Ageism simply recognizes that older people are likely to have certain common characteristics.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Partly

Answer: (B)

Ageism is prejudice or discrimination that rests on the belief that aging defines a fixed set of traits for everyone in that age group. It relies on broad stereotypes about older adults—like being forgetful, frail, or unwilling to adapt—and uses those generalizations to justify unequal treatment. The statement treats recognizing common traits as a neutral observation, but that misses how ageism reduces individuals to a stereotype and fuels biased judgments and actions. Aging can come with certain changes for many people, but there is wide variation, and many older adults are capable, independent, and active. So this description isn’t an accurate portrayal of ageism; it’s about biased generalizations rather than a simple acknowledgment of differences.