A petition is a written request, signed by many people, that is sent to a person or body in authority, asking it to take a particular action. Which of the following situations is the best example of a petition?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → The residents of a street collect 350 signatures on a letter asking the municipal corporation to repair the broken street lights, and hand the letter in at the corporation office.
A petition has four parts: it is a written request, it is signed by many people, it is sent to an authority, and it asks for a particular action.
In Option (4) the letter carries 350 signatures, it is handed in at the municipal corporation, and it asks for the street lights to be repaired. All four parts are present.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Mr Sharma, on his own, writes a letter to the municipal corporation asking it to repair the broken street lights. — Incorrect. The letter is signed by one person only, not by many people.
Option (2) The residents of a street gather outside the corporation office and shout slogans demanding that the broken street lights be repaired. — Incorrect. The residents make their demand by shouting slogans; there is no written, signed request.
Option (3) The residents of a street sign a card thanking the municipal corporation for repairing the street lights, and send it to the corporation office. — Incorrect. The card only thanks the corporation; it does not ask it to take any action.