Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many Canadians believe that we live in...

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

For her class presentation,Janessa decided to discuss Marx's theory of social change with particular emphasis given to the force that drives it.What will Janessa focus on?

Accepted Answer

A)  economic inequality 
B)  the petite bourgeoisie 
C)  class conflict 
D)  wealth accumulation

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Which statement is a criticism of Davis and Moore's theory of stratification?

Accepted Answer

A)  The theory does not explain why women are taking over very important jobs. 
B)  There are too many incompetent people in highly important occupations. 
C)  The theory does not explain how incompetent people tend to get promoted. 
D)  Many highly rewarded positions are not always the most functionally important.

Question 6

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,the 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 7

Critically discuss the following statement: "Social inequality in Canada is not a serious problem and,consequently,the government should not try to do anything about it."

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The answer of Critically discuss the following statement: "Social inequality...

Question 8

Even though she was born the daughter of a grocer,Margaret Thatcher went on to become the prime minister of England.When describing this achievement,what could you say about the British society?

Accepted Answer

A)  It allows for exchange mobility. 
B)  It demonstrates an acceptance of circulatory mobility. 
C)  It promotes horizontal mobility. 
D)  It has a considerable degree of social mobility.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A)  sector-shift mobility 
B)  circulatory mobility 
C)  structural mobility 
D)  exchange mobility

Question 10

According to the text,what lies at the root of capitalism's concept of surplus value?

Accepted Answer

A)  The values of expert craftsmen ensure the production of commodities with great quality. 
B)  Surplus is the amount of money left over after a worker has paid the bills. 
C)  The value of items produced by workers exceeds the cost of material and wages. 
D)  Elegant furniture composed of many parts is more valuable than simpler products.

Question 11

Madison comes from a poor,working-class family.However,she worked hard,got good grades,and landed a great job.She is now considered middle class.Which term best characterizes the type of stratification system that Madison experienced?

Accepted Answer

A)  open 
B)  mixed 
C)  closed 
D)  neutral

Question 12

Prince William was born into the British Royal family and was assigned a higher status that could not be taken away.Which term best describes Prince William's status?

Accepted Answer

A)  public status 
B)  achieved status 
C)  set status 
D)  ascribed status

Question 13

To be a social worker in Canada,a person must be a graduate of a school accredited by the social work association,complete the association's written examination,and maintain membership in the association.According to Weber,what term best describes this association's practices?

Accepted Answer

A)  social blockage 
B)  social closure 
C)  occupational restriction 
D)  occupational licensing

Question 14

Alexis is a manager at the local car manufacturing plant.As an engineer she is able to trouble-shoot problems and solve 90 percent of the production slow-down dilemmas on the spot.Whose theory best explains how her education has made Alexis invaluable to the owners of the car plant?

Accepted Answer

A)  Marx 
B)  Davis and Moore 
C)  Lenski 
D)  Wright

Question 15

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does the text argue that social...

Question 16

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 in place?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Tiger Woods suffered a significant fall in status after his extramarital affair was discovered.He is still among the highest paid athletes,but it took him years to win another tournament.In sociological terms,what does he hope to gain by reclaiming his title as "#1 golfer in the world"?

Accepted Answer

A)  mediated status 
B)  public status 
C)  economic status 
D)  achieved status

Question 18

In 1992,a single and employable adult who was eligible for social assistance in Ontario received 62 percent of the after-tax low-income cutoff (LICO-unofficially known as the "poverty line").In 2012,the same type of person receiving welfare would have received only 41 percent of LICO.Why are assistance levels diminishing? What does the federal and provincial governments need to do to address the number of Canadians living in poverty?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In 1992,a single and employable adult who...

Question 19

Why is class-consciousness an important social psychological component of Marx's theory?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is class-consciousness an important social psychological...

Question 20

According to Gerhard Lenski,how was the evolutionary trend toward ever-increasing inequality reversed?

Accepted Answer

A)  through the development of a social welfare society 
B)  through ever-increasing fundamentalist religious charitable donations 
C)  by ever-increasing technological complexity in society 
D)  by the ever-increasing creation of jobs requiring more manual labour

Exam 7: Social Stratification