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CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science

Federalism

Standard difficulty · 20 questions · 40 marks

Name: Date: Score: ____ / 40

Write full answers in Sections B and C. Answers are on the last page — try every question first!

Section A — Choose the correct answer8 × 1 = 8 marks
1.
A system in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units is:
  1. monarchy
  2. dictatorship
  3. unitary government
  4. federalism
2.
Which of these subjects is on the Union List?
  1. currency
  2. adoption
  3. trade unions
  4. marriage
3.
Who heads a zilla parishad?
  1. the governor
  2. the sarpanch
  3. the zilla parishad chairperson
  4. the district collector
4.
Changing the Centre–State arrangement needs a two-thirds majority in each House of Parliament. If 96 members vote, at least how many must vote in favour?
  1. 64 members
  2. 48 members
  3. 32 members
  4. 67 members
5.
What is meant by “decentralisation”?
  1. a government of two or more parties
  2. giving power to local government
  3. an area run with special powers by the Centre
  4. subjects on no list, decided by the Union
6.
In Census 2011, 1.26% of people spoke Assamese and 4.58% spoke Gujarati. What is the difference?
  1. 3.82 percentage points
  2. 5.84 percentage points
  3. 4.32 percentage points
  4. 3.32 percentage points
7.
At least one-third of seats in panchayats are reserved for women. In a panchayat of 25 members, at least how many seats are for women?
  1. 11 seats
  2. 12 seats
  3. 9 seats
  4. 16 seats
8.
Changing the Centre–State arrangement needs ratification by at least half of the State legislatures. Suppose there are 20 States. At least how many must ratify?
  1. 10 States
  2. 14 States
  3. 20 States
  4. 13 States
Section B — Short answer8 × 2 = 16 marks
9.
What is the difference between “coming together” and “holding together” federations?
10.
Union, State or Concurrent List? (a) trade within a State (b) foreign affairs
11.
Is each a “coming together” or “holding together” federation? (a) India (b) Spain
12.
Explain each term: (a) Union Territory (b) residuary subjects
13.
From the Census 2011 table: Bengali 8.03%, Urdu 4.19%, Odia 3.10%. What is their combined share?
14.
In Census 2011, 1.12% of people spoke Maithili. Suppose a region of 394,000 people had the same share. About how many speak Maithili, to the nearest whole number?
15.
Suppose a district has 271 gram panchayats with 13 members each. How many members are there in all, and at least how many seats in each panchayat are for women (one-third, rounded up)?
16.
In Porto Alegre, Brazil, nearly 13 lakh (1,300,000) people can take part in budget-making. Suppose 38,000 took part in a year. What percentage is that, to two decimal places?
Section C — Longer answers4 × 4 = 16 marks
17.
Give the key features of federalism.
18.
Match each with its list: (a) currency (b) trade within a State (c) education. Choose from: Concurrent List; Union List; State List.
19.
(a) A gram panchayat has 39 members; at least one-third of seats are for women. At least how many is that? (b) Who heads a gram panchayat, and who oversees it? (c) Give two problems of local government in India.
20.
(a) In Census 2011, Hindi was spoken by 43.63% and Tamil by 5.70%. What is the difference? (b) Out of 4,100,000 people, about how many speak Tamil? (c) Why does India have no national language?
AmbifulWorksheets
Practice that never repeats
CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science

Answer key

Federalism · AW-10SS-FDL-2026-V1 · For parents — fold back or tear off before handing the sheet to your child.

QAnswerWorking
1(d) federalism—
2(a) currency—
3(c) the zilla parishad chairperson—
4(a) 64 memberstwo-thirds of 96
5(b) giving power to local government—
6(d) 3.32 percentage points4.58 − 1.26
7(c) 9 seatsone-third of 25, rounded up
8(a) 10 Stateshalf of 20, rounded up
9Coming together: independent states pool sovereignty (USA, Switzerland). Holding together: a large country divides power (India, Spain, Belgium).—
10(a) State List (b) Union List—
11(a) holding together (b) holding together—
12(a) an area run with special powers by the Centre (b) subjects on no list, decided by the Union—
1315.32%8.03 + 4.19 + 3.10
144,4131.12% of 394,000
153,523 members; at least 5 in each271 × 13; one-third of 13
162.92%38,000 ÷ 1,300,000 × 100
17Two or more levels of government; same citizens under each; powers set out in the constitution; basic provisions changeable only by both levels; courts as umpire; specified revenue sources; and the dual aim of unity and respect for diversity.—
18(a) Union List (b) State List (c) Concurrent List—
19(a) 13 (b) the sarpanch; the gram sabha (c) Gram sabhas are not held regularly, and States have not given local bodies enough powers or money.one-third of 39, rounded up
20(a) 37.93 percentage points (b) about 233,700 (c) To respect its many languages; Hindi is official alongside 21 other Scheduled Languages, and no language is imposed.43.63 − 5.70; 5.70% of 4,100,000