CBQ Practice›Class 12 Political Science

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Class 12 Political Science
CBQ Practice

Competency Based Questions · 3 chapters · 6 CBQ sets

Question types:Case StudySource BasedAssertion–Reason

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Ch 1

The Cold War Era

2 sets

CBQ 1Case StudyThe Cuban Missile Crisis — Thirteen Days4 marks

Read the passage

In October 1962, US spy planes discovered Soviet missile installations being built in Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida. President Kennedy, after consulting his ExComm (Executive Committee of National Security Council), chose a naval quarantine rather than an air strike. Soviet ships carrying missiles approached the blockade. For 13 days the world feared nuclear war. Ultimately, Khrushchev agreed to dismantle the missiles if the US promised not to invade Cuba (publicly) and removed its missiles from Turkey (secretly). A direct telephone 'hotline' was established between Washington and Moscow after the crisis to prevent future miscommunication.

Kennedy chose a naval quarantine over an air strike. What does this decision reflect about Cold War strategy?

(A)Kennedy was afraid of Soviet military power

(B)The USA preferred diplomatic and graduated responses over immediate military escalation to avoid triggering nuclear war

(C)The US Navy was more powerful than the Air Force at the time

(D)The UN Security Council prevented an air strike

The establishment of the Washington-Moscow hotline after the crisis was meant to:

(A)Allow leaders to exchange nuclear launch codes

(B)Enable direct communication between US and Soviet leaders to prevent miscalculation during future crises

(C)Replace the United Nations as a conflict resolution mechanism

(D)Allow economic negotiations between the two superpowers

The Cuban Missile Crisis demonstrated that:

(A)Nuclear weapons were ready to be used by both sides

(B)Both superpowers were willing to take risks but ultimately preferred negotiated solutions to nuclear conflict

(C)Cuba was more powerful than the USSR

(D)The Non-Aligned Movement prevented the crisis

Explain the concept of 'Balance of Terror' in the Cold War context. How did it prevent direct US-USSR military conflict?

CBQ 2Assertion–Reason1 mark

Assertion

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was established during the Cold War to keep newly independent nations neutral between the two superpowers.

Reason

NAM was founded in 1961 at Belgrade by leaders including Nehru (India), Nasser (Egypt), and Tito (Yugoslavia) to allow developing nations to pursue independent foreign policies without aligning with either the US-led NATO or Soviet-led Warsaw Pact.

(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

(D) A is false but R is true

Ch 2

End of Bipolarity and Rise of New Centres

2 sets

CBQ 1Case StudyShock Therapy in Post-Soviet Russia4 marks

Read the passage

After the USSR dissolved in December 1991, Russia and other former Soviet republics were advised by Western economists and institutions (World Bank, IMF) to rapidly transition to market economies through 'shock therapy'. This involved privatising state enterprises, removing price controls, opening markets to foreign goods, and cutting subsidies. By 1995, Russia's GDP had fallen to roughly 50% of its 1991 level. Unemployment soared. A small group of businessmen (later called 'oligarchs') acquired vast state assets at extremely low prices in privatisation auctions. Meanwhile, essential services (healthcare, education) deteriorated as state funding collapsed.

Why was the economic decline after shock therapy particularly severe in Russia?

(A)Russia had no natural resources to develop

(B)The rapid dismantling of state planning created a vacuum — markets, property rights, and regulatory institutions needed time to develop but were dismantled too quickly

(C)Western countries imposed trade sanctions on Russia

(D)The Russian people refused to work in a market economy

The emergence of 'oligarchs' after privatisation represents:

(A)A successful outcome of shock therapy creating new entrepreneurs

(B)An extreme concentration of wealth in the hands of a few who acquired public assets cheaply, increasing inequality

(C)Normal wealth distribution in a market economy

(D)A planned outcome of Russian government policy

After the USSR dissolved, Russia inherited its permanent seat in the UN Security Council because:

(A)The UN voted to give Russia the seat

(B)Russia was the largest and most powerful successor state and was recognised as continuing the legal personality of the USSR internationally

(C)USA recommended Russia for the seat

(D)Russia had the largest nuclear arsenal

How did the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 change the structure of international relations? Explain two consequences.

CBQ 2Assertion–Reason1 mark

Assertion

ASEAN has emerged as one of the most successful regional organisations in the world.

Reason

ASEAN has maintained peace among member states, promoted economic integration through AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area), and developed the ASEAN Way of non-interference and consensus-based decision-making that has managed regional tensions effectively.

(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

(D) A is false but R is true

Ch 3

Challenges to Nation Building in India

2 sets

CBQ 1Case StudyThe Integration of Hyderabad — Operation Polo4 marks

Read the passage

At independence in August 1947, Hyderabad was the largest princely state with a Muslim Nizam (ruler) and a majority Hindu population. The Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, declared Hyderabad independent and refused to join the Indian Union. He received support from the Razakars — a paramilitary force that terrorised the Hindu population. The Nizam also sought membership in the United Nations. After months of negotiations failed, Sardar Patel ordered 'Operation Polo' — a military action — in September 1948. The Indian Army entered Hyderabad on 13 September 1948. Within five days, the Nizam surrendered. Hyderabad was integrated into India and later merged into Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka based on linguistic lines.

What was the reason for the Nizam of Hyderabad's refusal to join the Indian Union initially?

(A)He preferred to join Pakistan

(B)He wanted to maintain Hyderabad as an independent sovereign state and feared loss of his absolute power

(C)The Indian government did not invite Hyderabad to join

(D)The majority population of Hyderabad supported independence

Operation Polo was launched because:

(A)Hyderabad attacked Indian territory first

(B)Diplomatic negotiations failed, the Nizam refused to join India, and violence against the majority Hindu population by Razakars continued

(C)Pakistan had sent troops to support the Nizam

(D)The UN Security Council authorised India to intervene

The integration of Hyderabad is considered a difficult case of nation-building because:

(A)It was the geographically largest state

(B)It involved a minority Muslim ruler, a majority Hindu population, paramilitary violence, diplomatic failure, and eventual military action — raising complex questions of democracy and sovereignty

(C)The Nizam was supported by China

(D)Hyderabad had no historical connection to India

Compare the integration of Hyderabad with that of Junagadh. What were the different methods used and what principles did each embody?

CBQ 2Assertion–Reason1 mark

Assertion

The reorganisation of Indian states on linguistic lines in 1956 strengthened national unity.

Reason

The States Reorganisation Act (1956) created states based on language, which resolved long-standing demands, made administration more efficient, and gave regional cultural identities legitimate political expression within the Indian Union.

(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

(D) A is false but R is true

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