PAPER
1 SECTION A CORE CONTENT: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Answer
2 questions from 8
Each
question has 3 parts to it
Question
(a) will be your shortest answer and Question (c) your longest answer
Each
IGCSE question is marked in levels. The higher level you achieve in your
answer, the more marks you will get. Although the questions change each
year, the way the levels are marked don’t. So it follows that if you
know what the mark scheme is, then you should do well at IGCSE. On the
other hand, if you don’t know what the examiner is looking for, then
you’re likely to perform below expectations in your exam.
Question
(a) is a test of knowledge and recall. It could be about an event (eg
Describe the events of 1938 which led to the Anschluss) or some key terms
(eg In relation to the peace settlement of 1919-1920, what is meant by (i)
mandates; (ii) plebiscites?
Level
1: Gives a vague, fragmentary or only partially correct answer (1-2
marks)
Level
2: Gives a reasonably full and accurate answer (3-5 marks)
Top
Tip: Learn precise facts and show the examiner you know what you’re
talking about but don't be tempted to overwrite.
Question
(b) is about causation, so it is asking you to explain how and why
things happen. It is usually about a key event (eg Why was the Treaty of
Versailles severe on Germany?), but sometimes looks at a particular
development (eg Why did the wartime unity of the Allies break down in
1945-47?)
Level
2: Developed mono-causal reason as an explanation (3-5 marks)
Level
3: Developed multi-causal reasons with a balanced conclusion (6-7
marks
Top
Tip: PEE and always include more than one reason to explain why things happen
and give good precise facts to support your answer.
Question
(c) tests your ability to assess events. To assess something means to
make a judgement about it, so there is no right or wrong answer: you need
to make up your own mind about the question. You will generally be asked
about an event (eg Were Hitler’s policy towards Austria and
Czechoslovakia in 1938-39 completely successful? Explain your answer) or
about a key development (eg How far was the collapse of Soviet Communism
due to the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev? Explain your answer)
Level
1: Simplistic opinion supported by little valid or accurate evidence
(1 mark)
Level
2: Simplistic answer supported by some valid evidence (2-3 marks)
Level
3: Describes events and draws a valid conclusion (4-6 marks)
Level
4: Clearly addresses the key word in the question (eg completely
successful and how far) and makes a valid judgement about it (7-8
marks)
Top
Tip: Read the question carefully and identify the key words or phrases
that will get your answer up from Level 3 to Level 4. Your answer should
be balanced, supporting or attacking the question to some extent.
Therefore, draw up a quick table plan:
Yes
No
Evidence
that supports the statement
Evidence
which challenges the statement.
PAPER
1 SECTION B DEPTH STUDY
Answer
1 question from 2
Questions
follow precisely the same format as Section A
