The term that refers to a social classification based on inherited physical traits is

• A. Race
• B. Ethnicity
• C. Culture
• D. Nation

Answer: (A)

Race is a social classification based on inherited physical traits. It groups people by features like skin color, facial structure, and hair texture, but the important point is that the meaning and boundaries of racial categories are created by society and can vary across cultures and history. This distinguishes race from ethnicity, which centers on shared culture, language, and heritage; culture, the broader system of beliefs and practices; and nation, a political-legal entity. Because race relies on socially imposed categories with real social consequences, it best fits the idea of a social classification tied to inherited physical traits.