SECOND YEAR
EXAM REVISION ADVICE

SECOND YEAR HISTORY EXAM - THE SCARY STUFF!!!

LENGTH OF EXAM:
1 hour 30 minutes

STRUCTURE OF EXAM:
Section A: this is a compulsory section.
You will be given six very short written sources.
You will be asked comprehension-style questions based on these.
You will also be expected to show your own knowledge.
Pattern of marks: 2 marks, 3 marks, 4 marks, 6 marks and a 15 mark essay style question
= 30 marks.
YOU ARE ADVISED TO SPEND 45 MINUTES ON THIS SECTION.

Section B: a choice of questions on topics selected by each History teacher involving recall of learned information (2 short questions) and a discussion style longer response (worth 15 marks).
Pattern of marks: 2 marks, 4 marks, and a 10 mark essay-style question
= 2 x 16 marks.
YOU ARE ADVISED TO SPEND 2 X 22 MINUTES ON THE TWO QUESTIONS YOU CHOOSE IN THIS SECTION.


TOP TIPS.
1. Use your time sensibly. Don’t spend too long on a question if there are only a few marks available.
2. Make sure you spend enough time on the 10 and 15 mark essay-style questions.
3. Make sure you divide your essay-style responses into clear, well developed paragraphs.
4. Make sure you begin each paragraph with a clear sentence (argument) linked to the precise question asked - READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY.
5. Include plenty of detailed evidence to support your arguments.


Tick the box when you are confident about your TWO chosen topics AND the compulsory question on the Spanish Armada.

1. Henry VII.
Check that you remember how he became king (a certain battle I believe).
Check that you remember what problems faced him in 1485 when he started his reign.
Revise very carefully how he dealt with the problems he faced.
Are you clear how successful he was?
Learn some evidence which you could use to show how successful he was.

2. The Reformation (linked to Henry VIII).
Check that you are clear what complaints Luther made about the Catholic Church.
Check that you understand and can describe some of the differences between Catholic and Protestant churches.
***Please DO NOT spend hours learning all about Henry and his wives.***
Think about why Henry decided to Break from Rome. Can you explain the personal reasons, political reasons and economic reasons he had? Did he really want religious change or was he more interested in the money he could make from the monasteries?

3. The Conquistadors.
Are you clear who the Conquistadors were?
Cortes was helped by the Quetzalcoatl myth. What was the myth? How did it help him?
What were the other reasons why the Spanish were able to be so successful in Mexico and Peru? Which reasons do you think are the most important.
Can you explain the different reasons clearly, and write several detailed sentences about each one?

4. **THE SPANISH ARMADA**
There will be a COMPULSORY sources question on the Spanish Armada.
You will be asked some questions about extracts or pictures.
Revise lots of good detailed information about the different reasons for the failure of the Armada. Remember that you will be expected to write chunky paragraphs in an extended answer about the failure of the Armada.
REVISE THIS VERY CAREFULLY.
(Use the History Study Site to help you: 2nd Year Homepage, Quizzes + Activities.)

5. Mary I and Elizabeth I and religion.
Do you know what a heretic is?
Are you clear what Mary I did about Protestants? Revise some good details.
Are you clear what Elizabeth I did about Catholics? Revise some good details.

6. The Civil War.
Do you know what the phrase Divine Right of Kings means?
Can you list the key things about Charles’s period of personal rule 1629-40?
Can you explain the reasons, (political, economic etc.) why the Civil War broke out? Revise lots of good details.