Social Science ยท Civics Polity

Social Inequality and Discrimination

2,011 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 phenomenon where students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to perform worse in school than their more advantaged peers?

  1. Educational inequality

  2. Educational disparity

  3. Achievement gap

  4. Opportunity gap
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The achievement gap refers specifically to the difference in academic performance between different groups of students.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where students from minority backgrounds tend to perform worse in school than their white peers?

  1. Racial achievement gap

  2. Ethnic achievement gap

  3. Minority achievement gap

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

The racial achievement gap refers specifically to the difference in academic performance between white students and students from minority backgrounds.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where students with disabilities tend to perform worse in school than their non-disabled peers?

  1. Disability achievement gap

  2. Special needs achievement gap

  3. Learning disability achievement gap

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

The disability achievement gap refers specifically to the difference in academic performance between students with disabilities and their non-disabled peers.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where students from immigrant families tend to perform worse in school than their native-born peers?

  1. Immigrant achievement gap

  2. Native-born achievement gap

  3. English language learner (ELL) achievement gap

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

The immigrant achievement gap refers specifically to the difference in academic performance between students from immigrant families and their native-born peers.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities?

  1. Environmental racism

  2. Environmental injustice

  3. Environmental inequality

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

Environmental racism refers to the systemic and intentional placement of polluting industries and other environmental hazards in or near marginalized communities, resulting in disproportionate health and environmental risks for these communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by low-income communities?

  1. Environmental poverty

  2. Environmental inequality

  3. Environmental injustice

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

Environmental poverty refers to the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by low-income communities, such as lack of access to clean air, water, and healthy food, as well as exposure to environmental hazards.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by communities of color?

  1. Environmental racism

  2. Environmental injustice

  3. Environmental inequality

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

Environmental racism refers to the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by communities of color, such as lack of access to clean air, water, and healthy food, as well as exposure to environmental hazards.

Multiple choice

According to the Minority Group Theory, how do older adults respond to discrimination and prejudice based on their age?

  1. They withdraw from social interactions and activities.

  2. They engage in collective action to challenge ageism.

  3. They adopt a sense of superiority over younger adults.

  4. They seek support from their social networks.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Minority Group Theory suggests that older adults may respond to ageism by engaging in collective action to challenge discrimination and prejudice.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the disproportionate burden of food insecurity and diet-related diseases experienced by certain groups of people, such as racial and ethnic minorities and low-income individuals?

  1. Food apartheid

  2. Food insecurity

  3. Food sovereignty

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

Food apartheid is the term used to describe the disproportionate burden of food insecurity and diet-related diseases experienced by certain groups of people, such as racial and ethnic minorities and low-income individuals.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the negative attitudes and beliefs associated with substance abuse and addiction?

  1. Stigma

  2. Discrimination

  3. Prejudice

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

Stigma is the term used to describe the negative attitudes and beliefs associated with substance abuse and addiction.

Multiple choice

How can stigma and discrimination be reduced?

  1. Education and awareness campaigns

  2. Policy changes

  3. Media representation

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

Stigma and discrimination can be reduced through a combination of education and awareness campaigns, policy changes, and media representation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of housing discrimination?

  1. Racial discrimination

  2. Gender discrimination

  3. Disability discrimination

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

Gender discrimination in housing is not as common as racial, disability, or age discrimination.

Multiple choice

What is environmental racism?

  1. The disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities

  2. The intentional targeting of marginalized communities with environmental hazards

  3. The lack of environmental regulations in marginalized communities

  4. The unequal distribution of environmental benefits among different communities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental racism refers to the systemic and institutionalized practices that result in the disproportionate exposure of marginalized communities to environmental hazards, such as pollution, toxic waste, and climate change impacts.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to reflect the distribution of racial or ethnic groups?

  1. Gerrymandering

  2. Reapportionment

  3. Redistricting

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

Racial gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to reflect the distribution of racial or ethnic groups. This can be done to create districts that are majority-minority, or to pack minority voters into a few districts.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the gap in academic achievement between different groups of students?

  1. Educational disparity

  2. Achievement gap

  3. Opportunity gap

  4. Equity gap
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The achievement gap is the term used to describe the gap in academic achievement between different groups of students, such as students from different racial or socioeconomic backgrounds.