: AQA past-paper questions pack

Health inequalities by class, gender, ethnicity and region

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score	/ 258

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

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q7 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 7
Outline and explain two ways in which the role of medicine affects the social distribution
of health chances.
[10 marks]

2. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q13 · 2 marks · AO1=2

1 3
Define the term ‘diseases of affluence’.
[2 marks]

3. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q16 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 6
Outline and explain two reasons why there may be social class differences in the take up
of advice to prevent illness or disease.
[10 marks]

4. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q8 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 8
Read Item E below and answer the question that follows.
Item E
Men are more likely to be in full-time employment than women. Women are socialised
into performing a caring role which prioritises family life.
There are gender differences in health chances.
Applying material from Item E, analyse two reasons for gender differences in health
chances.
[10 marks]

5. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q17 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 7
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
According to cultural and behavioural explanations for inequalities in health and illness
in society, different social groups behave differently. These behavioural differences
are due to cultural variations between social groups, for example in attitudes to
smoking or diet.
Other explanations focus on the structure of society. Poverty and inequality are viewed
as the key factors in explaining the inequalities in health and illness in society.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate cultural and behavioural
explanations for inequalities in health and illness in society.
[20 marks]

6. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q7 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 7
Outline and explain two ways in which the globalised health industry may affect health
chances in the UK.
[10 marks]

7. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q15 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 5
Outline three cultural factors that may explain social class differences in health chances.
[6 marks]

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

1 6
Outline and explain two ways in which gender patterns of health may be affected by
gender differences in accessing health care from medical professionals.
[10 marks]

9. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q15 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 5
Outline three reasons that may explain ethnic differences in health chances.
[6 marks]

10. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q9 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 9
Read Item F below and answer the question that follows.
Item F
Some ethnic groups in the UK are at a greater risk of illness and early death than
others. There are various explanations for these differences. Many sociologists
believe language barriers and cultural values are the main causes of inequalities in
health and illness between ethnic groups.
However, other sociologists suggest the differences between ethnic groups are a
consequence of racism in society or of their positions in the class structure.
Applying material from Item F and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of
differences in health and illness between ethnic groups in the UK.
[20 marks]

11. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q8 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 8
Read Item E below and answer the question that follows.
Item E
Black and other minority ethnic groups in the UK are more likely than the majority to
experience low incomes and live in disadvantaged areas. The cultural values of these
groups often prioritise support from the family and community rather than outside
support.
There are inequalities between ethnic groups in their health chances.
Applying material from Item E, analyse two reasons for inequalities between ethnic
groups in their health chances.
[10 marks]

12. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q14 · 2 marks · AO2=2

1 4
Using one example, briefly explain why there are regional differences in health chances
across the UK.
[2 marks]

13. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q17 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 7
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
There are gender differences in patterns of mortality and morbidity. Some sociologists
have explained these different health chances by focusing on male and female gender
roles. They suggest that the social expectations of men and women help produce
these patterns.
However, other sociologists suggest that social class in combination with gender is the
main determining factor in explaining the differences in health chances.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations for
gender differences in health chances.
[20 marks]

14. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q9 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 9
Read Item F below and answer the question that follows.
Item F
There are gender differences in people’s experiences of both health chances and
health care. Some feminist sociologists explain these by referring to women’s position
in society and the patriarchal nature of mainstream medicine.
However, women’s death rates at all ages are lower than men’s.
Applying material from Item F and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of
gender differences in both health chances and health care.
[20 marks]

15. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q13 · 2 marks · AO1=2

1 3
Define the term ‘mortality rate’.
[2 marks]

16. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q17 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 7
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Research has shown that there are important differences in health chances based on
ethnicity. This may be due to a range of factors which include material and cultural
differences as well as racism and discrimination.
However, some sociologists argue that factors such as class, gender and age are also
important in shaping health chances. There are significant differences in health
chances within a range of minority ethnic groups.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations for
ethnic differences in health chances.
[20 marks]

17. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q9 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 9
Read Item F below and answer the question that follows.
Item F
Statistics show that there are considerable differences in health chances between
social classes. Sociologists have put forward a range of explanations for these
differences. One view is that these differences in health chances are mainly the result
of cultural factors such as attitudes to risk and values relating to diet and exercise.
However, other sociologists argue that material factors are more important.
Applying material from Item F and your knowledge, evaluate the view that social class
differences in health chances are the result of cultural factors.
[20 marks]

18. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q15 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 5
Outline three reasons for geographical differences in life expectancy across the United
Kingdom.
[6 marks]

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

1 6
Outline and explain two ways in which differences in accessing health care may explain
ethnic differences in health chances.
[10 marks]

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

1 6
Outline and explain two reasons why some age groups are more likely than others to
consult their doctor.
[10 marks]

21. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q17 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

1 7
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Working-class people are at a greater risk of illness and early death than middle-
class people. Materialist explanations see the unequal structure of society as the
underlying cause of these social class inequalities in health.
However, some sociologists argue that cultural and behavioural differences are
more important.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate materialist explanations for
social class inequalities in health.
[20 marks]

22. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q13 · 2 marks · AO1=2

1 3
Define the term ‘health chances’.
[2 marks]

23. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q14 · 2 marks · AO2=2

1 4
Using one example, briefly explain how the movement of people between countries
may affect the patterns of health and illness in the United Kingdom.
[2 marks]

24. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q8 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

0 8
Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Item A
Working-class people make less use of health care services in relation to their
level of ill-health than do middle-class people. For example, middle-class patients
have longer consultations with their GP. One study showed that they are more
likely to be referred for hospital tests for heart disease. Similarly, there are class
differences in the use of preventative care such as vaccinations and dental check-
ups.
Applying material from Item A, analyse two reasons for social class differences in
the use of health care provision.
[10 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q7

2. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q13

3. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q16

4. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q8

5. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q17

6. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q7

7. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q15

8. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q16

9. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q15

10. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q9

11. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q8

12. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q14

13. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q17

14. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q9

15. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q13

16. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q17

17. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q9

18. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q15

19. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q16

20. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q16

21. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q17

22. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q13

23. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q14

24. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q8