Higher History – Paper 2

How To Answer Source Questions

Paper 2

• The Special Topic – Scotland and the Impact of the Great War will be assessed in Paper 2.

• You will have five sources to study.• You will have four questions to

answer.• In total the paper is worth 30 marks.

The Four Questions

• Type One – How useful is Source A as evidence of………..? 5 marks

• Type Two – To what extent does Source A agree with Source B about…? 5 marks

• Type Three – How far does Source C…?10 marks

• Type Four – How fully does Source D….?10 marks

Timing

• Type One – How useful – 15 mins

• Type Two – Comparison – 20 mins

• Type Three – How far - 25 mins

• Type Four – How fully – 25 mins

Keep your eye on the clock and try to stick to these times.

Type One – How useful is Source A as evidence of………..?

• In this question you are being asked to judge how good the source is as a piece of historical evidence.

• The question is worth 5 marks

Origin and Purpose 2 marks

Source Content 2 marksRelevant recall 2 marks

Origin and Purpose (PROVENANCE)• Origin – who wrote it or where the source

appeared.• Purpose – why the source was produced.• Explain why the origin and purpose is

important in the context of the question.

Source Content• No marks for copying from the source.• Listing points from the source will only

gain 1 mark.• You must mention points from the source

and explain why this is relevant to the question.

Recall• Think of the limitations of the source.• Include information to show that the

source does not give the full picture.

Answer the Question• A source will seldom be entirely

valuable or useful.• A useful phrase to use in your answer

is ‘the source is partly useful’.

Type Two – To what extent does Source A agree with Source B about…?

• In this question you are being asked to compare two points of view overall and in detail.

• The question is worth 5 marks

Overall Comparison 2 marks

Direct Comparisons 4 marks

Type Two – To what extent does Source A agree with Source B about…?

• It is not enough just to list points of difference. You must clearly explain in what ways the sources differ or agree with each other.

• For example – The sources agree about …………Source A says…………………… and Source B agrees when it says ………………………………………

• There will always be FOUR points of comparison for you to find in the sources.

• Always identify the sources you are using and provide detailed quotes from the source.

Type Three – How far does Source A give evidence of…?

• In this question you are being asked to show how much you know about a particular issue.

• This question will cover a specific sub issue in the topic – you will be expected to discuss a specific issue in detail.

• The question is worth 10 marks

Source Content 4 marksRelevant Recall 7 marks

Type Three – How far does Source A give evidence of…?

• You must select relevant points from the source and then develop each point with relevant recall.

• You must then bring in your own knowledge (recall) and discuss other relevant points that are not mentioned in the source OR expand on a point in the source with relevant detail.

• End your answer with a short conclusion that answers the overall question.

Type Four – How fully does Source A explain…?

• In this question you are being asked to show how much you know about a particular issue.

• The question will cover a broad issue within the topic.

• You would approach this question in exactly the same way as a Type Three – How far…?

• The question is worth 10 marks

Source Content 4 marksRelevant Recall 7 marks

Type Four – How fully does Source A give evidence of…?

• You must select relevant points from the source and then develop each point with relevant recall.

• You must then bring in your own knowledge (recall) and discuss other relevant points that are not mentioned in the source OR expand on a point in the source with relevant detail.

• End your answer with a short conclusion that answers the overall question.