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ScotlandClassical StudiesQuick questions
Exam skills and the assignment
Quick questions on The National 5 Classical Studies question paper - SQA
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are evaluative questions?Show answer
Evaluative questions test judgement, not just recall, and are usually worth more marks. Words such as how far, how important or to what extent signal that you must weigh evidence and reach a supported conclusion. A good answer sets out points on more than one side, for example reasons supporting an idea and reasons against it, or one factor compared with others, each backed by accurate knowledge. Because Classical Studies is a comparative subject, you often weigh the classical world against the modern world.
What is reading the command word?Show answer
The key skill underneath all of this is reading the command word before you write. Describe means give facts; explain means give developed reasons; how far or how important means weigh and judge. Many marks are lost by candidates who describe when the question wanted a judgement, or who give only one side. Train yourself to underline the command word and the exact focus, then choose the right shape of answer.
What is q1?Show answer
For a 6 mark Describe question, roughly how many developed points should you make? [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
What must an evaluative (how far) answer include that a Describe answer need not? [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Why is reading the command word so important? [2 marks]
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