Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Karl Thompson
Practice short answer questions and answers for the education section of AQA AS Sociology Paper 1 (7191/1), Education with Methods in Context. These are my own practice questions, not AQA past paper questions, in the two short formats the original post used: “define” questions and “using one example, explain” questions.
For the structure of the whole AS paper, see my post on AQA AS Sociology Paper 1 (7191/1): Education and Methods in Context. If you’re taking the full A-level, the short questions are different: see 4 and 6 mark outline questions.
Examples of “define” questions (2 marks)
Question: Define the term “meritocracy”. (2 marks)
Answer: where an individual is rewarded on the basis of ability and effort – a fair system of reward.
Question: Define the term “the reproduction of class inequality”. (2 marks)
Answer: where social class differences in income, education and wealth are carried on from one generation to the next. For example, working-class children fail in education and go on to get working-class jobs, and vice versa for middle-class children.
Question: Define the term “neoliberalism”. (2 marks)
Answer: a theory that believes in societies being run according to market principles: the government should be as small as possible and keep out of the affairs of private enterprise (businesses).
Examples of “using one example, explain” questions (2 marks)
Question: Using one example, briefly explain what is meant by the term “role allocation”. (2 marks)
Answer: where individuals are sifted and sorted into appropriate jobs based on the qualifications they achieve. For example, someone passes a law degree to get a job as a lawyer.
Question: Using one example, briefly explain what is meant by the term “correspondence principle”. (2 marks)
Answer: where what pupils learn at school prepares them for their future exploitation at work. For example, pupils accept the authority of teachers at school, then accept the authority of managers at work.
Question: Using one example, briefly explain one way in which neoliberal ideas have influenced education policy. (2 marks)
Answer: the idea that businesses should play more of a role in running the education system. For example, the setting up of academies.
Signposting and Related Posts
This post has been written for students sitting AQA AS Sociology Paper 1, specification 7191/1.
- AQA AS Sociology Paper 1 (7191/1)
- Education key concepts: A–Z glossary
- Sociology of education: all topics
Please click here to return to the homepage – ReviseSociology.com