Rural Sociology: 20 MCQs with Answers & Explanations on Concept, Origin, and Scope
Test your knowledge with 20 MCQs on rural sociology, covering its concept, origin, development, scope, and significance. Learn with detailed answers and explanations.
1. What is the primary focus of rural sociology?
A) Urban life and development
B) Industrial sociology
C) Study of rural society, its structure, and development
D) Political science
Answer: C) Study of rural society, its structure, and development
Explanation: Rural sociology focuses on understanding the social, economic, and cultural aspects of rural communities, their development, and challenges.
2. Who is considered the father of rural sociology?
A) Auguste Comte
B) A.R. Desai
C) Pitirim Sorokin
D) Emile Durkheim
Answer: C) Pitirim Sorokin
Explanation: Pitirim Sorokin and C.C. Zimmerman introduced the study of rural sociology as a distinct discipline in the early 20th century.
3. In which country did rural sociology first emerge as a formal discipline?
A) India
B) United States
C) United Kingdom
D) France
Answer: B) United States
Explanation: Rural sociology first developed in the United States in the early 1900s to study rural life, agricultural communities, and development policies.
4. Which of the following is NOT a key area of rural sociology?
A) Rural social structure
B) Rural-urban migration
C) Agricultural economics
D) Space exploration
Answer: D) Space exploration
Explanation: Rural sociology covers social structures, migration, and agriculture but does not focus on space science.
5. What is the main objective of rural sociology?
A) To study corporate businesses
B) To analyze rural communities and their transformation
C) To focus on technological innovations in urban areas
D) To examine stock market trends
Answer: B) To analyze rural communities and their transformation
Explanation: Rural sociology examines village life, traditions, development issues, and social changes affecting rural communities.
6. Which of the following best defines rural sociology?
A) The study of urban planning
B) The study of rural communities, their structure, and interactions
C) The study of rural politics only
D) The study of industrial labor
Answer: B) The study of rural communities, their structure, and interactions
Explanation: Rural sociology examines rural social institutions, economy, culture, and development patterns.
7. The term "rural" refers to areas that are:
A) Highly urbanized
B) Characterized by low population density and agricultural economy
C) Based on technological industries
D) Politically dominant regions
Answer: B) Characterized by low population density and agricultural economy
Explanation: Rural areas are marked by low population density, primary occupations (agriculture), and traditional lifestyles.
8. Which of the following is a major characteristic of rural society?
A) Individualism
B) Close-knit social relations
C) High industrialization
D) Large-scale corporate structures
Answer: B) Close-knit social relations
Explanation: Rural societies tend to have strong kinship ties, social cohesion, and traditional customs.
9. Rural sociology helps in:
A) Understanding global politics
B) Reducing urban poverty
C) Developing policies for rural development
D) Increasing industrial production
Answer: C) Developing policies for rural development
Explanation: By studying rural life and challenges, rural sociology aids in policy-making for rural welfare and sustainable development.
10. Which factor influences rural social structure the most?
A) Space travel
B) Agriculture and land ownership
C) Artificial intelligence
D) High-rise buildings
Answer: B) Agriculture and land ownership
Explanation: Rural social structures are strongly influenced by land ownership patterns, agricultural practices, and caste/class relations.
11. The study of social institutions in villages is a key focus of:
A) Political science
B) Rural sociology
C) Marine biology
D) Astrophysics
Answer: B) Rural sociology
Explanation: Rural sociology examines social institutions like family, caste, religion, and education in rural settings.
12. Which of the following plays a vital role in rural social change?
A) Rapid urbanization
B) Government policies and education
C) Space research
D) Internet only
Answer: B) Government policies and education
Explanation: Education and government policies help in modernizing rural areas and improving living conditions.
13. In India, rural sociology gained prominence due to:
A) British colonial rule
B) Post-independence village development programs
C) Industrial revolutions
D) Urban planning theories
Answer: B) Post-independence village development programs
Explanation: After independence, India focused on rural development programs, leading to the growth of rural sociology as an academic field.
14. The Green Revolution had a significant impact on:
A) Urban housing
B) Rural agriculture and social structure
C) Space technology
D) Industrial growth
Answer: B) Rural agriculture and social structure
Explanation: The Green Revolution modernized agriculture, improving productivity but also creating economic and social disparities.
15. Which of the following challenges rural sociology addresses?
A) Cybersecurity
B) Climate change and migration
C) Space colonization
D) Stock market analysis
Answer: B) Climate change and migration
Explanation: Rural sociology studies climate change, rural-urban migration, and sustainable development.
16. What role does caste play in rural Indian society?
A) No significant role
B) Defines social hierarchy and relationships
C) Exists only in textbooks
D) Only influences urban areas
Answer: B) Defines social hierarchy and relationships
Explanation: Caste influences occupation, marriage, and social status in rural India.
17. Rural sociology is interdisciplinary because it:
A) Covers multiple fields like economics, anthropology, and politics
B) Focuses only on traditions
C) Is unrelated to development studies
D) Studies only theoretical concepts
Answer: A) Covers multiple fields like economics, anthropology, and politics
Explanation: Rural sociology integrates economics, anthropology, political science, and environmental studies.
18. Panchayati Raj institutions are significant in rural India because they:
A) Promote rural governance and self-reliance
B) Control industries
C) Replace traditional customs
D) Are irrelevant in modern times
Answer: A) Promote rural governance and self-reliance
Explanation: Panchayati Raj strengthens local governance, participatory democracy, and rural development.
19. The concept of "Little Community" in rural sociology was introduced by:
A) Robert Redfield
B) Karl Marx
C) Max Weber
D) Herbert Spencer
Answer: A) Robert Redfield
Explanation: Robert Redfield studied small, self-sufficient rural communities, calling them "Little Communities."
20. Rural sociology contributes to:
A) Understanding rural problems and developing solutions
B) Studying urbanization
C) Political campaigning
D) Industrial policies only
Answer: A) Understanding rural problems and developing solutions
Explanation: Rural sociology helps in solving rural issues related to education, health, and economy.
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