1. Past paper mini essay questions Paper 2 Topic 4 Social Inequality n.b. The reason there are two questions for each year before 2010 is that there used to be two sections in the old syllabus (Social Stratification and Poverty). These have been combined in the new syllabus.

2. June 2011 Paper 2 Either: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that there is still a working class in Britain. Or: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that the causes of poverty lie in the attitudes and the values of the poor themselves.

3. Jan 2011 Paper 2 Either: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that improving access to high-quality education is the most effective way to increase upward social mobility. Or: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that the growth of the underclass has led to an increasing number of social problems in Britain today.

4. 2011 Specimen exam paper 2 Either: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that ethnic inequality is the most important cause of social division in modern Britain. Or: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that children born into poverty will grow up to be poor throughout their lives.

5. Revision book Question 1 Either: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that modern Britain is a meritocratic society. Or: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that inequality based on ethnicity is a more significant cause of social division than social class in modern Britain.

6. Revision book Question 2 Either: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that Britain is now a classless society. Or: Discuss how far sociologists would agree that long term employment is the most significant cause of poverty in Britain today.

7. 2010 To what extent would sociologists agree that dependency on welfare benefits is the main reason why some individuals continue to stay in poverty?

8. 2010 To what extent would sociologists agree that ethnic group inequality is still a significant form of inequality in modern Britain?

9. 2009 To what extent would sociologists agree that the welfare state encourages people to stay in poverty?

10. 2009 To what extent would sociologists agree that, in Britain today, the social class someone is born into has a significant effect upon their life chances?

11. 2008 To what extent would sociologists agree that the welfare state has been successful in reducing poverty in Britain in the last 30 years?

12. 2008 To what extent would sociologists agree that social mobility has become more common in Britain over the last 50 years?

13. 2007 To what extent would sociologists agree that children born into poverty will grow up to be poor throughout their lives?

14. 2007 To what extent would sociologists agree that ethnic divisions are more important than class divisions in Britain today?

15. 2006 To what extent would sociologists agree that there is an underclass in Britain today?

16. 2006 To what extent would sociologists agree that unemployment is the main cause of poverty?

17. 2005 To what extent would sociologists agree that class inequality is the most important division in British society?

18. 2005 To what extent would sociologists agree that being able to depend on welfare benefits is the most important reason why some individuals continue to live in poverty?