The Future of Class and Inequality: Online Learning Quizzes

Question 1

According to recent research, which of the following is NOT a potential opportunity for reducing class inequality?

Accepted Answer

Tax cuts for the wealthy

Answer

Investment in education and training

Answer

Minimum wage increases

Answer

Progressive taxation policies

Question 2

The idea of 'relative deprivation' emphasizes that individuals' perceptions of their social and economic status are based on:

Accepted Answer

The status of others in their social group

Answer

Absolute standards of living

Answer

Their own past experiences

Answer

The status of individuals in lower social classes

Question 3

High levels of class inequality can potentially lead to:

Accepted Answer

Reduced economic growth

Answer

Increased social mobility

Answer

Improved health outcomes

Answer

Enhanced political participation

Question 4

Social stratification refers to the division of societies into:

Accepted Answer

Vertical layers based on power and status

Answer

Horizontal layers based on shared interests

Answer

Social groups based on race or ethnicity

Answer

Economic strata based on income and wealth

Question 5

The concept of 'intersectionality' recognizes that:

Accepted Answer

Multiple forms of inequality overlap and interact

Answer

Social class is the primary determinant of social stratification

Answer

Gender and race are mutually exclusive influences on life outcomes

Answer

Economic inequality has no impact on other forms of inequality

Question 6

According to the principle of 'equality of opportunity', individuals should have equal access to:

Accepted Answer

Education, healthcare, and employment opportunities

Answer

The same level of income and wealth

Answer

Social and political power regardless of their background

Answer

Guaranteed success in life

Question 7

According to recent research, which of these policies has proven most effective in mitigating income inequality?

Accepted Answer

Progressive taxation policies

Answer

Universal basic income schemes

Answer

School voucher programs

Answer

Reduced immigration

Question 8

Current research on class inequality in the UK indicates which of the following trends?

Accepted Answer

Growing polarization between the wealthiest and poorest individuals

Answer

Diminishing gap between different income groups

Answer

Improved social mobility for all socioeconomic groups

Answer

Stable class structure with minimal change

Question 9

What is the central argument of Thomas Piketty's book 'Capital in the Twenty-First Century'?

Accepted Answer

Wealth inequality is rising and will continue to do so unless addressed

Answer

Government policies are ineffective in reducing inequality

Answer

Technology will eradicate class inequality in the future

Answer

Education is the key to reducing class inequality

Question 10

Which of the following policy proposals aims to address income inequality by introducing a guaranteed minimum income for all citizens?

Accepted Answer

Universal basic income

Answer

Raising the minimum wage

Answer

Expanding tax credits

Answer

Progressive taxation

Question 11

What is the primary rationale for using progressive taxation as a tool for reducing class inequality?

Accepted Answer

It shifts the tax burden from low-income earners to high-income earners

Answer

It provides more funding for public services that benefit everyone

Answer

It encourages investment and economic growth

Answer

It reduces the need for government borrowing

Question 12

Which of the following is a distinctive feature of the 21st century class system in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Increased occupational fluidity

Answer

Rigid social stratification

Answer

Diminished significance of education

Answer

Absence of class consciousness

Question 13

According to Marxist theory, what is the root cause of class inequality?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance and property ownership

Answer

Differences in education and skills

Answer

Government policies

Answer

Cultural values

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Class is based on economic resources, while status is based on social recognition

Answer

Class is determined by birth, while status is achieved

Answer

Class is more fluid than status

Answer

Status is more important than class

Question 15

What is the fundamental principle advocated by proponents of a meritocratic system?

Accepted Answer

Individuals should be rewarded commensurate with their abilities and talents.

Answer

Social origins should not influence life outcomes.

Answer

Inequality is an essential aspect of economic prosperity.

Answer

Government intervention is indispensable for achieving social mobility.

Question 16

What is the term used to describe the theory that class inequality arises from inherent conflicts of interest between different classes?

Accepted Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Structural functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 17

According to the 'relative deprivation' approach to inequality, which factor is central to determining social class?

Accepted Answer

Access to resources

Answer

Income

Answer

Wealth

Answer

Occupational status

Question 18

Which concept refers to the idea that an individual's social class influences their access to resources, opportunities, and life experiences?

Accepted Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Class consciousness

Answer

Social stratification

Answer

Social reproduction

Question 19

Which historical event is widely recognized as having a profound impact on the formation of the class structure in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution

Answer

The Norman Conquest

Answer

The English Civil War

Answer

The Great Depression

Question 20

Recent research suggests which of the following factors has the greatest impact on intergenerational class mobility?

Accepted Answer

Parental education

Answer

Parental income

Answer

Neighborhood quality

Answer

Availability of childcare

Question 21

Which of the following policy proposals is considered most effective in addressing wealth inequality?

Accepted Answer

Progressive wealth tax

Answer

Free higher education

Answer

Increased minimum wage

Answer

Investing in affordable housing

Question 22

The concept of 'meritocracy' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals should be rewarded based on their abilities and efforts.

Answer

Class position is determined solely by birth circumstances.

Answer

Inequality is a necessary byproduct of competition.

Answer

The government should have no role in redistributing wealth.

Question 23

Which of the following sociological theories argues that class inequality is shaped by cultural factors?

Accepted Answer

Bourdieusian theory

Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Rational choice theory

Answer

Structural functionalism

Question 24

Recent evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has:

Accepted Answer

Exacerbated class inequality in some sectors but reduced it in others.

Answer

Increased class inequality in the UK.

Answer

Reduced class inequality in the UK.

Answer

Had no significant impact on class inequality in the UK.

Question 25

Which of the following is a potential opportunity for addressing class inequality in the 21st century?

Accepted Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Globalization

Answer

Environmental degradation

Answer

Population growth

Question 26

The concept of 'intersectionality' in relation to class inequality refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Overlapping and mutually reinforcing forms of inequality.

Answer

Distinct and independent forms of inequality.

Answer

Hierarchies of inequality based on class.

Answer

Interdependence of different dimensions of social stratification.

Question 27

Which sociological theory argues that class inequality is an inevitable outcome of capitalist societies?

Accepted Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Functionalist theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Social conflict theory

Question 28

What is a key criticism of the concept of 'meritocracy' in relation to class inequality?

Accepted Answer

It ignores the role of social background in determining life chances

Answer

It assumes that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed

Answer

It rewards individual effort over collective goals

Answer

It promotes a sense of entitlement among the wealthy

Question 29

What is the central argument of the 'New Class Theory' proposed by Wright and Goldthorpe?

Accepted Answer

Class inequality is persisting and transforming in new ways

Answer

Class inequality is declining in advanced capitalist societies

Answer

Class inequality is a result of individual choices and behaviors

Answer

Class inequality is primarily determined by educational attainment

Question 30

Which of the following is identified as a significant obstacle to reducing class inequality in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Persistent educational disparities

Answer

Economic stagnation

Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Immigration

Question 31

The concept of 'intersectional inequality' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Inequality that arises from the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination, such as race, gender, and class.

Answer

Inequality that is experienced by all members of a particular social group, regardless of their other characteristics.

Answer

Inequality that is caused by differences in individual merit and effort.

Answer

Inequality that is only experienced by people who are members of a minority group.

Question 32

In the context of class and inequality, the term 'glass ceiling' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A barrier to advancement for women and minorities in the workplace

Answer

A term used to describe the phenomenon of unequal pay for equal work

Answer

A policy that prevents people from moving up the socioeconomic ladder

Answer

A physical barrier that separates different social classes

Question 33

According to recent research, what is a leading factor contributing to the decline in social mobility in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Rising housing costs

Answer

Increased educational attainment

Answer

Expansion of the welfare state

Answer

Lower unemployment rates

Question 34

Which theoretical perspective highlights the significance of cultural capital in perpetuating class inequality?

Accepted Answer

Bourdieu's Theory of Social Reproduction

Answer

Marxism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Weber's Theory of Stratification

Question 35

The concept of 'relative deprivation' suggests that individuals may perceive inequality even when their absolute standard of living is improving.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 36

Which of the following is not considered a primary determinant of class position?

Accepted Answer

Religion

Answer

Occupation

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Question 37

The principle of 'meritocracy' advocates for:

Accepted Answer

Social stratification based on individual effort and talent.

Answer

The inevitability of inequality in all societies.

Answer

Class status being determined by family background.

Question 38

What is the term 'digital divide' used to describe?

Accepted Answer

Variations in access to and usage of digital technology across socioeconomic groups.

Answer

The growing prevalence of technology in daily life.

Answer

Differences in technological proficiency between generations.

Question 39

Which of the following is a potential adverse consequence of persistent class inequality?

Accepted Answer

Social unrest and political instability

Answer

Reduced levels of crime

Answer

Enhanced social mobility

Answer

Increased economic growth

Question 40

The term 'intergenerational poverty' is used to describe:

Accepted Answer

Poverty that persists across multiple generations within families.

Answer

Poverty experienced only by recently arrived immigrants.

Answer

Poverty caused solely by personal choices and behaviors.

Question 41

What does the term 'precariat' describe in the context of labor markets?

Accepted Answer

Workers who face insecure and unstable employment conditions.

Answer

Individuals who are unemployed or economically inactive.

Answer

The highest-earning individuals in society.

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential challenge to reducing class inequality in the 21st century?

Accepted Answer

Globalization and technological advancements

Answer

Heightened public awareness of the issue

Answer

Increased political commitment to reducing inequality

Answer

Stronger trade unions

Question 43

The future trajectory of class and inequality in the UK is primarily determined by:

Accepted Answer

An interplay of complex social, economic, and political factors.

Answer

Government policies in isolation.

Answer

Technological advancements exclusively.