EXAM TECHNIQUE
Type of Questions
- CAUSE: To what extent was poverty in England in the later sixteenth century the result of
population growth?
- CONSEQUENCE: ‘The Conservative ‘stop-go’ economic policies in the years 1955 to 1964
fundamentally weakened the British economy.’ Assess the validity of this view
- CHANGE/CONTINUITY: To what extent were the lives of women and young people changed as a
result of Communist rule in the years 1917 to 1941?
- SIMILARITY/DIFFERENCE: How significant were the differences between the Northern and
Southern states c1845?
- SIGNIFICANCE: ‘Peasant discontent posed a major threat to the tsarist regime between 1894 and
1917.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Stems (Most Common Question Styles):
- ‘Quote’ assess the validity of this view = most frequently used
- To what extent/How far/How important/How significant
Unpicking a Question
- Question focus/type (cause, consequence, similarity/difference, significance)
- Key Q/Concept (power of monarch, government, religion)
- Time frame: if you only cover some of the time frame - level 2 max
- Hinge word/key phrase: ‘peace in Europe’ or ‘fundamentally weakened’
AQA A LEVEL TUDORS: 1 Question from Unit 1 (1C) must cover at least 20 years
➔ How effectively did the Tudors restore and develop the powers of the monarchy?
➔ In what ways and how effectively was England governed during this period?
◆ To what extent was England’s government fundamentally transformed in the years 1509 to
1547? (change/continuity)
➔ How did relations with foreign powers change and how was the succession secured?
◆ ‘The main aim of English foreign policy in the years 1509 to 1529 was to achieve peace in
Europe.’ Assess the validity of this view. (cause)
➔ How did English society and economy change and with what effects?
◆ To what extent was poverty in England in the later sixteenth the result of population
growth? (consequence)
➔ How far did intellectual and religious ideas change and develop & with what effects?
➔ How important was the role of key individuals and groups and how were they affected by
developments?
AQA A LEVEL RUSSIA: 2 Question should be narrower in focus
➔ CONCEPTS: political authority, abolitionism, social justice, government, opposition, class, social
division, cultural change
Structuring Paragraphs
● Topic + Linking sentence (w/ bit of analysis so answer is more fluid and sophisticated
● 3 paras - opinion - counter - overarching nuance/synthesis
● Set out of journey of argument in introduction
● STRUCTURE 1: Topic sentence, mini point 1, evidence, mini point 2, evidence, summative
analysis, linking sentence
● STRUCTURE 2: evidence comes first and then point comes later as analysis
● Next have a counter point following the same structure
● Pick out specific evidence = read books/JSTOR
Judgement: “Your essay has to be balanced, not your judgement”
© 2024 Grades Express
Type of Questions
- CAUSE: To what extent was poverty in England in the later sixteenth century the result of
population growth?
- CONSEQUENCE: ‘The Conservative ‘stop-go’ economic policies in the years 1955 to 1964
fundamentally weakened the British economy.’ Assess the validity of this view
- CHANGE/CONTINUITY: To what extent were the lives of women and young people changed as a
result of Communist rule in the years 1917 to 1941?
- SIMILARITY/DIFFERENCE: How significant were the differences between the Northern and
Southern states c1845?
- SIGNIFICANCE: ‘Peasant discontent posed a major threat to the tsarist regime between 1894 and
1917.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Stems (Most Common Question Styles):
- ‘Quote’ assess the validity of this view = most frequently used
- To what extent/How far/How important/How significant
Unpicking a Question
- Question focus/type (cause, consequence, similarity/difference, significance)
- Key Q/Concept (power of monarch, government, religion)
- Time frame: if you only cover some of the time frame - level 2 max
- Hinge word/key phrase: ‘peace in Europe’ or ‘fundamentally weakened’
AQA A LEVEL TUDORS: 1 Question from Unit 1 (1C) must cover at least 20 years
➔ How effectively did the Tudors restore and develop the powers of the monarchy?
➔ In what ways and how effectively was England governed during this period?
◆ To what extent was England’s government fundamentally transformed in the years 1509 to
1547? (change/continuity)
➔ How did relations with foreign powers change and how was the succession secured?
◆ ‘The main aim of English foreign policy in the years 1509 to 1529 was to achieve peace in
Europe.’ Assess the validity of this view. (cause)
➔ How did English society and economy change and with what effects?
◆ To what extent was poverty in England in the later sixteenth the result of population
growth? (consequence)
➔ How far did intellectual and religious ideas change and develop & with what effects?
➔ How important was the role of key individuals and groups and how were they affected by
developments?
AQA A LEVEL RUSSIA: 2 Question should be narrower in focus
➔ CONCEPTS: political authority, abolitionism, social justice, government, opposition, class, social
division, cultural change
Structuring Paragraphs
● Topic + Linking sentence (w/ bit of analysis so answer is more fluid and sophisticated
● 3 paras - opinion - counter - overarching nuance/synthesis
● Set out of journey of argument in introduction
● STRUCTURE 1: Topic sentence, mini point 1, evidence, mini point 2, evidence, summative
analysis, linking sentence
● STRUCTURE 2: evidence comes first and then point comes later as analysis
● Next have a counter point following the same structure
● Pick out specific evidence = read books/JSTOR
Judgement: “Your essay has to be balanced, not your judgement”
© 2024 Grades Express
