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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION – ANSWER KEY

Q1. Fill in the blanks: -
1. The United Nations was formed on 24 October 1945.

2. The UN has six official languages and organs.

3. The most powerful organ of the UN is the Security Council.

4. The Security Council has five permanent and ten non-permanent members.

5. Modern nuclear weapons have the potential to wipe out the entire human race.

6. The policy of Apartheid was practised in South Africa.

8. The League of Nations was formed in 1920 after the end of the First World War.

9. Each member state of the UN can send up to Five representatives to the General Assembly.

10. The Security Council is often referred to as the 'Enforcement Wing' of the UN.

11. The five permanent members of the Security Council are USA, UK, France,

People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

Q.2 Match the contents of Column A and Column B: -

Column A Column B
1. San Francisco Conference (a) organ of the UN
2. UN headquarters (b) 15
3. Security Council (c) five
4. Permanent members of Security Council (d) New York city
5. Number of judges at the International Court of Justice (e) 1945

Ans. 1. (e) 2. (d) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (b)

Q3. Write True or False and rewrite the false statement correctly: -
1. The United Nations was formed before the First World War.
Ans. False – The United Nations was formed after the Second World War.
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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

2. Most countries of the world are members of the UN.

Ans. True

3. Each member-country has one vote in the General Assembly.

Ans. True

4. Only the non-permanent members of the Security Council have the veto power.
Ans. False – Only the permanent members of the Security Council have the veto power.

5. The headquarters of the International Court of Justice are at New York.

Ans. False – The headquarters of the International Court of Justice are at The Hague, in
Netherlands.

6. The ten non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected for a term of three
years.
Ans. False – The ten non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected for a term
of two years.

7. The United Nations was the first international peacekeeping organisation formed to
prevent wars.
Ans. False - The League of Nations was the first international peacekeeping organisation
formed to prevent wars.

8. Indira Gandhi was first woman President of UN General Assembly.

Ans. False – Vijayalakshmi Pandit was first woman President of UN General Assembly.

9. The Trusteeship Council is not an organ of the UN after 1994.

Ans. True

10. The UN Peacekeeping Forces were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.
Ans. True

11. The General Assembly can admit the new members.

Ans. False – The General Assembly can admit the new members on the advice of the
security council.

12. Security Council works in a democratic way.

Ans. False – Security Council works by the veto power used by the permanent member.
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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

13. There are four organs of UNO.

Ans. False – There are six organs of UNO.

14. All the members of the UN are members of the General Assembly.
Ans. True

15. French is one of the official languages of the UN.

Ans. True

Q4. Choose the correct answer: -

1. 24 October/22 March/21 June is celebrated as United Nations Day.
Ans. 24 October is celebrated as United Nations Day.

2. The olive branches on the UN flag symbolize peace/wealth/ truth.

Ans. The olive branches on the UN flag symbolize peace.

Q5. Name the following: -

1. The power of the Security Council to give a negative vote against a resolution.
Ans. Veto power

2. It is the executive wing of the UN.

Ans. Security Council

3. It is the judicial wing of the UN.

Ans. ICJ – International Court of Justice

4. It is like the ‘World Parliament’.

Ans. General Assembly

5. The present Indian judge in International Court of Justice.

Ans. Justice Dalveer Bhandari

6. A system of racial discrimination in South Africa, wherein only white people had
political and social privileges.
Ans. Apartheid

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

7. This organ does not have its headquarters in New York.

Ans. International Court of Justice (Netherlands)

8. It was formed after World War I.

Ans. League of Nations

9. He was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 1961.

Ans. Mr. Dag

10. India officially joined the United Nations.

Ans. 30th October. 1945.

11. The date of UN establishment.

Ans. 24 October 1945

Q6. Give Reasons for the following: -

1. The ‘UN Day’ is celebrated on 24 October every year.
Ans. The United Nations Organization came into being on 24 October, 1945. Every year this
day is celebrated as the UN day.

2. The Trusteeship Council is no longer functional.

Ans. The Trusteeship Council was set up to work for the eleven trust territories formed after
the Second World War. Its aim was to make these territories self-sufficient for
independence. Now all these countries are free. Hence this organ is now redundant and
no longer functional.

Q7. Answer the following questions: -

1. Why was the United Nations established?
Ans. a. The First World War caused enormous loss of life and property.
b. After the War, the League of Nations was formed to maintain peace among
nations.
c. However, the League failed to prevent the Second World War which caused even
greater destruction and suffering.
d. The world leaders realized the fact that another war of a greater scale would bring
about complete destructions of the world and wipe out human civilization. It
became a matter of concern all over the world. The establishment of the UNO was
the answer for such a hope to preserve world peace.

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

2. What are the objectives of the UN?

Ans. a. To maintain peace and security in the world.
b. To develop friendly relations among countries.
c. To promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
d. To achieve worldwide cooperation in solving international economic, social,
cultural and humanitarian problems.
e. To provide a common platform to countries for coordinating their actions towards
achieving common ends.

3. Name the chief organs of the UN and list down the functions of any 2 of its organs. /
List all the major organs of the UN.
Ans. The major organs of the UN are as follows-
i. The General Assembly
ii. The Security Council
iii. The Economic and Social Council
iv. The Trusteeship Council [The Trusteeship Council suspended operation on
November 1994.]
v. The International Court of Justice
vi. The Secretariat

Functions of General Assembly -

i. To admit new members on the recommendation of the Security Council.
ii. To appoint the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council.
iii. To elect ten temporary member-countries to the Security Council, and members
of the other organs of the UN.
iv. To discuss the reports put forth by the main organs and agencies of the UN, and
take decision on them.
v. To draw the attention of the Security Council whenever it finds that world peace
is endangered by actions of one or more countries.
vi. To discuss any matter falling within the Charter of the UN, for example, security,
international cooperation and development.
vii. To consider and pass the annual budget of the UN.

Functions of Security Council – REFER Q7- 13

4. Name the organization that failed to prevent the Second World War.
Ans. The League of Nations failed to prevent the Second World War.

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

5. Where are the UN headquarters located? How many organs function out of the UN
headquarters?
Ans. The UN headquarters are located in New York City.
Five organs of the UN, except the International Court of Justice which has
headquarters at The Hague, in Netherlands, function in UN headquarters.

6. What are the official languages of the UN?

Ans. The six official languages of the UN are – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian
and Spanish.

7. Which UN organ is called the ‘World Parliament’? How many members does it have?
Ans. The General Assembly is called the World Parliament.
All the 193 countries are members of the General Assembly.

8. Who elects the judges to the International Court of Justice? What is their term?
Ans. The judges to the International Court of Justice are elected by the General Assembly
and the Security Council.
Their term is for nine years, with one-third retiring every three years.

9. Who is the present Secretary- General of the UN? Which country does he belong to?
Ans. Antonio Guterres is the present Secretary – General of the UN.
He is from Portugal.

10. Name any three former UN Secretary-Generals.

Ans. The former Secretary-Generals of the UN are -Trygve Lie, Dag Hammarskjold, U
Thant, Kurt Waldheim, Javier Perez de Cuellar, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan
and Ban Ki –moon.

11. When did India become a part of the UN?

Ans. India became a part of the UN on 30th October, 1945.

12. Who is he? Which organ does he head?

Ans. Antonio Guterres, the present Secretary-General of the UN.

He heads the Secretariat.

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

13. The Security Council is the most important and powerful organ of the UN. In the
context, discuss the following-
a. Number of members
Ans. The Security Council has two types of members- permanent and non-permanent. The
five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA. The ten non-
permanent members are elected for a term of two years.

b. Three functions
Ans. Some functions of the Security Council are as follows:
i. The Security Council maintains international peace by examining and settling
disputes between countries.
ii. It can impose economic sanction against countries that do not act on its direction.
iii. It can order military action against a country which proves to be a threat to world
peace.
iv. It can ask the General Assembly to expel a country from the membership of the
UN if that country fails to act according to the UN Charter.
v. It recommends the name of the person for appointment as the Secretary-General.
vi. It recommends the names of new members for admission to the UN.

c. Explain the Veto power of the permanent members of the Security Council. / What is
meant by Veto power with regard to the Security Council?
Ans. The five permanent members of the UN – China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA
have the Veto power. The decisions in the Security Council are taken by a majority
vote. However, if any permanent member disagrees to a decision and gives a negative
vote, then no decision can be taken even if all the other fourteen members agree. This
is called Veto power of the Big Five permanent members.

14. With reference to the International Court of Justice, discuss the following-
a. Number of judges
Ans. The International Court of Justice has fifteen judges, all from different countries.

b. Headquarters
Ans. The headquarters of the International Court of Justice are at The Hague, in
Netherlands.

c. Functions
Ans. The International Court of Justice settles disputes between member-countries. It
also provides legal advice to other UN organs.

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

15. The U.N. Peacekeeping Forces have been part of numerous peace keeping operations
in different regions of the world. Justify. / How can we say the United Nations is
successful?
Ans. The U. N. Peacekeeping forces have been a part of numerous peacekeeping operations
in different regions of the world:
• It has settled disputes between two or more countries and prevented them from
escalating to wars.
• It brought an end to apartheid in South Africa.
• It has helped many countries to become independent and has conducted free
and fair elections in many countries.

16. i. Identify the following personalities and answer the questions that follow-

a. Identify these personalities and elaborate on their contribution towards world

peace.
Ans. The above personalities are Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.
They initiated the idea of an international organization which would maintain
world peace.

b. Why is 24th October, 1945 considered a red-letter day? What is this day celebrated
as every year?
Ans. 24th October, 1945 is considered as a red-letter day because on this day, the UN
came into being. Every year this day is celebrated as the UN day.

c. What was the original membership? When did India join the UN?
Ans. The Original membership of the UN was 51. India joined the UN on 30thOctober,
1945.

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

ii. India officially became a member of the United Nations 30th October, 1945. How has
she actively supported its programmes? / How has India been an active member of the
United Nations?
Ans i. India has actively supported all peacekeeping efforts of the UN. Time and again,
she has sent troops and medical teams to the troubled areas. Indian troops are
currently serving in many countries.
ii. India is against war and accumulation of weapons of mass destruction. She has
supported the UN in its efforts towards nuclear disarmament.
iii. India has opposed racial discrimination. She has always supported the cause of
human rights.
iv. India has supported freedom movements of other countries.
v. Many Indians have served on important positions in the UN. Shashi Tharoor
served as the Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public
Information at the UN.

17. Arrange the following events in the chronological order: [Write only the numbers]
i) Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt signed the Charter of UN.
ii) 193 member states are members of the UN.
iii) The UN officially came into existence.
iv) The World War II started.
Ans. iv, i, iii, ii

18. Look at the flag of the UN. What do the two-bent olive
branches symbolize?
Ans. The two bent olive branches symbolize world peace.

19. Look at the cartoon strip, what special power of Security Council does it depict?
Ans. It symbolizes the Veto Power.

20. How can one become a member of the United Nations? How many countries are a part
of the UN?
Ans. The membership of the United Nations is open to all countries who agree to abide by
the UN Charter. Presently 193 countries are a part of the UN.
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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

21. What happened at the conference in San Francisco?

Ans. In the conference of San Francisco, the members of some countries came together and
formed the Charter for the permanent peace keeping reform.

22. Observe and answer:

The above personality is Mr. Shashi Tharoor. What was his role as an Indian in the
United Nations?
Ans. Mr. Shashi Tharoor has served as the Under Secretary-General for Communications
and Public Information at the UN.

23. Who was the first Indian female President of the General Assembly?
Ans. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was the first female President of General Assembly.

24. Which power is exercised by the permanent members of the Security Council to stop
any resolution?
Ans. The permanent members have to veto any resolution.

25. Choose the correct answer - The International Court of Justice is located in New York
City in USA/The Hague in Netherlands/Paris in France.
Ans. The International Court of Justice is located in The Hague in Netherlands.

26. Who are the members of the General Assembly?

Ans. All the members of the UN are members of the General Assembly.

27. What is a negative vote by one of the permanent members of the Security Council known
as?
Ans. Veto is the negative vote by any one of the permanent members of the UN Security
Council which leads to the cancellation of the resolution.

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

28. Why did the UN impose economic sanctions against the South African government?
Ans. By imposing economic sanctions against the South African government, it played a
significant role in challenging the apartheid policy and liberating the South African
people from it.

25. What is the relevance of the UN in today's world?

Ans. The need of the hour is to reform and strengthen the UN and to make it strong and
effective, capable of healing the wounds of our times and restoring sanity, balance and
harmony to our strife-torn world.

26. With reference to the United Nations discuss the UN flag.

Ans. The UN flag depicts two bent olive branches which are open at the top with a world
map between them. The white olive branches and the world map are on a light blue
background. The branches symbolize peace.

Q8. Complete the table: -

Name of organ Members Function
Security Council It has two types of i. The Security Council
members - permanent maintains international peace by
there are to permanent examining and settling disputes
members. between countries.
ii. It can impose economic
sanction against countries that do
not act on its direction.
General Assembly All members of the UN i. To admit new members on
are a part of General the recommendation of the
Assembly. Security Council.
ii. To appoint the Secretary-
General on the recommendation
of the Security Council.
International Court 15 Judges The International Court of Justice
of Justice settles disputes between member-
countries. It also provides legal
advice to other UN organs.

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

Q9. An interview with an atomic bomb survivor given below:

Q. What happened to you when the explosion occurred?

When I saw a very strong light, a flash, I put my arms over my face unconsciously.
Almost instantly, I felt my face was inflating. I thought I was directly hit by the bomb
and was dying. Shortly after, I felt my body flying in the air and then I lost
consciousness.

Q. What did you see after that?

When I was rescued, my hair was burnt; my face was inflated like a balloon. Though my
mother did not say, I knew it. I wondered why my shirt had been burnt and hanging
around my arms, I soon realized they were pieces of my skin. It was hell. I saw people
looking for water and they died soon after they drank it.

a) What was the effect of the nuclear blast on the Japanese woman?
Ans. Her hair was burnt. Her face was inflated like a balloon. Her shirt had been burnt and
was hanging around her arms. She realized those were pieces of her skin.

b) Describe the destructive effects of wars on the society and economy of a country.
Ans. War destroys many things. There is a loss of life and property. Million people die.
The economy of a country faces recession as there is destruction and people losing
their lives everywhere.

c) Name two ways to maintain peace in the world.

Ans. a. Peace Education is the Foundation of Progress.
b. Support Peace Initiatives.
c. Stand for Social Justice.
d. Advocating for Human Rights.
e. Promoting Equality.
f. Community Service.
g. Be a World Citizen.
h. Show Kindness and Compassion.

Q10. Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that we should fight wars against
poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and infant mortality instead of saying ‘Let's see who
wins those wars, India or Pakistan”.
a) What is meant by the above statement spoken by the Prime Minister? Why is
terrorism so difficult to deal with?
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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

Ans. Terrorism only brings destruction and develops hatred among people. It is a means to
shatter the peaceful means of living. Also, majority of the terrorists belong to poor and
illiterate families where they are almost negligible employment opportunities. Indian
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has therefore urged all the Indians to fight against
our internal enemies such as against poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and infant
mortality to eradicate Terrorism from this world. He says that different religions should
bring people of the world together and encourage love and brotherhood which in turn
should make the world a better place to live in.

b) Name any two major wars that India has fought in the past with its neighbouring countries.
Ans. 1. 1962 – India-China War
2. 1971 – Indo-Pakistan War

Q11. Path shown by Gandhiji will lead to better world, says PM

NEWYORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park at UN
Headquarters in New York during a Gandhi@150 commemorative event on Tuesday
to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary and India’s global leadership in
renewable energy. The park has 193 solar panels, each representing a UN member.
“Whether it is climate change or terrorism or selfishness in public life, Gandhiji’s
ideals are the guiding light for us when it comes to protecting humanity. I believe the
path shown by Gandhiji will lead to a better world,” said Modi at the event.
The 50 kilowatt-hour (kWh) rooftop solar park has been built at a cost of $1 million.
Each panel is powered to reach the max of 50 KWn of power. The park’s annual output
will be 86,244 KWh. This equals 61 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, 30,242 kg of coal
burned and carbon sequestered from 1,008 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, said never has there
been a symbolic Indian effort at the UN of such a tangible nature, which impacts every
country. “The UN always talks about renewable energy. It always talks about climate
action, climate change. By this small effort, we show our willingness to go beyond the
talk,” said Akbaruddin.
Harjeet Singh, the global lead on climate change for non-governmental organisation
Action Aid, said there is a massive change in perception about India globally, and the
park symbolised that change. “India has demonstrated leadership in the sphere of
renewable energy over the last few years and there has been a dramatic shift in India’s
position in the UN climate talks over the past five years, and it has moved from being a
laggard to a leader,” said Singh, who is in New York for the UN Climate Action
Summit.
India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the US. Coal-
generated power is among major sources of emission, though per capita emissions are
roughly a seventh of the US and less than half the world average.
India has pledged 33-35% reduction in emission intensity (emissions associated with
each unit of economic output) by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, as part of its

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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

commitments to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted by 195

countries in Paris in 2015.
1. What was inaugurated on the occasion of Gandhiji’s 150 birth anniversary? Where?
Ans. The Gandhi Solar Park was inaugurated by Mr. Narendra Modi on the occasion of
Gandhiji’s 150th birthday at UN Headquarters in New York City.

2. What is the significance of 193 solar panels?

Ans. 193 solar panels represent each member of the U.N.

3. What did PM Narendra Modi say about Gandhiji’s view about a better world?
Ans. PM Narendra Modi said that whether it is climate change or terrorism or
selfishness in public life, Gandhiji’s ideals are the guiding light for us when it comes
to protecting humanity.

4. Name India’s Permanent Representative to the UN. What did he say about the UN’s
efforts?
Ans. Syed Akbaruddin is India’s Permanent Representative to the UN. He said that UN
always talked about renewable energy, climate action and climate change. By this
small effort, the UN show their willingness to go beyond the talk.

5. What is India’s commitment to the UN Framework. Convention on Climate Change?

Ans. 33-35% reduction in emission intensity by 2030, compared to 2005 levels – this is
India’s commitment.

Q12.Observe the picture and answer the questions that following: -

1. Identify the UN organ.

Ans. International Court of Justice.

2. Where is it located?
Ans. The Hague in Netherlands.

3. How many members in the organ?

Ans.15 members in the organ.

4. What are its functions?

Ans. The International Court of Justice settles disputes between member-countries. It also
provides legal advice to other UN organs.
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Passionate Learning
9769955433 Grade 8 - Term II
HISTORY – The United Nations Organization – Answer Key

Q.13 Narendra Modi's speech to US Congress: Highlights of PM's address – from

combating terrorism to building stronger India.
Combating terrorism: Not just in Afghanistan, but elsewhere in South Asia, and
globally, terrorism remains the biggest threat. In the territory stretching from West of
India's border to Africa, it may go by different names, from Lashkar-e-Taiba, to
Taliban to ISIS.
But its philosophy is common: of hate, murder and violence. Although its shadow is
spreading across the world, it is incubated in India's neighbourhood.
The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation. And, base it on a
policy: that isolates those who harbour, support and sponsor terrorists; that does not
distinguish between "good" and "bad" terrorists, and that delinks religion from
terrorism. Terrorism must be delegitimized.
The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels. And, the traditional tools of
military, intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to win this fight.

a. What according to Narendra Modi is the need of the hour?

Ans. The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation. And, base it on a
policy: that isolates those who harbour, support and sponsor terrorists; that does not
distinguish between "good" and "bad" terrorists, and that delinks religion from
terrorism. Terrorism must be delegitimized.

b. What new methods can help curb terrorism?

Ans. In the coming years, we will have to do more to help countries improve their internal
coordination and their cooperation with neighbours. The regional and global events we
organize aim to facilitate these processes, giving professionals an opportunity to meet
face to face and brainstorm on good practices. Once back home, they can implement
the lessons learned and call on their international network for support.

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