Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The 4 Mark "Explain One Way" Question (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Summary of Question 3
Question 3 requires you to identify and explain one way in which two events or developments were similar or different
Amount of marks | 4 |
---|---|
The time that you should spend on the question | No more than 5 minutes |
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:
Year of Exam | Question Topic |
---|---|
2018 | |
2019 | The treatment of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and Conscientious Objectors during the First World War |
2020 | |
2021 | |
2022 | |
2023 | The treatment of young criminals |
How to explain how historical events & developments are similar and different
The thematic study tests you on the way that you explain continuity and change over time
To help you to do this, remember that:
The thematic study is divided into four different time periods. A question could:
Select any two of these four periods
Focus on two events or developments from across the four time periods
Compare a common area across two periods, for example, punishment
Consider using the key themes of types of criminal activity, law enforcement and punishments to help you explain the similarities and differences between the two time periods
How to answer a "Explain one way" question
When answering an "Explain one way" question, you need to:
Read the question carefully
Include specific and relevant knowledge
This information should come from both time periods given in the question
Make a direct comparison between the two events or developments
For the example answer, a direct comparison is that, in c1500-c1700 witchcraft was a serious crime and punished by death. However, in the years c1700-c1900 witchcraft was not considered to be a serious crime and was punished by fines and imprisonment
Explain how the two events or developments are similar or different
Only explain one similarity or difference, as stated in the question
To access Level 2 (3-4 marks), you must:
Show good knowledge and understanding of both periods outlined in the question
Explain the similarity or difference of the event or development outlined in the question
"Explain one way" question structure
Your answer should consist of:
Specific and relevant knowledge about the topic to support the comparison
Explanation of the similarity or difference outlined in the question
Your answers could be written in a PEE paragraph:
P- Make a point about the question
E- Include knowledge to support the point you have made (K)
Focused on the two developments or events mentioned in the question
Show knowledge to demonstrate similarities or differences between the two people or events
Use phrases like ‘similarly’ or 'whereas' to compare the two developments or events directly
Evidence must be from the time periods outlined in the question
E- Explain the question (SOC)
Focus on the key demands of the questions
Explain why they are different or similar
There are four marks available for this question:
2 marks for your analysis of a similarity or difference between the two given time periods (SOC)
2 marks for specific knowledge of each time period (K)
Worked example of a "Explain one way" question
Worked Example
Explain one way in which the treatment of the crime of witchcraft in the years c1500- c1700 was different from the treatment of the crime of witchcraft in the years c1700- c1900.
(4)
Answer
One way in which the treatment of the crime of witchcraft in the years c1500-c1700 was different from the treatment of witchcraft in the years c1700-c1900 was the way it was punished. In the years c1500-c1700, witches were treated severely and were punished by death (K). This is because people were extremely religious and feared witchcraft. Whereas, in the years c1700-c1900, the crime of witchcraft was punished by fines or imprisonment after 1776 (K). People in the years c1700- c1900 were less influenced by religion which resulted in the belief in witchcraft declining. As a result, the punishment for witchcraft became less severe (SOC).
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