Edexcel GCSE History: All Question Types and How to Answer Them

Studying for Edexcel GCSE History can feel overwhelming. There is a vast amount of content to cover, and the GCSE History exam questions demand different types of responses. It's not only about what you know; it's also about having the right skills to answer each question effectively.

In this article, I will walk you through every major GCSE History questions you can encounter—and exactly how to answer them. Consider this your essential GCSE History revision guide that you can always refer to.

Please note that these possible question types are specifically designed for students taking Edexcel GCSE History, not for those taking AQA GCSE History. If you are taking GCSE History AQA, click here for the guide.

1. Describe One Feature… (2 marks)

This GCSE History question type may seem short and straightforward—but don’t let that fool you.

✅ What to do

Step 1: Clearly name one feature.

Step 2: Add a brief explanation that demonstrates why or how it is important.

Being specific and factual is key.

Example (2025 GCSE History Past Papers – Medicine Paper):

Question: "Describe one feature of the fighting on the Western Front that led to a high number of injuries."

Answer: One feature of fighting on the Western Front was the use of trench warfare. This led to many injuries because soldiers were often exposed to shellfire and suffered from shrapnel wounds while entering or leaving the trenches.

This question type typically appears in Paper 1 and Paper 2 (e.g., GCSE History Crime and Punishment, GCSE History Elizabethan England, GCSE History Superpower Relations, GCSE History Medicine in Britain, etc.).

2. Explain One Way… (Similarity or Difference) (4 marks)

This type of question requires you to compare two events or time periods by illustrating either how they are similar or different. You need to do more than simply state the link; you must explain it using your own knowledge.

✅ What to do

Step 1: Clearly state one similarity or difference.

Step 2: Explain your point with specific historical details.

Example (2025 GCSE History Past Papers – Medicine Paper):

Question: "Explain one way in which the Great Plague of London in 1665 was similar to the cholera epidemic in London in 1854."

Answer: One way in which the Great Plague of London was similar to the cholera epidemic is that in both instances, people misunderstood the cause of the disease. They responded based on incorrect beliefs. During the 1665 plague, many believed "miasma" caused the illness, leading to actions such as carrying sweet-smelling herbs. Similarly, in 1854, officials believed in the miasma theory, despite John Snow identifying a contamination link between water and cholera. In both cases, the public and authorities focused on cleaning the air rather than addressing the actual source of infection, which delayed effective prevention.

This answer clearly states the similarity (belief in miasma) and supports it with relevant evidence from both time periods. This question type is usually found in Paper 1 (e.g., GCSE History Crime and Punishment, GCSE History Medicine in Britain, etc.).

3. How Could You Follow Up Source A? (4 marks)

This GCSE History question focuses on historical enquiry. It asks how a historian might dig deeper into the topic presented in Source A.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Select a specific detail from Source A.

• Step 2: Formulate a question linking to that detail.

• Step 3: Suggest a specific, realistic source of further information (e.g., a government record, speech, or letter).

• Step 4: Explain how this new source would help answer your question.

  
  

This question type is generally found in Paper 1 (e.g., GCSE History Crime and Punishment, GCSE History Medicine in Britain, etc.).

4. Give Two Inferences from Source A (4 marks)

This question prompts you to consider: What can you deduce from the source that isn’t directly stated? These deductions are called inferences—reasonable conclusions based on what you see or read.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Make two clear inferences.

• Step 2: Support each inference with a quote or detail from the source.

  
  

This question typically appears in Paper 3 (e.g., GCSE History Weimar and Nazi Germany, GCSE History USA Home and Abroad, etc.).

5. What Is the Main Difference Between These Views? (4 marks)

This type of question will ask you to identify the single biggest difference between interpretations. You must explain what each interpretation focuses on.

✅ What to do

• Identify the primary difference.

• Explain the focus of each interpretation.

  
  

This question is also found in Paper 3 (e.g., GCSE History Weimar and Nazi Germany, GCSE History USA Home and Abroad, etc.).

6. Suggest One Reason Why Interpretation 1 and Interpretation 2 Give Different Views (4 marks)

This question tests your ability to think like a historian. You are provided with two interpretations that convey different viewpoints on the same event, and your task is to explain why they differ.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Link each interpretation to the kind of source or evidence it’s likely based on.

• Step 2: Explain what each interpretation emphasizes or gives more weight to—and how that leads to the difference.

  
  

Example (Weimar and Nazi Germany):

Example: Interpretation 1 claims Hitler gained power due to his strong leadership skills. In contrast, Interpretation 2 suggests he primarily gained power because the Weimar Republic was weak. Interpretation 1 may be based on Nazi propaganda, depicting Hitler as a powerful orator. On the other hand, Interpretation 2 may utilize evidence like economic data or accounts of political instability during the early 1930s. Thus, the interpretations differ as one highlights Hitler’s personal qualities while the other focuses on systemic weaknesses.

This type of question is commonly found in Paper 3 (e.g., GCSE History Weimar and Nazi Germany, GCSE History USA Home and Abroad, etc.).

7. How Useful Are Sources A and B/C? (8 marks)

This question evaluates the usefulness of sources for historical inquiries. It’s essential to not only describe the sources but also assess their strengths and limitations.

A strong answer incorporates both content and provenance (Nature, Origin, Purpose—NOP).

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Assess each source—determine its usefulness for the inquiry.

• Step 2: Use the content to support your assessment.

• Step 3: Discuss the provenance (NOP) to explain how its origin, author, or purpose influences its usefulness.

• Repeat this for both sources.

  
  

This question type typically appears in Paper 1 (e.g., GCSE History Crime and Punishment, Medicine in Britain, etc.) and Paper 3 (e.g., GCSE History Weimar and Nazi Germany, etc.).

8. Explain Why… (12 marks)

This question seeks depth. You are expected to explain why something occurred, utilizing solid reasoning and historical evidence. The key is structured writing: use three focused PEEL paragraphs—omit an introduction or conclusion, and get straight to the point.

✅ What to do

• Point: Start each paragraph with a clear reason or cause.

• Evidence: Support it with specific facts or examples.

• Explanation: Demonstrate how this cause relates to the question.

• Link: Connect it to the broader issue or subsequent point.

  
  

Example (Weimar and Nazi Germany):

Question: Explain why Hitler was able to become Chancellor in January 1933.

Paragraph 1 – Weakness of the Weimar government: The Weimar Republic was politically unstable, with frequent changes in leadership and no majority support. For example, from 1930–1933, it relied on Article 48 and presidential decrees, which weakened democracy and made extremist parties like the Nazis more appealing.

Each paragraph should elucidate a key reason with historical context and relate back to the main question.

This question type typically appears in Paper 1 (e.g., GCSE History Crime and Punishment, GCSE History Medicine in Britain, etc.), Paper 2 (e.g., GCSE History Elizabethan Society), and Paper 3 (e.g., GCSE History Weimar and Nazi Germany, etc.).

9. How Far Do You Agree? (16 marks)

This question centers on argument and judgment. You will receive a statement, and you must assess how accurate it is. Examine both sides—FOR and AGAINST—and conclude with your own balanced judgment. It’s crucial to start with the factor in the question, then incorporate various other factors for comparison.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Start with the FOR argument (the stated factor).

• Step 2: Write one or two AGAINST arguments (other reasons).

• Step 3: Conclude with a clear judgment—decide how far you agree and explain why.

  
  

This question is found in Paper 1 (e.g., GCSE History Crime and Punishment, GCSE History Medicine in Britain, etc.) and Paper 2 (e.g., GCSE History Elizabethan Society).

10. How Far Do You Agree with Interpretation? (16 marks)

This is one of the most challenging GCSE History questions—and one of the most significant. You must evaluate how far you agree with a historian's interpretation of an event or issue. Treat it as a formal argument: analyze the interpretation, utilize evidence, and contrast it with another interpretation.

Your answer should follow a balanced FOR and AGAINST structure, supported by clear evidence and a thoughtful judgment at the end.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Begin with arguments supporting Interpretation 1 (the one in the question).

• Step 2: Present arguments for Interpretation 2 or that contest the first one.

• Step 3: Throughout your answer, reference both interpretations—not just mention them.

• Step 4: Finish with a definitive judgment on which interpretation is more convincing and why.

  
  

This question type is commonly found in the GCSE History topics in Paper 3 (e.g., GCSE History Weimar and Nazi Germany, USA Home and Abroad, etc.).

11. Explain One Consequence Of… (4 marks x2)

This question requires you to demonstrate an understanding of how one event led to another. You must explain two consequences, with each worth 4 marks. Simply naming the result isn’t sufficient; you must detail how and why it happened, using specific historical evidence.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Clearly state one consequence.

• Step 2: Explain how it arose from the event mentioned in the question.

• Step 3: Repeat with a different consequence.

  
  

Example (Cold War):

Question: Explain two consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).

Answer: One consequence was the establishment of the "hotline" between the White House and the Kremlin. This direct communication line was created to prevent future misunderstandings and reduce the risk of nuclear war. Another consequence was the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Both superpowers agreed to halt nuclear weapon testing in the atmosphere, representing a step towards easing Cold War tensions.

This type of question is typically found in Paper 2 (e.g., GCSE History Superpower Relations, etc.).

12. Write a Narrative Account Explaining… (8 marks)

This question asks you to narrate the key events of a significant occurrence while emphasizing causation and change. It shouldn’t be a mere list of facts; you need to illustrate how one event led to another in a coherent sequence. Think: Start → Middle → End with clear cause-and-effect links.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Begin with the first key event in the timeline.

• Step 2: Explain subsequent events and their developments.

• Step 3: Conclude with a final stage illustrating how the situation changed.

• Use phrases like: “This led to…”, “As a result…”, “This caused…”

  
  

This type of question is typically found in Paper 2 (e.g., GCSE History Superpower Relations, etc.).

13. Explain Two of the Following: The Importance of… (8 marks x2)

This question asks you to select two topics from a list of three and expound on why each one is significant. You aren’t merely retelling events; you need to explain the impact or significance of each event, person, or development. Each explanation is worth 8 marks, so aim for two solid PEEL-style paragraphs per choice. Your response should clarify why the event mattered—what changed, what it caused, or who it affected.

✅ What to do

• Step 1: Select two options from the three presented.

• Step 2: For each explanation, discuss its importance.

• Step 3: Support your explanation with specific evidence.

• Step 4: Link back to the broader significance.

  
  

This type of question is typically found in Paper 2 (e.g., GCSE History Superpower Relations, etc.).

Enhancing your understanding of these GCSE History question types is crucial for success in your Edexcel GCSE History exam. By mastering the skills outlined above, you can approach each question with confidence and clarity. Happy studying!