1. New Specification A21 and A22 Exemplar responses

2. A21: Comparative Government Option A: USA/UK Question 1 Very strong answer Good balance More than 3 explicit/implicit references to or uses of the Source Good reference to other evidence Level 5 response: 26 marks

3. A21: Comparative Government Question 2 Exemplar question asks for relevant examples Only ONE example will be required Some knowledge and understanding of the principle Not established that it applies to ministers

4. A21: Comparative Government Example reinforces conclusion that candidate believes it applies to backbench MPs The example does not relate to collective responsibility so does not count 2 marks awarded

5. A21: Comparative Government Question 4 Good structure based on similarities and contrasts Focus on legislation Good range of points made Valid point about success rates No reference to lack of party discipline and funding of members of Congress explaining legislative activism

6. A21: Comparative Government Crucially, no evidence at all. A ‘ceiling’ will apply: maximum Level 4 Level 4 response: 18 marks

7. A21: Comparative Government Option B: Republic of Ireland/UK Question 3 Excellent start: definition of ‘watchdog’ and purpose of scrutiny explained But too much on criticism: does not score So limited on forms of scrutiny: only two explained Level 4 response: 7 marks

8. A21: Comparative Government Question 5(a) Positives Excellent start: “Presidential” trend and Cabinet Government both explained Good structure: similarities and differences Balanced Good range of points on both sides and points well explained

9. A21: Comparative Government But no balance of evidence: only one from the Republic Was it not his own party that required Ahern to go? Level 4 (top) response: 24 marks

10. A22: Political Power and Ideas Option A: Political Power Question 1: Answer A One mark for Pluralist Theory Three points from Source listed But reasons why these illustrate Pluralism not developed: one mark for each Total: 4 marks

11. A22: Political Power and Ideas Question 1: Answer B One mark for identification of Pluralism Three points from the Source given Reasons why these illustrate Pluralism developed 9 marks awarded

12. A22: Political Power and Ideas Question 2 Good focus on criticisms Reference to Source at the start but limited use there after Relevant evidence/examples but would have benefited from more – to illustrate Lukes, for example Other theories used effectively to criticise Level 4 (top) response: 12 marks

13. A22: Political Power and Ideas Alternative Power Questions Question 1 Legitmacy defined: 1 mark Two points taken from the Source and explained. “Treated fairly” could have been developed Third point is candidate’s own knowledge and is valid 9 marks awarded

14. A22: Political Power and Ideas Alternative Power Questions Question 2 Issue clearly understood Reference to “crisis” at the outset but the idea not explained Too long on the ‘means’ by which states are overthrown This eats into time spent on reasons

15. A22: Political Power and Ideas But a reasonable range of reasons given Source used Level 5 response: 13 marks

16. A22: Political Power and Ideas Option B: Political Ideas Question 1: Answer A One mark for identification Three points taken from the Source to illustrate this is liberalism Do the first two overlap and are therefore only one? Candidate would have been advised to use the three numbered/bullet point format 10 marks awarded

17. A22: Political Power and Ideas Question 1: Answer B One mark for identification Two marks for the “state is a threat” and one for “Freedom of expression” “Tyranny” relevant but not explained as a reason: one mark Total: 5 marks

18. A22: Political Power and Ideas Question 2 Focused on criticisms Effective use of other ideologies Some, but not extensive, use of the Source Little/no evidence Level 4 response: 11 marks