Comprehension
Every state has a constitution, since every state functions on the basis of certain rules and principles. It
has often been asserted that the United States has a written constitution, but that the constitution of Great
Britain is unwritten. This is true only in the sense that, in the United States, there is a formal document
called the Constitution, whereas there is no such document in Great Britain. In fact, however, many parts
of the British constitution exist in written form, whereas important aspects of the American constitution are
wholly unwritten. The British constitution includes the bill of Rights (1689), the Act of Settlement (1700 –
01), the Parliament Act of 1911, the successive Representation of the People Acts (which extended the
suffrage), the statutes dealing with the structure of the courts, the various local government acts, and many
others. These are not ordinary statutes, even though they are adopted in the ordinary legislative way, and
they are not codified within the structure of single orderly document. On the other hand, such institutions
in the United States as the presidential cabinet and the system of political parties, though not even
mentioned in the written constitution, are most certainly of constitutional significance. The presence or
absence of a formal written document makes a difference, of course, but only one of degree. A singledocument constitution has such advantages as greater precision, simplicity, and consistency. In a newly
developing state as Israel, on the other hand, the balance of advantage has been found to lie with an
uncodified constitution evolving through the growth of custom and the medium of statutes. Experience
suggests that some codified constitutions are much too detailed. An overlong constitution invites disputes
and litigation is rarely read or understood by the ordinary citizen and injects too much rigidity in cases in
which flexibility is often preferable. Since a very long constitution says to many things on too many
subjects, it must be amended often, and this makes it still longer. The United States Constitution of 7,000
words is a model of brevity, whereas many of that country’s state constitutions are much too long - the
longest being hat of the sate of Louisiana, whose constitution now has about 255,000 words. The very new,
modern constitutions of the recently admitted states of Alaska and Hawaii and the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico have, significantly, very concise constitutions ranging from 9,000 to 15,000 words. The 1949
constitution of India, with 395 articles, is the wordiest of all national constitutions. In contract, some of the
world’s new constitutions, such as those of Japan and Indonesia, are very short indeed.
Some constitutions are buttressed by powerful institutions such as an independent judiciary, whereas other, though committed to lofty principles, are not supported by governmental institutions endowed with the authority to defend these principles in concrete situation. Accordingly, many juristic writers distinguish between “normative” and “normal” constitutions. A normative constitution is the one that not only has the status of supreme law but it also fully activated and effective; it is habitually obeyed in the actual life of the state. A nominal constitution may express high aspirations, but it does not, in fact, reflect the political realities of the state. Article 125 of the 1936 constitution of the Soviet Union and the article 87 of the 1954 constitution of the People’s Republic of China both purport to guarantee freedom of speech, but in those countries even mild expressions of dissent are likely to be swiftly and sternly repressed. Where the written constitution is only nominal, behind the verbal façade will be found the real constitution containing the basic principles according to which power is exercised in actual fact. Thus in the Soviet Union, the rules of the Communist Party describing its organs and functioning are more truly the constitution of that country than are the grand phases of the 1936 Stalin constitution. Every state, in short has a constitution, but in some, real constitution operates behind the façade of a nominal constitution.
Some constitutions are buttressed by powerful institutions such as an independent judiciary, whereas other, though committed to lofty principles, are not supported by governmental institutions endowed with the authority to defend these principles in concrete situation. Accordingly, many juristic writers distinguish between “normative” and “normal” constitutions. A normative constitution is the one that not only has the status of supreme law but it also fully activated and effective; it is habitually obeyed in the actual life of the state. A nominal constitution may express high aspirations, but it does not, in fact, reflect the political realities of the state. Article 125 of the 1936 constitution of the Soviet Union and the article 87 of the 1954 constitution of the People’s Republic of China both purport to guarantee freedom of speech, but in those countries even mild expressions of dissent are likely to be swiftly and sternly repressed. Where the written constitution is only nominal, behind the verbal façade will be found the real constitution containing the basic principles according to which power is exercised in actual fact. Thus in the Soviet Union, the rules of the Communist Party describing its organs and functioning are more truly the constitution of that country than are the grand phases of the 1936 Stalin constitution. Every state, in short has a constitution, but in some, real constitution operates behind the façade of a nominal constitution.
Question: 1
The lengthiest constitution in the world is that of:
The lengthiest constitution in the world is that of:
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When a passage lists quantitative comparisons (like word counts), these are strong clues for “longest” or “shortest” type questions.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- Great Britain.
- India.
- Puerto Rico.
- Soviet Union.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage states that the 1949 Constitution of India, with 395 articles, is the wordiest of all national constitutions.
This clearly identifies India as having the longest constitution among nations.
Option (a) Great Britain — does not have a single codified constitution; its constitutional laws are spread across statutes, conventions, and customs.
Option (c) Puerto Rico — mentioned as having a concise constitution (9,000–15,000 words), making it among the shortest, not the longest.
Option (d) Soviet Union — while the passage discusses the 1936 Soviet constitution, it does not claim it to be the longest, and it is certainly shorter than India’s.
Therefore, India is the correct answer.
This clearly identifies India as having the longest constitution among nations.
Option (a) Great Britain — does not have a single codified constitution; its constitutional laws are spread across statutes, conventions, and customs.
Option (c) Puerto Rico — mentioned as having a concise constitution (9,000–15,000 words), making it among the shortest, not the longest.
Option (d) Soviet Union — while the passage discusses the 1936 Soviet constitution, it does not claim it to be the longest, and it is certainly shorter than India’s.
Therefore, India is the correct answer.
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Question: 2
The instance of a country without a written constitution mentioned in the passage is:
The instance of a country without a written constitution mentioned in the passage is:
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An “unwritten constitution” does not mean no constitutional rules exist — it means they are not consolidated in a single codified document.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- People’s Republic of China
- Japan
- Israel
- Indonesia
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage explains that Israel, as a newly developing state, found advantages in having an uncodified constitution that evolved through custom and statutes.
This makes Israel an example of a country without a formal single written constitution.
Option (a) People’s Republic of China — has a written constitution (1954) which, though nominal in practice, is still a formal document.
Option (b) Japan — has a concise written constitution, making this option incorrect.
Option (d) Indonesia — also has a short written constitution, so it does not fit the criteria of having no written constitution.
Thus, the correct example in the passage is Israel.
This makes Israel an example of a country without a formal single written constitution.
Option (a) People’s Republic of China — has a written constitution (1954) which, though nominal in practice, is still a formal document.
Option (b) Japan — has a concise written constitution, making this option incorrect.
Option (d) Indonesia — also has a short written constitution, so it does not fit the criteria of having no written constitution.
Thus, the correct example in the passage is Israel.
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Question: 3
The unwritten parts of the US constitution deal with:
The unwritten parts of the US constitution deal with:
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Some of the most significant government practices may be “unwritten” yet still shape the constitutional framework just as much as the written provisions.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- Courts.
- presidential cabinet.
- relationship between the Centre and the States.
- fundamental rights.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage notes that certain institutions in the U.S. — such as the presidential cabinet and the political party system — are not mentioned in the written constitution, yet they have constitutional significance.
Option (a) Courts — these are mentioned in the written U.S. Constitution under the judicial branch provisions.
Option (c) Relationship between the Centre and the States — this federal structure is explicitly defined in the written constitution.
Option (d) Fundamental rights — these are included in the written Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments.
Thus, the presidential cabinet is an example of an important constitutional element in the U.S. that exists entirely outside the written constitution.
Option (a) Courts — these are mentioned in the written U.S. Constitution under the judicial branch provisions.
Option (c) Relationship between the Centre and the States — this federal structure is explicitly defined in the written constitution.
Option (d) Fundamental rights — these are included in the written Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments.
Thus, the presidential cabinet is an example of an important constitutional element in the U.S. that exists entirely outside the written constitution.
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Question: 4
In the United States:
In the United States:
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Details about word counts or document length are strong clues for such questions; always match them to the right category (new vs. older constitutions).
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- the newly admitted states have lengthy constitutions.
- the newly admitted states have concise constitutions.
- the political parties have no constitutional significance.
- the constitution can be termed ‘normal’.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The passage mentions that the modern constitutions of the newly admitted states of Alaska and Hawaii, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, are notably concise, ranging from 9,000 to 15,000 words.
Option (a) is incorrect — lengthy constitutions are associated with some older U.S. state constitutions, like Louisiana’s (~255,000 words), not the newly admitted states.
Option (c) is incorrect — the passage states that political parties, though not mentioned in the written constitution, have constitutional significance.
Option (d) is incorrect — the U.S. Constitution is an example of a normative constitution, not a “normal” one in the sense used by the author.
Thus, (b) is correct.
Option (a) is incorrect — lengthy constitutions are associated with some older U.S. state constitutions, like Louisiana’s (~255,000 words), not the newly admitted states.
Option (c) is incorrect — the passage states that political parties, though not mentioned in the written constitution, have constitutional significance.
Option (d) is incorrect — the U.S. Constitution is an example of a normative constitution, not a “normal” one in the sense used by the author.
Thus, (b) is correct.
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Question: 5
In countries with ‘normative’ constitutions:
In countries with ‘normative’ constitutions:
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When a term is defined in the passage, match the answer to the definition given, not to an outside general idea you might have.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- there will be very little freedom of speech.
- there are effective instruments to enforce their provisions.
- political realities are different from what are enshrined in them.
- there are frequent amendments to them.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
A normative constitution is defined in the passage as one that not only has the status of supreme law but is also fully effective and obeyed in the actual life of the state.
This means there are effective institutions and mechanisms to uphold its principles.
Option (a) is incorrect — lack of freedom of speech is a characteristic of nominal constitutions in countries like the Soviet Union and China.
Option (c) is incorrect — political realities differing from constitutional ideals is again a feature of nominal constitutions, not normative ones.
Option (d) is irrelevant — frequency of amendments is not discussed as a defining trait of normative constitutions.
Thus, option (b) is correct.
This means there are effective institutions and mechanisms to uphold its principles.
Option (a) is incorrect — lack of freedom of speech is a characteristic of nominal constitutions in countries like the Soviet Union and China.
Option (c) is incorrect — political realities differing from constitutional ideals is again a feature of nominal constitutions, not normative ones.
Option (d) is irrelevant — frequency of amendments is not discussed as a defining trait of normative constitutions.
Thus, option (b) is correct.
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Question: 6
By ‘normal’ constitution, the author means:
By ‘normal’ constitution, the author means:
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Pay attention to context clues: here “normal” was defined in contrast to “normative,” so the meaning comes from that comparison.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- a written constitution.
- one that contains lofty ideals.
- a lengthy constitution.
- a constitution that is not being enforced.
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The author explains that a nominal constitution may contain high principles but is not actually reflected in political reality.
He contrasts normative constitutions (fully enforced) with nominal constitutions (not enforced in practice).
In this context, “normal” is synonymous with “nominal,” meaning the constitution is largely a façade while real political power is guided by other rules.
Option (a) is incorrect — a normal constitution could be written or unwritten.
Option (b) is incorrect — lofty ideals are not unique to normal constitutions; they also appear in normative constitutions but with enforcement.
Option (c) is incorrect — length is unrelated to whether a constitution is enforced or not.
Thus, (d) is correct.
He contrasts normative constitutions (fully enforced) with nominal constitutions (not enforced in practice).
In this context, “normal” is synonymous with “nominal,” meaning the constitution is largely a façade while real political power is guided by other rules.
Option (a) is incorrect — a normal constitution could be written or unwritten.
Option (b) is incorrect — lofty ideals are not unique to normal constitutions; they also appear in normative constitutions but with enforcement.
Option (c) is incorrect — length is unrelated to whether a constitution is enforced or not.
Thus, (d) is correct.
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Question: 7
One of the drawbacks of a long constitution is:
One of the drawbacks of a long constitution is:
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When a passage lists multiple drawbacks, focus on the one explicitly tied to the subject in the question — here, the author clearly connects length with frequent amendments.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- its publication is expensive.
- it is difficult to understand.
- it may require to be amended frequently.
- it is difficult to enforce.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage states that an overly long constitution says too much on too many subjects, making it inflexible and requiring frequent amendments to remain relevant.
Each amendment then lengthens it even further, which compounds the problem.
Option (a) is incorrect — the cost of publication is never mentioned as a disadvantage.
Option (b) is incorrect — while complexity might make a long constitution harder to read, the specific drawback highlighted in the passage is the need for frequent amendments.
Option (d) is incorrect — enforceability issues are not linked directly to the length of a constitution in the passage.
Thus, (c) is correct because it aligns exactly with the drawback mentioned by the author.
Each amendment then lengthens it even further, which compounds the problem.
Option (a) is incorrect — the cost of publication is never mentioned as a disadvantage.
Option (b) is incorrect — while complexity might make a long constitution harder to read, the specific drawback highlighted in the passage is the need for frequent amendments.
Option (d) is incorrect — enforceability issues are not linked directly to the length of a constitution in the passage.
Thus, (c) is correct because it aligns exactly with the drawback mentioned by the author.
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Question: 8
According to the author, the difference between a written and an unwritten constitution:
According to the author, the difference between a written and an unwritten constitution:
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When the author makes a comparative statement (“only one of degree”), it is usually a direct clue for such answer choices — match wording closely.
Updated On: Aug 5, 2025
- has no significance.
- is just one of degree.
- has been exaggerated by politicians.
- cannot be defined.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The author explains that although the U.S. has a formal single constitutional document and the U.K. does not, both countries have written and unwritten elements in their constitutional systems.
Therefore, the difference is not absolute but rather one of degree.
Option (a) is incorrect — the author acknowledges the difference, but qualifies it as a matter of degree, not insignificance.
Option (c) is incorrect — there is no mention of politicians exaggerating the difference.
Option (d) is incorrect — the difference is definable, and the author defines it in the text.
Thus, (b) is correct as it directly reflects the author’s statement.
Therefore, the difference is not absolute but rather one of degree.
Option (a) is incorrect — the author acknowledges the difference, but qualifies it as a matter of degree, not insignificance.
Option (c) is incorrect — there is no mention of politicians exaggerating the difference.
Option (d) is incorrect — the difference is definable, and the author defines it in the text.
Thus, (b) is correct as it directly reflects the author’s statement.
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Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
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