UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) Practice Test

Who is generally referred to as a "peasant"?

1. A wealthy landowner

2. A person with a high education

3. A landowner or renter with a low income

4. An industrial worker

The correct answer is: A landowner or renter with a low income

The term "peasant" typically refers to a landowner or renter who has low income, particularly within an agrarian society. This concept originates from historical agricultural societies where peasants were often small-scale farmers or laborers who worked the land for subsistence or minimal profit. They generally had limited access to resources and were often subject to the economic powers of wealthier landowners or landlords. This definition aligns well with the social structure of agrarian communities, where peasants played a crucial role in food production, yet remained economically disadvantaged compared to the wealthy landowners who owned substantial portions of land. The economic status of being low income is central to the definition of a peasant, as it highlights their position relative to other social classes. Understanding this term in its historical and economic context is important, as it reflects not just a profession or lifestyle, but a specific socio-economic status often characterized by struggle and limited opportunity for mobility.