Free Social Stratification MCQs with Answers
138 Social Stratification MCQs from Sociology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
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21. Which of these classification terms when in use would never have been used to describe for example Ghana in Africa ?
- A. developing
- B. global South
- C. majority world
- D. second WorldSearch Public Records
Explanation: Ghana may be described as part of the developing world, the Global South or the majority world. “Second World” traditionally referred to former socialist or communist countries, not Ghana.
Correct answer: second WorldSearch Public Records22. Which sociological perspective argues that stratification is universal, and that social inequality is necessary so that people will be motivated to fill socially important positions ?
- A. functionalist perspective
- B. conflict perspective
- C. interactionist perspective
- D. labelling perspectiveAccess Government Careers
Explanation: Functionalists argue that inequality is universal and helps motivate people to train for and perform positions considered important to society. Conflict theorists reject this as a justification for unequal rewards and emphasize the interests of dominant groups.
Correct answer: functionalist perspective23. Which of the following are viewed by sociologists as analytically distinct components of stratification ?
- A. conformity deviance and social control
- B. class status and power
- C. class caste and age
- D. class prestige and esteem
Explanation: Class, status, and power are analytically distinct dimensions of stratification: class concerns economic resources, status concerns social honour or prestige, and power concerns the ability to influence decisions. The other choices mix dimensions or include categories that are not the standard trio.
Correct answer: class status and power24. The caste system is generally associated with______________?
- A. Hinduism
- B. Islam
- C. Judaism
- D. Buddhism
Explanation: The caste system is most strongly associated with Hindu society, where birth traditionally determines hereditary social rank and permitted social relations. Although caste-like divisions can occur elsewhere, Hinduism is the standard sociological association.
Correct answer: Hinduism25. The middle classes that developed over the nineteenth century were_____________?
- A. an urban set involved in civic bodies and voluntary associations
- B. too diverse to have a strong sense of class consciousness
- C. often involved in white collar work
- D. all of the aboveTry Prep Courses
Explanation: Nineteenth-century middle classes were commonly urban, active in civic and voluntary organisations, involved in white-collar work, and internally diverse enough to lack a single strong class consciousness. Therefore all three descriptions apply.
Correct answer: all of the aboveTry Prep Courses26. Traditional working-class identity was based around_________________?
- A. shared working conditions in the manufacturing industry
- B. the class consciousness of members of the proletariat
- C. local communities extended kinship networks and shared leisure pursuits
- D. collective aspirations to move into the middle class
Explanation: Traditional working-class identity was often rooted in neighbourhood life, extended kinship, and shared leisure, rather than only in factory conditions or an abstract proletarian consciousness. These local ties helped create everyday solidarity.
Correct answer: local communities extended kinship networks and shared leisure pursuits27. A system of stratification where positions are partly achieved, and mobility is common is one based on ?
- A. slavery
- B. caste
- C. class
- D. status
Explanation: A class system is relatively open: social positions may be achieved through education, occupation or income, and movement between classes is possible. Caste and slavery are more closed systems with limited mobility.
Correct answer: class28. Which of these statements does not reflect the conventional position in class analysis ?
- A. class inequalities govern gender stratification
- B. women's pay is often essential to the family's economic position
- C. women's paid work is not as significant as that of men
- D. women should be seen as being the same class as their husbands/partners
Explanation: Conventional class analysis has often treated women's paid work as secondary or less significant than men's, although feminist analysis challenges this view. Women's earnings may nevertheless be essential to household survival.
Correct answer: women's pay is often essential to the family's economic position29. Pierre Bourdieu,s theoretical perspective makes use of the concept of capital Which of the following is not part of his scheme ?
- A. political
- B. economic capital
- C. social capital
- D. cultural capitalAccess Government Careers
Explanation: Bourdieu identified economic, social and cultural capital, along with symbolic forms of capital in his broader framework. Political capital is not normally included among the core forms listed in this scheme.
Correct answer: political30. Which of the following social groups do occupational class schemes not have difficulty accommodating ?
- A. students
- B. manual working class
- C. the unemployed
- D. retired people
Explanation: Occupational class schemes classify people through their jobs, so they readily place manual workers in a working-class category. They have greater difficulty classifying students, unemployed people and retirees who lack a current occupation.
Correct answer: manual working class