Important MCQs on Poverty | CUET MCQs based on Poverty | MCQs on poverty class 12

In this post we have described about poverty and important MCQs on Poverty which will be useful in your university exams, boards exams, CUET UG/PG or Government Exams like UPSC,SSC,Railway, State exams, NET JRF

Poverty is a complex and multi-dimensional issue that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries like India. It is not merely defined by a lack of income but encompasses various aspects of deprivation, including inadequate access to basic needs such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare.

Understanding Poverty

Definition: 

Poverty can be understood as a state where individuals or groups lack the financial resources to meet their basic needs for a minimum standard of living. It is characterized by insufficient income, which limits access to essential services and opportunities.

Dimensions of Poverty: 

Poverty is multi-dimensional, meaning it can be assessed through various indicators: 

Income and Consumption: The most common measure, focusing on the level of income and consumption patterns.

Social Indicators: These include access to education, healthcare, and social services, which are crucial for improving quality of life.

Vulnerability to Risks: This aspect considers how susceptible individuals are to economic shocks, health crises, and other risks that can exacerbate their poverty situation.

Socio-Political Access: This includes the ability of individuals to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and access to resources

Measures of Poverty

Poverty Line: The poverty line is a threshold that defines the minimum level of income deemed adequate to maintain a basic standard of living. In India, this line is often adjusted based on inflation and regional cost of living differences. Those earning below this line are classified as poor.

Headcount Ratio: This measure indicates the proportion of the population living below the poverty line. It provides a snapshot of poverty levels in a given area or country.

Poverty Gap Index: This index measures the intensity of poverty by calculating the average shortfall of the total population from the poverty line, expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. It highlights not just the number of poor but also how far below the poverty line they are.

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): This index goes beyond income measures to assess poverty through various deprivations in health, education, and living standards. It provides a more comprehensive view of poverty by considering multiple factors that contribute to an individual's quality of life.

Relative Poverty: This concept compares individuals' economic status to the wider community, emphasizing inequality. It highlights that poverty is not just about absolute deprivation but also about how individuals fare relative to others in society.

Current Context in India

Despite significant economic growth, the gap between the rich and the poor in India has widened, with poverty remaining a persistent challenge. The Indian government has recognized poverty alleviation as a primary objective in its developmental strategies, as stated in various Five Year Plans. For instance, the First Five Year Plan emphasized the need for economic and social change to address poverty and inequalities in income and opportunity .

While the absolute number of poor has decreased over the years, critics argue that the benefits of economic development have not been equitably distributed, and many still lack access to basic amenities and opportunities for advancement. The government has implemented various programs aimed at poverty alleviation, but the effectiveness of these initiatives is often hampered by issues such as corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of comprehensive approaches that address the root causes of poverty.

In conclusion, understanding poverty requires a multi-faceted approach that considers various dimensions and measures. Addressing poverty effectively necessitates not only economic growth but also targeted policies that promote social justice and equitable access to resources and opportunities.

MCQs on Poverty

What is one of the primary objectives of studying poverty?

A) To understand the attributes of wealth
B) To comprehend the diverse dimensions of poverty
C) To promote luxury living
D) To analyze urban development
Answer: B - The ncert emphasizes understanding the various dimensions relating to the concept of poverty.


Which group was formed by the Planning Commission in 1962 to study poverty in India?

A) Economic Advisory Group
B) Study Group
C) Poverty Alleviation Committee
D) Rural Development Board
Answer: B - The Planning Commission formed a Study Group to work out a mechanism to identify the number of poor in the country.


What is the 'jail cost of living' used for in estimating poverty?

A) To determine the cost of luxury items
B) To establish a baseline for adult consumption
C) To calculate the average income of prisoners
D) To assess the living conditions of the wealthy
Answer: B - The 'jail cost of living' serves as a baseline for estimating the poverty line by adjusting for the population demographics.


What percentage of the population was assumed to be children in the poverty line calculation?

A) One-fourth
B) One-third
C) Half
D) Two-thirds
Answer: B - The calculation assumed that one-third of the population consisted of children.


Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a challenge facing India?

A) Poverty
B) Urbanization
C) Development of rural India
D) Infrastructure building
Answer: B - Urbanization is not explicitly mentioned as a challenge in the document; the focus is on poverty, rural development, and infrastructure.


What is a key factor in addressing poverty?

A) Increasing luxury goods production
B) Investment in health and education
C) Reducing government spending
D) Promoting urban migration
Answer: B - The ncert highlights the need for investment in health and education as crucial for addressing poverty.


What does the ncert suggest about employment generation programs?

A) They are unnecessary for poverty alleviation
B) They are important for poverty alleviation
C) They only benefit urban areas
D) They should be eliminated
Answer: B - Employment generation programs are deemed important for alleviating poverty in India.


Which of the following is a method to assess poverty?

A) Analyzing luxury consumption
B) Evaluating government salaries
C) Collecting data on daily consumption of commodities
D) Measuring urban development
Answer: C - The ncert suggests collecting data on daily consumption to assess relative poverty.


What is the significance of the poverty line ?

A) It defines the wealthiest individuals
B) It helps identify the number of poor in the country
C) It is irrelevant to economic planning
D) It only applies to urban areas
Answer: B - The poverty line is crucial for identifying the number of poor individuals in the country.


Which program is mentioned as a means to tackle poverty?

A) Food for Work Programme
B) Luxury Housing Scheme
C) Urban Development Initiative
D) High-Income Tax Program
Answer: A - The Food for Work Programme is mentioned as a way to create employment opportunities.

What is one of the suggested activities to understand poverty in the community?

A) Visiting luxury malls
B) Preparing a report on developmental works
C) Analyzing stock market trends
D) Attending high-profile events
Answer: B - Preparing a report on developmental works is suggested to understand local poverty dynamics.


What suggest measuring the impact of government initiatives?

A) By evaluating luxury consumption
B) Through classroom discussions on policy documents
C) By ignoring economic surveys
D) By focusing solely on urban areas
Answer: B 


What is the relationship between unemployment and poverty as per the document?

A) There is no relationship
B) Unemployment increases poverty
C) Poverty reduces unemployment
D) They are unrelated issues
Answer: B - unemployment is a significant factor contributing to poverty.


Which of the following is a suggested measure to tackle poverty in rural areas?

A) Promoting urban migration
B) Creating income-earning assets
C) Reducing agricultural production
D) Increasing luxury imports
Answer: B - Creating income-earning assets is suggested as a measure to address poverty.


What does the ncert imply about the shift of poverty from rural to urban areas?

A) Poverty has completely shifted to urban areas
B) There is no evidence of such a shift
C) It is incorrect to say poverty has shifted entirely
D) Urban areas are free from poverty
Answer: C - The ncert discusses the trends in poverty ratios, suggesting that it is not entirely correct to say poverty has shifted from rural to urban areas.


What is the average poverty line based on ??

A) Average income of the wealthy
B) Weighted average of consumption across different segments
C) Government spending on luxury items
D) Urban development costs
Answer: B - The average poverty line is derived from a weighted average of consumption across different population segments.


Which demographic is considered in the poverty line adjustment?

A) Only adults
B) Only children
C) Both adults and children
D) Only the elderly
Answer: C - The poverty line adjustment considers both adults and children in the population.


What is one of the key areas of focus for poverty alleviation programs?

A) Increasing luxury goods production
B) Enhancing employment opportunities
C) Reducing government intervention
D) Promoting urbanization
Answer: B - Enhancing employment opportunities is a key focus for poverty alleviation programs .


What type of poverty is highlighted in the ncert?

A) Relative poverty
B) Absolute poverty
C) Urban poverty
D) Rural poverty
Answer: B - The ncert discusses absolute poverty, particularly in the context of a fixed poverty line .


What is the suggested expenditure per person to determine absolute poverty?

A) Rs 1000
B) Rs 500
C) Rs 200
D) Rs 1500
Answer: B - The ncert mentions a fixed expenditure of Rs 500 per month per person to determine absolute poverty.


Which of the following is a critical aspect of sustainable development mentioned in the ncert?

A) Ignoring environmental impacts
B) Balancing development with environmental considerations
C) Focusing solely on economic growth
D) Promoting urban sprawl
Answer: B - The ncert calls for sustainable development that considers the implications of development on the environment 2.


What is the role of the Planning Commission?

A) To promote luxury consumption
B) To evaluate government initiatives and poverty alleviation programs
C) To ignore economic surveys
D) To focus only on urban development
Answer: B - The Planning Commission evaluates government initiatives and their effectiveness in tackling poverty.


What is one of the suggested activities to understand poverty in the community?

A) Attending luxury events
B) Collecting data on local consumption patterns
C) Ignoring local economic conditions
D) Focusing solely on urban areas
Answer: B - Collecting data on local consumption patterns is suggested to understand poverty