Class and Social Inequality: A Comprehensive Guide for Further Education

Question 1

What is a defining feature of social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Groups are ranked in a hierarchy based on valued characteristics.

Answer

Individuals can easily move between social classes throughout their lives.

Answer

Social stratification exists in all societies globally.

Answer

The boundaries between social classes are always clear and defined.

Question 2

Which statement does NOT accurately describe a fundamental aspect of Marxist social stratification theory?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility between classes is not possible.

Answer

Class conflict is the driving force behind social change.

Answer

Class position is determined by one's relationship to the means of production.

Answer

Class consciousness is essential for revolutionary transformation.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the working class, according to traditional Marxist theory?

Accepted Answer

Owns the means of production

Answer

Sells their labor power

Answer

Engages in manual labor

Answer

Experiences exploitation

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of cultural capital, according to Bourdieu's theory?

Accepted Answer

Educational qualifications

Answer

Financial wealth

Answer

Physical health

Answer

Social connections

Question 5

Which of the following is a key research finding on the relationship between class inequality and educational outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds generally perform worse academically

Answer

Schools are the primary cause of social inequality in education

Answer

Social inequality has no impact on educational outcomes

Question 6

Which of the following government policies is commonly used to reduce social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation

Answer

Deregulation

Answer

Flat tax

Question 7

Which of the following is a potential consequence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Increased social unrest

Answer

Economic growth

Answer

Improved health outcomes

Answer

Social cohesion

Question 8

Which of the following is a key difference between social class and social status?

Accepted Answer

Social class is primarily based on economic position, while social status is based on social esteem

Answer

Social class is fixed, while social status is fluid

Answer

Social class is determined by birth, while social status is achieved

Question 9

Which of the following is a key research finding on social mobility?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility tends to be higher in developed countries

Answer

Social mobility is primarily determined by race and ethnicity

Answer

Social mobility is generally declining in most countries

Question 10

Social stratification refers to:

Accepted Answer

The hierarchical division of society into layers

Answer

The allocation of resources based on social position

Answer

The process of social mobility

Answer

The distribution of social groups across a geographical area

Question 11

According to Marxist theory, the primary division in society is based on:

Accepted Answer

Class

Answer

Age

Answer

Race

Answer

Gender

Question 12

A limitation of using income as a measure of social class is that it:

Accepted Answer

Does not account for wealth

Answer

Is a good indicator of social status

Answer

Is widely available

Answer

Is always objective

Question 13

Occupational prestige refers to:

Accepted Answer

The social value attached to different occupations

Answer

The qualifications required for different occupations

Answer

The number of people employed in different occupations

Answer

The level of income earned in different occupations

Question 14

The Gini coefficient measures:

Accepted Answer

Income inequality

Answer

Occupational prestige

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Life expectancy

Question 15

A trend in social inequality in the UK has been the:

Accepted Answer

Increasing wage gap

Answer

Decreasing poverty rates

Answer

Declining occupational prestige

Question 16

Which of the following characteristics is typically associated with the upper class in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Significant wealth and property ownership

Answer

Employment in manual labor

Answer

Low educational attainment

Answer

High levels of unemployment

Question 17

According to the Marxist perspective, which factor is considered the primary determinant of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Ownership and control of the means of production

Answer

Educational level

Answer

Political affiliation

Answer

Cultural background

Question 18

Which of the following is a direct consequence of social inequality in the education system?

Accepted Answer

Unequal access to quality schools and resources

Answer

Reduced life expectancy

Answer

Increased crime rates

Question 19

Define social mobility.

Accepted Answer

The movement of individuals or groups between different social classes

Answer

The process of creating new social classes

Answer

The division of society into distinct social strata

Question 20

Identify a criticism of Max Weber's theory of stratification.

Accepted Answer

Overemphasizing economic factors while underplaying cultural and political dimensions

Answer

Ignoring the fluidity of social boundaries

Answer

Relying excessively on historical data

Question 21

Explain the relationship between social class and power.

Accepted Answer

Typically, the upper class holds more power and influence in society

Answer

The working class has more power than the middle class

Answer

Power is equally distributed across all social classes

Question 22

Which of the following factors contributes to the persistence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Differential access to quality healthcare

Answer

Equal opportunities for all

Answer

Widespread social cohesion

Answer

Government policies promoting social justice

Question 23

Which of the following is a potential impact of social inequality on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Reduced self-esteem and well-being

Answer

Improved health outcomes

Answer

Increased happiness and life satisfaction

Answer

Greater social mobility

Question 24

Discuss the role of education in addressing social inequality.

Accepted Answer

Education can facilitate upward social mobility and reduce inequalities in life chances

Answer

Education exacerbates social inequality by creating new social divisions

Answer

Education has no impact on social inequality

Question 25

Which of the following is a widely accepted indicator used to define social class?

Accepted Answer

Occupation

Answer

Race

Answer

Age

Answer

Gender

Question 26

According to Karl Marx's theory of social stratification, which factor is the primary determinant of class?

Accepted Answer

Relationship to the means of production

Answer

Level of education

Answer

Cultural background

Answer

Political affiliation

Question 27

Max Weber's theory of social stratification suggests that social status is determined by a combination of:

Accepted Answer

Economic resources, social prestige, and political power

Answer

Inherited wealth and family connections

Answer

Religious beliefs and political ideologies

Answer

Intellectual abilities and educational qualifications

Question 28

The concept of 'social mobility' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The movement of individuals or groups between different social classes over time

Answer

The change in social norms and values within a class

Answer

The transition from one social role to another

Answer

The process of acquiring new skills and knowledge

Question 29

The concept of 'relative deprivation' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals may experience dissatisfaction and discontent if they perceive their own circumstances to be less favorable compared to others

Answer

Deprivation is only experienced by individuals living in extreme poverty

Question 30

One of the consequences of social inequality is:

Accepted Answer

Unequal access to healthcare and education

Answer

Reduced crime rates

Answer

Greater social cohesion

Answer

Increased political stability

Question 31

The concept of 'intergenerational mobility' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The extent to which the social class of children differs from that of their parents

Answer

The process of adapting to new social and economic conditions

Answer

The movement of individuals within a single social class over their lifetime

Answer

The ability of individuals to change their social status through effort and determination

Question 32

Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of a social class system?

Accepted Answer

Hierarchy

Answer

Equality

Answer

Consensus

Answer

Individualism

Question 33

The concept of 'social stratification' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The division of society into hierarchical layers based on factors such as income, occupation, and education

Answer

The process of social mobility

Question 34

Social stratification refers to?

Accepted Answer

The hierarchical division of society based on factors like wealth, power, and prestige

Answer

The process of individuals moving between social classes

Question 35

Who developed the concept of 'cultural capital'?

Accepted Answer

Pierre Bourdieu

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Emile Durkheim

Question 36

What is the term for the process of moving between social classes?

Accepted Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social differentiation

Answer

Social reproduction

Question 37

Which of these contributes to the persistence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Economic growth

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Meritocracy

Question 38

What does 'relative deprivation' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The sense of injustice experienced by those who perceive themselves as worse off compared to others

Answer

The absolute lack of basic resources

Answer

The gap between the richest and poorest members of society

Question 39

Which sociological perspective argues that social stratification is necessary for societal function by motivating individuals to fill important roles?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Feminism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Conflict theory

Question 40

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

Accepted Answer

Complete absence of social mobility

Answer

Unequal distribution of wealth and resources

Answer

Shared lifestyle and values within a class

Answer

Hierarchical arrangement of social groups

Question 41

The concept of 'cultural capital' developed by Pierre Bourdieu refers to:

Accepted Answer

Non-financial assets, such as education and taste, that contribute to social advantage

Answer

The financial wealth inherited from one's family

Answer

The geographic location of an individual's upbringing

Question 42

Which of these is an example of 'inter-generational mobility'?

Accepted Answer

A child from a working-class background becoming a doctor

Answer

A wealthy person losing their fortune due to economic recession

Answer

An individual changing careers within their lifetime

Question 43

The term 'social closure' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Strategies used by powerful groups to maintain their privileges and exclude others

Answer

The process of social integration and cohesion

Answer

The breakdown of social norms and values

Question 44

What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Accepted Answer

Absolute poverty refers to a lack of basic necessities, while relative poverty is measured against societal standards

Answer

Absolute poverty is experienced in developing countries, while relative poverty is only found in developed nations

Question 45

How does the concept of 'intersectionality' contribute to understanding social inequality?

Accepted Answer

It highlights how different forms of inequality, such as class, race, and gender, can intersect and create compounded disadvantages

Answer

It suggests that social class is the primary determinant of an individual's life chances

Question 46

Which of these policies is LEAST likely to address wealth inequality?

Accepted Answer

Lowering the voting age

Answer

Increasing inheritance tax

Answer

Implementing a progressive taxation system

Question 47

The 'underclass' is a contested term used to describe:

Accepted Answer

Individuals experiencing chronic poverty and social exclusion

Answer

The middle class in post-industrial societies

Answer

The global elite with significant economic power

Question 48

Which of the following is a criticism of using occupation as a measure of social class?

Accepted Answer

It can overlook unpaid labor and the informal economy, particularly impacting women

Answer

It is difficult to categorize occupations into distinct social classes

Answer

It does not account for individual differences in income within the same occupation

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a common factor used to measure social class?

Accepted Answer

Religious beliefs

Answer

Income level

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Educational attainment

Question 50

The concept of 'life chances' developed by Max Weber refers to:

Accepted Answer

The opportunities an individual has to improve their social position

Answer

The likelihood of upward social mobility for an individual

Answer

The average lifespan of individuals within a particular social class

Question 51

Which sociological perspective argues that social stratification is necessary for societal function?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Feminism

Answer

Interactionism

Answer

Marxism

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of social mobility?

Accepted Answer

A factory worker's child becoming a doctor

Answer

A teacher continuing to work in the same school for ten years

Answer

A family moving from one city to another for better job opportunities

Answer

A group of friends sharing similar musical tastes and hobbies

Question 53

The term 'cultural capital', as used by Pierre Bourdieu, refers to:

Accepted Answer

Non-financial assets like education, language, and cultural knowledge

Answer

The social networks and connections an individual can leverage

Answer

The financial resources and assets owned by an individual or family

Question 54

Which of the following is a criticism of the traditional view of social class based on occupation?

Accepted Answer

It does not fully capture the complexity of social divisions in contemporary society

Answer

It is difficult to measure occupation accurately in sociological research

Answer

Occupation is no longer a significant factor in determining an individual's life chances

Question 55

The concept of 'intersectionality' highlights how:

Accepted Answer

Social categories like class, race, and gender interact to create complex forms of inequality

Answer

Social inequality is primarily driven by economic factors and class conflict

Answer

Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds can overcome their circumstances through hard work

Question 56

Which of the following is an example of absolute poverty?

Accepted Answer

Not being able to afford basic necessities like food and shelter

Answer

Earning less than the average income in a particular country

Answer

Having fewer material possessions than others in the same social group

Question 57

Social policies aimed at reducing inequality often focus on:

Accepted Answer

Redistributing wealth, improving access to education and healthcare, and promoting equal opportunities

Answer

Encouraging individual effort and responsibility as the primary means of social mobility

Question 58

Which of the following is a consequence of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Reduced social cohesion and trust

Answer

Unequal access to healthcare and education

Answer

Higher rates of crime and social unrest