The 16 Mark "How Far do you Agree" Question (Edexcel GCSE History)

Summary of Question 5 or 6

• Questions 5 or 6 require you to:

  • Evaluate the statement in the question

  • To use second-order concepts in your answer

• You need to evaluate the statement given in the question against other reasons

  • Two possible reasons are provided for you in the stimulus box under the question

• You only need to answer either Question 5 or 6

  • Do not answer both questions as you will not have time and will not be awarded more marks

• This question has changed the time coverage for this question

  • Previously, the question focused on a period of at least 200 years

  • For the 2025 exams, the question will cover either a complete period or at least 200 years

• An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:

• In previous years, this question has focused on the following topics in Crime and Punishment in Britain:

Making judgements in history

• The 16-mark question relies on your ability to weigh all the evidence and state your opinion

  • Students often find this part the hardest to do 

• There are some common mistakes students make when making a judgement, they include: 

  • Not giving a clear judgement. Students do this by: 

    • Explaining that all of the reasons are the most important 

    • Failing to decide which factor is the most important 

    • Using language in their answer which is not decisive e.g. “kind of” or “maybe” 

• Contradicting your judgements

  • Students sometimes haven’t planned their answers properly. They start to write their answer with one judgement and then change their opinion halfway through 

    • For example, in the example question you state that poverty was the main reason for the increase in crime. However, in the conclusion, you state that the main reason for the increase in crime was the role of the government

  • Doing this means that there is not a sustained judgement and you can not access Level 4 (13–16 marks) 

• Good judgements will:

  • Explain the second-order concept outlined in the question in full

    • There is no "right" or "wrong" answer in history

    • If you are unsure of your opinion, pick the side of the argument that you have better or more evidence to support

  • Consider other reasons

    • Even if you fully believe a reason is the most important, you still need to present evidence for other reasons

  • Be sustained throughout your answer 

    • They should be used to structure your answer and help you explain 

    • This is why planning your answer is important

What makes a great conclusion in GCSE History?

• Conclusions are usually where most of your judgement marks will be awarded

• Students often rush their conclusions so they are not as developed as they could be

• All great conclusions have these three elements:

  • Judgement – Start with your opinion. Try to include the words from the question. Consider including referring to the second-order concept mentioned in the question

  • Counter – Give an example from the other side of the argument to show your awareness of this

  • Support – Explain why, after considering all the evidence, you have reached your judgement. Use your best piece of evidence to show your opinion

How to get SPaG marks

• In Paper 1, students have access to an additional four marks for answering either Question 5 or 6

• This is awarded for SPaG ( Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar)

• SPaG marks are allocated in the following categories:

• You can boost your SPaG marks by:

  • Ensuring key terms mentioned in the question are spelt correctly in your answer

  • Making sure that you use paragraphs in your answer

  • Allowing yourself an appropriate amount of time to re-read your answer to check for mistakes

  • Reading the answer in your head as if you were speaking it. Where you would take a breath, make sure there is a comma or full stop

How to answer a "How far do you agree" question

• In the exam, you will be given the option of two questions to answer

  • You only need to answer one question

    • You will not receive more marks for writing both questions

  • You should put an "X" in the box next to the question you have chosen to answer

• The "How far do you agree" question will present you with a statement which you have to create a sustained judgement around

  • For example, in Question 5, this is:

    • 'The role of poverty was the main reason for the increase in crime in the years c1500-c1700’

• Underneath both Questions 5 and 6, you will have a stimulus box with two key knowledge suggestions

  • If you only use these suggestions in your answer, you are limited to a maximum of 13 marks

  • You can choose not to use any of the suggestions

    • You can still achieve full marks by not using the two stimulus points

• To answer this question successfully you should

  • Read the answer carefully and multiple times (if you have the time)

  • Annotate the question to find the key demands of the question

  • Plan your answer

    • In your plan, include what key knowledge you wish to use and an outline of your argument

    • This will help you to create a sustained judgement

      AWAITING IMAGE

"How far do you agree" question structure

• Your answer should consist of:

  • A logical structure e.g. PEEL paragraphs

  • Specific and relevant knowledge

  • A range of knowledge

  • An explanation of the second-order concept outlined in the question

  • A clear and sustained judgement throughout the answer

  • A conclusion

• If you want to include an introduction you can, but it is not necessary 

• Your answers could be written in PEEL paragraphs: 

  • P - Make a point about the question

    • This should include your judgement 

  • E - Use evidence that supports the point that you have made (K)

    • Evidence needs to be relevant and specific to the question

  • E - Explain why this evidence supports your point

    • Your explanation should be focused on the second-order concept outlined in the question (SOC)

  • L - Link your explanation back to the question to help sustain your argument and show your understanding of the question

• The question is out of 16 marks:

  • 6 marks for a wide range of specific knowledge of the period and the topic stated in the question (K)

  • 10 marks for the analysis of the key second-order concepts of cause and consequence, similarities and differences and importance (SOC)

Worked example of a "How far do you agree" question