1. Higher History exam
How to answer…
Comparison
questions
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2. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
Background information
• Comparison questions are worth 5 marks
• You will get a Comparison question in the Scottish
section of the final exam
• The purpose of these questions is to compare two
sources and show how they agree or disagree
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3. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
Marking instructions
• Worth 5 marks
• Overall comparison – 1 mark
Summarise the overall theme of each source: do they agree or
disagree? An extra mark can be gained for developing this.
• Developed comparison - 1 mark
Clearly state the issue that the two sources agree or disagree
about. Give the specific quotes from the sources to prove this
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4. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
Example question
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To what extent do Sources A and B agree about the ambitions of Robert the Bruce?
Source A: from Ronald McNair Scott, Robert the
Bruce, King of Scots (1993)
Robert Bruce had no wish to prolong the war.
He saw his victory, above all, as an opportunity
for reconciliation and peace: with the Scottish
nobles who had fought against him, with the
English whom he had defeated. Soon after
Bannockburn many Scottish barons and knights
who had served under the two Edwards offered
to him their allegiance and were received into
his peace. In November 1314 Bruce with
increased confidence, convened a Parliament at
Cambuskenneth. The Parliament adjudged that
all Scottish landowners who had failed to offer
allegiance by that date should be disinherited.
His sole aim was that those who wished to
regain their Scottish lands must do homage to
him alone. They could no longer be feudatories
in two countries and serve two kings. They
must choose their nationality once and for all.
Source E: from Raymond Campbell Paterson, For the Lion, A
History of the Scottish Wars of Independence,
1296–1357 (1996)
Few battles in history are truly decisive, and Bannockburn
was no exception. The war was nowhere near an end, the
military campaign would continue, despite Bruce’s hopes for
peace. However, in the November, after the battle, Bruce was
ready to take the next step. The Scots Parliament met at
Cambuskenneth Abbey. The Parliament passed sentence that
all who held land in Scotland, but continued to fight against
the King, would lose their lands. Landowners could no longer
have divided political loyalties: they had to choose one side
or the other. The new class of the “disinherited” were men on
the English side, usually with Comyn and Balliol associations,
who refused to accept the new realities; men in other words,
who wished to remain loyal to the King of England but
continue to hold estates and titles in Scotland.

5. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
Overall comparison
Sources A and B agree that after Bannockburn Robert the
Bruce sought to keep control of Scotland using methods
other than military actions. (1 mark)
However they disagree on this being the end of the
fighting, with A seeing a move towards peace and B
saying that war remains a possible option. (2nd mark)
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6. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
Developed comparison
Both the sources agree that after Bannockburn Bruce
held a meeting of the Scottish Parliament at
Cambuskenneth Abbey. Source A says “In November 1314
Bruce with increased confidence, convened a Parliament
at Cambuskenneth” and Source B says “In the November,
after the battle, Bruce was ready to take the next step,
the Scots Parliament met at Cambuskenneth Abbey.” (1
mark)
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7. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
How do we know this?
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To what extent do Sources A and B agree about the ambitions of Robert the Bruce?
Source A: from Ronald McNair Scott, Robert the
Bruce, King of Scots (1993)
Robert Bruce had no wish to prolong the war.
He saw his victory, above all, as an opportunity
for reconciliation and peace: with the Scottish
nobles who had fought against him, with the
English whom he had defeated. Soon after
Bannockburn many Scottish barons and knights
who had served under the two Edwards offered
to him their allegiance and were received into
his peace. In November 1314 Bruce with
increased confidence, convened a Parliament at
Cambuskenneth. The Parliament adjudged that
all Scottish landowners who had failed to offer
allegiance by that date should be disinherited.
His sole aim was that those who wished to
regain their Scottish lands must do homage to
him alone. They could no longer be feudatories
in two countries and serve two kings. They
must choose their nationality once and for all.
Source E: from Raymond Campbell Paterson, For the Lion, A
History of the Scottish Wars of Independence,
1296–1357 (1996)
Few battles in history are truly decisive, and Bannockburn
was no exception. The war was nowhere near an end, the
military campaign would continue, despite Bruce’s hopes for
peace. However, in the November, after the battle, Bruce was
ready to take the next step. The Scots Parliament met at
Cambuskenneth Abbey. The Parliament passed sentence that
all who held land in Scotland, but continued to fight against
the King, would lose their lands. Landowners could no longer
have divided political loyalties: they had to choose one side
or the other. The new class of the “disinherited” were men on
the English side, usually with Comyn and Balliol associations,
who refused to accept the new realities; men in other words,
who wished to remain loyal to the King of England but
continue to hold estates and titles in Scotland.

8. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
To what extent do Sources A and B
agree about the ambitions of Robert
the Bruce?
Sources A and B agree that after Bannockburn
Robert the Bruce sought to keep control of
Scotland using methods other than military
actions. (1 mark) However they disagree on
this being the end of the fighting, with A
seeing a move towards peace and B saying
that war remains a possible option. (2nd mark)
Both the sources agree that after
Bannockburn Bruce held a meeting of the
Scottish Parliament at Cambuskenneth Abbey.
Source A says “In November 1314 Bruce with
increased confidence, convened a Parliament
at Cambuskenneth” and Source B says “In the
November, after the battle, Bruce was ready
to take the next step, the Scots Parliament
met at Cambuskenneth Abbey.” (1 mark)
The sources also agree that any Scottish
landowner that failed to support Bruce would
lose their land. Source A says “Scottish
landowners who had failed to offer allegiance by
that date should be disinherited” and Source B
says “The new class of the ‘disinherited’ were
men on the English side…men…who…held
estates in Scotland”. (1 mark)
Sources A and B agree that it was no longer for
possible for landowners to own land in England
and Scotland. Source A says “They (Scottish
landowners) could no longer be feudatories in
two countries and serve two kings. They must
choose their nationality once and for all” and
Source B supports this by saying “Landowners
could no longer have divided political loyalties:
they had to choose one side or the other”. (1
mark)

9. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
To what extent do Sources A and B
agree about the ambitions of Robert
the Bruce?
Sources A and B agree that after Bannockburn
Robert the Bruce sought to keep control of
Scotland using methods other than military
actions. (1 mark) However they disagree on
this being the end of the fighting, with A
seeing a move towards peace and B saying
that war remains a possible option. (2nd mark)
Both the sources agree that after
Bannockburn Bruce held a meeting of the
Scottish Parliament at Cambuskenneth Abbey.
Source A says “In November 1314 Bruce with
increased confidence, convened a Parliament
at Cambuskenneth” and Source B says “In the
November, after the battle, Bruce was ready
to take the next step, the Scots Parliament
met at Cambuskenneth Abbey.” (1 mark)
The sources also agree that any Scottish
landowner that failed to support Bruce would
lose their land. Source A says “Scottish
landowners who had failed to offer allegiance by
that date should be disinherited” and Source B
says “The new class of the ‘disinherited’ were
men on the English side…men…who…held
estates in Scotland”. (1 mark)
Sources A and B agree that it was no longer for
possible for landowners to own land in England
and Scotland. Source A says “They (Scottish
landowners) could no longer be feudatories in
two countries and serve two kings. They must
choose their nationality once and for all” and
Source B supports this by saying “Landowners
could no longer have divided political loyalties:
they had to choose one side or the other”. (1
mark)
Overall
comparison –
state the main
theme of both
sources

10. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
To what extent do Sources A and B
agree about the ambitions of Robert
the Bruce?
Sources A and B agree that after Bannockburn
Robert the Bruce sought to keep control of
Scotland using methods other than military
actions. (1 mark) However they disagree on
this being the end of the fighting, with A
seeing a move towards peace and B saying
that war remains a possible option. (2nd mark)
Both the sources agree that after
Bannockburn Bruce held a meeting of the
Scottish Parliament at Cambuskenneth Abbey.
Source A says “In November 1314 Bruce with
increased confidence, convened a Parliament
at Cambuskenneth” and Source B says “In the
November, after the battle, Bruce was ready
to take the next step, the Scots Parliament
met at Cambuskenneth Abbey.” (1 mark)
The sources also agree that any Scottish
landowner that failed to support Bruce would
lose their land. Source A says “Scottish
landowners who had failed to offer allegiance by
that date should be disinherited” and Source B
says “The new class of the ‘disinherited’ were
men on the English side…men…who…held
estates in Scotland”. (1 mark)
Sources A and B agree that it was no longer for
possible for landowners to own land in England
and Scotland. Source A says “They (Scottish
landowners) could no longer be feudatories in
two countries and serve two kings. They must
choose their nationality once and for all” and
Source B supports this by saying “Landowners
could no longer have divided political loyalties:
they had to choose one side or the other”. (1
mark)
Developed
Overall
comparison –
provide additional
information about
the overall
comparison

11. Higher History exam – Comparison questions
To what extent do Sources A and B
agree about the ambitions of Robert
the Bruce?
The sources also agree that any Scottish
landowner that failed to support Bruce would
lose their land. Source A says “Scottish
landowners who had failed to offer allegiance by
that date should be disinherited” and Source B
says “The new class of the ‘disinherited’ were
men on the English side…men…who…held
estates in Scotland”. (1 mark)
Sources A and B agree that it was no longer for
possible for landowners to own land in England
and Scotland. Source A says “They (Scottish
landowners) could no longer be feudatories in
two countries and serve two kings. They must
choose their nationality once and for all” and
Source B supports this by saying “Landowners
could no longer have divided political loyalties:
they had to choose one side or the other”. (1
mark)
Sources A and B agree that after Bannockburn
Robert the Bruce sought to keep control of
Scotland using methods other than military
actions. (1 mark) However they disagree on
this being the end of the fighting, with A
seeing a move towards peace and B saying
that war remains a possible option. (2nd mark)
Both the sources agree that after
Bannockburn Bruce held a meeting of the
Scottish Parliament at Cambuskenneth Abbey.
Source A says “In November 1314 Bruce with
increased confidence, convened a Parliament
at Cambuskenneth” and Source B says “In the
November, after the battle, Bruce was ready
to take the next step, the Scots Parliament
met at Cambuskenneth Abbey.” (1 mark)
Developed
comparison –
state a specific
issue the sources
agree or disagree
on; then give the
quotes to prove
this

12. Higher History exam
How to answer…
Comparison
questions
It’s that simple!
Mr Marr History