AQA GCSE HISTORY - Cold War Exam Technique

Pulled from: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zyQHURbY2Mj_GizpRkNToXW-FXrrsRAvSXQVSQgca4Q/edit?gid=0#gid=0

What is Q1 on?(timings, marks, e.t.c.)

• 4 mark source analysis question (5 MINUTES)

What is Q2 on?(timings, marks, e.t.c.)

• 12 mark source comparison question (15-20 MINUTES - READ AND HIGHLIGHT THOSE SOURCES!)

What is Q3 on?(timings, marks, e.t.c.)

• 8 mark knowledge and understanding (10 MINUTES)

What is Q4 on?(timings, marks, e.t.c.)

• 16 mark mini essay (20-25 MINUTES)

What is the heading of Q1?

“Study Source A.  Source A supports/opposes [e.g. the United States]. How do you know?

Explain your answer using Source A and your contextual knowledge.”[4]

What does Q1 test?

These questions test your ability to evaluate and make substantiated judgements about a piece of source material.  It focuses on how you know whether a source supports or opposes a side.

What is needed for Q1?

• Use the source’s content to develop a point

• Use the source’s provenance  to develop a point

You do not technically need to use both content and provenance to get full marks, but you do need to make sure that you are making developed points.

How many details/sections should you refer to in Q1?

It is good idea to refer to at least two details or sections of a source in your answer.

What is the format of Q2?

“How useful are sources B and C to a historian studying…”

What is needed for Q2?

In analysing and evaluating sources, students will draw on their contextual knowledge to question critically the content and provenance of sources (for example, the context of the time in which source was created, place, author’s situation, knowledge, beliefs, circumstances, access to information, purpose and audience).

What are some ‘buzz words’ on provenance?

• Who produced it? Why does that make it useful?

• The context of the time in which source was created - look at the date of publication. What is happening at this time and why does that make the source useful?

• Place

• Author’s situation – how might this affect what they say/show? Why useful? 

• Knowledge – are they well-informed? Why useful?

• Beliefs - what are the author’s beliefs? Why useful?

• Circumstances - how might this affect what they say/show? Why useful? 

• Purpose – what is it? Why useful? 

Audience – who is it aimed at? Why useful?

What is the key for Q2?

• Content

• Provenance

• Answers the question

• Complex judgement shown.

What is the structure for paragraph 1 on Q2?

Paragraph one - SOURCE B

Source B. Evaluate content and provenance. BE NICE.

What is the structure for paragraph 2 on Q2?

Paragraph two - SOURCE C

Source C. Evaluate content and provenance. BE NICE.

What is the structure for the conclusion on Q2?

Conclusion

• ATQ. Summarise your reasons by referring to both sources.

• You should show how ‘taken together’ they are useful.

• You definitely should make it quite clear that you have reached your judgement on the basis of an analysis of content, plus an evaluation of provenance.

What is the format of Q3?

Write an account of…

What is needed for Q3?

For this one you must:

• Construct a coherent narrative, effectively showing your knowledge and understanding of a sequence of events. So write chronologically. Choose three.

• Identify how these events created an international crisis or tension between the superpowers showing an understanding of the wider context of the period  

What is the key for Q3?

Key:

• Purple – The answer explicitly links to the issue raised in the question.

• Blue – Precise knowledge. It is crucial that you use as much relevant detailed knowledge as possible to show your grasp of the topic.

What does Q4 require you to do?

These require you to produce an extended response. Students should demonstrate their ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured.

What is the format of Q4?

The questions will have the following format:

Example 1: ‘The main reason for the tension between East and West in Europe in the 1960s was the actions of the Soviet Union.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer (Two-sided).

Example 2: The main cause of tension between the Superpowers during the 1960s was the Cuban Missile Crisis. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (Nominated factor plus two more).

What paragraph structure is needed for Q4?

• Introduction

• Nominated factor.  Show understanding, link to question.

• Alternative factor.  Show understanding, link to question.

• Conclusion, reaching a clear judgement

What key should you follow for your paragraphs in Q4?

• Purple: Directly addresses the focus of the question.

• Blue: 1^st piece of evidence.

• Green: 2^nd piece of evidence.

• Showing off

What is the checklist for Q4?

I have:

• Annotated the introduction.

• Made a point about making a point and NEVER leading into a paragraph with evidence.

• Circled the word ‘tension’ every time it is used - that is the question focus. 

• Pointed out where the student is showing a balanced argument.

• Highlighted where they have made links between events.

• Highlighted where the answer explains how the events interact (they always do).

• Pointed out how this student does not ‘sit on the fence.’