CAIE
Sociology
(9699)
2025
May/June Paper 32
Questions & Answers
Q1.
Short Answer
4 marks
Describe two ways schools can be seen as feminised.
Model Answer:
Schools can be seen as feminised because they may reward traits such as obedience, neatness, and cooperation, which are often associated with femininity.
Explanation: One valid way schools may be feminised is through the emphasis on behaviour and qualities linked to femininity.
Model Answer:
Schools can be seen as feminised because the curriculum, teaching styles, or school culture may favour girls' ways of learning and communication over boys'.
Explanation: Another valid way is that school practices may be structured in ways that advantage girls or feminine norms.
Q2.
Short Answer
8 marks
Explain two ways racism can affect attainment in schools.
Model Answer:
Racism can lower attainment through teacher labelling and expectations, where minority ethnic pupils are seen as less able or more disruptive, leading to less encouragement and fewer opportunities.
Explanation: Negative labelling can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and reduce achievement.
Model Answer:
Racism can affect attainment through institutional discrimination, such as biased disciplinary practices, streaming, or exclusion, which can limit access to higher sets and qualifications.
Explanation: Institutional racism can directly reduce educational opportunities and outcomes.
Q3.
Structured
12 marks
'IQ tests are a fair measure of educational ability.' Using sociological material, give two arguments against this view.
Model Answer:
IQ tests are culturally biased and may reflect the language, values, and experiences of the dominant culture rather than true educational ability.
Explanation: A common sociological criticism is that IQ tests do not measure ability fairly across different social and cultural groups.
Model Answer:
IQ tests measure only a narrow range of abilities and ignore other important forms of intelligence, such as creativity, practical skills, and emotional intelligence.
Explanation: This argues that IQ tests are not a full or fair measure of educational potential.
Q4.
Essay
26 marks
Evaluate the view that education contributes to value consensus.
Model Answer:
Education may contribute to value consensus by transmitting shared norms, values, and beliefs through the hidden curriculum, national curriculum, and socialisation into common standards of behaviour.
Explanation: This supports the view by showing how education can promote shared values.
Model Answer:
Functionalists argue that education creates social solidarity by teaching a common culture and preparing individuals to cooperate in wider society.
Explanation: Functionalist theory is a key argument for education contributing to value consensus.
Model Answer:
However, education may not create value consensus because different social groups experience schooling differently, and the curriculum may reflect the values of dominant groups rather than society as a whole.
Explanation: This challenges the view by suggesting education can reproduce inequality and conflict rather than consensus.
Model Answer:
Marxists and feminists argue that education can promote ruling-class or patriarchal values, meaning it may create false consensus rather than genuine shared agreement.
Explanation: This evaluation point shows that apparent consensus may mask domination by powerful groups.