Cambridge A-Level Sociology: Religion, Social Order and Social Change — Practice Questions (9699)

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — Cambridge International holds copyright in its own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available through your school or Cambridge directly.

Related: Religion and social order revision notes

These questions cover Cambridge International A Level Sociology (9699) Paper 4, heading 11 Religion and social order (11.1, 11.2 and 11.3). Paper 4 essays are worth 35 marks and must explore contrasting views or evidence.

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Warm-up questions

W1. Distinguish between substantive and functional definitions of religion. [4]

W2. Explain what Durkheim meant by the sacred. [2]

W3. Outline one reason why women may show higher religiosity than men. [2]

W4. What is liberation theology? [2]

Warm-up answers

• W1. Substantive definitions identify religion by its content, such as belief in a supernatural being (Weber); functional definitions identify it by what it does, such as creating social solidarity (Durkheim). 2 marks each; credit an example or problem.
• W2. Things set apart and forbidden, which inspire awe and represent the collective power of society, as opposed to the ordinary (profane).
• W3. For example: socialisation into caring, nurturing roles compatible with religious values; greater involvement in children’s moral upbringing; longer life expectancy and greater experience of bereavement.
• W4. A movement within the Catholic Church, especially in Latin America from the 1960s, that interprets Christianity as a commitment to the poor and to social justice (Gutiérrez, 1971).

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Essay 1 (11.1)

“It is impossible to measure religious belief accurately.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

For:

• Belief is private and subjective; interpretivists argue meaning cannot be reduced to numbers.
• Operationalisation problems: belief, belonging and practice differ (Glock and Stark, 1968).
• Attendance statistics are collected differently by different organisations.
• Survey wording and social desirability change answers.
• Definitions of religion determine what is counted.

Against:

• Large-scale surveys using consistent questions over time allow reliable comparison of trends.
• Multiple indicators (belief, practice, experience) improve validity.
• Qualitative methods — interviews, ethnography — capture meaning.
• Methodological pluralism and triangulation can reduce error.

Evaluation: measurement can be reliable without being perfectly valid; the issue matters because secularisation claims depend on it. Link to research methods concepts from Paper 1.

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Essay 2 (11.2)

“Religion mainly functions to maintain social solidarity.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

Functionalist support: Durkheim (1912) — sacred symbols represent society; collective worship creates collective conscience; Malinowski — coping with uncertainty and life crises; Parsons — core values and meaning; Bellah (1967) — civil religion integrates diverse societies; national mourning and ceremonies.

Marxist challenge: Marx (1844) — religion is ideology and the opium of the people; it serves the ruling class; legitimates inequality (divine right, caste); offers compensation.

Other challenges: religious conflict and sectarian violence divide societies; religious diversity weakens a single collective conscience; feminists argue religion supports patriarchy; religion can cause change (Weber, liberation theology).

Evaluation: solidarity within a group can mean conflict between groups; judge which perspective fits small, homogeneous versus large, diverse societies.

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Essay 3 (11.3)

“Weber’s theory explains the relationship between religion and the rise of capitalism.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

Weber’s argument (1905): Calvinist predestination created salvation anxiety; success in a worldly calling was read as a sign of election; asceticism led to saving and reinvestment, so a “spirit of capitalism” emerged; Weber compared Northern Europe with societies where similar economic conditions did not produce capitalism.

Criticisms and alternatives:

• Tawney (1926): economic change came first; Protestantism adapted to it.
• Marxists: capitalism results from changes in the mode of production.
• Capitalism developed in some Catholic regions; some Calvinist regions did not industrialise.
• Many Calvinists were not capitalists and vice versa.

Defence: Weber argued Calvinism was one necessary factor among several, not the sole cause; his comparative method was ambitious.

Evaluation: distinguish between “explains” and “contributes to”; conclude on Weber’s lasting value in showing ideas can shape economic change.

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Essay 4 (11.3)

“Religious movements have a significant influence on political struggles.” Evaluate this view. [35]

Indicative content

For:

• Iranian revolution (1979): religious leadership under Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah.
• Liberation theology in Latin America: clergy supported the poor against military regimes; Archbishop Romero’s assassination (1980).
• The Evangelical movement in the USA: the Moral Majority (founded 1979) mobilised voters on moral issues.
• Maduro (1982): relative autonomy allows religion to oppose ruling classes.

Against:

• Bruce (2003): US Evangelicals gained publicity but achieved limited lasting policy change.
• Religious movements often succeed only when combined with economic or political grievances.
• Marxist view that religion usually supports the status quo.
• In secularised societies religion has less political leverage.

Evaluation: influence depends on whether religion is the main channel for opposition (where other channels are blocked, as in pre-revolutionary Iran, its role grows).

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Frequently asked questions

How much detail should I give on case studies? Enough to show you know what happened and why it matters — usually a short paragraph, followed by analysis.

Can I use examples from my own country? Yes — relevant local examples of religion and politics earn application marks.

Which essay is most likely to need research methods? Essay 1 — use validity, reliability and operationalisation explicitly.

Related pages: religion and social order study guide | influence of religion practice questions