O Level Sociology: Tackling Inequality and Globalisation's Effects — Practice Questions (Cambridge 2251)

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. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: Tackling inequality and globalisation’s effects revision notes

These questions practise key questions 3.2 and 3.3 of Cambridge O Level Sociology (2251), using the six-part (a)–(f) structure the syllabus describes for the Paper 1 Social stratification and inequality question, followed by extra practice.

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Questions

(a) Define the terms:

• (i) welfare state [2]
• (ii) remittances [2]

(b) Give two ways NGOs try to improve education. [2]

(c) Explain three ways a minimum wage may affect inequality. [6]

(d) Explain three ways climate change may increase inequalities between societies. [6]

(e) Discuss the criticisms that have been made of NGOs. [8]

(f) Evaluate the view that the welfare state has failed to reduce social inequality. [14]

Extra practice

(g) Explain two effects of rapid urbanisation on life chances. [4]

(h) Explain the culture of poverty theory. [4]

(i) Explain two ways colonialism helps explain global inequality. [4]

(j) Discuss the negative perceptions of migrants in receiving societies. [8]

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Answers and mark guidance

(a)(i) [2] A system in which the government provides services and payments — such as education, healthcare, pensions and benefits — to protect citizens’ welfare and life chances (2).

(a)(ii) [2] Money sent by migrants working abroad to their families in their home country (2).

(b) [2] Any two: building or running schools; training teachers; providing books or digital equipment; scholarships; literacy classes for adults; encouraging girls’ attendance.

(c) [6] Three ways, 2 marks each:

• Raises the pay of the lowest-paid workers, narrowing the gap with higher earners.
• Reduces in-work poverty and reliance on benefits.
• May particularly help women and young people, who are concentrated in low-paid work.
• Limitation credited as a way: employers may cut jobs or hours, or the law may not be enforced in informal work, limiting its effect.

(d) [6] Three ways, 2 marks each:

• Poorer countries often depend on agriculture, which is damaged by drought and floods.
• They have fewer resources for flood defences, relief and rebuilding (for example after the 2022 Pakistan floods).
• Disasters destroy homes, schools and infrastructure, setting back development.
• Climate change can force people to migrate, sometimes into poverty.
• Richer countries that produced most emissions are better able to adapt.

(e) [8] Levels: 7–8 developed and evaluated; 4–6 some development; 1–3 basic.

• Dependence on foreign donors, whose priorities may not match local needs.
• May create dependency rather than self-reliance.
• Limited accountability to the people they serve.
• Small scale — cannot change structural causes such as unequal trade or land ownership.
• May weaken pressure on governments to provide services.
• Balance: NGOs such as the Edhi Foundation reach people the state does not; microfinance (Akhuwat) helps poor families build businesses.

(f) [14] Levels: 11–14 balanced, developed, evaluated with conclusion; 7–10 developed but less balanced; 4–6 limited; 1–3 basic.

For the view:

• Large gaps in wealth and income remain in societies with welfare states.
• Marxists: welfare is a safety valve that protects capitalism rather than redistributing wealth.
• New Right: welfare creates dependency and an underclass, trapping people in poverty.
• Feminists: welfare systems may assume male breadwinners and undervalue women’s unpaid care.
• Many developing countries have limited welfare provision.

Against the view:

• Free education has increased literacy and social mobility (for example in Sri Lanka).
• Free healthcare improves life expectancy for poorer groups (for example Britain’s NHS).
• Pensions and benefits reduce absolute poverty.
• Cash transfers such as the Benazir Income Support Programme reach poor women directly.

Conclusion: welfare has reduced poverty more than inequality; credit a reasoned judgement.

(g) [4] Two effects, 2 marks each: access to jobs, schools and hospitals improves for some; informal settlements lack clean water and sanitation, harming health; overcrowding and pollution; pressure on public services; insecure work in the informal economy.

(h) [4] Oscar Lewis argued that people living in long-term poverty develop distinctive values — fatalism, living for the present, low aspirations (2) — which are passed on to children through socialisation, keeping families poor across generations (2). Credit a criticism as development: values may be a realistic response to poverty rather than its cause.

(i) [4] Two ways, 2 marks each: colonial powers extracted raw materials and wealth, leaving economies underdeveloped; economies were organised around exporting a few products, creating dependence; colonial borders and institutions left political instability; former colonies may still trade on unequal terms with former colonial powers.

(j) [8] Levels as for (e).

• Migrants may be blamed for unemployment and low wages, although they often fill jobs local workers do not take.
• Concerns about pressure on housing, schools and health services.
• Media stereotyping and moral panics may link migrants to crime.
• Cultural differences in language, dress or religion may be seen as a threat, producing racism and discrimination.
• Evaluation: perceptions often exaggerate costs and ignore benefits such as tax paid and labour supplied; perceptions vary between societies and over time.

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Frequently asked questions

What makes a strong (f) answer? At least two developed arguments on each side, linked to inequality, with a clear conclusion that answers “failed”.

Can I bring in 3.1 concepts such as life chances? Yes — life chances help explain why welfare and inequality matter.

Should I evaluate in (c) and (d)? Not required, but a brief qualification can strengthen the development of a point.

Related pages: O Level tackling inequality and globalisation guide | O Level methods practice questions