The 4 Mark "Explain One Consequence of" Question (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Note

Summary of Question 1

• Question 1 requires you to explain a consequence of a historical event

• This question has changed format since 2024

  • Previously, you were asked to explain two consequence of one event

  • Now, you have to explain one consequence of two given events, separated into Question 1 (a) and Question 1 (b)

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

• In previous years, this question has focused on the following topics for Superpower Relations: 

How to explain consequences

• Cause and consequence is a second-order concept

• Causes and consequences are like falling dominos

  • The causes are what push the dominos over

    • For the example question, a cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis was the arms race between the USA and the USSR

  • The consequences are the other dominos that fall

    • For the example question, a consequence of the Cuban Missile Crisis was the establishment of a 'hotline' between the USA and the USSR

Consequence 

• A consequence in history is something which has happened in response to the cause 

• Consequences can be:

  • Different depending on the person 

    • For example, the consequences of the Hungarian Uprising on the people of Hungary were different from those of the US government

  • Short and long-term 

  • Both positive and negative 

• Use causation connectives such as:

  • "Due to..."

  • "As a result..."

  • "Consequently..."

"Explain one consequence of" question structure

• Your answer should include: 

  • Specific and relevant knowledge 

  • A developed and well-explained consequence of the event or issue

• Your answers could  be written in PEE paragraphs: 

  • P- Make a point by writing a consequence of the event in the question

  • E- Include evidence to support the point you have made (K) 

    • Focused on key knowledge about the event in the question

  • E- Explain the question (SOC)

    • Focus on the key demands of the questions 

    • Include a complex explanation showing your understanding of cause and consequence 

• To achieve full marks, you need to answer both Questions 1 (a) and 1 (b). The questions are on two different events

  • Each consequence question is worth 4 marks

    • 2 marks for knowledge (K) 

    • 2 marks for your analysis of the second-order concept of consequence (SOC) 

  • For answering both parts of Question 1, 8 marks are available

Worked example of an "Explain one consequence of" question