Exam 6: Social Stratification

Just after the economic recession of the 1990s, many cities tried to offset high unemployment rates by creating more jobs within the labour market. The changes in the occupational structure allowed more people to get jobs in factories and make a competitive wage. The changes in the structure of the economy that allowed for more job opportunities are known as which of the following?

Robert has worked hard and put in a lot of hours as a lawyer. Recently, his boss offered him partnership in the law firm where he works. Which of the following best describes Robert's status as a new partner in the law firm?

Canada, unlike Britain, does not have an aristocracy. What statement most accurately reflects Canada's social stratification picture, according to the text?

According to the text, what is the estimated poverty line for Canadians?

Neo-Marxists such as Eric Olin Wright argue that Marx's ideas about inequality cannot be updated to apply to the late-twentieth century.

Daniel has secured a job with his engineering degree and now makes $80,000 for 35 hours of work per week. Monica, however, is working in administration for 45 hours a week and makes only $25,000 per year. According to the text, this contrast is an example of which of the following terms?

In a meritocracy, everyone has an equal chance to compete for higher-status positions.

A young man from a humble inner-city background works part-time to get a good education, starts a high-tech company, earns millions of dollars, and buys the local NHL franchise, and later becomes a member of Canada's parliament. What term best explains why he was able to take this career path?

According to the text, which of the following would most accurately describe India's caste structure?

What prediction did Karl Marx make with his theory about social stratification in capitalist societies?

According to the text, what is the term for growth in white-collar occupations in industrial societies over the past half-century?

People in the middle of the economic hierarchy enjoy a better quality of life than those at the top.

In the past, women earned less than men, but today women and men earn similar amounts in Canada.

A lot of Canadians believe that we live in a meritocracy. Can you give historical and current examples that would challenge this taken-for-granted belief?

Fight Against Poverty (FAP) is an organization that obtained daily press coverage of poverty issues during the last federal election. The group was able to turn political debates into focused discussions about poverty by yelling out questions concerning living conditions, food banks, and wage freezes. How would Parkin explain FAP's success?

In a society where people are segregated through language, culture, and economics, those on the lower end of the social stratification are oppressed and refused the right for upward mobility. Which of the following terms best characterizes this type of stratification system?

According to the text, what type of employment has been increasing in Canada since the 1980s?

Identify and describe the four types of occupational mobility.

Why does the text argue that social stratification is the cornerstone of sociology? Why are descriptions of social structure that ignore the stratification system inadequate?

A female baby is born into a Hindu family, in the city of Pune, in the state of Maharashtra, India. What term is used by sociologists to describe the particular characteristics mentioned in the preceding sentence about this baby girl?