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Government and Politics Edexcel Exam Question prediction

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Reply 220

Sorry, this is kind of irrelevant but-

I'm taking it next year, is it hard?

Reply 221

Original post
by Rhysanator
Question was:

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

Or words to that extent.


Nope thats very subtely different right? if it was that then yeah definately both sides? This was one was "make a case in favour of retaining FPTP for House of Commons" Really really hope it was only 1 sided

Reply 222

Original post
by topgun12
Nope thats very subtely different right? if it was that then yeah definately both sides? This was one was "make a case in favour of retaining FPTP for House of Commons" Really really hope it was only 1 sided


The words 'argue' make me believe two sides, however it says 'argue for', thereby you just do one side, either way, I will see what my teacher says on monday.

Reply 223

Anyone got unit 2 on Wednesday? Got an A on unit 1 and a C on unit 2 last June and i'm resitting both. Any predictions? I really hope the combination of questions lets me do Constitution and Executive.

Reply 224

'in favour' key words that suggest one sided. Don't worry. If it was 'should' 'asses' 'evaluate' then both sides can be presented, edexcel don't always look for both sides of the argument, evidence lies from the mark scheme of June 2010: Make out a case in favour of the introduction of proportional
representation for Westminster elections.
The mark scheme only displayed the adv of PR.

Reply 225

Original post
by Luke Williams
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?


For the 25 mark i said the same as you by the looks of it. It said 'traditional' so im guessing its their traditional policies.

Reply 226

Original post
by jamie_jca

Original post
by jamie_jca
Anyone got unit 2 on Wednesday? Got an A on unit 1 and a C on unit 2 last June and i'm resitting both. Any predictions? I really hope the combination of questions lets me do Constitution and Executive.


I am, any exam prediction questions??

Reply 227

Original post
by weirdnessandcoffee
Sorry, this is kind of irrelevant but-

I'm taking it next year, is it hard?


Some of it is hard, but it's more easy than hard. However, the exam is apparently marked strictly so it might be hard to get a higher grade. :smile:

Reply 228

Original post
by weirdnessandcoffee
Sorry, this is kind of irrelevant but-

I'm taking it next year, is it hard?


Not especially, although the consensus has been that the questions this year were horrid.

If you've got a good memory, decent writing skills and and mild interest in politics you should be ok.

Reply 229

Surely the most universal piece of advice given before an exam is read the question? So when the question says make a case for the retaining of FPTP for elections to the House of Commons, you don't mention the other side as this hasn't been asked for, or helps you answer the question....

Reply 230

As it says, you make a case FOR or AGAINST. That is usually the only situation where you provide a one-sided argument. With other questions which ask you 'to what extent' or they ask you a general question then you provide both sides of the argument.

Reply 231

Original post
by BDASH94
Surely the most universal piece of advice given before an exam is read the question? So when the question says make a case for the retaining of FPTP for elections to the House of Commons, you don't mention the other side as this hasn't been asked for, or helps you answer the question....


If you've made strong points in favor of FPTP, I can't see what harm adding disadvantages as evaluation can bring. I did, and was told that was a good way of answering the question. As long as you had points in favor, I can't see them removing marks.

Reply 232

Original post
by Plonk
If you've made strong points in favor of FPTP, I can't see what harm adding disadvantages as evaluation can bring. I did, and was told that was a good way of answering the question. As long as you had points in favor, I can't see them removing marks.


Some of the marks go towards evaluation anyway, so I doubt there's nothing wrong with pointing out the downsides to FPTP as long as you're still in favour of it!

(It was so hard to do that question being against FPTP myself :tongue:)

Reply 233

Original post
by shaunsheep1
Some of the marks go towards evaluation anyway, so I doubt there's nothing wrong with pointing out the downsides to FPTP as long as you're still in favour of it!

(It was so hard to do that question being against FPTP myself :tongue:)


As far as I know, for the 25 mark question, more of the marks are for evaluation than simply own knowledge. But anyone who wants to correct me on this should feel free, I'm not entirely sure myself.

Ha, that was exactly my reasoning as well. I remember being very annoyed at the question before realizing that I could add in a few of the many negative aspects of FPTP.. :tongue:

Reply 234

Original post
by srascal8
But Part C is for you to demonstrate your ability to argue.

Look on page 16.

http://www.edexcel.com/migrationdocuments/QP%20GCE%20Curriculum%202000/June09-ms/8GP01_GCE_%20ASlevel_GovernmentandPolitics_msc_20090717_US02%E2%80%A6.pdf

You clearly need to argue, that FPTP question on page 16 didn't lend itself for argument, why is it included in the mark scheme I wonder...:eek:


an argument can be one sided.

Reply 235

Original post
by JollyGreenAtheist
Not especially, although the consensus has been that the questions this year were horrid.

If you've got a good memory, decent writing skills and and mild interest in politics you should be ok.


Yay, I think I cover all the above, thank you!

Reply 236

Original post
by shaunsheep1
Some of it is hard, but it's more easy than hard. However, the exam is apparently marked strictly so it might be hard to get a higher grade. :smile:


Ergh, I'll wait and see. Thanks though!

Reply 237

Any predictions for Unit 2 on Wednesday? :biggrin:

Reply 238

In relation to:

Original post
by jamie_jca
Any predictions for Unit 2 on Wednesday? :biggrin:


I got a feeling that codification might come up. I was right on guessing FPTP on Friday so I might be a little bit psychic :cool:

What Does everyone else think?

Reply 239

TOPICS FROM UNIT 2 STARTING FROM JANUARY 2009:

June 2009: 25 Mark Questions
Role of Parliament
Prime Ministerial Power

40 Mark:
Judiciary Control
Constitutional Reform

January 2010: 25 Mark Questions
The Judiciary
Parliament

40 Mark:
Advantages of Codified Constitution
What extend Prime Minister dominate the political system in the Uk

June 2010: 25 Mark Questions
British Constitution
Prime Minister and cabinet

40 Marks:
Parliamentary control Executive Power
Judiciary protect civil liberties

January 2011: 25 Mark Questions
H.O.C
Prime Minister powers

40 Mark:
UK Constitution
Judiciary too powerful

June 2011: 25 Mark Questions
Judiciary
Parliamentary Reform

40 Mark:
Location of sovereignty
UK Prime Minister to President

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