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CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 7 The Making of the National Movement — 20 MCQs with Answers
The Making of the National Movement traces the pivotal phases of India's freedom struggle — from cautious petitions of the early nationalists to Mahatma Gandhi's mass satyagrahas and the decisive Quit India call. CBSE Class 8 Social Science exams test this chapter through MCQs that probe dates, leaders, slogans, and the principles behind each movement. Mastering these twenty carefully crafted questions will strengthen your recall and analytical skills, ensuring you tackle the term exam confidently.
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Key takeaways
- ✓Chapter 7 covers the evolution of India's freedom struggle from early nationalist petitions to Mahatma Gandhi's mass movements and the decisive Quit India call.
- ✓Early nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale relied on constitutional methods, petitions, and appeals to the British sense of justice.
- ✓The Gandhian phase introduced non-violent mass mobilisation through satyagraha, civil disobedience, and hartals, bringing millions of ordinary Indians into the freedom movement.
- ✓The Quit India movement of 1942 marked an uncompromising demand for complete independence, leading to widespread arrests yet galvanising public opinion across India.
- ✓CBSE exams include 1-mark MCQs on key leaders, events, and slogans; revising NCERT terms and chronology is critical for scoring full marks.
- ✓Practising assertion-reason and application-based MCQs builds analytical skills essential for HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) questions in Social Science papers.
- ✓CBSETUTOR.ai offers 24×7 AI tutoring, chapter-wise MCQ quizzes, and photo-upload doubt solving at ₹999/month for all classes 6-12 — try it free for three days.
Early Nationalists and the Formation of the Indian National Congress (MCQs 1–4)
The early nationalists emerged in the late nineteenth century, believing that British rule could be reformed through constitutional dialogue, petitions, and appeals to liberal British politicians. Leaders such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Indian National Congress in 1885 as a platform for educated Indians to voice grievances about economic exploitation, lack of representation, and discriminatory policies. They relied on the press, public speeches, and annual Congress sessions to highlight the drain of wealth from India and demand legislative reforms. Though criticized for being elite and moderate, these pioneers laid the organizational foundation and political vocabulary that later mass movements would build upon.
- MCQ 1: In which year was the Indian National Congress founded? (a) 1857 (b) 1885 (c) 1905 (d) 1920
- Answer: (b) 1885. Reason: The INC was established in Bombay in December 1885 to provide a national platform for political discourse.
- MCQ 2: Who among the following is known as the 'Grand Old Man of India'? (a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak (b) Gopal Krishna Gokhale (c) Dadabhai Naoroji (d) Lala Lajpat Rai
- Answer: (c) Dadabhai Naoroji. Reason: He was honoured with this title for his role in early nationalist politics and exposing the economic drain of India.
- MCQ 3: Early nationalists believed in which of the following methods? (a) Armed rebellion (b) Constitutional dialogue and petitions (c) Complete non-cooperation (d) Revolutionary terrorism
- Answer: (b) Constitutional dialogue and petitions. Reason: Moderates sought reforms through legal means and appeals to British justice.
- MCQ 4: Which economic concept was popularized by Dadabhai Naoroji to critique British rule? (a) Swadeshi (b) Drain of Wealth (c) Swaraj (d) Boycott
- Answer: (b) Drain of Wealth. Reason: Naoroji's 'drain theory' argued that British policies siphoned India's resources to Britain, impoverishing the country.
The Gandhian Phase: Non-Violent Mass Mobilisation (MCQs 5–8)
Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and transformed the national movement by introducing satyagraha — a philosophy of non-violent resistance rooted in truth and moral force. Unlike the early nationalists, Gandhi mobilised millions of peasants, workers, and women through campaigns such as the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34), and the Salt Satyagraha. The Dandi March in March 1930, where Gandhi walked 240 miles to the Arabian Sea to make salt and defy the British salt monopoly, became an iconic symbol of resistance. Gandhi's methods included hartals (strikes), boycotts of British goods, and refusing to cooperate with colonial institutions, bringing the freedom struggle to every village and street.
- MCQ 5: When did Mahatma Gandhi launch the Non-Cooperation Movement? (a) 1915 (b) 1920 (c) 1930 (d) 1942
- Answer: (b) 1920. Reason: The movement was launched in August 1920 after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Khilafat issue.
- MCQ 6: The Salt Satyagraha began with which famous event? (a) Chauri Chaura incident (b) Dandi March (c) Lahore Session (d) Quit India resolution
- Answer: (b) Dandi March. Reason: Gandhi walked from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in March 1930 to break the salt law by making salt from seawater.
- MCQ 7: Satyagraha as a method relies on: (a) Armed struggle (b) Truth and non-violent resistance (c) Petitions only (d) Foreign intervention
- Answer: (b) Truth and non-violent resistance. Reason: Gandhi coined satyagraha to mean 'holding on to truth' through peaceful protest.
- MCQ 8: The Civil Disobedience Movement included which of the following? (a) Boycott of foreign goods (b) Refusal to pay taxes (c) Violating colonial laws (d) All of the above
- Answer: (d) All of the above. Reason: Civil disobedience encompassed boycotts, tax refusal, and deliberate defiance of unjust laws to paralyze British administration.
Quit India Movement: The Final Push (MCQs 9–12)
On 8 August 1942, the All India Congress Committee passed the Quit India resolution in Bombay, demanding immediate British withdrawal from India. Mahatma Gandhi gave the call 'Do or Die', signalling that this was the decisive battle for freedom. Within hours, the British arrested Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, and other top leaders, but the movement spread like wildfire. Students, workers, and villagers organized hartals, strikes, and sabotage of communication lines. The British responded with severe repression — mass arrests, lathi charges, and even firing on crowds. Despite brutal suppression, Quit India demonstrated that Indian resolve for independence was unshakable, hastening British plans to leave India after World War II ended in 1945.
- MCQ 9: In which year was the Quit India Movement launched? (a) 1930 (b) 1935 (c) 1942 (d) 1947
- Answer: (c) 1942. Reason: The Quit India resolution was passed on 8 August 1942 at the Bombay session of the AICC.
- MCQ 10: Who gave the famous slogan 'Do or Die' during Quit India? (a) Jawaharlal Nehru (b) Subhas Chandra Bose (c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Sardar Patel
- Answer: (c) Mahatma Gandhi. Reason: Gandhi urged Indians to 'Do or Die' in the struggle for freedom, emphasizing total commitment.
- MCQ 11: What was the British response to the Quit India Movement? (a) Immediate negotiations (b) Mass arrests and repression (c) Granting Dominion Status (d) Calling a Round Table Conference
- Answer: (b) Mass arrests and repression. Reason: The British arrested all top leaders within hours and used force to suppress protests nationwide.
- MCQ 12: The Quit India Movement was significant because: (a) It was the first mass movement (b) It demanded complete independence immediately (c) It was led entirely by women (d) It succeeded without any arrests
- Answer: (b) It demanded complete independence immediately. Reason: Unlike earlier movements seeking reforms or dominion status, Quit India unequivocally demanded the British leave India at once.
Key Leaders and Their Contributions (MCQs 13–16)
The national movement was shaped by diverse leaders who brought different strategies, ideologies, and constituencies into the struggle. Bal Gangadhar Tilak popularized the slogan 'Swaraj is my birthright', advocating militant nationalism and mass festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi to unite people. Subhas Chandra Bose sought to liberate India through armed struggle and formed the Indian National Army. Women leaders such as Sarojini Naidu and Kasturba Gandhi mobilised women into picketing, marches, and civil disobedience, breaking traditional barriers. Jawaharlal Nehru brought socialist ideas and a vision of modern, secular India. Understanding each leader's unique role helps students appreciate the multi-faceted character of India's freedom movement.
- MCQ 13: Which leader coined the slogan 'Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it'? (a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak (c) Lala Lajpat Rai (d) Dadabhai Naoroji
- Answer: (b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Reason: Tilak was a militant nationalist who inspired Indians to claim their right to self-rule boldly.
- MCQ 14: Who was known as the 'Nightingale of India'? (a) Annie Besant (b) Sarojini Naidu (c) Kasturba Gandhi (d) Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
- Answer: (b) Sarojini Naidu. Reason: Sarojini Naidu was a poet and freedom fighter honoured with this title for her eloquence and leadership.
- MCQ 15: Subhas Chandra Bose is associated with which armed struggle initiative? (a) Ghadar Party (b) Indian National Army (c) Abhinav Bharat (d) Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
- Answer: (b) Indian National Army. Reason: Bose revived and led the INA during World War II to fight the British alongside Axis powers.
- MCQ 16: Jawaharlal Nehru brought which ideological influence into the Congress? (a) Conservatism (b) Socialism (c) Capitalism (d) Monarchism
- Answer: (b) Socialism. Reason: Nehru advocated socialist economic policies, land reforms, and planning, shaping independent India's early development.
Important Movements and Events Timeline (MCQs 17–20)
Chronology is critical for CBSE exams. The Partition of Bengal in 1905 sparked the Swadeshi movement, encouraging Indians to boycott British goods and promote indigenous industries. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April 1919 turned many moderates into fierce nationalists, directly leading to the Non-Cooperation Movement. The Civil Disobedience Movement began in 1930 with the Dandi March and continued intermittently until 1934. The Quit India Movement in 1942 was the final mass upsurge before independence in 1947. Mastering these dates, events, and their interconnections helps students answer timeline-based MCQs and match-the-following questions confidently.
- MCQ 17: The Partition of Bengal took place in which year? (a) 1885 (b) 1905 (c) 1920 (d) 1947
- Answer: (b) 1905. Reason: Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal to weaken nationalist unity, sparking the Swadeshi and Boycott movements.
- MCQ 18: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on: (a) 13 April 1919 (b) 8 August 1942 (c) 26 January 1930 (d) 15 August 1947
- Answer: (a) 13 April 1919. Reason: General Dyer ordered firing on a peaceful gathering in Amritsar, killing hundreds and outraging the nation.
- MCQ 19: The Swadeshi movement encouraged Indians to: (a) Use British goods (b) Boycott foreign goods and promote indigenous products (c) Join the British army (d) Migrate abroad
- Answer: (b) Boycott foreign goods and promote indigenous products. Reason: Swadeshi aimed at economic self-reliance and weakening British trade profits.
- MCQ 20: Arrange in chronological order: (I) Quit India (II) Non-Cooperation (III) Civil Disobedience (IV) Swadeshi. (a) IV, II, III, I (b) I, II, III, IV (c) II, III, IV, I (d) IV, III, II, I
- Answer: (a) IV, II, III, I. Reason: Swadeshi (1905), Non-Cooperation (1920), Civil Disobedience (1930), Quit India (1942) follow this sequence.
How to Attempt MCQs in the CBSE Social Science Paper
Multiple-choice questions in CBSE Class 8 Social Science papers carry one mark each and test factual recall, chronology, and analytical reasoning. Start by reading each question carefully; watch for negative phrasing like 'which is NOT correct' or 'EXCEPT'. Eliminate obviously wrong options first to narrow your choices. For assertion-reason MCQs, verify both statements independently before checking if the reason explains the assertion. If you are unsure, make an educated guess — there is no negative marking. Time management is crucial: allocate 30-45 seconds per MCQ and do not get stuck on any single question. After completing all MCQs, use spare time to review flagged questions. Regular practice with NCERT-aligned MCQs, like the ones on this page, builds speed and accuracy, ensuring you score full marks in this section.
- Read the question stem and all four options before deciding; hasty reading causes avoidable errors.
- Eliminate clearly incorrect options to improve your probability of selecting the right answer.
- For assertion-reason questions, check if both A and R are true, then confirm whether R explains A.
- Mark your answer neatly on the OMR sheet or answer booklet; overwriting or unclear marks may cost you marks.
- Practise at least 20-30 MCQs per chapter to familiarize yourself with CBSE question patterns and terminology.
- Use CBSETUTOR.ai's AI-powered quizzes to generate unlimited chapter-wise MCQ sets, track progress, and get instant explanations at ₹999/month for all classes 6-12.
Common Mistakes Students Make in Chapter 7 MCQs
Students often confuse dates and leaders across different movements. For instance, mixing up the years of Non-Cooperation (1920) and Civil Disobedience (1930) is a frequent error. Another common pitfall is attributing slogans incorrectly — remember 'Do or Die' belongs to Gandhi during Quit India, while 'Swaraj is my birthright' is Tilak's. Many students overlook the reasons behind movements: understanding that the Jallianwala Bagh massacre triggered Non-Cooperation or that the salt tax symbolized economic exploitation enriches your answers and prevents mix-ups. Assertion-reason questions trip up learners who do not carefully check whether the reason genuinely explains the assertion. Finally, skipping NCERT text leads to missing specific terms like 'drain of wealth', 'satyagraha', and 'hartal' that CBSE examiners expect verbatim. Address these gaps through repeated revision, flashcards, and timed mock tests to build confidence.
- Do not confuse the timeline: Swadeshi (1905), Non-Cooperation (1920), Civil Disobedience (1930), Quit India (1942).
- Attribute slogans and titles correctly: 'Grand Old Man' is Naoroji, 'Nightingale of India' is Sarojini Naidu, 'Do or Die' is Gandhi.
- Read assertion-reason MCQs twice to ensure the reason actually explains the assertion, not just a related fact.
- Use NCERT terminology exactly as printed; paraphrasing 'drain of wealth' as 'economic loss' may lose precision marks.
- Revise key leaders' contributions in a table format to avoid mixing Tilak's militant nationalism with Gandhi's non-violence.
- Practise with previous years' CBSE question papers to recognize recurring question types and avoid repeated mistakes.
Why CBSETUTOR.ai is the Smart Way to Master Chapter 7 MCQs
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Frequently asked questions
How many MCQs come from Chapter 7 in the CBSE Class 8 Social Science term exam?+
Typically, 3-5 one-mark MCQs appear from this chapter, testing key events, leaders, and dates. The exact number varies by school and term weightage, so practice broadly across all sections.
What is the difference between the early nationalists and the Gandhian phase?+
Early nationalists like Naoroji and Gokhale relied on petitions and constitutional methods, seeking reforms within British rule. The Gandhian phase mobilized millions through non-violent mass movements like satyagraha and civil disobedience, demanding self-rule.
Why is the Dandi March considered significant in India's freedom struggle?+
The Dandi March (March 1930) defied the British salt monopoly, a daily-use tax that affected every Indian. It symbolized civil disobedience, mobilized millions, and drew global attention to India's independence movement.
Which leaders are most important to remember for Chapter 7 MCQs?+
Focus on Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Sarojini Naidu. Know their slogans, movements, and contributions to avoid confusion in MCQs.
How should I prepare for assertion-reason MCQs on this chapter?+
Read both the assertion and reason carefully. Check if both are factually true, then determine if the reason correctly explains the assertion. Practice with sample questions to build confidence in this format.
What are the most commonly tested dates in Chapter 7?+
Remember 1885 (INC founded), 1905 (Partition of Bengal), 1919 (Jallianwala Bagh), 1920 (Non-Cooperation), 1930 (Civil Disobedience/Dandi March), and 1942 (Quit India). These dates recur frequently in MCQs.
Is solving these 20 MCQs enough for the CBSE exam?+
These 20 MCQs cover core concepts, but supplement them with NCERT exercises, previous years' papers, and additional practice sets. Consistent revision and timed practice ensure thorough preparation.
How does CBSETUTOR.ai help if I am stuck on a particular MCQ?+
Simply photograph the question and upload it to CBSETUTOR.ai. The AI tutor provides a step-by-step explanation, clarifies the correct answer, and highlights why the other options are incorrect — available 24×7 at ₹999/month for all classes.
What is the best way to revise key terms like 'satyagraha' and 'hartal'?+
Make flashcards with the term on one side and a brief NCERT-based definition on the other. Practice daily, use the terms in practice answers, and ensure you spell them correctly in the exam.
Can I score full marks in the MCQ section if I focus only on NCERT?+
Yes, CBSE MCQs are strictly NCERT-aligned. Read the chapter thoroughly, underline key dates and leaders, and practice MCQs from reliable sources. NCERT mastery is the foundation for full marks in this section.
Related resources
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