Final answer:
Being in the upper-upper class is typically a result of birth (or 'old money'), while being in the lower-upper class is often due to achievement, such as business success ('new money'). Social status can be influenced by factors like education, work, and opportunities for social mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking what typically determines if someone is part of the upper-upper class compared to the lower-upper class.
Being in the upper-upper class is usually the result of birth; being in the lower-upper class is more a matter of achievement.
This distinction refers to social stratification where upper-upper class members often inherit their status and wealth, demonstrating 'old money,' while those in the lower-upper class have usually earned their wealth through actions such as successful business ventures, and are often referred to as having 'new money.'
Social mobility such as the story of Serena illustrates this phenomenon. She started with manual labor that aligns with the lower-middle class but climbed the social ladder to become a business owner, showing the effects of achievement and hard work on one's social status.