Correct answer : C
The third estate was comprised of both rich and poor people. The rich like businessmen, doctors lawyers etc... and poor like peasants, labourers.

The correct statement about the structure of society in France before 1789 is: C. The third estate was comprised of both rich and poor people.

Explanation:
The society in France before the French Revolution of 1789 was divided into three main social classes, also known as estates. These estates were based on a hierarchical structure, and each had its own privileges and obligations.

First Estate: The Clergy
The first estate consisted of the clergy, which included high-ranking members of the Catholic Church such as bishops, abbots, and priests. They enjoyed significant wealth and privileges, including exemption from paying taxes and the ability to wield political power.

Second Estate: The Nobility
The second estate was composed of the nobility, which included the aristocracy and the royal family. They held significant political and social power, owned large estates, and enjoyed various privileges such as exemption from certain taxes and access to high-ranking positions in the military and government.

Third Estate: The Commoners
The third estate was the largest and most diverse social class, comprising the common people of France. It encompassed a wide range of individuals, from wealthy merchants and professionals to poor peasants and urban workers. Despite their diversity, the third estate shared a common burden of heavy taxation and limited political representation.

Rich and Poor in the Third Estate
Contrary to popular belief, the third estate was not exclusively made up of poor people. It included both the wealthy bourgeoisie, who were the middle class, and the lower-class peasants and urban workers. The bourgeoisie consisted of merchants, bankers, lawyers, and intellectuals who had acquired wealth but lacked the privileges and status of the nobility. On the other hand, the lower-class peasants and urban workers struggled with poverty and faced numerous economic and social challenges.

King's Belief
The king, Louis XVI, held the belief that no particular group in society should hold special privileges. However, this belief was not reflected in the actual structure of society, as both the clergy and the nobility enjoyed significant privileges and exemptions. This inequality and the burden placed on the third estate eventually led to widespread discontent and played a major role in the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789.

In conclusion, the third estate in France before 1789 was comprised of both rich and poor people, encompassing a wide range of individuals from the wealthy bourgeoisie to lower-class peasants and urban workers.