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History Around Us (site study)

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you answer the History Around Us questions on Paper 2, including the extended SPaG essay?

The Paper 2 question types and mark tariffs, how to answer the describe, explain and source questions, how to plan and write the extended judgement, and how to earn the 10 SPaG marks through specialist terminology.
A focused answer to exam technique for OCR's History Around Us paper, covering the Paper 2 question types and mark tariffs, how to answer the describe, explain and source questions, how to plan the extended judgement, and how to earn the 10 SPaG marks.
12 min answer →

How do historians read the physical features of a site as evidence?

How to use the layout, building materials, design and changes of a site as historical evidence, the value and limits of physical remains, and how to combine physical evidence with written and visual sources.
A focused answer to reading physical evidence in OCR's History Around Us study, covering how to use a site's layout, materials, design and changes as historical evidence, the value and limits of physical remains, and how to combine them with written and visual sources.
12 min answer →

How do you judge the significance of a site and weigh different interpretations of it?

The meaning of historical significance for a site, how a site connects to the wider history of its period, how and why interpretations of a site differ, and how to evaluate which view is more convincing.
A focused answer to significance and interpretations in OCR's History Around Us study, covering what historical significance means for a site, how a site links to the wider history of its period, how and why interpretations differ, and how to judge which is more convincing.
12 min answer →

What is the OCR History Around Us study, and how is it examined?

The nature and purpose of the History Around Us site study, the centre-chosen historic site, the focus on physical features and significance, and the structure of Paper 2 including the SPaG marks.
A focused answer to OCR's History Around Us site study, explaining what the study is, why centres choose their own historic site, the focus on physical features and significance, and the structure of Paper 2 (40 marks plus 10 for SPaG).
12 min answer →