GCSE AQA History Question Structures

Q1 - WW1

SOURCE FEATURES- The impression of…. is created by…

(Refer to source detail/s which relate to the question).

OWN KNOWLEDGE- At the time the source was created…

(Use knowledge which relates to the impression it gives)

Q2 - WW1

Opening Judgement: This source is useful because it

provides insight into…

Content: The source suggests… Use quote or detail. What is

the message of the source?

Own Knowledge: This source is accurate because…How does

your own knowledge link to the content?

Provenance: (Nature, Origin Purpose): The source is also

credible/ lacks credibility as…

Own Knowledge: The source is trustworthy/untrustworthy

because…How does your own knowledge link to the

provenance?

Judgement: The source is useful as it…

Carry out a paragraph for each source, then…

Overall Judgement: Taken together both sources are useful because…

Q3 - WW1

P: The first phase of how X became a crisis was…

Ev: Description on that phase of the event- aim for 2-3

sentences if possible to show your depth of knowledge

Ex: This led to X becoming a crisis because…

P: The second phase of how X became a crisis was…

Ev: Description on that phase of the event- aim for 2-3

sentences if possible to show your depth of knowledge

Ex: This led to X becoming a crisis because…

Q4 - WW1

P: X was the most important/ was an important/ the least

important reason for A.

EVIDENCE- 1-2 sentences including strong factual knowledge

EXPLAIN- This was an important reason for A because…

P: Y was the most important/ was an important/ the least

important reason for A.

EVIDENCE- 1-2 sentences including strong factual knowledge

EXPLAIN- This was an important reason for A because…

P: Z was the most important/ was an important/ the least

important reason for A.

EVIDENCE- 1-2 sentences including strong factual knowledge

EXPLAIN- This was an important reason for A because…

Conclusion: Overall, the most important factor for A was…-

use the conclusion to compare factors

If you are a really slow writer: Do a paragraph on the

question factor and then just another paragraph covering

other factors. Then a conclusion.

Q1 - Germany

Interpretation A places emphasis on… (include 1 short quote + expand in your own words)

However, Interpretation B focuses on… (include 1 short quote + expand in your own words)

Q2 - Germany

Author A was influenced by… (refer to provenance). 

This influenced A’s interpretation because… (EXPLAIN)

Author B was influenced by… (refer to provenance).

This influenced B’s interpretation because…(EXPLAIN)

Provenance: Who is the author? What was going on at the time of writing? Where are they writing?

Q3 - Germany

P: Author X provides the more convincing interpretation of…

Ev: 1-2 sentences of OWN KNOWLEDGE supporting Interpretation X

Ex: This provides a strong account because (EXPLAIN)

P: Author Y provides a less convincing interpretation of…

Ev: 1-2 sentences of OWN KNOWLEDGE supporting Interpretation Y

Ex: However, Author Y’s account is weaker because… (EXPLAIN

Q4 - Germany

Ev: One problem was…  (1 sentence of knowledge)

Ex: This was a problem for X as…

Ev: A second problem was… (1 sentence of knowledge)

Ex: This was a problem for X as…

Q5 - Germany

P: One way in which the lives of X were affected was…

Ev: Facts about the way things changed- 1-2 sentences

Ex: This was a change because… (try to show before and after)

P: A second way in which the lives of X were affected was…

Ev: Facts about the way things change- 1-2 sentences

Ex: This was a change because… (try to show before and after)

Q6 - Germany

P: The less important factor for X was… (pick bullet point)

Ev: Facts about the factor 1-2 sentences

Ex: This was an important factor for X because… 

P: The more important factor for X was… (pick bullet point)

Ev: Facts about the factor 1-2 sentences

Ex: This was a crucial factor for X because…

Conclusion (as long as your previous paragraphs!)

The more important factor was … (now explain why using 1. Comparison of impact 2. Linking- how did the more important factor lead to the less important one 3. Counter-factual thinking)- Try to use key cause phrases too!