Past Papers for A Level Sociology exams to help familiarise you with the format and style of questions and aid your revision.
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- Famillies & Households
- Education
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A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY EXAMINATIONS
Past Papers for A Level Sociolgy exams to help familiarise you with the format and style of questions and aid your revision.
Education with Theory and Methods Paper 1 2 Hours Max mark: 80
Education Methods and Theory
Outline three reasons why Applying material from item B and your
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
Specimin 1
Outline two MATERIAL FACTORS GOVERNMENT EDUCATION POLICIES Applying material from item A, analyse two knowledge, evaluate the view that GENDER
of research methods, evaluate the strengths and Outline and explain two arguments
that may affect social CLASS aimed at raising educational reasons why some pupils from minority DIFFERENCES in subject choice and
weaknesses of using UNSTRUCTURED against the view that SOCIOLOGY IS A
DIFFERENCES in achievement (4 achievement among disadvantaged ETHNIC GROUPS achieve above average educational achievement are mainly the
INTERVIEWS to investigate STREAMING (20 SCIENCE (10 marks)
marks) groups may not always succeed (6 results at school (10 marks) result of the influence of wider society (30
marks)
marks) marks)
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
Specimin 2
Outline two CULTURAL FACTORS Outline three examples of ways in which Applying material from Item B and your
Applying material from Item A, analyse two of research methods, evaluate the strengths and Outline and explain two reasons why
that may cause social class GOVERNMENT POLICIES may have knowledge, evaluate the view that the main
reasons why some pupils join limitations of using STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS to VALUES may enter sociological research
differences in reduced social inequalities in ROLE OF THE EDUCATION system is to serve
pupil SUBCULTURES (10 marks) investigate the INFLUENCE OF THE FAMILY on (10 marks)
educational achievement (4 marks) educational achievement (6 marks) the needs of the ECONOMY (30 marks)
pupils’ education (20 marks)
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
Outline two CULTURAL FACTORS Outline three ways in which factors Applying material from Item B and your
Applying material from Item A, analyse two of research methods, evaluate the strenghts and Outline and explain two practical
2017
that may affect ethnic differences within school may shape GENDER knowledge, evaluate sociological
effects of increased PARENTAL CHOICE on limitations of using FIELD EXPERIMENTS to disadvanatges of using DOCUMENTS in
in educational achievement (4 DIFFERENCES in SUBJECT CHOICE (6 explanations of the ROLE OF EDUCATION in
pupils' experience of education (10 marks) investigate the effects of TEACHER'S LABELLING sociological research (10 marks)
marks) marks) transmitting ideas and values (30 marks)
PUPILS (20 marks)
Outline two reasons why
Applying material from Item B and your Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
MARKETISATION POLICIES MAY Outline three reasons for GENDER Applying material from Item A, analyse two Outline and explain two problems of
2018
knowledge, evaluate sociological of research methods, evaluate the strengths and
PRODUCE INEQUALITY of DIFFERENCES in EDUCATIONAL ways in which the EDUCATION SYSTEM might using the FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE
explanations of SOCIAL CLASS DIFFERENCES limitations of using PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION
educational ACHIEVEMENT ACHIEVEMENT (6) serve the needs of CAPITALISM (10) to study today’s society (10)
in educational achievement (30) to investigate PUPIL EXCLUSIONS (20)
BETWEEN SOCIAL CLASSES (4)
Applying material from Item B and your Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
Outline three ways in which the
Applying material from Item A, analyse two knowledge, evaluate sociological of research methods, evaluate the strengths and Outline and explain two disadvantages
2019
Outline two criticisms of SCHOOLS CHARACTERISITICS OF SCHOOLS may be
ways in which PROCESSES WITHIN SCHOOLS explanations of differences in EDUCATIONAL limitations of using WRITTEN QUESTIONNAIRES to of using PERSONAL DOCUMENTS in
SELECTING PUPILS by ability. (4) similar to the CHARACTERISITICS OF
may affect PUPILS' IDENTITIES. (10) ACHIEVEMENT between ETHNIC GROUPS. investigate the ROLE OF PARENTS in their sociological research. (10)
WORKPLACES. (6)
(30) children's achievement in school. (20)
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
Outline two factors external to Applying material from Item A, analyse two Applying material from Item B and your
Outline three FUNCTIONS that the of research methods, evaluate the strengths and Outline and explain two problems of
2020
school that may affect SOCIAL ways in which MARKETISATION POLICIES knowledge, evaluate sociological
education system performs for society. limitations of using NON-PARTICIPANT using PRIMARY QUALITATIVE
CLASS differences in achievement. have led to schools being run like businesses. explanations of GENDER DIFFERENCES in
(6) OBSERVATION to investigate pupil behaviour in METHODS in sociological research. (10)
(4) (10) educational achievement. (30)
schools. (20)
Outline two ways in which Applying material from Item A, analyse two Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
Applying material from Item B and your
GLOBALISATION may have had an Outline three reasons why some ways in which TEACHING AND LEARNING in of research methods, evaluate the Outline and explain two arguments
2021
knowledge, evaluate the view that the
influence on EDUCATIONAL working-class BOYS join ANTI-SCHOOL schools may affect the educational strengths and limitations of using SECONDARY against the POSITIVIST view that
education
POLICIES SUBCULTURES. (6) experiences of MINORITY ETHNIC GROUPS. DATA to investigate the academic progress of SOCIOLOGY CAN BE SCIENTIFIC. (10)
system is MERITOCRATIC. (30)
in the UK. (4) (10) pupils in schools. (20)
Applying material from Item B and your Applying material from Item C and your knowledge
Applying material from Item A, analyse two
Outline two ways in which schools Outline three ways in which the knowledge, evaluate the view that of research methods, evaluate the Outline and explain two reasons why
2022
ways in which relationships and processes
may promote COMPETITION education system may be seen as MARKETISATION POLICIES have increased strengths and limitations of using GROUP OFFICIAL STATISTICS should not be seen
within schools may lead to ANTI-SCHOOL
between pupils. (4) PATRIARCHAL. (6) DIVERSITY AND CHOICE in the education INTERVIEWS to investigate the reasons for subject as social facts. (10)
SUBCULTURES. (10)
system. (30) choices made by pupils. (20)
Topics in Sociology Paper 2 2 Hours Max mark: 80
A2 Families and Households B1 Beliefs in Society
Applying material from Item B and your Applying material from Item J and your
Specimin 1
Outline and explain two ways in Applying material from Item A, analyse
knowledge, evaluate the view that the Applying material from Item I, analyse two reasons knowledge, evaluate the view that
which women's involvement in paid two changes in the POSITION OF Outline and explain two reasons why women
DIVISION OF LABOUR and power why traditional RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS may religion no longer acts as a ‘SHARED
work has affected FAMILY CHILDREN in society over the last 100 may be MORE RELIGIOUS than men (10)
relationships in couples are equal in modern have LOST SUPPORT over the past 30 years (10) UNIVERSE OF MEANING’ for people
STRUCTURES. (10) years (10)
family life (20) today (20)
Specimin 2
Applying material from Item C, analyse Applying material from Item D and your Outline and explain two ways in which the Applying material from item B and your
Outline and explain two changes in Applying material from item A, analyse two
two ways in which an ageing population knowledge, evaluate the view that the growth of SECTS AND NEW AGE knowledge, evaluate the view that
society that have led to CHANGES differences between science and religion as BELIEF
may affect FAMILY STRUCTURES (10 growth of FAMILY DIVERSITY has led to a MOVEMENTS may be related to religious beliefs and organisations are
IN FAMILY SIZE (10 marks) SYSTEMS (10)
marks ) decline in the NUCLEAR FAMILY (20) secularisation (10) barriers to SOCIAL CHANGE (20)
Applying material from Item J and your
Outline and explain two ways in Applying material from Item C, analyse Applying material from Item D and your
Outline and explain two reasons why SECTS knowledge, evaluate the view that
2017
which CHANGING GENDER ROLES two ways in which MIGRATION knowledge, evaluate FUNCTIONALIST Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in
tend to recruit members from particular SCIENCE has a
within the family may have affected PATTERNS have affected household explanations of the role of the family in which religion can lead to SOCIAL CHANGE. (10)
social groups. (10) greater influence than religion on
children’s experience of childhood. structures in the United Kingdom. (10) society. (20)
people’s lives today.(20)
(10)
Applying material from Item D and your
Applying material from Item J and your
knowledge, evaluate the view that Outline and explain two ways in which Applying material from Item I, analyse two reasons
Outline and explain two ways in Applying material from Item C, analyse knowledge, evaluate the view that an
2018
INDIVIDUAL CHOICE in personal relationships GLOBALISATION may affect religious beliefs why minority ETHNIC GROUPS the
which GOVERNMENT POLICIES two ways in which DEMOGRAPHIC INCREASE IN SPIRITUALITY in the
has made family life less important in the and United Kingdom are often more religious than the
may affect family structure. (10) TRENDS since 1900 may have affected United Kingdom has compensated for
United Kingdom today. (20) practices. (10) majority of the population. (10)
the nature of childhood in the United the decline of organised religion.(20)
Kingdom today. (10)
Outline and explain two ways in Applying material from Item J and your
Applying material from Item C, analyse Applying material from Item D and your
which an AGEING POPULATION Outline and explain two ways in which Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in knowledge, evaluate sociological
2019
two ways in which changing patterns of knowledge, evaluate FEMINIST
may have led to CHURCHES may act as CONSERVATIVE which GLOBALISATION may affect the extent of explanations of the relationship
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE have affected explanations of the role of the family in
policies that affect families and FORCES. (10) SECULARISATION (10) between GENDER and religious beliefs
the EXPERIENCE OF CHILDHOOD. (10) society today. (20)
households today. (10) and practices. (20)
Outline and explain two ways in
which changing CHILDBEARING Applying material from Item D and your Applying material from Item J and your
Applying material from Item C, analyse Outline and explain two reasons why women Applying material from Item I, analyse two reasons
2020
PATTERNS may have knowledge, evaluate the view that UK knowledge, evaluate the view that
two ways in which GLOBALISATION may are more likely than men to participate in why the extent of secularisation may
influenced GENDER ROLES and society has become more CHILD-CENTRED. religion acts as
influence families and households. (10) New Age movements. (10) have been exaggerated (10)
relationships within families and (20) a force for social change.(20)
households. (10)
Outline and explain two ways in Applying material from Item C, analyse Applying material from Item D and your
Outline and explain two ways that Applying material from Item J and your
which the FUNCTIONS of the family two ways in which FAMILY DIVERSITY in knowledge, evaluate the view that Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in
2021
globalisation may have influenced the way in knowledge, evaluate the view that the
may have been the GENDER ROLES and relationships within the which the characteristics of churches are different
which religion acts as a force for change. (10 UK is becoming increasingly secular.
affected by changes to its UK has been influenced by family are still UNEQUAL in society today. from those of New Age movements. (10)
marks) (20)
STRUCTURE. (10) GOVERNMENT POLICIES. (10) (20)
Applying material from Item J and your
Outline and explain two ways in Applying material from Item C, analyse Outline and explain two ways in which
Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate the PROBLEMS
which INCREASED LIFE two effects that INCREASED CHOICE in GLOBALISATION may have influenced Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in
2022
knowledge, evaluate MARXIST explanations that
EXPECTANCY may have affected personal life, religious which SOCIAL CHANGE may lead to the
of the sociologists may face when DEFINING
the has on FAMILY STRUCTURES in the UK beliefs and practices of minority ETHNIC GROWTH OF SECTS. (10)
ROLE OF FAMILIES in society today. (20) AND MEASURING religious belief and
EXPERIENCE OF CHILDHOOD. (10) today. (10) groups in the UK. (10)
practice. (20)
Crime and Deviance Theory & Methods Paper 3 2 Hours Max mark: 80
Crime and Deviance Theory and Methods
Specimin 1
Applying material from Item A, analyse two Applying material from Item B and your Applying material from Item C and your
Outline two ways in which the Outline three reasons why FEMALES
reasons why situational CRIME PREVENTION knowledge, evaluate the usefulness of the Outline and explain two advantages of using knowledge, evaluate the usefulness of
MEDIA give a distorted view of may be less likely than males to commit
STRATEGIES may not be effective in reducing FUNCTIONALIST APPROACHES in STATISTICS in sociological research (10 marks) the MARXISTS APPROACH to
crime (4 marks) crime (6 marks)
crime (10 marks) understanding crime and deviance (30 marks) understanding society (20 marks)
Specimin 2
Outline two ways in which the law Applying material from Item B and your Applying material from Item C and your
Outline three reasons why some groups Applying material from Item A, analyse two Outline and explain two reasons why sociologists
may perform an IDEOLOGICAL knowledge, evaluate sociological knowledge, evaluate the usefulness of
are more likely than others to be reasons why GLOBALISATION may MAY NOT INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT POLICIES
FUNCTION explanations of ETHNIC DIFFERENCES in INTERPRETIVISTS APPROACH to our
VICTIMS OF CRIME (6 marks) lead to an increase in crime (10 marks) (10 marks)
for capitalism (4 marks) offending and criminalisation (30 marks) understanding of society (20 marks)
Applying material from Item C and your
Applying material from Item A, analyse two Applying material from Item B and your Outline and explain two advantages of choosing
Outline two reasons for ETHNIC knowledge, evaluate the view that
2017
Outlines three FUNCTIONS that crime ways in which DEVIANT SUBCULTURES may knowledge, evaluate sociological OVERT PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION as a source
DIFFERENCES in criminal conviction CONFLICT APPROACHES are more useful
and deviance may perform (6 marks) respond to the difficulties of achieving contributions to our understanding of CRIME of data compared with COVERT PARTICIPANT
rates (4 marks) than CONSENSUS APPROACHES to our
mainstram goals (10 marks) PREVENTION AND CONTROL (30 marks) OBSERVATION (10 marks)
understanding of society (20 marks)
Applying material from Item B and your
Outline two ways in which Applying material from Item C and your
Outline three criticisms of the Applying material from Item A, analyse two knowledge, evaluate sociological Outline and explain two DISADVANTAGES of
2018
GENDER may influence the RISK knowledge, evaluate the ADVANTAGES
LABELLING THEORY of crime and reasons for SOCIAL CLASS DIFFERENCES in contributions to our understanding of the using LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS in sociological
OF BEING A VICTIM of crime (4 of using STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS in
deviance (6 marks) OFFICIAL CRIME STATISTICS (10 marks) relationship between CRIME AND THE research (10 marks)
marks) sociological research (20 marks)
MEDIA (30 marks)
Applying material from Item C and your
Applying material from Item B and your
Applying material from Item A, analyse two Outline and explain two reasons why sociologists' knowledge, evaluate the contribution of
2019
Outline two reasons why DEVIANT Outline three reasons why VICTIMS knowledge, evaluate sociological
reasons why CRIME REDUCTION STRATEGIES research may NOT ALWAYS BE OBJECTIVE. (10 MARXIST APPROACHES to
SUBCULTURES exist. (4 marks) MAY NOT REPORT CRIMES. (6 marks) explanations of levels of FEMALE
may NOT always BE SUCCESSFUL. (10 marks) marks) understanding today's SOCIETY. (20
OFFENDING. (30 marks)
marks)
Applying material from Item B and your Outline and explain two ETHICAL ISSUES that Applying material from Item C and your
Outline two ways in which MEDIA Applying material from Item A, analyse two
2020
Outline THREE FUNCTIONS of the knowledge, evaluate sociological sociologists using primary quantitative methods knowledge, evaluate the view that
REPRESENTATIONS of crime may ways that GLOBALISATION may influence
criminal justice system. (6) explanations of the relationship between would have to consider when carrying out their society today should be described as
not reflect reality. (4) crime in the UK. (10)
SOCIAL CLASS and offending. (30) research. (10) POSTMODERN. (20)
Applying material from Item B and your
knowledge, evaluate the view that Applying material from Item C and your
Outline two ways that the NATURE Outline three reasons for GENDER Applying material from Item A, analyse two differences in knowledge, evaluate the view that
021
Outline and explain two sociological perspectives
OF CAPITALISM may cause people DIFFERENCES in levels of recorded ways that the MEDIA may contribute to an crime rates between ETHNIC GROUPS are THEORETICAL FACTORS are the most
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