Media — IGCSE Sociology (0495) questions by topic

Definitions again lead the paper: the press, interactivity, advertising and sensationalism must each be pinned down precisely, while other questions ask you to contrast traditional against new media or explain shifting media stereotypes with concrete examples.

Explain, state, describe and to-what-extent are the top command words, and marks run to 35 across the paper, so a single essay question can carry real weight. Drawing on 12 questions set in 2023 and 2024, this page rewards practising sharp, example-backed definitions and using instant marking to see whether a vague explanation of media funding or stereotyping change would have earned partial or full credit.

What examiners look for

A recurring criticism is that a question on media funding was not answered well, with many responses achieving no credit or only a partial definition.
Examiners praise answers that referred to state funding, private funding or advertising, and backed these up with examples.
Reports note that comparing traditional and new media worked best when candidates stated plainly that traditional media serve information while new media serve entertainment.
Strong answers explaining shifting media stereotypes included concrete examples of the stereotypes or stereotyped groups involved, not just the claim that change was happening.
Examiners credited minority employment in the media industry, changing societal norms and values, anti-discrimination legislation and movements such as feminism and #BLM as reasons for that change.