ZIMSEC A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY (6043) PAPER 1 NOVEMBER 2024

ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS      COUNCIL  

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level

6043/1

2 hours 30 minutes

 

NOVEMBER 2024 SESSION

 

Additional   material:

Answer booklet

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Write your name,centre number and candidate number in the spaces provided on the answer booklet.

 

Answer four questions only.

Question 1 is compulsory.

 

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

 

The number of marks is given in brackets []at the end of each question.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This question paper consists of 4 printed pages.

Section A

 1

Auguste Comte saw sociology as a science of society.He said that sociology was essentially similar to natural sciences.He developed the positivist approach.

 

(a)       Define positivism.                                                                        [3]

 

(b)       Distinguish between natural sciences and social sciences.        [4]

(e)       Explain any four benefits of scientific knowledge.                    [8]

 

(d)       To what extent is sociology a science?                                      [10]

 

Section B

 

Answer any three questions.

 2

Socialisation happens throughout life.It helps people to develop feelings,

attitudes,ideas and behaviours.Primary and secondary socialisation reinforces

masculinity and femininity.Socialisation agents like the family and school promote Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu,

 

(a)       Define socialisation.                                                                                      [3]

 

(b)        Describe   two   ways   by   which    family   socialisation   reinforces   masculinity

and feminity                                                                                              [4]

 

(c)        Distinguish primary socialisation from secondary socialisation.                   [8]

(d)       Examine the importance of different agents of socialisation in promoting

Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu.                                                                                [10]

 

3 .The modern society is characterised by various household and family types.

Most households and family types face severe economic and social challenges.  These households and families take a humber of measures to redress challenges they   face.

          (a) Identify any three types of families in Zimbabwe. [3]  

        

    

           (b) Distinguish between households and families.       [4]

           ( c ) Illustrate  the  effects  of  HIV/AIDS  on  the   family.    [8]

 

           (d) Examine  different  strategies  taken  by  the  modern family to redress financial problems [10]

4     Sociologists  identify  different  forms  of  culture  which  include  subculture,global  culture  and

folk  culture  among  others.Global  culture  leads  to  changes  in  lifestyle,this  is  why  the Zimbabwean  government  has  put  measures  to  ensure  cultural  preservation.

 

(a)      Define the term subculture.                                                                       [3]

(b)    Identify any four characteristics of a subculture.                                           [4]

(c)       Explain  the  impact  of  culture  on  Zimbabweans.                                                [8]

(d)    Examine  measures  taken  by  the  governmentyof Zimbabwe  to  preserve

culture.                                                                                                                     [10]

5     Religion   performs   both  manifest  and  latent  functions  in  society.However,Marx

saw religion as an instrument used to serve the interests of capitalists.

(a)       Define the term religion.                                                                          [3]

(b)      Describe  two  ways  in  which  religion  serves  the  interests  of capitalists.        [4]

(c)       Ilustrate any four functions of religion in society.                                        [8]

(d)        Assess  the view that religion is  a conservative force.                                       [10]

6     Experiments are neglected in Sociology.Laborafory experiments are often used

in natural sciences,as they offer major advantages over other research procedures.

Nevertheless,experimental methods are applied in a helpful way in Sociology.

(a)      What is an experiment?                                                                                            [3]

(b)    S:uggest  any  four problems  associated  with  conducting  laboratory

experiments.                                                                                                            [4]

(c)    .Ilustrate  any  two examples  of experiments  carried  out  by  Sociologists.        [8]

(d)         Assess  the  relevance  of experiments  in  Sociological  research.                       [10]

 

7

Streaming  of learners has  an  over-aching  influence  on  their  educational achievements. (a)      What  is  streaming? (b)       Describe  any  two advantages  of  streaming. (c)      Explain any four disadvantages  of  streaming. (d)       Discuss  the  impact  of out of school  factors in determining educational achievement.

[3] [4] [8]   [10]

8        Gender  socialisation  takes  place  in  societies  It  evolves  from  one  generation  to

the  other.

 

(a)       Define the term gender socialisation.[3]

 

(b)       Identify any four agents of gender socialisation.[4]

 

(c)       Explain any four  advantages of gender socialisation.[8]

 

(d)Discuss  how   gender   socialisation promotes   social inequality.[10]

9     Marx believes that confict between the ruling and subject classes is key.It is

the main determinant of social trajectories.

(a)         Define the term subject class.      [3]

 

(b)       State any four characteristics of a subject class.     [4]

(c)     Explain how a social class influences life chances. [8]

(d)      Assess how the Zimbabwean government is addressing the issue of class inequalities. [10]

 

10     Society is made up of a variety age groups that violate children's rights.At

adolescence,individuals  usually  engage  in  delinquent  behaviour.Functionalists

view all age groups as important for playing specific functions in society.

(a)        Identify any three age groups found in society.      [3]

 

(b)       Describe  any  two children's rights in Zimbabwe.   [4]

(c)      Ilustrate  any  three ways  of reducing  delinquency at adolescence. [8]

(d)      Examine the  functionalist views on the  functions of different age groups in society. [10]