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AQA · GCSE · History · Higher

Comparing interpretations of Rasputin

Q01.1 4 marks

How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about Rasputin? Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.

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Marking points

  1. 1 Identifies a valid difference between the interpretations about Rasputin.
  2. 2 Uses the content of Interpretation A accurately, such as Rasputin influencing the Tsarina's government decisions.
  3. 3 Uses the content of Interpretation B accurately, such as Rasputin being valued for healing or personal support rather than political advice.
  4. 4 Develops the comparison rather than quoting or describing the interpretations separately.

Full-mark answer

Interpretation A presents Rasputin as politically powerful: the Tsarina trusted his advice and, when the Tsar was away, the government was under the control of the Tsarina and Rasputin. Interpretation B gives a different view because it presents Rasputin's importance as personal, linked to his healing powers and emotional support for the Tsarina, rather than to political opinions.

Why this answer loses marks

The interpretations differ because the writers were biased.

That explains a possible reason for disagreement, but this item asks what the two interpretations say differently.