CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology Set 8 with Solutions

Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology with Solutions Set 8 are designed as per the revised syllabus.

CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology Set 8 with Solutions

Time Allowed: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:

The question paper is divided into four sections.
There are 38 questions in all. All questions are compulsory.
Section A includes question No. 1-20. These are MCQ type questions. As per the question, there can be one answer.
Section B includes question No.21-29. These are very short answer type questions carrying 2 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 30 words.
Section C includes question No. 30-35. They are short answer type questions carn/ing 4 marks each. Anszuer to each question should not exceed 80 words.
Section D includes question No. 36-38. They are long answer type questions carrying 6 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words each. Question no 38 is to be answered with the help of the passage given.

Section – A (20 Marks)

Question 1.
Assertion (A): The problem of selective abortions is not due to poverty or ignorance or lack of resources. [1]
Reason (R): We find the sex ratio to be the lowest in the most prosperous regions.
(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).

Explanation: The regional pattern of low child sex ratios seems to support this argument. It is striking that the lowest child sex ratios are found in the most prosperous regions of India. According to the Economic Survey 2018-19, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi are having high per capita income and the child sex ratio of these states is still low.

Question 2.
Which of the following is NOT a correct statement about the term jati? [1]
(A) It is a local classification that varies from region to region.
(B) It has a segmental organisation.
(C) Membership in a jati involves rules about food and food-sharing.
(D) It is an all-India aggregative classification.
Answer:
(D) It is an all-India aggregative classification.

Explanation: Varna is a broad all-India aggregative classification, while jati is taken to be a regional or local sub-classification involving a much more complex system consisting of hundreds or even thousands of castes and sub-castes.

Question 3.
The South African oppressive hierarchy system is called? [1]
(A) Casteism
(B) Apartheid
(C) Tribalism
(D) Untouchability
Answer:
(B) Apartheid

Question 4.
“The theory of Demographic Transition suggests that population growth is linked to overall levels of economic development and that every society follows a typical pattern of development related population growth.” Choose the incorrect statement about Demographic Transition Theory. [1]
(A) The growth rate in phase I and phase II are high.
(B) The growth rate in phase II is high due to low death rate.
(C) The growth rate in phase I and phase III are low.
(D) The growth rate in phase III is approximately same as in phase I.
Answer:
(A) The growth rate in phase I and phase II are high.

Question 5.
The pyramid for 2026 shows the estimated future size of the relevant age groups based on the past rates of growth of each age group. Such estimates are called. [1]
(A) Age pyramid
(B) Demographic dividend
(C) Projections
(D) Rate of natural increase
Answer:
(C) Projections

Question 6.
Choose the incorrect statement about position of caste and caste-based issues in the nationalist movement. [1]
(A) Anti-untouchability programs became a significant part of the Congress agenda.
(B) There was an initiative taken to organize “depressed classes” from both ends of the caste spectrum.
(C) The dominant view was to treat caste as a social evil and as a colonial ploy to divide Indians.
(D) Efforts to organize the “depressed classes” and particularly the untouchable castes began during the nationalist movement.
Answer:
(D) Efforts to organize the “depressed classes” and particularly the untouchable castes began during the nationalist

Question 7.
If we look at the share of tribal in the state population, then the North Eastern states have the highest concentrations,
with all states, except, having concentrations of more than 30 per cent. Fill in the blanks using the following options: [1]
(A) Nagaland
(B) Meghalaya
(C) Assam
(D) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer:
(C) Assam

Explanation: States like Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland have more than 60 percent and up to 95 percent of tribal population in terms of concentration. Assam is the only exception with less than 30 percent of tribal population. [1]

Question 8.
The way in which individuals may become cut off from full involvement in the wider society is known as: [1]
(A) Social inequality
(B) Social discrimination
(C) Social exclusion
(D) Social stratification
Answer:
(C) Social exclusion

Question 9.
Which of the following is true in the context of Kerala, beginning to acquire an age structure like that of the developed countries? [1]
(A) High birth rate and high death rate
(B) Low birth rate and low death rate
(C) High birth rate and low death rate
(D) Low birth rate and high death rate
Answer:
(B) Low birth rate and low death rate

Question 10.
The English word Casta is borrowed from the [1]
(A) Greek word
(B) Indian word
(C) Portuguese word
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(C) Portuguese word

Question 11.
Membership in a caste involves strict rules about marriage. Marriages are restricted to members of the caste group. What do we call this practice? [1]
(A) Polyandry
(B) Polygamy
(C) Endogamy
(D) Monogamy
Answer:
(C) Endogamy

Explanation: Caste groups are “endogamous”, i.e., marriage is restricted to members of the group.

Question 12.
‘Sanskritisation’ refers to: [1]
(A) the process by which members of a middle or lower caste attempt to raise their own social status by adopting the ritual, domestic and social practices of a higher caste.
(B) the process of learning and acquiring Sanskrit language.
(C) the process of becoming more ‘cultured’.
(D) the process of giving up on one’s own culture by adopting a new culture.
Answer:
(A) the process by which members of a middle or lower caste attempt to raise their own social status by adopting the ritual, domestic and social practices of a higher caste

Explanation: ‘Sanskritisation’ refers to a process whereby members of a (usually middle or lower) caste attempt to raise their own social status by adopting the ritual, domestic and social practices of a caste (or castes) of higher status. The patterns for emulation chosen most often were the Brahmin or Kshatriya castes; practices included adopting vegetarianism, wearing of sacred thread, performance of specific prayers and religious ceremonies, and so on.

Question 13.
There is no historically fixed or logically necessary relationship between a and the varied forms of that it could be based on. [1]
(A) state-nation, society
(B) nation-state, community
(C) nation, ideology
(D) community, nation-state
Answer:
(B) nation-state, community

Explanation: Today it is hard to define a nation in any way other than to say that it is a community that has succeeded in acquiring a state of its own. Interestingly, the opposite has also become increasingly true. Just as would be or aspiring nationalities are now more and more likely to work towards forming a state, existing states are also finding it more and more necessary to claim that they represent a nation. The relationship between the nation-state and community is relatively a new one.

Question 14.
Assertion (A): Matriarchy, unlike patriarchy, has been a theoretical rather than an empirical concept. [1]
Reason (R): There is no historical or anthropological evidence of matriarchy i.e., societies where women exercise dominance.
(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).

Explanation: There do exist matrilineal societies, i.e., societies where women inherit property from their mothers but do not exercise control over it, nor are they the decision makers in public affairs. But matriarchy only exists as conceptual opposition to patriarchy.

Question 15.
Which of the following statement is not true about disability? [1]
(A) People are always born with a disability.
(B) The disabled are rendered disabled because the society renders them to do.
(C) There is a correlation between disability and poverty.
(D) Public perception of disability is based on cultural conception.
Answer:
(D) Public perception of disability is based on cultural conception.

Question 16.
Over____________ percent of people in the west live in towns and cities. [1]
(A) 25
(B) 50
(C) 84
(D) 90
Answer:
(D) 90

Question 17.
Over_____________ percent of people in the west live in towns and cities. [1]
(A) 25
(C) 84
(B) 50
(D) 90
Answer:
(D) 90

Question 18.
Stereotypes fix whole group into single [1]
(A) Homogeneous
(C) Broad
(B) Heterogeneous
(D) Diverse
Answer:
(A) Homogeneous

Question 19.
Which of the following is not true? [1]
(A) Land revenue settlements, as well as related agreements and laws, provided legal protection. Upper castes’ traditional (caste-based) rights are recognised.
(B) Large-scale irrigation programmes, such as those in Punjab, were complemented by large-scale irrigation schemes by efforts to establish inhabitants there, which had a caste component to them.
(C) The colonial state was not concerned with the welfare of the oppressed.
(D) A direct endeavor to count caste and legally record caste status resulted in a shift in the caste system of the establishment itself.
Answer:
(C) The colonial state was not concerned with the welfare of the oppressed.

Question 20
The economic, political and administrative unification of India was achieved at great expense under: [1]
(A) French rule
(B) Emergency rule
(C) Colonial rule
(D) Dutch rule
Answer:
(C) Colonial rule

Explanation: The economic, political and administrative unification of India was achieved at colonial rule.

Section – B (18 Marks)

Question 21.
Which types of classes exist in villages? [2]
Answer:
Three types of classes exist in villages:
1. Landlord or Moneylender Class: The upper class which exists in villages belongs to landlords and moneylenders. Landlords have great wealth as they are the owners of large landholdings in the rural areas. Since they have large landholdings, they are able to produce ample for their families and the surplus produce is sold in the markets. A moneylender is a person who gives loan on interest.
2. Farmer Class: Second class of villages is farmer class. Members of this class have small holdings of land. Their standard of living is of medium level. In comparison to Landlords, Farmer Class has land enough to feed his/her family members only.
3. Labour Class: It is that class which has no land at all in its hand. They have only their labour to sell. They either work on the fields of the landlord or on farmer’s land. They are more in number but their income and standard of living are very low.

Question 22.
What are the features of caste? [2]
Answer:

Ascription: It is determined by birth.
Endogamy: Marriage is restricted to members of the group.
Restriction on food sharing: It prescribes rules about food and food-sharing.
Hierarchal ordering: It is arranged in a hierarchy of rank and status.
Segmental division: A caste has sub-divisions within itself.
Rigidity: It is traditionally linked to an occupation wherein a person born to one caste can have the occupation of his/her caste only.

Question 23.
The Right to Vote Universal Adult Franchise, or the right of every adult to vote, is one of the foremost rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. It means that we cannot be governed by anyone other than the people we have ourselves elected to represent us. This right is a radical departure from the days of colonial rule when ordinary people were forced to submit to the authority of colonial officers who represented the interests of the British Crown. However, even in Britain, not everyone was allowed to vote. Voting rights were limited to property owning men. [2]
(1) What is a universal adult franchise?
(2) Who was given the right to vote in Britain?
OR
How does adopting the spinning wheel prevent exploitation?
Answer:
(1) It is the right to vote given to every citizen in a democracy.
(2) Voting rights were given to property-owning men above the age of 25.

If we will adopt the spinning wheel then everyone can spin cotton. We can weave cloth for our personal requirements. We can also spin cloth for the market. If everyone will adopt the spinning wheel then the production of the mechanical industry will be of no use. Everyone will get work at home and no one will be able to exploit others.

Question 24.
“Agricultural land is the single most important resource and form of property in rural society. But it is not equally distributed among people living in a particular village or region. Nor does everyone have access to land. In fact, the distribution of landholdings in most regions is highly unequal among households. In some parts of India the majority of rural households own at least some land – usually very small plots. In other areas as much as 40 to 50 percent of families do not own any land at all. This means that they are dependent on agricultural labour or other kinds of work for their livelihoods. This of course means that a few families are well-to-do. The majority live just above or below the poverty line.” [2]
(1) What is the main occupation of rural people?
(2) What is required to increase farm production?
OR
Give two reasons for bringing land reforms
Answer:
(1) The main occupation of rural people is agriculture. Production through the land is their main source of income. 70 percent of the Indian population directly or indirectly depends upon agriculture.
(2) Farm production can be increased by many land reforms, use of new technology, new machines, new seeds, new chemical fertilizers, etc.

The first reason for bringing land reforms was to increase productivity in the agricultural sector. The second reason was to stop the exploitation of poor farmers by eliminating intermediaries so that farmers could get land.

Question 25.
Mention something about the process of Sanskritisation. [2]
Answer:
According to M.N. Srinivas, “Sanskritisation means not only the adoption of new customs and habits but also the exposure to new ideas and values which have been frequently expressed in the vast body of Sanskrit literature, sacred as well as secular, karma, dharma, Paap, Maya, Sansar and moksha are examples of some of the most common Sanskrit theological ideas and when people become Sanskritised these words are used frequently.

Question 26.
What does the term ‘modernity’ assume? [2]
Answer:
Modernity involves:
Local ties and parochial perspective give way to universal commitments and cosmopolitan attitudes. Behaviour, thought and attitude are not decided by family, tribe, caste, community, etc. Occupation/work based on choice, not birth. Scientific and rational approach/attitude prevails over emotion. Positive and desirable values – humanitarian, egalitarian, etc.

Question 27.
What is the aim of ‘smart city’ initiative? [2]
Answer:
India will be witnessing a fast pace of urbanisation with the ambitious scheme of ‘Smart City’ initiated by the Government of India.

Question 28.
How did de-industrialisation take place in colonial India? [2]
Answer:
British industrialisation led to deindustrialisation in some sectors. Decline of old urban centers. Manufacturing boomed in Britain, traditional exports of cotton and silk manufactures from India declined in the face of Manchester competition. This period also saw the further decline of cities such as Surat and Masulipatnam, while Bombay and Madras grew.

Question 29.
The impact of English Language has been many sided and paradoxical in India. Give reasons. [2]
OR
In what way ‘Communalism’ is different from ‘Communal’?
Answer:
English is not only widely used in India but we now have an impressive body of literary writings by Indians in English. Knowledge of English has given Indians an edge in the global market such as working in BPOs, etc. English continues to be a mark of privilege. Not knowing English is a disadvantage in the job market. Knowledge of English opens up doors of opportunities that were formerly closed.

Communalism: Aggressive chauvinism based on religious identity.
Communal: means related to a community or collectivity as different from an individual.

Section – C (24 Marks)

Question 30.
What were the causes of the low status of women?
OR
Caste is a discriminatory system. Elaborate.
Answer:
In a joint family system, females had to live under many types of restrictions in the four walls of the house and their position became low.
1. The position of females became lower due to the dominance of males in society and due to patriarchal families.
2. Females were not able to get education due to child marriage with which her position deteriorated.
3. She was not aware of her rights due to illiteracy and that is why her status was lower in society.
4. She was economically dependent upon males because of which she had to face lower status in society.

The caste system is a distinct Indian social institution that legitimises and enforces practices of discrimination against people born into particular castes. These practices of discrimination are humiliating, exclusionary and exploitative.

The caste system classified people by their occupation and hierarchy of social status. It prescribes strict rules about food and food sharing. There could be a further ranking within each broad occupational category leading to a segmentary organisation.

The privileged (and high economic status) sections of society tend to be overwhelmingly ‘upper’ caste while the disadvantaged (and low economic status) sections are dominated by the so called ‘lower’ castes. The proportion of population that lives in poverty or affluence differs greatly across caste groups. There is rigidity in the caste system.

Question 31.
What reasons are responsible for maternal deaths in India than any other country in the world? What are the
efforts of Ministry? [4]
Answer:
The major reasons for maternal deaths are poverty, illiteracy, backwardness, lack of medical facilities and awareness and ongoing superstitions in society. The efforts of ministry in controlling maternal deaths are:
1. Ministry of Health has announced that it is strengthening efforts to reduce untimely deaths in 264 districts that account for nearly 70 per cent of infants and maternal deaths.
2. The government is seriously implementing a ‘mother-child tracking system’ which keeps a track of pregnant women.
3. Ministry also ran a program for the postnatal care and immunisation for new borns. Provision of enough funds has been made per year ($3.5 billion) for improvement in health services and for taking care of women and children’s health.

Question 32.
Briefly explain India’s demographic achievements. [4]
Answer:
India’s demographic achievements

Reduced crude birth rate – 40.8 (1951) to 24.1 (2004)
Reduced infant mortality rate – 146 per 1000 live births (1951) to 58 per 1000 live births (2004)
Quadrupled the couple protection rate – 10.4 (1971) to 44 (1999)
Reduced crude death rate – 25 (1951) to 7.5 (2004)
Increase in the life expectancy – 37 years to 62 years
Achieved nearly universal awareness of the need for and methods of family planning and halved the total fertility rate from 6.0 (1951) to 3.0 (2004)

Question 33.
Discuss the social and economic problems of Adivasis in India. What steps have been taken by the Government to uplift their status? [4]
Answer:
Problems of Adivasis’ upliftment:
Adivasis in India live under impoverished and exploited circumstances. Accelerated resource extraction started during the colonial period and in the post-Independence period has worsened their situation. They have been denied access to forests and land for cultivation. Adivasis’ lands are acquired for new mining and dam projects in the name of national development.

Steps taken by the Government for their upliftment: Reservation of seats for the scheduled tribes in government services, central and state legislatures and educational institutions.

Special laws to protect them. For example, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989. Schemes for development – Five-year plans, Tribal sub-plans, Tribal welfare blocks, special multipurpose schemes.

Question 34.
‘Federal system has worked fairly well, though there remain many contentious issues/ Mention any two issues. [4]
OR
What is a minority group? Why do minorities need protection from the State?
Answer:
Respecting regional sentiments is done by Constitutional provisions defining the powers of the States and the Centre. Since the era of liberalisation (i.e., since the 1990s) there is concern among policy makers, politicians and scholars about increasing inter-regional economic and infrastructural inequalities.

Private investors generally want to invest in already developed States where the infrastructure and other facilities are better. The government can give some consideration to regional equity and other social goals rather than just seek to maximise profits. The market economy tends to increase the gap between developed and backward regions. Centre-States disputes: river water, linguistic and regional disparity, etc.

A group of people, who, because of their distinct physical or cultural characteristics, find themselves in situations of inequality within the society. Such groups include ethnic minorities. Religious or cultural minorities need special protection because of the numeric/demographic domination of the majority. Religious or cultural minorities are politically vulnerable.

The majority will use state machinery to suppress their religious or cultural institutions, forcing them to abandon their distinctive identity. It is necessary to ensure the rights of the minorities. Protecting minorities also means doing away with any kind of discrimination. It is necessary to bring forth a just and equitable society. Safeguarding minority rights is necessary for a strong, unified, democratic nation.

Question 35.
Elaborate on the acts of the Britishers to gain power during the colonial rule. [4]
Answer:
Acts of Britishers to gain power:

Laws of the land – changed land ownership laws and decided what crops ought to be grown.
Altered the ways by which production and distribution of goods took place.
Brought Forest Laws – cleared trees and started tea plantations – displaced tribals.
Introduced changes in every sphere, be it legal or cultural or architectural.
Introduction of Western education – English language.
Intended to create Indians who would manage British colonialism.

Section – D (18 Marks)

Question 36.
Civil Society makes the state accountable to the Nation and its people. Explain with reference to the RTI Act. [6]
Answer:
Civil society is the non-state and non-market part of the public domain in which individuals come together voluntarily to create institutions and organisations. It is the sphere of active citizenship where, individuals take up social issues, try to influence the state or make demands on it, pursue their collective interests or seek support for a variety of causes.

The Right to Information Act 2005, gives Indians an access to Government records. It was enacted by the Parliament of India giving any person the right to request information from a public authority, the authority is expected to reply expeditiously or within thirty days.

The Act also requires every public authority to computerise their records for wide dissemination and to proactively publish certain categories of information so that the citizens need minimum recourse to request for information formally. This law was passed by the Parliament on 15 June 2005. The Act specifies that citizens have rights to:

Request any information,
Take copies of documents,
Inspect documents, works and records,
Take certified samples of materials of work,
Obtain information in form of printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video cassettes or in any other electronic mode or through printouts,
Certain information is prohibited. Civil liberties organisations have been keeping a watch on the state and forcing it to obey the law.

Question 37.
Express the reasons for the regional pattern of low child sex ratio in India. [6]
Answer:
Reasons for the regional pattern of low child sex ratio in India:
The regional pattern of low child sex ratios in India, is that the lowest child sex ratios are found in the most prosperous regions of India. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra are among the richest states in India in terms of per capita income and they are the states with the lowest child sex ratio.

So, the problem of selective abortion is not due to poverty or ignorance or lack of resources. For example, if practices like dowry mean that parents have to make large dowry payments to marry off their daughters, then prosperous parents would be the ones most able to afford this.

Economically prosperous families decide to have fewer children and they may wish to choose the sex of their child. This becomes possible by misusing pre-natal diagnostic technique.

Question 38.
Explain the main features of rural society. [6]
OR
What were the conditions required in India to start a social reform movement?
Answer:
In this type of society, agriculture is the main occupation. Simple Life – Life in a rural society is very simple. People here do a lot of hard work to fulfil their needs and they do not know about the luxuries of life. Scarcity of population and social homogeneity can be seen in rural areas. People are interconnected with one another and this is the importance of neighborhood.

Common Culture: Since the community is homogeneous, the culture of this community is similar and is mostly based on the agricultural practices of their area. The society is bound by the traditional belief and authority. People do not accept change easily as they are closely associated with the culture and traditions of their society.

The conditions required were:
Western Education: When the British started to rule over India, then they begin to spread western education here. When Indians came in contact with western education, they came to know about science and reasoning. They came to know that the prevailing customs of Indian society are useless and baseless. That is why enlightened Indians started social movements here.

Development of means of transport: The British developed means of transport for their own convenience, but Indians took the maximum advantage of these means. With the advent of means of transport, Indians came in contact with each other. Enlightened and educated Indians reached different parts of the country and explained to the people that the prevailing customs are useless. People were already fed up with these customs. They responded well to these calls and conditions became conducive with the development of means of transport.

The advent of Indian Press: Press started in India after the advent of the British. Organisers of movements started to publish small newspapers and magazines so that Indians could read them and should understand that these evils are very harmful to society. It was necessary for them to throw these evils out of society. In this way, Indians came to know that it was necessary for them to remove these social evils.

Increasing impact of Missionaries: When the British came to India, Christian Missionaries also came with them. The main function of these missionaries was to propagate Christianity, but their way of propagating was somewhat different. First, they used to work for social welfare. They solved the problems of the people and then they propagated their religion. Gradually, people started to adopt Christianity. When Indian social reformers came to know about this, then they also started reform movements in India. In this way, these movements were started due to the impact of Christian missionaries.

Evils of Indian Society: Most of the social reform movements were started to remove the social evils of the society. Sati Pratha, child marriage, restriction on widow remarriage, dowry system, untouchability, etc., are examples of some of the social evils of the Indian society. People were fed up with the prevailing social evils. When these movements started to take place, they were welcomed with both hands by the people. That is why these movements got a conducive environment and social reform movements became successful.