CBSE Class 12 – Sociology Question Paper 2023

Section A

1. The measure of comparing the portion of a population which is composed of dependents with the portion that is the working population is:
(a) Age structure of the population
(b) Sex ratio
(c) Dependency ratio
(d) Growth rate of population

Answer: (c) Dependency ratio

2. Assertion (A): Caste groups are endogamous, i.e. marriage is restricted to members of the group.
Reason (R): Membership in a caste involves strict rules about marriage.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer: (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

3. In every society, some people have a greater share of valued resources such as money, property, education, health, and power than others. These social resources can be divided into three forms of capital. Which of the following is not a form of capital?
(a) Economic
(b) Cultural
(c) Social
(d) Educational

Answer: (d) Educational

4. Castes also involve sub-divisions within themselves, i.e., Castes almost always have sub-castes, and sometimes sub-castes may also have sub-sub-castes. This is referred to as a _________.
(a) Class
(b) Division
(c) Kinship
(d) Segmental Division

Answer: (d) Segmental Division

5. Which of the following features is not an element of the policy of Apartheid?
(a) Denial of ownership of land
(b) Denial of South African citizenship
(c) Permission for mixed marriages
(d) Denial of formal voice in government

Answer: (c) Permission for mixed marriages

6. A nation is a peculiar sort of community. Choose the incorrect statement about the nation.
(a) Hard to describe
(b) Hard to define
(c) Based on shared religion, language, culture
(d) It is a community of communities

Answer: (d) It is a community of communities

7. To assert a single national identity by attempting to eliminate ethno-national and cultural differences from the public and political arena will be considered as a/an _________ policy.
(a) Assimilationist
(b) Dominant group
(c) State
(d) Diversity

Answer: (a) Assimilationist

8. Which of the following is true for a model of South Asian colonial city?
(a) Recreational facilities were not available
(b) Unplanned streets
(c) Civic amenities were accessible in the European towns of the South Asian colonial city
(d) Cramped bungalows

Answer: (c) Civic amenities were accessible in the European towns of the South Asian colonial city

9. Assertion (A): Urbanization in the colonial period saw the prosperity of indigenous industries.
Reason (R): There was emergence of new colonial cities.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer: (d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

10. Assertion (A): The government has passed a number of laws to regulate the working conditions in coal mines.
Reason (R): Many contractors maintain proper register of workers and take responsibility for accidents giving all possible benefits.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer: (c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

11. What is not true for globalisation and liberalisation in the rural society?
(a) Non-participation in WTO
(b) Free international trade
(c) Opening of Indian markets to imports
(d) Competition from the global market

Answer: (a) Non-participation in WTO

12. Which of the following statements is true in the scenario of high fertility rate?
(a) It takes more time to reach the replacement level.
(b) It takes less time to reach the replacement level.
(c) It does not impact the replacement level.
(d) The impact on replacement level cannot be determined.

Answer: (a) It takes more time to reach the replacement level.

13. Assertion (A): To call a strike is a difficult decision.
Reason (R): Managers may try to use substitute labour. Workers also find it hard to sustain themselves without wages.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer: (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

14. In terms of positive characteristics, tribes have been classified according to their ‘permanent’ and ‘acquired’ traits. Which one of the following is a permanent trait?
(a) Region, language
(b) Physical characteristics
(c) Ecological habitat
(d) All of the above

Answer: (b) Physical characteristics

15. The sociological importance of contract farming does not include which of the following?
(a) It disengages people from the production process.
(b) Indigenous knowledge of agriculture becomes irrelevant.
(c) It caters primarily to the production of elite items.
(d) It is ecologically sustainable.

Answer: (d) It is ecologically sustainable.

16. Assertion (A): Social movements are directed towards some broad goals.
Reason (R): It involves long and continuous social effort and action by people.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer: (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

17. _________ social movements strive to change the existing social and political arrangements through gradual incremental steps.
(a) Reformist
(b) Redemptive
(c) Revolutionary
(d) Relative deprivation

Answer: (a) Reformist

18. Which of the following is true for caste system?
I. Hierarchy
II. Achieved status
III. Segmental division
(a) I is false
(b) I, II are true
(c) I, III are true
(d) I, II, III are true

Answer: (c) I, III are true

19. Which of the following makes dominant caste dominant?
(a) Land rights granted by land reforms
(b) Intermediate caste identity
(c) Large numbers converting to political power
(d) All of the above

Answer: (d) All of the above

Section B

20. Which term is applicable to foreigners, slaves and conquered people?
(a) Panchama
(b) Brahman
(c) Kshatriya
(d) Jati

Answer: (a) Panchama

Section B

21. Several profound transformations in the nature of social relations in rural areas took place in the post-independence period, especially in those regions that underwent the Green Revolution. Name any two transformations.
Answer:

Increase in agricultural productivity due to the use of high-yielding variety seeds and chemical fertilizers.
Emergence of a new class of rich farmers who benefited from the Green Revolution.

22. How has liberalization impacted the employment patterns in India? Mention any two ways.
Answer:

The growth of the service sector, leading to an increase in white-collar jobs.
Growth in contract-based and informal sector jobs, reducing the proportion of permanent employment.

23.
(a) Social movements also develop distinct modes of protest. Write the names of any two distinct modes of protest.
Answer:

Strike
Protest march

(b) OR
At the time of Independence, we had the two most classical cases of peasant movements. Write the names of the two peasant movements.
Answer:

Champaran Movement
Bardoli Satyagraha

24.
(a) Write the meaning of the term “circulation” in the concept of circulation of labour.
Answer:
Circulation of labour refers to the movement of workers from one place to another in search of employment, especially seasonal or temporary work, often seen in agricultural and construction sectors.

(b) OR
In the first phase of the Green Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, the introduction of new technology seemed to be increasing inequalities in rural society. Mention two ways by which inequalities increased.
Answer:

Wealthier farmers had access to the new technology, while poorer farmers could not afford the high-cost inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
The Green Revolution increased the gap between regions that adopted the technology and those that did not, leading to regional inequalities.

25.
States are often doubtful of cultural diversity. State two reasons for the given statement.
Answer:

Cultural diversity can lead to challenges in national unity and identity.
Diverse cultures may have conflicting values or practices, making governance and law enforcement more complicated.

26.
Very often family is a site of bitter conflicts. Give two reasons to justify the statement.
Answer:

Differing roles and expectations in family structures can cause tensions, especially when traditional roles clash with modern perspectives.
Economic pressures or issues related to inheritance and property can lead to family disputes.

27.
Identify the two sets of principles used to understand the caste system. Define any one set.
Answer:

The principle of hierarchy
The principle of endogamy

Definition of endogamy: The principle of endogamy refers to the practice of marrying within one’s own caste or social group.

28.
Explain the two types of Demography.
Answer:

Descriptive Demography: This type of demography focuses on the collection and presentation of data, such as population size, structure, and distribution.
Analytical Demography: This type focuses on understanding the causes and effects of population changes, such as fertility, mortality, and migration.

29.
Define work in the organised sector.
Answer:
Work in the organised sector refers to formal employment in which the employer is registered with the government, and employees receive legal benefits like a fixed salary, job security, and social security.

(b) What is the basic task of a manager?
Answer:
The basic task of a manager is to plan, organize, and oversee the work of others to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively.

Section C

30.
(a) Sanskritisation seems to justify a model that rests on inequality and exclusion. Explain this model.
Answer:
Sanskritisation refers to the process by which lower castes or groups in India adopt the customs, rituals, and cultural practices of higher castes, particularly the Brahmins, in an attempt to elevate their social status. This model rests on inequality and exclusion because it reinforces the existing caste hierarchy and the notion of higher castes having superior cultural practices. While the lower castes attempt to adopt the practices of the upper castes, they still remain excluded from full social integration or equality. Thus, Sanskritisation often perpetuates social stratification rather than dismantling it.

(b) OR
**Explain the phenomenon of Modernity as given by Rudolph and Rudolph.
Answer:
Rudolph and Rudolph conceptualize modernity as a process of social, economic, and political transformation in India that began with British colonial rule and continues to shape the country. They argue that modernity involves the emergence of new forms of governance, economic practices, and social structures, including the spread of education, industrialization, and democracy. According to them, modernity in India is not a straightforward, linear process but is shaped by traditional structures, caste dynamics, and the state’s role in promoting certain ideologies. The introduction of modern institutions has often interacted with India’s traditional structures in complex ways, leading to a unique form of modernity in the country.

31.
**Discuss the impact of land reforms during the colonial period.
Answer:
Land reforms during the colonial period had significant impacts on Indian agriculture and society. The British introduced land revenue systems like the Zamindari and Ryotwari systems, which led to the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few zamindars and landlords. This resulted in the exploitation of peasants who were subjected to high rents and taxes. The lack of support for tenants and agricultural laborers also deepened social inequalities. On the other hand, some colonial land reforms, like the introduction of the Ryotwari system in certain regions, tried to recognize the rights of individual farmers to their land, but this also led to greater exploitation due to the heavy taxation imposed. Overall, colonial land reforms often worsened the economic condition of farmers and contributed to rural unrest.

32.
(a) How were labourers recruited and appointed by the colonial administrators in the tea gardens?
Answer:
Labourers for the tea gardens during the colonial period were often recruited through various exploitative means. The British colonial administrators used both local and immigrant labor. Many workers were brought from other regions, particularly from Bihar, Odisha, and Bengal, often through deceitful methods, such as offering better wages or living conditions, which were rarely fulfilled. These workers were often contracted under harsh conditions, binding them to the plantations for long periods. In some cases, workers were forcibly recruited or subjected to “indentured labor” contracts, where they worked under conditions that were akin to slavery.

(b) OR
**How did the planters in the tea plantations live?
Answer:
The planters in the tea plantations during the colonial period lived a relatively privileged life compared to the laborers. They were often British or Anglo-Indian individuals who lived in large, comfortable houses on the plantations, which were equipped with European-style amenities. They were able to enjoy a higher standard of living, with access to imported goods and luxuries not available to the local population. The planters’ lives were marked by segregation from the laborers, who lived in poor, crowded conditions in the plantation quarters. The planters exercised considerable power and authority over the workers, controlling their wages, living conditions, and work schedules, contributing to the stark social divide on the plantations.

34.
**Who wrote the book “Sultana’s Dream”? Why is this a remarkable story?
Answer:
The book Sultana’s Dream was written by Begum Roquiah Sakhawat Hossain in 1905.
This is a remarkable story because it presents a vision of a utopian society where women rule, and men are relegated to traditional domestic roles. It challenges the conventional norms of gender roles and showcases a progressive, feminist perspective, imagining a world where women’s intellectual and social contributions are central to societal progress. The story also critiques colonialism and patriarchy, making it an important text in both feminist and post-colonial literature.

35.
**The women’s question arose in modern India as part of 19th-century middle-class social reform movements. These reformers used a mix of ideas. Explain these ideas.
Answer:
The women’s question in 19th-century India emerged as part of the social reform movements, which aimed at improving the status of women. Reformers used a mix of ideas such as:

Western ideas of equality and education: Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar believed in women’s education, advocating for their empowerment through learning and awareness. They adopted ideas from Western thinkers like John Stuart Mill, who emphasized women’s rights and gender equality.
Traditional values and religion: Some reformers used religious texts to argue for women’s rights, interpreting Hindu scriptures in more progressive ways. For instance, they sought to challenge practices like Sati (widow burning) and child marriage, while still preserving cultural traditions.
Modernization and social progress: Reformers believed that women’s education and liberation were essential for India’s modernization. They saw the upliftment of women as crucial to the overall development of society and the nation.

36.
(a) “Malthus’s theory of population growth was a rather pessimistic one. It was challenged by theorists.” Justify the statement.
Answer:
Malthus’s theory of population growth, proposed by Thomas Malthus in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, suggested that population grows exponentially while food production grows arithmetically, leading to a future of overpopulation, poverty, and famine. This theory was pessimistic because it predicted inevitable suffering due to the inability of resources to meet the growing population’s demands.
However, later theorists like Karl Marx and modern economists challenged this view, arguing that technological advancements in agriculture, industrialization, and better resource management could increase the food supply and lead to higher living standards. The theory also neglected the role of social and economic structures that could mitigate poverty, such as welfare and redistribution.

(b) “Sometimes the city may be preferred for social reasons.” Enumerate these social reasons.
Answer:

Social networks and cultural diversity: Cities offer greater opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, fostering a more diverse social environment.
Educational and professional opportunities: Cities often provide better access to education, jobs, and professional networks, which can be attractive for individuals seeking career growth and intellectual stimulation.
Anonymity and freedom: Cities offer a sense of anonymity that may appeal to individuals seeking personal freedom, away from the constraints of rural social norms and expectations.
Access to amenities and services: Urban areas offer a higher standard of living with access to better healthcare, entertainment, public services, and recreational facilities, enhancing the social experience of living in the city.

37.
**”The main criteria for inclusion in civil society are that the organization should not be State-controlled, and it should not be a purely commercial profit-making entity.” Discuss the given statement at length.
Answer:
This statement highlights the key principles that define civil society as distinct from the state and the market. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are those that operate independently from government control and are not driven by the pursuit of profit. Key aspects include:

Independence from the State: Civil society functions autonomously from the government, advocating for rights, social causes, and policies without direct government interference. This independence ensures that civil society can challenge the state’s policies when necessary, thus contributing to a healthy democracy.
Non-profit nature: CSOs focus on the welfare of the public and the collective good, not on making profits. They can include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), advocacy groups, grassroots movements, and voluntary organizations.
Promoting social values: Civil society aims to address social issues such as inequality, poverty, and human rights, advocating for justice and fairness. These organizations often act as intermediaries between the government and the public, representing citizens’ voices on important matters.

38.
Read the passage given and answer the questions:
The following observations were made by G.B. Pant during a speech that moved the constitution of the Advisory Committee on fundamental rights, minorities, etc. “We have to take particular care of the Depressed Classes, the Scheduled Castes, and the Backward Classes… we must do all we can to bring them up to the general level… the strength of the chain is measured by the weakest link of it and so until every link is fully revitalized, we will not have a healthy body politic. Recent years have seen renewed debate about the States’ decisions on reservation to this section.”

(a) Based on the passage above, who are referred to as the weakest link of society?
Answer:
The weakest link of society refers to the Depressed Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Backward Classes—groups that have historically faced social and economic exclusion, discrimination, and marginalization.

(b) Why should and how can this weakest link be fully revitalized?
Answer:
The weakest link should be revitalized because the strength and progress of a nation are dependent on the upliftment of all sections of society. If marginalized groups are left behind, it weakens the social fabric and hampers overall development. This revitalization can be achieved through policies like affirmative action (reservations in education, employment, and politics), promoting equal access to opportunities, and empowering these communities through education and economic programs. Additionally, societal attitudes need to be changed to eliminate caste-based discrimination.

(c) Define ‘secularisation of caste’.
Answer:
The secularization of caste refers to the process by which caste distinctions and hierarchies lose their significance or are transformed into a more inclusive, non-religious framework. This process aims to reduce the importance of caste in public and political life, advocating for equality and social justice regardless of caste identity. It is a critical step towards creating a more egalitarian society where social roles and opportunities are not determined by caste.