Paper 2 - Question Techniques

Question 1

How do you answer a 4-mark question? (Describe two…)

Answer 1

• 1 mark for each feature/example identified
• 1 mark for additional detail

Question 2

How do you answer an 8-mark question? (Explain…)

Answer 2

• An opening, introductory ‘framing’ sentence. This is like a ‘ten-second answer’ to the question.
• Two points really well explained.
• A concluding sentence that sums up your answer.

Question 3

How do you answer a 14-mark question? (How significant…)

Answer 3

• Give three ways in which the conflicts were significant, fully explained and supported.
• Use because to help maintain focus
• Remember that significance can be measured in different ways:
• significant at the time
• significant in causing later developments
• significant for different groups of people
• significant economically/politically/socially

Question 4

How do you answer a 24-mark question? (….How far do you agree with this statement?)

Answer 4

• The question will refer to two of the periods you have studied – it will either combine the medieval and early modern (c.790-1900) or the early modern and modern (1500-2010)
• Select a minimum of 2 examples that support the statement and a minimum of 2 examples
  that oppose it. Make sure you have some examples from both of the periods in the question
• so at least four examples in total.
• Write an introduction, a ‘yes’ paragraph, a ‘no paragraph’ and a conclusion.
• In your conclusion, consider the following: Overall, do you agree with the statement or do
  you disagree? Is the statement true at some points (e.g. in the early modern period) and less
  true at other points? Or is the statement true throughout both periods?