: AQA past-paper questions pack

Secularisation and the global spread of religion

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score	/ 210

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

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 3
Outline and explain two ways in which social groups may influence the process of
secularisation in today’s society.
[10 marks]

2. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 3
Outline and explain two ways in which social change may contribute to secularisation.
[10 marks]

3. June 2024 · 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
Globalisation refers to the increased interconnectedness of the world involving
technological and cultural changes. Postmodernists suggest that this has changed the
ways in which we interact with religious organisations, as well as allowing new types of
beliefs to emerge.
However, other sociologists disagree and believe that globalisation has resulted in the
rise of religious fundamentalism. It is also claimed that the process of globalisation has
led to the decline of religious belief in some areas.
Applying material from Item J and your knowledge, evaluate sociological views on the
relationship between religion and globalisation.
[20 marks]

4. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 3
Outline and explain two ways that globalisation may affect the functions of religion.
[10 marks]

5. June 2023 · 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
There are different sociological explanations of the relationship between ethnicity and
religious beliefs and practices. Some sociologists argue that religion plays an
important part in the lives of many minority ethnic groups, providing a mechanism for
cultural defence and cultural transition.
However, other sociologists argue that there has been a decline in the importance of
religion for most ethnic groups.
Applying material from Item J and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of
the relationship between ethnicity and religious beliefs and practices.
[20 marks]

6. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 3
Outline and explain two ways in which globalisation may have influenced religious
beliefs and practices of minority ethnic groups in the UK.
[10 marks]

7. June 2022 · 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
Defining religious belief and practice often creates problems. Some sociologists argue
that religion should be defined in terms of its belief in a higher power. However, others
argue that it should instead be defined in terms of the social role the belief system
plays.
Measuring religious belief and practice can also pose problems. Whilst many
individuals may claim to hold religious beliefs, the way they practise these beliefs may
be difficult for sociologists to measure.
Applying material from Item J and your knowledge, evaluate the problems that
sociologists may face when defining and measuring religious belief and practice.
[20 marks]

8. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 3
Outline and explain two ways that globalisation may have influenced the way in which
religion acts as a force for change.
[10 marks]

9. November 2021 · 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
Secularisation is the declining importance of religion. Some sociologists argue that
within the UK, religious beliefs and organisations are losing significance. Fewer people
are attending churches than ever before and there are smaller numbers of religious
ceremonies such as weddings.
However, others argue that religion is not losing importance. This only appears to be
the case because the way people interact with religion is changing over time.
Applying material from Item J and your knowledge, evaluate the view that the UK is
becoming increasingly secular.
[20 marks]

10. November 2020 · 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
Secularisation theory explains the decline in religious participation across parts of
Europe, but it does not explain why religion continues to be popular in other parts of
the world. It also fails to recognise that religion may be changing rather than declining.
The extent of secularisation may have been exaggerated.
Applying material from Item I, analyse two reasons why the extent of secularisation may
have been exaggerated.
[10 marks]

11. June 2019 · 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
Globalisation involves the spread of a worldview based on science and rationality. In
some places people have rejected this worldview and have revitalised religious
traditions.
Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in which globalisation may affect the
extent of secularisation.
[10 marks]

12. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q13 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

1 3
Outline and explain two ways in which globalisation may affect religious beliefs and
practices.
[10 marks]

13. 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]

14. June 2017 · 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
The development of modern society has been accompanied by a scientific approach
to understanding and controlling the world. Scientific explanations, based on
evidence and reason, have challenged religious explanations based on faith.
However, religion continues to play an important role in many people’s lives today.
Applying material from Item J and your knowledge, evaluate the view that science has a
greater influence than religion on people’s lives today.
[20 marks]

15. 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 · Q13

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q13

2. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q13

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q13

3. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q15

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q15

4. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q13

Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 2 Q13

5. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q15

Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 2 Q15

6. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q13

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q13

7. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q15

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q15

8. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q13

Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q13

9. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q15

Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q15

10. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q14

Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q14

11. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q14

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q14

12. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q13

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q13

13. June 2018 · Paper 2 · Q15

Mark scheme June 2018 Paper 2 Q15

14. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q15

Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q15

15. Specimen set 1 · Paper 2 · Q13

Mark scheme Specimen set 1 Paper 2 Q13