Answering the Edexcel Impact of War Paper7thth June 2011

Summary• There are 5 questions on the paper and you must

answer all of them.

• The exam takes 75 mins (1¼ hours)• There is a total of 50 raw marks for this paper

5 minutes reading time

Question 1 (6 marks) Inference 5 minutes

Question 2 (8 marks) Source Analysis 10 minutes

Question 3 (10 marks) Cross References 15 minutes

Question 4 (10 marks) Evaluation 15 minutes

Question 5 (16 marks)

Reaching a judgement 20 – 25 minutes

General exam techniques for History

• Check that you have the correct exam paper• Read the instructions on the paper very carefully• Use a highlighter pen to identify the instruction and topic on each

question that you answer – this helps you to stick to the question• Read the paper through before you start and highlight any key

details provided on the sources• Don’t forget to read the background information as this gives you

a clue to the focus of the sources and the final question• Ensure that you put your name where it tells you to and label

each answer clearly if extra answer booklets are used• Q4 and Q5 are worth half the marks and therefore need

approximately half the time (35 mins)

Answering Question 1 : 6 marks• This is asking what you can infer / learn from a source• You should aim to give 2 inferences and support each

inference with evidence from the source• Eg. “From source x I can infer .... I can support this

where it says ... I can also infer .... I can support this because the source shows ....”

• This answer should be short and sharp• There is no real need for own knowledge in this

question• Avoid just repeating what the source has said

Answering Question 2 : 8 marks

• This question is asking you to analyse a source to show its sympathies or purpose.

• The examiner wants you to work something out by using the source

• You could be asked about its purpose, the message it gives, the impression it provides, or the attitude of the creator of the source

Answering Q2 continued• All these questions require two things: • Awareness that the sources were created with a

purpose. • Analysis of the details in the source to show what

the author / artist was trying to make you think. • There are different types of source so think

carefully about the purpose of each one (cartoon, speech, advert, poster, photographs etc)

• Try to make 2 points to support your answer• Identify what the source shows and combine this

with an analysis of its nature to make a reasoned judgement on its purpose.

Answering Q2 continued

The purpose / message of the source is: • … I can tell this because of details the author has chosen to

include • … • … • … This message / purpose is also shown by … • [add in examples of how the source treats the subject. For

example these could be ‘loaded’ words or parts of a visual source designed to make fun of something]

• … • … • …

Answering Q2 continued• The impression of the source is: • … • This is created by details the author has chosen to include • … (give 2 or 3 examples)• This impression is also created by … • [add in examples of how the source treats the subject. For example these could be

‘loaded’ words or parts of a visual source designed to make fun of something] • … Or• I can tell that the source is [sympathetic to / opposed to] … because of details the author

has chosen to include • • … (give 2 or 3 examples)• The [sympathy / opposition] is also shown by … • [add in examples of how the source treats the subject. For example these could be

‘loaded’ words or parts of a visual source designed to make fun of something] • • …

Answering Question 3 : 10 marks• This question is asking you to cross reference three sources.

Cross referencing means comparing what the sources suggest. When cross referencing or comparing sources you should look for:

• Support between the sources - how far do they agree in what they suggest?

• Challenge – how far do they differ in what they suggest? • You also have to think about the reliability of the sources.

Who produced the source and why? What type of source is it?• On the sources you could try highlighting supporting points in

one colour and challenging points in another• You will normally be given 3 sources to cross-reference

Answering Question 3 continuedQuestion type 1 Eg How far do the sources support the view that…?Ans. I think that sources x, y and z do support the view that .... Source x supports the view where it says .... Source y and z confirm this view where they ..... However, there is some challenge to the view in .... Where ....

Question type 2 Eg How far do sources C and D support the evidence of source E about …? In this type of answer always start by analysing the main source (E) first and stating what the main source is all about. Then examine the levels of support and challenge in the other two sources before reaching an overall conclusion.

Question type 3 Eg Do you think we can rely on source E? Explain your answer using sources C, D and E. As above, start with the main source (E) before analysing the levels of support or challenge for the main source. Think about both the content of the source, as well as the purpose of the source.

Dont be afraid to say if a source does not support another. Make sure you compare sources as fully and directly as possible. For full marks you would need to look at content of sources as well as purpose.

Answering Question 4 : 10 Marks• This question is asking you to evaluate either the utility or the value

of two sources. • These are three ways in which the utility/value question could be

phrased: 1. Study Sources F and G. • Which of sources F and G is more useful [or valuable] to an historian

enquiring ……? Explain your answer, using Sources F and G. 2. Study Sources F and G. • Is Source F more useful [or valuable] than source G to an historian

enquiring …..? Explain your answer using sources F and G. 3. Study Sources F and G. • Compare the value of Sources F and G for an historian enquiring

into ..... Explain your answer, using Sources F and G.

Answering Question 4 continued

• To achieve level 3 you need to evaluate the contents and N/O/P for both sources. You must think about the N/O/P affects the value of the content.

• • Try to begin each paragraph with the words of the question e.g. Source F is more useful because… or Source G is less valuable because. [You can also decide that they are equally useful / valuable. Your marks come from your evaluation of the sources. ]

• • You must evaluate both sources. It is easier to do each source in turn. • Look at a variety of sources and annotate them with the 5 Ws… • • What type of source is it – nature • • Who produced it – origins • • When was it produced- origins • • Where was it produced - origins • • Why was it produced - purpose • For full marks a judgement should be based on the usefulness of the sources’

information and an evaluation of nature or authorship of sources.

• It asks you to use three of the sources and your own knowledge to test a statement. You can also use any other sources in the paper.

• You are being tested on your ability to do three things: • Identify points from the sources for and against the

claim. • Add information or new points from your own

knowledge for and against the claim. • Reach a judgment. • It will help you think of the task as a balancing act –

put points on both sides and decide which side has the heaviest weight of evidence.

Answering Question 5 : 16 Marks

Answering Question 5 continued

Introduction Set the scene for your answer – what is the statement suggesting?

Points agreeing with the view

Which points from sources agree with the view? Use evidence from the sources to support this.

Reliability How strong is the evidence in agreeing with the view? [Try to comment on at least one of the three given sources either here or below in points against the view.]

Own knowledge Add new point(s) or extra details from your own knowledge.

Points disagreeing with the view

Which points from sources disagree with the view? Use evidence from the sources to support this.

Reliability How strong is the evidence which disagrees with the view? [Try to comment on at least one of the three given sources either here or above in points for the view.]

Own knowledge Add new point(s) or extra details from your own knowledge.

Conclusion What is your final judgement on the statement? Does the weight of evidence agree or disagree? Begin with the word ‘Overall’.

• Make sure you give this answer plenty of time as it is worth more than quarter of the marks

• Structure it with paragraphs where possible and treat it as a mini essay

• You must use some own knowledge in order to qualify for the top level on the marking structure

• The top level also expects sustained argument exploring the evidence for and against the hypothesis.

• There are marks available here for excellent SPAG

Answering Question 5 continued

And finally...

• Read your answers through if you have time• Make sure you have answered all the

question• Question 5 has extra marks available for

exceptional SPAG, so treat this as a mini essay with paragraphs, good grammar etc

• Attempt every question – you will gain more marks by starting a new answer than labouring for an extra 5 minutes on an old one!