great question and answers for AQA GCSE Science

1. Semmelweis! ! ! ! ! ! 1
1 The graph below shows data regarding deaths of women who gave birth in a hospital
during the 1800s. An important doctor working in the hospital was Dr Semmelweis.
! Women gave birth in one of two wards, Ward A and Ward B.
! Before 1840 both doctors and midwives worked in both Ward A and Ward B.
! After 1840 only doctors worked in Ward A and only midwives worked in Ward B.
! Doctors often worked in other wards with people who had diseases.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 (a) Look at the data for Ward A and Ward B after 1840.
! Describe the effect on death rate of having only midwives and not doctors
working in Ward B.
! Refer to the data in Chart 1 in your answer. [2 marks]
! Lower death rate with only midwives. [1]
! Any approximately correct numerical description e.g. roughly 4 x fewer deaths
with midwives only or a reduction of approximately 60%. [1]
!!!!!! 1 (a) (i) Suggest a reason for the the differences you described in question 1 (a). [2 marks]
! Doctors not transferring [1]
microbes/germs/fungi/viruses/bacteria. [1]
my-­‐GCSEscience.com
ESPQ|BLY1|SEMM
Do not write
outside the
box
PercentageofDeaths
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Year
1834 1836 1844 1846
Ward A Ward B
Chart 1
Command word describe. There is a temptation to explain why because you
know the reason.You won’t gain marks for explanations if it says describe.
This is not about doctors not washing hands. Lots of data to look at for
this question so read carefully. Lots of students confuse themselves
because they don’t look at the data carefully before writing.

2. Semmelweis! ! ! ! ! ! 2
1 (b) In 1847, in a controlled experiment, Dr Semmelweis made doctors wash their hands in
chloride of lime solution before delivering the babies.
The chart shows the death rates in the two wards from 1848.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 (b) (i) What was the impact of making doctors wash their hands in chloride of lime solution?
! Use evidence from Chart 1 and Chart 2 to help you. [3 marks]
! Reduction of deaths in Ward A. [1]
! Reference to an approximate proportional drop, e.g. roughly 4 x less in 1848 or
approximately 6 x less in 1849. [1]
Reference to number/percentage of deaths being closer to Ward B. [1]
!
!
! 1 (b) (ii) Suggest how washing doctors’ hands in chloride of lime contributed to the impact you
described in 1 (b) (i). [1 mark]
Chloride of lime (or it) kills bacteria/germs/microbes/fungi.
! (Total 8 marks)
! End
my-­‐GCSEscience.com
ESPQ|BLY1|SEMM
Do not write
outside the
box
PercentageofDeaths
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Year
1848 1849
Ward A Ward B
Chart 2
Again, lots of marks lost because students don’t use the charts as
suggested in the question.
You can use the word ‘it’ if it is clear what you are talking about.