Source-Based Questions:

Source-Based Questions
How exams are set up - What is expected in Section A
- How to answer a Source-Based question
How to answer questions - Define
- Quote
- List
- Compare
Source Analyses - What types of sources are found in the
exam?

Image Source: https://sokogskriv.no/en/sources-and-references/ (Accessed on 22 May 2020).

How History exams are usually set up:

Exams are compiled to include two sections: Section A which includes source-based
questions and Section B which includes essay questions. Each section has three different
questions, where a student is usually required to answer at least one question from each
section and then will be able to decide whether they would like to answer another question
from Section A or another question from Section B.
What can be expected from Section A:
Section A is compiled out of different source-based questions. Each student will usually
receive a variety of sources, where they are required to read and analyze each source. As
mentioned in the Mark Allocation article, source-based questions are usually divided into
three levels. Level 1 is usually where students are required to apply what they have already
been taught in class and/or what they are able to read in the given sources. Level 2
questions require more interpretation and/or analyses of the given sources in the exam.
Level 3 requires students to be able to compare, evaluate and analyse different given
sources (please refer to the Mark Allocation article for more information).

TIP: It is important to look at the mark allocation next to each as it tells you what is
required of you. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations that you usually write,
use the following mark allocation:
(1x2)
(4x1)
(2x2)
The first number indicates how many facts you are supposed to write down and the second
number indicates how many marks each fact counts. Therefore, (1x2) means that you
should write down one fact and you will receive 2 marks. And (2x2) means that you should
write down TWO facts and each fact counts 2 marks, giving you a TOTAL of 4 marks for the
question.

Examples of questions from the different levels:[1]

Level 1:
1. Define the concept quarantine in the context of the Cuban Missile
Crisis. (1x2)
2. Identify TWO ways in the source in which the USA was able to
detect whether ships were carrying missiles. (2x1)

1 The Department of Basic Education South Africa, “National Senior Certificate Examinations: History Paper
1,” (May/June 2019), (Accessed: 22 May 2020), Available at
https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/CD/2019%20June%20Exams/Non-Languages%20May-
June%202019%20PDF/History/History%20P1%20May-June%202019%20Eng.pdf?ver=2019-05-31-150513-000
The answers for these types of questions are usually found straight from the given source
OR in the study-material for the examination. These questions usually include the
words/phrases: define, according to the source, quote and/or list.

Level 2:
1. Why do you think some of the Soviet ships changed course as they approached the
'quarantine line'? Support your answer with relevant evidence. (2x2)
2. Compare Sources 1C and 1D. Explain how the evidence in Source 1C differs
from the information in Source 1D regarding Khrushchev's response to the
quarantine of Soviet ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
(2x2)

These questions require you to use the work you have been taught in class and to apply it to
the content (what is said) of the source. These questions usually include the words/phrases:
compare, explain, analyse and/or comment.

Level 3:
1. Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write
a paragraph of about EIGHT lines (about 80 words) explaining how the United
States of America and the Soviet Union used brinkmanship to resolve the Cuban
Missile Crisis. (8)

How to answer a source-based question

A source-based will expect you to understand and utilize your sources in order to construct
an argument. Usually you will get a few sources that vary in nature. Your sources will be
textual, as well as visual.

Where and how to start

1. Conduct a quick source analysis (origin, limitation, purpose, value).
2. You then need to look at the question being asked. There will be a stand that they
want you to take.
 Structure of a source-based question
1. The first sentence of the paragraph should start by establishing the following:
 Where
 When
 Who
 How

2. Once this information has been added, students will need to refer to the essay question and
take a stand. Every point should then take up one sentence. The sources provided should all
be used as supporting points. If evidence is directly referenced from a source, students
should cite the source. This is done by including the source name in a bracket after the
sentence. Students can quote or they can paraphrase. Try to limit quoting; too many quotes
will come across as lazy. This is an example of paraphrasing: Evidence suggests that the
Kennedy assassination was an inside job (Source B).

3. The final sentence of the paragraph should conclude by wrapping up the key points in
support of the stand. It should then reference the stand and essay question.
“Therefore, one could conclude that . . . .”

TIP: For more examples and NSC past papers from the South African Department of Basic
Education, please click on the following link: [2]
https://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/NationalSeniorCertificate(NSC)Examinations/tab
id/338/Default.aspx

2 The Department of Basic Education South Africa, “Previous exam papers (gr 10, 11 & 12),” (Updated: 2019),
(Accessed: 22 May 2020), Available at
https://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/NationalSeniorCertificate(NSC)Examinations/tabid/338/Default.asp
x
 Don’t stress, do your best and forget the rest.
Image source: https://livelifehappy.com/life-quotes/dont-stress/ (Accessed on 22 May
2020).

How to answer the different types of questions:

There are usually easily identifiable keywords in each question that helps you to understand
how to answer the question. These keywords are also listed below each level, but here are
some examples of how to approach specific questions. Remember to look at the mark
allocation as explained above.

Define: When a question asks you to define a word, you will need to answer with a full
definition of the word. Again, these definitions are usually learned in class.

Quote: When a question asks you to quote, you are required to use quotation marks (“”)
and use the direct words from the given source.
List: When a question asks you to list, it means that you may simply provide words or facts
to answer the question. It is preferable that a student uses bullet points (*) when
answering these types of questions.

Compare: When a question asks you to compare you are required to use every source as
stated. An example:
● If the examiner asks: Compare source 1A with 1B. Explain why source 1A is more
reliable than source 1B. (2x2)
● A student should answer by making references to BOTH sources: Source 1A is more
reliable than source 1B because Source 1A is… AND Source 1B is…

TIP: Remember to ALWAYS use your own words when answering a question. Only when
the question asks you to QUOTE are you allowed to use a sentence directly from the source.
Even if a question asks you to LIST from a source, you have to use your own words.

Source Analyses:
What type of Sources can be found in an exam?
● Extracts from newspaper articles
● Extracts from newspaper headlines
● Photographs
● Cartoons
● Speeches
● Letters

TIP: For helpful tips and information on Source analyses, please visit our Source Analyses
article.

References:
The Department of Basic Education South Africa, “National Senior Certificate Examinations:
History Paper 1,” (May/June 2019), (Accessed: 22 May 2020), Available at
https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/CD/2019%20June%20Exams/Non-
 Languages%20May-June%202019%20PDF/History/History%20P1%20May-
June%202019%20Eng.pdf?ver=2019-05-31-150513-000

The Department of Basic Education South Africa, “Previous exam papers (gr 10, 11 & 12),”
(Updated: 2019), (Accessed: 22 May 2020), Available at
https://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/NationalSeniorCertificate(NSC)Examinations/t
abid/338/Default.aspx