OxfordAQA IGCSE Sociology: Differences and Inequalities — Practice Questions

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 — examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. This is a new qualification (first examined May/June 2028) with no live past papers yet, so use these alongside OxfordAQA’s own specimen assessment materials.

Related: Differences and Inequalities study guide, Differences and Inequalities revision notes

These questions cover 3.2.1 Differences and inequalities in Paper 2 of OxfordAQA International GCSE Sociology (9292).

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Section A

1. Define status and caste. [4]

2. Identify two areas of life in which inequalities in life chances can be seen. [2]

3. Explain the difference between income and wealth. [2]

4. Explain what is meant by intersectionality. [3]

Section B

5. Explain two differences between the Marxist and Weberian views of social class. [4]

6. Explain the functionalist view that class inequality is a functional necessity, and give one criticism of it. [4]

7. Explain the difference between intergenerational and intragenerational social mobility, and identify two factors that affect social mobility. [6]

8. Explain two ways in which feminists argue society is patriarchal, referring to the work of one named sociologist. [4]

9. Distinguish between race and ethnicity, and explain what is meant by institutional racism. [6]

Section C

10. Discuss how far social democratic welfare states and development aid have reduced inequalities. [12]

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Answers

1. Status is the social honour or prestige attached to a person or position, for example the respect given to doctors [1] [1]. Caste is a closed system of stratification in which position is ascribed at birth and cannot be changed, traditionally with rules about marriage and occupation, as in the traditional Indian caste system [1] [1].

2. Any two: employment; education; health; life expectancy; social mobility [1] [1].

3. Income is a flow of money received over a period, such as wages or benefits [1]; wealth is a stock of assets owned, such as property, savings or shares [1].

4. Intersectionality is the idea, introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw, that differences such as class, gender and ethnicity combine and interact [1], so a person’s experience of inequality cannot be understood by looking at one difference alone [1] — for example, Black women may face forms of discrimination that are not recognised as either race or sex discrimination on its own [1].

5. Any two, 2 marks each: Marx sees class purely in terms of ownership or non-ownership of the means of production, whereas Weber sees class as market situation — skills and qualifications also matter [1] [1]. Marx sees inequality as essentially economic, while Weber adds status and party as separate dimensions [1] [1]. Marx predicts class conflict leading to revolution; Weber sees a more complex structure with many groups, making revolution less likely [1] [1].

6. Davis and Moore argue that some jobs are more important to society and need rare talent and long training [1], so they must carry higher rewards to motivate the most able people to fill them, making inequality functional and the system a meritocracy [1]. Criticism, any one: inherited wealth and unequal opportunities mean positions are not allocated purely by merit [1] [1]; rewards do not always match importance — some vital jobs, such as care work, are poorly paid [1] [1].

7. Intergenerational mobility compares a person’s class position with that of their parents [1] [1]; intragenerational mobility is movement during one person’s own working life [1] [1]. Any two factors: education and qualifications; family background; gender; ethnicity; changes in the job structure, such as the growth of professional work [1] [1].

8. Any two, 2 marks each, with a named sociologist: Walby argued patriarchy works through six structures, such as paid work, where women earn less and face the glass ceiling, and household production, where women do more unpaid domestic work [1] [1]; Walby also identified male violence and the state as structures that maintain men’s power [1] [1]; Connell argued hegemonic masculinity sets a dominant ideal that places men above women [1] [1].

9. Race classifies people by supposed physical differences such as skin colour and is seen by sociologists as socially constructed [1] [1]; ethnicity refers to shared culture — language, religion, traditions and a sense of common origin [1] [1]. Institutional racism is discrimination built into the policies and routines of an organisation, producing unequal outcomes even without individual intent [1] [1].

10. Mark by levels:

• 10–12: detailed knowledge of both approaches, balanced evaluation with evidence, and a reasoned conclusion on “how far”.
• 7–9: clear knowledge of both, some evaluation, a conclusion.
• 4–6: some relevant points, mostly descriptive or one-sided.
• 1–3: limited, basic points.

Indicative content: Welfare states use progressive taxation and universal services such as healthcare, education and benefits, which narrow gaps in health, education and income and support social mobility; but they are costly, do not remove inequalities of wealth, and Marxists argue they only soften capitalism rather than end exploitation. Development aid has funded improvements in health and education in poorer countries; but critics argue it can create dependency, may serve donor countries’ political and economic interests, and leaves the legacy of colonialism untouched. A strong conclusion might argue both reduce the effects of inequality without removing its causes, which is why Marxists call for abolishing capitalism instead.

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Frequently asked questions

Which paper assesses differences and inequalities? Paper 2, Exploring Sociology: 1 hour 30 minutes, 60 marks. Differences and inequalities is Section A (22 marks), socialisation and social control Section B (22 marks) and research methods Section C (16 marks).

Do I need examples from my own country? The specification asks students to apply themes to different societies, so prepare at least one example of class, gender and ethnic inequality from a society you know.

Which theory of class should I use? Use the one the question names; otherwise compare Marxism (class conflict, exploitation), functionalism (Davis and Moore, meritocracy) and Weberianism (class, status and party).

Where marks are usually lost

• Confusing income with wealth.
• Describing Weber’s view as if it were Marx’s.
• Naming Walby or Connell without stating what they argued.
• Writing a one-sided answer to a “discuss how far” question.