Work samples

History

Year 10

Above satisfactory

Extended response: Responsibility for the outbreak of World War II

Summary of task

Students explored key people and events from the inter-war years between World War I and World War II and considered the contribution of particular actions and attitudes in the lead-up to the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939. Students then examined a selection of secondary sources presenting differing historians’ interpretations of the causes of World War II. They summarised the argument, supporting evidence, strengths and weaknesses of each secondary source. Students used their summaries as the basis of a first-draft extended response, to an unseen question, written under open-book examination conditions. This final task was completed in one 60-minute lesson.

Achievement standard

By the end of Year 10, students refer to key events, the actions of individuals and groups, and beliefs and values to explain patterns of change and continuity over time. They analyse the causes and effects of events and developments and explain their relative importance. They explain the context for people’s actions in the past. Students explain the significance of events and developments from a range of perspectives. They explain different interpretations of the past and recognise the evidence used to support these interpretations.

Students sequence events and developments within a chronological framework, and identify relationships between events across different places and periods of time. When researching, students develop, evaluate and modify questions to frame a historical inquiry. They process, analyse and synthesise information from a range of primary and secondary sources and use it as evidence to answer inquiry questions. Students analyse sources to identify motivations, values and attitudes. When evaluating these sources, they analyse and draw conclusions about their usefulness, taking into account their origin, purpose and context. They develop and justify their own interpretations about the past. Students develop texts, particularly explanations and discussions, incorporating historical argument. In developing these texts and organising and presenting their arguments, they use historical terms and concepts, evidence identified in sources, and they reference these sources.

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