Concept:
- The question can be answered by grouping the options by region, because the chapter praises one particular region for the position of women.
- Northern Europe is that region.
Step 1: Sort the four options by region.
Sweden lies in northern Europe, Canada in North America, Brazil in South America and India in South Asia. Only one of them belongs to Scandinavia.
Step 2: Recall which region the chapter singles out.
The chapter names Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark together as the countries where participation of women in public life is very high. Sweden is the only option from that list.
Step 3: Use India as a contrast to be sure.
In India women hold about one seventh of the seats in the Lok Sabha and under five per cent in the state assemblies, and the country ranks among the lowest in the world on this count. That confirms the answer is not India.
Step 4: Note why the Scandinavian record is high.
Sustained political mobilisation by women and the practice among parties there of fielding a large share of women candidates have kept their presence in the legislature high.
Final Answer: (A) Sweden