Demography and health indicators: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Demography and health indicators

Sample item

A net reproduction rate of 1 means that:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Each generation of women is exactly replacing itself

The net reproduction rate is the number of daughters a newborn girl will bear, allowing for mortality, so a value of 1 means replacement-level fertility. Values above 1 imply growth and below 1 imply eventual decline. Total fertility rate at replacement is about 2.1, not 1.

Option by option

  • A. The population is declining

    Decline would need a value below 1.

  • B. The population is growing rapidly

    Rapid growth would require a net reproduction rate well above 1.

  • C. Each generation of women is exactly replacing itself (correct)

    Correct. One daughter replaces each mother, accounting for mortality.

  • D. The total fertility rate is exactly 1

    The total fertility rate at replacement is around 2.1.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Each generation of women is exactly replacing itself. The net reproduction rate is the number of daughters a newborn girl will bear, allowing for mortality, so a value of 1 means replacement-level fertility.

Why is "The population is declining" not the answer?

Decline would need a value below 1.

Why is "The population is growing rapidly" not the answer?

Rapid growth would require a net reproduction rate well above 1.

Why is "The total fertility rate is exactly 1" not the answer?

The total fertility rate at replacement is around 2.1.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography and health indicators in PSM. Values above 1 imply growth and below 1 imply eventual decline. Total fertility rate at replacement is about 2.1, not 1.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Demography and health indicators?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.