Table of Contents

The first step is to carefully unpack the question by identifying its key components and focus areas. This will help you understand what is being asked of you and ensures that you address every part of the question in your response.

Labelling the Question

Steps in answering all parts of the sample question above:

Step 1 - Identify the question prompt in the question (e.g. What, Identify, Summarise, etc...) so that you understand what the question is asking you to do, and how it wants you to answer it. You may underline or circle the verb. In this case, the prompt is "Describe." Focus on the characters and features of religion in ancient Egypt and how it influenced daily life.

Step 2 - Look for any numbers or quantities in the question to understand how many points, effects, or arguments, etc., you need to include in your response. This ensures you fully address all parts of the question. In this case, the quantity is two.

Step 3 - Identify the subject/topic that is inflicting the effect/causing change. In this case, the subject/topic in the question is religion in ancient Egypt. By now, you would be thinking of the information you learnt in this unit of study.

Step 4 - Identify the subject/topic that is being impacted by the cause/source (Industrial Revolution). In this case, it is the daily life of the ancient Egyptians. 

Step 5 - Keep your examples and evidence in your answer within the time frame specified in the question. In this case, it is the ancient Egyptian period, which is 3100 BCE to 30 BCE.

If a criterion is provided to you, your next step is to examine it carefully and understand what is required in your answer. Your goal should be to meet the expectations of the highest mark band (highlighted below).

Below is an example of a general criterion for the sample question

• (3-4 marks) - Clearly describes two distinct and historically accurate ways religion influenced daily life. For example, "The Egyptians made offerings to gods at temples."

• (1-2 marks) - Identifies one or two religious influences with little detail. For example, "They believed in gods."

• (0 marks) - The answer is irrelevant or off-topic.

The third step is to combine your writing skills and content knowledge to create an answer. Your answer should do what the question is asking of you and should address all parts of the question.

Example of a strong short-answer response to the sample question:

Sample Question: 

Describe TWO ways religion influenced daily life in ancient Egypt. (4 marks)

Sample Answer:

Religion influenced daily life in ancient Egypt in a variety of ways. Firstly, people worshipped many gods and goddesses like Osiris, and they prayed to them for protection, fertility, good harvests and health. Temples were built for these gods and priests held ceremonies every day. Secondly, religion also affected how people prepared for death. The ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife, so they mummified bodies and filled tombs with paintings and items that the dead may need in the afterlife, like food and jewellery. 

Colour coded copy of the sample answer, based on the steps in 'Breaking Down the Question'

The final step is to review your response to ensure it addresses all parts of the question and meets the criteria. If a marking criterion is provided, keep it beside you and use it as a checklist while re-reading your answer to confirm you have covered everything required.

Example of reviewing your response with the marking criteria

Feel free to set up your work like below: