rights Movement, often emphasized self-defense and was perceived as more militant. The reason is true regarding the Civil Rights Movement.
Assertion (A): Social divisions exist in most countries of the world.
Reason (R): All countries have homogeneous societies with no differences.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Social divisions based on ethnicity, religion, language, etc., are common globally. The reason is false because homogeneous societies (with no differences) are rare; most are diverse.
Assertion (A): Overlapping differences are more threatening to democracy.
Reason (R): They create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Overlapping differences reinforce inequalities and create a sense of 'us vs them,' leading to intense conflict. This potential for division makes them more threatening, as R explains.
Assertion (A): Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity.
Reason (R): Democracy provides the only peaceful method to struggle for recognition and accommodation.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Democracy allows diverse groups to voice their demands, negotiate, and compete for power within a set of agreed-upon rules, offering a peaceful path for accommodation, as stated in R.
Assertion (A): People in Northern Ireland were discriminated based on religion.
Reason (R): The Protestants were in majority and dominated the Catholics.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The conflict in Northern Ireland saw the Protestant majority controlling the region's political and economic power, leading to systematic discrimination against the Catholic minority, which explains the assertion.
Assertion (A): Every social difference does not lead to social division.
Reason (R): Social differences divide similar people from one another, but they also unite very different people.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The reason captures the dual nature of social differences. They can create divisions, but they can also bring diverse people together (e.g., people of different castes practicing the same religion). This is why not every difference leads to a division.
Assertion (A): The expression of social divisions in politics often leads to their cancellation.

Reason (R): Political mobilization on social divisions leads to conflict, violence, and disintegration of a country.

Answer: (d) A is false but R is true
Explanation: The assertion is false. Expression in politics does not cancel divisions; it brings them into the political arena. The reason is true regarding the potential negative outcome if such mobilization is not managed democratically.

Assertion (A): India is a good example of a heterogeneous society.
Reason (R): India has a vast diversity in race, religion, language, and culture.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: A heterogeneous society is characterized by diversity. India's immense variety of ethnicities, languages, religions, and cultures, as described in R, makes it a prime example.

Assertion (A): The outcome of politics of social divisions depends on how people perceive their identities.
Reason (R): If people see their identities in singular terms, it becomes very difficult to reconcile competing demands.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: When people view themselves solely as belonging to one group (e.g., only as a Catholic or a Black), it hardens positions and makes compromise difficult, directly affecting the political outcome, as R explains.

Assertion (A): Cross-cutting differences are less dangerous for democracy.
Reason (R): They encourage groups to have different opinions on different issues, preventing a clear 'us vs them' divide.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: In cross-cutting differences, people who are on the same side on one issue may be opponents on another. This complexity, as explained in R, prevents permanent majorities/minorities and reduces polarization.

Case-Based Questions (1 Mark Each)

For questions 26 to 30, read the case/source carefully and answer.

Case: "At the 1968 Mexico Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, African-American athletes, received their medals wearing black socks and no shoes to represent black poverty. They raised clenched fists to signify Black Power."
What was the symbolic meaning of their gesture?

(a) A celebration of American wealth

(b) A protest against racial discrimination and a statement of black pride

(c) Support for the Vietnam War

(d) A protest against the Olympic Games

Answer: (b) A protest against racial discrimination and a statement of black pride
Explanation: Their entire act—the black gloves, raised fists, bare feet—was a powerful, symbolic protest against the ongoing racial injustice in the United States and an assertion of Black identity and dignity.

Case: Study the social composition of two countries:

Country	Social Division	Nature
Northern Ireland	Religion (Protestant vs Catholic)	Overlaps with politics (Unionist vs Nationalist)
Netherlands	Religion (Catholic vs Protestant)	Cross-cuts with class (Both are rich and poor)

What does this comparison illustrate?

(a) The same social division (religion) can have very different political outcomes depending on whether it is overlapping or cross-cutting.

(b) Religion always leads to violence.

(d) Northern Ireland is a homogeneous society.

Answer: (a) The same social division (religion) can have very different political outcomes depending on whether it is overlapping or cross-cutting.
Explanation: The key takeaway is that it's not the existence of a division but its nature. Overlapping (as in NI) leads to conflict; cross-cutting (as in the Netherlands) allows for accommodation.

Case: "In a democracy, political parties can mobilize people along social divisions. This can lead to conflict and violence, but it can also lead to the marginalized groups gaining a voice and achieving justice."
What determines whether mobilization on social lines is healthy for democracy?

(a) Whether it is based on multiple identities or a single identity

(b) Whether the demands are within the constitutional framework and do not belittle others

(c) Whether it leads to the disintegration of the country

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
Explanation: Healthy democratic mobilization occurs when people have fluid, multiple identities, and the demands are for a fair share of power/resources without denying the rights of others or threatening national unity.
Case: "Social diversity can take different forms in different societies. India is a multi-religious, multi-lingual, and multi-ethnic society. Such societies need to evolve mechanisms to manage differences."
Which of the following is NOT a democratic mechanism for managing social diversity in India?

(a) Reservation of seats in legislatures for SCs and STs

(b) Official recognition of multiple languages

(c) The principle of majoritarianism to establish dominance of one group

(d) The formation of states on linguistic basis

Answer: (c) The principle of majoritarianism to establish dominance of one group
Explanation: Majoritarianism, where the majority group imposes its will, is anti-thetical to democratic accommodation. Democratic mechanisms aim to protect minority rights and share power, not establish dominance.
Case: Read the following on identity politics: "When people from one social group start feeling that they are different from others and that their interests are not being accommodated, they may form a separate political party or movement."
What is a potential risk of such identity-based politics?

(a) It can lead to the fragmentation of society and make consensus-building difficult.

(b) It always ensures economic development.

(c) It makes the country homogeneous.

(d) It eliminates all social differences.

Answer: (a) It can lead to the fragmentation of society and make consensus-building difficult.
Explanation: While identity politics can give voice to marginalized groups, excessive focus on singular identities can deepen divisions, create permanent vote banks, and make it hard to address common national issues.

📖 Optimizing Your MCQ Practice

Initial self-test: Complete the set without referring to your textbook or notes.

Detailed review: Analyze each incorrect answer by reading the explanation thoroughly.

Concept linking: Connect each question to its broader theme in the chapter for deeper understanding.

Speed enhancement: In subsequent rounds, work on reducing the total time taken to solve the set.

Periodic revision: Re-attempt the full set after 4-5 days to test retention and identify persistent weak areas.

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