How do you judge how useful a source is, and make inferences, in Edexcel GCSE History?
Analysing sources in Edexcel GCSE History: making inferences from a source, judging the usefulness of one or more sources for a stated enquiry using content and provenance (nature, origin and purpose), and applying contextual knowledge.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History source questions, covering how to make inferences from a source, and how to weigh content against provenance (nature, origin and purpose) and use contextual knowledge to judge the usefulness of sources for a stated enquiry.
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What this dot point is asking
Several Edexcel questions test how you use sources: the inference question (Paper 3) and the usefulness question (Papers 1 and 3). You need to know how to make a supported inference, and how to judge a source's usefulness using its content, its provenance and your contextual knowledge. The skill is the same across the papers, even though the exact wording varies.
Making inferences
Content and provenance
Using contextual knowledge
Reaching a judgement on usefulness
Try this
Q1. What are the three elements of provenance? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Nature (the type of source), origin (who, when, where) and purpose (why it was made), summed up as NOP.
Q2. Explain why a biased source can still be useful. [Short explanation]
- Cue. It reveals attitudes, intended messages or propaganda, which is valuable evidence for the right enquiry, so usefulness depends on what you are studying rather than on reliability alone.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20198 marksHow useful are Sources B and C for an enquiry into [a named topic]? Explain your answer, using Sources B and C and your knowledge of the historical context.Show worked answer →
The source utility question (8 marks, on Paper 1 and Paper 3). Markers reward both sources judged for usefulness using content, provenance (NOP) and contextual knowledge, for the stated enquiry.
For each source. Use the content (what it reveals about the enquiry), then the provenance (nature, origin and purpose, and how each affects what it can tell you), and test it against your own knowledge. Reach a judgement on what each is useful for.
Judgement. Say what each source is useful for, not just whether it is reliable, and note its limits. Do not dismiss a source merely for being biased. Top band judges both sources for the named enquiry.
Edexcel 20214 marksGive two things you can infer from Source A about [a named topic]. Complete the table provided.Show worked answer →
The inference question (4 marks, Paper 3). Two marks per inference: state an inference (something the source suggests but does not directly say), then support it with a detail from the source.
Inference one. State a reasonable inference, then quote or describe the detail in the source that supports it.
Inference two. State a second, different inference, again supported by a detail from the source.
Full marks. Two supported inferences, each backed by a detail from the source, using the source rather than only own knowledge. Two marks per inference.
Related dot points
- The structure of the three Edexcel GCSE History papers, the fixed question stems on each paper (Describe two features, Explain why, the 16-mark essays, the source and interpretation questions), and how to manage timing and marks.
A focused answer to the structure of the three Edexcel GCSE History papers, explaining the fixed question stems on each paper (Describe two features, Explain why, the 16-mark essays, and the source and interpretation questions), their mark tariffs, and how to manage timing.
- Working with interpretations in Edexcel GCSE History: identifying the main difference between two interpretations, suggesting why they differ, and evaluating how far you agree with one interpretation in the 16-mark essay.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History interpretation questions on Paper 3, covering how to identify the main difference between two interpretations, suggest why they differ (using provenance and emphasis), and evaluate how far you agree with one interpretation in the 16-mark essay.
- Planning and writing the 16-mark 'How far do you agree' essay across the Edexcel papers, building a balanced, well-supported argument and judgement, and earning the spelling, punctuation and grammar marks.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE History 16-mark essay, explaining how to plan and write a balanced 'How far do you agree' answer with a clear argument and judgement, how to use evidence and stimulus points, and how to earn the SPaG marks.
- The nature of the historic environment source enquiry, the role of different sources and how to find evidence about the Western Front, and how to answer the 'How useful are Sources A and B' (8 marks) and 'How could you follow up Source A' (4 marks) questions.
A focused answer to the Edexcel Paper 1 historic environment source enquiry, explaining the role of sources for studying the Western Front, and the exact method for the 'How useful are Sources A and B' (8 marks) and the distinctive 'How could you follow up Source A' (4 marks) questions.
- The origins of the Cold War: the Grand Alliance and the wartime conferences (Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam), the breakdown of trust, the Iron Curtain and Soviet satellite states, the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, and Cominform, Comecon, NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
A focused answer to Key Topic 1 of Edexcel's Superpower relations period study, covering the Grand Alliance, the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam conferences, the breakdown of trust, the Iron Curtain, the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, and the formation of Cominform, Comecon, NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History (1HI0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)