Social Class and Mobility: Impact on Life Chances and Opportunities

Question 1

According to the Marxist perspective, which factor plays a dominant role in determining social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Ownership of property

Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Type of occupation

Answer

Monetary income

Question 2

Which among the following best illustrates the concept of social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Transition from the working class to the middle class

Answer

Acquisition of inherited wealth from a wealthy relative

Answer

Loss of employment leading to impoverishment

Answer

Starting a successful business venture

Question 3

The term 'cultural capital' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Knowledge, skills, and cultural practices that enhance social standing

Answer

Inherited wealth and social connections

Answer

Physical and material possessions

Answer

Natural abilities and talents

Question 4

Which criticism is commonly directed towards the functionalist perspective on social class?

Accepted Answer

It disregards the significance of conflict and inequality

Answer

It overemphasizes the role of meritocracy

Answer

It fails to acknowledge social change

Answer

It glorifies the existing social order

Question 5

What term is used to describe the process by which individuals are assigned to social classes based on their parents' social position?

Accepted Answer

Ascription

Answer

Achievement

Answer

Mobility

Answer

Stratification

Question 6

Identify an example of horizontal social mobility.

Accepted Answer

Transition from one job to another with comparable status

Answer

Promotion within the same company

Answer

Inheritance of a large sum of money

Answer

Career change into a different field

Question 7

According to the Gini coefficient, a country with a coefficient of 0 represents:

Accepted Answer

Perfect equality

Answer

Complete inequality

Answer

Moderate inequality

Answer

Extreme poverty

Question 8

Which assumption is central to Max Weber's theory of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Social status is determined by a combination of factors

Answer

Social class is solely determined by economic factors

Answer

Social mobility is impossible

Answer

Class conflict is the driving force of social change

Question 9

According to Pierre Bourdieu's theory of social capital, which type of capital is enhanced through social networks and relationships?

Accepted Answer

Social

Answer

Economic

Answer

Cultural

Answer

Financial

Question 10

What is the term for movement up or down the social ladder?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Social change

Question 11

Which of the following best describes an ascribed status?

Accepted Answer

Determined at birth or beyond the individual's control

Answer

Acquired through personal effort

Answer

Influenced by social factors

Answer

Changed over time

Question 12

What is the term for a group of people who share similar social and economic characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Social class

Answer

Social mobility group

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Occupation group

Question 13

What is the term for the process by which individuals or groups are excluded or isolated from society?

Accepted Answer

Social exclusion

Answer

Social discrimination

Answer

Social deprivation

Answer

Social stratification

Question 14

Which of the following is an instance of horizontal social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Changing from one job to another with a similar status

Answer

Becoming a Chief Executive Officer

Answer

Becoming a medical doctor

Answer

Retiring from work

Question 15

What is the term for the notion that individuals are born with different abilities and talents?

Accepted Answer

Genetic determinism

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social capital

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a key determinant of social class, according to sociologists?

Accepted Answer

Religion

Answer

Income

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Education

Question 17

According to Marx's theory, the relationship between the bourgeoisie and proletariat is primarily characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Conflict

Answer

Cooperation

Answer

Interdependence

Answer

Equality

Question 18

Which of the following is a form of upward social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Attending university and obtaining a higher-paying job

Answer

Losing a job and experiencing a decline in income

Answer

Retiring from a long-term career

Answer

Experiencing a period of unemployment

Question 19

What is the term for the process by which individuals move down the social class hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Social descent

Answer

Social uplift

Answer

Social fluidity

Answer

Social stratification

Question 20

The concept of 'cultural capital' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The value attached to cultural knowledge, skills, and tastes

Answer

The economic value of material possessions

Answer

The social connections an individual possesses

Answer

The political influence an individual has

Question 21

What is the term for a group of people who share a similar social class position and identity?

Accepted Answer

Social category

Answer

Social group

Answer

Social network

Answer

Social circle

Question 22

According to Pierre Bourdieu's theory of social stratification, which of the following forms of capital is the most crucial in determining an individual's social class?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Economic capital

Answer

Social capital

Answer

Symbolic capital

Question 23

What is the term used to describe a situation where a person's social class changes over time?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Social status

Question 24

Which of the following is an example of a social class system based on ascribed status?

Accepted Answer

Caste system

Answer

Meritocracy

Answer

Social democracy

Answer

Capitalism

Question 25

What is the main argument of the functionalist perspective on social class?

Accepted Answer

Social class is essential for a stable society.

Answer

Social class is a form of social control.

Answer

Social class is the result of merit and effort.

Answer

Social class is a temporary phenomenon.

Question 26

What is the term for the set of beliefs and values that seek to justify social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Ideology

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social status

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of social class?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Economic status

Answer

Educational attainment

Answer

Occupation

Question 28

Who first used the term 'social mobility' to describe the movement of individuals between social positions?

Accepted Answer

Pitirim Sorokin

Answer

Pierre Bourdieu

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Karl Marx

Question 29

Which of the following is a type of intergenerational social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Parents' social class influencing their children's social class

Answer

An individual moving up or down the social ladder in their own lifetime

Answer

A change in the social class of an entire society over time

Answer

The movement of individuals between different occupations or industries

Question 30

In the UK, which factor is considered the most influential determinant of an individual's social class?

Accepted Answer

Occupation

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Answer

Family background

Question 31

Which term describes a social stratification system where positions are largely determined by inherited characteristics rather than individual achievement?

Accepted Answer

Caste system

Answer

Open system

Answer

Closed system

Answer

Class system

Question 32

What is the general relationship between social class and educational attainment?

Accepted Answer

Individuals from higher social classes typically have higher levels of educational attainment.

Answer

Individuals from lower social classes typically have higher levels of educational attainment.

Answer

There is no significant relationship between social class and educational attainment.

Answer

The relationship between social class and educational attainment varies significantly depending on the specific context.

Question 33

Which factor is considered the primary determinant of social mobility across generations?

Accepted Answer

Parental Socioeconomic Status

Answer

Social Class Origin

Answer

Individual Educational Achievement

Answer

Personal Attributes and Values

Question 34

How does social class inequality raise ethical concerns and affect individuals' opportunities in life?

Accepted Answer

It undermines fairness by giving advantages to the wealthy.

Answer

It encourages people to work harder to improve their social status.

Answer

Government action is not needed because people can overcome inequality on their own.

Answer

It is a natural part of society and should not be a concern.

Question 35

Weber's multidimensional approach to social stratification considers which three key dimensions?

Accepted Answer

Class, status, and power

Answer

Education and wealth

Answer

Occupation and prestige

Answer

Class and income

Question 36

Which type of social mobility involves individuals moving from a lower to a higher social class?

Accepted Answer

Upward mobility

Answer

Downward mobility

Answer

Intergenerational mobility

Answer

Horizontal mobility

Question 37

The Gini coefficient is primarily used to measure:

Accepted Answer

Income inequality

Answer

Health inequality

Answer

Social inequality

Answer

Educational inequality

Question 38

Bourdieu's theory of social capital emphasizes the importance of:

Accepted Answer

Social connections

Answer

Cultural knowledge

Answer

Financial resources

Answer

Educational qualifications

Question 39

The concept of 'positional closure' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Strategies used by higher classes to maintain their status and privilege

Answer

Government policies that promote social mobility

Answer

The process of downward social mobility

Question 40

A key criticism of functionalist theories of social stratification is that they:

Accepted Answer

Ignore the role of conflict and inequality

Answer

Underestimate the impact of culture

Answer

Fail to account for social mobility

Answer

Overemphasize the importance of meritocracy

Question 41

In Bourdieu's theory, the concept of 'habitus' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Internalized social dispositions and practices

Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

External social structures