問題詳情


(B)Because middle-class students are often only points of contrast against which thevarious experiences of working-class students are set, they are typically treated as arelatively undifferentiated group. However, as the middle class has expanded it hasbecome increasingly internally differentiated—in terms of both vertical and horizontaldistinctions. Our own research indicates that these distinctions are intimately connectedto education provision.       Our own ongoing research based on a cohort of some 350 academically ablemiddle-class students shows how, even within this group, different educationalpathways consolidate vertical differentiation within the middle class. Although theoverwhelming majority of our respondents are getting on, most of those who are gettingon ‘famously’ attended private schools and elite universities. Some schools, notablythose that are private and academically selective, feed a greater portion of their studentsinto high-status universities which then provide pathways into high-status occupationsand high incomes.       In addition to vertical differentiation, though, there is horizontal differentiation.Indeed, some argue that the extent of differentiation is such that we should refer to themiddle classes. Savage et al. (1992), for instance, identify lines of horizontaldifferentiation that are based upon the ownership of distinctive types of asset. Theyidentify three distinct middle classes; the petite bourgeoisie holding property assets,managers holding organizational assets and professionals holding cultural capital. Thefirst of these, the petit bourgeoisie, has been a relatively unimportant grouping in the UK,but the divide between managerial and professional class is they argue, fundamental toany understanding of the middle class. Indeed, Halon (1998) argues that we arecurrently seeing a struggle between the managerial and the professional classes andbetween managerial and professional elements within both groups. To some extent thishas led to a blurring of the distinction as the ‘professions’ have become moremanagerialized and management roles more professionalized.       In our own middle-class cohort there have been high levels of movement betweenthose in managerial and those in professional roles. Moves from professional tomanagerial roles appear to be largely associated with upward progression within a career.However, movement from managerial to professional occupations was often the resultof ‘sideways’ movement.
73. What is most likely the main purpose of writing the passage?
(A) To promote the achievement of working-class students.
(B) To clarify the assumed homogeneity of the middle class.
(C) To illustrate the differences between vertical and horizontal distinctions.
(D) To explain the differences between middle-class and working-class students.

參考答案

答案：B
難度：困難0.368421
統計：A(3),B(14),C(12),D(9),E(0)

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