Sociology Quiz: Exam Questions! Trivia

The statement is true because according to various reports and studies, approximately 1 billion people worldwide live in or near absolute poverty. Absolute poverty refers to a condition where individuals lack the basic necessities of life, including access to clean water, adequate food, shelter, and healthcare. This staggering number highlights the ongoing challenge of poverty that persists in many parts of the world, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to address and alleviate this issue.

The statement is true because in low-income nations, a significant portion of the population resides in rural areas, where agriculture is the primary source of income. Due to limited industrialization and job opportunities in cities, farming becomes the most common and viable means of livelihood for the majority of people in villages and small towns.

The statement is true because it indicates that approximately 40% of families in the United States have minimal or no wealth. This suggests that a significant portion of the population faces financial challenges and may struggle with economic stability.

Demography is the study of the size and composition of a society's population. It involves analyzing various factors such as age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status to understand population dynamics, trends, and patterns. By studying demography, researchers can gain insights into population growth, fertility rates, mortality rates, migration patterns, and other important demographic indicators. Therefore, the statement "Demography studies the size and composition of a society's population" is true.

An age-sex pyramid is a graphical representation of the age and sex distribution of a population. It displays the number or percentage of males and females in different age groups. By analyzing an age-sex pyramid, demographers can gain insights into the demographic future of a society. It can help predict trends such as population growth, aging population, and changes in fertility rates. Therefore, the statement that an age-sex pyramid is useful in predicting the demographic future of a society is true.

Caste systems do not encourage romantic love as the basis of marriage. In a caste system, marriages are often arranged based on social and economic factors, such as caste, social status, and family background. Romantic love is not considered a primary factor in determining a suitable marriage partner. Instead, the focus is on maintaining social and cultural norms within the caste system. Therefore, the statement is false.

The statement is false because the standard of living for the poor in the United States is generally higher compared to the poor in low-income nations. The United States has a higher GDP per capita and provides more social welfare programs, such as healthcare and education, to its citizens. Additionally, the United States has a higher minimum wage and better job opportunities, which contribute to a higher standard of living for the poor compared to low-income nations.

The statement is false because social position in the United States is not solely determined by a person's talents and abilities. Factors such as socioeconomic background, education, connections, and systemic inequalities also play a significant role in determining social position. While talents and abilities may contribute to social mobility, they are not the sole determinant.

The "feminization of poverty" refers to the trend where a larger proportion of the poor population consists of women. This means that compared to men, women are more likely to experience poverty and its associated challenges. This phenomenon can be attributed to various factors such as gender discrimination, unequal access to education and employment opportunities, lower wages for women, and the burden of unpaid care work that falls disproportionately on women. As a result, women face higher levels of economic vulnerability and are more likely to be trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Neocolonization refers to the process where multinational corporations dominate the economy of a poor country. This means that these corporations have significant control and influence over the economic activities and resources of the country, often exploiting them for their own benefit. Neocolonization can result in economic inequality, dependency, and limited autonomy for the poor country, resembling the power dynamics of colonial rule in the past.

The term that refers to the number of deaths in a given year for every thousand people in a population is the crude death rate. This rate is a basic measure used to understand the mortality level in a population, without taking into account other factors such as age or sex. It provides a general overview of the death rate and is often used in demographic studies and public health research.

Max Weber, a sociologist, considered social power, economic class (property), and social status or prestige to be involved in an individual's social position. However, he did not consider the means of production to be a factor in determining social position. This means that Weber did not believe that the type or ownership of the means of production (such as factories or land) played a significant role in shaping an individual's social standing.

The demographic transition theory suggests that population patterns reflect a society's level of technological development. This means that as a society becomes more technologically advanced, its population growth rate tends to decrease. Additionally, the theory states that population increase is now mostly found in high-income nations, indicating that wealthier nations tend to have higher population growth rates. Lastly, the theory suggests that population increase will eventually outstrip the planet's ability to support us, highlighting the concern that overpopulation may lead to resource depletion and environmental degradation. Therefore, all of the given options are correct explanations of the basic idea behind the demographic transition theory.

Ideology refers to cultural beliefs that justify social stratification. This means that ideology encompasses the set of ideas, values, and beliefs that support and rationalize the existence of social inequality and the hierarchical division of society. It serves to maintain and perpetuate the social order by providing justifications for why certain groups have more power, resources, and privileges than others.

The chapter-opening account of passenger deaths that accompanied the sinking of the ocean liner Titanic shows that social stratification can sometimes be a matter of life and death. This is evident from the fact that the wealthy and upper-class passengers were given priority access to lifeboats, while the poorer passengers were left with limited options for escape. This unequal treatment based on social status highlights how social stratification can directly impact survival during a catastrophic event.

The deadly fire in the Bangladeshi sweatshop highlights the harsh living conditions and working conditions faced by the world's poor. It suggests that the lives of the poor are far worse than what people in the US typically understand or realize. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the extreme poverty and inequality that exists in low-income nations, where factory jobs are often scarce and workers face hazardous conditions. This event sheds light on the need for greater awareness and action to improve the lives of the impoverished population worldwide.

Throughout history, families had many children for various reasons. One reason was that birth control was unreliable, making it difficult for parents to control the number of children they had. Additionally, many children born did not survive to adulthood due to limited medical advancements. Another reason was that children were a needed source of labor, especially in agricultural societies. However, the statement that most parents had so much love to share with their children is not a valid reason for families having many children. Love for children may exist, but it is not the primary driving factor behind the historical trend of large families.

Neocolonization refers to the process in which multinational corporations dominate the economy of a poor country. This means that these corporations have significant control and influence over the economic activities and resources of the country, often exploiting them for their own benefit. Neocolonization can lead to a situation where the poor country becomes dependent on these corporations, resulting in economic inequality and limited sovereignty.

The correct answer is 80. This means that the wealthiest 20 percent of the global population receives approximately 80 percent of all global income. This indicates a significant income inequality, with a small portion of the population holding a large portion of the world's wealth.

In poor countries, the amount of disadvantage that women face compared to men is greater than in rich countries. This means that women in poor countries experience more discrimination, inequality, and barriers to opportunities compared to men, in comparison to women in rich nations. This could be due to various factors such as limited access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and lack of gender equality policies and support systems in place.

The correct answer is that the main causes of poverty involve culture and technology. Modernization theory argues that poverty in developing nations is primarily caused by cultural factors and technological deficiencies. It suggests that traditional cultural practices and beliefs can hinder economic progress, while lack of access to advanced technology and knowledge prevents these nations from catching up with wealthier countries. Therefore, according to modernization theory, addressing cultural barriers and improving technological capabilities are crucial for reducing poverty in poor nations.

Thomas Robert Malthus believed that population increase would bring chaos to the world. He argued that population growth would outpace the availability of resources, leading to famine, poverty, and social unrest. Malthus believed that unchecked population growth would ultimately lead to a collapse in society. This perspective is known as Malthusianism and has been criticized for not taking into account technological advancements and the ability of societies to adapt and innovate in response to population growth.

Children have the highest poverty rate in the United States. This is because they are dependent on their parents or guardians for financial support and may not have the means to escape poverty on their own. Factors such as low wages, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare contribute to the high poverty rate among children. Additionally, children from marginalized communities and single-parent households are more likely to experience poverty. Efforts to alleviate child poverty often focus on providing social support programs and improving economic opportunities for families.

Poor countries typically have high levels of stratification, meaning that there is a significant gap between the rich and the poor. This inequality is often a characteristic of poor countries, as the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups. Therefore, the statement "low levels of stratification" is not one of the characteristics of poor countries.

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In the Gilbert and Kahl social class model (1993), the Capitalist class is divided into "old money and new money". This division refers to the distinction between individuals who have inherited their wealth and have been part of the upper class for generations (old money), and those who have recently acquired their wealth through entrepreneurial activities or other means (new money). This division highlights the different social and cultural backgrounds, values, and privileges that exist within the capitalist class.