CUET UG Economics Booster Test 3 - Demographic Indicators -

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CUET UG Economics Booster Test 3 - Demographic Indicators

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG Economics Booster Test 3 - Demographic Indicators

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

Analyze the following statements about India's demographic profile:
Statements:
1. It holds the largest estimated population among the three at 1428 million.
2. It has the lowest population density among the three countries.
3. It accounts for one out of every six persons in the world.

Answer Review

1 Analyze the following statements about India's demographic profile:
Statements:
1. It holds the largest estimated population among the three at 1428 million.
2. It has the lowest population density among the three countries.
3. It accounts for one out of every six persons in the world.

A 1 and 2

B 1 and 3

C 2 and 3

D 1, 2, and 3

💡 Short Explanation

India has the largest estimated population among the three countries.
India accounts for about one-sixth of the world's population.
China, not India, has the lowest population density.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23):

Statement 1 is correct because India's estimated population is 1428 million, the highest among India, China, and Pakistan.
Statement 2 is incorrect because India has the highest population density (473 persons per sq. km), whereas China has the lowest population density (150 persons per sq. km).
Statement 3 is correct because the NCERT states that one out of every six persons in the world is an Indian.

Therefore, Statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Statement 2 is incorrect.
Option C → Statement 2 is incorrect.
Option D → Statement 2 is incorrect.

🎯 Strategy

Statement Verification

Application:

Verify each statement individually using the NCERT demographic indicators and eliminate the options containing the incorrect statement.

Final Logic:

Only Statements 1 and 3 are correct; therefore Option B is the correct answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

India: 1428 → 1 in 6 → Highest Density

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Population Size and Demographic Indicators (2021–23)

2 Match the Demographic Indicator with the correct figure for China.

List I	List II
1. Population	a. 65%
2. Density	b. –0.10%
3. Urbanisation	c. 1411 million
4. Growth Rate	d. 150

A 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b

B 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b

C 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b

D 1-a, 2-c, 3-b, 4-d

💡 Short Explanation

China's population is 1411 million. Its population density is 150 persons per sq. km. Urbanisation is 65%. Annual population growth rate is –0.10%.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): Population → 1411 million (c) Density → 150 persons per sq. km (d) Urbanisation → 65% (a) Growth Rate → –0.10% (b) Thus, the correct matching is: 1 → c 2 → d 3 → a 4 → b Hence, Option C is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b → Incorrect because population and density are interchanged.
Option B. 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b → Incorrect because density and urbanisation are mismatched.
Option D. 1-a, 2-c, 3-b, 4-d → Incorrect because all four indicators are incorrectly paired.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Option Grouping

Application:

Identify the known demographic values for China first, then match the remaining indicators.

Final Logic:

Only Option C correctly matches all four demographic indicators according to the NCERT.

🧠 Memory Trick

"China: 1411 → 150 → 65 → –0.10."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: China's Demographic Indicators (2021–23)

3 While analyzing the global population distribution, Pakistan's population is considered very small in regional comparison, roughly equating to about _______ of China's population.

A 50 per cent

B 25 per cent

C 5 per cent

D 10 per cent

💡 Short Explanation

Pakistan's estimated population is about 240 million. China's estimated population is about 1411 million. The NCERT describes Pakistan's population as roughly one-tenth of China's (or India's) for comparative understanding.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): China's population ≈ 1411 million Pakistan's population ≈ 240 million Although the exact mathematical ratio is closer to 17%, the NCERT uses the approximate expression "roughly one-tenth" while comparing Pakistan's population with India and China. Therefore, the blank should be filled with 10 per cent. Hence, Option D is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. 50 per cent → Incorrect because Pakistan's population is far below half of China's.
Option B. 25 per cent → Incorrect because this is much higher than the comparative description given in the NCERT.
Option C. 5 per cent → Incorrect because Pakistan's population is considerably higher than 5% of China's population.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Use the approximate comparative description provided in the NCERT rather than an exact percentage calculation.

Final Logic:

The NCERT describes Pakistan's population as roughly one-tenth of China's; therefore, Option D is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Pakistan ≈ One-Tenth (NCERT Approximation)."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Comparative Population Size

4 If the combined population of India and China is approximately 2839 million, Pakistan's population (240 million) represents approximately what percentage of this combined total?

A Less than 10%

B Exactly 15%

C More than 20%

D Roughly 25%

💡 Short Explanation

Combined population of India and China = 2839 million. Pakistan's population = 240 million. Pakistan accounts for less than one-tenth of the combined population.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Using the demographic figures: India + China = 1428 + 1411 = 2839 million Pakistan = 240 million Percentage: 240/2839×100≈8.45% Since 8.45% is less than 10%, Pakistan's population represents less than one-tenth of the combined population of India and China. Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B. Exactly 15% → Incorrect because the calculated percentage is much lower.
Option C. More than 20% → Incorrect because Pakistan's share is well below 20%.
Option D. Roughly 25% → Incorrect because 25% is nearly three times the actual proportion.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Dimensional/Unit Analysis

Application:

Calculate the percentage using the given population values and compare it with the options.

Final Logic:

Pakistan's share is approximately 8.45%, which is less than 10%; therefore, Option A is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"240 out of 2839 ≈ 8% (<10%)."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Population Comparison and Demographic Indicators (2021–23)

5 Assertion (A): Pakistan is projected to multiply its population faster than India and China.
Reason (R): Pakistan's annual population growth rate is 1.96%, the highest among the three.

A Both Assertion and Reason are false.

B Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason provides the correct explanation.

C Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

D Assertion is false, but Reason is true.

💡 Short Explanation

Pakistan has the highest annual population growth rate among the three countries. A higher growth rate indicates faster population increase over time. Hence, Pakistan is expected to experience the fastest population growth.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): Pakistan's annual population growth rate is 1.96%, which is higher than India's 0.81% and China's –0.10%. Since population growth rate indicates the pace at which population increases, Pakistan is expected to multiply its population faster than India and China if these trends continue. Thus, both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. Both Assertion and Reason are false. → Incorrect because both statements are supported by the demographic indicators.
Option C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false. → Incorrect because the Reason is also true.
Option D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true. → Incorrect because the Assertion is also true.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Evaluate whether both statements are factually correct and determine if the Reason logically explains the Assertion.

Final Logic:

Pakistan's 1.96% growth rate explains why its population is expected to grow faster; therefore, Option B is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Highest Growth = Fastest Future Population."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Annual Population Growth Rate (2021–23)

6 Arrange these countries in ascending order of their population density, and determine whether it logically matches the ascending order of their annual population growth rates.

A China, Pakistan, India (Density) matches China, Pakistan, India (Growth)

B India, Pakistan, China (Density) matches India, Pakistan, China (Growth)

C China, Pakistan, India (Density) does NOT match China, India, Pakistan (Growth)

D Pakistan, India, China (Density) matches China, India, Pakistan (Growth)

💡 Short Explanation

Population Density (ascending): China → Pakistan → India. Population Growth Rate (ascending): China → India → Pakistan. The two sequences are different.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): Population Density (persons per sq. km): China = 150 Pakistan = 300 India = 473 Ascending order: China → Pakistan → India Annual Population Growth Rate: China = –0.10% India = 0.81% Pakistan = 1.96% Ascending order: China → India → Pakistan Since the two sequences are not the same, the statement in Option C is correct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. Incorrect because the growth-rate order is China → India → Pakistan, not China → Pakistan → India.
Option B. Incorrect because both the density order and the growth-rate order are wrong.
Option D. Incorrect because the density order begins with China, not Pakistan.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Comparative Analysis

Application:

Arrange the countries separately based on population density and population growth rate, then compare the two sequences.

Final Logic:

The density order differs from the growth-rate order, making Option C the correct answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Density: China → Pakistan → India | Growth: China → India → Pakistan."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Population Density and Annual Population Growth Rates (2021–23)

7 The decline in China's population growth to a negative figure (–0.10%) is analytically most directly linked to which of the following historical interventions?

A Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

B Commune system

C Great Leap Forward

D One-child norm of the late 1970s

💡 Short Explanation

China introduced the one-child norm in the late 1970s. The policy was aimed at controlling rapid population growth. It contributed to China's very low and eventually negative population growth rate.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT, the one-child norm, introduced in the late 1970s, was the major population-control policy adopted by China. Over the years, this policy significantly reduced fertility rates and slowed population growth. The Demographic Indicators (2021–23) reflect this long-term impact through China's annual population growth rate of –0.10%. Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution → Incorrect because it was a political and social movement, not a population-control policy.
Option B. Commune system → Incorrect because it related to collective farming, not population regulation.
Option C. Great Leap Forward → Incorrect because it focused on rapid industrialisation and agricultural collectivisation, not reducing population growth.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Elimination

Application:

Identify the historical policy directly connected with population control rather than political or economic reforms.

Final Logic:

Only the one-child norm directly explains China's negative population growth rate; therefore, Option D is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"One Child → –0.10% Growth."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: One-Child Norm and Population Growth

8 How did the one-child policy paradoxically affect China's future economic workforce dynamics?

A It led to a proportional increase in elderly people, shrinking the future youth workforce.

B It drastically increased the fertility rate.

C It improved the sex ratio.

D It led to immediate urbanisation without industrialisation.

💡 Short Explanation

The one-child policy reduced birth rates. Fewer births over several decades resulted in an ageing population. This reduced the proportion of young people entering the workforce.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT, although the one-child norm successfully controlled population growth, it also created long-term demographic challenges. With fewer children being born over many years, the proportion of elderly people increased relative to young people. This ageing population reduced the future labour force and increased the dependency burden, leading China to later relax the policy by allowing couples to have two children. Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B. It drastically increased the fertility rate. → Incorrect because the policy reduced fertility rates.
Option C. It improved the sex ratio. → Incorrect because the NCERT notes that the one-child policy, combined with son preference, contributed to a decline in the sex ratio.
Option D. It led to immediate urbanisation without industrialisation. → Incorrect because urbanisation was primarily driven by economic reforms and industrialisation, not the one-child policy.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Cause-and-Effect Analysis

Application:

Link the one-child policy with its long-term demographic consequences discussed in the NCERT.

Final Logic:

The policy produced an ageing population and a shrinking youth workforce, making Option A the correct answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Fewer Births → More Elderly → Smaller Workforce."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: One-Child Policy, Age Structure and Workforce Dynamics

9 Analyzing the population density figures, India accommodates 473 persons per sq. km. How many more persons per sq. km does India accommodate compared to Pakistan?

A 323

B 173

C 233

D 100

💡 Short Explanation

India's population density is 473 persons per sq. km. Pakistan's population density is 300 persons per sq. km. The difference is 173 persons per sq. km.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): India's population density = 473 persons per sq. km Pakistan's population density = 300 persons per sq. km Difference: 473-300=173 Thus, India accommodates 173 more persons per square kilometre than Pakistan. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. 323 → Incorrect because this is obtained by incorrectly subtracting China's density (150) from India's density (473).
Option C. 233 → Incorrect because it does not match the actual difference.
Option D. 100 → Incorrect because the calculated difference is 173, not 100.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Dimensional/Unit Analysis

Application:

Subtract Pakistan's density from India's density using the demographic indicator values.

Final Logic:

Since 473 − 300 = 173, Option B is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"India 473 − Pakistan 300 = 173."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Population Density (Demographic Indicators 2021–23)

10 Evaluate the relationship between China's geographical area and population density.
Statements:
1. China has the largest geographical area among the three countries.
2. China's population density is 150 persons per sq. km.
3. China's low population density proves it has the smallest population overall.

A 1 and 3

B 2 and 3

C 1 and 2

D 1, 2, and 3

💡 Short Explanation

China occupies the largest geographical area among India, China, and Pakistan. Its population density is 150 persons per sq. km. A low population density does not imply a small total population.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): Statement 1 is correct because China has the largest geographical area among the three countries. Statement 2 is correct because China's population density is 150 persons per sq. km. Statement 3 is incorrect because China has one of the world's largest populations (about 1411 million). Its relatively low population density is due to its vast geographical area rather than a small total population. Therefore, Statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Statement 3 is incorrect.
Option B → Statement 3 is incorrect.
Option D → Statement 3 is incorrect.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Statement Verification

Application:

Evaluate each statement independently using the NCERT demographic indicators and distinguish between population density and total population.

Final Logic:

China's vast geographical area explains its relatively low population density, but it still has one of the world's largest populations. Therefore, only Statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

Largest Area ≠ Smallest Population

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Geographical Area and Population Density (Demographic Indicators 2021–23)

11 Match the country with its precise Sex Ratio (females per 1000 males).

List I	List II
1. China	a. 930
2. India	b. 948
3. Pakistan	c. 898
4. Highest among the three	d. Pakistan

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

B 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d

C 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d

D 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d

💡 Short Explanation

China's sex ratio is 898 females per 1000 males. India's sex ratio is 930. Pakistan's sex ratio is 948, the highest among the three.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): China → 898 (c) India → 930 (a) Pakistan → 948 (b) Highest among the three → Pakistan (d) Thus, the correct matching is: 1 → c 2 → a 3 → b 4 → d Hence, Option D is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d → Incorrect because all three sex ratios are mismatched.
Option B. 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d → Incorrect because China's, India's, and Pakistan's values are incorrectly paired.
Option C. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d → Incorrect because India's and Pakistan's sex ratios are interchanged.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Option Grouping

Application:

Recall the exact sex ratio values from the demographic indicators and match the countries before identifying the highest value.

Final Logic:

Only Option D correctly matches all four entries according to the NCERT.

🧠 Memory Trick

"China 898 → India 930 → Pakistan 948."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Sex Ratio (Demographic Indicators 2021–23)

12 Assertion (A): The sex ratio is biased against females in India, China, and Pakistan.
Reason (R): Deep-rooted cultural son preference is prevalent across all three countries, influencing demographic outcomes.

A Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason provides the correct explanation.

B Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason does not provide the correct explanation.

C Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

D Both Assertion and Reason are false.

💡 Short Explanation

All three countries have a sex ratio biased against females. The NCERT identifies son preference as the primary underlying cause. The Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The Assertion is true because the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23) show that India, China, and Pakistan all have sex ratios biased against females. The Reason is also true because the chapter identifies deep-rooted cultural son preference as the principal factor responsible for this demographic imbalance. Although China's one-child policy further aggravated the issue, the underlying cultural preference for sons exists across all three countries. Therefore, both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion. Hence, Option A is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B. Both are true, but Reason does not explain Assertion. → Incorrect because son preference directly explains the female-biased sex ratio.
Option C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false. → Incorrect because the Reason is also true.
Option D. Both Assertion and Reason are false. → Incorrect because both statements are supported by the NCERT.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Evaluate both statements independently and determine whether the Reason logically explains the Assertion.

Final Logic:

The low sex ratio across all three countries is explained by deep-rooted son preference; therefore, Option A is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Son Preference → Low Sex Ratio."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Sex Ratio and Son Preference

13 If China's fertility rate is 1.2 and Pakistan's fertility rate is 3.4, what is the exact difference in their fertility rates?

A 2.0

B 2.2

C 1.8

D 2.4

💡 Short Explanation

China's fertility rate = 1.2 Pakistan's fertility rate = 3.4 Difference = 3.4 − 1.2 = 2.2

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): China's fertility rate = 1.2 Pakistan's fertility rate = 3.4 Calculating the difference: 3.4-1.2=2.2 Thus, Pakistan's fertility rate exceeds China's by 2.2 children per woman. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. 2.0 → Incorrect because the actual difference is 2.2.
Option C. 1.8 → Incorrect because it results from an incorrect calculation.
Option D. 2.4 → Incorrect because it exceeds the actual difference.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Dimensional/Unit Analysis

Application:

Subtract China's fertility rate from Pakistan's fertility rate using the values given.

Final Logic:

Since 3.4 − 1.2 = 2.2, Option B is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"3.4 − 1.2 = 2.2."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Fertility Rate (Demographic Indicators 2021–23)

14 Pakistan's fertility rate of 3.4 is significantly higher than India's 2.0, which analytically explains Pakistan's higher _________.

A Density

B Urbanisation rate

C Annual population growth

D Sex ratio

💡 Short Explanation

A higher fertility rate generally contributes to faster population growth. Pakistan has both the highest fertility rate and the highest annual population growth rate among the three countries. The two demographic indicators are closely related.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): Pakistan's fertility rate = 3.4 India's fertility rate = 2.0 Pakistan also records the highest annual population growth rate (1.96%), whereas India's growth rate is 0.81%. A higher fertility rate results in more births, which contributes to a faster increase in population over time. Therefore, Pakistan's higher fertility rate analytically explains its higher annual population growth. Hence, Option C is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. Density → Incorrect because population density depends on both population and land area, not fertility alone.
Option B. Urbanisation rate → Incorrect because urbanisation is influenced by migration and economic development, not directly by fertility.
Option D. Sex ratio → Incorrect because the sex ratio is mainly influenced by demographic and social factors such as son preference, not fertility.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Cause-and-Effect Analysis

Application:

Relate the demographic indicator (fertility rate) to its direct outcome (population growth).

Final Logic:

A higher fertility rate leads to higher annual population growth, making Option C the correct answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

"High Fertility → High Population Growth."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Fertility Rate and Annual Population Growth (2021–23)

15 Which combination correctly portrays the urbanisation scenario in the compared nations?

A India and Pakistan have urbanisation greater than 50%.

B China has 36% urbanisation.

C Pakistan is the most urbanised.

D China is the most urbanised (65%), while India (36%) and Pakistan (38%) have comparatively moderate levels of urbanisation.

💡 Short Explanation

China has the highest urbanisation rate among the three countries. India and Pakistan have much lower urbanisation levels. The demographic indicators clearly distinguish China as the most urbanised nation.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): China: 65% urban population Pakistan: 38% urban population India: 36% urban population China's rapid industrialisation and economic reforms have accelerated urban growth, making it the most urbanised among the three countries. India and Pakistan continue to have a larger proportion of their populations residing in rural areas. Therefore, Option D is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. India and Pakistan have urbanisation > 50%. → Incorrect because India's urbanisation is 36% and Pakistan's is 38%.
Option B. China has 36% urbanisation. → Incorrect because 36% is India's urbanisation rate.
Option C. Pakistan is the most urbanised. → Incorrect because China (65%) has the highest urbanisation.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Elimination

Application:

Recall the urbanisation percentages for all three countries and eliminate incorrect combinations.

Final Logic:

Only Option D correctly represents the urbanisation pattern given in the NCERT.

🧠 Memory Trick

"China 65 → Pakistan 38 → India 36."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Urbanisation (Demographic Indicators 2021–23)

16 Arrange the countries based on their percentage of rural population (calculated as 100 − urbanisation %) in descending order (highest rural population to lowest).

A India, Pakistan, China

B China, Pakistan, India

C Pakistan, India, China

D India, China, Pakistan

💡 Short Explanation

Using the urbanisation data: India: 36% urban → 64% rural Pakistan: 38% urban → 62% rural China: 65% urban → 35% rural Thus, the descending order of rural population is: India → Pakistan → China

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): Country — Urban Population — Rural Population India — 36% — 64% Pakistan — 38% — 62% China — 65% — 35% Arranging the rural population percentages from highest to lowest: India (64%) → Pakistan (62%) → China (35%) Hence, Option A is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B. China, Pakistan, India → Incorrect because China has the lowest, not the highest, rural population percentage.
Option C. Pakistan, India, China → Incorrect because India's rural population percentage is higher than Pakistan's.
Option D. India, China, Pakistan → Incorrect because Pakistan's rural population percentage is higher than China's.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Dimensional/Unit Analysis

Application:

Calculate rural population as 100 − urbanisation (%) for each country, then arrange the values in descending order.

Final Logic:

The correct sequence is India → Pakistan → China, making Option A the correct answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

India 64% → Pakistan 62% → China 35%.

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Urbanisation and Rural Population (Demographic Indicators 2021–23)

📄 Passage

"The fertility rate is also low in China and very high in Pakistan. Urbanisation is high in China with India having 36 per cent of its people living in urban areas. In recent times, all three countries are adopting various measures to improve the situation [sex ratio]. One-child norm and the resultant arrest in the growth of population also have other implications."

Question: From the passage, what is the contrasting relationship in fertility rates between China and Pakistan?

A China is low, Pakistan is very high.

B Both are exceptionally low.

C Both are very high.

D China is high, Pakistan is low.

💡 Short Explanation

China has the lowest fertility rate among the three countries. Pakistan has the highest fertility rate. The passage explicitly highlights this contrast.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage clearly states that China's fertility rate is low, whereas Pakistan's fertility rate is very high. According to the NCERT Demographic Indicators (2021–23): China's fertility rate = 1.2 Pakistan's fertility rate = 3.4 This significant difference explains why Pakistan experiences a much higher annual population growth rate than China. Therefore, Option A is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B. Both are exceptionally low. → Incorrect because Pakistan's fertility rate is the highest among the three countries.
Option C. Both are very high. → Incorrect because China's fertility rate is low.
Option D. China is high, Pakistan is low. → Incorrect because it reverses the relationship stated in the passage.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Read the passage carefully and identify the direct comparison made between China's and Pakistan's fertility rates.

Final Logic:

The passage explicitly states China = low and Pakistan = very high fertility; therefore, Option A is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"China Low → Pakistan High."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Fertility Rate (Demographic Indicators 2021–23)

📄 Passage

Question: The passage mentions countries adopting measures to "improve the situation." What specific demographic issue, worsened by policies and cultural preferences, are they collectively trying to improve?

A High population density

B Biased sex ratio against females

C Over-urbanisation

D Youth dominance

💡 Short Explanation

The passage refers to improving the sex ratio. All three countries have sex ratios biased against females. The NCERT attributes this to son preference, with China's one-child policy further aggravating the problem.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The passage specifically states that all three countries are adopting measures to improve the sex ratio. According to the NCERT, the sex ratio is biased against females in India, China, and Pakistan. While China's one-child norm contributed to the decline in its sex ratio, the broader regional issue is the deep-rooted cultural preference for sons, which has affected demographic outcomes across all three countries. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. High population density → Incorrect because the passage does not discuss measures to reduce population density.
Option C. Over-urbanisation → Incorrect because urbanisation is mentioned only as a demographic indicator, not as the issue being addressed.
Option D. Youth dominance → Incorrect because the passage refers to sex ratio, not age structure.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application:

Identify the demographic issue explicitly referred to in the passage as needing improvement.

Final Logic:

The passage clearly refers to improving the sex ratio, making Option B the correct answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Improve Situation = Improve Sex Ratio."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Sex Ratio and Son Preference

19 The policy shift in China to allow couples to have two children was primarily an analytical response to what demographic threat?

A Sudden drop in urbanisation

B Extreme rise in poverty

C An impending structural imbalance with too many elderly and too few young people

D An overly high fertility rate

💡 Short Explanation

The one-child norm successfully reduced population growth. Over time, it increased the proportion of elderly people. China allowed two children to address the ageing population and shrinking workforce.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT, the one-child norm led to a long-term demographic challenge. After several decades, China faced an ageing population, where the number of elderly people increased relative to young people. This created concerns about labour supply, dependency ratios, and economic sustainability. To address this structural imbalance, China later allowed couples to have two children. Therefore, Option C is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. Sudden drop in urbanisation → Incorrect because urbanisation was not the reason for the policy change.
Option B. Extreme rise in poverty → Incorrect because poverty was not identified as the primary demographic concern leading to the policy shift.
Option D. An overly high fertility rate → Incorrect because China's fertility rate had become very low, not excessively high.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Cause-and-Effect Analysis

Application:

Relate the change from the one-child policy to the demographic consequences highlighted in the NCERT.

Final Logic:

China introduced the two-child policy to address population ageing and a shrinking youth population; therefore, Option C is correct.

🧠 Memory Trick

"One Child → Ageing → Two Children."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: One-Child Policy and Age Structure

20 Match the demographic consequence with the responsible factor.

List I	List II
1. China's ageing population	a. Son preference
2. Biased sex ratio	b. One-child norm
3. Pakistan's high population growth	d. High fertility rate
4. High urbanisation in China	c. Shift from agriculture to industry/services

A 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d

B 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

C 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c

D 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c

💡 Short Explanation

China's ageing population resulted from the one-child norm. Son preference contributed to the biased sex ratio. Pakistan's high fertility rate explains its rapid population growth. China's industrial transformation accelerated urbanisation.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT: China's ageing population → One-child norm (b) Biased sex ratio → Son preference (a) Pakistan's high population growth → High fertility rate (d) High urbanisation in China → Shift from agriculture to industry/services (c) Thus, the correct matching is: 1 → b 2 → a 3 → d 4 → c Hence, Option D is the correct answer.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A. 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d → Incorrect because urbanisation is not caused by son preference, and high population growth is not caused by son preference.
Option B. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d → Incorrect because China's ageing population is due to the one-child norm, not son preference.
Option C. 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c → Incorrect because Pakistan's high population growth is caused by high fertility, not the one-child norm.

🎯 Strategy

Used

Option Grouping

Application:

Identify the obvious cause-and-effect pairs first (One-child norm → Ageing, Son preference → Sex ratio), then match the remaining two pairs.

Final Logic:

Only Option D correctly matches all four demographic consequences with their causes according to the NCERT.

🧠 Memory Trick

"One Child → Ageing | Son Preference → Sex Ratio | High Fertility → High Growth | Industrialisation → Urbanisation."

📚 Class XII – Indian Economic Development – Chapter: Comparative Development Experiences of India and its Neighbours – Topic: Demographic Indicators, Population Policies and Urbanisation

CUET UG Economics Booster Test 3 - Demographic Indicators

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