Common Question Types
- "Describe two/three features of..." — 4 or 6 marks. Name it, evidence it. Two clear features, no overlap.
- "Explain why [change/continuity occurred]..." — 8 marks. This is a causation question.
- "How far do you agree that [statement]?" — 16+4 SPaG marks. Argue both sides, make a judgement.
Moving from Level 2 to Level 3 (Explain Why)
- Level 2: "John Snow investigated cholera. He found the source was a water pump."
- Level 3: "John Snow's 1854 investigation proved that cholera was spread through contaminated water, not miasma. This was significant because it showed that CLEAN WATER — not clean air — was the key to prevention. Without Snow's evidence, the case for building sewers would have been much weaker."
- The difference: Level 3 explains WHY the event mattered and links it to a broader argument.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing facts without explaining causes — "Then in 1875... then in 1928..." is Level 1
- Treating "describe" and "explain" questions the same way — describe needs features+evidence; explain needs causes+analysis
- Forgetting to make a judgement in essay questions — always state which factor was MOST important and why
- Confusing John Snow (water, 1854) with Pasteur (germ theory, 1861) — they did different things
This exam tips covers How to Write at Level 3 and Above within The People's Health, c.1250-present for GCSE History. Revise The People's Health, c.1250-present in Component Group 1 — Thematic Studies for GCSE History with 14 exam-style questions and 17 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 15 of 16 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for The People's Health, c.1250-present
Describe two features of medieval beliefs about the causes of disease.
Describe two responses to the Black Death in England.
Quick recall flashcards
What was Miasma Theory?
The belief that disease spread through foul-smelling 'bad air' from rotting matter, sewage, and corpses. Wrong about the cause, but accidentally encouraged avoiding infected areas.
What were the Four Humours (Galen)?
Blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile. Galen taught that disease was caused by imbalance of these fluids. Treatments aimed to restore balance — bleeding, purging, vomiting. Dominated medicine until the 19th century.