Q1. [4]
Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the state of Haryana. It has borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. It has a population of a little over one crore, about half the population of Haryana. The ethnic composition of this small country is very complex. Of the country's total population, 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language. Another 40 per cent people live in the Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining one per cent of the Belgians speak German. In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent of the people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch-speaking.
Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow :
- (36.1) Explain the ethnic composition of Belgium. [1]
- (36.2) Explain the meaning of the term 'ethnic'. [1]
- (36.3) How did the Belgian Government solve their ethnic problem ? Explain. [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 32/5/1 Q36
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:01 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(36.1) Belgium has a complex ethnic composition. 59% live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch; 40% live in Wallonia and speak French; 1% speak German. In Brussels, 80% speak French and 20% speak Dutch.
(36.2) The term 'ethnic' refers to a social group that shares a common cultural identity, including language, traditions, and heritage, which distinguishes it from other groups.
(36.3) The Belgian Government solved its ethnic problem through a series of constitutional amendments (1970–1993). They adopted a federal system, dividing power between the central government and regional governments (Flemish, Walloon, and Brussels). Equal representation was given to both Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central cabinet. A separate government was set up for the Brussels region. This power-sharing arrangement ensured that no single community could dominate the other, keeping the country united.
Source: Power Sharing, Chapter 1, Civics (Class 10)
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Explanation
- (36.1) is directly from the passage — quote the percentages and regions.
- (36.2) 'Ethnic' is a term from the textbook glossary; it refers to shared cultural/linguistic identity.
- (36.3) goes slightly beyond the passage (as the passage only sets up the problem), but the Belgian model solution is the core concept of this chapter. Examiners expect: federal system, power-sharing, equal cabinet representation, community governments — at least 2–3 points for 2 marks.
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