HISTORY GCSE AQA question structures and timings

How do you know? (4 marks) 5 mins

CONFLICT + TENSION Qu1

This question will ask you to study a source and use your own knowledge to explain something.

• Aim to write two short paragraphs

• Begin by focusing on the content of the source and explain what the source is about - say what you can see

• Then consider the provenance of the source and decide if that is giving you any further clues about why the source is critical or supportive

• Give specific evidence from the source to demonstrate the point/opinion of the source

• Use your own contextual knowledge to explain the views of the source

Write an account (8 marks) 10 mins

CONFLICT + TENSION Qu 2 OR ELIZABETH Qu3

This question will ask you to explain the causes and/or consequences of an event

• Aim to write two paragraphs

• Write in chronological order

• Link back to the question focus at the start of each paragraph

• Think in terms of CAUSE and CONSEQUENCE

• Link your points

• Show change and/or continuity where appropriate.

How useful..? (12 marks) 20 mins

CONFLICT + TENSION Qu 3

This question will ask you to study two sources and evaluate their usefulness in relation to a particular issue

You will write 5 paragraphs

• Clearly highlight in the question what the issue is that you are being asked to judge the usefulness of the sources on

• Paragraph 1 Begin with the content of Source B - how does the content match your own contextual knowledge of the event/issue?

• Paragraph 2 Look at the provenance (date, author, type etc) of source B. What is the purpose of the source? Why does this purpose make it useful to historians?

• Paragraph 3 and 4 repeat 1 and 2 but this time evaluate source C

• Conclusion make a clear judgement about which source is more useful and why the sources are even more useful when used together.

GOLDEN RULE: ALL SOURCES ARE USEFUL

How far do you agree? (16 marks) 25 mins

CONFLICT + TENSION Qu 4

This question will provide a ‘given' statement and you must say how far you agree with it.

• Follow a four paragraph structure.

• Paragraph 1 - Always deal with the 'given' factor/point. Provide at least two reasons why this factor is important.

• Paragraph 2 - Present a counter argument by selecting an alternative factor from your own knowledge. Provide at least two reasons why this factor is important. At the end of this factor consider whether this factor or the given factor is more important

• Paragraph 3 - IF TIME consider a third factor, at the end decide whether it is more or less important than the given factor

• Paragraph 4 - Conclusion - this paragraph should contain nothing new, it is an opportunity for you to draw your arguments together and make a FINAL JUDGEMENT as to which factor is most important and why. If you are not selecting the 'given factor, you must be sure to explain why not. You can explain how your factors link together.

How does interpretation B differ from interpretation A? (4 marks) 5 mins

DEMOCRACY + DICTATORSHIP Qu 1

CONTENT

Questions 1-3 will be based on two written contemporary interpretations that were written several years later.

You should write two short paragraphs and you must compare B to A within the SAME paragraph ×2.

The aim of this question is to identify differences in the content, tone, attitude, or viewpoint of the two interpretations.

Paragraph 1 Read the question and the two interpretations carefully and analyse the content and how it differs in each interpretation.

Paragraph 2 Consider how the tone/ attitude of each source differs Make sure you refer to both Interpretations A and B.

Why do interpretations A and B differ? (4 marks) 5 mins

DEMOCRACY + DICTATORSHIP Qu 2

PROVENANCE

Questions 1-3 will be based on two written contemporary interpretations that were written several years later.

This question is about the circumstance in which the interpretations were produced. You will need to focus on the provenance (authorship) of each interpretation.

You should aim to write two short paragraphs

Paragraph 1 Consider who wrote the source, where did they get their information from, when was it written (Origin), what situation was the person in that made them say what they said.

Paragraph 2 Consider the purpose of the source (why was it written?)

Which interpretation is most convincing? (8 marks) 10 mins

DEMOCRACY + DICTATORSHIP Qu 3

CONTENT

Questions 1-3 will be based on two written contemporary interpretations that were written several years later.

You will need to use your knowledge and understanding of the period to judge which interpretation is the most convincing. You do not need PROVENANCE

You will write three paragraphs

Paragraph 1 Focus on source A how far does it match your contextual knowledge of the period- is it typical of what was happening at the time? What historical facts can you use to support or challenge each author's view?

Paragraph 2 Focus on Source B and do same as above

Conclusion - comment on which source you find most convincing - which interpretation fits better based on the history that happened, not on who the author is. Are the sources most useful when used together?

Describe two features.. (4 marks) 5 mins

DEMOCRACY + DICTATORSHIP Qu 4

You should write two short paragraphs.

Select two features (one per paragraph) from your contextual knowledge about the issue given in the question and then write some historical facts about each of those features.

In what ways were..affected by.... (8 marks) 10 mins

DEMOCRACY + DICTATORSHIP Qu 5

This is an explain question. You will need to explain in what ways a particular group was affected by something.

You should aim to write two paragraphs

Paragraph 1 Begin by clearly explaining what the situation was like BEFORE the change occurred. Then identify one affect and explain the causes of the changes and the consequences. Remember to support your points with contextual evidence

Paragraph 2 Identify a second affect and explain the causes of the change and the consequences. Remember to support your points with contextual evidence.

Which of the following was the more important... (12 marks) 20 mins

DEMOCRACY + DICTATORSHIP Qu 6

This question requires evaluation. You must write a mini essay weighing up two bullet points. They might be factors (causes e.g. which played the most important role in causing a development) or consequences (e.g, which was affected most by.)

You will write three paragraphs

Paragraph 1 Write about the first bullet point, explain why this point is important, what impact it may have had, use contextual evidence to support your points.

Paragraph 2 Write about the second bullet point, explain why the point is important using contextual evidence to support, what impact it may have had.

Conclusion - Write developed conclusion that shows clear judgement about which bullet point is more important and why OR how both factors link and are therefore equally important.

How convincing is the interpretation? (8 marks) 10 mins

ELIZABETH Qu 1

This question will ask you to evaluate the interpretation of an historian

Aim to write 2-3 paragraphs

Paragraph 1 select a detail/s from the source and explain why it is convincing.. support you point will contextual knowledge
Paragraph 2 select a second detail/s from the source and explain why it is convincing support your point with contextual knowledge
Paragraph 3 IF TIME and ONLY if there is an OBVIOUS limitation to the content of the source then point it out and explain why it is a LIMITATION
Conclusion - you can add a conclusion as this will help ensure that you reach a final judgement about how convincing and WHY it is convincing
PROVENANCE IS NOT REQUIRED

Explain.. (8 marks) 10 mins

ELIZABETH Qu 2

This question will ask you to explain the consequences of an event/change/person

• Aim to write two paragraphs

• Link back to the question focus at the start of each paragraph

• Paragraph 1 Consider the immediate consequences of the event/ change/ person

• Paragraph 2 Consider the longer term consequences of the event/ change/ person

Historic Environment - (16 marks) 25 mins

ELIZABETH Qu 4

This question will provide a 'given statement and you must say how far you agree with it.

• Follow a four paragraph structure.

• Paragraph 1 Always deal with the 'given factor/point. Provide at least two reasons why this factor is important.

• Paragraph 2 Present a counter argument by selecting an alternative factor from your own knowledge. Provide at least two reasons why this factor is important. At the end of this factor consider whether this factor or the given factor is more important

• Paragraph 3 IF TIME consider a third factor, at the end decide whether it is more or less important than the given factor

• Paragraph 4 - Conclusion this paragraph should contain nothing new, it is an opportunity for you to draw your arguments together and make a FINAL JUDGEMENT as to which factor is most important and why. If you are not selecting the 'given' factor, you must be sure to explain why not.