: AQA past-paper questions pack

Marriage, divorce, cohabitation and family diversity

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score	/ 342

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 · 35 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 · Q9 · 2 marks · AO2=2

0 9
Using one example, briefly explain why there has been a decline in marriage rates.
[2 marks]

4. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q10 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 0
Outline three reasons why lone parent families are more likely to be headed by a woman.
[6 marks]

5. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which family diversity may impact on the domestic
division of labour.
[10 marks]

6. June 2024 · 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
Some sociologists argue that there is growing family diversity in the UK today. They
argue that there are now more family types and structures. They also claim that these
changes bring greater individual choice.
However, some functionalist sociologists argue that there is limited evidence to support
family diversity. They suggest the conventional nuclear family is still the dominant
family type and the one that best fits society’s needs.
Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of
the nature and extent of family diversity in the UK today.
[20 marks]

7. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q8 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 8
Define the term ‘matrifocal family’.
[2 marks]

8. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q10 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 0
Outline three reasons why there has been an increase in cohabitation.
[6 marks]

9. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q4 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 4
Outline and explain two ways that social change may affect patterns of marriage.
[10 marks]

10. June 2023 · 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
Recent demographic changes in the UK include a declining birth rate, increased
immigration and an ageing population. Some sociologists, such as the New Right,
argue that these changes may have a negative impact on families and households as
they undermine the traditional nuclear family.
However, other sociologists, such as postmodernists, argue that these changes have
had a range of different impacts on families and households in the UK.
Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate sociological views on the
impact of demographic changes on families and households in the UK.
[20 marks]

11. June 2023 · 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
In common with many Western societies, the United Kingdom has an ageing
population. Rising life expectancy and a relatively low birth rate has meant that the
average age of the population is rising. This can have a positive impact and provide an
opportunity to reconsider the role of older people in families and wider society.
However, others point to the impact on families and wider society of older people no
longer being in paid work.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the impact of an ageing
population on families and wider society.
[20 marks]

12. June 2022 · 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
People have more choice than in the past over who they can be in a personal
relationship with. They also have more choices when a relationship ends.
This increased choice in personal life has affected family structures in the UK today.
Applying material from Item C, analyse two effects that increased choice in personal life
has on family structures in the UK today.
[10 marks]

13. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q8 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 8
Define the term ‘extended family’.
[2 marks]

14. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q10 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 0
Outline three possible effects the rise of dual-earner households has had on the family.
[6 marks]

15. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which an ageing population may affect family structure
and organisation.
[10 marks]

16. June 2022 · 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
Some sociologists argue that personal relationships now take on so many different
forms that traditional families are no longer the centre of peoples’ personal lives. The
friends we choose are an increasingly important source of personal relationships.
Furthermore, there is no longer such a thing as a typical family.
Other sociologists argue that these changes are exaggerated and that many aspects of
traditional families continue to be important for people.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that traditional
families are no longer the centre of peoples’ personal lives.
[20 marks]

17. 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]

18. 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]

19. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q4 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 4
Outline and explain two ways in which changing childbearing patterns may have
influenced gender roles and relationships within families and households.
[10 marks]

20. November 2020 · 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
Globalisation involves the growing inter-connectedness between countries through
increased travel opportunities. It enables more freedom of choice in terms of lifestyles
and personal relationships.
Globalisation may influence families and households.
Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways in which globalisation may influence
families and households.
[10 marks]

21. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q8 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 8
Define the term ‘beanpole family’.
[2 marks]

22. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which migration may affect household structures in the
UK.
[10 marks]

23. June 2019 · 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
Many marriages now end in divorce. This often creates lone-parent families and single-
person households. Serial monogamy has also become a common pattern, with many
divorced people remarrying.
Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways in which changing patterns of marriage
and divorce have affected the experience of childhood.
[10 marks]

24. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q10 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 0
Outline three reasons for the increase in one person households.
[6 marks]

25. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which changes in families and households have affected
the experience of childhood.
[10 marks]

26. June 2019 · 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
In recent years the UK has moved to a more diverse pattern of family arrangements.
Some sociologists would suggest that the changes in household structures and
relationships show that the traditional family has declined. For example,
postmodernists would argue that there is now more individual choice about
relationships.
However, other sociologists argue that these changes have been exaggerated.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that the growth of
diversity has led to a decline in the importance of the traditional nuclear family unit.
[20 marks]

27. 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]

28. June 2018 · 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
Postmodernist sociologists argue that individual choice is now more important to people
than their responsibilities to their family. As a result, people are choosing to live in a
variety of different ways and the idea of family is more difficult to define.
However, other sociologists argue that postmodernists overestimate the extent of
change in family life.
Applying material from Item D and your knowledge, evaluate the view that individual
choice in personal relationships has made family life less important in the United
Kingdom today.
[20 marks]

29. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which postmodernists argue that increased choice for
individuals has affected patterns of family life.
[10 marks]

30. June 2017 · 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 1950s, most immigrants into the United Kingdom came from Commonwealth
countries such as India and Jamaica. More recently, many immigrants have come
from European Union countries such as Poland. Many immigrants are young adults
seeking work.
These migration patterns have affected household structures.
Applying material from Item C, analyse two ways in which migration patterns have
affected household structures in the United Kingdom.
[10 marks]

31. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q8 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 8
Define the term ‘life course’.
[2 marks]

32. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q11 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 1
Outline and explain two ways in which changes in society may have affected family size.
[10 marks]

33. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q8 · 2 marks · AO1=2

0 8
Define the term ‘serial monogamy’.
[2 marks]

34. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q10 · 6 marks · AO1=6

1 0
Outline three reasons for women delaying childbirth.
[6 marks]

35. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q4 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 4
Outline and explain two ways in which women's involvement in paid work has
affected family structures.
[10 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q4

2. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q5

3. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q9

4. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q10

5. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

6. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q6

7. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q8

8. June 2024 · AS Paper 2 · Q10

9. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q4

10. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q6

11. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q12

12. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q5

13. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q8

14. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q10

15. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

16. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q12

17. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q4

18. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q5

19. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q4

20. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q5

21. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q8

22. November 2020 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

23. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q5

24. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q10

25. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

26. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q12

27. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q4

28. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q6

29. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

30. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q5

31. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q8

32. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q11

33. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q8

34. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q10

35. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q4