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.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point is pure exam technique for Paper 2. You need to know the question types and mark tariffs, how to answer the describe, explain and source questions efficiently, how to plan and write the extended "How far do you agree" judgement, and how to secure the 10 SPaG marks through accurate writing and specialist terminology. Apply every technique to your own studied site.
The question types and tariffs
Answering the shorter questions
Planning and writing the extended judgement
Earning the SPaG marks
Try this
Q1. How many SPaG marks does Paper 2 carry, and on which question? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. 10 SPaG marks, attached to the extended 16-mark "How far do you agree" judgement.
Q2. Explain how to structure a 16-mark "How far do you agree" answer about your site. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Plan both sides; argue why the named feature is significant (linked to purpose and period); argue why other features may be more significant; then reach a clear, supported judgement, writing accurately with correct specialist terminology.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR SHP 202016 marks'The most significant feature of your studied site is its defences.' How far do you agree with this statement?Show worked answer →
The extended judgement question (16 marks, with the 10 Paper 2 SPaG marks attached). Argue both sides using your own studied site and reach a clear, supported judgement. The named feature in the statement will match your site.
For the statement. Explain why the named feature (here, defences) is significant: what it reveals about the site's purpose and period, and how it shaped the site's use and importance.
Against the statement. Argue that other features may be more significant, for example display and status (a great hall, decoration), religion, or the site's role over time, each linked to the wider period.
Judgement. Weigh the named feature against the alternatives and conclude how far you agree, using precise features of your site. Write accurately, using correct specialist terminology, to secure the SPaG marks.
OCR SHP 20228 marksHow useful is this source for understanding how your studied site was used?Show worked answer →
The source question (8 marks, AO3). Judge usefulness through content and provenance, focused on how the site was used.
Content. Explain what the source shows about the site's use, for example a plan, a description, an illustration or an account of activity there.
Provenance. Weigh the nature, origin and purpose: who made it, when and why, and how that affects its reliability and value for this enquiry.
Judgement. Conclude how useful the source is for understanding the site's use, balancing what it reveals against its limits, and cross-checking against the physical remains.
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