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Paper 3 exam skills: sources and interpretations

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Paper 3 tests one modern depth study in 1 hour 30 minutes, for 52 marks. Every option uses the same question types, so these skills work whichever option you study.

Section A (16 marks)

Question 1 (4 marks): "Give two things you can infer from Source A about..." For each, state the inference and quote the detail that supports it.
Question 2 (12 marks): "Explain why..." Choose one of two questions. Two prompts are given, but you must also use your own information. Aim for about three well-explained causes.

Section B: sources and interpretations (32 marks + 4 SPaG)

Question 3(a) (8 marks): "How useful are Sources B and C for an enquiry into...?" Judge each source by its content (what it tells you), its provenance (who made it, when, why) and your own knowledge.
Question 3(b) (4 marks): "What is the main difference between these views?" in Interpretations 1 and 2. Explain the difference and support it with detail from both.
Question 3(c) (4 marks): "Suggest one reason why Interpretations 1 and 2 give different views." For example, they focus on different aspects, or the writers used different sources.

Question 3(d): the big one (16 + 4 marks)

"How far do you agree with Interpretation 2 about...?"
Use both interpretations and your own knowledge. Explain points that agree and points that disagree, then reach a clear judgement.
This question also has 4 marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terms, so write carefully.
Worked example

A source is a speech by Goebbels praising Nazi jobs schemes. How could it still be useful for an enquiry into living standards?

  1. Its content shows what the Nazis claimed about jobs.
  2. Its provenance shows it is propaganda, so it may exaggerate.
  3. That makes it useful for showing how the Nazis wanted workers to see their lives, even if it is not reliable about the reality.

Answer: It is useful for showing Nazi claims and propaganda aims, even though it is one-sided.

Key idea

Paper 3: 52 marks in 1 hour 30 minutes. Q1 inference (4), Q2 explain why, choice of two (12), Q3(a) usefulness of two sources (8), Q3(b) main difference between interpretations (4), Q3(c) reason for difference (4), Q3(d) how far do you agree (16 + 4 SPaG).

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