Comparison Questions
National 4/5
• For this type of question you will be
asked to compare the views of 2
sources on a particular topic.
• The sources will either: totally agree
• agree to a certain extent or
• completely disagree
• It is up to you to make a judgement
as to what points they agree on and
what points they disagree on
You must interpret evidence and make
direct comparisons between sources.
You should start with an overall
comparison and go on to the detailed
comparison on a point by point basis
4 marks can be awarded for this type of question.
1 mark can be given for each simple point of
comparison.
A 2nd mark can be awarded for each developed point
of comparison.
You can gain full marks by making four simple
comparisons, two developed comparisons or any
combination of these.
You will be given the following prompt with the
question.
(Compare the sources overall and/or in detail)
How to answer Comparison questions.
Compare the overall views of the
sources.
Compare the sources point by point
i.e. Source A says …… and Source B
agrees by saying …….
Compare points of agreement
Compare points of disagreement
Add in points in one source but not in
the other
Question
Compare the views of Sources A and B about the results of
the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Source A
Throughout the boycott a young black preacher inspired the black
population of Montgomery. His name was Martin Luther King and this was
to be his first step towards becoming the leading figure in the Civil Rights
Movement. The boycott lasted over a year until eventually the courts
decided that segregation on Montgomery’s buses was illegal. On its own,
the bus boycott only had limited success. Montgomery remained a
segregated town. There were still white only theatres, pool rooms and
restaurants.
Source B
The bus company’s services were boycotted by 99% of Montgomery’s
African Americans for over a year. As a result of the protest, the US
Supreme Court announced that Alabama’s bus segregation laws were illegal.
However, most other facilities and services in Montgomery remained
segregated for many years to come. As a result of the boycott, Martin
Luther King became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He went on to
become an African American leader who was famous throughout the world.
Question
Compare the views of Sources A and B about the results of
the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Source A
Throughout the boycott a young black preacher inspired the black
population of Montgomery. His name was Martin Luther King and this was
to be his first step towards becoming the leading figure in the Civil Rights
Movement. The boycott lasted over a year until eventually the courts
decided that segregation on Montgomery’s buses was illegal. On its own,
the bus boycott only had limited success. Montgomery remained a
segregated town. There were still white only theatres, pool rooms and
restaurants.
Source B
The bus company’s services were boycotted by 99% of Montgomery’s
African Americans for over a year. As a result of the protest, the US
Supreme Court announced that Alabama’s bus segregation laws were illegal.
However, most other facilities and services in Montgomery remained
segregated for many years to come. As a result of the boycott, Martin
Luther King became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He went on to
become an African American leader who was famous throughout the world.
Question
Compare the views of Sources A and B about the results of
the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Source A
Throughout the boycott a young black preacher inspired the black
population of Montgomery. His name was Martin Luther King and this was
to be his first step towards becoming the leading figure in the Civil Rights
Movement. The boycott lasted over a year until eventually the courts
decided that segregation on Montgomery’s buses was illegal. On its own,
the bus boycott only had limited success. Montgomery remained a
segregated town. There were still white only theatres, pool rooms and
restaurants.
Source B
The bus company’s services were boycotted by 99% of Montgomery’s
African Americans for over a year. As a result of the protest, the US
Supreme Court announced that Alabama’s bus segregation laws were illegal.
However, most other facilities and services in Montgomery remained
segregated for many years to come. As a result of the boycott, Martin
Luther King became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He went on to
become an African American leader who was famous throughout the world.
Question
Compare the views of Sources A and B about the results of
the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Source A
Throughout the boycott a young black preacher inspired the black
population of Montgomery. His name was Martin Luther King and this was
to be his first step towards becoming the leading figure in the Civil Rights
Movement. The boycott lasted over a year until eventually the courts
decided that segregation on Montgomery’s buses was illegal. On its own,
the bus boycott only had limited success. Montgomery remained a
segregated town. There were still white only theatres, pool rooms and
restaurants.
Source B
The bus company’s services were boycotted by 99% of Montgomery’s
African Americans for over a year. As a result of the protest, the US
Supreme Court announced that Alabama’s bus segregation laws were illegal.
However, most other facilities and services in Montgomery remained
segregated for many years to come. As a result of the boycott, Martin
Luther King became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He went on to
become an African American leader who was famous throughout the world.
Model Answer
Overall Sources A and B agree about the limited
nature of the success of the boycott.