Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2024

First exams 2026

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The 12 Mark "Explain Why" Question (Edexcel GCSE History)

Revision Note

Test yourself

Summary of Question 2

  • Question 2 requires you to provide an analytical explanation of the event, development, theme or factor outlined in the question

  • This question will require you to use second-order concepts in your answer

  • This question has changed format since 2024

    • Previously, you did not have a choice of which 12-mark question you could answer

    • Now, you have a choice of two questions where you will need to answer one

Amount of marks 

12

The time that you should spend on the question 

No more than 20 minutes

5 minutes of planning

10- 15 minutes of writing

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

Historical exam question asks students to explain either German opposition to the Treaty of Versailles (1919) or how Hitler created a dictatorship (1933-1934). Total 12 marks.
An example of Question 2 in Paper 3
  • In previous years, this question has focused on the following topics in Weimar and Nazi Germany

What are second-order concepts?

  •   Second-order concepts are:

    • Cause and consequence

    • Change and continuity 

    • Similarities and differences 

    • Historical significance 

  • For the example question, the second-order concept is cause and consequence

    • Question 2 (a) in the example question asks to explain what aspects of the Treaty of Versailles caused anger in Germany

  • These second-order concepts allow you to:

    • Understand history 

    • Give a complex explanation

  • This question usually focuses on causes rather than consequences

  • The focus of the two 12-mark questions could either be on Weimar Germany or Nazi Germany

    • Edexcel does not state if there will always be one option based on Weimar Germany and one option based on Nazi Germany

    • However, the creation of an additional option for the 12-mark question makes it likely that both questions will be based on different topics and periods of the course

How to answer an "Explain why" Question

  • This question asks you to explain why an event or development was achieved by discussing the different causes of it

    • You need to demonstrate a clear knowledge and understanding of what factors caused the event or development to happen

  • In the exam, you will be given the option of two questions to answer

    • You only need to answer one question

      • You will not receive more marks for writing both questions

    • You should put an "X" in the box next to the question you have chosen to answer

Checkbox options for Question 2(a) and 2(b) with instructions on marking choices or changing answers by crossing out the current mark.
An example of how to show which option you will be answering in the Weimar and Nazi Germany exam
  • As shown in the example question, you will receive two stimulus points

    • In the exam, you will be given two possible areas of knowledge to discuss in your question

    • If you only discuss these two stimulus points, you cannot access Level 4 (9-12 marks)

    • You must discuss three areas of knowledge in your answer to access Level 4

  • You should always plan your answers before writing them. When creating a plan for this question you should consider the following:

    • What three areas of knowledge are you going to use?

      • For Question 2(b) in the example question, you could include the Reichstag fire, the Enabling Act and the Night of the Long Knives

    • How do they demonstrate cause and consequence across the time period outlined in the question?

"Explain why" question structure

  • Your answer should consist of:

    • Specific and relevant own knowledge

    • The second-order concept of cause

    • A sustained explanation

    • A logical structure

  • Your answers could be written in PEEL paragraphs :

    • P - Make a point about the question

    • E - Use evidence that supports the point that you have made (K)

      • The evidence should be from the time period outlined in the question

      • Your evidence should include a wide range of knowledge

    • E - Explain the question (SOC)

      • Explain why the evidence caused the event or development outlined in the question to happen

    • L - Link your explanation back to the question by stating how significant this factor was in causing the event or development to happen (SOC)

  • To achieve full marks, you need to repeat this structure three times

  • The question is out of 12 marks:

    • 6 marks for a wide range of specific knowledge of the period and the topic (K)

    • 6 marks for the analysis of the key second-order concepts (SOC)

Worked example of an "Explain why" question

Worked Example

2 (a) Explain why there was opposition in Germany to the Treaty of Versailles (1919).

(12)

You may use the following in your answer:

  • military terms

  • territorial terms

You must also use information of your own.

Answer

One reason why there was opposition in Germany to the Treaty of Versailles was its military terms. Germany had to accept such terms as its army being restricted to 100,000 men and not being allowed to have an air force (K). This created anger in Germany towards the Treaty of Versailles because this had significant consequences for the German people. The restriction of the army caused many German soldiers to become unemployed. This worsened the economy and law and order within Germany. In addition, not having an air force meant that Germany became weaker. They could not develop the military technology that other countries had, making them vulnerable to attacks. Therefore, the Treaty of Versailles' military terms caused opposition because it made Germany vulnerable and caused significant social problems (SOC).

Another reason why the Treaty of Versailles was hated by the German people was its territorial terms. France was given the area of the Saar, with its coalfields, for 15 years and the 'Polish Corridor' was made from German land (K). These terms caused much opposition in Germany. Not only was Germany made smaller, but the 'Polish Corridor' divided Germany into two. Roughly one million Germans were under Polish rule, making them feel separated from their country and their people. The loss of the Saar coalfields meant that Germany lost 15% of their coal resources. This weakened the economy significantly. Therefore, the Treaty of Versailles' territorial terms caused opposition in Germany because it divided Germany into two and made it harder for Germany to recover from the First World War (SOC).

A final reason why the German people opposed the Treaty of Versailles was its economic terms. Most significantly, Germany would have to pay the Allies reparations as a condition of their surrender. The amount was set at 132 billion gold marks (£6.6 billion) (K). This caused significant anger in Germany. This amount would be enough to bankrupt Germany, especially, as the territorial terms reduced their ability to trade. For many Germans, this seemed an unreasonable term intended to force Germany to economically and politically collapse (SOC). Therefore, reparations caused significant opposition in Germany to the Treaty of Versailles. It was one of the most hated terms that united most German people against the Weimar government.

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Zoe Wade

Author: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History

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.

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After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 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.