New Specification A21 and A22 Exemplar responses.

New SpecificationA21 and A22

Exemplar responses

A21: Comparative Government

Option A: USA/UKQuestion 1• Very strong answer • Good balance• More than 3 explicit/implicit references to

or uses of the Source• Good reference to other evidence• Level 5 response: 26 marks


Question 2

Exemplar question asks for relevant examples

Only ONE example will be required

• Some knowledge and understanding of the principle

• Not established that it applies to ministers


• Example reinforces conclusion that candidate believes it applies to backbench MPs

• The example does not relate to collective responsibility so does not count

• 2 marks awarded


Question 4• Good structure based on similarities and

contrasts• Focus on legislation• Good range of points made• Valid point about success rates• No reference to lack of party discipline and

funding of members of Congress explaining legislative activism


• Crucially, no evidence at all. A ‘ceiling’ will apply: maximum Level 4

• Level 4 response: 18 marks


Option B: Republic of Ireland/UK

Question 3

• Excellent start: definition of ‘watchdog’ and purpose of scrutiny explained

• But too much on criticism: does not score

• So limited on forms of scrutiny: only two explained



Question 5(a)

Positives

• Excellent start: “Presidential” trend and Cabinet Government both explained

• Good structure: similarities and differences

• Balanced

• Good range of points on both sides and points well explained


• But no balance of evidence: only one from the Republic

• Was it not his own party that required Ahern to go?

• Level 4 (top) response: 24 marks

A22: Political Power and Ideas

Option A: Political Power

Question 1: Answer A

• One mark for Pluralist Theory

• Three points from Source listed

• But reasons why these illustrate Pluralism not developed: one mark for each

• Total: 4 marks


Question 1: Answer B

• One mark for identification of Pluralism

• Three points from the Source given

• Reasons why these illustrate Pluralism developed

• 9 marks awarded


Question 2• Good focus on criticisms• Reference to Source at the start but

limited use there after• Relevant evidence/examples but would

have benefited from more – to illustrate Lukes, for example

• Other theories used effectively to criticise• Level 4 (top) response: 12 marks


Alternative Power QuestionsQuestion 1• Legitmacy defined: 1 mark• Two points taken from the Source and

explained. “Treated fairly” could have been developed

• Third point is candidate’s own knowledge and is valid

• 9 marks awarded


Alternative Power Questions

Question 2

• Issue clearly understood

• Reference to “crisis” at the outset but the idea not explained

• Too long on the ‘means’ by which states are overthrown

• This eats into time spent on reasons


• But a reasonable range of reasons given

• Source used



Option B: Political IdeasQuestion 1: Answer A• One mark for identification• Three points taken from the Source to illustrate

this is liberalism• Do the first two overlap and are therefore only

one?• Candidate would have been advised to use the

three numbered/bullet point format• 10 marks awarded


Question 1: Answer B

• One mark for identification

• Two marks for the “state is a threat” and one for “Freedom of expression”

• “Tyranny” relevant but not explained as a reason: one mark

• Total: 5 marks


Question 2

• Focused on criticisms

• Effective use of other ideologies

• Some, but not extensive, use of the Source

• Little/no evidence


New Specification A21 and A22 Exemplar responses.

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