Answer Scheme for History Test 2 Term 3 on 14 August 2006

Answer Scheme

1a) Read Source A. What can you infer from the source about the misleading name of the Silk Road? Explain your answer. (4m)

Level 1 Lift information from the source (1m)

Source A states that the Silk Road in ancient times served as important means of business relations and cultural exchanges between East and West.

Level 2 Uses information from source and make attempts to explain from evidence (2-3m)

From Source A, the Silk Road served as important means of business relations and cultural exchanges between East and West. This suggests that the Silk Road is not just for trading in silk and hence name is misleading.
In addition, Source A says that many other precious commodities were carried along the Silk Road. This implies that Silk is not the only commodity as suggested by its name and hence it is misleading.
(2m for 1 point and 3m for 2 points)

Level 3 Makes inferences using evidence from source and provides logical explanations with reference to the key topic of the questions (3-4m)

From Source A, the Silk Road is a widespread network of caravan ways between China and the West. This suggests that the Silk Road is made up of many routes which are used by the many caravans travelling between China and the West. This meant that the name of ‘road’ is misleading as the Silk Road is not made up of just a single route.
In addition, Source A shows that the Silk Road serves as important means of business relations and cultural exchanges between East and West. It also shows that many other precious commodities were carried along the Silk Road. These implies that the Silk Road promoted the spread of influence between east and west and encouraged trading of a wide variety of goods. This meant that the name of ‘Silk’ is misleading as the Silk Road is not just for the trading of Silk.
(3m for 1 point and 4m for 2 points)

1b) Study Source B. How useful is the source in showing the purpose of the Silk Road? Explain your answer. (5m)

Level 1 One sided answer. Useful or Not useful without explanations. (1m)

Source B is useful in showing the purpose of the Silk Road as Zhang Qian was sent to seek allies with the northern tribes against the Xiongnus.
Or
Source B is not useful in showing the purpose of the Silk Road as it did not mention that it is used for the trading of other goods.

Level 2 One sided answer. Useful or Not useful with explanations. (2-3 m)
Level 2 Two Sided answers with NO explanations. (2m)

Source B is useful in showing the purpose of the Silk Road. From Source B, the Silk Road originated from a desire for military and political purpose instead of for trade. This implies that the Silk Road was used for establishing allies and strengthening a country military might. Source B is thus useful in showing that the Silk Road is used for political purposes.
In addition Source B also shows that silk inaugurated the trade along the Silk Road. This suggests that silk was being traded along this road and hence led to more trade of other commodities. Hence Source B is useful in showing that the Silk Road was used for the purpose of trade.
(2m for 1 point and 3m for 2 points)
OR
On the other hand, Source B is not useful in showing the other purposes or uses of the Silk Road. While Source B mentioned that the Silk Road was used for political and military purposes, it is lacking in information regarding the spread of influence and culture like religion along the Silk Road. For example, Buddhism found its way from India to China via the Silk Road and this is not mentioned in Source B.
In addition, Source B also failed to highlight that the Silk Road is also used for the purpose of trading in other precious commodity. While it did mentioned that silk inaugurated the trade along the Silk Road, it did not show that the Silk Road serves as important caravan routes for the trade in other goods like spices, wine, horses etc.

Level 3 Two sided answer showing both strengths and limitations with good explanations. (4-5m)

Both answers of Level 2.(4m for 1 point each of useful and not useful and 5m for 2 points each)

1c) Compare Sources A and C. How similar are they in showing that the Silk Road plays a contributing role in ushering in the Golden Age of China? Explain your answer. (6m)

Level 1 Shows only similarities OR differences unexplained (1m)

Sources A and B are similar as they both show that foreign influence could be transmitted to China thus resulting in Golden Age.
OR
Sources A and B are different as Source A shows that the Silk Road served as important means of cultural exchanges while Source B merely shows different cities.

Level 2 Shows both sides unexplained (2m)

Both of level 1 answer.

Level 3 Shows only similarities OR differences explained (3-4m)

Sources A and B are similar in showing that the Silk Road helped to usher in the Golden Age of China. Source A shows that the Silk Road served as important means of business relations and cultural exchanges between China and the west. This implies that foreign influence were easily transmitted to China and thus contribute to the creativity of the Chinese and ushered in the Golden Age. Similarly, Source C shows that China is connected to many different cities and towns of Central Asia and hence implies that foreign influences could easily be spread to China. This resulted in a flourishing of new ideas and thus contributed to the Golden Age.
In addition, Source A shows that many precious commodities were carried along the Silk Road. This implies that China was able to benefit from this wide variety of goods being traded and hence brought great wealth to the empire. This contributed to the prosperity that is a Golden Age. This can also be seen in Source C where China is connected to the west by the Silk Road. This suggests that China was able to enjoy the wide variety of goods from both the west and central Asia and hence enjoyed the wealth and prosperity leading to its Golden Age.
(3m for 1 point and 4m for 2 points)

OR

Sources A and C are also different in showing that the Silk Road contributes to the Golden Age of China. Source A states that the Silk Road served as important business relations and cultural exchanges between East and West which made possible exchange of influences leading to a Golden Age for China. However, Source C merely shows different cities and towns with no indications of any spread of influence that might contribute to the Golden Age.
In addition, Source A is more detailed and specific in showing the different kind of goods that China get to enjoy and hence leading to wealth and prosperity that is a Golden Age. However Source C is only a map which is vague in details and merely shows the routes and location of cities with no mention of any kind of goods nor wealth to the country.


Level 3 Shows both similarities and differences with attempts to explain (3-4m)

Level 4 Shows both similarities and differences with good understanding of the cause and features of Golden Age (5-6m)

Both of Level 3 answers. 5m for 1 point for both sides and 6m for 2 points for both sides