[Mel2160]

I'm doing some practice questions to help with my mock. I am doing the Edexcel Paper A modern world history course. I am unsure how to structure this 10 mark question and what kind of things I am meant to write. Do I write 2 paragraphs or link them together? Also, its why they were important so I don't write what they were do I

Choose two items from the boxes below and explain why they were important in the USA
in the 1960s.

The Student Movement The Civil Rights Act (1964) and
the Voting Rights Act (1965) The Black Power Movement

I have attempted to do the bold ones. Any help would be useful. Thank you

[MrJohnDClare]

The Edexcel syllabus describes the skill for the 10-mark questions as 'features /recall of knowledge'
By which it means that it wants you to show two skills:
1. to know a lot of facts about the matter the more the better)
2. to be able to organise the facts into 'features'

The syllabus provides one markscheme for a question on Watergate:

Quote

Describe the main features of the Watergate Scandal in the USA. (10)
Level 1 Simple statement offering some features, supported by some knowledge, e.g. Nixon resigned. (1-2)
Level 2 Developed statement giving features supported by relevant knowledge, e.g. as level 1, involvement of the President, tapes, break in. (3-5)
Level 3 Developed explanation of features, supported by appropriately selected knowledge showing links, e.g. as Level 2, dirty tricks, CREEP, cover-up, role of television. (6-8)
Level 4 Developed explanation of features, supported by precisely selected knowledge, e.g. as Level 3, Senate Hearings, resignation, discrediting ofpolitics. (9-10)

You question does not wholly meet this, because it aso asks you to 'explain', so the question you have given us is NOT just about organising factual knowledge.

However, I would answer it in this way:
1. Find out all the facts you can about the items.
2. Organise the facts into 'features'.
3. Write 'There were <N> important features of the <ITEM>.
4. Then write up all your facts in <N> paragraphs, illustrating each point with as many facts as you can give.

You are right to try to also make links between the different paragraphs.

One last thing, are you sure that the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act are meant to be taken separately -- the word 'and' in between them would lead me to wonder whether they were meant to be taken together, and that your three topics are:
The Student Movement
The Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965)
The Black Power Movement

Check your boxes to make sure

[Mel2160]

I didn't notice that :S
Thank you. You're right because another question only has 3 points to choose from as well which is a similar type of question to this. I wrote an answer for this question so I am going to have to shorten it and add the other point.

I will follow your advice and try to write an appropriate answer. Just another question if you don't mind. Another question I am stuck on is the impact of Nixon's resignation. So should I could include how the USA was seen by the rest of the world and how the president of the USA's power became more restricted and they had had to consult congress before they went to war.

Thank you

[Mel2160]

Also do I make links between the two points that I choose to answer?

[MrJohnDClare]

Mel2160, on Jan 6 2009, 05:39 PM, said:

Should I could include how the USA was seen by the rest of the world and how the president of the USA's power became more restricted and they had had to consult congress before they went to war.

Well ofr course your teacher is the ultimate judge of that - I would never go against your own teacher - but in my opinion the answer to these questions is yes, yes and yes.

Quote

Also do I make links between the two points that I choose to answer?

Optional - not necessary, but can't harm. Just remember that the key targe is to write a large number of facts about the item you have been asked about, organised into sensible 'features'.

[Mel2160]

Thank you so muvh
Really appreciate it.