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Religious organisations: churches, sects, cults and New Age movements

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score/ 80

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

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q14 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3
1 4 Read Item I below and answer the question that follows. Item I Denominations are based on traditional religious beliefs. They are formal organisations with a hierarchy of power. The characteristics of denominations are different from those of New Age movements. Applying material from Item I, analyse two differences between the characteristics of denominations and those of New Age movements. [10 marks]
2. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q14 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3
1 4 Read Item I below and answer the question that follows. Item I Social change can involve periods of increased poverty and higher numbers of people living in such conditions. Individuals may feel uncertainty in times of rapid social change. Social change may lead to the growth of sects. Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in which social change may lead to the growth of sects. [10 marks]
3. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q14 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3
1 4 Read Item I below and answer the question that follows. Item I Churches are generally seen as traditional and conservative in their beliefs. They also tend to have a strict hierarchy of power. The characteristics of churches are different from those of New Age movements. Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in which the characteristics of churches are different from those of New Age movements. [10 marks]
4. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2
1 3 Outline and explain two reasons why women are more likely than men to participate in New Age movements. [10 marks]
5. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q15 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6
1 5 Read Item J below and answer the question that follows. Item J Postmodernists argue that there has been an increase in spirituality in the United Kingdom. For example, there is increased interest in New Age activities such as yoga, meditation and crystal healing. However, theories of secularisation claim that traditional organised religion has declined, while science and rational thought have become more important. Applying material from Item J and your knowledge, evaluate the view that an increase in spirituality in the United Kingdom has compensated for the decline of organised religion. [20 marks]
6. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2
1 3 Outline and explain two reasons why sects tend to recruit members from particular social groups. [10 marks]
7. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2
1 3 Outline and explain two ways in which the growth of sects and New Age movements may be related to secularisation. [10 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q14
Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q14
2. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q14
Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q14
3. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q14
Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q14
4. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q13
Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q13
5. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q15
Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q15
6. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q13
Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q13
7. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q13
Mark scheme Specimen set 1 Paper 2 Q13