Skills practice questions.

In Global Politics Paper 1, which question asks you to compare and/or contrast what two of the sources say about a political issue?

• Question 1
• Question 2
• Question 3
• Question 4

Answer: Question 3

Question 3 (6 marks, AO3) tests comparison and/or contrast of the views, claims and information in two of the sources; a detailed running comparison earns the highest marks. Question 1 tests understanding (3 marks), Question 2 application (4 marks) and Question 4 evaluation with own knowledge (12 marks).

When evaluating a source, its 'origin' refers to which of the following?

• The reason the source was produced
• Who created it, when, where and what type of document
• The main claims made in the source
• Whether the source agrees with or contradicts other sources

Answer: Who created it, when, where and what type of document

Origin covers authorship, date, place and type of source; purpose is why it was produced, and content is what it actually says.

A press release from a state ministry defends a government crackdown on protests. Which is the strongest LIMITATION to raise when assessing this source?

• It is a written source rather than a visual one
• It was produced very close in time to the dramatic events it describes
• Its aim is to justify government action, so it likely omits criticism
• It uses formal official language

Answer: Its aim is to justify government action, so it likely omits criticism

The self-justifying purpose of an official press release creates selectivity: it will foreground legitimacy claims and downplay abuses, which limits its reliability on contested points.

The final question of Paper 1 asks you to discuss a claim 'using the sources and your own knowledge'. What does a top-band answer require?

• A summary of each of the four sources in turn
• An argument synthesising the sources with outside examples and concepts
• Own knowledge only, since the sources were already used in the earlier questions
• A judgement about which single source is the most reliable

Answer: An argument synthesising the sources with outside examples and concepts

The final question is a mini-essay: you must weave references to the sources together with your own examples and key concepts to build a balanced argument and reach a conclusion.

Which structure is most rewarded in a compare-and-contrast source question?

• A running comparison organised around similarities and differences
• A full paragraph on Source B followed by a full paragraph on Source C
• A table listing quotations from each source
• An evaluation of which source has the more trustworthy author

Answer: A running comparison organised around similarities and differences

Examiners reward integrated, linked comparison ('Both sources argue… whereas Source C adds…'); describing each source separately (end-on) caps the marks.

A political cartoon shows a small state crushed under a giant boot labelled 'IMF conditionality'. What is the best way to use this source in an answer?

• Treat it as factual evidence of IMF policy outcomes
• Ignore it because cartoons are not serious sources
• Describe the drawing style, colour, shading and artistic technique in fine detail
• Decode its symbolism as the artist's view on power, noting its persuasive aim

Answer: Decode its symbolism as the artist's view on power, noting its persuasive aim

Cartoons express an opinion through symbolism and exaggeration; you should interpret the message about political power while recognising it is commentary, not neutral evidence.