Oxford Cambridge and RSA
Thursday 15 May 2025 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Citizenship Studies
J270/02 Citizenship in action
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
No extra materials are needed.
* 1 8 9 7 0 3 7 3 2 5 *
* J 2 7 0 0 2 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. You can use extra paper if
you need to, but you must clearly show your candidate number, the centre number and
the question numbers.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8418/8] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (WW/JG) 353917/3 Turn over
, 2
SECTION A
You should spend about 20 minutes on this section.
1 Study Source 1 and answer questions 1(a)–(d).
Source 1
Strengthening democracy
‘Government is stronger when it values outside expertise and listens to the public. Most
governments respond to public opinion only when there is considerable opposition and anger.
But by engaging with people sooner, governments can make better decisions.
A healthy democracy actively encourages participation from national and local organisations,
and members of the public. Too many decisions in recent years have shut down the ability
of people to take part and speak out. The next government should reverse this trend. They
should be more open to challenge and criticism.’
Adapted from ‘Charity Sector Manifesto’. National Council for Voluntary Organisations. 2023.
(a) State two risks to democracy mentioned in Source 1.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) State two ways in which parliament can help governments make better decisions.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) State two ways in which citizens can take part in democracy.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(d) Describe how to strengthen democracy in the United Kingdom (UK).
• Include two recommendations in your answer.
• These should be from Source 1 and your study of citizenship.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................... [4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
Thursday 15 May 2025 – Afternoon
GCSE (9–1) Citizenship Studies
J270/02 Citizenship in action
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
No extra materials are needed.
* 1 8 9 7 0 3 7 3 2 5 *
* J 2 7 0 0 2 *
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. You can use extra paper if
you need to, but you must clearly show your candidate number, the centre number and
the question numbers.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 100.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 28 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025 [601/8418/8] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (WW/JG) 353917/3 Turn over
, 2
SECTION A
You should spend about 20 minutes on this section.
1 Study Source 1 and answer questions 1(a)–(d).
Source 1
Strengthening democracy
‘Government is stronger when it values outside expertise and listens to the public. Most
governments respond to public opinion only when there is considerable opposition and anger.
But by engaging with people sooner, governments can make better decisions.
A healthy democracy actively encourages participation from national and local organisations,
and members of the public. Too many decisions in recent years have shut down the ability
of people to take part and speak out. The next government should reverse this trend. They
should be more open to challenge and criticism.’
Adapted from ‘Charity Sector Manifesto’. National Council for Voluntary Organisations. 2023.
(a) State two risks to democracy mentioned in Source 1.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) State two ways in which parliament can help governments make better decisions.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
© OCR 2025
, 3
(c) State two ways in which citizens can take part in democracy.
1 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
2 .......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(d) Describe how to strengthen democracy in the United Kingdom (UK).
• Include two recommendations in your answer.
• These should be from Source 1 and your study of citizenship.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................... [4]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
