Question Techniques

Question 1

Impact of empire 10 mark explain question

Answer 1

• The technique for this is exactly the same as for the 10 marker on the International Relations
and Germany paper
• An opening, introductory ‘framing’ sentence. This is like a ‘ten second answer’ to the
question.
• Three points really well explained.
• A concluding sentence that sums up your answer.

Question 2

Impact of empire 20 mark source question

Answer 2

• The question asks ‘How far do sources A-C convince you…’ It does not ask how far you
personally agree with the statement. Your answer must focus on the sources and use them
to come to a judgement.
• The structure should be one paragraph per source and a conclusion.
• Read the sources carefully. What view does the source have about the question? This should
be your first sentence of your paragraph.
• Summarise the message of the source. You must show that you understand what the source
is about and its message, even if it is not made explicitly clear.
• You must then evaluate the source to make a judgement about how convincing it is. To
make judgments on the source, refer to:
o Your own knowledge: is this source supported by your own knowledge?
o The author: does the author make the source more or less convincing?
o The purpose: what purpose does the source have? Does this make it more or less
convincing?
• Make a judgement about how far you trust the source, as well as how far it convinces you
about the statement.
• Once you have completed a paragraph for each source, write a conclusion that makes a
judgement about how convincing the sources are overall.

Question 3

Spitalfields 10 mark explain question

Answer 3

• The technique for this is exactly the same as for the other 10 mark explain questions
• An opening, introductory ‘framing’ sentence. This is like a ‘ten second answer’ to the
question.
• Three points really well explained.
• A concluding sentence that sums up your answer.

Question 4

Spitalfields 10 mark source question

Answer 4

• This is likely to ask you to compare the usefulness of two sources. Write two paragraphs,
one on each source, and then come to a conclusion about which is more useful. Within each
paragraph, do the following:
• Stage 1: Pick out some details about what the source says and briefly show how they fit in with
your wider knowledge.
• Stage 2: Move beyond what the source says (at face value) and try to explain what you can tell or
infer from the source’s content.
• REMEMBER: Sources are ALWAYS useful. The examiners aren’t interested in hearing
comments about lack of usefulness.
• In your conclusion, focus on usefulness for what. It could be that one source is very useful
for one aspect, and the other source is very useful for another issue.