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CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science

Political Parties

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 group that contests elections and seeks to hold power is a:
  1. trade union
  2. gram sabha
  3. pressure group
  4. political party
2.
According to the book, the USA has a:
  1. federal system
  2. no-party system
  3. two-party system
  4. multiparty system
3.
What is meant by “coalition”?
  1. parties that criticise the government
  2. the party that runs the government
  3. strongly committed to one party
  4. two or more parties sharing power
4.
Which of these is a function of political parties?
  1. giving access to government schemes
  2. commanding the army
  3. printing currency
  4. conducting elections as umpire
5.
Which of these is a challenge faced by political parties, according to the book?
  1. too many women candidates
  2. too little public interest in news
  3. money and muscle power
  4. too much internal democracy
6.
In a State Assembly election, 460,000 votes were cast and a party won 41,400. What percentage of votes did it win?
  1. 9 %
  2. 91 %
  3. 18 %
  4. 11 %
7.
A national party needs at least 4 Lok Sabha seats (and 6% of votes in four States). Suppose a party won 1, 3 and 2 Lok Sabha seats in three States, and none elsewhere. How many seats in all?
  1. 6 seats
  2. 10 seats
  3. 7 seats
  4. 8 seats
8.
To be recognised as a State party, a party needs at least 6% of votes and at least 2 seats in an Assembly election. A party won 4% of votes and 3 seats. Does it qualify?
  1. no, it has fewer than 2 seats
  2. yes
  3. no, its vote share is below 6%
  4. only if it wins a Lok Sabha seat
Section B — Short answer8 × 2 = 16 marks
9.
What is a political party?
10.
Explain each term: (a) coalition (b) opposition
11.
Explain each function of political parties: (a) forming governments (b) giving access to government schemes
12.
Explain each challenge to political parties: (a) money and muscle power (b) dynastic succession
13.
A party won 82,000 of 820,000 votes and 4 seats in a State Assembly election. What was its vote share, and does it meet the rule for a State party (6% and 2 seats)?
14.
A national party needs at least 6% of votes in four States and at least 4 Lok Sabha seats. A party has 6% or more in 6 States and 1 Lok Sabha seats. Does it qualify? Why?
15.
What party system does each have, according to the book? (a) the USA (b) China
16.
What does each reform involve? (a) the anti-defection law (b) reserving tickets for women
Section C — Longer answers4 × 4 = 16 marks
17.
Describe the functions of political parties in a democracy.
18.
Match each with its meaning: (a) shaping public opinion (b) acting as opposition (c) forming governments. Choose from: running the government after winning; criticising the government when in minority; raising and highlighting issues.
19.
(a) A party won 72,000 of 800,000 votes in a State Assembly election: what is its vote share? (b) With 5 seats, is it recognised as a State party (6% and 2 seats)? (c) What does a recognised party get from the Election Commission?
20.
Explain two challenges to political parties, money and muscle power and lack of meaningful choice, and suggest one reform for each.
AmbifulWorksheets
Practice that never repeats
CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science

Answer key

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

QAnswerWorking
1(d) political party—
2(c) two-party system—
3(d) two or more parties sharing power—
4(a) giving access to government schemes—
5(c) money and muscle power—
6(a) 9 %41,400 ÷ 460,000 × 100
7(a) 6 seats1 + 3 + 2
8(c) no, its vote share is below 6%check both conditions
9A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power, agreeing on policies for society’s good.—
10(a) two or more parties sharing power (b) parties that criticise the government—
11(a) running the government after winning (b) linking people to welfare programmes—
12(a) rich or criminal candidates being favoured (b) top posts going to one family—
1310%; yes82,000 ÷ 820,000 × 100
14No: it needs at least 4 Lok Sabha seats.—
15(a) two-party system (b) one-party system—
16(a) an MLA or MP who changes party loses the seat (b) about one-third of party tickets for women—
17They contest elections, put forward policies, make laws, form and run governments, act as opposition, shape public opinion and give people access to government schemes.—
18(a) raising and highlighting issues (b) criticising the government when in minority (c) running the government after winning—
19(a) 9% (b) yes (c) a unique election symbol and some other facilities72,000 ÷ 800,000 × 100
20Money and muscle power: rich or criminal candidates being favoured; lack of meaningful choice: parties offering very similar policies. Reforms such as a law on internal party affairs, affidavits, state funding or public pressure.—