AQA A-Level Sociology | Paper 2 | 2026 Predicted Paper | Section B: The Media Mark Scheme
Question 19
Outline and explain two ways in which the growth of the new media may have changed media representations of gender.
[10 marks]
What the question requires
Outline and explain requires students to identify two different ways that the growth of new media may have altered representations of gender and then explain each sociologically. For 10 marks, two developed paragraphs are preferable to several short points. There is no Item and no requirement for a conclusion or extended evaluation.
The important connection is:
growth of new media → change in who produces/consumes media or in the type of content available → change in representations of gender.
Students who simply describe gender stereotypes or list characteristics of new media will not fully answer the question.
Marking guidance
Marks | Descriptor |
8–10 | Very good knowledge and understanding of two ways the growth of new media may have changed representations of gender. There are two developed applications of relevant sociological material. Analysis clearly explains the relationship between features of new media and changing gender representations. |
4–7 | Reasonable to good knowledge and understanding of one or two relevant ways. There is some sociological development, although one point may be stronger than the other or the link between new media and gender representation may not always be explicit. |
1–3 | Limited knowledge and understanding. The answer may describe new media or traditional gender stereotypes without clearly explaining how the growth of new media has changed representations. There is little or no analysis. |
0 | No relevant material. |
This follows the official three-band approach. The 2024 Media mark scheme similarly required students to make an explicit connection between the growth of new media and the outcome specified in the question.
Indicative content
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