Question types Flashcards
(4 cards)
How do you do a how fully explain question
You’re being asked to judge how complete the explanation in the source is — and then to support your judgment with both evidence from the source and your own knowledge.
✅ Structure for Answering a “How Fully” Question:
1. Judgment Sentence
Start by clearly answering the question.
Example:
The source explains the topic partly/quite fully, but misses some important points.
2. Source Evidence (3 points)
Identify three key pieces of information the source does include that help explain the topic.
🔹 Use quotes or paraphrase.
🔹 Explain how each point answers the question.
Example:
The source says “Enslaved people worked 12 hours a day,” which shows the harsh conditions on plantations.
(x3)
3. Recall/Own Knowledge (3 points)
Add three points of relevant knowledge that the source misses.
These show that the source is not complete.
Example:
However, the source does not mention that enslaved people were rarely given medical treatment.
(x3)
✅ Example Answer Template:
The source explains the living and working conditions of enslaved people partly, but it misses some key details.
The source explains that “enslaved people worked long hours, typically 12 hours a day,” which shows the intensity of their labour. It also states that “the housing was very basic,” and that “enslaved families were often split up when bought and sold,” which highlights the poor living conditions and emotional trauma.
However, the source does not mention that enslaved people had no legal rights and could be treated as property. It also doesn’t mention that diseases like dysentery spread quickly due to poor sanitation. Finally, it misses the fact that enslaved people could be branded or mutilated as punishment.
Therefore, the source is only partly useful in explaining the full reality of plantation life.
How do you do a comparison question
A Comparison question in National 5 History asks you to compare two sources to identify similarities and/or differences.
You’re usually asked something like:
“Compare the views of Sources A and B. In what ways do they agree or disagree?”
✅ What You Need to Do:
You must give at least 3 developed comparisons:
Either similarities
Or differences
Or a mix of both
✅ Structure for Answering a Comparison Question:
Each comparison should include:
What Source A says
What Source B says
A statement showing if they agree or disagree
🔁 Example Structure (One Comparison):
Source A says that “enslaved people worked long hours every day.”
Source B says “enslaved people were forced to labour for 12 hours or more without rest.”
This shows that both sources agree that enslaved people worked very long hours.
Repeat this 3 times with different points to get full marks.
✅ Example Answer (Mixed):
Source A says enslaved people were often whipped for working too slowly.
Source B says that enslaved people were punished with flogging if they disobeyed.
This shows that both sources agree that physical punishment was common.
Source A says enslaved people had to build their own shelters.
Source B does not mention this, so they disagree on housing conditions.
Source A mentions enslaved people were watched closely by overseers.
Source B says they were forced to wear iron chains.
This shows they both agree that enslaved people were closely controlled, although in different ways.
✅ Quick Tips:
Use quote or paraphrase from each source.
Always make the comparison clear (use “agree” or “disagree”).
Aim for 3 solid comparisons = full marks.
How do you do a 9 mark essay question
The question is usually worded like:
“To what extent was X the main reason for Y?”
or
“How important was X in causing Y?”
It’s assessing:
Knowledge of the key topic
Ability to explain causes/consequences/factors
Ability to make a judgement
✅ How to Structure a 9-Mark Essay
Use this clear structure:
🔹 Introduction (Optional but helpful)
Briefly explain the issue in the question.
Mention the factor in the question and at least one other factor.
Example:
There were several reasons why the slave trade was abolished. One key reason was the work of the abolitionists, but economic and political factors were also important.
🔹 Main Paragraphs – 3 KEY POINTS
You need three explained points. Each one should:
Name the factor
Give factual detail
Explain how it links to the question
Example (about abolition of slavery):
One important reason was the work of the abolitionists. Campaigners like William Wilberforce spoke out in Parliament. Their petitions raised public awareness and pressure to change the law. This helped bring slavery to public attention and force political change.
Another reason was economic change. By the early 1800s, plantations were becoming less profitable. Industrial Britain no longer relied on slave-grown sugar. This meant slavery was no longer economically useful.
A third reason was resistance by enslaved people. Revolts like the one in Haiti scared plantation owners and governments. The risk of rebellion made slavery harder to maintain and more dangerous to continue.
🔹 Conclusion – Make a Judgment
Answer the question directly. Say how important the named factor was compared to others.
Example:
In conclusion, while the abolitionists played an important role in ending slavery, the decline in profits and fear of rebellion made slavery unsustainable. Therefore, economic and resistance factors were more important overall.
✅ How It’s Marked
Marks What You Need
1–3 Basic knowledge, maybe one simple point
4–6 Two or three relevant points explained with some detail
7–9 Three well-explained points, clearly linked to the question, with a conclusion
✅ Top Tips:
Always include 3 separate points
Always explain, don’t just list facts
Use connectives like “because”, “this meant that”, “as a result”
Finish with a clear conclusion/judgment
How to do a describe question
How to Answer a National 5 History Describe Question (4 marks)
These questions ask you to describe something clearly and accurately using facts.
✅ What Does It Look Like?
“Describe the working conditions for enslaved people on plantations.”
“Describe one way the abolitionists tried to end the slave trade.”
You are not being asked to explain or compare — just state facts.
✅ What You Need to Do:
You must give 4 separate relevant facts (1 mark each).
Keep it clear and simple.
No need for long explanations.
🟢 Example Question:
“Describe the punishments enslaved people faced on plantations.”
Answer:
Enslaved people were often whipped for working too slowly.
They could be branded with hot irons.
Runaways sometimes had their feet cut off.
The most severe punishment was execution, sometimes by burning alive.
✅ That’s 4 marks — each fact is relevant, accurate, and clearly stated.
✅ Tips for Describe Questions:
Write in bullet points or short sentences.
Don’t repeat the same idea in different words.
If you’re not sure, aim for 5 points to be safe — only the best 4 count.
