Question 1

What kind of impression about social class are popular television game shows that give away large sums of money framed to give viewers?

Accepted Answer

Popular television game shows that give away large sums of money are often framed to give viewers the impression that upward social mobility is possible and available with little effort or time. The contestants are often portrayed as average, everyday people who are suddenly given the opportunity to win a life-changing amount of money, which suggests that anyone could do it if they were given the same chance.

Question 2

What did Karl Marx argue about class relations?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx argued that class relationships involve inequality and exploitation. He believed that class conflict between the bourgeoisie (those who own the means of production) and the proletariat (those who must sell their labor to survive) was inevitable due to the inherent exploitation in the capitalist system. Therefore, class relations are not simply about possession of wealth or power, but about the asymmetrical power relations between classes.

Question 3

Which province/territory has the lowest annual family income (according to the 2010 Census)?

Accepted Answer

According to the 2010 Census, Nova Scotia had one of the lowest annual family incomes among Canadian provinces and territories.

Question 4

Which statement most accurately describes social inequality in Canada?

Accepted Answer

While Canada is often seen as a more egalitarian society compared to other countries, social inequality still exists in various forms and continues to be a consistent and enduring feature of Canadian society. This includes inequalities related to income, education, employment opportunities, health outcomes, and more, impacting marginalized communities such as Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Question 5

Julie and her husband Bryan started out as a working-class couple.A decade later Julie operates her own business,and Bryan is CEO of a large marketing firm.What does their experience demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Julie and her husband Bryan started out...

Question 6

Which province/territory has the highest annual family income (according to the 2010 Census)?

Accepted Answer

According to the 2010 Census, Alberta had the highest median family income among all provinces/territories in Canada.

Question 7

In which system of stratification would Dave,a Christian,and Marta,a Muslim,NOT be permitted to marry?

Accepted Answer

In a caste system, individuals are born into specific castes that dictate their social status and occupation from birth. These castes are often associated with religious groups, and in some cases, inter-caste marriage is prohibited. Therefore, Dave and Marta, belonging to different castes, may not be permitted to marry due to their different religious backgrounds.

Question 8

What is social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources such as wealth, power, and status. This can lead to unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different social groups. Therefore, option B is the correct choice as it defines social stratification accurately. The other options are either incorrect or incomplete in their definitions of social stratification.

Question 9

Jessie's mother is unable to provide her son with adequate food and proper clothing.In contrast,financial security has never been a problem in Dave's family.Which statement best reflects the two boys' experience?

Accepted Answer

Dave's family's financial security gives him advantages and opportunities that are not available to Jessie, who is lacking basic necessities. Therefore, Dave's life chances are better than Jessie's.

Question 10

Not being able to afford designer clothes,pretending you don't want to play organized sports,and wishing that you could go on holidays are all meanings a child would give to what?

Accepted Answer

The given situations of not being able to afford designer clothes, pretending not to play organized sports, and wishing to go on holidays all point towards the child experiencing poverty.

Question 11

What percentage of the country's wealth is controlled by the poorest 10 percent of Canadian households?

Accepted Answer

According to Statistics Canada, the poorest 10 percent of Canadian households control less than 10 percent of the country's wealth.

Question 12

What is the main criterion of a resource?

Accepted Answer

Resources are generally defined as something that is valuable and useful for humans. While availability, need, and distribution may all be factors that contribute to the value of a resource, the main criterion is ultimately its perceived value.

Question 13

How would Karl Marx refer to Parliament,your university,and places of worship in your community?

Accepted Answer

According to Marx's theory of historical materialism, society is divided into a base or substructure, which consists of the means of production and the relations of production, and a superstructure, which includes political institutions (such as Parliament), cultural institutions (such as universities), and religious institutions (such as places of worship). These superstructures are shaped by and serve the interests of the ruling class, and perpetuate the existing social order. Therefore, Marx would refer to Parliament, your university, and places of worship as part of the superstructure.

Question 14

In which system of stratification would a couple have the easiest time moving within social structure?

Accepted Answer

Class stratification is fluid and allows for individuals and families to move up or down in the social structure based on factors such as education, occupation, and income. This means that a couple would have the easiest time moving within the social structure in a class system. In contrast, in a caste system, social mobility is extremely limited or non-existent and is determined by birth. Similarly, in a slavery system, individuals are owned by others and have no autonomy, making movement within the social structure impossible. While socioeconomic status can impact social mobility, it is primarily a result of the predominant system of stratification in place.

Question 15

In Canada,what is one of the things we are socialized to believe?

Accepted Answer

In Canada, one of the things we are socialized to believe is that it is up to the individual to break the cycle of poverty through hard work and determination. This individualist belief is often emphasized over the acknowledgement of structural and systemic factors that can influence an individual's level of success and ability to escape poverty.

Question 16

Jason now owns his home,a vacation property,and a downtown retail space.As a result,what has he increased?

Accepted Answer

By acquiring multiple properties, Jason has increased his wealth, which refers to the total value of his assets minus any debts or liabilities.

Question 17

What percentage of the country's wealth is controlled by the richest 10 percent of Canadian households?

Accepted Answer

The richest 10 percent of Canadian households control between 50 and 60 percent of the country's wealth, reflecting significant wealth inequality.

Question 18

What is one of the most important characteristics of systems of stratification?

Accepted Answer

The degree of flexibility is one of the most important characteristics of systems of stratification. This refers to the ability of individuals to move up or down the social ladder based on factors such as education, skills, and merit. Social mobility is a key aspect that determines the fairness and equality of a stratification system. A more rigid system can lead to social unrest, while a more flexible one can increase social cohesion and stability. Money, global integration, and control are also relevant aspects, but they are not as fundamental as flexibility.

Question 19

What is the term for the economic gain that Yan receives from his job,real estate investments,and stocks?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the term for the economic...

Question 20

From a Marxist perspective,what keeps relations between employees and employers antagonistic?

Accepted Answer

According to Marxism, the relations between employees and employers are antagonistic because of differences in material interests. Marx believed that the capitalist system creates a class struggle between the proletariat (workers) and the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production), as the workers strive for fair wages and working conditions while the owners seek to maximize profits. This fundamental difference in economic interests leads to conflicts between the two classes. Therefore, answer D is the best choice.

Quiz 8: Social Class and Stratification in Canada