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 legal principle that allows for the consideration of race as a factor in certain circumstances, such as in affirmative action programs, to address past discrimination and promote equal opportunity?

  1. Strict scrutiny

  2. Intermediate scrutiny

  3. Rational basis review

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

Affirmative action is a policy or program that aims to correct or compensate for past discrimination and promote equal opportunity by giving preferential treatment to members of underrepresented groups.

Multiple choice

Which legal theory argues that the government has a responsibility to take action to promote equal opportunity and address the effects of past discrimination, even if this requires the use of race-conscious policies?

  1. Strict scrutiny

  2. Intermediate scrutiny

  3. Rational basis review

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

Affirmative action is a policy or program that aims to correct or compensate for past discrimination and promote equal opportunity by giving preferential treatment to members of underrepresented groups.

Multiple choice

What is the legal principle that prohibits the government from discriminating against individuals based on their race, color, or national origin?

  1. Strict scrutiny

  2. Intermediate scrutiny

  3. Rational basis review

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

Equal protection is a legal principle that prohibits the government from discriminating against individuals based on their race, color, or national origin.

Multiple choice

Which racial group has the highest poverty rate in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate for Black people in 2020 was 19.5%, compared to 9.1% for White people, 15.7% for Hispanic people, and 10.2% for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group has the lowest median household income in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for Black people in 2020 was $41,530, compared to $67,521 for White people, $57,652 for Hispanic people, and $87,250 for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group has the highest unemployment rate in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for Black people in January 2023 was 6.0%, compared to 3.4% for White people, 4.2% for Hispanic people, and 3.0% for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to be uninsured in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the uninsured rate for Black people in 2020 was 10.6%, compared to 7.7% for White people, 13.1% for Hispanic people, and 7.3% for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to receive government assistance in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of Black people receiving government assistance in 2020 was 26.2%, compared to 12.7% for White people, 21.9% for Hispanic people, and 10.1% for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group has the lowest life expectancy in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the life expectancy for Black people in 2020 was 71.8 years, compared to 78.8 years for White people, 81.9 years for Hispanic people, and 85.3 years for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to be incarcerated in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, the incarceration rate for Black people in 2020 was 2,347 per 100,000 people, compared to 419 per 100,000 people for White people, 843 per 100,000 people for Hispanic people, and 339 per 100,000 people for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to be denied a mortgage in the United States?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to a study by the National Fair Housing Alliance, Black people were denied mortgages at a rate of 2.8%, compared to 1.4% for White people, 2.1% for Hispanic people, and 1.7% for Asian people.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to be paid less than their White counterparts for the same job?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, Black workers earn 87 cents for every dollar earned by White workers, while Hispanic workers earn 89 cents and Asian workers earn 95 cents.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to be promoted to a management position?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to a study by the Center for American Progress, White workers are 35% more likely to be promoted to a management position than Black workers, 29% more likely than Hispanic workers, and 21% more likely than Asian workers.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to be a victim of police brutality?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to a study by the Mapping Police Violence project, Black people are 3.5 times more likely to be killed by police than White people, even though they make up only 13% of the population.

Multiple choice

Which racial group is most likely to be a victim of hate crimes?

  1. White

  2. Black

  3. Hispanic

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

According to a study by the Anti-Defamation League, Black people are 2.5 times more likely to be a victim of a hate crime than White people, even though they make up only 13% of the population.