These DAV Class 7 SST Solutions and DAV Class 7 SST Chapter 18 Question Answer – Democracy and Equality are thoughtfully prepared by experienced teachers.
DAV Class 7 SST Ch 18 Question Answer – Democracy and Equality
DAV Class 7 SST Ch 18 Solutions – Democracy and Equality
Something To Know
A. Tick (/) the correct option.
Question 1.
The Right to Vote is guaranteed to Indians who are
(a) highly educated
(b) highly rich
(c) the Scheduled Castes
(d) citizens of India
Answer:
(d) citizens of India
Question 2.
The most successful scheme of the government which increased enrolment of children in schools is
(a) Education for all
(b) Reservation of seats in schools
(c) Mid-day meal scheme
(d) Scholarships and financial help to poor children
Answer:
(c) Mid-day meal scheme
Question 3.
Which one of the following is NOT responsible for weakening the Indian society?
(a) casteism
(b) education
(c) illiteracy
(d) poverty
Answer:
(b) education
Question 4.
According to the Preamble, who is constituting India into a socialist, secular and democratic republic?
(a) The people of India
(b) All our national leaders
(c) The Constitution itself
(d) Representatives of the people
Answer:
(c) The Constitution itself
Question 5.
The ensure that all the children from the deprived sections are able to fulfil their dreams, the Government of India should not
(a) give them free food and clothing.
(b) give them monthly stipend/ monetary help.
(c) provide free education.
(d) Leave them to fight for themselves and become self-dependent.
Answer:
(a) give them free food and clothing.
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. The ……………. is a document that lays down the framework, political structures and the powers and duties of the government.
2. The …………… is an introduction to our Constitution.
3. The …………… system creates a social division in a nation.
4. Each …………….. is an organized group, having its own policies and programmes.
5. Many ……………… have been made to protect the Right to Equality.
Answer:
1. Constitution
2. Preamble
3. caste
4. political party
5. laws.
C. State True or False for the following statements.
1. On 15 August 1947 India became a republic.
2. Our Constitution framers wanted to eradicate discrimination.
3. People elect their representatives for a fixed term.
4. The law does not give equal protection to all.
5. The provisions of reservation have not reached everyone.
Answer:
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. True.
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
Question 1.
What is the main function of an opposition party?
Answer:
It keeps a check on the activities of the ruling party and protects the rights of the people.
Question 2.
Why was reservation provided for certain castes in India?
Answer:
Reservation was provided for them to ensure their proportionate share in all walks of life so that they could live a life of respect and dignity.
Question 3.
What is meant by secularism?
Answer:
Secularism is an idea of something being not religious. In a secular state everyone is free to follow the religion of one’s own choice and the state does not have a religion of its own.
Question 4.
Why is a Universal Adult Franchise considered a courageous step of the Constituent Assembly?
Answer:
The Universal Adult Franchise is considered to be a courageous step of the Constituent Assembly as most Indians were illiterate and poor at that time.
Question 5.
Name any two literacy programmes started by the Government of India.
Answer:
Operation Black Board and Universal Elementary Education.
E. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Mention the main provisions of the Right to Equality.
Answer:
The main provisions of the Right to Equality are given below:
- All citizens are equal before the law.
- Discrimination on the basis of religion, caste sex or place of birth is prohibited.
- Everyone is entitled to equal opportunities in all walks of life.
- The law gives equal protection to all.
Question 2.
How can the people keep a check on their representatives?
Answer:
The people elect their representatives for a fixed period. These representatives are expected to run the government according to the wishes of the people. The people can keep a check on their representatives in the following ways:
(a) If their representatives do not fulfil their wishes they (people) do not vote for them in the next election.
(b) They also keep a close watch on the activities of their representatives to guard their rights as granted by the Constitution.
Question 3.
List the important steps taken by the Indian government for the benefit of the weaker sections of the society.
Answer:
(a) Reservation has been provided for them to ensure their proportionate share in all walks of life so that they could live a life of respect and dignity.
(b) Our government has adopted various measures to provide education, employment and housing to them like loans, self-employment schemes, low budget housing on instalments, free legal advice, widow pension etc.
(c) Nutritious mid-day meal is being provided to the children belonging to the weaker section in order to increase their enrolment in schools.
(d) Girl students and children from weaker sections have a reserved quota, not only in government schools but also in private schools.
Question 4.
List the factors that create inequalities and hamper the success of the democracy.
Answer:
(a) Although the people of the India have been granted the right to vote, most of them do not enjoy the equality of working conditions. Hence, they are unable to fulfil their basic necessities.
(b) The caste system still prevails in our society, especially in rural areas. Although our Constitution has prohibited discrimination on the bases of religion, caste, sex or place of birth, sadly discrimination on the basis of caste continues to exist, in spite of education and awareness.
(c) Some religious places ban entry of people belonging to other communities and castes.
(d) Certain communities look down upon other and do not give them jobs or houses on rent.
Unless these evils are eliminated from our society, the success of democracy will always remain on stake.
Question 5.
Why have the benefits of reservation not reached everyone? Suggest two steps that can ensure development of all sections of the Indian society.
Answer:
The benefits of reservation have not reached everyone because there is lack of awareness among the people living in the remote areas of the country. The two steps that can ensure development of all sections of the Indian society are-
(a) Education: It is the root of all progress. Hence, it should be spread far and wide. It will bring enligtenment among people. It will bring peace and prosperity.
(b) Employment: It will alone eliminate proverty. Needless to say that poverty is a curse. It should be removed from our society. Everyone should be educated enough to get a good employment to live his/her life with dignity.
Value Based Question
Question 1.
Omprakash is a student of a government school in Maharashtra. He is made to sit away from the others in the class and that too on the floor. Sometimes he is forced to sweep the school and the playground. He is given left-over mid-day meal, that too not every day. One day his father was passing by the school and saw his son sweeping. He confronted the teachers and said loudly for all of them to hear, “You are a teacher, so I am leaving now. But remember his son will study right here in this school and not just him, but there will be many more coming after him.”
- Do you think Omprakash was treated unfairly?
Answer:
Yes, Omprakash is being treated unfairly by his teacher because he belonged to a Dalit family.
Question 2.
Imagine yourself as Omprakash and write three lines about how you would feel if you were in the same situation as he.
Answer:
- We would feel humiliated.
- We are treated unequally on the basis of caste.
- We would have no emotions. We were as if we had no soul, only physique.
Something To Do
Question 1.
Do you extend a helping hand to the people who are not as fortunate as you are? If yes, how? If no, what is your future plan?
Answer:
Yes, I help such people in a variety of ways. I teach some children living in the jhuggis around my flat. I provide them items of stationary time to time. I have given them enough freedom so that they can come to me any time with their queries. I give them monetary help with my pocket money. I give them eatables. I try my best to satisfy them with my knowledge.
Question 2.
India, today, is producing more trained manpower than the whole of Europe but unfortunately, India is also the leader in illiterates, social and economic inequalities. How can education bring about a society that is free from social and economic inequalities? Discuss these problems in class and try to find out some effective and practical solutions.
Answer:
There is much strength in education that it can change the face of the society and the nation. Education enables one to see the hollowness of superstitions and other social evils. It enables one to discard narrow-mindedness. It enables one to develop rational attitude. It enables one to be kind enough towards birds and animals. And what is more it is only education that enables one to get a good job. Once we achieve all these things there will be no inequalities in our society.
Question 3.
The government has launched a number of poverty alleviation programmes and income-generating programmes. But poverty continues. Give reasons.
Answer:
(a) Inadequacy of the schemes
(b) Poor implementation of poverty alleviation programmes
(c) Growing population
(d) Illiteracy
(e) Unemployment
DAV Class 7 Social Science Chapter 18 Question Answer – Democracy and Equality
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
The Constitution of India came into effect on
(a) 15 August, 1947
(b) 26 January 1950
(c) 29 January, 1950
(d) 15 August, 1950
Answer:
(b) 26 January 1950
Question 2.
Secularism means
(a) One is free to follow the religion of one’s choice.
(b) The state does not have a religion of its own.
(c) Both (a) and (b) are true.
(d) Neither (a) nor (b) is true.
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b) are true.
Question 3.
Everyone wants to fulfil the basic necessities of life which include
(a) Food and shelter
(b) Shelter and clothing
(c) Food, shelter and clothing
(d) Money and power
Answer:
(c) Food, shelter and clothing
Question 4.
Our Government has provided reservation to the
(a) Scheduled castes
(b) Scheduled Tribes
(c) Other Backward Classes
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(d) All of the above
Question 5.
Operation Black Board is a/an
(a) literacy programme
(b) employment programme
(c) higher education programme
(d) housing programme.
Answer:
(a) literacy programme
B. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What is a Constitution?
Answer:
A Constitution is a set of regulations that a set of people have made and agreed upon. It is often a written document. It lays down powers and functions of the government.
Question 2.
What does our Constitution contain?
Answer:
Our Constitution contains our national goals such as democracy, secularism and socialism.
Question 3.
What do you mean by Preamble?
Answer:
The preamble is an opening statement which explains the purpose of it. It states the aims and objectives of our Constitution.
Question 4.
Name the evils which had
weakened the Indian society before Independence.
Answer:
- Centuries of subjugation,
- Castesim
- Poverty
- Illiteracy
Question 5.
What did our Constitution framers want?
Answer:
They wanted to eradicate the discrimination that had divided the Indian society on the lines of religion, caste and economic status by ensuring the upliftment of all specially of those who had been exploited.
Question 6.
What is the aim of the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
The aim of the Indian Constitution is to establish a social order where the identification of a person is not on the basis of the religion that he follows or the caste he belongs to but on the basis of what he is or what he has made himself into.
Question 7.
How did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar visualise castes?
Answer:
He visualised castes as anti-national.
Question 8.
Why did Ambedkar visualise castes as anti-national?
Answer:
Castes are anti-national because they bring about separation in social life and generate jealousy and antipathy between caste and class.
Question 9.
What do you mean by ‘One Man One Vote’?
Answer:
Everyone who is above 18 years is entitled to cast one vote without any discrimination of caste, colour, religion or language.
Question 10.
Who is an independent candidate in elections?
Answer:
A person who does not belong to a political party is an independent candidate in elections.
Question 11.
What is known as a coalition government?
Answer:
In Indian democracy when a single majority party cannot form the government, some political parties join hands to form a government. It is known as the coalition government.
Question 12.
What do you mean by ‘opposition party’?
Answer:
A party or combination of parties that fail to get majority of seats in the election, perform the role of ‘opposition party’.
Question 13.
What are the threats to equality?
Answer:
- Discrimination on the basis of caste
- Discrimination on the basis of religion.
C. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Mention any three features of the Indian Constitution?
Answer:
The three features of the Indian Constitution are—
- It guarantees equality to all citizen and establishes a rule of non¬discrimination by the state in every sphere.
- It ensures that the state treats all the citizens equally and allows equality of status and opportunity to all.
- It prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, sex, colour, caste, race or place of birth.
Question 2.
What has the Constitution of India done for the betterment of the weaker sections of our society?
Answer:
- The Constitution of India has made special provisions for them so that everyone can live a life of dignity and enjoy equality.
- It has entrusted the government with the responsibility of providing social, economic and political equality to all as a necessary condition for the successful working of Indian democracy.
- It gives us the right to equality which means that all citizens from a peon to the president of India are equal before law.
Question 3.
In which two ways has the Government of India implemented the provision of the Constitution given under the Right to Equality?
Answer:
- The Government of India has made many laws to protect the Right to Equality. For example, equal opportunities in elections and jobs.
- It has launched many programmes and schemes for those communities that need assistance. For example SCs/STs and OBCs.
Question 4.
What is the role of mid-day meal in increasing enrolment in schools?
Answer:
Our Constitution guarantees free and compulsory education to all children. But many children could not benefit from it till a supporting scheme of mid-day meal was started. The scheme motivated many parents to send their children to school as cooked and nutritious mid-day meal was provided. As a result, enrolment in school has increased.
Question 5.
Are elections the basis of equality? How?
Answer:
Yes, elections are the basis of equality. Our Constitution grants Universal Adult Franchise i.e., Right to vote, whoever is above 18 years of age, without any discrimination of caste, colour, religion, region or language. The people of India utilise this right and cast their votes to elect their representative.
Question 6.
Do you notice any cases of inequality around you? Describe briefly. Suggest measures to eradicate inequality.
Answer:
Yes, I notice several cases of inequality around me. There are some jhuggis in our locality. The people living in these jhuggis lead a very hard life. They go to toilet outside in the open because they lack this facility inside their jhuggis. They work from down to dusk. Still they fail to fulfil their basic needs. I think only education can do miracles. Hence it is necessary to make them aware of the benefits of education. The people living in beautiful flats around them can help to a great extent by giving education to their children.
Question 7.
How are the illiterate and poor people exploited at the time of elections?
Answer:
The illiterate and poor people are considered as a vote bank by the political parties at the time of elections. They are lured to better living conditions. Since they are innocent and unaware of the tricks of the political parties, they easily get trapped into their false lucrative promises and vote for them.
D. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why is the number of party candidates more than the independent ones? Who in your opinion can work better for the progress of his/her constituency?
Answer:
The number of party candidates is more than the independent ones because party candidates are supported with manpower and finance by political parties having a definite programme that the general public is familiar with. Independent candidates have to campaign on their own. Therefore, it is not easy for them to contest elections.
Both can work good for the progress of their constituency. It all depends on them and their morality. If they think that it is their moral responsibility to work and fulfil the wishes of the people, they will difinitely work for their people’s betterment. If they forget their promises after they win the election then nothing can be done, atleast, for five years.
Question 2.
To be numero uno’ we need to implement the provision of the Constitution more sincerely. Explain.
Answer:
Some sections of our society suffer from economic and social backwardness. They lead a very hard life. The Constitution of India has made special provisions for them so that everyone can live a life of dignity and enjoy equality. It has entrusted the government with the responsibility of providing social, economic and political equality to all as a necessary condition for the successful working of Indian democracy. But the tragedy is that these provisions are not implemented.
It is therefore we see disparity, poverty, backwardness etc; in our society. To overcome these problems and to bring the weaker sections of the society in the mainstream it is necessary that all such provisions are implemented sincerely. The governemnt should come forward with more dedication and determination.
Question 3.
Look at the picture and answer the following questions.
(i) Who is Sheikho?
(ii) What does he do?
(iii) What does he want?
(iv) What can you do to help him?
Answer:
(i) Sheikho is a 10 year old boy.
(ii) He picks up rags from the garbage every morning from four to eight. After that he works at his father’s cycle repair shop till late in the evening.
(iii) He wants to go to school, laugh and play like other children but he is always working.
(iv) I can help him in many ways. I can get his name enrolled in a school. I can give him monetary help with my pocket money. I can teach him in the evening every day. I can give him eatables whenever he feels hungry.
Question 4.
Look at the picture and answer the following questions.
(i) Who is Paro? What does she do?
(ii) How much does she earn?
(iii) How is her life always at risk?
(iv) Under what circumstances were Paro’s parents forced to leave their village?
Answer:
(i) Paro is a little girl who leads a very hard life.
(ii) She earns fifty paisa for each small bauquet that she sells at rupees ten.
(iii) Her life is always at risk because she runs between vehicles and persuades people to buy flowers.
(iv) Her parents were forced to leave their village after the well belonging to the so called lower castes dried. They were not allowed to take water from the well that belonged to the upper castes.
