Interpretations and significance, Year 10: sustained argument, key features and specialist terms

12; 16

提示The period-study essay, built on two bullet points, is the smaller one.

为什么Two of the sixteen-mark essays also carry four extra marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Every section of both papers finishes with an essay that asks for a judgement.

The same argument is kept up through the whole essay

提示Think of a thread running from the first paragraph to the last.

为什么AQA asks for reasoning that is coherent, relevant, substantiated and logically structured. Each paragraph should move the same argument forward, not start a new, unconnected topic.

Other reasons or factors, to weigh against the one named

提示You cannot say 'how far' with only one thing on the scales.

为什么Deal fairly with the named factor first, then set it against the others. The judgement comes from comparing them, not from describing each in turn.

Which of the two was more important, with reasons

提示It is a comparison between the pair.

为什么Explain how each of the two contributed, then reach a judgement between them. You may also show how the two were connected.

Give a judgement and the main reason for it

提示Answer the question in a sentence, then say why.

为什么The conclusion should follow from the argument of the essay. If the essay has argued one line throughout, the judgement will not come as a surprise.

4

提示The same as each of the first two interpretation questions.

为什么It is the fourth question of the period study and comes straight after the three interpretation questions.

AO1: knowledge and understanding

提示The objective about knowing the key features of the period.

为什么It is the only question on either paper that tests knowledge alone, with no analysis of sources, interpretations or concepts.

A precise supporting detail

提示Naming it is only half the job.

为什么For example: 'One problem was hyperinflation. In 1923 prices rose so fast that paper money became worthless.' The first sentence names the feature; the second develops it.

No: it asks only for accurate description

提示Check which assessment objective it targets.

为什么Time spent explaining why something happened earns nothing here. Write the pair of developed features and move on to the eight-mark question.

4

提示The same on Paper 1 as on Paper 2.

为什么They are awarded on one essay in each paper and added to the History marks for that essay. Over the two papers they make 8 marks out of 168.

84; 4

提示The two sections of each paper carry 40 marks each, before the extra marks are added.

为什么Each paper lasts two hours and counts for half of the GCSE.

Using a wide range of specialist terms

提示Think of words such as 'plebiscite' or 'antiseptic'.

为什么Words such as 'hyperinflation', 'plebiscite', 'patronage' or 'antiseptic', spelt correctly and used in the right place, are what examiners mean.

The factor essay of the thematic study (Section A, question 4)

提示The piece of extended writing that weighs one cause of change against others.

为什么In Paper 1 the marks are on the last question of the wider world depth study (Section B, question 4). In both papers it is a sixteen-mark essay.

Yes: marks are lost fully only when errors seriously get in the way of meaning

提示The mark scheme has levels, not a pass or fail.

为什么The criteria describe three levels above zero: reasonable accuracy, considerable accuracy and consistent accuracy. No marks are given only if nothing is written, the answer is irrelevant, or errors severely hinder meaning.