[Isramagdi]

I have problems knowing HOW to answer questions for igcse history paper 4

for the 6marks questions how many paragraphs should I include?
and the 7 marks question??
for the 2marks questions do I have to write it in a paragrph or bullet point are enough?

can you please show me the method/........

[MrJohnDClare]

There are a number of 6- and7-mark questions.

You can look at the 2007 paper 4 here.
More to the point, you can a look at the markscheme here, so you can see how the marks are gained.

Bullet points are OK on a low-markuestion. The key is to answer it in very few words - don't write a side on it!

[mrallsop]

IGCSE Paper 4 is divided into two distinct sections - the first is source questions and the second is knowledge and understanding.

In the source questions, the usual format is:

i) 6-mark question on the first source. This is usually asking you what the source tells you about something. To get the best marks, you need to make at least a couple of inferences from the source and use evidence from the source to support your points.

ii) 7-mark question on the second source. This is often a "how far"-style question, which you should be used to from the 8-mark questions on Paper 1. This answer requires balance: you need to show ways the source does support the statement in the question (supported with evidence from the source), ways the source doesn't support the statement in the question (supported with evidence from the source) and then reach a conclusion judging "how far". 3 paragraphs overall would be appropriate here.

iii) 7-mark question comparign the two sources. In recent years this has been abotu how useful the sources are to find information on a given topic. Here you need to consider the content and the provenance of each source to determine their reliability. You should include examples from each source to support any point you make.

In the knowledge and understanding questions, the format is very similar to Paper 1.

You will start with some low-mark (often 2-mark) questions asking for quick knowledge recall. Write down the answer (for a 2-mark question you will usually need to make 2 points) and move on - an elaborately constructed paragraph is unnecessary as it wastes time. A quick sentence on each point is fine.

"Describe" questions are simply that - tell the facts of what happened, as with the 5-mark questions on Paper 1. Include specific details for top marks.

"Why did...?" questions require an explanation supported by evidence from your own knowledge, as in the 7-mark questions on Paper 1. A PEE format here is a good idea (make a point, support it with evidence and then explain why that made whatever event you're being asked about happen). Aim for 2 or 3 PEE paragraphs.

The final question is usually another "how far" question. As with the source format above, this answer requires balance: you need to show ways your knowledge does support the statement in the question (supported with specific evidence from your knowledge), ways your knowledge doesn't support the statement in the question (supported with specific evidence from yoru knowledge) and then reach a conclusion judging "how far". Again, 3 paragraphs overall would be appropriate here.

Seeing this question has prompted me to record a new podcast. Expect to find an MP3 of me talking through the techniques for Paper 4 questions on my revision website in the next few days.