CMAS Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Guide for Colorado Academic Success

Membership in a group based on common ancestry and heritage is most accurately described by the term "ethnicity." Ethnicity encompasses shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set groups apart from others, often linked to a shared history or a common geographical origin. It reflects the social identity and belonging of individuals who identify with a specific ethnic group, characterized by elements such as language, religion, and customs that are passed through generations.

While culture also plays a role in shaping an individual’s identity, it refers more broadly to the beliefs, behaviors, and traditions shared by a group of people rather than specifically their ancestral roots. Nationality pertains to a person's legal relationship and membership with a nation, which may encompass various ethnic groups, and racism refers to discrimination or prejudice based on perceived racial differences. Therefore, "ethnicity" is the term that directly relates to group membership stemming from common ancestry and heritage.