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GCSEHistoryEdexcelModern Depth Study (Paper 3)Revision NotesRussia & the Soviet Union, 1917–41Exam Skills: Russia & the Soviet Union, 1917–41Comparing 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:

Exam question asking for the main difference between two interpretations about the impacts of the New Economic Policy, with a four-mark allocation.
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 contrasting interpretations of the NEP: Mazower highlights economic disparities, while Figes notes rising productivity and agricultural recovery by 1926.
The two interpretations for the example Question 3 (b) in Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41 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 Russia and the Soviet Union, 1917–41 topic, interpretations are different based on the following themes:

    • Political developments (e.g. Tsarist or Bolshevik policies)

    • Social and cultural developments (e.g. the cult of Stalin)

    • Economic developments (e.g. the effects of War Communism or the Five-Year Plans)

"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 the New Economic Policy (NEP).

What is the main difference between these views?

Explain your answer, using details from both interpretations.

(4)

Interpretation 1 – From Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century, M. Mazower, published in 1998​. As those with access to markets prospered, the NEP opened up increasing economic inequalities among different groups. Class and regional disparities grew – between richer peasants, wandering tradesmen, and an impoverished and restless urban labour force – and these threatened the always fragile cohesion of the entire economy. The NEP in fact made Soviet growth rates dependent upon the market behaviour of workers and peasants, not the Party or the state. Interpretation 2 – From A People's Tragedy, O. Figes, published in 1996.​ There was a steady rise in productivity. The 1913 levels of agricultural production were regained by 1926, and surpassed in the next two years. The harvest yields of the mid-1920s were 17 % higher than those of the 1900s, the so-called 'golden age' of Russian agriculture... if it had continued for a few more years, the NEP might have overseen the development of a significant collective farming sector with the support of the peasantry to feed the urban sector more efficiently.

Answer

Interpretations 1 and 2 have different views about the impact of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in the 1920s (In). Interpretation 1 argues that the NEP caused significant social issues. It says the NEP made "economic inequalities among different groups" worse (In). Interpretation 2 presents the NEP as a period of successful economic recovery (In). It says "there was a steady rise in productivity" and that harvest yields were "17% higher than those of the 1900s" (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 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:

Exam question asking for a reason why Interpretations 1 and 2 differ on the New Economic Policy's impact, suggesting use of Sources B and C. Worth 4 marks.
An example of Question 3 (c) in Paper 3

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

  • Both 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 Kronstadt Mutiny

      • Others may focus on the long-term effects

  • Do not refer to provenance

    • You will not receive any marks for an explanation focused on the 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 the NEP. Interpretation 1 and Source C highlight negative impacts, while Interpretation 2 and Source B show positive impacts. 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 the 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 collective farming in Interpretation 2 and discuss collectivisation

    • 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 the New Economic Policy (NEP).

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

(4)

Source B: Black and white photo of a crowded Russian market in 1921 with people gathered around market stalls under a wooden canopy. Source C: From an autobiography of an American journalist, Raymond Gram Swing, written in 1964.​ "Before boarding our boat, we visited the market, where, under the so-called New Economic Policy recently adopted by Lenin, we watched the peasants selling food for their personal profit, food they had grown on their small private garden plots. But the peasants had little food to sell, and they themselves were haggard and undernourished. We bought some black bread and goat cheese to eat on the boat. I have never seen a more harrowing sight than people starving to death."
Interpretation 1 – From Dark Continent: Europe's Twentieth Century, M. Mazower, published in 1998​. As those with access to markets prospered, the NEP opened up increasing economic inequalities among different groups. Class and regional disparities grew – between richer peasants, wandering tradesmen, and an impoverished and restless urban labour force – and these threatened the always fragile cohesion of the entire economy. The NEP in fact made Soviet growth rates dependent upon the market behaviour of workers and peasants, not the Party or the state. Interpretation 2 – From A People's Tragedy, O. Figes, published in 1996.​ There was a steady rise in productivity. The 1913 levels of agricultural production were regained by 1926, and surpassed in the next two years. The harvest yields of the mid-1920s were 17 % higher than those of the 1900s, the so-called 'golden age' of Russian agriculture... if it had continued for a few more years, the NEP might have overseen the development of a significant collective farming sector with the support of the peasantry to feed the urban sector more efficiently.

Answer:

Interpretations 1 and 2 give different views about the NEP because they have given weight to different evidence (In). The author of Interpretation 1 may have studied sources such as Source C, which shows that the NEP caused serious suffering. The American journalist describes peasants as "haggard and undernourished" and says he witnessed "people starving to death". This supports Interpretation 1’s claim that there was an "impoverished and restless urban labour force" (In). However, Interpretation 2 will have studied sources such as Source B. It shows peasants selling food, which supports the idea that the NEP led to improved productivity and a return of market activity. This evidence matches Interpretation 2’s argument that "harvest yields of the mid-1920s were 17% higher than those of the 1900s" (In).

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the (exam) results speak for themselves:

    Previous:The 8 Mark "How Useful are Sources B and C" QuestionNext:The 16 Mark "How Far Do You Agree with Interpretation 2" Question
    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.