Demography: demographic cycle: 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: demographic cycle

Sample item

A country has recently improved sanitation, immunisation and food supply. Its death rate has fallen sharply, but its birth rate remains high and its population is growing rapidly. Which stage of the demographic cycle does this describe?

AEarly expanding stageBLow stationary stageCHigh stationary stageDDeclining stage

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Early expanding stage

In the demographic cycle, the high stationary stage has high birth and death rates with a stable population. In the early expanding stage, the death rate falls because of public health gains while the birth rate stays high, producing rapid growth. In the late expanding stage birth rates also begin to fall, and in the low stationary stage both are low.

Option by option

A. Early expanding stage (correct)
Correct. A falling death rate with a persistently high birth rate defines the early expanding stage.
B. Low stationary stage
In this stage both rates are low and the population is stable, unlike a rapidly growing one.
C. High stationary stage
In this stage both rates are high and the population is roughly constant, so there is no rapid growth.
D. Declining stage
In this stage the birth rate falls below the death rate and the population shrinks.

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.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Early expanding stage. In the demographic cycle, the high stationary stage has high birth and death rates with a stable population.

Why is "Low stationary stage" not the answer?

In this stage both rates are low and the population is stable, unlike a rapidly growing one.

Why is "High stationary stage" not the answer?

In this stage both rates are high and the population is roughly constant, so there is no rapid growth.

Why is "Declining stage" not the answer?

In this stage the birth rate falls below the death rate and the population shrinks.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography: demographic cycle in PSM. In the early expanding stage, the death rate falls because of public health gains while the birth rate stays high, producing rapid growth. In the late expanding stage birth rates also begin to fall, and in the low stationary stage both are low.

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: demographic cycle?

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.