Past Exam Questions: November 'Education'

Unit 5: Education

Oct/Nov 2002

1. (a) Describe the effects of poverty on educational achievement.

(b) ‘The role of education is to legitimize inequality’. Assess this view.

2. (a) Describe, with examples, the types of pupil subcultures that can be found in schools

(b) ‘Factors within schools are the main influence on educational achievement’. Assess this view.

Oct/Nov 2003

1. (a) What are the major influences on female education?

(b) Evaluate the proposition that the educational achievements of females are based on their socialization.

2. (a) Describe the role of two different education systems with which you are familiar.

(b) Evaluate the proposition that education systems disproportionately benefit the most powerful in society.

Oct/Nov 2004

1. (a) Describe, with examples, how education may lead to social mobility (9)

(b) Evaluate the view that education helps maintain ruling class domination (16)

2. (a) Describe, with examples, the ways in which cultural background may limit the educational achievements of some pupils. (9)

(b) Evaluate the extent to which factors within schools may influence educational outcomes.

Oct/Nov 2005

1. (a) Describe the ways in which schools can help form of a pupil’s identity (9)

(b) Evaluate the importance of factors outside of school in influencing pupils’ educational achievements (16)

2. (a) Describe, with examples the way in which the hidden curriculum operates within schools. (b) ‘The most influential factor in determining a pupil’s educational achievement is their school sub-culture’. Assess this statement. (16)

Oct/Nov 2006

1. (a) Describe, with two examples, what is meant by cultural deprivation in the context of education. (9)

(b) Evaluate the claim that ethnicity is the most significant factor in determining educational achievements in modern industrial societies. (16)

2. (a) Describe, with two examples, what is meant by pupil sub-culture (9)

(b) ‘In modern industrial societies the groups who control knowledge determine which pupils will achieve academic success.’ Assess this view. (16)

Oct/Nov 2007

1. (a) (i) Define the term cultural capital. (3)

(ii) Identify and briefly describe two examples of cultural capital in relation to education.

(b) Evaluate the view that the most significant influence on educational achievement is social class. (16)

2. (a) (i) Define the term hidden curriculum (3)

(ii) Identify and briefly describe two examples of the way the hidden curriculum can influence educational achievements. (6)

(b) Evaluate the claim that girls are disadvantaged in the education system in modern industrial societies. (16)

Oct/Nov 2008

1. (a) (i) Define the term meritocracy. (3)

(ii) Identify and briefly two examples of meritocratic education systems. (6)

(b) Evaluate the claim that education is the key to social advancement

2. (a) (i) Define the term hidden curriculum. (3)

(ii) Identify and briefly describe two examples of the way in which the hidden curriculum operates. (6)

(b) Evaluate the claim that those who control the curriculum determine who will achieve educational success.