Rural and Peasant Society – Solved PYQs of Sociology – UGC NET

Caste – Tribe Settlements

1. The peasant society is characterised by: (DEC 2015)

(a) Homogeneity
(b) Family labour
(c) Underdog position
(d) Specific division of labour

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(A) (a), (b), (c)
(B) (a), (b), (d)
(C) (b), (c), (d)
(D) (d), (c), (a)

Directions (Qs. No. 2 to 6): Read the following passage and answer the questions:

A sociological study was focussed on two villages-one a large settlement of some 5142 people and the other, a small village of only 759 people. Despite their difference in size, both villages exhibit a roughly similar caste and religious structure. Each settlement contains both Hindu and Muslim families which are internally divided into caste or caste-like groupings; and each possesses a dominant caste that tends to control substantial part of the economic and political resources of the village. The village population is divided into three socio-economic groupings; (1) A group of agriculturists who are of high status and high income that make up the dominant caste, together with certain individuals from other caste who have achieved a better economic status than their fellows; (2) A middle group of less wealthy agriculturists, artisans and members of the occupational castes; and (3) A group of individual of low status and income made up of lowest order caste and poor agricultural laborers. In both villages there is a small but powerful segment that constitutes the elite. This comprises people mostly of high social status and income who are better educated, have urban contacts and play an active part in village and inter-village politics.

2. The structure of middle class in the study villages comprised of: (DEC 2023)
(a) Less wealthy agriculturalists
(b) Artisans
(c) Occupational castes
(d) Lowest order caste

Choose the correct answer:
(A) (a), (b) and (d) only
(B) (a), (b) and (c) only
(C) (b), (c) and (d) only
(D) (a), (c) and (d) only

3. The lower class in the village was comprised of: (DEC 2023)
(a) Lowest order caste
(b) Agricultural laborers
(c) Rich farmers
(d) Marginal farmers

Choose the correct answer:
(A) (a), (b) and (c) only
(B) (a), (c) and (d) only
(C) (a), (b) and (d) only
(D) (b), (c) and (d) only

4. The Power Structure of the study villages comprised of those having: (DEC 2023)
(a) Better education and high social status
(b) Urban contact
(c) Neutral attitude
(d) Active participation in village politics

Choose the correct answer:
(A) (a), (c) and (d) only
(B) (a), (b) and (d) only
(C) (b), (c) and (d) only
(D) (a), (b) and (c) only

5. In what way two villages are similar to each other? (DEC 2023)
(a) In caste and religious structure
(b) Both religious groups divided in caste / caste-like structures
(c) Both the villages had almost same settlement pattern
(d) Both the villages had a dominant caste

Choose the correct answer:
(A) (a), (b) and (d) only
(B) (a), (b) and (c) only
(C) (b), (c) and (d) only
(D) (a), (c) and (d) only

6. The Peasant class in the village has following characteristics. (DEC 2023)
(a) High status
(b) Make up a “dominant caste”
(c) High income
(d) Landlessness

Choose the correct answer:
(A) (a), (b) and (c) only
(B) (a), (b) and (d) only
(C) (b), (c) and (d) only
(D) (a), (c) and (d) only

7. Match List-I with List-II: (AUG 2024)

List–I (Type of Societies)
A. Hunting and Gathering Societies
B. Agrarian Societies
C. Pastoral Societies
D. Traditional Societies or Civilization

List–II (Features)
I. Distinct inequalities; ruled by chiefs or warrior kings; based on domestication and subsistence livelihood
II. Based on agriculture; distinct government apparatus headed by a king
III. Few inequalities; differences of rank limited by age and gender
IV. Stronger inequalities; ruled by chiefs; based on small rural communities

Choose the correct answer:
(A) A–II, B–I, C–IV, D–III
(B) A–II, B–IV, C–III, D–I
(C) A–III, B–IV, C–I, D–II
(D) A–IV, B–I, C–II, D–III