Paper 1

Paper 1 is all about source analysis. You will be given a booklet of 4 short sources (texts and pictures/diagrams) and need to answer all 4 questions. Each question is aimed at a different, specific skill, which is quite different from the more holistic essay-based assessment of paper 2. Think of it as going to the gym and training each of your muscle groups separately.

Paper 1 is exactly the same for SL and HL, and you have 1h 15 min to answer it.

The questions always follow the same pattern:

• Question 1 is about identifying three details in a source. No need to discuss or analyse at length - simply point out three relevant details and show them with short quotes. This is worth 3 marks.
• Question 2 usually asks you to explain, evaluate or discuss something. Here, you need to use details from the source as starting points for your own further explanation. Two well explained points firmly anchored in the source will give you 4 marks.
• Question 3 is about comparing and contrasting details from two sources. Beware of the command terms! Sometimes, the question asks you only to contrast, so then you won't get marks for similarities, while at other times it requires you to both compare and contrast. Identify 4 categories/themes you can directly compare/contrast with specific details and quotes from the sources. This is worth 8 marks.
• Question 4 is an essay question, asking you to synthesise the content of the sources with your own knowledge to discuss a broader, but related question. Make sure you include each source, add own knowledge with own examples, theories, concepts, and have a coherent argument that takes different perspectives into account. This essay is graded on a markband of 0-10 (IB Subject Guide, p. 53), which is provided below.