B. Extra HSLC Pattern MCQs Questions with Answers

Q.1 Mahatma Gandhi was born on —
(a) 2nd October, 1867
(b) 2nd October, 1868
(c) 2nd October, 1869
(d) 2nd October, 1870
Answer: (c) 2nd October, 1869

Q.2 Gandhi went to England to study law in —
(a) 1885
(b) 1886
(c) 1888
(d) 1890
Answer: (c) 1888

Q.3 Gandhi first went to South Africa in —
(a) 1891
(b) 1892
(c) 1893
(d) 1894
Answer: (c) 1893

Q.4 The newspaper started by Gandhi in South Africa was —
(a) Young India
(b) Harijan
(c) Indian Opinion
(d) Navjivan
Answer: (c) Indian Opinion

Q.5 The word ‘Satyagraha’ was first used by Gandhi in —
(a) India
(b) England
(c) South Africa
(d) Russia
Answer: (c) South Africa

Q.6 Satyagraha is a combination of the words —
(a) Satya and Dharma
(b) Satya and Ahimsa
(c) Satya and Agraha
(d) Satya and Karma
Answer: (c) Satya and Agraha

Q.7 Gandhi returned to India permanently in —
(a) 1914
(b) 1915
(c) 1916
(d) 1917
Answer: (b) 1915

Q.8 Which of the following disputes was NOT solved by Gandhi during 1917–18?
(a) Champaran
(b) Kheda
(c) Ahmedabad
(d) Bardoli
Answer: (d) Bardoli

Q.9 The Rowlatt Act authorized the government to —
(a) Impose salt tax
(b) Deport Indians
(c) Imprison without trial
(d) Ban Congress
Answer: (c) Imprison without trial

Q.10 The Rowlatt Act was passed on the recommendation of a committee headed by —
(a) Lord Irwin
(b) Lord Chelmsford
(c) Justice Sydney Rowlatt
(d) Lord Mountbatten
Answer: (c) Justice Sydney Rowlatt

Q.11 Which of the following were features of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
(i) Boycott of foreign goods
(ii) Boycott of courts
(iii) Promotion of Khadi
(iv) Armed struggle
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (iii) and (iv)
Answer: (b) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Q.12 Which of the following were causes of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
(i) Rowlatt Act
(ii) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
(iii) Khilafat Movement
(iv) Simon Commission
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (iii) and (iv)
Answer: (b) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Q.13 Match List A with List B —
A. Champaran — Indigo peasants
B. Kheda — No-tax movement
C. Ahmedabad — Mill workers
(a) A-1, B-2, C-3
(b) A-2, B-3, C-1
(c) A-3, B-1, C-2
(d) A-2, B-1, C-3
Answer: (b) A-2, B-3, C-1

Q.14 Match the movements with the year —
A. Non-Cooperation — 1920
B. Civil Disobedience — 1930
C. Quit India — 1942
Answer: (b) A-2, B-1, C-3

Q.15 Assertion (A): The Jallianwala Bagh massacre shocked the entire nation.
Reason (R): British troops fired on unarmed civilians.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Q.16 Assertion (A): Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922.
Reason (R): The Chauri-Chaura incident involved violence.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Q.17 The Chauri-Chaura incident occurred in —
(a) Bihar
(b) Bengal
(c) United Province
(d) Punjab
Answer: (c) United Province

Q.18 The Simon Commission arrived in India in —
(a) 1927
(b) 1928
(c) 1929
(d) 1930
Answer: (b) 1928

Q.19 The slogan ‘Go Back Simon’ was raised because —
(a) Simon opposed independence
(b) Simon supported Pakistan
(c) Simon Commission had no Indian member
(d) Simon imposed new taxes
Answer: (c) Simon Commission had no Indian member

Q.20 Complete Independence was declared at the Congress session held at —
(a) Calcutta
(b) Bombay
(c) Lahore
(d) Nagpur
Answer: (c) Lahore

Q.21 The Civil Disobedience Movement started with —
(a) Non-payment of land revenue
(b) Boycott of elections
(c) Salt Satyagraha
(d) Quit India resolution
Answer: (c) Salt Satyagraha

Q.22 Gandhi started the Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram on —
(a) 6th April, 1930
(b) 12th March, 1930
(c) 26th January, 1930
(d) 5th March, 1931
Answer: (b) 12th March, 1930

Q.23 The distance covered by Gandhi during the Dandi March was —
(a) 240 km
(b) 320 km
(c) 385 km
(d) 420 km
Answer: (c) 385 km

Q.24 Gandhi broke the Salt Law at —
(a) Surat
(b) Sabarmati
(c) Dandi
(d) Bombay
Answer: (c) Dandi

Q.25 The Civil Disobedience Movement was suspended in —
(a) 1931
(b) 1932
(c) 1933
(d) 1934
Answer: (d) 1934

Q.26 Which of the following were demands placed by Gandhi before launching the Civil Disobedience Movement?
(i) Abolition of salt tax
(ii) Reduction of land revenue
(iii) Release of political prisoners
(iv) Introduction of separate electorates

(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (iii) and (iv)
Answer: (b) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Q.27 Which of the following were consequences of the Civil Disobedience Movement?
(i) Political awakening of masses
(ii) Exposure of British rule
(iii) Immediate independence
(iv) Arrest of leaders

(a) (i) and (iii)
(b) (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i), (ii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
Answer: (c) (i), (ii) and (iv)

Q.28 Match List A with List B —

A. Simon Commission — 2. 1928
B. Quit India Movement — 1. 1942
C. Civil Disobedience — 3. 1930

(a) A-1, B-2, C-3
(b) A-2, B-1, C-3
(c) A-2, B-3, C-1
(d) A-3, B-1, C-2
Answer: (b) A-2, B-1, C-3

Q.29 Match the leaders with movements —

A. Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan — 1. Quit India
B. Mahatma Gandhi — 2. Civil Disobedience
C. Lala Lajpat Rai — 3. Simon Commission

(a) A-1, B-2, C-3
(b) A-2, B-1, C-3
(c) A-3, B-2, C-1
(d) A-1, B-3, C-2
Answer: (b) A-2, B-1, C-3

Q.30 Assertion (A): The Simon Commission was boycotted by Indians.
Reason (R): It did not include any Indian member.

(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 true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Q.31 Assertion (A): The Quit India Movement was launched in August 1942.
Reason (R): The failure of the Cripps Mission disappointed Indian leaders.

(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 true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Q.32 The slogan ‘Do or Die’ was given during —
(a) Non-Cooperation Movement
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Quit India Movement
(d) Khilafat Movement
Answer: (c) Quit India Movement

Q.33 The Quit India Resolution was passed at —
(a) Calcutta
(b) Lahore
(c) Bombay
(d) Nagpur
Answer: (c) Bombay

Q.34 The Quit India Movement is also known as —
(a) August Movement
(b) Delhi Chalo Movement
(c) Home Rule Movement
(d) Khilafat Movement
Answer: (a) August Movement

Q.35 During the Quit India Movement, people attacked —
(a) Schools and colleges
(b) Railway stations and police stations
(c) Courts only
(d) British Parliament
Answer: (b) Railway stations and police stations

Q.36 The Indian National Army was revived in —
(a) 1941
(b) 1942
(c) 1943
(d) 1944
Answer: (c) 1943

Q.37 The Indian National Army was also known as —
(a) Swaraj Sena
(b) Hind Fauj
(c) Azad Hind Fauz
(d) Rashtriya Sena
Answer: (c) Azad Hind Fauz

Q.38 The slogan of the INA was —
(a) Vande Mataram
(b) Inquilab Zindabad
(c) Jai Hind
(d) Bharat Mata Ki Jai
Answer: (c) Jai Hind

Q.39 The women’s regiment of the INA was called —
(a) Rani Laxmi Bai Regiment
(b) Rani Jhansi Regiment
(c) Durga Regiment
(d) Kasturba Regiment
Answer: (b) Rani Jhansi Regiment

Q.40 The Provisional Government of Free India was formed at —
(a) Tokyo
(b) Bangkok
(c) Singapore
(d) Rangoon
Answer: (c) Singapore

Q.41 The Cabinet Mission was sent to India in —
(a) 1945
(b) 1946
(c) 1947
(d) 1948
Answer: (b) 1946

Q.42 The Direct Action Day was observed on —
(a) 15th August, 1946
(b) 16th August, 1946
(c) 26th January, 1947
(d) 20th February, 1947
Answer: (b) 16th August, 1946

Q.43 The Mountbatten Plan was announced on —
(a) 3rd June, 1947
(b) 15th August, 1947
(c) 20th February, 1947
(d) 16th August, 1946
Answer: (a) 3rd June, 1947

Q.44 India became independent on —
(a) 14th August, 1947
(b) 15th August, 1947
(c) 16th August, 1947
(d) 26th January, 1950
Answer: (b) 15th August, 1947

Q.45 The boundary line between India and Pakistan is known as —
(a) McMahon Line
(b) Durand Line
(c) Radcliffe Line
(d) Curzon Line
Answer: (c) Radcliffe Line

Q.46 Arrange the following events in chronological order —
(i) Non-Cooperation Movement
(ii) Civil Disobedience Movement
(iii) Quit India Movement
(iv) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

(a) (iv), (i), (ii), (iii)
(b) (i), (iv), (ii), (iii)
(c) (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
(d) (i), (ii), (iv), (iii)
Answer: (a) (iv), (i), (ii), (iii)

Q.47 Assertion (A): The Indian Independence Act was passed in July 1947.
Reason (R): It provided for the creation of two independent dominions.

(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 true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Q.48 Assertion (A): Congress ministries resigned in 1939.
Reason (R): India was declared at war without consulting Indian leaders.

(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 true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Q.49 Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India in —
(a) 1946
(b) 1947
(c) 1948
(d) 1950
Answer: (b) 1947

Q.50 Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in —
(a) 1946
(b) 1947
(c) 1948
(d) 1950
Answer: (c) 1948

C. Previous Year Questions with Answers

Q.1 When and in which session of the Indian National Congress was Purna Swaraj declared to be the chief goal of the Indians?
[HSLC 2017]

Answer: Purna Swaraj was declared to be the chief goal of the Indians in the year 1929 at the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress. The session was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Q.2 Mention any two conditions of the Gandhi–Irwin Pact signed in 1931.
[HSLC 2015, 2018]

Answer:
Two conditions of the Gandhi–Irwin Pact were:

1. The British government agreed to release all political prisoners who were not convicted of violence.
2. The Congress agreed to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Q.3 When did Gandhiji start his Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to the seacoast of Dandi? What was the distance between Sabarmati Ashram and Dandi?
[HSLC 2019]

Answer: Gandhiji started his Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram on 12th March, 1930. The distance between Sabarmati Ashram and the seacoast of Dandi was about 385 kilometres.

Q.4 When was the Gandhi–Irwin Pact signed? Mention one outcome of the agreement.
[HSLC 2020]

Answer: The Gandhi–Irwin Pact was signed on 5th March, 1931. One important outcome of the pact was the suspension of the Civil Disobedience Movement by the Indian National Congress.

Q.5 Who for the first time used the term ‘Satyagraha’? What is its actual meaning?
[HSLC 2022]

Answer: The term ‘Satyagraha’ was first used by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. Its actual meaning is ‘holding on to truth’, as it is derived from the words ‘Satya’ (truth) and ‘Agraha’ (firm adherence).

Q.6 When did the Civil Disobedience Movement take place in India? How was it conducted by Mahatma Gandhi?
[HSLC 2022]

Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement took place from 1930 to 1934. Mahatma Gandhi conducted the movement through non-violent means, beginning with the Salt Satyagraha, encouraging people to break unjust laws peacefully.

Q.7 When did the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre take place? Briefly describe the incident.
[HSLC 2022]

Answer: The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on 13th April, 1919. On that day, General Dyer ordered British troops to fire on a peaceful and unarmed gathering at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, killing hundreds of innocent people.

Q.8 Give a brief description of the Quit India Movement. Why is this movement called the August Revolution?
[HSLC 2024]

Answer: The Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in August 1942 demanding an immediate end to British rule in India. It is called the August Revolution because it began in August 1942 and witnessed mass participation, strikes, protests, and widespread resistance against British authority.

Q.9 What were the main provisions of the Indian Independence Act, 1947?
[HSLC 2024]

Answer: The main provisions of the Indian Independence Act, 1947 were:

1. India and Pakistan were to become independent on 15th August, 1947.
2. Two separate dominions, India and Pakistan, were to be created.
3. Each dominion was to have its own Governor-General.
4. The legislatures of both dominions were empowered to make their own laws.

Q.10 Evaluate the role of General Dyer in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and the subsequent reactions to his actions.
[HSLC 2025]

Answer: General Dyer played a cruel and inhuman role in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre by ordering troops to fire on unarmed civilians without warning. His action shocked the entire nation and led to widespread condemnation. Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest, and a strong wave of anger and resentment spread across India against British rule.

D. Important Extra Questions with Answers

Q.1 Describe the role of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa before his return to India.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi went to South Africa in 1893 as a lawyer. There he fought against racial discrimination faced by Indians. He founded the Natal Indian Congress and started the newspaper Indian Opinion. During this struggle, he first used the method of Satyagraha based on truth and non-violence. His experiences in South Africa made him a mature and effective leader.

Q.2 What was the Rowlatt Act of 1919? Why did Indians oppose it?

Answer: The Rowlatt Act of 1919 gave the British government the power to arrest and imprison any person without trial. Indians opposed the Act because it violated basic civil rights and was passed without consulting Indian leaders. It created widespread resentment and led to protests across the country.

Q.3 Describe the causes of the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920–22.

Answer: The main causes of the Non-Cooperation Movement were the failure of the British to grant political rights after World War I, the repressive Rowlatt Act, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and economic exploitation by the British. Support to the Khilafat Movement also encouraged Gandhi to launch this movement.

Q.4 Explain the positive and negative programmes of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Answer: The positive programmes included promotion of Swadeshi, use of Khadi, removal of untouchability, Hindu–Muslim unity, and prohibition of alcohol. The negative programmes included boycott of government schools, colleges, courts, legislatures, and surrender of titles and honours given by the British.

Q.5 What was the Simon Commission? How did Indians react to it?

Answer: The Simon Commission was appointed in 1928 to review the Government of India Act of 1919. It had no Indian member, which angered Indians. The Congress boycotted the Commission and protests were held with the slogan “Go Back Simon”. Lala Lajpat Rai was injured during a protest and later died.

Q.6 Describe the main features of the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Answer: The Civil Disobedience Movement began in 1930 with the Salt Satyagraha. People broke unjust laws peacefully, refused to pay taxes, and boycotted foreign goods. The movement was based on non-violence and mass participation of men, women, peasants, and workers.

Q.7 What was the Communal Award of 1932? How did Gandhi react to it?

Answer: The Communal Award of 1932 provided separate electorates to minorities and also declared the depressed classes as a separate community. Gandhi opposed this decision and started a fast unto death while in jail. As a result, the Poona Pact was signed, and the Award was modified.

Q.8 Write a brief note on the formation and role of the Indian National Army (INA).

Answer: The Indian National Army was revived in 1943 under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose. It aimed to free India with the help of armed struggle against the British. The INA fought alongside the Japanese army in Burma, Imphal, and Kohima. Its slogan was “Jai Hind”.

Q.9 Why did the Congress ministries resign in 1939?

Answer: The Congress ministries resigned in 1939 because the British government declared India’s participation in the Second World War without consulting Indian leaders. The Congress demanded independence in return for cooperation, which was rejected by the British.

Q.10 What was the significance of the Quit India Movement in India’s freedom struggle?

Answer: The Quit India Movement marked a turning point in India’s freedom struggle. It showed the determination of Indians to end British rule immediately. Mass participation, sacrifices, and parallel governments proved that the British could no longer control India, making independence inevitable.