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Government and Politics Edexcel Exam Question prediction

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Reply 200

Original post
by starkrush
Unconvinced - it says assess so requires criticisms of the arguments. The one in the exam said outline. We'll see I guess... :s-smilie:


Didn't it say "Outline an argument for retaining the First Past the Post systems for elections to the House of Commons?"

Reply 201

Original post
by srascal8
Didn't it say "Outline an argument for retaining the First Past the Post systems for elections to the House of Commons?"


I think it said the arguments, but yes. And "outline" is quite different to "assess" (as in the one you linked), but is similar to "make the case for" (in my link).

Reply 202

Original post
by starkrush
I think it said the arguments, but yes. And "outline" is quite different to "assess" (as in the one you linked), but is similar to "make the case for" (in my link).


Hmm, I can't remember the exact question, so if anyone has the paper, do tell us.

I always thought we were meant to argue both sides in that question, so you may have done quite well in that case, and now I've done ****.

Reply 203

My government and politics teacher said that if it a question to argue about retaining FPTP then you should do so. Possibly giving one small downside. If the question was to evaluate FPTP then it would clearly say, "Evaluate the arguments for retaining FPTP" Surely?

Reply 204

the question said, "make a case in favour for retaining fptp for the house of commons" It didnt say assess, or to what extent, just make a case for retaining which led me to believe solely advantages! after the exam was told by everyone, including the teacher it was both sides of argument, but someone posted the mark scheme above about "make a case in favour of introducing PR" and thats purely advantages, so SURELY it is only advantages?!

Reply 205

Original post
by topgun12
the question said, "make a case in favour for retaining fptp for the house of commons" It didnt say assess, or to what extent, just make a case for retaining which led me to believe solely advantages! after the exam was told by everyone, including the teacher it was both sides of argument, but someone posted the mark scheme above about "make a case in favour of introducing PR" and thats purely advantages, so SURELY it is only advantages?!


Was it a 'make out a case' question? I can't remember the exact wording, but if your teacher said it was both sides, and many others did both sides, than popular argument would have it, that it's both sides?

I thought the ability to argue was a key aspect of AS and A2? You're hardly arguing if its just one side of an argument, argh, any answers anyone? I can see the logic of just one side, seeing as b) was criticisms.

Reply 206

Original post
by srascal8
Was it a 'make out a case' question? I can't remember the exact wording, but if your teacher said it was both sides, and many others did both sides, than popular argument would have it, that it's both sides?

I thought the ability to argue was a key aspect of AS and A2? You're hardly arguing if its just one side of an argument, argh, any answers anyone? I can see the logic of just one side, seeing as b) was criticisms.



I interpreted it as just asking for advantages, but also for a lesser mention of the problems it brings.

"It usually produces a strong majority and a clear result, but this means that compromise and outside ideas aren't given a hearing."

"In conclusion, the people voted to keep FPTP in 2011 by a 68-32% margin, so some would say it'd be undemocratic to change it as there clearly isn't an appetite for change."

The question was obviously asking us to focus on advantages though, but not completely ignore the problems.

Reply 207

Original post
by jamie_jca
I interpreted it as just asking for advantages, but also for a lesser mention of the problems it brings.

"It usually produces a strong majority and a clear result, but this means that compromise and outside ideas aren't given a hearing."

"In conclusion, the people voted to keep FPTP in 2011 by a 68-32% margin, so some would say it'd be undemocratic to change it as there clearly isn't an appetite for change."

The question was obviously asking us to focus on advantages though, but not completely ignore the problems.


Mine was probably 50-50

Reply 208

Original post
by jamie_jca
I interpreted it as just asking for advantages, but also for a lesser mention of the problems it brings.

"It usually produces a strong majority and a clear result, but this means that compromise and outside ideas aren't given a hearing."

"In conclusion, the people voted to keep FPTP in 2011 by a 68-32% margin, so some would say it'd be undemocratic to change it as there clearly isn't an appetite for change."

The question was obviously asking us to focus on advantages though, but not completely ignore the problems.


Do you have the exact wording of the question?

Reply 209

hmm i mentioned the fact about AV referendum and how people didnt want change shown by results etc but mainly talked about advantages and in the 25 marker about "make a case for PR" it just lists advantages. This was deffo a "make a case for". Going to leave it now as its been doing my head in since Friday but we shall see. Praying edexcel will be a bit lenient!

Reply 210

For Policies - For 10 markers did people put change in tuition fees to 6000 pounds, 50 pound increase to winter fuel allowance and more regulation on banks? And what for ideologies did people put for the 25 marker?

Reply 211

In all honesty, even if it wasn't for/agt, you've still argued for, so you shouldn't be at too much of a disadvantage tbh

Reply 212

Original post
by Luke Williams
For Policies - For 10 markers did people put change in tuition fees to 6000 pounds, 50 pound increase to winter fuel allowance and more regulation on banks? And what for ideologies did people put for the 25 marker?


I did general Labour policy like public-private partnership and then just said that it's difficult to say much of "modern" Labour as Miliband's had policy under review since he became leader. It was a very unclear question.

Reply 213

Original post
by srascal8
Do you have the exact wording of the question?


No, but i'm pretty sure it was a "make the case in favour of".

Reply 214

Original post
by Luke Williams
For Policies - For 10 markers did people put change in tuition fees to 6000 pounds, 50 pound increase to winter fuel allowance and more regulation on banks? And what for ideologies did people put for the 25 marker?


I cant fully remember but i talked about their economic and buisness policy, how they critisised cameron for handling the energy prices in december, how he said he should of intervened and been more 'heavy handed' and included how he isnt 'anti buisness, but anti buisness as usual'. I also talked about education (big focus and way of solving problems) and crime (tough authoritarian) backed these up with critisisms labour has given to the coalition.

Reply 215

Look, the part c question on elections was a one-sided argument. Simples. Evidence from June 2010 suggests this. Most candidates, on most occasions, would have argued both sides thus edexcel are only likely to drop a few marks. Dw! :smile: srascal8, what grades did you achieve for your previous attempts?

Reply 216

That sounds all good to me. I put:

How they haven't stuck to manifesto policies - Lib Dems with Europe, Conservatives with Reducing Tax and another Lib Dem policy.

How They have - Lib Dems with the environment and welfare. Conservatives with big society and inclusiveness.

I think these are right. But was curious if the question stated that it was the comparison with the 2010 manifesto policies?

Reply 217

Original post
by ronaldo870
Look, the part c question on elections was a one-sided argument. Simples. Evidence from June 2010 suggests this. Most candidates, on most occasions, would have argued both sides thus edexcel are only likely to drop a few marks. Dw! :smile: srascal8, what grades did you achieve for your previous attempts?


64 UMS both times. I was hopeful after this paper, but looks like I might retake for one final time.

Reply 218

Original post
by srascal8
64 UMS both times. I was hopeful after this paper, but looks like I might retake for one final time.


Good luck , this is my first attempt, just started AS, huge jump from GCSE.

What other subjects are you studying? I'm doing History, Law, and the obvious.

Reply 219

Question was:

"Create an argument for the retention of FPTP to elect MPs to the House of Commons"

Or words to that extent.

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