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      Structuring your answer to the historic environment question

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can understand ways to approach the 16-mark historic environment question.

      Key learning points

      1. The question will ask about either change, continuity, cause or consequence.
      2. Arguments about change, continuity, cause or consequence should be backed up with relevant evidence.
      3. The question will provide one factor to consider, to which you should add two more alternatives.
      4. Planning your answer helps to achieve a sustained judgement.
      5. It is always important to use specific knowledge about your historic environment in your answer.

      Keywords

      • Second order concepts - ways in which questions about history are shaped

      • Continuity - when something continues without changing

      • Causation - why something happens, what its causes are

      • Consequence - the results or impacts of something

      Common misconception

      Students commonly do not provide enough detail from their Historic Environment in their answers.

      Try to back up your analysis of the question with specific facts and details from your Historic Environment.

      Teacher tip

      To help students understand how the historic environment question works, give them the task of coming up with historic environment questions of their own, which they could then swap with a partner and answer.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the term to the correct definition.

      Correct Answer:contemporary,from the same time as something

      from the same time as something

      Correct Answer:source,a direct or first-hand piece of evidence from the past

      a direct or first-hand piece of evidence from the past

      Correct Answer:historical context,what is happening at the time of a historical event

      what is happening at the time of a historical event

      Q2.
      Complete the sentence: Each type of source has and limitations.

      Correct Answer: strengths

      Q3.
      Norman buildings are examples of which type of source?

      text sources
      visual sources
      Correct answer: material sources

      Q4.
      Which of the following can not be learnt from studying Winchester Cathedral?

      Correct answer: the thoughts and feelings of Anglo-Saxons about Norman reforms to the Church
      the image which the Normans wished to project
      the values which existed in Norman culture
      Correct answer: the landholding record of Norman England

      Q5.
      Which of the following show the purpose of the motte-and-bailey castle at Totnes?

      pious - the Normans wanted to show off their devotion to God
      Correct answer: defence - the steep-sided, fireproof motte made the castle difficult to attack
      aesthetic - the Normans wanted their motte-and-bailey castles to be beautiful
      military purpose - to control Totnes and the area around it

      Q6.
      In what type of style was Winchester Cathedral rebuilt in from 1079?

      Correct Answer: Romanesque

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the words to the correct definitions.

      Correct Answer:consequence,the results or impacts of something

      the results or impacts of something

      Correct Answer:continuity,when something continues without changing

      when something continues without changing

      Correct Answer:causation,why something happens, what its causes are

      why something happens, what its causes are

      Q2.
      Which term describes ways in which questions about history are shaped?

      Correct Answer: second order concepts

      Q3.
      Complete the sentence: Arguments about change, continuity, cause or consequence should be backed up with relevant .

      Correct Answer: evidence, sources

      Q4.
      Complete the sentence: The question will provide __________ factor to consider, to which you should add two more alternatives.

      Correct answer: one
      two
      three
      four

      Q5.
      Which of these statements are about causation?

      The Normans changed more than they kept in government and law in England.
      Church reforms under Lanfranc had a significant impact in Norman Wales.
      Correct answer: The main reason for castle-building in Norman England was for control.
      Correct answer: Luck was the main reason for success in medieval battles.

      Q6.
      What should go at the end of your answer for the historic environment question?

      introduction
      an alternative argument
      your own knowledge
      Correct answer: judgement

      To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Structuring your answer to the historic environment question, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...