GCSE (9–1) HISTORY B — June 2025 PAST PAPER: The People’s Health & The Elizabethans
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/12]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B The People’s Health c.1250 to Present with The Elizabethans
1580–1603 Paper (OCR J411/12) provides a fully merged resource combining the complete examination
paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows learners to see how each question is assessed,
clarifying examiner expectations and the criteria for achieving top-band marks. This component explores
the history of public health in Britain from the medieval period to the modern era alongside the social,
political, and religious developments of the Elizabethan period. Candidates are expected to analyse
historical sources, evaluate interpretations, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments
demonstrating understanding of historical change, continuity, and causation. By presenting each question
alongside detailed marking guidance, the resource strengthens analytical, evaluative, and historical
reasoning skills. It guides learners in structuring precise and well-argued responses, supports targeted
revision, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B (Schools History
Project) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The People’s Health, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1(a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Give one example of how early modern towns tried to improve public health in their local areas
between 1500 and 1750. [1]
(b) Name one way in which people in towns obtained their water between 1750 and 1900. [1]
(c) Name one person whose work during the 1900s had a positive effect on public health. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses responses to outbreaks of plague during the
period 1348 (the Black Death) to c.1670.
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why did the gin craze become a significant public health issue during the period 1660 to 1751?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘Government action was not effective in improving public health between 1750 and 1900.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘Since c.1900, changes in living conditions and lifestyles in Britain have improved people’s
health.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/12 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, historian Suzannah Lipscomb gives an impression of the wealth and luxury
associated with the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
Identify and explain one way in which she does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from a recent podcast in which the historian Suzannah Lipscomb walked around
Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan country house, describing what she could see. Hardwick Hall was
owned by Bess of Hardwick.
I’m speaking to you from the magnificent Hardwick Hall. Crafted from golden stone, it
stands impressively tall with vast diamond-pane windows. It has six grand turrets, with
walkable roofs between them, and is topped with Bess of Hardwick’s coat of arms.
I’ve now moved into the High Great Chamber. You could fit a five-bedroom house in
here! This vast space, like a palace, features an intricate plasterwork frieze covered with
lions, elephants, deer, camels, and trees. Every room here is absolutely dripping with
vivid, brightly coloured tapestries.
Before I leave, I wanted to climb up here, onto the top of the Hall. This is where
Bess would have brought her guests. They would have walked across the roof to the
banqueting house in one of the turrets. This was a room designed for the final course
of a feast and for only a select few of her guests. And this view is what Bess would be
showing them: the extent of her wealth. Here, she was queen of all she could see.
A frieze is a type of wall decoration.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would you
choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
[5]
© OCR 2025 J411/12 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on the treatment of Catholics in England during the reign of
Elizabeth I.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from the tourist website of Harvington Hall, an Elizabethan manor house in
Worcestershire. The house is now owned and run by the Catholic Church.
DISCOVER HARVINGTON HALL, THE HOUSE OF SECRETS
Explore the house as it was during Elizabeth I’s reign, when English Catholics lived in
terror. Wealthy families like the Pakingtons, owners of Harvington, devised ways to keep
their priests safe from priest hunters. The Hall boasts the country’s finest collection of
priest holes. Priest holes were secret hiding spaces for Catholic priests, and there are
seven at Harvington.
Priests endured cramped, cold, and dark conditions, sometimes hiding for over a week.
As you explore Harvington, imagine the terrifying sounds of the priest hunters pulling
up floorboards and stripping back wall panels. Imagine how the priests would have felt
knowing that, when the house fell silent, the priest hunters were waiting to hear any
sound. It was a real-life game of hide-and-seek, often with awful consequences.
Harvington Hall’s theatrical tours vividly depict the dangers faced by recusant families
like the Pakingtons. Join us for a journey through fear, devotion, and persecution.
Interpretation C
An extract from a recent article by the historian Susan Doran in ‘BBC History Magazine’.
Under Elizabeth, the Church of England was flexible and moderate. Elizabeth would
not listen to the extreme Protestants who attempted to introduce more radical religious
changes.
Elizabeth also tried to prevent Catholic rebellion without following a policy of intense
religious persecution. It is of course true that she signed the death warrant of Mary
Queen of Scots, but she did this with great reluctance. It is also true that Jesuit priests
and the people who hid them were imprisoned or executed under Elizabeth, but this
was mainly because it was believed that the priests were being used by the Pope and
Catholic Spain to stir up trouble against Elizabeth.
By the standards of that time, Elizabeth was a model of religious tolerance.
Jesuit priests are a type of Catholic priest.
© OCR 2025 J411/12 Jun25
Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme [OCR J411/12]
Exam Resource Summary
The June 2025 GCSE (9–1) History B The People’s Health c.1250 to Present with The Elizabethans
1580–1603 Paper (OCR J411/12) provides a fully merged resource combining the complete examination
paper with its official mark scheme. This format allows learners to see how each question is assessed,
clarifying examiner expectations and the criteria for achieving top-band marks. This component explores
the history of public health in Britain from the medieval period to the modern era alongside the social,
political, and religious developments of the Elizabethan period. Candidates are expected to analyse
historical sources, evaluate interpretations, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments
demonstrating understanding of historical change, continuity, and causation. By presenting each question
alongside detailed marking guidance, the resource strengthens analytical, evaluative, and historical
reasoning skills. It guides learners in structuring precise and well-argued responses, supports targeted
revision, and prepares students thoroughly for the 2026 OCR GCSE History B (Schools History
Project) examination.
OCR is an exempt Charity
Turn over
, 2
Section A
The People’s Health, c.1250 to present
Answer Questions 1(a–c), 2 and 3.
1
(a) Give one example of how early modern towns tried to improve public health in their local areas
between 1500 and 1750. [1]
(b) Name one way in which people in towns obtained their water between 1750 and 1900. [1]
(c) Name one person whose work during the 1900s had a positive effect on public health. [1]
2 Write a clear and organised summary that analyses responses to outbreaks of plague during the
period 1348 (the Black Death) to c.1670.
Support your summary with examples. [9]
3 Why did the gin craze become a significant public health issue during the period 1660 to 1751?
Explain your answer. [10]
Answer Question 4 or Question 5.
4* ‘Government action was not effective in improving public health between 1750 and 1900.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
5* ‘Since c.1900, changes in living conditions and lifestyles in Britain have improved people’s
health.’
How far do you agree?
Give reasons for your answer. [18]
© OCR 2025 J411/12 Jun25
, 3
Section B
The Elizabethans, 1580–1603
Answer Questions 6(a–b) and 7.
6
(a) In Interpretation A, historian Suzannah Lipscomb gives an impression of the wealth and luxury
associated with the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
Identify and explain one way in which she does this. [3]
Interpretation A
An extract from a recent podcast in which the historian Suzannah Lipscomb walked around
Hardwick Hall, an Elizabethan country house, describing what she could see. Hardwick Hall was
owned by Bess of Hardwick.
I’m speaking to you from the magnificent Hardwick Hall. Crafted from golden stone, it
stands impressively tall with vast diamond-pane windows. It has six grand turrets, with
walkable roofs between them, and is topped with Bess of Hardwick’s coat of arms.
I’ve now moved into the High Great Chamber. You could fit a five-bedroom house in
here! This vast space, like a palace, features an intricate plasterwork frieze covered with
lions, elephants, deer, camels, and trees. Every room here is absolutely dripping with
vivid, brightly coloured tapestries.
Before I leave, I wanted to climb up here, onto the top of the Hall. This is where
Bess would have brought her guests. They would have walked across the roof to the
banqueting house in one of the turrets. This was a room designed for the final course
of a feast and for only a select few of her guests. And this view is what Bess would be
showing them: the extent of her wealth. Here, she was queen of all she could see.
A frieze is a type of wall decoration.
(b) If you were asked to do further research on one aspect of Interpretation A, what would you
choose to investigate?
Explain how this would help us to analyse and understand the Elizabethan nobility (upper class).
[5]
© OCR 2025 J411/12 Jun25 Turn over
, 4
7 Interpretations B and C both focus on the treatment of Catholics in England during the reign of
Elizabeth I.
How far do they differ and what might explain any differences? [12]
Interpretation B
An extract from the tourist website of Harvington Hall, an Elizabethan manor house in
Worcestershire. The house is now owned and run by the Catholic Church.
DISCOVER HARVINGTON HALL, THE HOUSE OF SECRETS
Explore the house as it was during Elizabeth I’s reign, when English Catholics lived in
terror. Wealthy families like the Pakingtons, owners of Harvington, devised ways to keep
their priests safe from priest hunters. The Hall boasts the country’s finest collection of
priest holes. Priest holes were secret hiding spaces for Catholic priests, and there are
seven at Harvington.
Priests endured cramped, cold, and dark conditions, sometimes hiding for over a week.
As you explore Harvington, imagine the terrifying sounds of the priest hunters pulling
up floorboards and stripping back wall panels. Imagine how the priests would have felt
knowing that, when the house fell silent, the priest hunters were waiting to hear any
sound. It was a real-life game of hide-and-seek, often with awful consequences.
Harvington Hall’s theatrical tours vividly depict the dangers faced by recusant families
like the Pakingtons. Join us for a journey through fear, devotion, and persecution.
Interpretation C
An extract from a recent article by the historian Susan Doran in ‘BBC History Magazine’.
Under Elizabeth, the Church of England was flexible and moderate. Elizabeth would
not listen to the extreme Protestants who attempted to introduce more radical religious
changes.
Elizabeth also tried to prevent Catholic rebellion without following a policy of intense
religious persecution. It is of course true that she signed the death warrant of Mary
Queen of Scots, but she did this with great reluctance. It is also true that Jesuit priests
and the people who hid them were imprisoned or executed under Elizabeth, but this
was mainly because it was believed that the priests were being used by the Pope and
Catholic Spain to stir up trouble against Elizabeth.
By the standards of that time, Elizabeth was a model of religious tolerance.
Jesuit priests are a type of Catholic priest.
© OCR 2025 J411/12 Jun25
