The question paper and its question types: how Describe and the evaluative questions (how far, how important) are marked, and how to structure a good answer to each.

What this dot point is asking

This dot point covers the question paper of SQA National 5 Classical Studies and the kinds of question it uses. The paper tests your knowledge of the areas you have studied, but the marks depend on answering each command word in the right way. The two main types are Describe questions, which reward developed points of fact, and evaluative questions such as how far and how important, which reward a weighed, supported judgement. Knowing what each rewards, and how to structure your answer, is one of the fastest ways to raise your grade.

This skill applies across all three areas, whether you write about Athens, Rome or the Odyssey, so it is worth mastering early. The advice here follows the standard pattern of the National 5 marking instructions; always check the current SQA specimen paper for the exact format.

The answer

The National 5 Classical Studies question paper, sat under exam conditions, asks questions on the areas you have studied, and each question carries a command word that tells you how to answer. A Describe question rewards separate, accurate points of factual description from recall: you make roughly as many developed points as there are marks, so about six for a 6 mark question, each a clear statement rather than a single word. You do not need opinions or a conclusion for a Describe; you need accurate facts. An evaluative question, marked by words such as how far or how important, rewards something different: a weighed judgement supported by knowledge. Here you set out points on more than one side, often weighing the classical world against the modern world or one factor against others, and then reach a clear conclusion that directly answers the question. The single biggest error is to describe when you are asked to evaluate, or to give a one-sided answer with no judgement, so reading the command word first is essential.

Describe questions

Describe questions are the bread and butter of the paper and test recalled knowledge. The marker awards one mark for each separate, accurate, developed point that answers the exact question, up to the tariff. So for a 6 mark Describe you aim for about six clear factual statements, and it is wise to make one or two extra in case some are not credited. A "developed" point is a full statement, not just a label: "girls were taught household skills such as weaving" scores, whereas the single word "weaving" may not. You do not need an introduction or conclusion; you need accurate, relevant facts.

Evaluative questions: how far and how important

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. You then give a clear conclusion that answers the exact wording, such as "to a great extent" or "mainly, but not entirely", and that conclusion must follow from the evidence you have given.

Reading the command word

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.

Examples in context

Suppose a Describe question asks you to describe the role of women in Athens. You answer with a list of developed facts: they lived under a male guardian; they ran the household; they worked wool; they stayed largely indoors; they went out for festivals; and they bore legitimate children. No conclusion is needed.

Suppose instead a how far question asks how far Roman women were freer than Athenian women. You weigh the Roman freedoms (public life, property) against the shared limits (no vote, under a guardian), then conclude that Roman women were generally freer but not equal to men. The same knowledge is shaped very differently by the command word.

Try this

Q1. For a 6 mark Describe question, roughly how many developed points should you make? [2 marks]

• What the marker wants. About six separate, accurate, developed points of fact, ideally one or two more in case some are not credited.

Q2. What must an evaluative (how far) answer include that a Describe answer need not? [2 marks]

• What the marker wants. Points on more than one side and a clear, supported conclusion that directly answers the question.

Q3. Why is reading the command word so important? [2 marks]

• What the marker wants. Because it decides the shape of your answer; describing when asked to evaluate, or giving one side only, loses marks however accurate the content.

A note on sources

This guide is AI-written and not individually human-reviewed. The advice follows the standard pattern of the SQA National 5 Classical Studies marking instructions; verify it against the current SQA (Qualifications Scotland) course specification, specimen paper and past papers at sqa.org.uk.