NCERT Class 6 Political Science — Chapter 2: Key Elements of a Democratic Government

mcqeasy

The term "Apartheid", associated with South African history, literally translates to:

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AFreedom
BRule by the few
CUnity in diversity
DSeparation

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

Separation

Explanation

Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s.

Etymological Analysis:

The term "Apartheid" is derived from the Afrikaans language.
It is composed of the root word "apart" (meaning separate) and the suffix "-heid" (meaning state or hood).
Consequently, the literal translation of the term is "separation" or "apartness".
This term was used to describe the legal and political framework that enforced the physical and social separation of different racial groups in South Africa.

Key Takeaway: "Apartheid" is an Afrikaans word that literally translates to "separation" or "apartness".

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Key Elements of a Democratic Government

Which of the following best describes the policy of 'Apartheid' as practiced in earlier South Africa?

medium

Under the Apartheid laws in South Africa, which of the following restrictions were imposed on non-white populations? 1. Prohibition from living in white-designated areas. 2. Denial of voting rights. 3. Restriction from using the same trains and buses as white people. 4. Complete ban on speaking local African languages in private homes.

hard

Consider the following statements regarding the 1976 Soweto uprising: 1. It was led primarily by mine workers demanding better wages. 2. The protesters were opposing the imposition of the Afrikaans language in schools. 3. Hector Pieterson was the government official who negotiated the peace treaty. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I | List II A. Afrikaans | 1. The group that led the struggle against apartheid B. Zulu | 2. A black township in South Africa C. ANC | 3. The language spoken by the white population D. Soweto | 4. The language non-white students wanted to learn

easy

In the context of the South African struggle for democracy, the year 1994 is significant because: