AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 1, June 2025: Question 5

✅ Correct Options

• B – Qatar
• D – Saudi Arabia

Each correctly shaded option earns 1 mark (total 2 marks).

💡 Key Knowledge

• Absolute Monarchy: A system where the hereditary monarch holds unchecked, supreme executive, legislative, and judicial power. The monarch’s rule is not restricted by a written constitution or an elected parliament.
• In Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the King or Emir exercises genuine governing power over the state.

❌ Common Errors & Traps

• Shading the UK: The UK is a constitutional monarchy, not an absolute monarchy. The King's role is largely ceremonial, and sovereign power lies with Parliament.
• Confusing Non-Democracies: China and Russia are authoritarian or one-party/dominant-party states, but they are republics, not monarchies.

✅ Correct Options

• B – Constitutional monarchy
• E – Representative democracy

Each correctly shaded option earns 1 mark (total 2 marks).

💡 Key Knowledge

• Constitutional Monarchy: The monarch is the official Head of State, but their powers are constrained by law, convention, and Parliament.
• Representative Democracy: Eligible citizens vote in periodic, secret elections to choose Members of Parliament (MPs) who make decisions and laws on their behalf.

❌ Incorrect Distractors

• Theocracy: Rule by religious leaders claiming divine authority (e.g. Iran, Vatican City).
• One-party state / Dictatorship: Systems where opposition parties are banned and power is concentrated in one party or ruler (e.g. North Korea).

📐 Mark Scheme Levels

• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Good application of knowledge and understanding. Clear, accurate, and relevant comparison linking Source D directly to UK participation concepts.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic application. Muddled comparison or heavily one-sided (e.g. only copying Source D without fully explaining the UK contrast).

🧠 Exam Technique: Direct Paired Comparisons

To achieve full 4/4 marks, use the Source Point → UK Contrast method. For at least two distinct points:

1. Quote or reference a specific detail from Source D.
2. Directly contrast it with the equivalent UK democratic right using precise citizenship terms (e.g. secret ballot, pluralism, free press).

✅ Model Answer (Full 4 Marks)

"Source D states that in North Korea, elections feature only 'one candidate who is selected beforehand by the WPK', leaving voters with no genuine democratic alternative. In contrast, the UK operates a multi-party system where voters choose between multiple candidates from different political parties or independent representatives.

Furthermore, Source D highlights that North Korea has a 'controlled media and Internet which restricts the expression of political views'. In the UK, citizens enjoy legal rights to freedom of expression, a free and independent press, and the right to peacefully protest and criticise the government without state censorship."

❌ Examiner Pitfalls to Avoid

• Simply copying Source D: Just rewriting the bullet points without explaining what happens in the UK will restrict your answer to Level 1 (max 2 marks).
• Vague comparisons: Writing statements like "UK people have more rights" without naming specific rights (such as voting freely, standing for office, or freedom of speech).
• Forgetting voting conditions: Forgetting that UK elections use a secret ballot, whereas North Korean elections enforce voting for a predetermined candidate.