18 MCQs on Marriage as a Social Institution | Types, Rules & Functions

Enhance your knowledge with 18 MCQs on marriage as a social institution. Learn about its functions, types (monogamy, polygamy), rules (endogamy, exogamy), and cultural practices like dowry and bride price. Ideal for academic and competitive exams!

1. What is the primary purpose of marriage as a social institution?

A) To restrict personal freedom
B) To establish legal parenthood
C) To increase financial dependency
D) To eliminate gender roles

✅ Answer: B) To establish legal parenthood

🧠 Explanation: Marriage plays a crucial role in defining social, legal, and economic relationships within a family, including legal parenthood of children.

2. Which of the following is NOT a function of marriage?

A) Economic cooperation
B) Social recognition of a relationship
C) Political governance
D) Regulation of sexual relations

✅ Answer: C) Political governance

🧠 Explanation: While marriage influences society, it is not a form of political governance but a social, economic, and cultural institution.

3. What is exogamy?

A) Marriage within the same social group
B) Marriage outside one’s social group
C) Marriage with multiple partners
D) Marriage between siblings

✅ Answer: B) Marriage outside one’s social group

🧠 Explanation: Exogamy requires individuals to marry outside their caste, clan, or ethnic group, preventing inbreeding and strengthening social ties.

4. What is endogamy?

A) Marriage within a specific group
B) Marriage outside a specific group
C) Marriage to multiple partners
D) A temporary marriage arrangement

✅ Answer: A) Marriage within a specific group

🧠 Explanation: Endogamy restricts marriage to within a particular caste, ethnicity, religion, or social group, preserving cultural identity.

5. Which of the following is an example of a monogamous marriage?

A) A man having multiple wives
B) A woman married to multiple men
C) A couple married to only one person at a time
D) A temporary marriage arrangement

✅ Answer: C) A couple married to only one person at a time

🧠 Explanation: Monogamy is a marriage system where an individual has only one spouse at a time, the most widely accepted marriage form globally.

6. Polygamy refers to:

A) A marriage where only one spouse is allowed
B) A marriage that does not involve love
C) A marriage involving multiple spouses
D) A short-term marriage agreement

✅ Answer: C) A marriage involving multiple spouses

🧠 Explanation: Polygamy is a marriage system where an individual has multiple spouses, which can be polygyny (one man, multiple wives) or polyandry (one woman, multiple husbands).

7. What is polygyny?

A) A marriage with only one spouse
B) A marriage of a woman to multiple men
C) A marriage of a man to multiple women
D) A marriage between same-sex partners

✅ Answer: C) A marriage of a man to multiple women

🧠 Explanation: Polygyny is a form of polygamy where a man has multiple wives. It is common in many traditional societies.

8. What is polyandry?

A) A marriage where one woman has multiple husbands
B) A marriage where a man has multiple wives
C) A marriage where couples live separately
D) A marriage based on social status

✅ Answer: A) A marriage where one woman has multiple husbands

🧠 Explanation: Polyandry is a rare form of marriage where a woman has multiple husbands, often found in Tibetan and Himalayan cultures.

9. Levirate marriage is when:

A) A widow marries her deceased husband’s brother
B) A man marries multiple women
C) A woman marries outside her community
D) A widow is not allowed to remarry

✅ Answer: A) A widow marries her deceased husband’s brother

🧠 Explanation: Levirate marriage ensures that the widow remains within the same family, maintaining economic and social stability.

10. What is sororate marriage?

A) A woman marries multiple men
B) A man marries his deceased wife’s sister
C) A marriage between close relatives
D) A woman is forced into marriage

✅ Answer: B) A man marries his deceased wife’s sister

🧠 Explanation: Sororate marriage helps maintain family ties and ensures continuity of responsibilities within kinship structures.

11. Hypergamy refers to:

A) Marrying within one’s class
B) Marrying above one’s social status
C) Marrying multiple spouses
D) A woman marrying a younger man

✅ Answer: B) Marrying above one’s social status

🧠 Explanation: Hypergamy is when an individual marries someone of a higher social, economic, or educational status.

12. Hypogamy refers to:

A) A man marrying multiple women
B) A woman marrying below her social status
C) A marriage between two equal partners
D) A temporary marriage contract

✅ Answer: B) A woman marrying below her social status

🧠 Explanation: Hypogamy occurs when a woman marries a man of lower status, which is less common due to social and cultural norms.

13. What is the main purpose of the dowry system?

A) To burden the bride’s family
B) To show financial superiority
C) To provide financial security for the bride
D) To prevent marriage

✅ Answer: C) To provide financial security for the bride

🧠 Explanation: Dowry is a traditional practice where the bride’s family provides wealth to ensure her economic security after marriage.

14. The practice where the groom’s family gives wealth to the bride’s family is called:

A) Dowry
B) Bride price
C) Polygamy
D) Exogamy

✅ Answer: B) Bride price

🧠 Explanation: Bride price is a practice where the groom’s family compensates the bride’s family for the marriage, often seen in African and Asian cultures.

15. Which type of marriage is legally recognized in most modern societies?

A) Polygamy
B) Polyandry
C) Monogamy
D) Levirate

✅ Answer: C) Monogamy

🧠 Explanation: Monogamy is legally recognized in most societies due to its association with legal rights, inheritance, and stability.

16. Which of the following is a legal restriction on marriage in many countries?

A) Arranged marriage
B) Consanguineous marriage (between close relatives)
C) Love marriage
D) Religious marriage

✅ Answer: B) Consanguineous marriage (between close relatives)

🧠 Explanation: Many legal systems prohibit marriage between close relatives due to genetic risks and cultural reasons.

17. Which is a key function of marriage?

A) Isolation from society
B) Ensuring personal wealth
C) Regulation of social behavior and family structure
D) Limiting freedom of individuals

✅ Answer: C) Regulation of social behavior and family structure

🧠 Explanation: Marriage helps structure families, regulates relationships, and defines social responsibilities.

18. Which factor influences marriage patterns the most?

A) Weather
B) Social and cultural norms
C) Political elections
D) Technological advancements

✅ Answer: B) Social and cultural norms

🧠 Explanation: Marriage rules and customs vary based on cultural, religious, and historical traditions.