1. Teacher Support Meeting
GCSE Sociology,
Phase II: Preparing to Teach
Unit 2: Commentaries
Version 1
Spring, Summer 2009

2. Set and published by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance.
Copyright © 2009 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales 3644723 and a registered charity number
1073334.
Registered address AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX. Dr Michael Cresswell Director General.

3. MARKS & COMMENTARIES
Unit 2: Section A: Crime & Deviance
a) 1 mark
b) 1 mark
c) 1 mark: The reference to 'not want a person' doesn't answer the question as phrased. We need
a clearer reference to exclusion for a 2nd mark.
d) 3 marks: There is no attempt to satisfy the 4 mark requirement.
e) 5 marks
f) 5 marks
g) 6 marks: There is some potentially decent stuff here spoiled by sloppy thinking which allows the
focus on what has been asked to slip. Thus, the only reference to 'working class males', the
subject of the question, is in the opening sentence. We then have, 'young males' and 'young
people' making most of the discussion of dubious relevance.
Total: 22 marks
Unit 2: Section B: Mass Media
a) Overweight or less attractive gains the mark. 1 mark
b) 61% gains the mark. 1 mark
c) any relevant use gains the mark. 2 marks
d) 4 marks for a clear explanation supported by appropriate examples. I'm happy with 4, but much
of the 2nd half here is not necessary to achieve the marks.
e) 4 marks for an answer that marries an appropriate description with a clear explanation of
why this might present a problem in a democratic society. I would probably have given this 4. For 5
I would want a reference to the media elite being able to influence the images, agenda etc. Only if
it has this do I see the answer responding adequately to 'democracy'.
f) 5 marks for an answer that marries an appropriate description with a clear explanation of why
the Internet might empower interest groups in a democratic society.
h) 11 marks. Presents clear evidence of understanding through the use of relevant sociological
concepts e.g. nuclear family, traditional gender roles, stereotypical media images. Well focused
discussion which explicitly addresses ‘how far’ in some detail. Spelling, punctuation and grammar
achieve considerable accuracy, makes use of a wide range of specialist terms adeptly. What more
could we expect? For 12 marks, more could have been said against the proposition.
Total: 28 marks
Unit 2: Section C: Power
a) 1 mark
b) 1 mark
c) 2 marks
d) 3 marks (doesn't satisfy the 4 mark position requirements)
e) 1+3 = 4 marks
f) 1+3 = 4marks
g) 8 marks
Total: 23 marks
3

4. Unit 2: Section D: Social Inequality
a) 1 mark
b) 1 mark
c) 2 marks
d) 2 marks
e) 5 marks
f) 2 marks
g) 6 marks
Total: 19 marks
4