Chapter-12 Social Movements — Online MCQ Test
SOCIOLOGY · Grade 12 · CBSE(NCERT)
Practice Chapter-12 Social Movements with a free chapter-wise online MCQ test.
This chapter covers: Chipko movement - peasant movements - trade unions - Dalit movement - tribal movements - women's movement.
AI-generated questions from basic to board-exam level, with instant results and explanations.
Chapter-12 Social Movements — Important Questions & Answers
What was the primary objective of the Chipko movement?
- A. To protect forests from commercial exploitation and deforestation
- B. To demand higher wages for agricultural workers
- C. To establish tribal autonomous regions
- D. To reform the caste system
Answer: A. To protect forests from commercial exploitation and deforestation
The Chipko movement, initiated in the 1970s in the Himalayan region, focused on environmental conservation by hugging trees to prevent their felling by contractors.
The Chipko movement, initiated in the 1970s in the Himalayan region, focused on environmental conservation by hugging trees to prevent their felling by contractors.
In which state did the Chipko movement originate?
- A. Himachal Pradesh
- B. Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh)
- C. Jammu and Kashmir
- D. Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: B. Uttarakhand (then Uttar Pradesh)
The Chipko movement began in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand (formerly Uttar Pradesh) with women playing a leading role in protecting forests.
The Chipko movement began in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand (formerly Uttar Pradesh) with women playing a leading role in protecting forests.
Which famous female activist was associated with the Chipko movement?
- A. Medha Patkar
- B. Sunderlal Bahuguna
- C. Indira Gandhi
- D. Chipko Devi
Answer: B. Sunderlal Bahuguna
Sunderlal Bahuguna was a prominent male environmental activist who led and popularized the Chipko movement, though women were its primary participants.
Sunderlal Bahuguna was a prominent male environmental activist who led and popularized the Chipko movement, though women were its primary participants.
What is meant by the term 'social movement'?
- A. A group of people moving from one place to another
- B. Organized efforts by groups to achieve social change or reform
- C. A religious gathering of devotees
- D. Migration of rural population to urban areas
Answer: B. Organized efforts by groups to achieve social change or reform
A social movement is a collective effort organized to bring about social, political, or economic change in society, often targeting systemic issues.
A social movement is a collective effort organized to bring about social, political, or economic change in society, often targeting systemic issues.
How did the Chipko movement demonstrate the connection between environmental and social justice?
- A. By showing how forest destruction affected the livelihoods of local communities
- B. By focusing only on environmental protection without social concerns
- C. By excluding women from decision-making processes
- D. By promoting industrial development
Answer: A. By showing how forest destruction affected the livelihoods of local communities
Chipko illustrated that environmental degradation directly harmed the economic interests of local communities, linking environmental protection to social welfare and justice.
Chipko illustrated that environmental degradation directly harmed the economic interests of local communities, linking environmental protection to social welfare and justice.
Why were women particularly instrumental in the Chipko movement?
- A. Because they were forced to participate by male leaders
- B. Because forest resources were essential to their daily survival and livelihood
- C. Because they had no other work available
- D. Because international organizations funded only women's participation
Answer: B. Because forest resources were essential to their daily survival and livelihood
Women's participation in Chipko was organic because they directly depended on forests for fuel, food, and fodder, making them the most affected by deforestation.
Women's participation in Chipko was organic because they directly depended on forests for fuel, food, and fodder, making them the most affected by deforestation.
Analyze the statement: 'The Chipko movement was successful because it combined environmental concerns with social justice.' Do you agree? Why or why not?
- A. Disagree; environmental movements cannot address social issues
- B. Agree; by linking forest protection to livelihood security, it gained broader support and legitimacy
- C. Disagree; social movements should never mix different causes
- D. Agree only if the movement was violent
Answer: B. Agree; by linking forest protection to livelihood security, it gained broader support and legitimacy
The Chipko movement succeeded partly because it resonated with local communities whose survival depended on forests, making environmental protection inseparable from social welfare.
The Chipko movement succeeded partly because it resonated with local communities whose survival depended on forests, making environmental protection inseparable from social welfare.
Compare and contrast the strategies used by Dalit movements and tribal movements. Which approach was more effective?
- A. Dalit movements used only legal methods; tribal movements used only violence
- B. Both movements employed diverse strategies including legal, political, and direct action; effectiveness varied by context and historical period
- C. Tribal movements were more effective because they used violence
- D. Dalit movements were more effective because they ignored environmental issues
Answer: B. Both movements employed diverse strategies including legal, political, and direct action; effectiveness varied by context and historical period
Both movements used varied approaches adapted to their contexts—legal battles, political mobilization, and direct action. Effectiveness depended on specific goals and social conditions.
Both movements used varied approaches adapted to their contexts—legal battles, political mobilization, and direct action. Effectiveness depended on specific goals and social conditions.
The Chipko movement is often cited as an example of __________ that connects environmental conservation with local community welfare.
- A. environmental degradation
- B. grassroots activism
- C. industrial development
- D. governmental policy
Answer: B. grassroots activism
Chipko exemplifies grassroots activism—a bottom-up movement originating from local communities with direct stakes in environmental and economic issues.
Chipko exemplifies grassroots activism—a bottom-up movement originating from local communities with direct stakes in environmental and economic issues.
Which of the following is a valid critique of attributing the success of social movements primarily to individual 'great leaders'?
- A. It accurately reflects how all movements function
- B. It ignores the crucial role of ordinary participants and grassroots organizing, reducing complex movements to individual heroism
- C. Leadership is irrelevant in social movements
- D. Movements never involve ordinary people
Answer: B. It ignores the crucial role of ordinary participants and grassroots organizing, reducing complex movements to individual heroism
While leaders like Bahuguna played roles, attributing Chipko's success only to him overlooks the essential participation of thousands of women and community members who actually implemented resistance.
While leaders like Bahuguna played roles, attributing Chipko's success only to him overlooks the essential participation of thousands of women and community members who actually implemented resistance.