Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Per capita income is an average figure that hides inequalities in income distribution and ignores non-material aspects of well-being. Hence, it alone cannot measure true development.

Example 1 — Security: A job may offer high pay but no job security, leaving a person anxious. Another with lower pay but stable employment gives a greater sense of security and freedom, which many people value more.

Example 2 — Respect and Equal Treatment: People resent discrimination. A woman may value dignity and equal treatment in society more than a marginal rise in household income.

Thus, people seek a mix of goals — security, freedom, health, equal treatment — which money alone cannot capture.

Source: Chapter 1 — Development, "What Development Promises" and "Income and Other Goals"

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• Examiners expect you to state the limitation of per capita income first (it is an average; hides inequality; ignores non-material aspects) — 1 mark.
• Then give two distinct examples of non-material goals from the text — 1 mark each. Security and equal treatment/respect are directly mentioned in the passage and are safe choices.
• Avoid vague statements like "there are many things money can't buy" — be specific with the textbook examples.
• Do not quote Kerala–Haryana data here unless asked; that is a different type of question about indicators, not goals.