The 16 Mark "How Far Do You Agree with Interpretation 2" Question (Edexcel GCSE History)

Summary of Question 3 (d)

• Question 3 (d) requires you to:

  • Evaluate the topic outlined in the question

  • Use both Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2

    • This will help you to have a balanced argument

  • Come to an overall judgement on how far you agree with the topic outlined in the question

• You should use Sources B and C in your answer

  • This is highly encouraged as each source is linked to an interpretation and it will act as your own knowledge for this question

• The interpretations used in Questions 3 (b) and 3 (c) will be the same ones used in this question

• Like the 16-mark question in Paper 1, you are awarded marks for Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG)

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 Weimar and Nazi Germany:

  Year of Exam	Question Topic
  2018	The challenges facing the Weimar Republic in the years 1919 -23
  2019	Nazi policies towards women
  2020	Support for the Nazi regime in the years 1933-39
  2021	Support for the Nazi Party in the years 1924- 28
  2022	Why Hitler became Chancellor in 1933
  2023	Cultural changes in the Weimar Republic in the years 1924 - 29

Making judgements in history

• The 16-mark question relies on your ability to weigh all the evidence from the interpretations and sources 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 which interpretation you find more convincing

    • Failing to decide how far they agree with the interpretation outlined in the question

    • 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 in the introduction that you fully agree with Interpretation 2. However, in the conclusion you state that you partially agree with Interpretation 2

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

• Good judgements will:

  • Explain how convincing you find Interpretation 2

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

  • Consider the other interpretation

    • Even if you fully agree with Interpretation 2, you must also evaluate Interpretation 1

  • Be sustained throughout your answer 

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

    • The highest-awarded answers sustain their argument throughout the answer

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 and state how far you agree with Interpretation 2

  • Counter – Give a brief overview of your evaluation from Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2

  • Support – Explain why, after considering all the evidence, you have reached your judgement. Use the core of your argument to support your answer

How to get SPaG marks

• In Paper 3, students have access to an additional four marks for answering Question 3 (d)

• 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 with Interpretation 2" question

• The "How far do you agree" question in Paper 3 will present you ask you to explain how far you agree with one of the interpretations against a topic outlined in the question

  • This interpretation and topic will be the same as the one that you have written about in Questions 3 (b) and (c)

    • You must not repeat what you have said in Questions 3 (b) and (c)

  • In the example question, this topic is 'German recovery in the years 1924-29'

• To answer this question successfully you should

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

  • Annotate the question, interpretations and sources

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

    • Annotate the interpretations to come to a judgement

    • Annotate the sources and select what information you can use to help support your judgement

  • Plan your answer

    • In your plan, include what parts of the interpretations and sources 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 with Interpretation 2" question structure

• Your answer should consist of:

  • A logical structure e.g. PEEL paragraphs

  • Both Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2

  • You should use Source B and Source C

    • Do not use Source A as you will not be rewarded any marks for your comments

  • An explanation based on the demands of 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

    • Evidence can come from Source B and Source C

  • E - Explain why this evidence supports your point (In)

    • Your explanation should be focused on to what extent you agree with Interpretation 2

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

• The question is out of 20 marks:

  • 16 marks are awarded for analysis and evaluation of the interpretations (In)

  • 4 marks are awarded for Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG)

    • This is an overall mark, not awarded in specific areas of your answer

Worked example of a "How far do you agree with Interpretation 2" question