Paper 1, skills tested.

Comprehension:

You should be able to put into your own words the explicit message of a source.

Most common mistake is that you simply describe the source.

Strong answers “undress” the hidden message in pictures. You have to put the source in it’s correct context.

This skill is tested in question 1 and gives a few marks. Short answers.

Analysis:

From at least two different sources you are asked to:

· Draw a conclusion (make inferences).

· Compare and contrast the sources.

· Explain the significance of the sources.

· Show own judgment over the sources (be careful).

This skill is asked in the last question and usually in the second question. When the IBO asks for “own knowledge” in the last question they mean this.

Evaluation:

Evaluate the sources using:

· Origin. – Were does the source come from, a newspaper, a speech etc?

· Purpose – Why is this source produced?

· Value – Why is this source useful to a historian?

· Limitation. – Why should you be careful when you use this source.

Question 3 asks these skills from you.

Application:

You get marks for showing this skill, what you should do is show that you have knowledge of the areas covered by the sources, if the source mention de-kulakization show that you what it is. One good way could be that you show the causes of or the consequences of the historical part that the source mention. This should be done breathily in question 1, more thorough in the last question.

Synthesis:

The ability to construct a short essay, based on the available sources.