Answering the ‘How far?’ question

1. Answering the‘How far?’ question Click to continue

2. You will get a question that asks you to explain how far something was the case. For example: • ‘How far was Clemenceau satisfied with the Treaty of Versailles? • Explain your answer.’ Click to continue

3. This question can appear in different forms. For example: • ‘The Treaty of Versailles was grossly unfair to the Germans. • How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. ’ • Or, different again: • ‘What was the main reason the Germans hated the Treaty of Versailles? • Explain your answer.’ Click to continue

4. Whichever way they are worded, these questions are all basically the same — they involve a choice between two or more possible answers. Click to continue

5. The mark scheme states that you will earn marks if your answer: • ‘Explains both sides with an evaluation of which was the more important’ • So it wants you to be able to: • see both sides of the argument • compare the two sides • weigh which is more true and cite relevant facts Click to continue

6. So to get full marks you need to: build an argument forone side of the case (including facts) build an argument forthe other side of the case (including facts) weigh the importance of the two sides Click to continue

7. Thus: • A ‘how far’ question is basically • a ‘double-explanation’ essay • with a conclusion at the end. Click to continue

8. So… Let’s prepare our thoughts about this question… First, can you see the two sides to the question? Can you think of any points you could make for either side? • ‘The Treaty of Versailles was fair to the Germans.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Side 1: True — it was more-or-less fair Side 2: Not true — it was grossly unfair Click to continue

9. Self-determination Disillusionment German anger Brest-Litovsk Satisfied no one I can think of loads! Reparations Modern borders War debts Not true — it was unfair True — it was fair League of Nations France deserved payment Side 1: True — it was more-or-less fair Side 2: Not true — it was grossly unfair Click to continue

10. Self-determination Disillusionment And now you are ready to write your answer… German anger Brest-Litovsk Satisfied no one Reparations Modern borders War debts Not true — it was unfair True — it was fair League of Nations France deserved payment Satisfied no one France deserved payment Reparations War debts League of Nations Self-determination Brest-Litovsk Disillusionment Modern borders German anger Click to continue

11. Start off… • On the one hand… • [cite the ‘fair-enough’ things that the Treaty did and said, and explain how they were fair.] True — it was fair • ‘The Treaty of Versailles was fair to the Germans.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Click to continue

12. Then add… • On the one hand… • [cite the ‘fair-enough’ things that the Treaty did and said, and explain how they were fair.] • On the other hand… • [cite the unfair things the Treaty did and said, and explain how they were unfair.] • On the one hand… • [cite the ‘fair-enough’ things that the Treaty did and said, and explain how they were fair.] True — it was fair Not true — it was unfair Click to continue

13. Finally, remember… Always finish with a paragraph that directly answers the question This is the point where, if you possibly can, you say something CLEVER ! Start it by using the words of the question — for example: In conclusion, therefore, the sources prove* [whatever] to the extent that… (*or are reliable, accurate, typical etc.) Click to continue