1. Modern World History GCSE Support: Getting top marks in the Own Knowledge Questions

2. What shape should my answers be….? 2a) Briefly describe… 2b) Explain why… 2c) Debate…. 2a) Briefly describe… 2b) Explain why… 2c) Debate…. To get the highest marks at GCSE you have to ANSWER the question, demonstrate good subject knowledge and fulfil the requirements of the mark scheme. The guide on the left and the following slides show you how to structure your answers to get the top grade. Task 1 For each question revise the question area using one of the following… johndclare.net http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh /ir2/ OCR Modern World History Revision guide by Ben Walsh (NB> Copies available from the history office if required) Task 2 Then complete the questions that follow as practice.

3. Question 2a) What was the ‘Iron Curtain’? What should my answer look like? One paragraph Simply give details of four things (1mark each) or explain two (2 marks each). Note: You could include: Who said it, what they said, where the division was, what the division represented etc. Remember, write a sentence for each point, NOT just individual words/phrases. Don’t make it too long. 4 marks

4. Question 2b) Explain why Berlin was a cause of tension between East and West between 1945 and 1949. What should my answer look like? Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Explain one reason. Eg: One reason why Berlin was a cause of tension was because… Explain a second reason: Eg: Another reason why Berlin was a cause of tension was because… Note: You could include: Division of Berlin, Berlin’s position within Eastern Germany, the creation of a new currency in West Berlin, Berlin Blockade Remember to repeat the words of the question at the beginning and end of your explanations. 6 marks

5. Question 2c) How successful was the West in containing Communism in Europe up to 1949? Explain your answer. What should my answer look like? Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Explain 2 ways in which they were successful Eg: In some ways the West were successful in containing Communism in Europe up to 1949, for example….. (x2) Explain 2 ways in which they were unsuccessful: Eg: In some ways the West were not successful in containing Communism in Europe up to 1949, for example….. (x2) Note: This must be a two sided debate. You could include: Success: Marshall Plan, Truman Doctrine, Berlin Blockade, NATO. Unsuccessful: spread of Communism into Eastern Europe (esp. Czechoslovakia) and the Iron Curtain, Marshall Plan not accepted/allowed in Soviet Sphere, continued presence of Communism in Eastern Europe. 10 marks Conclusion Conclude – answer the question directly: Eg: Thus, it can be said that the West were/were not successful in containing Communism because…..

6. Question 3a) What was the Tet Offensive? What should my answer look like? One paragraph Simply give details of four things (1mark each) or explain two (2 marks each). Note: You could include: When it happened, what happened (with examples), who was involved, was it successful? Remember, write a sentence for each point, NOT just individual words/phrases. Don’t make it too long. 4 marks

7. Question 3b) Explain why the methods used by the Americans to try to defeat the Vietcong were unsuccessful. What should my answer look like? Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Explain one reason. Eg: One reason why the methods used by the Americans to try to defeat the Vietcong were unsuccessful was because…. Explain a second reason: Eg: Another reason why the methods used by the Americans to try to defeat the Vietcong were unsuccessful was because…. Note: You could include: Difficult to counter the VC tactics, lack of morale, inexperienced troops, environment Remember to repeat the words of the question at the beginning and end of your explanations. 6 marks

8. Question 3c) The following were equally important reasons for America withdrawing from Vietnam: i) Public Opinion in America ii) Guerrilla Warfare How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. What should my answer look like? Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Explain 2 reasons why public opinion led to America withdrawing from Vietnam Eg: In some ways public opinion was responsible for the American withdrawal from Vietnam……(x2) Explain 2 reasons why Guerrilla warfare led to America withdrawing from Vietnam Eg: However, in some ways Guerrilla warfare was responsible for the American withdrawal from Vietnam…..(x2) Note: This must be a two sided debate. You could include: Public Opinion: My Lai massacre, Tet Offensive, protests in America, impact of Walter Cronkite; Guerrilla Warfare: loss of troops, inability to fight against it, impact on morale. 10 marks Conclusion Conclude – answer the question directly: Eg: Thus, X can be seen as the more important reason because…..