: AQA past-paper questions pack

Aid, trade, industrialisation, urbanisation, environment and war

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
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Questions are numbered; the mark schemes (the answer key) follow on separate pages so the question pages can be handed out alone. www.alevelsociologytutor.com

AQA AQA AS and A-level Sociology past-paper questions since 2016 · 12 parts · mark schemes follow the questions · www.alevelsociologytutor.com · Questions and mark schemes © AQA

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q18 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 8
Read Item L below and answer the question that follows.
Item L
Some sociologists, such as modernisation theorists, see industrialisation as essential
for development. Industrialisation involves economic, social and cultural changes
which transform societies and make them modern. Many developing countries have
tried to develop through industrialisation.
However, others have pointed out that industrialisation has negative aspects, including
environmental damage. They argue that development in areas such as health,
education and gender equality, can be achieved without industrialisation.
Applying material from Item L and your knowledge, evaluate the view that
industrialisation is essential for development.
[20 marks]

2. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q16 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 6
Outline and explain two ways in which industrialisation may affect employment in
developing countries.
[10 marks]

3. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q17 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

1 7
Read Item K below and answer the question that follows.
Item K
Most transnational corporations (TNCs) need raw materials and resources to produce
goods. They are not usually concerned with what happens to the goods after they
have been sold.
TNCs may harm the environment.
Applying material from Item K, analyse two ways that transnational corporations may
harm the environment.
[10 marks]

4. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q17 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

1 7
Read Item K below and answer the question that follows.
Item K
Urbanisation in developing countries often involves the growth of shanty towns with
poor living conditions. Urbanisation also brings about cultural change by exposing city
dwellers to Western values and practices.
Urbanisation may affect the process of development.
Applying material from Item K, analyse two ways that urbanisation may affect the
process of development.
[10 marks]

5. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q18 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 8
Read Item L below and answer the question that follows.
Item L
Early theorists of development assumed that industrialisation and economic growth
were essential. They paid little attention to the possible environmental impacts of
development.
Today, there is much greater concern about the environment. Some sociologists argue
that development can and should be sustainable so that there is less impact on the
environment.
Applying material from Item L and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of
the relationship between development and the environment.
[20 marks]

6. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q17 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

1 7
Read Item K below and answer the question that follows.
Item K
Globalisation can lead to opportunities for some developing countries to start new
industries. It can also lead to changes in the ways people can support themselves and
their families.
Globalisation can bring about economic changes in developing countries.
Applying material from Item K, analyse two ways in which globalisation may bring about
economic changes in developing countries.
[10 marks]

7. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q18 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 8
Read Item L below and answer the question that follows.
Item L
According to some sociologists, aid is essential for development because it helps
countries reach take-off and industrialise.
However, other sociologists are critical of aid and point out that many countries
receiving aid have made little progress. Others argue that the real purpose of aid is to
ensure a free market system that creates underdevelopment.
Applying material from Item L and your knowledge, evaluate the view that aid is essential
for development.
[20 marks]

8. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q17 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

1 7
Read Item K below and answer the question that follows.
Item K
Many of the world’s least developed countries have been affected by war and conflict.
A war is likely to take up a considerable part of a state’s resources. Wars also increase
inequalities because many victims are from already disadvantaged groups.
Applying material from Item K, analyse two ways in which war and conflict may affect the
process of development.
[10 marks]

9. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q16 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 6
Outline and explain two ways in which aid may affect gender inequalities.
[10 marks]

10. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q16 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 6
Outline and explain two ways in which the process of development may affect people’s
health chances.
[10 marks]

11. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q17 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

1 7
Read Item K below and answer the question that follows.
Item K
Industrialisation involves a shift from agriculture to large-scale, capital-intensive
production of goods in factories. It changes the types of things that people consume
and how much they consume.
Industrialisation may affect the environment in a number of ways.
Applying material from Item K, analyse two ways in which industrialisation may affect the
environment.
[10 marks]

12. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q18 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 8
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Some writers argue that conflicts in poor countries are caused by a lack of
development and that this leads to frustration and desperation. Conflict in turn
further limits development. Some conflicts last for a long time, for example, the
conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo lasted for at least 20 years and
claimed millions of lives.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that conflicts in
poor countries are caused by a lack of development.
[20 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q18

2. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q16

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q16

3. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q17

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q17

4. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q17

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q17

5. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q18

6. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q17

Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q17

7. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q18

8. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q17

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q17

9. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q16

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q16

10. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q16

Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q16

11. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q17

Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q17

12. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme Specimen set 1 Paper 2 Q18