Final answer:
a. Achieved. An achieved status is a status that a person chooses, such as a level of education or income, while an ascribed status is a status that is outside of an individual's control, such as sex or race.
Step-by-step explanation:
An achieved status is a status that a person chooses, such as a level of education or income. On the other hand, an ascribed status is a status that is outside of an individual's control, such as sex or race.
For example, being a high school dropout or a self-made millionaire are examples of achieved statuses, as these are obtained by choice. On the other hand, being a son, an elderly person, or a female are examples of ascribed statuses, as these are not selected by the individual.
Status refers to the rank and role that a person experiences in society, while role is the behavior expected of a person holding a certain status. It is important to note that one person can occupy multiple roles and statuses.