AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 2, June 2025: Question 1

7 marks · Medium difficulty · Short Answer

Identify the UK nation with the largest population, explain 'multiculturalism' with an example, and describe how national identities are represented in the UK using Source A.

Practise this question

Question

Question text

01.1 Which of the four nations of the UK has the largest population?

[1 mark]

Shade in the one correct answer.

A England

B Northern Ireland

C Scotland

D Wales

01.2 Using one example, explain the term ‘multiculturalism’.

[2 marks]

01.3 Source A

National identities within the UK

The Welsh men’s football team celebrating their qualification for the 2022 World

Cup Finals.

With reference to Source A, describe how different national identities are represented

in the UK.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme

Total

Qu Part Marking guidance

marks

01 1 Which of the four nations of the UK has the largest population? 1

Correct response: A England

AO1 = 1

Total

Qu Part Marking guidance

marks

01 2 Using one example, explain the term ‘multiculturalism’. 2

Award 1 mark for an accurate explanation of the term ‘multiculturalism’.

Multiculturalism is the co-existence of different ethnicities, races, cultures

or religions (1).

Award 1 mark for an example of the term which could be:

a country (eg the UK) or a situation (eg an area where Christians and

Muslims co-exist) (1).

Accept any other appropriate response.

AO1 = 2

Total

Qu Part Marking guidance

marks

01 3 With reference to Source A, describe how different national 4

identities are represented in the UK.

Level Marks Descriptor

Good application of knowledge and understanding

of the concepts.

2 3–4

Response clear and relevant to the concepts

surrounding the citizenship context.

Basic application of knowledge and understanding

of the concepts.

1 1–2

Response muddled and lacking relevance to the

concepts surrounding the citizenship context.

00 Nothing to credit.

Indicative content

The candidate answer requires the application of knowledge of how

different national identities are represented in the UK to Source A. The

source is a picture of the Welsh men’s football team celebrating qualifying

for the 2022 World Cup Finals.

The candidate’s answer may include some of the following points.

How different national identities are

Source A

represented in the UK

• Welsh football • The Welsh football team is an example of the

team different national teams from the UK which

represent the different national identities in

the UK.

• These different teams provide different

allegiances for UK citizens. These

allegiances represent different national

identities in the UK.

• The different national teams provide an outlet

for the rivalries between the different nations

of the UK (eg England played Wales in the

2022 World Cup Finals). These rivalries

represent different national identities in the

UK.

• UK citizens may also hold allegiances to

other national teams and sports, eg Pakistan

men’s cricket team.

• Welsh language • The banner held by the Welsh football team,

celebrating Wales’ qualification for the World

Cup Finals, is written in Welsh – an example

of the different languages in the UK, some of

which represent the different national

identities in the UK.

• Different languages/accents/vocabulary 5

terms can also inform and express feelings

of the different national identities in the UK.

• Welsh colours/kit • The shirts, scarves and hats worn by the

Welsh football team are symbols, and a

representation, of Welsh national identity.

• There are different symbols for the different

national identities in the UK.

• Welsh emblem – • The Dragon on the banner is the national

dragon emblem/flag of Wales and a representation

of Welsh national identity.

• There are different emblems/flags for the

different national identities in the UK.

AO2 = 4

How to answer it

UK Demographics, Multiculturalism & National Identities

📋 Specification Topic: Life in Modern Britain

What this question tests

This set of questions evaluates your core understanding of the demographic makeup of the United Kingdom, key sociological vocabulary regarding cultural diversity, and how national identity is visually and culturally expressed across the four home nations.

AO1 (Recall & Knowledge): Relative population sizes of the UK nations and defining 'multiculturalism' accurately with real-world examples.
AO2 (Application): Interpreting visual stimulus (Source A) to describe how symbols, national sports teams, and minority languages represent distinct national identities.

Question 01.1 • 1 Mark (AO1)

UK Nations Population Comparison

Which of the four nations of the UK has the largest population?

✅ Correct Answer

A England

Award 1 mark for shading option A.

💡 Key Knowledge

The UK is made up of four nations with vastly differing population sizes:

England: ~84% of total UK population (~56.5 million)
Scotland: ~8% (~5.5 million)
Wales: ~5% (~3.1 million)
Northern Ireland: ~3% (~1.9 million)

❌ Common Errors

Confusing land mass with population (Scotland has large geographical coverage but a much smaller population).
Shading more than one oval, which automatically voids the mark.

Question 01.2 • 2 Marks (AO1)

Defining Multiculturalism

Using one example, explain the term 'multiculturalism'.

✅ Model Answer (Full 2 Marks)

Multiculturalism is the co-existence and mutual acceptance of different ethnic, cultural, or religious groups living together within a single society [1 mark].

Example: For example, cities in the UK like London or Birmingham where communities celebrate different religious holidays like Eid, Diwali, and Christmas side by side [1 mark].

🧠 Exam Technique: Two-Part Command

The question says: "Using one example, explain the term..."

1 mark is awarded strictly for the conceptual definition (co-existence / diversity of distinct cultures).
1 mark is awarded strictly for an appropriate example (e.g. naming the UK, an area where Christians and Muslims co-exist, or diverse cultural cuisine/festivals).
Do not forget the example, or you cap your score at 1/2!

❌ Common Misconceptions

Assimilation vs Multiculturalism: Multiculturalism means groups retain their distinctive cultural heritage alongside each other; it is not just forcing everyone to follow one dominant culture.
Giving an example without defining the word (e.g. only writing "e.g. lots of different restaurants in Bradford").

Question 01.3 • 4 Marks (AO2)

Source Analysis: Expression of National Identities

With reference to Source A, describe how different national identities are represented in the UK.

Source A Summary: A photograph showing the Welsh men’s football team celebrating qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, holding a large banner reading "DIOLCH I'R WAL GOCH" (Welsh for "Thank you to the Red Wall") featuring the Welsh dragon emblem, with players wearing red team shirts.

✅ Model Answer (Full 4 Marks / Level 2)

Different national identities are represented across the UK in several clear ways shown in Source A:

Separate Sporting Representation: The nations of the UK have individual national sports teams (such as the Welsh football team shown). This allows citizens to direct their allegiance to their specific home nation and promotes sporting rivalries within the UK (e.g. Wales playing England).
National Symbols and Colours: National identity is shown visually through distinct team colours and emblems, such as the Welsh red shirts and the Welsh Dragon emblem visible on the banner.
Indigenous Languages: The banner is written in Welsh ("DIOLCH I'R WAL GOCH"), showing how regional and minority languages are used in public celebrations to represent a unique non-English heritage within the UK.

🧠 Mark Scheme Breakdown (Level-Marked)

Level	Marks	Requirement
Level 2	3–4	Good application of knowledge to Source A. Response is clear, developed, and directly relevant to citizenship concepts (allegiance, culture, symbols, sports).
Level 1	1–2	Basic application. Answer may just describe what is in the photo without explaining how it connects to national identity in the UK.

💡 4 Key Ways Identities Are Represented in Source A

Sporting Allegiance: Independent national teams (Wales, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland) rather than one single UK Olympic-style team.
Language / Dialect: Official minority languages (Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish) given prominence on national platforms.
Heraldic Emblems: The Welsh Dragon, English Three Lions, Scottish Thistle, Northern Irish Shamrock.
National Colours & Attire: Red kit and bucket hats for Wales, White/Navy for England, Dark Blue for Scotland.

❌ What Distinguished Lower-Level Responses

Pure description without application: Simply stating "the men are happy and holding a banner" without linking the banner’s language or emblem to national identity.
Ignoring the prompt: Writing a generic essay about British values without quoting or directly referring to details from Source A.

Topics

3.2 Life in modern Britain · 3.2.1 What are the principles and values that underpin British society? · 3.2.2 What do we mean by identity?

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies examination, Paper 2, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.