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 a low and stable death rate, a birth rate that is falling quickly because of family planning and urbanisation, and a population still growing but more slowly each year. Which stage of the demographic cycle is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Late expanding

In the late expanding stage the death rate is already low and the birth rate declines steeply, so growth continues but slows. Early expanding has falling death rates with high births, and low stationary has low births and deaths in balance.

Option by option

  • A. Low stationary

    In the low stationary stage births and deaths are both low and growth is near zero.

  • B. Early expanding

    In the early expanding stage the birth rate is still high while the death rate falls.

  • C. High stationary

    In the high stationary stage births and deaths are both high and the population is nearly static.

  • D. Late expanding (correct)

    Correct. A falling birth rate against a low death rate marks the late expanding stage.

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 D, Late expanding. In the late expanding stage the death rate is already low and the birth rate declines steeply, so growth continues but slows.

Why is "Low stationary" not the answer?

In the low stationary stage births and deaths are both low and growth is near zero.

Why is "Early expanding" not the answer?

In the early expanding stage the birth rate is still high while the death rate falls.

Why is "High stationary" not the answer?

In the high stationary stage births and deaths are both high and the population is nearly static.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography: demographic cycle in PSM. Early expanding has falling death rates with high births, and low stationary has low births and deaths in balance.

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.