1. Which of the following is a type of social change that occurs slowly over a long period?
A. Revolutionary change
B. Evolutionary change
C. Planned change
D. Technological change
Answer: B. Evolutionary change
Explanation: Evolutionary change is a gradual and continuous transformation in society over time without sudden disruptions, often occurring through internal dynamics (e.g., shift from feudalism to capitalism).
2. Who is regarded as the proponent of the Evolutionary Theory of Social Change?
A. Karl Marx
B. Emile Durkheim
C. Herbert Spencer
D. Auguste Comte
Answer: C. Herbert Spencer
Explanation: Spencer compared society to a living organism and proposed that it evolves from simple to complex forms, much like biological evolution.
3. The theory of social change that emphasizes conflict between different social classes was propounded by:
A. Emile Durkheim
B. Max Weber
C. Karl Marx
D. Auguste Comte
Answer: C. Karl Marx
Explanation: Marx’s Conflict Theory holds that social change arises from the struggle between classes, especially between the bourgeoisie and proletariat in capitalist societies.
4. The type of social change that is deliberate and based on planned efforts is called:
A. Revolutionary change
B. Spontaneous change
C. Cyclical change
D. Planned change
Answer: D. Planned change
Explanation: Planned change refers to change brought about by intentional actions, such as government policies, education reforms, or welfare programs.
5. The cyclical theory of social change is associated with which of the following scholars?
A. Arnold Toynbee
B. Karl Marx
C. Emile Durkheim
D. Max Weber
Answer: A. Arnold Toynbee
Explanation: Toynbee proposed that civilizations rise and fall in cycles due to challenges and responses, forming the basis of cyclical theory of change.
6. Revolutionary social change is best exemplified by which of the following events?
A. The American Revolution
B. The invention of the internet
C. Women’s education reforms
D. Evolution of agriculture
Answer: A. The American Revolution
Explanation: Revolutionary change is sudden and radical. The American Revolution brought rapid political and social transformation in the 18th century.
7. Which theory of social change suggests that social change follows a predictable pattern from primitive to modern?
A. Functionalist theory
B. Conflict theory
C. Evolutionary theory
D. Cyclical theory
Answer: C. Evolutionary theory
Explanation: Evolutionary theorists like Spencer and Comte believed society moves progressively through stages, from primitive to more advanced forms.
8. Which of the following best defines “Technological Determinism” in the context of social change?
A. Technology has no impact on society
B. Technology is shaped by culture
C. Technology is the primary driver of social change
D. Social institutions remain unchanged despite technology
Answer: C. Technology is the primary driver of social change
Explanation: Technological determinism holds that new technologies (like the internet, AI, etc.) cause significant shifts in social behavior, structure, and interaction.
9. Max Weber’s theory of social change focused on:
A. Class conflict
B. Moral values
C. Technological progress
D. Religious and ideological factors
Answer: D. Religious and ideological factors
Explanation: Weber emphasized that cultural ideas, especially religion (e.g., Protestant ethic), play a key role in driving social change.
10. Functionalist perspective on social change emphasizes:
A. Social stability and equilibrium
B. Constant revolution
C. Rejection of social norms
D. Cultural breakdown
Answer: A. Social stability and equilibrium
Explanation: Functionalists like Emile Durkheim believed social change is a process that maintains the stability of society by adapting institutions.
11. The theory of “Cultural Lag” was developed by:
A. Max Weber
B. Ogburn
C. Karl Marx
D. Talcott Parsons
Answer: B. Ogburn
Explanation: William F. Ogburn coined the term Cultural Lag, explaining that material culture (technology) changes faster than non-material culture (values, norms), creating a gap and social disruption.
12. Which of the following is an example of material culture causing cultural lag?
A. New education policy
B. Introduction of Artificial Intelligence
C. Religious rituals
D. Family traditions
Answer: B. Introduction of Artificial Intelligence
Explanation: AI is a material innovation. Society’s ethical, legal, and educational systems (non-material culture) often take time to adapt, causing a cultural lag.
13. Which Indian sociologist popularized the concept of “Sanskritization” as a form of social change?
A. G.S. Ghurye
B. D.P. Mukherjee
C. M.N. Srinivas
D. A.R. Desai
Answer: C. M.N. Srinivas
Explanation: Srinivas introduced Sanskritization to explain how lower castes attempt upward mobility by adopting customs of higher castes, signifying cultural and social change.
14. The concept of “Westernization” as a dimension of social change in India was studied by:
A. M.N. Srinivas
B. A.R. Desai
C. Yogendra Singh
D. Iravati Karve
Answer: A. M.N. Srinivas
Explanation: Srinivas identified Westernization as the adoption of Western traits like dress, education, and lifestyle among Indians, especially post-British colonial rule.
15. Modernization theory of social change mainly emphasizes:
A. Technological regression
B. Traditional values
C. Industrialization, urbanization, and rationalization
D. Preservation of feudal systems
Answer: C. Industrialization, urbanization, and rationalization
Explanation: Modernization theory explains development as a process where traditional societies become more ‘modern’ through technology, institutions, and economic growth.
16. Who among the following viewed social change as a result of “Challenge and Response”?
A. Karl Marx
B. Arnold Toynbee
C. Max Weber
D. Emile Durkheim
Answer: B. Arnold Toynbee
Explanation: Toynbee’s theory argued that civilizations evolve by responding to internal and external challenges. Failure to respond leads to decay.
17. Which of the following is not a characteristic of evolutionary change?
A. Gradual
B. Sudden
C. Unplanned
D. Cumulative
Answer: B. Sudden
Explanation: Evolutionary change is slow and organic. Sudden and rapid change is a characteristic of revolutionary change, not evolutionary.
18. According to Karl Marx, the main source of social change is:
A. Religion
B. Political reform
C. Technological advancement
D. Class struggle
Answer: D. Class struggle
Explanation: Marx’s dialectical materialism views history as driven by the conflicts between economic classes (e.g., proletariat vs bourgeoisie), leading to revolutionary change.
19. Who among the following is associated with Structural Functionalism and saw society as a system maintaining equilibrium?
A. Karl Marx
B. Herbert Spencer
C. Talcott Parsons
D. A.R. Desai
Answer: C. Talcott Parsons
Explanation: Parsons emphasized that society is a complex system working to maintain balance. Social change happens when institutions adapt to preserve equilibrium.
20. The “Little and Great Tradition” theory, which describes cultural transmission in Indian society, was introduced by:
A. M.N. Srinivas
B. Robert Redfield
C. Yogendra Singh
D. G.S. Ghurye
Answer: B. Robert Redfield
Explanation: Redfield conceptualized “Little Tradition” (local folk culture) and “Great Tradition” (elite, classical culture), highlighting cultural flow and change in Indian civilization.
21. Which of the following best describes the relationship between education and social change?
A. Education resists social change
B. Education has no impact on social change
C. Education is both a cause and effect of social change
D. Education only reflects traditional values
Answer: C. Education is both a cause and effect of social change
Explanation: Education influences society by transforming attitudes and behavior, while societal changes also reshape the content and method of education.
22. Who said, “Education is the major instrument of social change”?
A. Emile Durkheim
B. John Dewey
C. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
D. M.N. Srinivas
Answer: B. John Dewey
Explanation: Dewey emphasized the role of education as a powerful tool to reform society and promote democratic values.
23. How does education promote social mobility?
A. By reinforcing caste hierarchy
B. By creating job opportunities through skill development
C. By limiting access to modern knowledge
D. By promoting isolationism
Answer: B. By creating job opportunities through skill development
Explanation: Education equips individuals with skills and knowledge, enabling them to move up the social ladder.
24. Which of the following acts as an agent of social change through education?
A. Illiteracy
B. Traditional customs
C. Curriculum reforms
D. Unemployment
Answer: C. Curriculum reforms
Explanation: Curriculum reforms update content to reflect modern values and challenges, encouraging progressive social transformation.
25. The role of teacher in the context of education and social change is to:
A. Preserve only traditional values
B. Act as a passive observer
C. Facilitate critical thinking and innovation
D. Resist curriculum change
Answer: C. Facilitate critical thinking and innovation
Explanation: Teachers help students engage with new ideas, encouraging them to participate actively in societal change.
26. Which constitutional provision reflects the importance of education in achieving social justice in India?
A. Article 14
B. Article 21
C. Article 45
D. Article 370
Answer: C. Article 45
Explanation: Article 45 of the Directive Principles mandates free and compulsory education for children, aiming at equality and justice.
27. One major way education contributes to social change is by:
A. Maintaining social stratification
B. Promoting cultural stagnation
C. Encouraging scientific temper
D. Supporting outdated practices
Answer: C. Encouraging scientific temper
Explanation: Education fosters inquiry, rational thinking, and scientific outlook, which drives social modernization and reform.
28. Which type of education is more directly associated with social reform movements?
A. Traditional religious education
B. Vocational education
C. Liberal education
D. Formal education
Answer: C. Liberal education
Explanation: Liberal education develops awareness of rights, duties, and social issues, which is central to reform movements.
29. The process of acquiring cultural values and norms through education is known as:
A. Enculturation
B. Evaluation
C. Assimilation
D. Acculturation
Answer: A. Enculturation
Explanation: Education helps individuals internalize the norms and values of society—a process known as enculturation.
30. Which of the following Indian education policies emphasized education as a tool for social and national integration?
A. NEP 1968
B. NEP 1986
C. NPE 2009
D. NEP 2020
Answer: B. NEP 1986
Explanation: NEP 1986 explicitly recognized education’s role in social integration, equality, and national development.
31. The concept of “Education for Social Reconstruction” was emphasized by:
A. Paulo Freire
B. Rabindranath Tagore
C. Emile Durkheim
D. Mahatma Gandhi
Answer: A. Paulo Freire
Explanation: Freire believed education should empower the oppressed to challenge and transform their social reality.
32. Which of the following is not a function of education in relation to social change?
A. Social control
B. Cultural preservation
C. Promoting inequality
D. Innovation promotion
Answer: C. Promoting inequality
Explanation: While education may unintentionally reflect inequalities, its intended purpose is to promote equality, mobility, and reform.
33. Which of the following is a major barrier to education-driven social change in India?
A. Inclusive policies
B. Regional languages
C. Privatization of education
D. Caste-based discrimination
Answer: D. Caste-based discrimination
Explanation: Social discrimination limits equal access to education, thereby hindering its role in transforming society.
34. The spread of education in rural areas is most directly linked to:
A. Social backwardness
B. Political unrest
C. Rural-urban migration
D. Empowerment of marginalized groups
Answer: D. Empowerment of marginalized groups
Explanation: Education in rural areas enables the empowerment of women, SC/STs, and economically weaker sections.
35. The idea that education can reduce gender inequality is based on:
A. Traditional gender roles
B. Economic inequality
C. Empowerment through knowledge
D. Patriarchal beliefs
Answer: C. Empowerment through knowledge
Explanation: Education empowers women with knowledge and skills, promoting participation in public and economic life.
36. Which thinker advocated “Basic Education” as a means of rural social upliftment?
A. Rabindranath Tagore
B. Mahatma Gandhi
C. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
D. Raja Rammohan Roy
Answer: B. Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation: Gandhi’s Nai Talim aimed to integrate craft, life skills, and values to develop self-reliant rural communities.
37. The term “hidden curriculum” refers to:
A. Content not taught in class
B. Official course objectives
C. Social norms and values learned informally
D. Co-curricular activities
Answer: C. Social norms and values learned informally
Explanation: Hidden curriculum refers to the unspoken lessons students learn, such as discipline, punctuality, and obedience, which influence social behavior.
38. The function of education in maintaining social order was primarily emphasized by:
A. Karl Marx
B. Paulo Freire
C. Emile Durkheim
D. Max Weber
Answer: C. Emile Durkheim
Explanation: Durkheim saw education as a means to socialize individuals into society’s norms and promote social cohesion.
39. How does mass media in education contribute to social change?
A. By restricting access to information
B. By promoting superstition
C. By spreading awareness and modern values
D. By preserving regional isolation
Answer: C. By spreading awareness and modern values
Explanation: Mass media supports education through programs that raise awareness on issues like health, rights, environment, and gender equality.
40. Education that is responsive to social change must be:
A. Rigid and traditional
B. Rooted only in local culture
C. Dynamic and forward-looking
D. Controlled by religious institutions
Answer: C. Dynamic and forward-looking
Explanation: Education systems must adapt to societal changes, preparing learners for future challenges while promoting justice and innovation.
41. Which of the following best defines globalization in education?
A. Promoting only local languages
B. Replacing schools with online videos
C. Integration of international ideas, resources, and institutions in education
D. Limiting the role of foreign influence
Answer: C. Integration of international ideas, resources, and institutions in education
Explanation: Globalization in education involves global exchange of educational content, technologies, methods, and opportunities.
42. One major impact of globalization on education is:
A. Increased isolation of rural schools
B. Decline of private institutions
C. Rise of standardized testing and international curriculum
D. Elimination of local culture
Answer: C. Rise of standardized testing and international curriculum
Explanation: Globalization promotes common benchmarks like PISA, IB, and Cambridge curriculums across countries.
43. ICT stands for:
A. International Communication Test
B. Information and Communication Technology
C. Integrated Classroom Training
D. International Curriculum Teaching
Answer: B. Information and Communication Technology
Explanation: ICT in education refers to the use of digital tools like computers, internet, smartboards, and apps to enhance learning.
44. Which of the following is a key feature of online learning (e-learning)?
A. Face-to-face communication only
B. Fixed classroom schedules
C. Asynchronous access to learning materials
D. No use of internet
Answer: C. Asynchronous access to learning materials
Explanation: E-learning allows learners to study at their own pace using internet-based resources.
45. Which international organization promotes education as a global development priority?
A. WHO
B. WTO
C. UNESCO
D. IMF
Answer: C. UNESCO
Explanation: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) focuses on promoting education, cultural exchange, and innovation.
46. The Digital Divide in education refers to:
A. Difference in digital marketing skills
B. Unequal access to technology among students
C. A new type of test
D. Overuse of mobile phones
Answer: B. Unequal access to technology among students
Explanation: The digital divide reflects the gap between those who can access and use digital technology for learning and those who cannot.
47. Which of the following educational initiatives aims at integrating technology in Indian classrooms?
A. Operation Blackboard
B. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
C. PM eVidya
D. Adult Literacy Mission
Answer: C. PM eVidya
Explanation: Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, PM eVidya provides online, TV, and radio content for digital learning across India.
48. MOOCs are:
A. Small group discussions
B. Offline group activities
C. Massive Open Online Courses
D. Traditional oral lectures
Answer: C. Massive Open Online Courses
Explanation: MOOCs provide large-scale, free or low-cost online learning opportunities open to anyone worldwide.
49. One challenge of online education in developing countries is:
A. Overqualified teachers
B. Easy internet access
C. Lack of digital infrastructure
D. Surplus electricity
Answer: C. Lack of digital infrastructure
Explanation: Poor internet connectivity, lack of devices, and electricity issues are major barriers in countries like India.
50. Blended learning refers to:
A. Only using YouTube videos for classes
B. Traditional and digital methods combined
C. Teaching only through mobile apps
D. Avoiding classroom learning
Answer: B. Traditional and digital methods combined
Explanation: Blended learning merges face-to-face instruction with online and digital content to enhance teaching effectiveness.
51. Globalization challenges the education system by:
A. Encouraging local languages
B. Promoting uniformity and reducing cultural diversity
C. Supporting tribal education
D. Limiting access to foreign universities
Answer: B. Promoting uniformity and reducing cultural diversity
Explanation: While globalization increases access, it can also standardize education in ways that marginalize indigenous knowledge.
52. Which policy in India strongly emphasizes digital learning and integration of technology in education?
A. NEP 1968
B. NEP 1986
C. NEP 2020
D. Right to Education Act
Answer: C. NEP 2020
Explanation: The National Education Policy 2020 promotes digital infrastructure, online education, and use of AI and technology in classrooms.
53. Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education includes:
A. Hiring teachers
B. Personalized learning and intelligent tutoring systems
C. Writing textbooks
D. Conducting sports events
Answer: B. Personalized learning and intelligent tutoring systems
Explanation: AI helps tailor content to each student’s pace and needs, offering smart feedback and adaptive learning experiences.
54. A benefit of globalization in higher education is:
A. Increased dropout rates
B. Narrow curriculum focus
C. Access to international research and collaboration
D. Focus only on regional topics
Answer: C. Access to international research and collaboration
Explanation: Universities and scholars engage globally through joint research, student exchange, and cross-border learning.
55. A major risk of globalization in school education is:
A. Improvement in school facilities
B. Decline in rote learning
C. Commercialization of education
D. Expansion of teacher training
Answer: C. Commercialization of education
Explanation: Globalization can lead to profit-driven education systems that favor elite students and privatized institutions.
56. Which of the following is a positive impact of digital learning on students?
A. Decreased motivation
B. Passive memorization
C. Access to interactive, multimedia content
D. Reduced literacy rates
Answer: C. Access to interactive, multimedia content
Explanation: Digital tools help learners visualize concepts through videos, simulations, and gamified content.
57. Cloud computing in education is useful for:
A. Weather forecasting
B. Sharing learning resources and storing data
C. Conducting manual exams
D. Enforcing school discipline
Answer: B. Sharing learning resources and storing data
Explanation: Cloud services allow collaborative tools, storage, and access to resources from anywhere at any time.
58. Digital classrooms help in:
A. Black-and-white instruction
B. Rigid textbook usage
C. Audio-visual and interactive learning
D. Chalkboard-only learning
Answer: C. Audio-visual and interactive learning
Explanation: Smart classrooms use projectors, digital boards, and apps to make learning dynamic and student-centered.
59. The role of teachers in a technologically advanced education system is to:
A. Only deliver content
B. Control all information
C. Guide and facilitate learner-centered exploration
D. Avoid digital tools
Answer: C. Guide and facilitate learner-centered exploration
Explanation: In modern education, teachers act as facilitators, guiding students to explore, question, and construct their own learning.
60. The National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) in India aims to:
A. Build new schools
B. Digitally empower the education system
C. Conduct board exams online only
D. Replace teachers with robots
Answer: B. Digitally empower the education system
Explanation: NDEAR aims to unify and strengthen India’s digital infrastructure in education through interoperable, inclusive platforms.