Explaining similarity and difference between periods (6 marks)

Welcome! Master the 6-Mark "Similarity and Difference" Question

In your Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History exam, you will encounter a specific type of 6-mark question in Paper 2, Section B (Breadth Studies). This question asks you to look at a long period of time (at least 25 years) and identify how things stayed the same or how they changed.

Don't worry if comparing different time periods feels like a lot to handle! This guide will break down exactly how to spot these patterns and how to write an answer that secures all 6 marks.

The Basics: Where and What?

This question is always the part (a) question in Section B of Paper 2. The exam paper will ask you to:
"Explain TWO ways in which [Topic X] was similar/different in [Period A] and [Period B]."

How are the marks split?

The 6 marks are divided into two areas:
1. AO1 (2 marks): This is for your knowledge. Do you know the facts, dates, and names for both periods?
2. AO2 (4 marks): This is for your analysis. Can you actually explain the similarity or the difference using "second-order concepts"?

CRITICAL RULE: If you only explain one similarity or one difference, you cannot get more than 3 marks. You must provide two distinct points to get full marks!

Step-by-Step: How to Write Your Answer

The best way to tackle this is to write two separate paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one way things were similar or different. Use the P.E.E. method (Point, Evidence, Explanation) for each.

Paragraph 1: The First Similarity or Difference

1. Point: Start by clearly stating what the similarity or difference is.
Example: "One way in which medical treatment was different in the mid-19th century compared to the early 20th century was the use of antiseptic surgery."

2. Evidence: Provide a specific detail from the first period and then a detail from the second period.
Example: "In the mid-1800s, surgeons like James Simpson used chloroform for pain, but they didn't understand germs, so many patients died of infection. By the early 1900s, inspired by Joseph Lister, surgeons used carbolic acid to kill bacteria."

3. Explain: Connect the two. Why does this show a difference or similarity?
Example: "This shows a clear difference because surgery moved from being 'dirty' and dangerous to being 'sterile' and much safer for the patient."

Paragraph 2: The Second Similarity or Difference

Repeat the same process for a completely different point! If your first point was about "Surgery," your second point might be about "Public Health" or "Government Action."

What is the Difference Between "Similar" and "Different"?

Sometimes the question asks for similarities, and sometimes it asks for differences. Make sure you read the question carefully!

Similarities (Continuity): Look for things that didn't change much.
Example: Even after the League of Nations was created, "Great Power" countries like Britain and France still made most of the big decisions, just as they had done before World War I.

Differences (Change): Look for "turning points" or new inventions.
Example: Warfare in 1914 was mostly fought on land and sea, but by 1945, air warfare (like the Blitz and atomic bombs) had become a major factor.

Quick Tip: The "Time Bridge"

Think of yourself as building a bridge between two dates. To get the marks, your answer must "walk" across the bridge. You can't just talk about one date; you must mention both periods mentioned in the question to show you understand the "breadth" of the topic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Only writing about one period: If the question asks about the 1920s and the 1940s, and you only talk about the 1940s, you will lose marks.
• Writing a "Knowledge Dump": Don't just list everything you know. Make sure you are specifically answering how things are similar or different.
• Only giving one point: Remember, the question says "Explain TWO ways." If you only give one, your marks are halved!
• Mixing up similarities and differences: If the question asks for similarities, don't write about how things changed!

Key Takeaway Review

Question Structure: Two paragraphs (one for each similarity/difference).

Formula for each paragraph:
1. Identify the area of similarity/difference.
2. Give a fact for the first time period.
3. Give a fact for the second time period.
4. Explain how they are similar or different.

Mark Count: \(3 + 3 = 6\) marks total.

Did you know? The "Breadth Studies" in Paper 2 always cover at least 25 years. This is because the exam board wants to see if you can spot the "big picture" of history, not just tiny details of a single year!

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Once you practice a few examples from your specific topic (like Medicine, Warfare, or Civil Rights), you will start to see that history is full of patterns. Identifying those patterns is exactly what this 6-mark question is looking for.