Answering 4-Mark Questions (AQA GCSE Sociology)

Here is an example of a 4-mark question with an item requiring the application of sociological concepts:

From Item B, identify and describe one way in which Zaretsky saw the family as benefiting capitalist society, including what you know of his perspective on the family.

[4 marks]

Model Answer:

Identify the factor in the context of the question:

• One way Zaretsky saw the family as benefiting capitalism is by arguing the family was a unit of consumption

Elaborate in the context of the question:

• This is because families buy and consume the products of the capitalist economy and enable the bourgeoise to make profits. For instance, children are frequently the target of advertising, which encourages them to put pressure on their parents to buy expensive items. Zaretsky wrote from a Marxist perspective and was critical of the nuclear family as it has become a prop to the capitalist economy

Level 4 response: 4 marks

Marking Commentary:

This response is in the top band (Level 4) because it identifies a factor that explains Zaretsky's view of the family ('unit of consumption'), and the answer is well developed as it expands upon the meaning of 'unit of consumption' with an example (children as targets for advertisers). There are clear links between concepts (the family), key terms (the nuclear family), and a sociological approach (Marxist perspective).

Here is an example of a 4-mark question with an item requiring the interpretation of data:

Identify and explain one factor which might account for the gender differences in subject choice shown in Item C.

[4 marks]

Model Answer:

Identify the factor in the context of the question:

• One factor that could explain different subject choices is primary socialisation

Elaborate in the context of the question:

• Parents may have encouraged children to engage in gender-appropriate activities. E.g. boys may be given mechanical toys and encouraged to take an interest in science, whereas girls may be encouraged to read more and to spend time on creative activities. This may account for girls developing better literacy, leading them to eventually choose English literature at A level. Meanwhile, boys will have developed an interest in STEM subjects, leading them to choose physics and computing at A level

Level 4 response: 4 marks

Marking Commentary:

This response is in the top band (Level 4) because it identifies a factor that can explain gender differences in subject choice ('primary socialisation'), and the answer is well developed with examples and reference to the context (gender differences in subject choice). This is then clearly linked back to the item (more girls entered for English literature A level; more boys entered for physics and computing).

Here is an example of a 4-mark question with an item requiring the interpretation of data:

Describe the type of statistical data shown in Item A. Identify the trend shown by the data and explain one factor which may account for this trend.

[4 marks]

Model Answer:

Describe the type of data in the context of the question:

• Official statistics showing the number of cohabiting couple families in the UK [1 mark]

Identify the trend shown in the item:

• The trend is increasing [1 mark]

Explain one factor that accounts for the trend in the context of the question:

• This could be due to changing social attitudes, as cohabitation nowadays is seen as more socially acceptable within some social groups than it was in the past [2 marks]

Level 4 response: 4 marks

Commentary:

This response is in the top band (Level 4) because it describes the type of data shown in the item in the context of cohabiting couples ('official statistics showing...'). The trend is identified as 'increasing' and one factor to explain this trend is well developed with reference to the context (changing social attitudes making cohabitation more socially acceptable).

Carefully read the item and highlight or underline the most important information within it.

To achieve full marks:

• Use the information in the item in your response

• Give a detailed answer that includes a well-supported explanation and has a clear link to the context of the question

• Link your answer to a researcher and/or an approach where possible

• Use sociological terminology

  • e.g., use the terms valid, reliable or representative rather than 'accurate' or 'flawed'

Do not simply copy out sections of information in the item, as you will not earn any marks.