Social Science ยท Civics Polity

Social Inequality and Discrimination

1,938 Questions

Social inequality and discrimination involve the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities based on race, class, or gender. These concepts are frequently tested in UPSC, state PSC, and SSC exams. Practicing these questions helps clarify key sociological theories and structural challenges.

Environmental racism conceptsRacial prejudice strategiesWorkplace discrimination policiesMedia representation issuesSocial equality principles

Social Inequality and Discrimination Questions

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the belief that one race is inherently superior to another?

  1. Racism

  2. Xenophobia

  3. Ethnocentrism

  4. Native American supremacy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Native American supremacy is the belief that one race is inherently superior to another.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the belief that one race is inherently superior to another?

  1. Racism

  2. Xenophobia

  3. Ethnocentrism

  4. Pacific Islander supremacy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Pacific Islander supremacy is the belief that one race is inherently superior to another.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe discrimination against individuals based on their age?

  1. Ageism

  2. Racism

  3. Sexism

  4. Classism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ageism is a form of discrimination that is based on a person's age. It can be expressed in negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards individuals of a certain age group.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of ageism?

  1. Assuming that an older person is unable to learn new things

  2. Believing that all young people are lazy and entitled

  3. Discriminating against someone because of their race or gender

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Assuming that an older person is unable to learn new things is an example of ageism. This stereotype is based on the false belief that older adults are less capable than younger adults.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a form of discrimination based on race or ethnicity?

  1. Racism

  2. Xenophobia

  3. Sexism

  4. Ageism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Racism is a form of discrimination based on race or ethnicity.

Multiple choice

How does ethnicity differ from race?

  1. Race is based on physical characteristics.

  2. Ethnicity is based on cultural characteristics.

  3. Race is a social construct.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Race is based on physical characteristics, ethnicity is based on cultural characteristics, and both race and ethnicity are social constructs.

Multiple choice

What are some of the challenges associated with ethnicity?

  1. Discrimination

  2. Racism

  3. Xenophobia

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ethnicity can be a source of pride and strength, but it can also be a source of discrimination, racism, and xenophobia.

Multiple choice

What is the main argument against affirmative action policies?

  1. They are unfair to individuals who are not members of the targeted group.

  2. They can lead to reverse discrimination.

  3. They are not effective in promoting diversity and inclusion.

  4. They are too costly to implement.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The main argument against affirmative action policies is that they can be seen as unfair to individuals who are not members of the targeted group, as they may be denied opportunities in favor of members of the targeted group.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of an affirmative action policy?

  1. A company setting a goal to increase the number of women in leadership positions.

  2. A university offering scholarships to students from underrepresented groups.

  3. A government agency giving preference to minority-owned businesses in contracting.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All of the options provided are examples of affirmative action policies, which aim to promote diversity and inclusion by addressing historical patterns of discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the disproportionate burden of environmental hazards and pollution experienced by marginalized communities?

  1. Environmental racism

  2. Environmental injustice

  3. Eco-apartheid

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental racism, environmental injustice, and eco-apartheid all refer to the systemic environmental inequalities faced by marginalized communities.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a form of social stratification?

  1. Class

  2. Race

  3. Gender

  4. Age
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Age is not a form of social stratification because it is not a characteristic that is ascribed to individuals at birth.

Multiple choice

What is a suspect class?

  1. A group of people who have been historically discriminated against

  2. A group of people who are politically unpopular

  3. A group of people who are economically disadvantaged

  4. A group of people who are socially marginalized
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A suspect class is a group of people who have been historically discriminated against, such as race, gender, and religion.

Multiple choice

What is a quasi-suspect class?

  1. A group of people who are politically unpopular

  2. A group of people who are economically disadvantaged

  3. A group of people who are socially marginalized

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A quasi-suspect class is a group of people who are not as historically discriminated against as suspect classes, but who are still subject to some discrimination. Quasi-suspect classes include groups such as national origin, alienage, and illegitimacy.

Multiple choice

What is a non-suspect class?

  1. A group of people who are not subject to discrimination

  2. A group of people who are not historically discriminated against

  3. A group of people who are not politically unpopular

  4. A group of people who are not economically disadvantaged
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A non-suspect class is a group of people who are not historically discriminated against, such as wealth, intelligence, and attractiveness.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of hate speech?

  1. Criticizing the government

  2. Expressing a religious belief

  3. Calling someone a racial slur

  4. Advocating for social justice
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Hate speech is speech that attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or disability. Calling someone a racial slur is an example of hate speech.