Question 1:
Assertion (A): Modern industry created all kinds of new jobs for which there were no caste rules.
Reason (R): Urbanisation and the conditions of collective living in the cities made it difficult for caste-segregated patterns of social interaction to survive.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 2:
Which of the following stages, as per the Theory of Demographic Transition, is that of high population growth?
(a) First Stage
(b) Both first and second stage
(c) Second Stage
(d) Third Stage
Answer: (c) Second Stage
Question 3:
Assertion (A): Castes are not only unequal to each other in ritual terms, they are also supposed to be complementary and non-competing groups.
Reason (R): Each caste has its own place in the system which cannot be taken by any other caste.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 4:
Which of the following reasons are responsible for the invisibility of the caste system in the upper castes and upper middle class?
(a) Policy of reservation
(b) Special programmes for upper caste
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Education and employment in private sector
Answer: (d) Education and employment in private sector
Question 5:
Assertion (A): By the 1970s all the major definitions of tribe were shown to be faulty.
Reason (R): It was pointed out that the tribe-peasantry distinctions did not hold in terms of any of the commonly advanced criteria: size, isolation, religion, and means of livelihood.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 6:
“Considering from an urban point of view, the rapid growth in urbanisation shows that the town or city has been acting as a magnet for the rural population.” Choose the incorrect statement about urbanisation in India?
(a) Rural-to-urban migration has increased due to decline in common property resources.
(b) Urban areas are a decisive force in terms of political dynamics.
(c) People go to cities in search of work.
(d) Cities offer anonymity to the poor and oppressed class.
Answer: (b) Urban areas are a decisive force in terms of political dynamics.
Question 7:
In which ways Adivasis’ struggles are different from Dalit struggles?
(a) They were not discriminated against like the Dalits.
(b) Their social and economic conditions were better than the Dalits.
(c) They did not face social exclusion like the Dalits.
(d) Adivasis were concentrated in contiguous areas and could demand statehood.
Answer: (d) Adivasis were concentrated in contiguous areas and could demand statehood.
Question 8:
Stereotypes fix whole groups into single …….. categories, they refuse to recognize the …… across individuals and across context or across time.
(a) homogeneous, variation
(b) heterogeneous, similarities
(c) broad, similarities
(d) diverse, differences
Answer: (a) homogeneous, variation
Question 9:
Cultural diversity can present tough challenges. Which of the following is not a reason for challenge?
(a) It can arouse intense passions among its members and mobilise large numbers of people.
(b) Economic and social inequalities among the communities.
(c) Equal distribution of scarce resources like river water, jobs, or government funds.
(d) Injustices suffered by one community provoke opposition from same communities.
Answer: (c) Equal distribution of scarce resources like river water, jobs, or government funds.
Question 10:
Policies promoting integration involve.
(a) Outright suppression of identities of groups which are in minority.
(b) Complete erosion of cultural differences between groups.
(c) Elimination of ethno-national and cultural differences from the public arena.
(d) All of the above
Answer: (c) Elimination of ethno-national and cultural differences from the public arena.
Question 11:
Assertion (A): Urbanisation in the colonial period saw the formation of new urban centres.
Reason (R): These urban centres were designed to function as trading posts alone.
Answer: (d) A is false and R is true
Explanation: While urban centres did form in the colonial period, they served various purposes beyond just being trading posts, including military and administrative functions.
Question 12:
Assertion (A): The impact of Sanskritisation is many sided.
Reason (R): Its influence can be seen in language, literature, ideology, music, dance, drama, style of life and ritual.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 13:
What is the meaning of the term Begar in the Indian agrarian context?
(a) Bonded labour
(b) Free Labour
(c) Landlords
(d) Tenant
Answer: (a) Bonded labour
Question 14:
Assertion (A): In most of the states, land ceiling act proved to be toothless.
Reason (R): There were many loopholes and most landowners were able to escape from having their surplus land taken over by the state.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 15:
Most of the New Year festivals in different regions of India such as Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Punjab and Ugadi in Karnataka actually celebrate the main harvest season and herald the beginning of a new agricultural season.
Assertion (A): There is a close connection between agriculture & culture.
Reason (R): Many of our cultural practices and patterns can be traced to our agrarian background.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 16:
Assertion (A): The rural in Kerala is a mixed economy.
Reason (R): The economy in Kerala integrates agriculture with a wide network of retail sales and services where a large number of families are dependent on remittances from abroad.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Question 17:
Major difference between developing and developed countries is in the number of people in …… salaried employment.
(a) daily Wages
(b) regular
(c) irregular
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (b) regular
Question 18:
Many items like paper and wood products, glass and ceramics were reserved for the …….. sector by the government.
(a) Medium- scale
(b) Large- scale
(c) Small- scale
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (c) Small- scale
Question 19:
Before independence, industries were located mainly in which types of cities?
(a) Metropolitan
(b) Port
(c) Town
(d) Urban
Answer: (b) Port
Question 20:
Introduction of machinery such as tillers, tractors, threshers, and harvesters led to the …….
(a) displacement of the service castes
(b) greater wages for the service castes
(c) equality in the agrarian structure
(d) low production output
Answer: (a) displacement of the service castes
Section B
Question 21
Disinvestment and its impact on workers
Answer: Disinvestment is the process of selling or liquidating a part or all of a government’s stake in public sector enterprises, transferring ownership and control to private players. In Modern Foods, the impact of disinvestment was severe for the workers as 60% of them were forced to retire within the first five years, creating a sense of insecurity and loss of livelihood for many. Workers feared job cuts and loss of benefits once the company was privatized.
Or
The working conditions at Maruti Udyog were harsh, with long hours and minimal breaks. These conditions led to workers opting for voluntary retirement by the age of 40, and there was a reduction in the number of permanent workers. The factory focused on cost-cutting and increasing productivity, which came at the expense of the workers’ well-being. This resulted in physical exhaustion and psychological stress for the workers. Furthermore, practices like just-in-time and outsourcing added to their insecurity and reduced job stability.
Question 22
Jan Breman’s term ‘footloose’ for labor
Answer: Jan Breman uses the term ‘footloose’ to describe migrant workers who do not have permanent ties to a specific location. These workers move from one place to another, often working in seasonal jobs like farm labor in Punjab and Haryana, or at brick kilns in UP, which creates instability and insecurity. This mobility also leads to poor working and living conditions as they lack the stability of long-term employment or a fixed home base.
Question 23
What is meant by ‘Great Tradition’?
Answer: The ‘Great Tradition’ refers to the formal, literate, and elite cultural practices and beliefs that are passed down through generations in a civilization. These traditions are typically maintained by the intellectual elite and are associated with high-status cultural forms such as religious rituals in Sanskrit, philosophy, and literature. It is typically separate from the ‘Little Tradition’ practiced by the common people.
Question 24
Minority group disadvantages
Answer: Being part of a minority group can be disadvantageous in terms of access to resources and opportunities. For example, linguistic or religious minorities may face discrimination in education, employment, or political representation. However, being a minority group does not always have to be disadvantageous. In some cases, a minority group can retain strong solidarity and cultural identity, and can benefit from the political support or advocacy of larger groups. In some situations, a minority group might enjoy privileges or be exempt from certain norms, such as the wealthy minority who may have more resources.
Question 25
Characteristics of the sub-culture of Indian intellectuals formed by Westernization
Answer:
- The emergence of a westernized sub-cultural pattern among a small, elite group of Indians who came into contact with Western culture and adopted its intellectual and social practices.
- Intellectuals who not only embraced Western styles of thinking but also supported its expansion, influencing cultural and social movements and endorsing modernization.
Question 26
Relative anonymity in cities
Answer: Relative anonymity in cities refers to the situation where individuals, particularly from marginalized or lower-status groups, can live without being easily identifiable or categorized based on traditional markers like caste, ethnicity, or social class. This anonymity allows for a sense of freedom, where individuals are not constantly under scrutiny, and can engage in various activities that would otherwise be restricted in smaller or rural communities.
Question 27
Social phenomenon reflected in the proverb
Answer: The proverb reflects the phenomenon of social stratification, where society is divided into layers or strata based on factors like wealth, power, and social status. The two characteristics of social stratification are:
- Persistence over generations: Social stratification is a long-standing system that is often inherited from one generation to another.
- Based on beliefs and not individual differences: Stratification is largely based on societal norms and values, not on the individual merits or differences of people.
Question 28
Family linked to the economic sphere
Answer:
- In pre-industrial societies, families were the primary unit of production, contributing to the family’s livelihood through agriculture, cottage industries, or craft work.
- In modern economies, the head of the family often works in a profession to earn money, which is used to maintain the family. This underscores the family’s role in fulfilling the economic needs of its members.
Question 29
Exclusive nationalism
Answer: Two ways in which exclusive nationalism is practiced:
- Fostering negative sentiments towards other races or nations, often using historical narratives or distorted truths to create an image of superiority.
- Perpetuating humiliation through the display of war trophies and symbols of conquest, reinforcing national pride at the cost of other nations’ dignity.
Or
Statehood is not always based on linguistic identity. Statehood can arise from a variety of factors, including historical, ethnic, and regional identity, as well as political needs. For instance, many states have been created based on geographical and economic considerations, not merely linguistic ones.
Section C
Question 30
Taylorism in the IT sector
Answer: In the IT sector, Taylorist labor processes are evident in the long work hours and high efficiency standards that employees are expected to meet. For example, IT employees often work 10-12 hours a day and may be required to stay overnight to meet project deadlines. The extended work hours are justified by the concept of “flexi-time,” but in reality, employees are expected to work as long as necessary to complete tasks, mirroring the principles of scientific management and cost-cutting.
Or
The Indian government, after independence, took initiatives to assume control over key sectors of the economy. These included:
- Nationalization of industries such as coal, steel, and energy to ensure state control over essential resources.
- Setting up public sector enterprises in areas like defense, communication, and transportation, which were previously under private control.
- The introduction of a mixed economy, where the government held a significant role while allowing the private sector to function in specific areas.
Question 31
Contradictions in post-independence caste considerations
Answer: Post-independence, the Indian state faced contradictions in dealing with the caste system. On one hand, the Indian Constitution abolished caste discrimination and made provisions for affirmative action for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. On the other hand, caste-based inequalities persisted due to the state’s inability or unwillingness to completely dismantle the economic structures that supported caste-based exploitation.
Or
Yes, caste system held different meanings at different times. In its early form, it was more flexible, and individuals could move across categories. However, over time, especially after the Vedic period, caste became a rigid system based on birth and occupation. It was during this time that caste became a major determinant of an individual’s social status.
Question 32
Treatment of Indian plantation labor vs. colonial labor
Answer: The treatment of Indian plantation labor was harsh compared to the labor conditions in the colonial home countries. Indian workers in the tea plantations were often forced into long hours of grueling labor for minimal pay under unfair contracts. They were treated as expendable, with poor living conditions and no rights to choose their employer. In contrast, the colonial administrators ensured better working conditions for their own workers, with more rights and protections, and the labor force was less likely to face exploitation.
Question 33
Durkheim and Marx on social movements
Answer: Emile Durkheim viewed social movements as disruptions to the social order. He believed that social movements were a sign of anomie and disorder, arising when there is a breakdown in the norms and values that guide society. In contrast, Karl Marx viewed social movements as the expression of class struggles. According to Marx, the lower classes rise against the economic exploitation they face and engage in movements to challenge the existing structures of power.
Question 34
Communal conflict and mirror images
Answer: During communal conflicts, opposing communities tend to construct exaggerated, often false, views of each other. Each group imagines the other as entirely bad or inferior, while glorifying their own identity. This mutual construction of negative stereotypes and hostility leads to a cycle of violence and misunderstanding, where both groups see themselves as victims and their opponents as aggressors.
Question 35
High productivity and unequal agrarian structure
Answer: In regions with high agricultural productivity, such as those with assured irrigation, inequality in the agrarian structure tends to increase. While productivity increases, it often benefits the wealthier landowners, while the laborers, often from lower castes, are subjected to harsh working conditions with little or no improvement in their living standards. For example, in the Kaveri basin, despite high yields, landless laborers face extreme inequality, working under bonded conditions for minimal wages.
Section D
Question 36
Demographic dividend and implications
Answer: (a) Demographic dividend refers to the economic growth potential that arises when the working-age population (ages 15-64) is larger than the dependent population (those under 15 and over 64). This age structure can result in increased productivity and economic output.
(b) Comparing the age groups 55-59 and 60-64, we see a decline in the population of 55-59 and an increase in 60-64, suggesting that a larger portion of the population will soon be elderly.
(c) The implications of this change are that India must focus on providing opportunities for the working-age population while ensuring social security for the aging population. The shift from a youthful workforce to an older one could lead to challenges in sustaining economic growth without adequate investments in education, health care, and elderly welfare.
Question 37
What is the concept of ‘cultural lag’ and how does it apply to modern technology?
Answer:
Cultural lag is a sociological concept introduced by William Fielding Ogburn. It refers to the period of time that it takes for society to adapt to new technological advancements. When a new technology is introduced, the social institutions (laws, customs, ethics, and culture) are often slow to catch up with it. This creates a disconnect between technological progress and the social norms that govern society.
For example, modern technologies like the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence have outpaced the development of laws and social practices to address privacy issues, cybersecurity, and ethical concerns. While technology evolves quickly, laws and cultural norms regarding the responsible use of these technologies are often slow to be established, leading to challenges such as data breaches, cyberbullying, and the spread of misinformation.
In essence, cultural lag highlights the gap between the speed of technological innovation and the slower pace at which societies adjust their cultural, legal, and ethical systems to accommodate these changes.