Question 1

A student was asked to explain the relationship between access to economic resources and meritocracy. The following is her answer: "A person's access to economic resources in a capitalist economy shapes their social roles and social norms which has the potential to affect their opportunities for higher education which is linked to increased social advantage and rewards." How would you judge this student's answer?

Accepted Answer

A)  Excellent (the statement is correct, with a clear and correct assumption about the concept) 
B)  Good (the statement is correct, but the assumption about the concept is incorrect) 
C)  Mediocre (the statement is correct, but the assumptions about the concept are irrelevant) 
D)  Unacceptable (the statement is incorrect and the explanation is unclear and irrelevant) A

Question 2

How is relative poverty understood globally?

Accepted Answer

A)  In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered poor by Canadian standards would169)also be poor by global standards 
B)  In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered poor by Canadian standards would be well off by global standards. 
C)  In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered well-off by Canadian standards would be well off by global standards. 
D)  In terms of relative poverty, someone who would be considered well-off by Canadian standards would be poor by global standards. B

Question 3

Which of the following elements is not representative of the colonization of the First Nations Peopleby the British?

Accepted Answer

A)  Granting independence to the people 
B)  Exploitation of land and resources 
C)  Limited opportunities in education 
D)  Few economic resources A

Question 4

Which of the following statements about poverty is untrue?

Accepted Answer

A)  Worldwide poverty is distributed unequally 
B)  Poverty is a problem only in developing countries 
C)  Poverty is a worldwide problem 
D)  Worldwide poverty is distributed equally

Question 5

Which of the following is not considered an example of a mode of production?

Accepted Answer

A)  Capitalist 
B)  Feudal 
C)  Constitutional 
D)  Socialist

Question 6

Which of the following statements best explains the motivation for attending a post-secondary institution in a capitalist economy like Canada?

Accepted Answer

A) Canada as a meritocracy rewards those who work to improve themselves through education in terms of increased likelihood of upward social mobility, higher income, and social prestige. 
B)  As education is readily available in Canada everyone has an equal chance to earn an education and improve their social mobility, income and social prestige. 
C)  A post-secondary education earned in Canada ensures that individuals will have equal opportunity to access valuable economic and social resources and privilege. 
D)  Those in Canada with a post-secondary degree can expect to find white-collar jobs and enjoy higher incomes and the opportunity for upward social mobility.

Question 7

According to Karl Marx, the capitalist class owns the means of production. He referred to this class as the __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  proletariat 
B)  bourgeoisie 
C)  elite 
D)  conservatives

Question 8

Which of the following is not one of the elements of Marx's forces of production?

Accepted Answer

A)  An assembly line 
B)  Water 
C)  An owner 
D)  Computer software

Question 9

Which theorist would argue that the division between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is the key to stratification in capitalist societies?

Accepted Answer

A)  Durkheim 
B)  Weber 
C)  Marx 
D)  Suzuki

Question 10

The statement that "stratification ensures that much talent and ability in a society will not be developed"is based on the perspective of _____ sociological theory.

Accepted Answer

A)  symbolic interactionist 
B)  conflict 
C)  structural functionalist 
D)  feminist

Question 11

Which of the following statement is true of social inequality and social stratification in Canada?

Accepted Answer

A) All types of workers can expect to have the opportunity to earn higher incomes, hold a proportionate amount of the country's wealth and enjoy more prestige 
B)  Primary industry workers are more likely to earn higher incomes, hold a proportionate amount of the country's wealth while having little prestige 
C)  Blue-collar workers are more likely to earn lower incomes, hold a disproportionate amount of the country's wealth and have more opportunity for upward social mobility 
D)  White-collar workers can expect to earn higher incomes, hold a disproportionate amount of the country's wealth and enjoy more prestige

Question 12

What is the term Marx used to explain how work is organized around the tools and technology that is available for people to use in order to transform their environment?

Accepted Answer

A)  Social relations of production 
B)  Mode of production 
C)  Theory of production 
D)  Forces of production

Question 13

Which of the following statements about Marx and Weber's perspectives on class is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  For both Marx and Weber, the most important class distinction is between those who own property and those who do not. 
B)  Marx and Weber both focused on the relationship between economic processes and social structure. 
C)  Marx defined class based on economic position while Weber defined class based on social statusposition. 
D)  Marx believed that class was based on ownership of property while Weber believed that class was . based on wealth, prestige and status.

Question 14

___________ poverty is a floating standard of deprivation by which people at the bottom of a society, whatever their lifestyles, are judged to be disadvantaged in comparison with the nation as a whole

Accepted Answer

A)  Relative 
B)  Absolute 
C)  Structural 
D)  Extreme

Question 15

Which of the following is responsible for the global divide in wealth we now experience?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cultural bias 
B)  Social stratification 
C)  Colonialism 
D)  Industrial revolution

Question 16

The Marxist approach to the study of class stresses the importance of _____ as a determinant of social behaviour

Accepted Answer

A)  wealth 
B)  meritocracy 
C)  stratification 
D)  status groups

Question 17

Which of the following does not represent one of the reasons for white-collar workers being higher in demand than blue-collar and primary industry workers?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is an increased need for information-based workers. 
B)  There is a need for workers in the manufacturing sector. 
C)  There is an increased need for highly skilled and educated workers. 
D)  There is a need for skilled workers to be involved in organizations and government.

Question 18

According to Weber, what is the relationship between class and status?

Accepted Answer

A)  A person's status is generally derived from their social position. 
B)  There is no relationship between class and status. 
C)  Class is generally derived from a person's status position. 
D)  Class and status have essentially the same meaning.

Question 19

When sociologists discuss the effects of "class"in a society they are referring to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  How people behave 
B)  Economic resources 
C)  Social mobility 
D)  Educational status

Exam 9: Understanding Social Class and Inequality in Capitalist Societies