Continued Common mistakes
Why it matters!
Solutions
Focusing on a single word rather than the whole question
You won’t get marks if the question asked you for a specific application that you confused.
• Think twice if the question asks you for a specific application (e.g. benefits for the mother rather than benefits for the child). • Only answer what you are asked about.
Providing multiple answers rather than one firm choice or repeating the same choice in different words
If you provide two to three options to the examiner, and one of them is wrong, you may lose the marks. If you repeat the same thing in different words, you can only be marked once for that answer.
• Decide on one point that you will use. • Consider if your second answer is showing a different point to what has been said before.
Planning your answer
PL E
Answering long-answer questions To help you organise your thoughts it is helpful to plan your answer for 8-mark questions. You don’t need to take too long. A spider diagram, for example, will help you get your answer in the right order and it makes sure you don’t forget anything. Here is an exemplar spider diagram for the question: ‘Discuss the emotional and physical support a partner can offer during pregnancy and labour’: Physical support
Motivating by verbal praise
M
Helping in pain relief, e.g. shoulder massage
Emotional support
Taking care of home duties
Partner's support
SA
Organising transport to appointments
Reassurance
Showing love and affection
(8 marks)
You don’t need to write all of the above. Once you have planned possible points, you can decide if you want to include all of them or perhaps focus on the key three–four aspects and discuss them in more detail. Balance of points and quality of writing is what matters in extended writing questions.
Revise it! Create a spider diagram plan like the one above for the following question: ‘Mackenzie and Heidi care for their ill grandson, Leo. Discuss how carers can meet the social and emotional needs of an ill child.’
(8 marks)
Tip: You could refer to page 67 of the Revision Guide to help you.
Preparing for the exam
13
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