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"Describe" questions are among the most straightforward on the AQA GCSE History exam, but they still require careful technique to secure full marks. These questions test your factual knowledge — your ability to recall and communicate specific historical information clearly and accurately. This lesson covers the different types of describe questions, how to structure your answers, and how to prepare your factual knowledge effectively.
AQA uses several variations of describe questions:
| Question Type | Example | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| "Describe two features of..." | "Describe two features of the Clarendon Code." | 4 marks |
| "Describe two things you can infer from Source A" | "Describe two things you can infer from Source A about the Great Plague." | 4 marks |
These are typically the lowest-value questions on the paper, but they are an easy source of marks if you answer them correctly.
For a 4-mark "describe two features" question, you need to:
Use a simple two-part structure:
Feature 1:
Feature 2:
Question: "Describe two features of the Great Plague of 1665." [4 marks]
Feature 1: One feature of the Great Plague was the extremely high death toll. An estimated 100,000 people died in London, roughly a quarter of the city's population. The worst week was in September 1665, when over 7,000 deaths were recorded in the Bills of Mortality.
Feature 2: Another feature was the quarantine measures imposed by the authorities. Infected houses were sealed shut for 40 days with all occupants inside. A red cross and the words "Lord have mercy upon us" were painted on the door, and watchmen were posted to prevent anyone from leaving.
Exam Tip: Do not write too much for a 4-mark question. Two clear, developed points are all you need. Aim to spend no more than 5 minutes on this question type. Students who write full paragraphs are wasting valuable time that should be spent on higher-mark questions.
An inference is a conclusion you draw from evidence. It goes beyond simply reading the source — you must work out what the source suggests or implies.
| Reading the source (too simple) | Making an inference (what the examiner wants) |
|---|---|
| "The source says the streets are empty" | "This suggests that the plague caused widespread fear, leading people to flee or stay indoors" |
| "The source mentions dead bodies in the street" | "This implies that the plague overwhelmed the authorities' ability to collect and bury the dead" |
For each inference, use this format:
| Element | What to Write |
|---|---|
| Inference | "From Source A, I can infer that..." |
| Detail from the source | "I know this because the source says..." (quote or paraphrase) |
Question: "Describe two things you can infer from Source A about the impact of the Great Fire." [4 marks]
Source A: "We saw the fire grow... whole streets of houses on fire, and a horrid noise the flames made, and the cracking of houses at their ruin." — Samuel Pepys, Diary, 2 September 1666
Inference 1: From Source A, I can infer that the Great Fire caused widespread destruction across multiple streets. I know this because Pepys describes "whole streets of houses on fire," suggesting the fire was not limited to one building but had spread across a large area.
Inference 2: I can also infer that the fire was a terrifying experience for those who witnessed it. Pepys describes "a horrid noise" and "the cracking of houses at their ruin," which suggests that the scale and violence of the fire created a sense of horror and helplessness among Londoners.
Describe questions reward students who have strong factual recall. Here are the most effective strategies for building and retaining your knowledge:
| Strategy | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Flashcards | Write a question on one side and the answer on the other. Test yourself regularly. |
| Self-quizzing | Close your notes and write down everything you can remember about a topic. Then check. |
| Practice questions | Answer past paper "describe" questions from memory, then check the mark scheme. |
| Strategy | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Review schedule | Review each topic at increasing intervals: 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month |
| Apps | Use tools like Anki or Quizlet to automate spaced repetition |
| Regular testing | Test yourself on older topics regularly, not just the one you studied most recently |
Create a one-page summary for each topic with:
Exam Tip: The most common reason students lose marks on describe questions is lack of specific detail. Vague answers like "The plague was bad and many people died" will not score full marks. You need specific details: "An estimated 100,000 people died in London; the worst week saw over 7,000 deaths recorded."
| Topic | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Restoration (1660) | Charles II entered London 29 May 1660; Declaration of Breda; Act of Indemnity and Oblivion |
| Clarendon Code | Corporation Act (1661), Act of Uniformity (1662), Conventicle Act (1664), Five Mile Act (1665) |
| Great Plague (1665) | ~100,000 dead in London; peak week 7,165 deaths; quarantine, red cross on doors |
| Great Fire (1666) | 2–5 September; Pudding Lane; 13,200 houses, 87 churches destroyed; St Paul's burned |
| Popish Plot (1678) | Titus Oates; murder of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey; 35+ executed |
| Exclusion Crisis | Three bills (1679, 1680, 1681); Whigs vs Tories; Charles dissolved Parliament |
| Mistake | How to Fix It |
|---|---|
| Writing too much | Keep answers concise — two clear, developed points for 4 marks |
| Being too vague | Include specific names, dates, numbers, and examples |
| Confusing "describe" with "explain" | Describe = what happened. Explain = why it happened. Do not over-explain on a describe question. |
| Only giving one feature/inference | You must give two to access all 4 marks |
Question: "Describe two features of Elizabethan society." [4 marks, AO1, Paper 2 Q5 Elizabethan England]
Worked answer at Level 4:
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