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Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.

Q1. [1] straightforward initial-understanding
Which of the following best explains why a democratic government is described as 'legitimate'? ((A)) It makes decisions quickly without debate. ((B)) It is formed and run according to the will and consent of the people. ((C)) It concentrates power in the hands of elected leaders. ((D)) It guarantees economic equality among all citizens.
  1. A It makes decisions very quickly and efficiently.
  2. B It is the people's own government, chosen by elected representatives.
  3. C It guarantees complete elimination of corruption.
  4. D It always ensures equal distribution of wealth.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:18 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Option B — A democratic government is called 'legitimate' because it is the people's own government, chosen through elected representatives based on the will and consent of the citizens.

Source: Accountable, responsive and legitimate government, Chapter 5

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Explanation

The textbook explicitly states: "There is one respect in which democratic government is certainly better than its alternatives: democratic government is legitimate government… a democratic government is people's own government." Legitimacy means the government derives authority from the people's consent and elected representatives — not speed, not equality of wealth, not absence of corruption. Examiners look for this specific idea of people's consent/will as the basis of legitimacy.

Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.