Source A Official records from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics show that income inequality remains a significant issue in Brazilian soci...

Part (a): The term for the division of society into layers or groups based on wealth and status [2 marks]

Social stratification [2]. Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups in society based on factors such as wealth, income, power, and status. It is a universal feature of societies, though the form it takes varies between different types of society.

Part (b): From Source A, the percentage of national income earned by the poorest 40% [2 marks]

Less than 12% [2]. This figure, drawn directly from the source, illustrates the extreme inequality in income distribution in Brazil. When the poorest 40% of a population earns only 12% of the national income while the wealthiest 10% earns over 40%, the society has a very high level of income inequality.

Part (c): Two factors, other than wealth, that sociologists use to measure social class [2 marks]

Two factors, one mark each. Valid answers include: occupation [1] and level of education [1]. Occupation is widely considered the single best indicator of social class because it correlates closely with income, status, and lifestyle. Education level is also important because it strongly influences occupational opportunities.

Part (d): One way in which social stratification can affect people's life chances [4 marks]

Up to four marks for a developed explanation.

Social stratification can affect access to healthcare. People in lower social classes may not be able to afford private medical treatment [1] and may live in areas with fewer hospitals or clinics [1], leading to poorer health outcomes and lower life expectancy [1] compared to those in higher social positions [1]. Research consistently shows that there is a social gradient in health: the lower a person's social class, the worse their health tends to be.

Part (e): Using Source A, describe what the data reveals about income distribution in Brazil [6 marks]

Up to six marks for a developed analysis.

The data shows a highly unequal distribution of income [1]. The wealthiest 10% earn over 40% of the national income [1], which is more than three times the share earned by the poorest 40%, who receive less than 12% [1]. The chart visually illustrates this: the bar for the wealthiest 10% is by far the tallest (42), followed by the next 20% (28), the middle 30% (18), and the poorest 40% (12) [1]. This pattern demonstrates deep social stratification [1], with a small wealthy group controlling a disproportionately large share of the country's wealth [1].

Part (f): Two types of social stratification found in different societies [6 marks]

Three marks per type (identification + development), up to six marks.

• Social class in modern industrial societies divides people into groups based on their occupation, income, and education [1], with movement between classes possible through social mobility [1-2]. This is considered an open system of stratification.
• The caste system, found historically in India, assigns people a fixed social position at birth based on their family [1], with very limited opportunity to move between castes [1-2]. This is considered a closed system of stratification.

Part (g): Two ways in which poverty might affect a person's access to education [4 marks]

Two marks per way, up to four marks.

• Families experiencing poverty may not be able to afford school fees, uniforms, or learning materials [1], making it harder for children to attend or fully participate in education [1].
• Children in low-income households may need to contribute to the family income through part-time work [1], reducing the time available for study and homework [1].

Part (h): Two sociological perspectives on why social inequality exists in modern societies [6 marks]

Three marks per perspective (identification + development), up to six marks.

• Functionalist sociologists such as Davis and Moore argue that social inequality is necessary because it motivates the most talented people to work hard and fill the most important roles in society [1], with higher rewards acting as an incentive [1-2].
• Marxist sociologists argue that social inequality exists because the ruling class (bourgeoisie) exploits the working class (proletariat) [1], maintaining their wealth and power through control of the means of production [1-2].

These two perspectives represent fundamentally different views of inequality. Functionalists see it as beneficial and inevitable; Marxists see it as harmful and the result of exploitation that could, in theory, be overcome.

Part (i): How social class can influence a person's identity and sense of belonging [3 marks]

Social class shapes identity through the values, attitudes, and lifestyles associated with different class positions [1]. People may identify strongly with their class background, feeling a sense of solidarity with others in a similar position [1], or they may experience conflict between their class of origin and a new class position achieved through social mobility [1].