Edexcel: C2: Britain, c.1860-1930: The Changing Position of Women and the Suffrage Question

Mark Scheme for Question (a)

(a) How far do the sources suggest that ‘on the whole, male politicians were by no means opposed to some form of female suffrage’ in the period 1906–1914? [20 marks]

Target: AO2a

As part of an historical enquiry, analyse and evaluate a range of appropriate source material with discrimination.

Level 1	Comprehends the surface features of the sources and selects material relevant to the question. Responses are direct quotations or paraphrases from one or more of the sources. Low Level 1: 1–2 marks The qualities of Level 1 are displayed, but material is less convincing in its range/depth. High Level 1: 3–5 marks The qualities of Level 1 are securely displayed.	(1–5)
Level 2	Comprehends the sources and selects from them in order to identify their similarities and/or differences in relation to the question posed. There may be one developed comparison, but most comparisons will be undeveloped or unsupported with material from the sources. Sources will be used in the form of a summary of their information. The source provenance may be noted, without application of its implications to the source content. Low Level 2: 6–7 marks The qualities of Level 2 are displayed, but material is less convincing in its range/depth. High Level 2: 8–10 marks The qualities of Level 2 are securely displayed.	(6–10)
Level 3	Comprehends the sources and focuses the cross-referencing on the task set. Responses will offer detailed comparisons, similarities/differences, agreements/disagreements that are supported by evidence drawn from the sources. Sources are used as evidence with some consideration of their attributes, such as the nature, origins, purpose or audience, with some consideration of how this can affect the weight given to the evidence. In addressing ‘how far’ there is a clear attempt to use the sources in combination, but this may be imbalanced in terms of the issues addressed or in terms of the use of the sources. Low Level 3: 11–12 marks The qualities of Level 3 are displayed, but material is less convincing in its range/depth. High Level 3: 13–15 marks The qualities of Level 3 are securely displayed.	(11–15)
Level 4	Reaches a judgement in relation to the issue posed by the question supported by careful examination of the evidence of the sources. The sources are cross-referenced and the elements of challenge and corroboration are analysed. The issues raised by the process of comparison are used to address the specific enquiry. The attributes of the source are taken into account in order to establish what weight the content will bear in relation to the specific enquiry. In addressing ‘how far’ the sources are used in combination. Low Level 4: 16–17 marks The qualities of Level 4 are displayed, but material is less convincing in its range/depth. High Level 4: 18–20 marks The qualities of Level 4 are securely displayed.	(16–20)