Y11: 4-1. Paper 2 Exam Preparation – I

Today we will look at typical Paper 2 exam questions, in preparation for your Paper 2 examination…

We will:

• analyse exam questions
• analyse sources
• plan essay answers
• write essay answers

1.

Paper 2 is a 2-hour exam paper with 6 questions based on approximately eight sources.

The typical layout for this exam paper is shown below. There is a title (posed as a question), followed by background information, sources and questions.

Here are two example of typical Exam Questions for Paper 2…

Example 1:

Example 2:

2.

Look at the following video clip. It gives brief advice on what is expected when answering the Paper 2 source questions for IGCSE History.

Paper 2 Advice – Part 1. (6:01 minutes long)

3.

There are two options in Paper 2: a 19th Century History option, and a 20th Century History option. Each option starts with a heading posed as a question, as well as some background information. The background information simply introduce the topic.

(Do not mistaken the “background information” for “Source A”!)

As our first example, we will look at an exam paper on why international peace had collapsed by 1939: Were Britain and France to blame for Hitler’s success in achieving Anschluss?

4.

A number of sources (usually Sources A to H) follow the background information. The questions that you have to answer are at the end of all the sources.

So, let’s work on the following Paper 2 exam question on the collapse of international peace:

Question 1

5.

Before we proceed, here is a bit more advice on answering this type of “comparison” question.

Paper 2 Advice – Part 2. (1:48 minutes long)

6.

Carefully read and analyse the information. Also underline relevant points and make short annotations in the margin if necessary.

SOURCE A

SOURCE B

7.

Now answer the question.

Remember that it is very important to give evidence for all the statement made in your answer! Provide evidence in the form of short quotes. If the source is an image / cartoon evidence must be given by referring to what can be seen in the image / cartoon.

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