Question 1

Karl Marx argued that the dominant social institution is
A)the family.
B)religion.
C)politics.
D)the economy.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that the dominant social institution is the economy, specifically the means of production and the relationship between those who own them (the bourgeoisie) and those who work for them (the proletariat). He argued that all other social institutions, such as politics and religion, are influenced or determined by the economic structure of society.

Question 2

In terms of social inequality, agrarian societies generally
A)have much more inequality than less productive societal types.
B)have about the same amount of social inequality as less productive societal types.
C)have less social inequality than less productive societal types.
D)come very close to being egalitarian societies.

Accepted Answer

Agrarian societies typically have more social inequality compared to less productive societal types due to the accumulation of land and resources by a relatively small elite, leading to significant disparities in wealth and power.

Question 3

Which of the following types of society has the most productive specialization?
A)hunting and gathering
B)horticultural and pastoral
C)agrarian
D)industrial

Accepted Answer

Industrial societies have the most productive specialization because they rely on advanced technology and machinery to increase efficiency and output. They also have a high level of division of labor and specialization within the workforce, allowing individuals to focus on specific tasks and become highly skilled in their areas of expertise. This leads to higher productivity and greater economic output compared to other types of societies.

Question 4

Which type of human society has existed only since about the year 1750?
A)industrial societies
B)agrarian societies
C)horticultural and pastoral societies
D)hunting and gathering societies

Accepted Answer

Industrial societies are characterized by mass production, advanced technologies, and urbanization. They emerged as a result of the Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the second half of the 18th century and gradually spread to other parts of the world. Before that, human societies were primarily agrarian, horticultural, pastoral, or hunter-gatherer. Therefore, industrial societies have existed only since about the year 1750.

Question 5

Karl Marx believed that the industrial-capitalist system was
A)very productive.
B)concentrating wealth in the hands of a few.
C)giving rise to the concepts of capitalists and proletarians.
D)All of these are correct.

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that the industrial-capitalist system was very productive but was concentrating wealth in the hands of a few and giving rise to the concepts of capitalists and proletarians. All of the given options are correct according to his beliefs.

Question 6

Around 100 C.E., the Roman Empire was what type of society?
A)hunting and gathering
B)horticultural and pastoral
C)agrarian
D)industrial

Accepted Answer

The Roman Empire was primarily an agrarian society at this time, with agriculture being the main economic activity and source of wealth.

Question 7

Gerhard Lenski claims that the development of more complex technology
A)is entirely positive.
B)has both positive and negative effects.
C)is entirely negative.
D)has no effect on the quality of human life.

Accepted Answer

According to Gerhard Lenski, the development of more complex technology has both positive and negative effects. While technology can improve our lives in various ways such as enhancing communication, transportation, and medical care, it can also lead to job loss, environmental destruction, and social isolation. Therefore, the impact of technology on human life depends on how we use it and its consequences.

Question 8

Assume you are studying a society that has just invented cities, has increasing specialization, and has just started using money to buy and sell goods and services.It is likely that the society is at which stage of sociocultural evolution?
A)hunting and gathering
B)horticultural and pastoral
C)agrarian
D)industrial

Accepted Answer

The use of cities, increasing specialization, and the introduction of money for transactions are all characteristics of the agrarian stage of sociocultural evolution. This stage is marked by the development of agriculture and a more stable, sedentary lifestyle, as well as the emergence of social classes and increased trade.

Question 9

The driving force of social change, according to Marx, is
A)advancing technology.
B)social conflict between classes.
C)dominant ideas.
D)the way in which society is held together.

Accepted Answer

Marx argued that social change is driven by social conflict between classes, specifically the struggle between the ruling (or capitalist) class and the working (or proletariat) class for control over resources and power. He saw this conflict as the driving force behind historical change, as evidenced by the transition from feudalism to capitalism. Marx believed that ultimately this conflict would lead to the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a communist society.

Question 10

Industrialization changes societies in many ways.All of the following except for one are changes that are brought on by industrialization.Which is NOT such a change?
A)A larger share of a society's people lives in cities.
B)There are fewer types of jobs and fewer people work for income.
C)The rate of social change increases.
D)Advances in communication and transportation make society seem smaller.

Accepted Answer

Industrialization typically brings an increase in the types of jobs available as well as the number of people working for wages. It does not typically result in fewer jobs or fewer types of jobs.

Question 11

As societies generate a greater productive surplus, their people generally
A)become more socially equal.
B)engage in more productive specialization.
C)become less warlike.
D)All of these are correct.

Accepted Answer

As societies become more productive, they are able to support a greater number of specialized occupations. This leads to more productivity and the creation of a variety of products and services. This increased specialization and productivity can lead to increased social and economic stratification. As people become more specialized in their occupations, there is often greater competition for resources and wealth. While it is possible that increased productivity could lead to increased equality or decreased violence, these outcomes are not guaranteed.

Question 12

The mass media, in films from Frankenstein
A)technology has only positive consequences for human societies.
B)pastoral societies have more advanced technology than industrial societies.
C)advanced technology can not only serve us, but it can also harm us.
D)our society holds little interest in advancing technology.

Accepted Answer

In films from Frankenstein, the portrayal of advanced technology is often associated with negative consequences such as creating monsters or playing god. This suggests that advanced technology can harm us and is not always beneficial, contradicting choice A. There is no evidence to support choice B or D.

Question 13

Compared to an industrial society, a postindustrial society is based on
A)an information-based economy.
B)a factory-based economy.
C)an immigrant labor force.
D)a less productive economy.

Accepted Answer

A postindustrial society is characterized by a shift towards an economy based on services, technology, and knowledge rather than manufacturing and industry. This shift is often referred to as the Information Age, as information and technology play a key role in the postindustrial economy.

Question 14

Many people have marveled at the Great Wall in China and the Great Pyramids in Egypt.These monuments stand as evidence of the productive power of which type of society?
A)hunting and gathering
B)horticultural and pastoral
C)agrarian
D)industrial

Accepted Answer

The Great Wall in China and Great Pyramids in Egypt were built during the agrarian period, which was characterized by the cultivation of crops and the domestication of animals. This type of society had the resources and labor power to construct these monumental structures.

Question 15

What type of society engages in large-scale farming based on the use of plows drawn by animals or more powerful energy sources?
A)hunting and gathering
B)horticultural
C)pastoral
D)agrarian

Accepted Answer

Large-scale farming based on the use of plows drawn by animals or more powerful energy sources is characteristic of an agrarian society. An agrarian society is defined by its dependence on agriculture as the primary means of subsistence and cultural activities. This type of society is characterized by the use of intensive agricultural practices and the cultivation of large areas of land in order to meet the needs of a growing population.

Question 16

The first type of society to generate a material surplus was
A)hunting and gathering.
B)horticultural and pastoral.
C)agrarian.
D)industrial.

Accepted Answer

Horticultural and pastoral societies were the first to generate a material surplus. This is because they practiced agriculture and animal husbandry which allowed them to produce more food and resources than they needed for subsistence, leading to the development of surplus. Hunting and gathering societies did not have the same level of control over their food sources and were therefore unable to generate a surplus. Agrarian and industrial societies also generated surpluses, but they came later in human history.

Question 17

Where in the world did large-scale cultivation or farming first develop?
A)southeast Asia
B)the Middle East
C)North America
D)Africa

Accepted Answer

Large-scale cultivation or farming first developed in the Middle East around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic Revolution. This development allowed for the rise of civilizations in the Fertile Crescent region, including ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley.

Question 18

Humans first planted gardens in which region of the world?
A)Africa
B)Asia
C)Latin America
D)the Middle East

Accepted Answer

The Middle East is commonly referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization" because it is where many early human advancements, including agriculture, originated. The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, located in the Middle East, are known to have developed irrigation systems and domesticated numerous plants and animals, laying the foundation for the first gardens.

Question 19

Agrarian technology developed based on the use of
A)the plow.
B)animal power.
C)the development of metals.
D)All of these are correct.

Accepted Answer

Agrarian technology developed based on the use of all of these tools: the plow for tilling the soil, animal power (such as oxen) to pull the plow and other heavy machinery, and the development of metals for tools (such as sickles and axes) and other agricultural equipment.

Question 20

The birth of sociology took place during the early development of which type of society?
A)pastoral
B)horticultural
C)industrial
D)agrarian

Accepted Answer

The birth of sociology took place during the early development of industrial society, which emerged in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. The rise of industry and urbanization led to significant changes in social structures, relationships, and values, which sparked the interest of early sociologists in understanding these phenomena. Pastoral and horticultural societies preceded industrial society, and agrarian society overlapped with industrial society in some regions, but neither was the primary context for the birth of sociology.

Quiz 4: Society

Karl Marx argued that the dominant social institution is

In terms of social inequality, agrarian societies generally

Which of the following types of society has the most productive specialization?

Which type of human society has existed only since about the year 1750?

Karl Marx believed that the industrial-capitalist system was

Around 100 C.E., the Roman Empire was what type of society?

Gerhard Lenski claims that the development of more complex technology

Assume you are studying a society that has just invented cities, has increasing specialization, and has just started using money to buy and sell goods and services.It is likely that the society is at which stage of sociocultural evolution?

The driving force of social change, according to Marx, is

Industrialization changes societies in many ways.All of the following except for one are changes that are brought on by industrialization.Which is NOT such a change?

As societies generate a greater productive surplus, their people generally

The mass media, in films from Frankenstein

Compared to an industrial society, a postindustrial society is based on

Many people have marveled at the Great Wall in China and the Great Pyramids in Egypt.These monuments stand as evidence of the productive power of which type of society?

What type of society engages in large-scale farming based on the use of plows drawn by animals or more powerful energy sources?

The first type of society to generate a material surplus was

Where in the world did large-scale cultivation or farming first develop?

Humans first planted gardens in which region of the world?

Agrarian technology developed based on the use of

The birth of sociology took place during the early development of which type of society?