Question Paper
Class / Subject: Class 9 (CBSE) · Social Science
Chapter: Chapter 12 — Chapter 12: What is Democracy? Why Democracy?
Time Allowed: 32 minutes
Max Marks: 16
1. What does democracy mean? [1]
(A) Power ultimately rests with the people
(B) Power rests only with a king
(C) No elections take place
(D) Power rests only with the military
2. How do citizens participate in a democracy? [1]
(A) By voting in free and fair elections
(B) By inheriting power
(C) By military service only
(D) They cannot participate
3. What is the rule of law? [1]
(A) Everyone, including leaders, follows the same laws
(B) Only citizens follow laws, not leaders
(C) No laws exist
(D) Laws change randomly
4. What does democracy protect? [1]
(A) Fundamental rights and free expression
(B) Only the rights of leaders
(C) No rights at all
(D) Only economic rights
5. What is direct democracy? [1]
(A) Citizens vote directly on issues
(B) Citizens elect representatives only
(C) No voting occurs
(D) Only leaders decide
6. What is representative democracy? [1]
(A) Citizens elect representatives to decide for them
(B) Citizens vote directly on every issue
(C) No representatives exist
(D) Only leaders choose representatives
7. What does democracy value, regarding diverse opinions? [1]
(A) Pluralism, respecting diverse views
(B) Ignoring minority views completely
(C) Only majority views matter, minorities ignored
(D) No diversity is allowed
8. Why is understanding democracy important? [1]
(A) It shows how citizens can participate in governance
(B) No reason
(C) Only for tests
(D) It's not important
9. What does democracy promote through elections? [1]
(A) Accountability of leaders
(B) Permanent leadership with no change
(C) No accountability at all
(D) Only military accountability
10. What can happen to poor-performing leaders in a democracy? [1]
(A) They can be voted out
(B) They remain in power regardless
(C) They gain more power automatically
(D) Nothing happens to them
11. What generally protects individual rights in a democracy? [1]
(A) Constitutions and independent courts
(B) Only the military
(C) No protection exists
(D) Only the ruling party
12. How does democracy resolve conflicts? [1]
(A) Through debate, negotiation and voting
(B) Only through violence
(C) Only through force
(D) Conflicts are never resolved
13. What is a challenge of democracy? [1]
(A) Slower decision-making due to debate
(B) Instant decisions with no debate
(C) No challenges at all
(D) Complete lack of participation
14. What makes democracy widely preferred despite its challenges? [1]
(A) Its benefits in equality, participation and accountability
(B) It has no real benefits
(C) It's the only option available
(D) It guarantees instant results
15. What protects citizens from arbitrary government actions? [1]
(A) Constitutions and courts
(B) Nothing protects citizens
(C) Only the government's goodwill
(D) Only military strength
16. Why might debate slow decision-making in a democracy? [1]
(A) Multiple viewpoints need to be considered and compromised
(B) Debate is not part of democracy
(C) Decisions are always instant
(D) No viewpoints are considered