Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Under the Commune system, people divided the land among themselves and cultivated it individually.

Under the commune system, people cultivated land collectively. Land was handed to individual households only later, under the 1978 reforms.

Option (1) The Great Leap Forward (GLF) campaign initiated in 1958 aimed at industrialising the country on a massive scale. — True. The GLF aimed at industrialising China.

Option (2) Under the Commune system, people divided the land among themselves and cultivated it individually. — False. Communes meant collective cultivation.

Option (3) In 1965, Mao introduced the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966–76) under which students and professionals were sent to work and learn from the countryside. — True. This is what the Cultural Revolution did.

Option (4) China introduced its reforms in phases; in the initial phase, reforms were initiated in agriculture, foreign trade and investment sectors. — True. Agriculture, foreign trade and investment came first.

NCERT (2026-27): “8.2 Developmental Path—a Snapshot View … The Great Leap Forward (GLF) campaign initiated in 1958 aimed at industrialising the country on a massive scale. People were encouraged to set up industries in their backyards. In rural areas, communes were started. Under the Commune system, people collectively cultivated lands. In 1958, there were 26,000 communes covering almost all the farm population. GLF campaign met with many problems. A severe drought caused havoc in China killing about 30 million people. When Russia had conflicts with China, it withdrew its professionals who had earlier been sent to China to help in the industrialisation process. In 1965, Mao introduced the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966–76) under which students and professionals were sent to work and learn from the countryside. The present day fast industrial growth in China can be traced back to the reforms introduced in 1978. China introduced reforms in phases. In the initial phase, reforms were initiated in agriculture, foreign trade and investment sectors. …”