Demographic transition theory can be used to describe and predict the future population of any area. The theory tells us that population of any region changes from high births and high deaths to low births and low deaths as society progresses from rural agrarian and illiterate to urban industrial and literate society. These changes occur in stages which are collectively known as the demographic cycle.

The rural societies are characterised by 

High birth and high death rate

The correct answer is Option 3: High birth and high death rate

In the early stage of demographic transition, which is mainly associated with rural and agrarian societies, both birth rates and death rates remain high. High birth rates are due to limited awareness of family planning and dependence on agriculture, while high death rates occur because of poor healthcare, poor sanitation, and lack of medical facilities.

NCERT: "The first stage has high fertility and high mortality because people reproduce more to compensate for the deaths due to epidemics and variable food supply. The population growth is slow and most of the people are engaged in agriculture where large families are an asset. Life expectancy is low, people are mostly illiterate and have low levels of technology. Two hundred years ago all the countries of the world were in this stage.".