The document provides guidance on answering knowledge questions, describing the different types of questions and how to structure responses. It explains that "describe" questions require facts about an issue with 1 mark for simple points and 2 marks for developed points including additional details or context. "Explain" questions want an explanation for why something happened using the "because" structure, and "to what extent" questions require analyzing which issue was most important on a topic by making 3 developed points and concluding with an answer and justification.

1. How to answer…
Knowledge questions
 ‘Describe…’
Describe facts about an issue
1 mark for each simple point; 2 marks for each developed point
Simple point
“During the Highland Clearances many crofters were forced
off their land to make way for sheep.”
Developed point
“During the Highland Clearances many crofters were forced
off their land to make way for sheep. This often resulted in
riots as people fought against their landlords evicting them
from their homes.”
 ‘Explain…’
Explain why something happened
1 mark for each simple point; 2 marks for each developed point
REMEMBER: Explain why your point matters by saying ‘…because…’
Simple point
Developed point

“The potato famine forced many Irish people to leave
because it destroyed most food for sale or to eat.”
“The potato famine forced many Irish people to leave
because it destroyed most food for sale or to eat. The
famine was caused by the blight disease and led to millions
of people starving to death.”
‘To what extent?’
Explain what issue was most important
Up to 5 marks
Include three developed points which affected a specific
issue (see ‘Explain’ above)
1 mark
Layout your answer properly; have three answer
paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph too.
1 mark
Give an answer; which issue was most important?
1 mark
Explain why you chose this answer. Use real facts.