Cambridge Innovative School

Subject: Social Science

Grade: VIII Session: (2024-25)
Practice assignment

Q1.Which of the following is INAPPROPRIATE about Legislative Powers of the President?

a) He appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers.
b) He can summon or end a session of the Parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha.
c) He can give or withhold his assent to a bill or return the bill for consideration to the Parliament.
d) He can summon a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament.

Q2. Match the following and choose the correct option:

i) Parliament A) Emergency powers
ii) President B) Passed by any house
iii) Prime Minister C) Make laws
iv) Ordinary bill D) Head of the Government

Options:-
a) i)-B, ii)-D, iii)-A, iv)-C b) i)-C, ii)-A, iii)-D, iv)-B
c) i)-D, ii)-C, iii)-B, iv)-A d) i)-D, ii)-A, iii)-B, iv)-C

Q3. In the question given below, there are 2 statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the
statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): A Money Bill can be tabled in any house of the Parliament.
Reason (R): It is concerned with the income or expenditure of the government.
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).
c) (A) is false but (R) is true.
d) (A) is true but (R) is false.

Q4. In the question given below, there are 2 statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the
statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Every human being is entitled to enjoy basic rights for good and healthy living.
Reason (R): These rights are called directive principles of state policy.
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).
c) (A) is false but (R) is true.
d) (A) is true but (R) is false.

Q5. In the question given below, there are 2 statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the
statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Laws are needed to maintain peace and harmony.
Reason (R): Without law and order, there would be conflicts and chaos.
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).
c) (A) is false but (R) is true.
d) (A) is true but (R) is false.

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Q6. In the question given below, there are 2 statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the
statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Majority of human rights are non- absolute.
Reason (R): We need a Constitution to govern a country efficiently.
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).
c) (A) is false but (R) is true.
d) (A) is true but (R) is false.

Q7. Which of the following statement is/are CORRECT about Fundamental Duties?
P: To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
Q: To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among people.
R: To allow citizens to move to the court if their rights are violated.
S: To promote individual freedom and empowerment.
a) Only P and Q b) Only P and S
c) Only R d) Only S

Q8. Consider the following statements about Judicial Powers of President and choose the correct option.
Statement I: He lays the Annual Financial Statement i.e the union Budget before the Parliament.
Statement II: He represents India in international forums and affairs.
Statement III: He may proclaim a state of Emergency in the whole or part of India.
Statement IV: He can grant pardon to or reduce the sentence of a convicted person for one time.
a) Statement I and III are right. b) Statement II and IV are right.
c) Statement I, II and III are right. d) Only Statement IV is right.

2marks
Q9. “A journalist publishes an article criticizing the government’s policies. The government decides to shut
down the newspaper and arrest the journalist.”How does this scenario violate the journalist’s human
rights, particularly the right to freedom of speech and expression?

Q10. “The executive powers of the President must be exercised in accordance with the Constitution.” Justify
the statement by giving two relevant points.

Q11. A public school decides to celebrate all major religious festivals equally. How does the preamble
support this decision? Write two points.

Q12. A company hires only male candidates for a particular position, stating that women are not suitable for
the job. Does this hiring practice violate the Fundamental Right to Equality? Explain why or why not?
Mention any two relevant points.

Q13. “The right to Constitutional Remedies is considered to be the most important right.” Give two reasons.

Q14. “A society without law and order would be in deep conflicts and chaos.” Justify the statement by
giving any two relevant points.

3 marks
Q15. Trace the journey of bill becoming a law.

Q16. Compare between the Cabinet and the Council of ministers. Write any three points.

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Q17. In many workplaces, women are paid less than men for the same work. How can the state ensure the
implementation of Directive Principles to secure equal pay for equal work for both men and women?

Q18. Differentiate between absolute and non-absolute rights.

Q19. Many historic buildings and monuments are in a state of neglect and disrepair. How can the state
implement Directive Principles to protect and preserve the country's cultural heritage?

4 marks
Q20. Read the extract and answer the following questions:
In a small village in India, a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) noticed that the nearby
river was getting polluted due to industrial waste being dumped by a factory located upstream. The
river was the primary source of water for the villagers and was also used for irrigation. The pollution
had started affecting the health of the villagers and the fertility of the agricultural land. The NGO
decided to take action. They started an awareness campaign about the importance of protecting the
environment, highlighting the Fundamental Duty under Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, which
states: "It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment
including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures. The NGO
organized workshops and seminars in the village to educate people about the harmful effects of
pollution and the importance of environmental conservation. They distributed pamphlets and posters
explaining the Fundamental Duties, focusing on the duty to protect the environment. The NGO
encouraged villagers to form groups to monitor the river and report any illegal dumping activities.
They initiated clean-up drives involving the local community, schools, and Panchayat members. The
NGO, along with the villagers, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the local court against the
factory for violating environmental laws. They used the Fundamental Duties as a moral basis for their
argument, although they are not legally enforceable. The court ordered the factory to stop discharging
waste into the river and imposed a fine for violating environmental regulations. The Pollution Control
Board set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with environmental standards. The
villagers continued to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts, inspired by their
Fundamental Duty.

Q20.1 What is the significance of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution? (1)
Q20.2 How did the NGO in the case study use Fundamental Duties to address the issue of river pollution? Mention
any one relevant point. (1)
Q20.3 What is the significance of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution? Write any two points. (2)

Q21. Read the following extract carefully and answer the following questions:
Baba Saheb Dr Ambedkar is known as the Father of the Indian Constitution. Dr Ambedkar believed
that his participation in the Constituent Assembly helped the Scheduled Castes get some safeguards in
the draft constitution. But he also stated that although the laws might exist, Scheduled Castes still had
reason to fear because the administration of these laws was in the hands of ‘caste Hindu officers’. He,
therefore, urged Scheduled Castes to join the government as well as the civil services. These members
of the Constituent Assembly had a huge task before them. The country was made up of several
different communities who spoke different languages, belonged to different religions, and had distinct
cultures. Also, when the Constitution was being written, India was going through considerable turmoil.
The partition of the country into India and Pakistan was imminent; some of the Princely States
remained undecided about their future, and the socio-economic condition of the vast mass of people

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 appeared dismal. All of these issues played on the minds of the members of the Constituent Assembly
as they drafted the Constitution. They rose to the occasion and gave this country a visionary document
that reflects a respect for maintaining diversity while preserving national unity. The final document
also reflects their concern for eradicating poverty through socio- economic reforms as well as
emphasizing the crucial role the people can play in choosing their representatives.

Q21.1 Why B.R Ambedkar wanted to be the part of the Constituent Assembly? Write any one point. (1)

Q21.2 What is reflected in the final document made by the Constituent Assembly? Give any one reason. (1)

Q21.3 Why drafting of the Constitution was considered a big task for the members of the Constituent
Assembly? Mention two relevant points. (2)

5marks

Q22. Suppose you are given a chance to be a part of the Lok Sabha for a day, what changes would you like
to bring in the current political system of India with the help of a bill?

Q23. “The citizens enjoy several freedoms under the Right to Freedom.” Explain the types of freedom that
come under it.

Q24. “Laws are essential for maintaining order and protecting rights in society, yet history demonstrates
that progress often arises from acts of dissent.” Justify the statement with the help of one suitable
example from history where people displayed their anger by protesting against these laws in various
ways.

Q25. A local government office decides to display a prominent religious symbol in its main hall. This
decision has sparked debate in the community. As a secular state, should the government allow or
remove the religious symbols? Justify your decision based on the principles of secularism.

Q26. A child from a low-income family is denied admission to a private school due to the inability to pay the fees.
The school argues that it has the right to set its own admission criteria. How does the right to education apply in
this case? Can the school’s decision be challenged? Justify your answer.

Q27. A group of children is found working in a factory under poor conditions. The factory owner argues
that the children are helping their families financially and that they work voluntarily. How does the
right against exploitation apply here? What actions should be taken to protect the children?

Q28. On the basis of following create a comparative table on Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha:
a) Membership and Qualification
b) Term of service and elections
c) Presiding officer and Number of seats
d) Nomination by President
e) Powers