Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History · specification 4HI1 · Paper 1 | Part (a): Interpretation of a source · Free · no account needed
Evaluating historical interpretations (AO4) (4HI1 specification)
Both papers ask you to judge somebody's view of the past. On Paper 1 it is a 6-mark impression question; on Paper 2 it is a 16-mark judgement.
Specification coverage
Paper 1 part (a) and Paper 2 Section A part (c)
Assessment objectives: AO4. Suggested learning time: 55 minutes.
Required knowledge
- AO4 is worth 15% of the qualification
- Paper 1 part (a) is 6 marks, all AO4: 'What impression does the author give about…?'
- Paper 2 Section A part (c) is 16 marks: 10 AO3 and 6 AO4, on an interpretation extract
- An interpretation is a constructed view of the past, not a source from the time
Required skills
- Analyse and evaluate historical interpretations in the context of the events studied
- Distinguish what an author claims from what the evidence supports
- Use your own knowledge to test an interpretation
How it is examined
- “What impression does the author give about…?” — 6 marks (Paper 1)
- “How far do you agree with this interpretation?” — 16 marks (Paper 2 Section A)
Common mistakes
- Treating an interpretation as a source from the period. It is a later view constructed about the period.
- Agreeing or disagreeing without naming what specifically is being agreed with.
- Writing everything you know about the topic and mentioning the extract twice.
- Assuming Paper 1 and Paper 2 interpretation questions want the same thing. One is 6 marks of impression; the other is 16 marks of judgement.
This page maps the specification. To learn the content, open the History lessons — completely free.