: AQA past-paper questions pack

The family, social structure, the economy and state policies

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score	/ 230

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

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q4 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 4
Outline and explain two ways in which social change may affect patterns of divorce.
[10 marks]

2. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
One aspect of family diversity is that there are now more single-parent families.
Family diversity also means that there has been an increase in the number of
same-sex families.
Family diversity may affect the functions of the family.
Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways that family diversity may affect the
functions of the family.
[10 marks]

3. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q12 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 2
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Marxists see social institutions as serving the interests of capitalism. They argue that
institutions such as the family help to maintain the system of class inequality and
exploitation. One way in which the family does this is by socialising children into
accepting hierarchies. The family is also an important market for consumer goods.
Alternatively, functionalists argue that the family performs vital functions for society.
For example, it benefits family members by offering mutual support and emotional
satisfaction.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the Marxist view that the
main role of the family is to serve the interests of capitalism.
[20 marks]

4. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
In the UK today, there are a range of social policies aimed at protecting vulnerable
groups. There are also social policies which impose age restrictions on certain
activities, such as paid employment.
It can be argued that social policies may have affected the status of children.
Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways that social policies may have affected
the status of children.
[10 marks]

5. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which changes in the organisation of paid work may
affect gender relationships within the family.
[10 marks]

6. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which government policies may have affected gender
roles in the family.
[10 marks]

7. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 6
Read Item D below and answer the question that follows.
Item D
Marxist sociologists argue that families continue to perform a key role in maintaining
capitalism. Families support the economy and play an important part in transmitting
ideology that helps to legitimise the capitalist system.
However, some sociologists argue that Marxists place too much importance on the role
of families in supporting capitalism and that families are beneficial to individuals and
society as a whole.
Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate Marxist explanations of the
role of families in society today.
[20 marks]

8. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q4 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 4
Outline and explain two ways in which the functions of the family may have been affected
by changes to its structure.
[10 marks]

9. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
In the UK, there has been an increase in divorce since the 1960s. There are also more
same sex couples than in the past.
Family diversity in the UK has been influenced by government policies.
Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways in which family diversity in the UK has
been influenced by government policies.
[10 marks]

10. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q10 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 0
Outline three functions of the family.
[6 marks]

11. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q4 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 4
Outline and explain two ways in which an ageing population may have led to policies that
affect families and households today.
[10 marks]

12. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 6
Read Item D below and answer the question that follows.
Item D
Feminist sociologists emphasise the harmful effects of the conventional nuclear family
on women. They see it as playing a role in the continuing oppression of women. This is
evident in areas such as domestic violence, paid employment and power.
Other sociologists reject this negative view of the family and argue that it is essential
for society.
Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate feminist explanations of the
role of the family in society today.
[20 marks]

13. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q4 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 4
Outline and explain two ways in which government policies may affect family structure.
[10 marks]

14. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q8 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 8
Define the term ‘primary socialisation’.
[2 marks]

15. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q12 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 2
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
From a functionalist perspective, government policies and laws support families in
performing their functions. For example, the provision of welfare services by the state.
However, from a New Right perspective, legislation such as changes to divorce laws
have undermined the traditional role of the family.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate sociological views on the
impact of government policies and laws on the role of the family.
[20 marks]

16. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 6
Read Item D below and answer the question that follows.
Item D
Functionalists believe the family has its own important role to play in helping society to
function effectively. In each type of society, one particular type of family will be the
norm. This family type will fit the needs both of its individual members and of society
as a whole.
Other sociologists believe that functionalists fail to consider ways in which families are
dysfunctional.
Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate functionalist explanations of
the role of the family in society.
[20 marks]

17. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q9 · 2 marks · AO2=2

0 9
Using one example, briefly explain how family life may be functional for adults.
[2 marks]

18. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which government policies may affect the experience
of childhood today.
[10 marks]

19. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q12 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 2
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Marxists see all social institutions as serving the interests of capitalism. They argue
that institutions such as the family help to maintain the system of class inequality
and exploitation.
Alternatively, functionalists argue that the family performs vital functions for the
whole of society. For example, family members benefit from the support and
emotional satisfaction that they give each other.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the contribution of
Marxist views to our understanding of the family.
[20 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q4

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q4

2. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q5

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q5

3. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q12

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q12

4. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q5

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q5

5. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q11

6. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 2 Q11

7. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q6

8. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q4

Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q4

9. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q5

Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q5

10. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q10

Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q10

11. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q4

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q4

12. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q6

13. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q4

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q4

14. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q8

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q8

15. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q12

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q12

16. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q6

Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q6

17. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q9

Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q9

18. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

Mark scheme June 2016 Paper 2 Q11

19. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q12

Mark scheme June 2016 Paper 2 Q12