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GCSEHistoryEdexcelModern Depth Study (Paper 3)Revision NotesMao’s China, 1945–76Exam Skills: Mao’s China, 1945–76Comparing Interpretations Questions

Comparing Interpretations Questions (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Note

Exam code: 1HI0

Zoe Wade

Written by: Zoe Wade

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Updated on

Summary of Question 3 (b)

  • Question 3 (b) asks you to explain the difference between Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2

  • The interpretations used in Question 3 (b) will be the same interpretations used in Questions 3 (c) and (d)

Amount of marks 

4

The time that you should spend on the question 

No more than 5 minutes 

  • An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:

The exam question asks for differences in views between Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 on the impact of Communist rule on women in China, using details from two interpretations. It is worth 4 marks.
An example of Question 3 (b) in Paper 3

What is an interpretation question?

  • An interpretation is someone’s point of view about a historical event, person or time period

    • Interpretations focus on different ideas or evidence, so they may not always agree

  • These interpretations could be written:

    • After the event 

    • By people who were there at the time 

    • By historians

  • You will be given two interpretations from the Sources/ Interpretations Booklet

    • This is a separate booklet from your answer paper

    • It includes the key interpretations you’ll need for Section B

Two text excerpts on Chinese marriage laws: Evans highlights gender equality and education; Hershatter notes enforcement challenges in the 1950s.
The two interpretations for the example Question 3 (b) in Mao's China, 1945–76 as they would look in the Sources/Interpretations Booklet

Question 3 (b) — "What is the main difference?"

  • The interpretations used in Question 3 (b) will always be different from one another

  • In the Edexcel Mao's China, 1945–76, interpretations are different based on the following themes:

    • Political developments (e.g. CCP policies)

    • Social and cultural developments (e.g. the Cultural Revolution)

    • Economic developments (e.g. the effects of the Great Leap Forward)

"What is the main difference?" question structure

  • Your answer needs to:

    • Identify and explain the main difference in content between Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 (In)

    • Support your explanation with a short quote or clear summary from each interpretation (In)

  • To achieve full marks, you need to include both Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 in your answer

Worked example of a "What is the main difference?" question

Worked Example

3 (b) Study Interpretations 1 and 2. They give different views about the impact of Communist rule on women in China.

What is the main difference between these views?

Explain your answer, using details from both interpretations.

(4)

Interpretation 1 — From Defining Difference: The "Scientific" Construction of Sexuality and Gender in the People's Republic of China, H. Evans, published in 1995​. "Marriage became ideally a relationship of equal companions who shared responsibility for child care and the family ... Between 1950 and 1953, numerous publications sought to educate the public about the new [marriage] law, with particular emphasis on its importance for women, oppressed for centuries by the traditional system of arranged marriage." Interpretation 2 — From State of the Field: Women in China's Long Twentieth Century, G. Hershatter, published in 2004.​ "Aside from a one-month period of intensified publicity for the Marriage Law in March 1953, party officials soon backed away from attempts to enforce the law, particularly when it engendered conflicts with the priorities of land reform and collectivisation. Divorce spiked briefly in 1953 with the campaign to publicize the Marriage Law [and] remained low throughout the rest of the Mao era."

Answer:

The main difference between the interpretations is whether the Communist Party's policies concerning women were successful (In). Interpretation 1 argues that women’s lives improved under Mao. It says that the Marriage Law (1950) helped women who had been "oppressed for centuries by the traditional system of arranged marriage" (In). Interpretation 2, on the other hand, argues that changes for women were limited and not strongly enforced (In). It says that Party officials "backed away from attempts to enforce the law" and that divorce "remained low throughout the rest of the Mao era" (In).

Summary of Question 3 (c)

  • Question 3 (c) asks you to explain why the interpretations are different

  • You should not repeat what you have written in Question 3 (b)

  • The interpretations used in Question 3 (c) will be the same interpretations used in Questions 3 (b) and (d)

  • You can use Sources B and C in this question

    • However, if you choose not to use them, you can still receive full marks

Amount of marks 

4

The time that you should spend on the question 

No more than 5 minutes 

  • An example of the type of question you may encounter can be seen below:

The exam question asks for one reason why two interpretations differ on the impact of Communist rule on women in China, referencing Sources B and C. It is worth 4 marks.
An example of Question 3 (c) in Paper 3

Question 3 (c) — "Why are interpretations different?"

  • Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 may have different interpretations due to:

    • The types of sources they have used

      • For example, some interpretations may have placed more weight on political sources whereas others may use more economic sources

    • The authors' focus on short-, medium- or long-term developments or effects

      • For example, some interpretations may have focused on the short-term effects of an event, such as the First Five-Year Plan

      • Others may focus on the long-term effects

  • Do not refer to provenance

    • You will not receive any marks for an explanation focused on provenance

"Why are the interpretations different?" question structure

  • The most common way of structuring this answer is by using Sources B and C

    • One of the sources will support the argument made in Interpretation 1

    • The remaining source will agree with the argument given in Interpretation 2

    • Do not use Source A in your answer as you will not receive any marks

A comparison diagram showing how two interpretations match with two sources about the impact of communist rule on women. Interpretation 1 is positive, matching Source C. Interpretation 2 is negative, matching Source B. Blue and red arrows connect the interpretations to the corresponding sources.
An illustration showing how to match up Sources B and C to Interpretations 1 and 2

  • Using this method, you would use the following structure in your answer:

    • State that historians' viewpoints differ because they have given weight to different sources (In)

    • For Interpretation 1, state that they have looked at sources such as Interpretation 1's matching source (either Source B or C)

    • Use quotes or details from the source and from Interpretation 1 to show how they connect (In)

    • Repeat this structure for Interpretation 2, using its matching source

  • Do not use irrelevant information from the interpretations that are not based on the question

    • For example, a student may focus on the mention of land reform in Interpretation 2 and discuss the CCP's policies on land

    • This is not relevant and will not receive marks

Worked example of a "Why are the interpretations different?" question

Worked Example

3 (c) Suggest one reason why Interpretations 1 and 2 give different views about the impact of Communist rule on women in China.

You may use Sources B and C to help explain your answer.

(4)

Source B: An interview in 1997 with Feng Sumei, a woman living in rural China. Her account is based on her experiences in the 1950s. "Men were digging channels and building reservoirs at that time. Women carried fertiliser, planted potatoes, fertilised wheat – all were done by women. Women suffered more and worked more than men when gathering wheat. Men worked mainly outside. Women not only had to work outside but also take care of the children, feed the pigs, wash, starch, sew, mend." Source C: A 1953 Chinese government poster showing a smiling couple during harvest, with the caption "A free and independent marriage is good; there is great happiness in unified production."
Interpretation 1 — From Defining Difference: The "Scientific" Construction of Sexuality and Gender in the People's Republic of China, H. Evans, published in 1995​. "Marriage became ideally a relationship of equal companions who shared responsibility for child care and the family... Between 1950 and 1953, numerous publications sought to educate the public about the new [marriage] law, with particular emphasis on its importance for women, oppressed for centuries by the traditional system of arranged marriage." Interpretation 2 — From State of the Field: Women in China's Long Twentieth Century, G. Hershatter, published in 2004.​ "Aside from a one-month period of intensified publicity for the Marriage Law in March 1953, party officials soon backed away from attempts to enforce the law, particularly when it engendered conflicts with the priorities of land reform and collectivisation. Divorce spiked briefly in 1953 with the campaign to publicize the Marriage Law [and] remained low throughout the rest of the Mao era."

Answer:

Interpretations 1 and 2 give different views because they have given weight to different sources (In). The author of Interpretation 1 will have considered historical sources such as Source C. Source C is a government poster showing a smiling couple holding hands and includes the caption: "A free and independent marriage is good." This supports what is said in Interpretation 1, as it is claimed that "marriage became ideally a relationship of equal companions" (In). However, Interpretation 2 will have studied sources such as Source B. Source B describes how women in the 1950s "not only had to work outside but also take care of the children". This supports what Interpretation 2 argues insofar as in rural areas, "party officials soon backed away from attempts to enforce" marriage equality because it could interfere with "the priorities of land reform and collectivisation" (In).

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the (exam) results speak for themselves:

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Zoe Wade

    Author: Zoe Wade

    Expertise: History Content Creator

    Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

    Bridgette Barrett

    Reviewer: Bridgette Barrett

    Expertise: Geography, History, Religious Studies & Environmental Studies Subject Lead

    After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 30 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.