What defines a caste system?

A caste system is characterized by its hierarchical structure, where social status is determined by birth and is typically maintained through strict inheritance rules. In such systems, individuals are born into a specific caste and remain in that caste for life, often influencing their occupation, social interactions, and overall social standing. The rigidity of a caste system minimizes or completely restricts social mobility, meaning that individuals cannot easily transition between different social strata. This structure often results in a lack of opportunity for those in lower castes to improve their social status, highlighting the enduring nature of these classifications.

The other choices suggest concepts that are fundamentally contrary to the definition of a caste system. For instance, options referring to equal opportunities, upward mobility, or free movement between social classes reflect social systems that promote fluidity and personal advancement, which are not characteristic of caste structures. Instead, a caste system preserves the status quo, emphasizing inherited, fixed social roles rather than allowing for change or mobility within society.