1 answering exam questions
- 1. Answering Paper 1 questions You have one hour, 30 minutes to answer Paper 1. You should answer four questions, one from each topic you have studied during your course. Each essay question is worth 15 marks, giving 60 marks overall (out of a total of 90). The difference between Higher and Standard Grade or Intermediate is that, at Higher, you are expected to be able to debate and show you understand two sides of a discussion. PEERL paragraphs TOP TIPS Watch the news; you will pick up facts which are up-to-date and useful. Read, read, read; get into a revision plan. The simplest way to answer these questions is to split your answer up into three PEERL paragraphs. A PEERL paragraph is one PEEL for a view and one PEEL against the view (Rebuttal). It also needs a mini-conclusion at the end where you explain which view is right e.g. if question is about USA immigration you might have one PEEL saying it’s good for jobs, one where it’s bad for jobs and ultimately your mini-conclusion should explain, overall, what you think it means for jobs (and why). Each essay should have the same basic answer structure, as outlined below: Section Introduction PEERL 1 PEERL 2 PEERL 3 Conclusion Content State what your report is about; summarise the three topics you are going to examine (PEERL topics) State arguments for the view, state arguments against the view; summarise your overall opinion in the mini-conclusion State arguments for the view, state arguments against the view; summarise your overall opinion in the mini-conclusion State arguments for the view, state arguments against the view; summarise your overall opinion in the mini-conclusion Summarise your essay, recap your main arguments (miniconclusions), give overall conclusion to answer the question
- 2. Answering Paper 2 questions Paper 2 is very important. It is worth 30 of the final 90 marks. It is something that – as long as you are well prepared – you should be aiming to get at least 20+ marks in. You have 1 hour 15 mins for Paper 2. There are two sections in Paper 2; the first is a set of four questions (worth 10 marks), the second is a report (worth 20 marks). Answering the questions There are four questions; 2 x ‘To what extent…?’ and 2 x ‘Exaggeration’. To what extent…? In this question (worth three marks) you are asked to find one sentence in which the speaker has made one statement which is correct and one which is incorrect. Read the Source the statement is taken from (A or B). If you then read the title of the two C Sources mentioned in the question (e.g. C1a and C2b) this will help you find the content of the sentence you are to answer based upon. This is then a simple Support/Oppose question. Say which part of the statement is correct and provide evidence to back this up; then say which part of the statement is wrong, and give evidence. Finding the sentence and writing evidence for and against gives you three marks. Exaggeration In this task you are asked to find an incorrect sentence. Read the Source (A or B) that the question tells you to and then look at the C Source mentioned too; the C Source’s title will be the relevant sentence’s topic. Write which sentence is exaggerated and provide evidence for this. This will give you two marks. 2
- 3. Answering the report The Report is based on the Decision Making Exercises you completed at Standard Grade or Intermediate. You will be given a scenario e.g. you are a government advisor and asked to recommend a course of action to the government i.e. support or oppose a rise in the minimum wage. Remember that, unlike Enquiry Skills at Standard Grade or Intermediate, you must use your own knowledge when answering these questions. The topic will be something you have studied in Health and Wealth so be prepared for this. You must write your answer in the form of a report. In this you must not only explain why you have made your choice but also discuss possible criticisms of your recommendation. You must use all Sources in your answer. TOP TIP Write all the Sources at the top of the page; cross them off when you use them to keep a record. The suggested layout should be followed to cover all parts. Remember to use sub-headings throughout too, in order to give a full report look. Finding the arguments The easiest way to identify arguments for and against the policy you are talking about is to have a quick look at Sources A and B. One will always be for the option and one against. Identify the general themes/arguments each Source makes; once you do this it not only gives you the topics for your PEEL paragraphs, it also gives you direct quotes to use from each source. If you follow the next page layout you need five arguments for your recommendation; this is three ‘Arguments for’ and two rebuttals to the ‘Likely criticisms’. The rebuttal points have to be linked to the ‘Likely criticisms’ topics. ‘Coat hangers’ In order to include your own knowledge, think ‘coat hangers’. This means that the Sources might mention an issue you know more about; include this extra detail in your answer e.g. if the Sources talk about “various means tested benefits”, give examples of these (Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, etc). 3
- 4. Suggested report layout Section 1 Heading Role/Remit 2 Recommendation 3 Reasons for recommendation Content In this section you should outline who you are, what your report is about, who it is for and the evidence you will use. These details can all be found in the Decision Making task instructions. In this section simply state your exact recommendation (no explanation needed). In this section you need three reasons for your recommendation (done in PEEL style). In each PEEL you should aim to include your argument, a quote from Source A/B to back it up, a statistic from Source C, a piece of your own knowledge and a ‘link back’ sentence. Keep referring back to the report’s topic, especially in the ‘link back’ where you should state exactly how your plan will help. 4 Likely criticisms of recommendation Give each PEEL a sub-heading. In this section you need two likely criticisms and a rebuttal for each (PEERL paragraphs). Each criticism section needs a PEEL paragraph which surmises what your opponents will say (follow the structure above) and then another PEEL where you prove this wrong. 5 Conclusion Give each criticism PEERL a sub-heading. Re-state the purpose of your report, summarise your arguments in favour, mention the likely criticisms (and say you have disproved them). Finish by re-stating your recommendation. REMEMBER! Use all Sources and your own knowledge 4