1. Answering the Edexcel Impact of War Paper
For Year M students only

2. Summary
There are 5 questions on the paper and you must answer all of them.
The exam takes 75 mins (1¼ hours)
There is a total of 53 raw marks for this paper
Target
5 minutes reading time
Question 1 (6 marks)
Comprehension and Inference
5 minutes
Question 2 (8 marks)
Own knowledge and Source Analysis
10 minutes
Question 3 (10 marks)
Own knowledge, causation and comprehension
15 minutes
Question 4 (10 marks)
Own knowledge and Evaluation
Question 5 (16 marks)
+3 marks for SPAG
Reaching a judgement
20 – 25 minutes
(Pg 194 of spec for sample paper)

3. General exam techniques for History
Check that you have the correct exam paper
Read the instructions on the paper very carefully
Use a highlighter pen to identify the instruction and topic on each question that you answer – this helps you to stick to the question
Read the paper through before you start and highlight any key details provided on the sources
Don’t forget to read the background information as this gives you a clue to the focus of the sources and the final question
Ensure that you put your name where it tells you to and label each answer clearly if extra answer booklets are used
Q4 and Q5 are worth half the marks and therefore need approximately half the time (35 mins)

4. Answering Question 1 : 6 marks
This is asking what you can infer / learn from a source
You should aim to give 2 inferences and support each inference with evidence from the source
Eg. “From source x I can infer .... I can support this where it says ... I can also infer .... I can support this because the source shows ....”
This answer should be short and sharp
There is no real need for own knowledge in this question
Avoid just repeating what the source has said

5. Answering Question 2 : 8 marks
This question is asking you to analyse a source to show its sympathies or purpose.
The examiner wants you to work something out by using the source
You could be asked about its purpose, the message it gives, the impression it provides, or the attitude of the creator of the source
Own knowledge is now needed. Max. of 6 marks if no own knowledge is used

6. Answering Q2 continued All these questions require two things:
Awareness that the sources were created with a purpose.
Analysis of the details in the source to show what the author / artist was trying to make you think.
There are different types of source so think carefully about the purpose of each one (cartoon, speech, advert, poster, photographs etc)
Try to make 2 points to support your answer
Identify what the source shows and combine this with an analysis of its nature to make a reasoned judgement on its purpose.

7. The purpose of the source is: • …
Answering Q2 continued
The purpose of the source is:
• …
I can tell this because of details the author has chosen to include
This purpose is also shown by …
[add in examples of how the source treats the subject. For example these could be ‘loaded’ words or parts of a visual source designed to make fun of something]

8. Answering Question 3 : 10 marks
This question is asking you to know, recall and select information regarding causation within a historical context. You will also be asked to comprehend sources.
Eg What part did Winston Churchill play in keeping up the morale of people in Britain in 1940? Explain your answer, using Source C and your own knowledge.
You need to give a developed explanation.
Your answer should use the source and precise own knowledge.

9. eg Shows that Source B is a speech which has a positive slant in order to boost morale, trying to reduce the impact of the bombing which has already taken place and brace citizens to withstand what is to come with the reference to ‘more to suffer’ and ‘rise from the ruins’.
Exemplifies from additional knowledge
the effects of other speeches by Winston Churchill, such as after
Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain.
NB: No access to Level 3 for answers that do not include additional knowledge.

10. Answering Question 4 : 10 Marks
This question is asking you to evaluate either the utility or the value of two sources, using your own knowledge in support
These are three ways in which the utility/value question could be phrased:
Study Sources F and G.
Which of sources F and G is more useful [or valuable] to an historian enquiring ……? Explain your answer, using Sources F and G.
Is Source F more useful [or valuable] than source G to an historian enquiring …..? Explain your answer using sources F and G.
Compare the value of Sources F and G for an historian enquiring into Explain your answer, using Sources F and G.

11. Answering Question 4 continued
To achieve level 3 you need to evaluate the contents and N/O/P for both sources. You must think about the N/O/P affects the value of the content.
• Try to begin each paragraph with the words of the question e.g. Source F is more useful because… or Source G is less valuable because. [You can also decide that they are equally useful / valuable. Your marks come from your evaluation of the sources. ]
• You must evaluate both sources. It is easier to do each source in turn.
Look at a variety of sources and annotate them with the 5 Ws…
• What type of source is it – nature
• Who produced it – origins
• When was it produced- origins
• Where was it produced - origins
• Why was it produced - purpose
For full marks a judgement should be based on the usefulness of the sources’ Information and on evaluation of nature or authorship of sources. Cannot achieve full marks with no own knowledge

12. Answering Question 5 : 16 Marks
It asks you to use three of the sources and your own knowledge to test a statement. You can also use any other sources in the paper.
You are being tested on your ability to do three things:
Identify points from the sources for and against the claim.
Add information or new points from your own knowledge for and against the claim.
Reach a judgment.
It will help you think of the task as a balancing act – put points on both sides and decide which side has the heaviest weight of evidence.

13. Answering Question 5 continued
Introduction
Set the scene for your answer – what is the statement suggesting?
Points agreeing with the view
Which points from sources agree with the view?
Use evidence from the sources to support this.
Reliability
How strong is the evidence in agreeing with the view?
[Try to comment on at least one of the three given sources either here or below in points against the view.]
Own knowledge
Add new point(s) or extra details from your own knowledge.
Points disagreeing with the view
Which points from sources disagree with the view?
How strong is the evidence which disagrees with the view?
[Try to comment on at least one of the three given sources either here or above in points for the view.]
Conclusion
What is your final judgement on the statement? Does the weight of evidence agree or disagree?
Begin with the word ‘Overall’.

14. Answering Question 5 continued
Make sure you give this answer plenty of time as it is worth more than quarter of the marks
Structure it with paragraphs where possible and treat it as a mini essay
You must use some own knowledge in order to qualify for the top level on the marking structure
The top level also expects sustained argument exploring the evidence for and against the hypothesis.
There are marks available here for excellent SPAG

15. And finally... Read your answers through if you have time
Make sure you have answered all the question
Question 5 has extra marks available for exceptional SPAG, so treat this as a mini essay with paragraphs, good grammar etc
Attempt every question – you will gain more marks by starting a new answer than labouring for an extra 5 minutes on an old one!