Question Structures

Question 1

How do I structure a 4 mark difference question

Answer 1

State the difference between Interpretation A and B then give one quote from each interpretation and end by summarising the difference

Question 2

What goes in the first sentence of a 4 mark difference question

Answer 2

Clearly state the main difference using A says X and B says Y

Question 3

How do I support my difference point

Answer 3

Use one specific quote from Interpretation A and one specific quote from Interpretation B

Question 4

How do I end a 4 mark difference question

Answer 4

Summarise the overall difference of their messages and focuses.

Question 5

How do I structure a 4 mark reason for difference question

Answer 5

Give one clear reason then explain how this reason leads to views and finish by linking back to the difference

Question 6

What reasons explain why interpretations differ

Answer 6

Different evidence different focus written at different times or different purpose

Question 7

What must a reason for difference answer include

Answer 7

An explanation of how the reason causes the views to be different

Question 8

What is the structure of an 8 mark how convincing question

Answer 8

Paragraph 1: Make a clear judgement, introduce a claim from the interpretation, support it with your own knowledge, and give a mini-judgement on how convincing it is.

Paragraph 2: Analyse a second claim from the interpretation, support it with knowledge, and give another mini-judgement.

Conclusion: Summarise your overall judgement on how convincing the interpretation is, based on the points you’ve discussed.

Question 9

What is in the first paragraph of a convincingness answer

Answer 9

A clear judgement a claim from the interpretation specific knowledge and a mini judgement

Question 10

How do I use the interpretation in a convincingness answer

Answer 10

Pick a clear claim or phrase from the interpretation and evaluate it using knowledge

Question 11

How do I use my own knowledge in a convincingness answer

Answer 11

Give precise facts or examples that support or challenge the interpretation

Question 12

What is in the second paragraph of an 8 mark convincingness answer

Answer 12

A second claim tested with knowledge followed by a mini judgement

Question 13

How do I write the conclusion of an 8 mark interpretation answer

Answer 13

A short overall judgement based on the points already made

Question 14

What makes an 8 mark answer well structured

Answer 14

Clear paragraphs one claim per paragraph direct links between interpretation and knowledge plus a final overall conclusion

Question 15

When should I include provenance

Answer 15

Only in questions about how useful or how reliable sources are where you use nature origin and purpose

Question 16

Should I include provenance in interpretation questions

Answer 16

No, provenance is not used in interpretation questions. only evaluate what the interpretation says using your own knowledge

Question 17

What does NOP stand for in AQA History source questions?

Answer 17

Nature, Origin, Purpose

Question 18

What does Nature mean in a source question and why does it matter?

Answer 18

Nature is the type of source, such as a letter, diary, newspaper, government report, speech, or photograph, and whether it is primary or secondary. It shows what kind of information it provides and whether it is subjective or factual.

It matters because different types of sources have different strengths and weaknesses. Diaries and letters can be personal and biased. Official reports can be factual but may exaggerate or hide information. Newspapers may be sensationalist.

Question 19

What does Origin mean in a source question and why does it matter?

Answer 19

Origin is who created the source, including their position, role, or viewpoint, and sometimes when it was produced.

This matters as the creator’s perspective can influence the content. For example, a government minister may be biased to make policies look good, while a soldier may give a personal but subjective account (based on personal opinion).

Question 20

What does Purpose mean in a source question and why does it matter?

Answer 20

Purpose is why the source was created, such as to inform, persuade, warn, or entertain.
It matters as purpose can affect reliability. For example, propaganda aims to persuade and may exaggerate or distort facts, while a private diary may be honest but limited in perspective.

Question 21

How do you structure an 8-mark account question 1918–1939?

Answer 21

Short Introduction - “There were several key factors that caused the Second World War”

Paragraph 1: One major cause/factor was… [insert factor], followed by evidence (dates, events, names) and explanation of its impact.

Paragraph 2: Another factor was… [insert factor], with supporting evidence and explanation.

Optional Paragraph 3: A further factor was… [insert factor], with evidence and explanation to strengthen the answer.

Mini Conclusion summarising key points and linking to the question
“Overall, these factors all contributed to the outbreak of the Second World War”

Keep paragraphs chronological if possible and always link evidence to the question.

Question 22

What are the main types of cartoon questions in AQA History Paper 1?

Answer 22

1. Cartoon meaning/message – explain what the cartoon shows or implies.
2. Cartoon purpose/audience – explain why the cartoon was published and who it was aimed at.
3. Cartoon evaluation/usefulness – assess how reliable the cartoon is as evidence.

Question 23

How should you structure an 8-mark cartoon question?

Answer 23

1. Identify the cartoon (who, when).
2. Describe what you see.
3. Explain meaning/message.
4. Support with historical knowledge.
5. Analyse purpose/audience.
6. Optional mini conclusion linking to the question.

Question 24

How do you start a cartoon question answer?

Answer 24

Identify the cartoon, who made it (if given), and when it was published. Example: “This cartoon was published in a British newspaper in 1938.”

Question 25

How do you describe a cartoon?

Answer 25

Explain what you can see: people, objects, labels, symbols, captions. Use sentence starters like: “The cartoon shows…” or “In the cartoon we can see…”

Question 26

How do you explain the cartoon’s meaning or message?

Answer 26

Interpret what the cartoon is trying to communicate. Use starters like: “This suggests…” or “The cartoon implies…” Then link to historical knowledge: dates, events, names.

Question 27

How do you use historical knowledge in a cartoon question?

Answer 27

Support the interpretation of the cartoon with facts or context. Example: “In 1936 Hitler sent troops into the Rhineland, breaking the Treaty of Versailles. This shows why the cartoon criticises his actions.”

Question 28

How do you analyse the cartoonist’s purpose or audience?

Answer 28

Explain why it was made and who it was aimed at. Use starters like: “The cartoon was likely intended to…” or “It aimed to warn/persuade the public…” Consider exaggeration, humour, propaganda.

Question 29

How do you finish a cartoon question answer?

Answer 29

Optional mini conclusion summarising the message and usefulness. Example: “Overall, the cartoon conveys that Hitler’s actions were aggressive and Britain was failing to respond.”

Question 30

Q: How do you structure a 12-mark explain question?

Answer 30

→ Paragraph 1 – Point: “One reason was…”, “Another important factor was…” → Evidence: Include specific facts, dates, or events. Sentence starters: “For example…”, “In [year]…”, “This is shown by…” → Explanation: Show how the evidence caused or contributed to the issue. Sentence starters: “This led to…”, “As a result…”, “Therefore…” → Link: Connect back to the question. Sentence starters: “This was important because…”, “Overall, this contributed to…” → Paragraph 2 – Follow same structure as with Paragraph 1: Point → Evidence → Explanation → Link for second reason → Optional Paragraph 3 – Additional factor to strengthen answer

Question 30

How do you structure a 4-mark “Describe two features” question?

Answer 30

→ Identify first feature. Sentence starters: “One feature was…”, “The first feature was…” → Describe it with one or two sentences. Sentence starters: “This meant that…”, “This led to…” → Identify second feature. Sentence starters: “Another feature was…”, “The second feature was…” → Describe the second feature with evidence. Sentence starters: “This shows that…”, “This resulted in…” → Link both features back to the question. Sentence starters: “This was important because…”, “Overall, these features…”.

Question 31

Q: How do you structure a 16-mark “How far do you agree” question?

Answer 31

→ Introduction: Give overall judgement. Sentence starters: “I mostly agree that…”, “I partly agree because…”, “Overall, I think that…” → Paragraph 1 – First argument (for/against):   → Point: “One reason for agreeing/disagreeing is…”   → Evidence: “For example in [year/event]…”   → Explanation: “This shows that…”, “As a result…”   → Link: “This supports/challenges the interpretation because…” → Paragraph 2 – Second argument: Repeat PEEL structure → Paragraph 3 – Third argument (counter-argument or supporting argument): Repeat PEEL structure → Conclusion: Summarise judgement. Sentence starters: “Overall, I think…”, “In conclusion…”, “This shows that…” → Evidence tip: Always include specific facts, dates, events, or examples and link them to your judgement. Sentence starters: “For instance…”, “This is shown by…”, “As a result…”

Question 32

What is the structure for a 12-mark “How useful are Sources B and C…?” question?

Answer 32

→ Paragraph 1 – Source B  → Content: Identify what the source says/shows. Starters: “Source B suggests…”, “This shows that…”  → Own Knowledge: Support or challenge the content. Starters: “My own knowledge supports this because…”, “However, I know that…”  → NOP: Consider the source’s Nature, Origin, and Purpose. Starters: “The purpose makes it more/less useful because…”, “As it was produced in [year], the origin increases usefulness because…”  → Mini Judgement: Starter: “Overall, Source B is useful because…” → Paragraph 2 – Source C  → Follow the same steps as for Source B:   Content → Own Knowledge → NOP → Mini Judgement  → Starters: “Source C shows…”, “My contextual knowledge confirms…”, “The nature/purpose/origin makes it useful because…” → Conclusion (Optional but boosts marks):  → Compare usefulness of both sources.  → Starters: “Overall, both sources are useful, but Source ___ is more useful because…”, “Taken together, the sources are useful because…”