Paper 2 Technique: Topics in Sociology

Paper 2 examines your knowledge of two optional topics from a choice of four: Culture and Identity, Families and Households, Health, and Work, Poverty and Welfare. The most commonly studied topic is Families and Households, so this lesson will use examples primarily from that area while providing strategies applicable to all Paper 2 topics. The question structure is identical across all four topics, making the exam technique transferable regardless of your specific options.

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Paper 2 Structure Recap

You answer two sections, each worth 40 marks, in 2 hours. This gives you exactly 60 minutes per section. The question sequence within each section is as follows:

Question	Type	Marks	Recommended Time
Q1	Define	2	3 minutes
Q2	Using two examples, briefly explain	4	6 minutes
Q3	Outline and explain three ways	6	9 minutes
Q4	Applying material from Item, analyse two	10	15 minutes
Q5	Evaluate (essay)	20	27 minutes