: AQA past-paper questions pack

Social mobility

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score	/ 90

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

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q22 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

2 2
Outline and explain two reasons why working class people may not be able to achieve
upward social mobility.
[10 marks]

2. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q24 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

2 4
Read Item P below and answer the question that follows.
Item P
For functionalists, social mobility shows that a society is open, and that people with the
right levels of talent and ability are allocated to appropriate occupational roles.
However, Marxists argue that those already high on the social scale are able to pass
on their advantages to their children, and that opportunities for upward mobility for
those lower down are limited.
Research suggests that social mobility in the UK has been low for the last 50 years.
Chances of social mobility are different for women compared to men, and some ethnic
groups have been more socially mobile than others.
Applying material from Item P and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of
the significance of social mobility in the UK.
[20 marks]

3. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q22 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

2 2
Outline and explain two ways in which an individual’s disability may affect their chances
of social mobility.
[10 marks]

4. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q22 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

2 2
Outline and explain two ways in which globalisation may affect social mobility.
[10 marks]

5. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q23 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

2 3
Read Item O below and answer the question that follows.
Item O
Members of higher social classes have resources that give them more opportunities
than those with fewer resources. Members of higher social classes also have the
ability to manipulate situations so that they and their families do not lose their
advantage.
Factors such as these may help members of higher social classes avoid downward
social mobility.
Applying material from Item O, analyse two factors that may help members of higher
social classes avoid downward social mobility.
[10 marks]

6. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q22 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

2 2
Outline and explain two factors which may lead to some members of the working class
achieving upward social mobility.
[10 marks]

7. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q22 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

2 2
Outline and explain two ways in which changes in the class structure may affect social
mobility.
[10 marks]

8. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q23 · 10 marks · AO1=3,AO2=4,AO3=3

2 3
Read Item O below and answer the question that follows.
Item O
Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals between social classes. In a
meritocratic society there is equal opportunity for all, and anyone can achieve social
mobility by working their way up the occupational ladder.
In practice, there may be factors that prevent women from being socially mobile.
Applying material from Item O, analyse two factors that may prevent women from being
socially mobile.
[10 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 2 · Q22

Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 2 Q22

2. June 2024 · Paper 2 · Q24

Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 2 Q24

3. June 2023 · Paper 2 · Q22

Mark scheme June 2023 Paper 2 Q22

4. June 2022 · Paper 2 · Q22

Mark scheme June 2022 Paper 2 Q22

5. November 2021 · Paper 2 · Q23

Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 2 Q23

6. November 2020 · Paper 2 · Q22

Mark scheme November 2020 Paper 2 Q22

7. June 2019 · Paper 2 · Q22

Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 2 Q22

8. June 2017 · Paper 2 · Q23

Mark scheme June 2017 Paper 2 Q23