Anthropology (ANTH) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A society with a caste system is best described as rigid. This rigidity stems from the fixed social hierarchy where individuals are born into specific social groups, or castes, and their positions in society are largely predetermined by their familial lineage. In such societies, the mobility between castes is significantly limited or non-existent, meaning that people typically remain in the caste they were born into throughout their lives. This lack of mobility enforces strict boundaries and roles that define social interactions, economic opportunities, and even personal relationships.

The other adjectives do not accurately describe a caste system. For instance, a caste system is not fluid; it is characterized by its inflexibility and the permanence of social statuses. It does not promote democratic values, as it typically involves hierarchical structures that deny equal rights and opportunities to various groups within society. Lastly, while a caste system starkly contrasts with the idea of equality, as it instills inequality and discrimination based on caste affiliation, which reinforces social stratification and limits access to resources and power for lower castes.