CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology Set 3 with Solutions

Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology with Solutions and marking scheme Set 3 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.

CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 Sociology Set 3 with Solutions

Time Allowed:- 3 hours
Maximum Marks:- 80

General Instructions:

• The question paper is divided into four sections.
• There are 35 questions in all. All questions are compulsory.
• Section A includes question no. 1-16. These are MCQ-type questions. As per the question, there can be one answer.
• Section B includes question no. 17-25. 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. 26-32. They are Short Answer type questions carrying 4 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 80 words.
• Section D includes question no. 33-35. They are Long Answer type questions carrying 6 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 200 words each.
• Question no. 33 is to be answered with the help of the given graphics. Question no. 34 is to be answered with the help of the given passage.

Section-A (16×1=16 Marks)
Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Assertion (A): The inequalities in the literacy rate are especially important because they tend to reproduce inequality across generations.
Reason (R): Literacy rates also vary by social group- historically disadvantaged communities like the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have lower rates of literacy. [1]
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.
Answer:
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: Illiterate parents are at a severe disadvantage in ensuring that their children are well educated, thus perpetuating existing inequalities.

Question 2.
This changes the age structure: relatively smaller proportions of the population are found in the younger age groups, and larger proportions are found in the older age groups. This phenomenon is also referred to as the ____________. [1]
(A) aging of the population.
(B) age structure.
(C) population momentum
(D) demographic dividend
Answer:
(A) aging of the population.

Aging of the population: This option seems to be a suitable answer as it accurately reflects the change in age structure described in the sentence.

Question 3.
Assertion (A): Cotton farmers became directly linked to the world market.
Reason (R): In many regions in the 19th century, large tracts of land in Maharashtra were given over to cotton cultivation. [1]
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.
Answer:
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: In many regions in the 19th century, large tracts of land in Maharashtra were given over to cotton cultivation and cotton farmers became directly linked to the world market.

Question 4.
“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 5.
Assertion (A): Exploitation of poor by the rich came to an end with an adoption of the spinning wheel. [1]
Reason (R): Each caste has its own place in the system which cannot be taken by any other caste.
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.
Answer:
(D) A is false and R is true.

Explanation: The adoption of the spinning-wheel brought an end to the exploitation of the poor by the rich. It also reinforced the hierarchical caste system, where each caste had its designated place that could not be occupied by any other caste.

Question 6.
Which of the following is not a feature of caste system? [1]
(A) It is determined by birth.
(B) It is endogamous.
(C) It lacks organised religion.
(D) It has a segmental organisation.
Answer:
(C) It lacks organised religion.

Explanation: The caste system is an integral part of Hindu society and has spread to other non-Hindu communities as well.

Question 7.
Which of the following does not comprise the significant section of the population that is excluded from the four fold Varna system (also known as the panchamas or fifth category)? [1]
(A) Outcastes
(B) Slaves
(C) Foreigners
(D) Shudras
Answer:
(D) Shudras

Explanation: Shudras comprise the fourth category of the Varna system.

Question 8.
Regionalism in India is rooted in India’s diversity of languages, cultures, tribes, and religions. Choose the correct statement about regionalism. [1]
(A) It is also encouraged by the geographical concentration of these identity markers in particular regions.
(B) It does not accommodate regional settlements.
(C) It is not affected by a sense of regional deprivation.
(D) India does not respect different religions of the people.
Answer:
(A) It is also encouraged by the geographical concentration of these identity markers in particular regions.

Explanation: Regionalism in India is rooted in India’s diversity of languages, cultures, tribes, and religions. It is also encouraged by the geographical concentration of these identity markers in particular regions, and fuelled by a sense of regional deprivation.

Question 9.
What is the sociological meaning of the term minority? [1]
(A) Not merely numerical distinction.
(B) It refers to aggressive chauvinism.
(C) It is a political identity based on religion.
(D) None of these
Answer:
(A) Not merely numerical distinction.

Explanation: As per the sociological perspective, the difference between minority and majority is the numerical distinction. Minority is the one with not mere numerical distinction.

Question 10.
Which of the following does not stand for secularism? [1]
(A) Separation of state and church.
(B) Not favoring a particular religion over the others.
(C) Progressive retreat of religion from the public life.
(D) Religious identity overriding everything else.
Answer:
(D) Religious identity overriding everything else.

Explanation: Religious identity overriding every other identity is feature of communalism and not secularism.

Question 11.
Assertion (A): Modernisation goes hand in hand with education, mass communication, urbanisation and political participation.
Reason (R): Dominance of the cultural influences from the West changes’ traditions elsewhere. [1]
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false and R is true.
Answer:
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Explanation: It is true that modernization goes hand in hand with education, mass communication, urbanisation and political participation and dominance of the cultural influences from the West changes traditions elsewhere. But the influence of dominance of the culture does not define the applicability of modernisation in today’s world.

Question 12.
What is the nature of rural transformation after independence? [1]
(A) Cultivation became intensive.
(B) Increase in the use of agricultural labour.
(C) A shift from payment of kind to payment of cash.
(D) All of the above.
Answer:
(D) All of the above.

Explanation: After independence in rural areas:
(a) cultivation became intensive.
(b) There was a shift in the mode of payment, from kind to cash.
(c) More people were involved in the work of agriculture as agricultural labour.

Question 13.
Example of dominant land-owning castes are _______________. [1]
(A) Jats and Rajputs of U. R
(B) Vokkaligas and Lingayats in Karnataka
(C) Kammas and Reddys in Andhra Pradesh
(D) All of the above
Answer:
(D) All of the above

Explanation: Jats and Rajputs of U. P, Vokkaligas and Lingayats in Karnataka, Kammas and Reddys in Andhra Pradesh are few examples of dominant land-owning castes.

Question 14.
What leads to greater equality in some spheres? [1]
(A) Industrialisation
(B) Urbanisation
(C) Colonialisation
(D) Revolution
Answer:
(A) Industrialisation

Explanation: Industrialisation leads to greater equality in some spheres, e.g., caste distinctions do not matter anymore on trains, buses or in cyber cafes.

Question 15.
The campaign against indigo plantations in 1917: [1]
(A) Champaran Satyagraha
(B) Bardoli Satyagraha
(C) Non-cooperation Movement
(D) Tebhaga Movement
Answer:
(A) Champaran Satyagraha

Explanation: Champaran satyagraha is the campaign against indigo plantation in the year1917 because people of Champaran were forced to grow indigo on their land for commercial purposes.

Question 16.
Black Power movement was led by ____________. [1]
(A) Malcolm X
(B) Martin Luther King
(C) Gandhiji
(D) McCarthy
Answer:
(A) Malcolm X

Explanation: Malcolm X was the leader of Black Power Movement.

Section – B (9×2=18 Marks)
Very Short Answer Questions

Question 17.
“As is well-known, the English word ‘caste’ is actually a borrowing from the Portuguese casta, meaning pure breed. The word refers to a broad institutional arrangement that in Indian languages (beginning with the ancient Sanskrit) is referred to by two distinct terms, varna and jati. Varna, literally ‘colour’, is the name given to a four fold division of society into brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra, though this excludes a significant section of the population composed of the ‘outcastes’, foreigners, slaves, conquered peoples and others, sometimes referred to as the panchamas or fifth category. Jati is a generic term referring to species or kinds of anything, ranging from inanimate objects to plants, animals and human beings. Jati is the word most commonly used to refer to the institution of caste in Indian languages, though it is interesting to note that, increasingly, Indian language speakers are beginning to use the English word ‘caste’.”

Based upon above passage, answer the following question.
How is the term ‘caste’ referred to in Indian languages, and what are the two distinct terms used? [2]
OR
“Tribe’ is a modern term for communities that are very old, being among the oldest inhabitants of the sub-continent. Tribes in India have generally been defined in terms of what they were not. Tribes were communities that did not practice a religion with a written text; did not have a state or political form of the normal kind; did not have sharp class divisions; and, most important, they did not have caste and were neither Hindus nor peasants. The term was introduced in the colonial era. The use of a single term for a very disparate set of communities was more a matter of administrative convenience… In terms of positive characteristics, tribes have been classified according to their ‘permanent’ and ‘acquired’ traits.”

Based upon above passage, answer the following question.
What are the permanent features attributed to tribes according to the passage?
Answer:
The term ‘caste’ in Indian languages is commonly referred to as ‘jati’. However, there are two distinct terms used to describe the broad institutional arrangement related to caste in Indian languages. The first term is ‘varna’, which refers to the fourfold division of society into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The second term is ‘jati’, which is a generic term used to refer to specific groups or sub-castes within the caste system.

OR

The permanent features of tribes include the regional distribution, language, distinctive physical characteristics, and their relationship with their environmental habitat. Tribals in India are dispersed across various regions of the country, but there are certain areas where they are concentrated in larger numbers.

Question 18.
What makes it difficult to work with the OBCs as a political category? [2]
Answer:
The disparities between the upper Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who predominantly belong to landed castes and hold significant influence in rural societies across various regions of India, and the lower OBCs, who are economically disadvantaged and marginalized, pose challenges in effectively addressing this political category.

Question 19.
Analyze the complex interplay between ascriptive identities and social structures. [2]
Answer:
By examining the interaction between ascriptive identities and social structures, one can gain insights into how certain groups may experience privilege or disadvantage based on their inherent characteristics. For example, caste-based systems in India have historically entrenched social hierarchies, leading to systematic discrimination and marginalization of certain castes. Similarly, in many societies, gender ascriptive identities contribute to gender inequalities, with women facing limited access to resources and opportunities compared to men.

Question 20.
What are the factors or reasons that contribute to the complex and challenging nature of cultural diversity? [2]
Answer:
(i) Cultural identities are very powerful and arouse intense passion.
(ii) Cultural identities enable one to mobilise large number of people.
(iii) Sometimes cultural differences are accompanied by economic and social inequalities which provoke opposition from other communities.
(iv) Situation becomes worse when resources like river, water, government jobs have to be shared.

Question 21.
How did colonial laws favour the owners and managers of tea plantations? [2]
Answer:

• The laws of a colonialised country did not stick to democratic norms.
• Colonial government often used unfair means to hire and forcibly keep labourers and clearly acted on behalf of the British planters.
• The colonial administrators used harsh measures against the labourers to make sure that they benefited the planters.

Question 22.
Explain the three different situations of urban impact as proposed by M.S.A Rao and discuss their significance in understanding urbanization and its effects. [2]
Answer:
Three different situations of urban impact as given by M.S.A. Rao:

• The impact of urban influences varies according to the kind of relations a village has with a city or town.
• There are villages where a sizeable number of people have sought employment in far of cities.
• Urban influence on the villages situated near an industrial town.
• The growth of metropolitan cities and its impact on surrounding villages.

Question 23.
Explain the concept of ‘footloose labour’ and its implications in the labour market. [2]
Answer:

• This term was coined by Jan Breman in 1985.
• He used this concept to describe the situation of migrating labours.
• Since the migratinglabours have no job security, they have the compulsion of migrating from one place to another based on the demand.

Question 24.
Give an example of a recent strike in the manufacturing sector in India led by a labour union. [2]
Answer:
One example of a recent strike in the manufacturing sector in India led by a labor union is the strike by the workers at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar plant in 2012.

Question 25.
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.

Read the above passage and answer the question below.
What is universal adult franchise, and why is it considered a fundamental right in the Indian Constitution? [2]
OR
According to various studies, unlike the death rate, the birth rate has not registered a sharp fall.
What are the reasons for the same? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer:

• Everyone, who is above 18 or 18 years old would get a chance to vote and elect their representatives so that they can form the government and look upon their issues.
• Each vote will have one value, regardless of the caste, creed, religion or sex of the person.

OR

This is because the birth rate is considered to be a socio-cultural phenomenon that does not change as quickly as the death rate. By and large, increased levels of prosperity exert a strong downward pull on the birth rate.

Section – C (7×4=28 Marks)
Short Answer Type Questions

Question 26.
What are the key sources of conflict between national development and tribal development? [4]
OR
Explain the Theory of Demographic Transition and discuss why the transition period is often linked to a population explosion.
Answer:
Tribes have paid disproportionate price for the development of the rest of the Indian society.

• National developments started in Nehruvian era involving the building of large dams, factories and mines were undertaken at the cost of dispossessing tribes of their land.
• The loss of forests, community based collective ownership on which tribal communities depended has been a major blow.
• Heavy immigration of non-tribals threatened to disrupt their culture and further marginaliseand exploit the tribes.

OR

Theory of Demographic Transition

• In the first stage, a high birth rate and a high death rate leads to a low growth rate.
  In the second stage, a high birth rate and a low death rate leads to high growth rate. This is also known as the Transitional stage.
• Third stage- both birth rate & death rate are low leading to low growth rate.
• The “population explosion” occurs in the second stage: death rate is brought down relatively quickly thro

Question 27.
How did the declaration of the Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress (INC) demonstrate its commitment to women’s equality? [4]
Answer:
In 1931, the Karachi Session of the Indian National Congress declared the Fundamental Rights of Citizenship in India whereby it committed itself to women’s equality.
The declaration reads as follows:

• All citizens are equal before the law, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or sex.
• No disability attaches to any citizen, by reason of his or her religion, caste, creed or sex, in regard to public employment, office of power or honour, and in the exercise of any trade or calling.
• The franchise shall be on the basis of universal adult suffrage.
• Women shall have the right to vote/to represent and the right to hold public offices.

Question 28.
Explain the role of education and technology in shaping the process of secularization in modern societies. [4]
Answer:

• Change in ceremonies, rituals, taboos, festivals, sacrifices, social Education promotes critical thinking and rationality, leading to a decline in religious dogma and superstitions.
• Technological advancements provide access to diverse sources of information, exposing individuals to alternative worldviews and challenging traditional beliefs.
• Education and technology enable individuals to connect with a globalized world, fostering a broader perspective and tolerance for different religious and cultural practices.
• Online platforms and social media facilitate open discussions and debates on religious beliefs, encouraging individuals to question and explore their own faith.
• Education and technology empower individuals to make informed choices about their religious beliefs, leading to a more personalized and diverse expression of spirituality, networking, etc.

Question 29.
“Green revolution led to regional inequalities”. Elaborate the statement with suitable examples. [4]
Answer:

• Green Revolution involved the deployment of technological advancement in the cultivation.
• Only few states like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh were able to adopt the technologies in agriculture.
•  As a result, they had enormous socio-economic development.
• On the other hand dry regions such as Telangana, Bihar and Eastern U.P. were relatively under developed.

Question 30.
Bring out the differences between Old and New Social Movements. [4]
Answer:
Old Social Movements New Social Movements

• Central goal: Reorganisation of power relations.
• Functions within the frame of political parties. INC led the Indian National Movement.
• Class related: Peasant movements, workers movements, anti-colonial movements. Major fight against economic inequality.

New Social Movements New Social Movements

• Central goal: About addressing issues on quality of life.
• Civil society: Political parties, NGOs, pressure groups.
• Environmental movements, women’s and tribals movements.
• Fights economic, social, cultural and political inequality.

Question 31.
Provide seven examples from Indian history that demonstrate the significant role of social reformers in the empowerment of women in India. [4]
Answer:
Emancipation of women by the social reformers:

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s campaign against sati, etc.
• Ranade’s efforts for remarriage of widows.
• Jyotiba Phule attacked both caste and gender discrimination.
• Sir Sayed Ahmed Khan wanted Muslim girls to be educated.
• Dayanand Saraswati stood for women education.
• Tarabai Shinde through her writings attacked the double standards of male dominated society.
• Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain through her writing of Sultanas Dream.

Question 32.
Can you elaborate on how the caste system is discriminatory? [4]
Answer:
The caste system is a distinct Indian social institution that legitimises and enforces practices of discrimination against people born into particular castes.

• These practices discrimination 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.

Section – D (3 ×6=18 Marks)
Long Answer Type Questions

Question 33.

Table 1: The Population of India and its Growth During the 20th Century
Year	Total Population (in millions)	Average Annual Growth Rate (%)	Decadal Growth Rate (%)
1901	238	—	—
1911	252	0.56	5.8
1921	251	– 0.03	– 0.3
1931	279	1.04	11.0
1941	319	1.33	14.2
1951	361	1.25	13.3
1961	439	1.96	21.5
1971	548	2.22	24.8
1981	683	2.20	24.7
1991	846	2.14	23.9
2001	1028	1.95	21.5
2011	1210	1.63	17.7

Note: The sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males:
Data on age-specific sex ratios is not available before 1961.
Source: Census of India 2011, Government of India.
(A) What are the reasons behind the declining sex ratio?
(B) What measures do you believe should be taken to address the gender bias against the girl-child? [6]
Answer:
(A) The reasons for the declining sex ratio are given as follows:

• Maternal mortality is the main health factor that affects women differently from men as there is an increased risk of childbearing. However, it is not the main cause of the decline in the sex ratio in India.
• Child-sex ratio shows a steeper decline due to differential treatment of female babies.
• Sex-specific abortion or female foeticide has increased due to misuse of pre-natal diagnostic techniques.
• Decline in sex ratio is also due to female infanticide, a practice that is a product of cultural and religious beliefs.
• Economically prosperous families wanting fewer children often prefer male children over female children.
• Girl children are also severely neglected due to socio-cultural norms that prefer sons over daughters.

(B) Several measures were taken by the government to decrease bias against girl child:

• Right to Education Act, 2005
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana, 2015

Question 34.
“The Indian nation-state is socially and culturally one of the most diverse countries of the world. It has a population of about 1.21 billion people, according to Census of India 2011, currently the second largest – and soon to become the largest national population in the world. These billion-plus people speak about 1,632 different languages and dialects. As many as twenty-two of these languages have been officially recognised and placed under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, thus guaranteeing their legal status.

In terms of religion, about 80% of the population are Hindus, who in turn are regionally specific, plural in beliefs and practices, and divided by castes and languages. About 14.2% of the population are Muslims, which makes India the world’s second largest Muslim country after Indonesia and Pakistan. The other major religious communities are Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.7%), Buddhists (0.7%) and Jains (0.4%). Because of India’s huge population, these small percentages can also add up to large absolute numbers.”

Based on the given passage, answer the following questions.
(A) How would you define the concept of diversity based on the given passage?
(B) How does the passage explain the concept of minority?
(C) In what ways does regional diversity contribute to the preservation of ancient culture, as mentioned in the passage? [6]
Answer:

• Diversity refers to the presence within the larger national, regional or other context of many different kinds of cultural communities such as those defined by language, religion, region, ethnicity, and so on.
• Minority groups are groups of people in a minority in a given society, who because of their distinct physical and cultural characteristics, find themselves in situations of inequality within the society.
• It is right that regional diversity saves the ancient culture. If the culture of the whole country becomes the same then the importance of different cultures will remain no more.

Different regions have different ways of living, wearing and eating habits and just by looking at this, we can say that a person lives in that particular area. In this way, culture remains protected through regional diversity.

Question 35.
What are the social consequences or effects of the limited size of the organized sector in India? [6]
Answer:

• Very few people have the experience of employment in large firms where they get to meet people from other regions and backgrounds, e.g., Urban settings of your neighbours in a city may be from a different place. Personal relationships determine many aspects of work, e.g., If the employer likes you, you may get a salary raise and if you have a fight with him or her, you may lose your job.
• This is different from an organised sector, which has well-defined rules, transparent recruitment, mechanisms for complaints and redressal in case of disagreement with superiors.
• Second, very few Indians have access to secure jobs with benefits. Of those who do, two-thirds work for the government. The rest are forced to depend on their children in their old age. Government employment in India has played a major role in overcoming boundaries of caste, religion and region.
• Third, since very few people are members of unions, a feature of the organised sector, the unorganized or informal sector workers do not have the experience of collectively fighting for proper wages and safe working conditions. The government has laws to monitor conditions in the unorganised sector, but in practice they are left to the whims and fancies of the employer or contractor.