Free Introductory Sociology Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Introductory Sociology practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1In economic exchange, what distinguishes bartering from a monetary transaction?

   1. A.Goods or services are traded directly for other goods or servicesCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Goods or services are traded through an accepted medium of exchange
   3. C.Goods or services are traded for monetary credit repayable later
   4. D.Goods or services are priced and paid for in a monetary unit

   Explanation: The text defines bartering as "Exchanging one form of goods or services for another". It contrasts this direct exchange with money as an agreed means of payment.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 18, Economics of Agricultural, Industrial, and Postindustrial Societies, p. 399

2. 2What range of geographic scales does the textbook's definition of community encompass?

   1. A.A definable region ranging from a neighborhood to a countryCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A definable region restricted to a single neighborhood
   3. C.A definable region restricted to a city and its suburbs
   4. D.A definable region restricted to an entire country

   Explanation: The text describes community as "a definable region—as small as a neighborhood" or as large as a country. Its geographical scale can vary.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 3, Introduction, p. 52

3. 3People gather at a memorial primarily to express their shared grief. What type of crowd is this?

   1. A.An expressive crowdCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A casual crowd
   3. C.A conventional crowd
   4. D.An acting crowd

   Explanation: The source describes expressive crowds as "people who join together to express emotion". Shared grief at a memorial illustrates that purpose.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 21, Forms of Collective Behavior, p. 477

4. 4An employer refuses to consider a qualified applicant because the applicant is older. What form of discrimination does this illustrate?

   1. A.AgeismCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Ethnocentrism
   3. C.Sexism
   4. D.Classism

   Explanation: The source defines ageism as "discrimination ... based on age". The employer's decision is explicitly based on the applicant's age.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Section 13.3, Ageism, p. 288

5. 5Which early sociologist named the scientific study of social patterns positivism?

   1. A.Auguste ComteCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Georg Simmel
   3. C.Harriet Martineau
   4. D.George Herbert Mead

   Explanation: The source states: "Comte named the scientific study of social patterns positivism." This associates his approach with the scientific study of society.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 1, Creating a Discipline, p. 11

6. 6A society's economy relies mainly on private ownership and the pursuit of profit. Which economic system does this describe?

   1. A.A centrally planned economy
   2. B.A capitalist economyCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A subsistence economy
   4. D.A barter economy

   Explanation: The text defines capitalism as "an economic system in which there is private ownership (as opposed to state ownership) and where there is an impetus to produce profit". The scenario specifies both characteristics.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 18, Capitalism, p. 401

7. 7What does the term suburb describe in relation to a city?

   1. A.The central business district within the city
   2. B.A community surrounding the central cityCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A settlement beyond the suburban fringe
   4. D.An urban corridor linking multiple cities

   Explanation: The source states, "a suburb is a community surrounding a city." Suburban populations and conditions can differ between countries.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 20, Suburbs and Exurbs, p. 458

8. 8How does a mass differ from a crowd in the textbook's discussion of collective behavior?

   1. A.A mass requires physical proximity but a crowd can be dispersed
   2. B.A mass can be dispersed while its members share an interestCorrect answer: B
   3. C.A mass requires formal membership but a crowd cannot be organized
   4. D.A mass is defined by shared location rather than a shared interest

   Explanation: The text defines a mass as "a relatively large number of people with a common interest, though they may not be in close proximity". Physical proximity is not necessary.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 21, Forms of Collective Behavior, p. 477

9. 9Which grouping of people is considered a birth cohort in demography?

   1. A.People who currently occupy the same occupation
   2. B.People born during the same historical periodCorrect answer: B
   3. C.People who share a residence at the same moment
   4. D.People who have a close personal friendship

   Explanation: The text defines a cohort as "a group of people who share a statistical or demographic trait". A birth cohort shares a birth period.

   Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 13, Key Terms, p. 295

10. 10Who translated Comte's writing from French into English and helped introduce it to English-speaking scholars?

    1. A.Mary Wollstonecraft
    2. B.Harriet MartineauCorrect answer: B
    3. C.Jane Addams
    4. D.Ida B. Wells

    Explanation: The text says "Martineau was the first to translate Comte’s writing from French to English" and describes her role in introducing sociology to English-speaking scholars.

    Reference: Griffiths and Keirns, Introduction to Sociology 2e (OpenStax) — Chapter 1, Harriet Martineau, p. 11