Past Questions

Youth• (a) Outline and explain the features of spectacular youth cultures. [15]• (b) Youth cultures have often been linked to deviant behaviour. Discuss. [30]• (a) Outline and explain ways in which consumerism has influenced youth

cultures. [15]• (b) Outline and assess the view that belonging to a youth sub-culture may be a

response to the social and economic conditions faced by young people. [30]• (a) Outline and explain the reasons why youth cultures are often seen as a form

of resistance. [15]• (b) Assess the view that social class and gender no longer influence youth

cultures. [30]• (a) Outline and explain reasons for changes in female involvement in youth

cultures in contemporary society. [15]• (b) Assess the view that spectacular youth cultures have been replaced by neo-

tribes in contemporary society. [30]• (a) Outline and explain the reasons why youth cultures may no longer be linked

to gender.[15]• (b) Assess the view that youth cultures can act as a form of resistance. [30]

Methodology

1. Using material from the item and elsewhere, explain the full meaning of the term ethnographic study. [10]

2. “ “ “ identify and assess the strengths and weaknesses of participant observation. [20]

3. “ “ “ explain the full meaning of the term official statistics. [10]4. “ “ “ explain the strengths and limitations of structured interviews. [20]5. “ “ “ explain the full meaning of the term qualitative data. [10]6. “ “ “ explain the importance of ethical issues to sociological research. [20]7. “ “ “ explain the full meaning of the term representative sample. [10]8. “ “ “ identify and assess various sources of secondary data that can be used

by sociologists. [20]9. “ “ “ explain the full meaning of the term quantitative data. [10]10.“ “ “ explain the strengths and weaknesses of questionnaires. [20]

Education• (a) Outline and briefly explain what is meant by equality of opportunity in

education. [20]• (b) Discuss the view that working class underachievement in education is

caused by factors outside school. [40]• Outline and explain why anti-school subcultures may develop. [20]• Discuss how social class may influence educational attainment. [40]• Define and explain the concept of cultural capital in education. [20]• Outline and assess the view that all girls and boys have the same

opportunity to succeed in education. [40]• Outline and explain the meaning of the self-fulfilling prophecy in

education. [20]• Outline and assess explanations of differences in attainment between

different ethnic groups in the UK. [40]• Describe and explain functions of the education system. [20]• Discuss explanations of differences in gender attainment in education

within the UK. [40]