: AQA past-paper questions pack

Development, underdevelopment and global inequality (modernisation and dependency theory)

Past-paper questions pack

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Class
Date set
Date due
Score	/ 170

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 · 10 parts · mark schemes follow the questions · www.alevelsociologytutor.com · Questions and mark schemes © AQA

1. June 2025 · 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 developing countries have growing populations that are relatively young. More
people now emigrate from developing countries for employment opportunities.
Demographic changes may affect global inequality.
Applying material from Item K, analyse two ways that demographic changes may affect
global inequality.
[10 marks]

2. 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]

3. June 2024 · 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
There are gender differences in the experience of development and
underdevelopment. For example, the process of development often provides women
with more opportunities for education, better health and paid employment.
Early theories of development, such as modernisation theory, often saw gender issues
as unimportant. However, feminists have emphasised that gender is central to
development and underdevelopment.
Applying material from Item L and your knowledge, evaluate sociological views of gender
differences in the experience of development and underdevelopment.
[20 marks]

4. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q16 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

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

5. June 2023 · 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 theories of development and underdevelopment, such as modernisation theory
and dependency theory, tended to see development as economic growth measured by,
for example, Gross National Product and levels of poverty.
Others have argued that development should be seen as also involving a wider range
of changes, for example in health, gender equality and sustainability.
Applying material from Item L and your knowledge, evaluate the view that economic
measures alone do not give a satisfactory picture of development.
[20 marks]

6. 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]

7. November 2021 · 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 modernisation theorists, undeveloped countries should try to copy what
today’s developed countries did in the past. This will allow them to achieve economic
growth and ‘take off’ to a modernised economy and society.
However, others argue that this will lead to underdeveloped countries being unable to
escape from poverty.
Applying material from Item L and your knowledge, evaluate modernisation theory
explanations of development.
[20 marks]

8. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q16 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

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

9. June 2018 · 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
Dependency theory explanations of development and underdevelopment argue that
also argue that development is difficult to achieve within the existing capitalist world
system.
However, critics claim that dependency theory does not consider how countries may be
responsible for their own failure to develop.
Applying material from Item L and your knowledge, evaluate dependency theory
explanations of development and underdevelopment.
[20 marks]

10. 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 · Q17

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q17

2. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q18

3. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q18

4. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q16

Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 2 Q16

5. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 2 Q18

6. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q18

7. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q18

8. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q16

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q16

9. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q18

10. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q18

Mark scheme Specimen set 1 Paper 2 Q18