Meritocracy Quiz

What is the basis of social status in a meritocracy?

• Family background

• Wealth

• Ability and achievement

• Age

In a meritocracy, what is expected of all individuals?

• To inherit their social status

• To compete for resources

• To develop their abilities for personal and societal benefit

• To maintain traditional roles

What is a meritocracy fundamentally based on?

• Cooperation

• Competition

• Wealth accumulation

• Social connections

What have sociologists identified as barriers to true merit-based achievement in American society?

• Economic status, political affiliations, and personal connections

• Class, gender, race, and ethnicity

• Education level, income level, and geographic location

• Age, physical abilities, and technological access

According to the text, how does attending wealthier schools affect students compared to those attending poorer schools?

• It provides no significant advantage in terms of education quality.

• It leads to a better education, preparing them for higher-paying jobs.

• It only affects their social connections, not educational outcomes.

• It decreases their chances of attending college.

What is one barrier that racial and ethnic minorities face regarding college entrance examinations according to the text?

• Higher costs of application fees

• Lower performance on exams

• Lack of available testing centers

• Insufficient preparatory materials

Which groups are mentioned as having lower average scores on the SAT?

• African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans

• European Americans, Asians, and Middle Easterners

• African Americans, Asians, and Latinos

• Latinos, Native Americans, and Europeans

According to sociologists, what factors contribute to the lower performance of minorities on college entrance exams?

• Economic disparities

• Differences in school quality and social class

• Lack of motivation

• Cultural differences

What was the original purpose of the SAT when it was created in 1926?

• To provide scholarships to minority students

• To assess general knowledge in various subjects

• To identify talented youth regardless of social class for elite colleges

• To standardize high school curriculum

What does educational equality mean in the context of schooling outcomes?

• Equal funding for all schools

• Same schooling results for children from all social classes and races

• Uniform teaching methods across schools

• Equal number of schools in all regions