Class 10 The United Nations and Its Agencies Mock Test (ICSE)

Topics in The United Nations and Its Agencies

• Objectives of the UN
• General Assembly
• Security Council
• International Court of Justice
• UNICEF, WHO and UNESCO

The United Nations and Its Agencies practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which of the following is a primary objective of the United Nations as stated in its Charter?

   1. (a)To maintain international peace and security
   2. (b)To keep the wartime Allies united against the defeated Axis powers
   3. (c)To try and punish Axis leaders for war crimes committed in the war
   4. (d)To settle court cases between citizens of different nations
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a) To maintain international peace and security. The UN is not a wartime alliance, it did not conduct the war-crimes trials, and its Court hears disputes between states, not private citizens.+1

   Answer: (a)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which specialized agency of the United Nations is primarily responsible for promoting education, science, and cultural heritage worldwide?

   1. (a)UNESCO
   2. (b)WHO
   3. (c)ILO
   4. (d)UNICEF
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a) UNESCO+1

   Answer: (a)
3. Q3Short answer·2 marks
   State any two functions of the United Nations General Assembly.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First function, any one of: discussing any matter within the scope of the UN Charter and making recommendations; considering and approving the UN budget and apportioning expenses among members; electing the non-permanent members of the Security Council; electing the members of the Economic and Social Council; electing, with the Security Council, the judges of the International Court of Justice; appointing the Secretary-General on the Security Council's recommendation; admitting new members on the Security Council's recommendation; amending the Charter; or any other valid function.+1
   2. Second function, a different one from the same list.+1

   Answer: Any two of: discussing matters within the Charter and making recommendations; approving the UN budget and apportioning expenses; electing non-permanent members of the Security Council; electing ECOSOC members; electing ICJ judges with the Security Council; appointing the Secretary-General; admitting new members; amending the Charter.
4. Q4Short answer·2 marks
   State any two main functions of the UN General Assembly.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First function, any one of: discussing any matter within the scope of the UN Charter and making recommendations; considering and approving the UN budget and apportioning expenses among members; electing the non-permanent members of the Security Council; electing the members of the Economic and Social Council; electing, with the Security Council, the judges of the International Court of Justice; appointing the Secretary-General on the Security Council's recommendation; admitting new members on the Security Council's recommendation; amending the Charter; or any other valid function.+1
   2. Second function, a different one from the same list.+1

   Answer: Any two of: discussing matters within the Charter and making recommendations; approving the UN budget and apportioning expenses; electing non-permanent members of the Security Council; electing ECOSOC members; electing ICJ judges with the Security Council; appointing the Secretary-General; admitting new members; amending the Charter.
5. Q5Long answer·4 marks
   The Security Council is the principal executive organ of the United Nations responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security. With reference to the Security Council, answer the following: (a) State the total number of members of the Security Council and distinguish between its permanent and non-permanent members. (b) Name any two permanent members and specify the special voting power they possess. (c) Explain any two functions or powers of the Security Council in resolving international disputes.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. (a) The Security Council has 15 members.+0.5
   2. (a) 5 permanent members hold permanent seats (with the veto), while 10 non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.+0.5
   3. (b) First permanent member, any one of the five: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States.+0.5
   4. (b) Second permanent member, a different one of the five.+0.5
   5. (b) The special voting power is the veto.+0.5
   6. (b) A negative vote by any one permanent member on a substantive matter blocks the decision, even if all other members support it.+0.5
   7. (c) First function, any one of: investigating any dispute or situation that may lead to international friction; recommending methods or terms of peaceful settlement; determining whether a threat to peace or an act of aggression exists; imposing economic sanctions or other non-military measures on an aggressor; taking military action against an aggressor; sending peacekeeping forces to areas of conflict; or any other valid function in resolving disputes.+0.5
   8. (c) Second function, a different one from the same list.+0.5

   Answer: (a) 15 members: 5 permanent, and 10 non-permanent elected by the General Assembly for two years. (b) Any two of China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA; they hold the veto, by which one negative vote blocks a substantive decision. (c) Any two of: investigating disputes; recommending terms of peaceful settlement; determining threats to peace or aggression; imposing economic sanctions; taking military action against an aggressor; sending peacekeeping forces.
6. Q6Long answer·4 marks
   The Security Council is the principal executive organ of the United Nations entrusted with the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. (a) Name any four of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. [2] (b) Explain the 'Veto' power enjoyed by the permanent members. What is its impact on the decision-making process of the Security Council? [2]
   Show answer and step marks

   1. (a) First permanent member, any one of the five: China; France; Russia (the Russian Federation, formerly the USSR); the United Kingdom; the United States of America.+0.5
   2. (a) Second permanent member, a different one from the same five.+0.5
   3. (a) Third permanent member, a different one from the same five.+0.5
   4. (a) Fourth permanent member, a different one from the same five.+0.5
   5. (b) Veto: the negative vote cast by any one of the five permanent members on a substantive (non-procedural) matter.+1
   6. (b) Impact: a single veto defeats a resolution even if all other members support it, so the Council cannot act when a permanent member disagrees, which can cause deadlock or delay.+1

   Answer: (a) Any four of: China, France, Russia, the UK, the USA. (b) Veto is the negative vote of a permanent member on a substantive matter; a single veto defeats a resolution even with all other members in favour, which can block or delay Council action.

More Class 10 History and Civics mock tests