Question 1

In this type of system, people know exactly where they fit in and there is little to no room for social mobility. For example, some members of this system will face legal barriers if they attempt to enter into Indian politics.

Accepted Answer

A)  socialist system 
B)  capitalist system 
C)  caste system 
D)  meritocratic system

Question 2

In what ways do ascribed statuses continue to limit opportunities for many Canadians?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways do ascribed statuses continue...

Question 3

What is an ascribed status?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is about social promotion and rites of passage. 
B)  It refers to personal factors that are chosen or earned. 
C)  It is attained by virtue of how well a person performs. 
D)  It is connected to people's race, gender, and age.

Question 4

According to the text, which of the following is a statement about the current conditions of Canada's poor?

Accepted Answer

A)  The largest percentage of poor people are white, urban Canadians. 
B)  Aboriginal Canadians are among the poorest members of Canadian society. 
C)  More of Canada's working poor live in subsidized housing than previously. 
D)  Aboriginal Canadians living in the city are better off than the white urban poor.

Question 5

The Smith family has a monthly income of $2000, of which they spend $1300, or 65 percent of their income, on food, rent, home heating, and electricity. According to Stats Canada, the Smith family is characterized as living in poverty based on which of the following measures?

Accepted Answer

A)  absolute measure 
B)  low-income cutoff measure 
C)  market basket measure 
D)  social welfare measure

Question 6

Salina bought a clothing factory, upgraded the sewing machines, and purchased higher-quality cloth to make high-fashion clothing. What would Marx say she invested in?

Accepted Answer

A)  the mode of production 
B)  the means of production 
C)  both the mode and means of production 
D)  the relations of production

Question 7

Using the theories and concepts given in the text, assess why it is that daycare workers are often paid less than garbage collectors. Do we value our garbage more than our children?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the theories and concepts given in...

Question 8

What do studies of poverty in Canada show?

Accepted Answer

A)  Compared to several decades ago, youth are now a smaller proportion of the poor. 
B)  Among Canadians below the poverty line, single men are poorer than single women. 
C)  Compared to decades ago, working poor are now a larger proportion of the poor. 
D)  One in four Canadians can expect to be living above the poverty line in the future.

Question 9

Which of the following social classes did Karl Marx predict would eventually disappear within the capitalist system?

Accepted Answer

A)  petite bourgeoisie 
B)  expert managers 
C)  bourgeoisie 
D)  proletariat

Question 10

Janice Jardine works as a cashier at the SuperGrocer in Jasper, Alberta, and earns about $20,000 a year. Janice has a low income, no savings in the bank, and owns no property. According to Karl Marx, what term best identifies the kind of inequality she is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

A)  material inequality 
B)  wealth inequality 
C)  social inequality 
D)  income inequality

Question 11

Which of the following summarizes Davis and Moore's functional theory of stratification?

Accepted Answer

A)  It states that social inequality is both inevitable and operationally necessary for society. 
B)  It denies the principle of meritocracy and downplays achievement as a mobility factor. 
C)  It emphasizes that status and prestige are also important factors in social stratification. 
D)  It is based on class struggle and the conflict between rich and poor classes in society.

Question 12

Joe is a plant manager in a large paint-production facility who feels superior to his subordinates, even though he makes far less than the other managers in the plant. The other managers founded and own part of the business. Joe did not. What term best classifies his position in this workplace's status hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

A)  employee 
B)  proletarian 
C)  exploited employee 
D)  contradictory class location

Question 13

In the Catholic church, ordained priests all start their clerical careers at the same place; however, rising through the ranks is a competitive process based upon achievement. What kind of promotional structure is represented here?

Accepted Answer

A)  good works 
B)  competency 
C)  meritocracy 
D)  self-sacrifice

Question 14

Judy is a single mother who works two jobs, but every month she must choose between paying the electric bill and buying food. Which term best classifies Judy's kind of poverty?

Accepted Answer

A)  capitalist pauper 
B)  relative poverty 
C)  working poor 
D)  absolute poverty

Question 15

What are the two major components making up Marx's concept of the mode of production?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the two major components making...

Question 16

Low-income cutoffs are calculated for communities of various sizes and for families of various sizes within those communities.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

At a shirt-making factory, the cost of materials per shirt was $2.00 and the labour per shirt was $3.00. The factory sold the shirt for $12.00. What was the surplus value of each shirt?

Accepted Answer

A)  $2.00 
B)  $3.00 
C)  $7.00 
D)  $12.00

Question 18

What term is used to refer to movement up or down the stratification system?

Accepted Answer

A)  exchange mobility 
B)  circulatory mobility 
C)  horizontal mobility 
D)  social mobility

Question 19

Which of the following two status sets would describe (in order) a female who is also a nurse?

Accepted Answer

A)  achieved status; ascribed status 
B)  informal status; formal status 
C)  formal status; informal status 
D)  ascribed status; achieved status

Question 20

A man exchanges his labour for a wage, producing some product that the capitalist sells at a price far exceeding the wage paid. What is the Marxist term used to describe what's left over after deducting the man's wage and other expenses from the sale price of the product?

Accepted Answer

A)  commission 
B)  capital gains 
C)  surplus value 
D)  share value

Exam 6: Social Stratification