A Level Sociology AQA paper 2
A Level Sociology AQA paper 2 Practice
Exam 2026 Edition 100 Advanced Questions
with Answers and Detailed Rationales
Part 1: Questions 1–25 (Advanced A/A* Level)
Topics Covered
Families and Households
Beliefs in Society
Each multiple-choice question has one best answer, followed by the correct answer and a
detailed rationale.
Families and Households
Question 1
A sociologist argues that increasing life expectancy has transformed family structures by creating
more vertically extended families.
Which concept best describes this trend?
A. Family diversity
B. Beanpole family
C. Symmetrical family
D. Patriarchal family
Answer: B
Rationale
A beanpole family is characterized by several generations living simultaneously while each
generation contains relatively few members because of declining fertility rates and increased
longevity. This results in long, thin family structures.
, A Level Sociology AQA paper 2
Question 2
According to functionalist theory, the primary function of the modern nuclear family is:
A. Reproducing capitalist inequality
B. Maintaining patriarchal control
C. Primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities
D. Reinforcing religious ideology
Answer: C
Rationale
Parsons argued that the isolated nuclear family performs two essential functions:
Primary socialisation of children.
Stabilisation of adult personalities through emotional support.
The other options reflect Marxist or feminist perspectives.
Question 3
Young and Willmott argued that the emergence of the symmetrical family resulted mainly from:
A. Increased religious participation
B. Industrialisation reducing kinship ties
C. Improved living standards, geographical mobility and women's employment
D. Government welfare policies alone
Answer: C
Rationale
Young and Willmott suggested that rising affluence, new technology, geographic mobility and
increasing female employment contributed to more equal relationships within families.
, A Level Sociology AQA paper 2
Question 4
Which sociologist argued that childhood is a socially constructed concept?
A. Parsons
B. Aries
C. Durkheim
D. Murray
Answer: B
Rationale
Philippe Aries argued that childhood did not always exist as a distinct life stage and developed
historically through changes in education, family life and social attitudes.
Question 5
A New Right sociologist would most likely argue that lone-parent families:
A. Promote social equality
B. Are equally effective as nuclear families
C. Contribute to welfare dependency and social problems
D. Represent postmodern diversity
Answer: C
Rationale
Charles Murray argued that welfare dependency encourages family breakdown and weakens
socialisation.
Question 6
Which sociologist introduced the concept of the "risk society"?
, A Level Sociology AQA paper 2
A. Beck
B. Parsons
C. Marx
D. Durkheim
Answer: A
Rationale
Ulrich Beck argued that modern individuals increasingly negotiate personal relationships amid
uncertainty, leading to greater family diversity.
Question 7
Feminists criticise Parsons because his view:
A. Overestimates class conflict
B. Ignores gender inequality within families
C. Rejects industrialisation
D. Underestimates secularisation
Answer: B
Rationale
Feminists argue Parsons idealised family life while overlooking unequal domestic labour,
patriarchy and domestic violence.
Question 8
Which study introduced the concept of "triple shift"?
A. Young and Willmott
B. Oakley
A Level Sociology AQA paper 2 Practice
Exam 2026 Edition 100 Advanced Questions
with Answers and Detailed Rationales
Part 1: Questions 1–25 (Advanced A/A* Level)
Topics Covered
Families and Households
Beliefs in Society
Each multiple-choice question has one best answer, followed by the correct answer and a
detailed rationale.
Families and Households
Question 1
A sociologist argues that increasing life expectancy has transformed family structures by creating
more vertically extended families.
Which concept best describes this trend?
A. Family diversity
B. Beanpole family
C. Symmetrical family
D. Patriarchal family
Answer: B
Rationale
A beanpole family is characterized by several generations living simultaneously while each
generation contains relatively few members because of declining fertility rates and increased
longevity. This results in long, thin family structures.
, A Level Sociology AQA paper 2
Question 2
According to functionalist theory, the primary function of the modern nuclear family is:
A. Reproducing capitalist inequality
B. Maintaining patriarchal control
C. Primary socialisation and stabilisation of adult personalities
D. Reinforcing religious ideology
Answer: C
Rationale
Parsons argued that the isolated nuclear family performs two essential functions:
Primary socialisation of children.
Stabilisation of adult personalities through emotional support.
The other options reflect Marxist or feminist perspectives.
Question 3
Young and Willmott argued that the emergence of the symmetrical family resulted mainly from:
A. Increased religious participation
B. Industrialisation reducing kinship ties
C. Improved living standards, geographical mobility and women's employment
D. Government welfare policies alone
Answer: C
Rationale
Young and Willmott suggested that rising affluence, new technology, geographic mobility and
increasing female employment contributed to more equal relationships within families.
, A Level Sociology AQA paper 2
Question 4
Which sociologist argued that childhood is a socially constructed concept?
A. Parsons
B. Aries
C. Durkheim
D. Murray
Answer: B
Rationale
Philippe Aries argued that childhood did not always exist as a distinct life stage and developed
historically through changes in education, family life and social attitudes.
Question 5
A New Right sociologist would most likely argue that lone-parent families:
A. Promote social equality
B. Are equally effective as nuclear families
C. Contribute to welfare dependency and social problems
D. Represent postmodern diversity
Answer: C
Rationale
Charles Murray argued that welfare dependency encourages family breakdown and weakens
socialisation.
Question 6
Which sociologist introduced the concept of the "risk society"?
, A Level Sociology AQA paper 2
A. Beck
B. Parsons
C. Marx
D. Durkheim
Answer: A
Rationale
Ulrich Beck argued that modern individuals increasingly negotiate personal relationships amid
uncertainty, leading to greater family diversity.
Question 7
Feminists criticise Parsons because his view:
A. Overestimates class conflict
B. Ignores gender inequality within families
C. Rejects industrialisation
D. Underestimates secularisation
Answer: B
Rationale
Feminists argue Parsons idealised family life while overlooking unequal domestic labour,
patriarchy and domestic violence.
Question 8
Which study introduced the concept of "triple shift"?
A. Young and Willmott
B. Oakley
