Review and Assessment » Practice Questions - Key Concepts

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Key sociological concepts and how to identify them in exam questions
Techniques for answering different types of sociology questions
How to apply sociological theories to exam scenarios
Common pitfalls to avoid in sociology assessments
Strategies for maximising marks in practice questions

🔒 Unlock Full Course Content

Unlock This Course

Understanding Key Sociological Concepts in Exam Questions

Being able to identify and apply key sociological concepts is essential for success in your iGCSE Sociology exams. Examiners are looking for your ability to recognise concepts and use them appropriately in your answers.

Key Definitions:

Socialisation: The process through which we learn the norms, values and behaviours expected in society.
Social control: The ways society encourages conformity to social norms.
Social stratification: How society is divided into different layers or strata based on factors like wealth, power and status.
Culture: The shared way of life of a group of people, including beliefs, values and norms.
Identity: How individuals see themselves and how they are seen by others in relation to their social groups.

💡 Spotting Concepts in Questions

Look for key terms in the question that signal which concepts you need to address. For example, if a question mentions "gender roles," you should discuss socialisation, identity and possibly social control.

⚠ Common Mistakes

Don't just define concepts without applying them to the specific context of the question. Examiners want to see that you understand how concepts work in real-life situations.

Types of Sociology Questions and How to Tackle Them

iGCSE Sociology exams typically include different types of questions that require specific approaches. Understanding the question type is the first step to answering effectively.

Multiple Choice Questions

These test your knowledge of specific sociological facts and concepts. Read all options carefully before selecting your answer.

Example Question

Which of the following is an example of formal social control?

A) Parents grounding their children
B) Police arresting someone
C) Friends laughing at someone's clothing choices
D) Religious teachings about right and wrong

The correct answer is B. Police arresting someone is formal social control as it involves official institutions enforcing rules.

Short Answer Questions (2-4 marks)

These require brief, focused responses that demonstrate knowledge of specific concepts or theories.

Example Question

Identify two agencies of socialisation. (2 marks)

A good answer would identify two from: family, education, peer group, media, religion, workplace. You would get one mark for each correctly identified agency.

Explain Questions (4-6 marks)

These require you to show understanding by explaining sociological concepts, theories or processes.

Example Question

Explain what sociologists mean by 'social class'. (4 marks)

A good answer would define social class as a form of stratification based on economic factors, explain different models of class (e.g., Marx, Weber) and give examples of how class affects life chances.

Analyse Questions (8 marks)

These require deeper examination of sociological issues, often asking you to consider different perspectives.

Example Question

Analyse two ways in which gender roles are reinforced in society. (8 marks)

A good answer would identify two ways (e.g., media representations and education), explain each in detail with examples and analyse their impact on gender identity formation.

Evaluate Questions (12 marks)

These are the most challenging questions, requiring you to weigh up different perspectives and reach a reasoned conclusion.

Example Question

Evaluate the view that family diversity is increasing in modern society. (12 marks)

A good answer would present evidence for increasing diversity (different family types, changing roles), consider counter-arguments (persistence of nuclear family ideal), assess different sociological perspectives (functionalist, Marxist, feminist) and reach a balanced conclusion.

Applying Sociological Theories in Exam Answers

Examiners are looking for your ability to apply theoretical perspectives to social issues. This shows deeper understanding beyond just knowing facts.

📈 Functionalism

Focus on how social institutions contribute to social stability and consensus. Apply to questions about family, education and social order.

✊ Marxism

Emphasise conflict, inequality and power relationships. Apply to questions about class, wealth distribution and social control.

⚖ Feminism

Highlight gender inequality and patriarchal structures. Apply to questions about gender roles, family power dynamics and work.

Case Study Focus: Applying Theory to Education

Consider a question about educational achievement and social class:

Functionalist approach: Discuss meritocracy, role allocation and how education serves society's needs
Marxist approach: Analyse how education reproduces class inequality and serves capitalist interests
Feminist approach: Examine gender patterns in subject choice and achievement

By applying multiple perspectives, you demonstrate sophisticated sociological thinking.

Structuring Your Answers Effectively

How you organise your response is almost as important as the content itself. A well-structured answer makes your points clearer and more convincing.

📝 PEEL Paragraphs

Point: Make your main claim
Evidence: Support with facts, studies or examples
Explain: Show how the evidence supports your point
Link: Connect back to the question

📋 Essay Structure

Introduction: Define key terms, outline your approach
Main body: Develop 3-4 key points using PEEL
Conclusion: Summarise main points and answer the question directly

Using Evidence Effectively

Sociological arguments need to be supported with evidence. This can include studies, statistics, or real-world examples.

Types of Evidence to Include

Research studies: "Bowles and Gintis found that schools reproduce social inequality..."
Statistics: "According to the Office for National Statistics, 45% of marriages end in divorce..."
Contemporary examples: "The Black Lives Matter movement demonstrates how ethnic inequalities remain significant..."
Historical context: "Before the 1944 Education Act, schooling was largely determined by social class..."

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Being aware of typical mistakes can help you improve your exam performance.

❌ Descriptive Answers

Simply describing social phenomena without analysis or evaluation limits your marks. Always explain why and how things happen.

❌ Anecdotal Evidence

Personal experiences can illustrate points but shouldn't replace sociological evidence. Support claims with studies and theories.

❌ One-sided Arguments

Failing to consider alternative perspectives shows limited sociological understanding. Always consider different viewpoints.

Final Tips for Success

These strategies will help you maximise your marks in sociology practice questions and exams.

✅ Time Management

Allocate your time according to the marks available. As a rough guide:
- 2-4 mark questions: 3-5 minutes
- 8 mark questions: 10-12 minutes
- 12 mark questions: 15-20 minutes

📖 Revision Strategies

Create concept maps linking theories and concepts. Practice applying these to different question types. Review mark schemes to understand what examiners are looking for.

Remember: Sociology is About Society

Always connect your answers to the real world. Sociology isn't just abstract theories – it's about understanding how society works and why people behave as they do. Making these connections will strengthen your answers and demonstrate genuine sociological thinking.

🔒 Test Your Knowledge!