ISC Competency Focused Questions 0

PREFACE

With a growing emphasis on competency-based education globally, the educational landscape in India
has also steered towards high-quality learning experiences that allow learners to incorporate critical
thinking and problem-solving approaches. This approach goes beyond rote memorisation and focuses
on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to apply in their real-world scenarios.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), as a national-level progressive
examination board, has taken several steps to infuse competency-based education in CISCE schools
through teacher capacity-building on item development for competency-based assessments and the
incorporation of competency-focused questions at the ICSE and ISC levels from the examination year
2024.

To further facilitate the adoption of competency-based assessment practices in schools and to support
teachers and students towards the preparation for attempting higher-order thinking questions in future
board examinations, Item Banks of Competency-Focused Practice Questions for selected subjects at
the ICSE and ISC levels have been developed. This Item Bank consists of a rich variety of questions,
both objective and subjective in categories, aimed at enhancing the subject-specific critical and
analytical thinking skills of the students.

In this Item Bank, each question is accompanied by the topic and cognitive learning domain/s that it
intends to capture. The cognitive domains reflected in these questions include understanding, analysis,
application, evaluation and creativity, along with some questions of the higher-order recall domain. The
Answer Key at the end presents the possible answers to a given question, but it is neither limiting nor
exhaustive.

These practice questions are also meant to serve as teacher resources for classroom assignments and as
samplers to develop their own repository of competency-focused questions. Apart from offering a good
practice of higher-order thinking skills, engaging with these questions would allow students to gauge
their own subject competencies and use these assessments for learning to develop individual learning
pathways.

During the development of this Item Bank, a large pool of questions was prepared by a team of
experienced CISCE teachers. The questions that were finalised by the internal and external reviewers
as being higher-order competency-focused questions have been collated in this item bank.

I acknowledge and appreciate all the ICSE and the ISC subject matter experts who have contributed to
the development and review of these high-quality competency-focused questions for CISCE students.

We are hopeful that teachers and students will utilise these questions to support their
teaching-learning processes.

September 2024 Dr. Joseph Emmanuel

Chief Executive & Secretary
CISCE
Sociology ISC-Class XII

Table of Contents

S.No. Type of Questions Page Nos.

I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 1-6

II. Assertion-Reason Questions 7-9

III. Fill in the Blank 10-11

IV. Very Short Answer Questions 12-15

V. Short Answer Questions 16-22

VI. Long Answer Questions 23-26

Answer Key 27-36

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions

Sociology ISC-Class XII

COMPETENCY-FOCUSED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

ISC-CLASS XII
Sociology

I: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
1. [Social Institutions (Kinship Degree)]
Read the below conversation carefully and choose the CORRECT option:
Mahesh: “I want to seek admission of this girl in your school. Her name is Vani.”
Admin: “How is she related to you?”
Mahesh: “She is my only daughter.”
Vani is the _______ kin of Mahesh.
(a) Secondary
(b) Primary
(c) Tertiary
(d) Both (a) and (b).
(Understanding)

2. [Social Stratification (Gender Bias)]

Source: The Times of India

Read the given statements carefully and choose the CORRECT option:
(a) The newspaper clipping depicts gender stereotype which discourages boys from
seeking support/help in case of sexual abuse.
(b) Only girls and not boys are the victims of sexual abuse.
(c) The above newspaper clipping depicts that boys are stronger than girls so they
should not cry.
(d) Boys do not cry as they are made that way biologically.
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions

3. [Tribal India- Past, Present and Future]

I visited a tiny village in the remote jungles of Chhattisgarh. The locals who I
interacted with had a lifestyle and culture that set them apart from the mainstream
population. Their religious practices centred around Animistic beliefs and Naturism.
They were divided into numerous clans, each having its own totemic ancestor.
Which of the following is the ‘local primitive community’ referred to in the above
passage?
(a) Tenants
(b) Tribes
(c) Sharecroppers
(d) Jajmans
(Understanding)

4. [Social Institutions (Kinship Usage)]

Complete the given analogy with reference to Kinship usage.
Mother’s brother’s authority over the nieces and nephews: Avunculate.
Father’s sister’s authority over the nieces and nephews: _________.
(a) Couvade
(b) Amitate
(c) Joking
(d) Avoidance
(Understanding)

5. [Social Institutions (Marriage Rules)]

In a situation, a woman was expected to marry her deceased sister’s husband. Which
among the following terms can be associated with this situation?
(a) Sororate
(b) Levirate
(c) Hypogamy
(d) Polygamy
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
6. [Social Institutions (Kinship Usage)]
Among tribal groups of Khasis, a man is referred to by the name of his ‘wife’. This
indicated the former supremacy of women, who never accepted the son-in-law as one
of them in their residence. It also recognised a secondary relationship with him through
the children.
Which among the following terms can be associated with this practice?
(a) Avunculate
(b) Amitate
(c) Teknonymy
(d) Couvade
(Understanding)

7. [Economic Organisation]
Which of the following is CORRECT with respect to the barter system?
It is:
(a) based on money.
(b) popular in urban areas.
(c) a term used for shifting-axe cultivation.
(d) based on the exchange of goods.
(Recall)

8. [Economic Organisation]
As Mandelbaum has pointed out, “A family of cultivators expects help on its
ceremonial occasions from most of the associated families. There is also an
expectation of mutual personal support in family emergencies or fractional quarrels.
Sometimes, the specialist families are pressurised to support the Jati of their patrons
when that whole Jati is embattled.”
Identify the social system from the following options-:
(a) Jajmani system
(b) Zamindari system
(c) Class system
(d) Caste System
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
9. [Religion and Society]
Kamla made her two-month-old son wear a black thread around his waist for fear of
the supernatural and to ward off evil spirits.
Kamla’s action was governed by:
(a) taboo
(b) science
(c) moral code
(d) superstition
(Understanding)

10. [Political Organisation]

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act is only a step towards the development of
women.
With reference to the above statement, select the CORRECT option with respect to
this Act.
It helps/enables women:
(a) get access to modern gadgets in the kitchen which will reduce the cooking time.
(b) to be involved in the process of political governance.
(c) travel to different cities in India.
(d) serve their families dutifully.
(Understanding)

11. [Social Institutions (Marriage Rules)]

The table given below depicts the rules of marriage:

HUSBAND WIFE

I Brahmin Brahmin

II Murmu clan of Santhal tribe Kolha clan of Ho tribe

III Vishvamitra gotra Bharadwaj gotra

Which of the above scenarios is an example of endogamy?

(a) Only II.
(b) I and II.
(c) Only I.
(d) Only III.
(Application)

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S.No. Questions
12. [Social Institutions (Family Types)]
The Family of Origin denotes a family in which:
(a) a woman is married.
(b) a person is born and socialised.
(c) members live in Oriental countries.
(d) orientation courses are conducted for the community.
(Recall)

13. [Social Institutions (Marriage Forms)]

Which one of the following is an example of polygyny?
(a) Harsh was married to Seema.
(b) Semal was married to Ratti and her sisters.
(c) Rani’s husband was Ravi.
(d) A group of men in tribe ‘A’ were married to a group of women from their tribe.
(Understanding)

14. [Social Institutions (Marriage Types)]

John’s family consists of his wife Emma and their daughters Jane and Joan.
John’s family is an example of a:
(a) Joint family.
(b) Consanguineous family.
(c) Matriarchal family.
(d) Nuclear family.
(Recall)

15. [Tribal India- Past, Present and Future]

Which of the following are part of the Tribal Panchsheel?
Tribals should:
(a) work in cities.
(b) give up their rights of self-governance.
(c) be encouraged in self-governance.
(d) not interact with outsiders.
(Understanding)

16. [Political Organisation]

Which of the following organisations would you find during a visit to a village?
(a) Panchayat Samiti
(b) Zila Parishad
(c) Dormitory
(d) Bal Panchayat
(Recall)

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S.No. Questions
17. [Social Stratification (Gender)]
Which of the following statements is TRUE about gender?
It is:
(a) fixed at birth and remains permanent throughout life.
(b) an ascribed status which individuals cannot choose.
(c) based on norms and behaviours expected from individuals.
(d) a biological construct.
(Recall)

18. [Social Institutions (Marriage)]

Which of the following statements BEST describes polyandry?
(a) Hema: “Seema and I are both married to Harish’’.
(b) Ratan: “My wife is Reena”.
(c) Haria: “In our village, a group of men are married to a group of women”.
(d) Rani: “My husbands are Raj and Subodh”.
(Understanding)

19. [Social Change and Development]

Which of the following is an important component of a social movement?
(a) Movement from one city to another.
(b) Collective action for change.
(c) Movements of people for a religious pilgrimage.
(d) An individual migrating from one country to another.
(Recall)

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II. Assertion- Reason Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

20. [Social Change and Development]

Assertion (A): Social change refers to the alterations in the structure and functions of
the society as well as human relationships.
Reason (R): People readily accept social change.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, and Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, and Reason is true.
(Understanding)

21. [Social Institutions (Marriage) and Caste]

Assertion (A): It was taboo for a Brahmin man to marry a Shudra girl.
Reason (R): Traditional marriages in India were governed by rules of caste endogamy.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, and Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, and Reason is true.
(Analysis)

22. [Tribal India- Past, Present and Future]

Assertion (A): Dormitories were widely prevalent among tribes in India.
Reason (R): Tribal norms require institutionalisation of community life for the youth.
(a) Both Assertion and reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, Reason is true.
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions

23. [Religion and Society]

Assertion (A): Religion gives us strength in times of distress and teaches us to love and
respect all those around us.
Reason (R): Religion has many dysfunctions for society.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, and Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, Reason is true.
(Understanding)

24. [Economic Organisation]

Assertion (A): MGNREGA provides employment to members of rural households in
unskilled work.
Reason (R): Under MGNREGA employment is of a permanent nature till as long as an
individual wishes to work under the scheme.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
(Understanding)

25. [Social Institutions (Kinship Usages)]

Assertion (A): In some tribal communities, grandparents shared a light-hearted
relationship with their grandchildren.
Reason (R): Joking relationships between grandchildren and grandparents helped ease
the stress from the lives of children caused by strict disciplinarian parents.
(a) Both Assertion and reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, Reason is true.
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions

26. [Family]
Assertion (A): Family as an institution has not been experiencing change in modern
times.
Reason (R): Industrialisation has impacted the Joint family system.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is not the correct explanation of
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
(Understanding)

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III: Fill in the Blank (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions

27. [Social Change & Development]

Empowered by an Act, Amit and his friends visited the Panchayat office of their village
to get records of the ration distribution. This information helped them expose the manner
in which grains meant for the poor were being black-marketed.
The Act that helped Amit and his friends get the records is called _____________.
(Understanding)

28. [Social Institutions (Kinship Degree)]

Sumati married Akshay, who had two brothers Vinay and Vineet. While Vineet was
unmarried, Vinay was married to Seema. The degree of kinship between Sumati and
Seema is _________________________ .
(Understanding)

29. [Social Stratification]

Eknath lived in a village where the system of social stratification did not permit him to
enter the village temple and collect water from wells used by the Brahmins.
The system being referred to is__________________________.
(Understanding)

30. [Economic Organisation]

Source: France Leclerc

The economic activity of tribes depicted in the above image is known as ___________.
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions

31. [Religion and Society]

According to the Kora tribe, the spirits of all animals are connected to the paddy field
and hence, animals will never harm crops.
The concept of religion referred to in the above sentence is known as ______________.
(Understanding)

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IV: Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)

S.No. Questions
32. [Social Stratification (Gender)]
Read the extract given below.
“In a recent case, we got a call for help as the man, working in a private firm, would
find faults in everything the wife did, from food to children’s homework and abuse her.
When she would try to retaliate, she would be beaten up. She suffered for a couple of
months hoping for reconciliation before calling the helpline.” said a counsellor.
(Source: The Times of India)
Identify the issue depicted in the above extract. (Recall)

33. [Tribal India- Past, Present & Future]

Primitive people believe in a protector emblem which is derived from an object, animal
or anything in nature. Identify this symbol.
(Understanding)

34. [Religion & Society]

Primitive man was confused when he saw his shadow and reflection or heard echoes of
his voice by the mountainside. He concluded that some unseen spirit must have escaped
from his body.
Which theory of religion does the above statement refer to? (Understanding)

35. [Economic Organisation]

Kalyan did not possess any land. He cultivated a small piece of land owned by the village
landlord and repaid him by giving him part of the produce from that land.
Which category did Kalyan belong to in the Agrarian Economic structure?
(Understanding)

36. [Social Institutions (Family)]

Anila belongs to a family where her grandmother is the head of the family and descent
is traced through the female line.
Which type of family does Anila belong to?
(Recall)

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S.No. Questions
37. [Social Institutions (Marriage)]
Among some communities all brothers share the same wife. This allows family land to
remain intact and undivided.
Identify the form of marriage with reference to the above statement.
(Recall)

38. [Economic Organisation]

In the field study of a tribal village located in central India, it was found that members
of most families worked in the mica and manganese mines.
Which economic activity of tribes has been referred to in the above case?
(Understanding)

39. [Social Change & Development]

We need to align with the gifts of nature and not destroy them.
Identify the aspect of development that the above statement refers to.
(Recall)

40. [Social Stratification]

Shankar lived in a city where one’s status was determined by economic factors,
education, power, and achievements.
Which system of stratification is Shankar exposed to?
(Understanding)

41. [Social Change and Development]

Identify the aspect of development from the image given below.
Transformation

Manual Mass production

Machine-
labour-driven and division of
driven
economy labour
economy

(Recall)

42. [Economic Organisation]

Penda, Jhum, Dahi, Koman are all forms of an agriculture system. Name it.
(Recall)

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S.No. Questions
43. [Social Institutions (Kinship Terms)]
Name the kinship term in which the mother, father’s brother’s wife, and mother’s sister
are referred to by the same term in some primitive communities.
(Recall)

44. [Social Institutions (Kinship Residence)]

Two friends Liam and Laurel got married at the same time. Liam continued to stay with
his parents, married brothers, and their families along with his wife. Laurel shifted to his
wife’s mother’s residence, where his wife’s married sisters along with their husbands
and children also resided. This was the norm in Laurel’s community.
(Understanding)

45. [Religion & Society (Theories of Religion)]

There is a belief among Chhotanagpur tribes such as the Munda and Santhal that trees,
rivers, and mountains must be revered.
Which theory of religion is referred to in the above case?
(Recall)

46. [Social Stratification (Social Mobility)]

Which aspect of development resulted in a change in various aspects of Indian society
and culture as a consequence of British rule?
(Understanding)

47. [Religion and Society]

The ‘Baptism’ ceremony is an example of a significant religious action in Christianity
by which a person is admitted to membership of the church.
Which concept of religion does this action signify? (Recall)

48. [Social Change and Development]

Negative changes in the environment can lead to awareness regarding the changing
conditions, which can in turn lead to a transformation of social structures, social
institutions and values.
Which term can be used for the kind of transformation being referred to in the above
sentence?
(Understanding)

49. [Economic Organisation]

Siya collected rainwater, purified it, and used it for drinking.
Reema preferred to drink bottled water available in the local store.
With reference to the above case, who used a free good? Siya or Reema?
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
50. [Economic Organisation]
Ramanuj visits a market that functions as a hub of economic activity, where traders from
local and distant areas converge to exchange goods like spices, beads, utensils, and
handicrafts. The market serves as an essential institution in the local economy, providing
a regular opportunity for villagers to purchase goods that may not be readily available
within their communities. This periodic gathering provides a platform for small-scale
trade that is vital to the livelihoods of both vendors and consumers.
Which term BEST describes such a market? (Understanding)

51. [Social Institutions (Marriage Rules)]

Suresh belonged to an orthodox family. When he was to get married, the elders in his
family made sure that his prospective bride belonged to a different gotra.
Which rule of marriage governed the decision of the elders in Suresh’s family?
(Understanding)

52. [Social Stratification (Social Mobility)]

Mahesh who belongs to a low caste decides to follow upper caste traditions and makes
changes in his lifestyle to improve his social standing.
Identify the social process reflected in Mahesh’s actions. (Recall)

53. [Social Institutions (Marriage Rules)]

‘Sravan is married to his mother’s brother’s daughter.’
Identify the rule of marriage in Sravan’s case.
(Understanding)

54. [Religion and Society]

During the ‘Sarhul’ festival members of the Sarna community in Central India express
their reverence to the Sal tree by engaging in certain practices. They make offerings of
rice, flowers, and fruits and some of them light oil lamps near the tree to pay their respect.
Which concept of religion can be identified from the above case?
(Understanding)

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V: Short Answer Questions (4 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions
55. [Political Organisation]
Observe the given news clipping carefully and answer the question that follow.

(Source: The Times of India)

Reflect on the above image along with the caption that has been given in the light of a
landmark Act that was a turning point with respect to ‘Women’s Empowerment’ in India.
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
56. [Tribal India- Past, Present & Future]
Tribals in India have varied sets of beliefs and ideologies. These play a major role in
their upbringing and form an important institution in their communities. One such
institution is tribal youth dormitories, and such dormitories are made especially for tribal
youth for different purposes.
Source: Adivasi Rights Society-by Jyotsna Hans
Explore any four ‘different purposes’ that are being referred to in the above case.
(Understanding)

57. [Social Stratification]

Given below are the lines from the poem- ‘A work of Artifice by Marge Piercy’.
“The bonsai tree
In the attractive pot
Could have grown eighty feet tall-------
But a gardener carefully pruned it….”
(a) In the above lines, the poet has chosen the metaphor of a Bonsai tree which represents
a woman whose growth and freedom are curbed. Which ideology leads to this?
(1 Mark)
(b) Discuss any three ways in which this ideology has impacted women.
(3 Marks)
(Application & Understanding)

58. [Social Institutions (Marriage Rules)]

Priya received the invitation of two marriages as follows:
Marriage Invite 1: Boy belongs to caste ‘A’ marrying the girl who too belongs to caste
‘A’.
Marriage Invite 2: The boy whose gotra is ‘G’ marrying the girl whose gotra is ‘B’.
Elucidate on the rules that govern both the marriages mentioned above.
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
59. [Social Institutions (Family)]
Artist Ashish pondered on the recent changes in ‘Family’ and sketched the same.

(a) Identify two types of families from the above image. (1 Mark)
(b) Suggest at least three factors responsible for these changes? (3 Marks)
(Understanding)

60. [Economic Organisation]

A caste-based system of reciprocity existed in traditional India, where the landed
proprietors were served by a group of workers who performed various tasks for them.
(a) What system does the above statement imply? (1 Mark)
(b) Elaborate on any three characteristics of this system. (3 Marks)
(Application)

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S.No. Questions
61. [Social Change and Development]

“Representatives of south Indian Alliance for Fundamental Right to Education say

Education Department officials think the implementation of RTE means providing 25%
seat reservation in private schools for poor children, but there are 39 sections in the
Act.”
(Source: The Hindu- April 1, 2023)
Elaborate on the implications of an Act with respect to the above image.

(Understanding)

62. [Social Institutions-Types of Family]

Justify the role of the institution being referred to in the following quotation:
“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”
Michael J. Fox
(Analysis)

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S.No. Questions
63. [Social Change and Development]
Read the news report given above.
Dibrugarh: Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family of IRBN constable
Wangniam Bosai who was shot dead during a jail break incident at the Thirap headquar-
ters in Khonsa, Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, 26th March 2023, a mass candlelight vigil
was organized at Khonsa Bazar Taxi stand.
(Source: The Times of India March 30th, 2023)
What kind of role played by the media does it reflect? Examine similar impacts played
by the media.
(1+3 Marks)
(Understanding)

64. [Social Institutions (Marriage)]

Kakustha Varma, the 5th century ruler of Banavasi in Southern India, belonged to the
Brahmin caste. He got his daughter married to a Gupta prince who was from the Vaishya
caste.
Elaborate on the features of the rule of marriage highlighted in the above case.
(Understanding)

65. [Social Institutions (Family)]

Migration to urban areas has become a trend over the decades. This has resulted in a
structural change in the family as an institution.
Enumerate the factors responsible for this change. (Understanding)

66. [Social Stratification (Caste)]

As per the Purushasukta in the Rig Veda, the four castes were born from the creator.
With respect to the above statement, elaborate on the theory of the origin of caste being
referred to in the above statement.
(Understanding)

67. [Social Institutions (Kinship Usages)]

Ritualised banter takes place for example between a man and his mother-in-law in some
South African indigenous societies. No party should take offence at the constant teasing
or mocking which is customary.
Identify the kinship usage being referred to in the above case and explore it’s relevance.
(Understanding)

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S.No. Questions
68. [Religion and Society]
“Religion holds a great significance in human society.”
Evaluate the view in the above statement.
(Analysis)

69. [Tribal India- Past, Present & Future]

“Tribals have their own economies and means of livelihood”.
Justify the above statement with any four examples from tribal life.
(Understanding)

70. [Social Change and Development]

With reference to the above image, demonstrate four methods of dealing with the
situation that has been depicted.

(Understanding & Application)

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S.No. Questions
71. [Social Stratification (Gender Issues)]

Refer to the data given below to answer the following questions.

Figure I: Crime in India, National Crime Records Bureau

(Source: Madhurima. (2015). Readings in Sociology. New Academics Publishing Co.)
(a) Mention any two forms of crimes against women which have shown a decrease in
occurrence from 1995 to 1999. (2 Marks)
(b) Explain any two forms of violence that are likely to result in physical harm or
suffering to women. (2 Marks)
(Analysis)

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VI: Long Answer Questions (7 Marks Each)

S.No. Questions
72. [Religion]
Observe the below picture carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Source: shutterstock.com

(i) Which of the following statements is BEST suited for the above image? (1Mark)

(a) Ignorance leads to blind belief.

(b) The number 13 is very lucky.
(c) Black cats make good pets.
(d) Every house must have a ladder.
(ii) Which term is represented by the image? Explore it in detail.
(1+ 5 Marks)
(Application & Analysis)

73. [Social Change and Development]

“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs only to the people who
prepare for it today”.
Malcolm X
Justify your interpretation of the above quotation.
(Understanding & Application)

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Sociology ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions
74. [Tribal India- Past, Present & Future]

(a) Name the tribal youth houses that can be identified in the above image. (1 Mark)

(b) Examine the origin of these youth houses. (2 Marks)

(c) Discuss any four reasons that led to their decline. (4 Marks)

(Understanding)

75. [Economic Organisation (Land Relations)]

Raghu owned an acre of land which he tilled. He also cultivated on large tracts of land
owned by the wealthy Ram Kumar Gosain and paid him rent in return. Avinash too
cultivated on a small tract of land owned by Ram Kumar Gosain and did not pay him
rent. Instead, he gave him part of the crops in return.
Identify the different categories of land relationships from the above case. Elaborate on
them.
(Understanding & Application)

76. [Social Stratification]

Assess the effects of the patriarchal ideology for both men and women. (Evaluate)

77. [Social Institutions (Marriage Rules)]

“Do not eat certain types of meat; Never touch anything with your feet; Do not point the
bottom of your feet at religious altars or toward people."
Reflect on the above lines and identify the concept of religion. Evaluate the functions of
this concept in religious life with the help of suitable examples.
(Evaluate)

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Sociology ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions
78. [Social Institutions (Marriage Rules)]
Ranjan, who belonged to an upper caste fell in love with Ratna who lived in a
neighbouring village and belonged to a caste lower than his. Ranjan’s family
disapproved of their relationship but could not stop them from getting married. They
soon married off Ranjan’s sister to her paternal aunt’s son Sumit who belonged to the
same sub-caste as theirs.
(a) With reference to the above case, identify any two rules of marriage. (2 Marks)
(b) Summarise the rules of marriage that are identified in the para above. (5 Marks)
(Analysis)

79. [Economic Organisation]

The above image shows people engaged in unskilled work under a programme for
employment where unemployed individuals are given work for 100 days a year in rural
India.
Identify the programme and evaluate its features. (2+5 Marks)
(Understanding & Application)

80. [Social Institutions (Kinship Descent)]

When a child is born, he/she belongs to a particular group defined by either his/her
father’s side, mother’s side or both. In most parts of India, it is defined by the father’s
side, and in some part by the mother’s side.
In the light of the above statement, identify the concept being referred to. Elaborate on
its features. (1+6 Marks)
(Application)

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Sociology ISC-Class XII

S.No. Questions
81. [Economic Organisation]
Rukhi and his family lived in a forested area which had been home to their ancestors for
hundreds of years. They engaged in a basic form of agriculture which did not involve
any form of irrigation or machinery. They were informed by the local government
authorities that they would not be allowed to continue with this method of farming as the
government had decided to ban it.
Identify the form of farming that Rukhi and his family engaged in. Evaluate the reasons
for the ban by the government. (1+6 Marks)
(Understanding & Application)

ISC Competency-Focused Practice Questions 26

 ANSWER KEY

Q.No. Expected Answers

In answering Multiple Choice Questions, candidates must write either the correct option
number or the explanation against it. Please note that only ONE correct answer should be
written.

1. (b) Primary (Vani is Mahesh’s daughter).

2. (a) The newspaper clipping depicts gender stereotype which discourages boys from
seeking support/help in case of sexual abuse.

3. (b) Tribes

4. (b) Amitate

5. (a) Sororate

6. (c) Teknonymy

7. (d) based on the exchange of goods.

8. (a) Jajmani system.

9. (d) superstition

10. (b) to be involved in the process of political governance.

11. (c) Only I

12. (b) a person is born and socialised.

13. (b) Semal was married to Ratti and her sisters.

14. (d) Nuclear family.

15. (c) be encouraged in self-governance.

16. (d) Bal Panchayat

17. (c) based on norms and behaviours expected from individuals.

18. (d) Rani: My husbands are Raj and Subodh.

19. (b) Collective action for change.

20. (c) Assertion is true, and Reason is false.

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

21. (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for
Assertion.

22. (a) Both Assertion and reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation for
Assertion.

23. (b) Both Assertion and reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation for
Assertion.

24. (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

25. (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of
Assertion.

26. (d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

27. Right to Information (RTI)

28. Tertiary Degree

29. Caste

30. Pastoralism

31. Belief

32. Domestic violence

33. Totem

34. Animism

35. Sharecropper

36. Matriarchal

37. Polyandry

38. Industrial labour

39. Sustainable development

40. Class system.

41. Industrialisation

42. Shifting-axe cultivation

43. Classificatory terms

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

44. Liam-Patrilocal and Laurel-Matrilocal

45. Naturism

46. Westernisation

47. Ritual

48. Social change

49. Siya

50. Weekly Market

51. Exogamy

52. Brahminisation

53. Cross-cousin marriage

54. Ritual in religion.

55. 73rd Constitution Amendment Act.

The main features of the Act include the creation of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system,
reservation of seats for women and marginalised sections, provision for regular
meetings, and public disclosure of accounts of Panchayats. It enabled women to voice
their concerns against injustice and atrocities through representation. It also increased
their awareness regarding their rights.
(Any other relevant point may be included.)

56. Purpose of dormitories in tribal society:

Dormitories serve functions such as that of play and recreation, transmission of culture
and tradition, agency for community services, secrecy regarding the relationship
between members, the existence of the protective God Lingo in the dormitory, widows
and widowers are allowed to stay in dormitories and can remarry, training in discipline
and economic functions thus fulfilling an educative role.
(Any other relevant point will be accepted.)

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

57. (a) Patriarchal ideology.

(b) This continues to prevail in society even today. Women are confined to homes to
carry out the responsibilities at homes like taking care of family and children.
Even at workplace, they face gender bias wherein they are paid less wages than their
male counterpart.
They still do not get property rights even after the implementation of Inheritance of
Property bill- 2021.
This ideology gives birth to various malpractices in society like dowry, sexual offence
against women, child marriage, sati, etc.

58.
Invite 1 Invite 2

Endogamy Exogamy

Marriage within group Marriage outside the group.

Groups may be caste, tribe Gotra, Village, Pinda, Pravara, Clan

Causes- policy of separation, desire to Causes- shortage of girls, to expand

preserve purity of the group; to keep one’s cultural and political ties, to
wealth within a group. avoid incest.

59. (a) Joint family and Nuclear family.

(b) Industrialisation, Urbanisation, Westernisation, influence of education.
(Any three of these any other relevant factor will be accepted.)

60. (a) Jajmani system

(b) Characteristics:
• Relationships were exclusive.
• Relationships were durable.
• Relationships were based on the interdependence of castes.
• This system contributes to the vertical solidarity of the caste system.
• It refers to the unity existing among different caste groups in a village.
(Any three of the above or any other relevant feature will be accepted.)

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

61. Right to Education Act (RTE) means the right to free and compulsory education, without
discrimination and of good quality. The features of RTE are as follows:
• Right to children to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary
education in a neighbourhood school.
• It makes provision for a non-admitted child to be admitted to an age-appropriate
class.
• It specifies the duties and responsibilities of appropriate governments, local authority
and parents in providing free and compulsory education. Also, sharing of financial
and other responsibilities between the central and state Governments.
• It lays down the norms and standards relating inter alia to pupil-teacher ratios, build-
ings and infrastructure, school-working days, and teacher-working hours.
(Any other relevant point to be accepted.)

62. Functions of the family:

• Socialisation
• Education
• Economic function
• Procreation
• Identity formation
• Emotional security
(Any four of the above to be explained or any other relevant point.)

63. Positive Aspect of the media: Awareness- It brings about news from across the world
which brings an awareness about the world outside. Eg. Flash news about natural
calamities, and happenings around different countries.
Other positive effects of the mass media are – It gives us the latest news, helps
common people exchange news, helps bring out hidden talents, children learn a lot and
it increases their knowledge, the media conducts public opinion polls, mobilizing public
opinion and lets the public participate in social issues. It helps create a civil society that
confronts the bureaucracy and the authoritarian machinery through NGO activities,
candlelight vigils.
(Any other relevant point will be accepted.)

64. The rule of marriage is hypogamy.

• It was not approved by the religious texts and was a marriage between an upper
caste woman and a low caste man.
• As a result of this marriage, the caste status of the woman was lowered.
• It was not a very common rule of marriage.
• It reflected the Patriarchal Ideology.
(Any other relevant point will be accepted.)

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

65. Impact of migration on functional changes in the family.

Changes in functions such as education, recreation, care, and support for children and
the old and infirm, have been outsourced to secondary agencies.
(Any other relevant point to be accepted.)

66. Theory of Divine Origin of the caste system:

The Divine Origin theory is based on Rig Veda which explains the origin of Hindu so-
ciety; the theory talks about the Varna system and our existence from the divine Lord
Brahma. It believes that-:
• Brahmin is born from the mouth.
• Kshatriya from the arms.
• Vaishya from the thighs.
• Shudra from the feet.
Accordingly, the different Varna are assigned different functions in society.
(Elaborate on the above points)

67. The kinship usage referred to is ‘Joking Relationship’.

It involves an extreme degree of familiarity expressed through joking relationships. Such
joking may amount to an exchange of abuse and banter.
Joking relationships may be indicative of equality and mutual reciprocity. They may
indicate possible marital relationships.
A joking relationship, when not mutual, assumes the role of social control. It becomes
indicative of correction through ridicule.
Radcliffe Brown regards the joking relationship as having a symbolic meaning. He says
that joking relations may be a kind of friendliness expressed by a show of hostility.
(Elaborate on the above points.)

68. Explain any four functions of religion in detail.

• Religion promotes Social Solidarity, Unity, and Identity.
• Religion provides Religious Experience.
• Religion conserves the Value of Life.
• Religion as an agent of Social Control.
• Religion provides Recreation.
• Religion promotes Welfare.

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

69. Economies of tribes:

• Hunting
• Agriculture and shifting axe cultivation.
• Handicrafts
• Pastoralism
• Industrial labour
(Any four of the above to be explained in detail.)

70. Methods of dealing with Climate Change:

• Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs
and energy-efficient electric appliances.
• Carpooling
• Avoid using plastics.
• Switch to renewable sources such as wind or solar. Install solar panels on your roof
to generate energy for your home.
• Recycle and reuse as much as possible.

(Explain the above with the help of relevant examples. Any other relevant point
will be accepted.)

71. (a) Importation of girls, indecent representation.

(b) Consequence of gender bias in the family:
Rape, Dowry deaths/dowry harassment, Sexual harassment.
(Any two of the above to be discussed)

72. (i) (a) Ignorance leads to blind belief.

(ii) Superstition
Features:
• Repetitive rituals.
• They are connected to taboo.
• Born out of ignorance and fear.
• Unscientific and illogical basis.
• Can be anti-social.
• Can be evil and influenced by black magic.

(The above is to be explained with examples. Any other relevant point will be
accepted.)

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

73. Importance of education:

• It imparts knowledge.
• Helps build vocational skills.
• Increases awareness.
• Helps develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Helps spread sensitivity.
• Teaches morals, values and ethics.

74. (a) Dormitories in India

(b) Origin: Survival of communal houses, first stage in the development of homes when
the whole village lived together, designed to prevent incest, to save the children from
witnessing the primal scene, wide distribution of this institution among hunting and
nomadic tribes, the need to protect the tribal group from the ferocious denizens of the
forest as well as from alien and hostile groups who may prey upon them for women or
cattle, or for both.
(c) Decline of dormitories:
• Influence of world religions on tribals.
• Modern education systems.
• Industrialsation and urbanisation.
• Misuse by private contractors and officials.
(Any other relevant reason may be accepted.)

75. Raghu- tenant

Ramkumar Gosain- owner
Avinash- sharecropper
In India, before the advent of colonial rule, village land was under the ownership of
community. The Land relation was simple, based on regular practical necessities of the
community.
After the coming of the British, land relations were established on specific guidelines
and principles. The British regime introduced a new revenue system by superseding the
traditional right of village community over the village land. It led to the creation of three
distinct sections in agrarian India.
(Elaborate on the above with relevant details.)

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

76. Effects of the patriarchal ideology on men and women:

Impact on women:
Gender bias in the family
• Reinforcement or moulding.
• Opportunities
At the workplace
The demand for women to be employed in all types of jobs has increased due to
industrialisation, urbanisation and modernisation. They are also being included in highly
skilled and prestigious roles too.
Impact on men:
• Patriarchal ideology can lead to a superiority complex.
• Consequently, men also get certain privileges over women. They begin to feel
and behave as though they are entitled.
• Patriarchy leads to reinforcing stereotypes.
• It can cause many men to feel ‘shameful’ due to an ‘image’ that they must live
up to or aspire to live up to.
• Pressure on male members:
Being the head of the family and being the sole bread winner causes a lot of
strain among some men. This leads to gender role strain and has an impact on
the well-being of men.
• It is not easy to meet the ‘expected’ role standards and can have an adverse ef-
fect on the mental and physical health of men.

77. The concept of religion is ‘taboo’.

It means ‘to forbid’. Taboos were a means of social control in primitive communities.
People obeyed them for fear of the supernatural forces. They ensure stability and
solidarity in society.
Important functions are: Protective, Productive and Prohibitive.
(Elaborate on the above points.)
(a) Hypergamy, Exogamy, Cross-cousin marriage, Endogamy. (Any two points.)
78.
(b) Elaborate on any two of the above rules of marriage.

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 Q.No. Expected Answers

79. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. (MGNREGA)

Features:
• The design of the Act is people-centered, demand-driven, self-selection, and right-
based.
• Under this Act the work will be provided according to the demand of the wage-
seekers.
• It provides a legal guarantee of wage employment.
• It provides employment in unskilled work.
• It guarantees 100 days of wage employment.
• It decreases the migration of labour.
• It has legal provisions for allowances and compensation, in case of failure to provide
work on demand and delays in payment of work undertaken.
(Any other relevant point to be discussed)

80. The concept referred to is descent.

Features of descent:
• Descent traces the link of an individual with his/her ancestors.
• It gives us our identity.
• It gives us our status in society.
• It outlines our rights and duties.
• It defines rules of inheritance.
• There are two broad types- Unilateral and Bi-lateral.
• It outlines our responsibilities.

(Any six of the above to be explained or any other relevant point)

81. The form of agriculture is Shifting-Axe-cultivation

Reasons for banning:
• Led to deforestation.
• Led to wastage of seeds.
• Was ineffective as it depended on rainwater.
• Resulted in ecological imbalance.
• Soil was rendered infertile.
• It led to floods.
• It led to forest fires.

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ISC Competency Focused Questions 37