How the State Government works Class 7 Worksheet Civics Chapter 3

Q.1. What is the role of opposition parties in the government?

Opposition parties play the role of questioning government decisions and actions as well as raising new issues for consideration in the Assembly.

Q.2. Name some political parties of India.

The Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India, etc.

Q.3. What do you mean by the word legislature?

All the MLAs who gather together (assemble) in the legislative assembly are called the Legislature.

Q.4. What is a Legislative Assembly? 

A Legislative Assembly is a place where all the MLAs, whether from the ruling party or from the opposition meet to discuss various things.

Q.5. What do you know about wallpaper projects?

Wallpaper is an interesting activity through which research can be done on particular topics of interest.

Q.6. Why is the governor of the state appointed?

The Governor of the state is appointed to ensure that the State Government works within the rules and regulations of the Constitution.

Q.7. Who is the executive head of state in India?

Chief Minister is the executive head of state in India.

Q.8. Where are laws for the entire country made?

Laws for the entire country are made in Parliament.

Q.9. In the working of the government, explain the difference between being an MLA and an MLA who is also a minister?

The chief minister and other ministers have the responsibility of running various government departments or ministries. They have separate offices. A Legislative Assembly is a place where all the MLAs, whether from the ruling party or from the opposition meet to discuss various things. Hence, some MLAs have dual responsibilities: one as an MLA and the other as a minister.

Q.10. How does the press conference help you get information on what the government is doing?

The government also organizes press conferences to present information to members of the mass media. Reporters ask many questions at this meeting. These discussions are then reported in different newspapers. Through newspaper we come to know about different issues and about the government plans.

Q.11. Who becomes a chief minister? What is his or her role in a state?

After the elections, the MLAs belonging to the ruling party will elect their leader who will become the chief minister. The chief minister then selects other people as ministers. The chief minister and other ministers have the responsibility of running various government departments or ministries.

Q.12. Explain the following terms–the majority, ruling party, and opposition.

A political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state can be said to be in a majority. The political party that has the majority is called the ruling party and all other members are called the opposition.

Q.13. What does the term constituency mean?

A constituency is a particular area from which all the voters living there choose their representatives. This could be, for example, a panchayat ward or an area that chooses an MLA.

Q.14. What is the process of formation of government in a state?

Every state in India has a Legislative Assembly. Each state is divided into different areas or constituencies. From each constituency, the people elect one representative who then becomes a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). People stand for elections in the name of different parties. These MLAs, therefore, belong to different political parties. A political party whose MLAs have won more than half the number of constituencies in a state can be said to be in a majority. The political party that has the majority forms the government. In case no party gains the majority, in that case, the party with maximum elected members tries to get support from different parties or candidates. The party that proves to have maximum supporters is allowed to form the government. If no party proves the majority then there would be re-election.

Q.15. How do the people in power like the chief minister and the minister take action? 

They do so through various departments like the Public Works Department, the Agriculture Department, the Health Department, the Education Department, and so on. They also have to answer questions that are asked in the Legislative Assembly and convince people asking the questions that proper steps are being taken. At the same time, newspapers and the media widely discuss the issue and the government has to respond, for example, by holding press conferences.