Criminology Unit 4 Model Answers
Guide/Advice:
Specialist Terminology is always rewarded: terms like
recidivism, coercion, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation,
incapacitation, denunciation, reparation, due process, crime control,
dark figure of crime, MAPPA, etc.
Examples are always rewarded: case names (Donoghue v
Stevenson), statistics (25% budget cut), and statutes (PACE 1984,
Criminal Justice Act 2003)
For "assess" and "evaluate" questions, make a judgement:
Say whether something works or not; phrases like "This suggests
that...", "However,", "In conclusion...".
For scenario-based questions, link every point back to the
scenario: use name of the person, crime, the specific details given
Don't write more than what’s needed: The mark scheme
explicitly says credit is given for concise answers
1 Mark Questions - What it is: Identify, name, or state one thing.
Structure: One word, one phrase, or one short sentence. No explanation
needed.
2 Mark Questions - What it is: Identify two things. Each worth 1 mark.
Structure: Two bullet points or two short phrases. No explanation needed
unless the question says, "identify and explain” like "jury are responsible
for the verdict of guilty. The judge would be responsible for imposing the
prison sentence."
3 Mark Questions - What it is: Outline or identify three features. Each
point worth 1 mark.
Structure: Three short, clear points. Brief outline no unnecessary detail.
Example of outline features:
1. The repression of crime is the most important function of criminal
justice.
2. Criminal justice should concentrate on promoting victims' rights.
3. The criminal justice process should operate like a conveyor belt.
Example of outline:
"Collection of proposals through consultation, e.g. Green Paper and White
Paper. A Bill enters Parliament and proceeds through both Houses. Royal
Assent given to enable the Bill to become law."
,4 Mark Questions - What it is: Describe, explain, or briefly discuss. Four
marks for detailed answer with specialist vocabulary and examples.
Structure: Two detailed paragraphs or four clear points. Include at least
one example (case, law, statistic).
Point 1 with explanation and example
Point 2 with explanation and example
OR: 4 points
Example from Unit 2:
"One form of internal social control is rational ideology, which is the idea
of an individual's conscience. Feelings of guilt, anxiety, or worry from
within guide a person to follow laws and rules. For example, a person
might not steal a pen from school because their conscience tells them it is
wrong."
5 Mark Questions - What it is: Explain or assess in detail using
communicative meaning and terminology.
Structure: Two to three detailed paragraphs. Include examples, specialist
vocabulary, and at least one evaluative point (strength and/or limitation).
Template:
Paragraph 1: Explain the first aspect with example
Paragraph 2: Explain the second aspect with example
Paragraph 3 (optional): Brief evaluative comment
6 Mark Questions - What it is: Describe, explain, discuss, or assess –
demands of question are addressed clear, detailed and accurate support
with specialist vocabulary.
Structure: Three detailed paragraphs. Each paragraph makes a clear point
with an example. For "discuss" or "assess" questions, include both sides or
a judgement.
Template: 3 points, 3 detailed examples with evaluation/judgement
7 Mark Questions - What it is: Discuss or examine in detail – accurate,
detailed, well-structured, and clearly expressed with specialist vocabulary
with ease.
Structure: Three to four substantial paragraphs. Cover multiple aspects.
Use case examples, statistics, and specialist vocabulary throughout.
Template: 3-4 points, examples and evaluation/judgement
,8 Mark Questions - What it is: Analyse, discuss, or evaluate in detail.
Same bands as 7-mark but with slightly more depth expected.
Structure: Four paragraphs minimum. Cover multiple points. Include
theory links, case examples, and statistics. Make a judgement or reach a
conclusion.
Template:
Paragraph 1: First point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 2: Second point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 3: Third point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 4: Fourth point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 5: Conclusion or evaluation
9-10 Mark Questions - What it is: Evaluate, assess, discuss, or analyse in
detail - nine/ten for clear, detailed, well-structured, specialist vocabulary
with ease.
Structure: Four to five detailed paragraphs. Cover both sides of an
argument. Use multiple examples, statistics, case names, theory links.
Reach a clear judgement or conclusion.
Template for evaluation:
Paragraph 1: Introduction stating what will be covered
Paragraph 2: Strengths/effectiveness – first point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 3: Strengths/effectiveness – second point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 4: Weaknesses/limitations – first point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 5: Weaknesses/limitations – second point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 6: Conclusion – overall judgement
Template for discussion/analysis:
Paragraph 1: First aim/aspect with detailed explanation, application
to scenario, and example
Paragraph 2: Second aim/aspect with detailed explanation,
application to scenario, and example
, Paragraph 3: Third aim/aspect (if applicable)
Paragraph 4: Fourth aim/aspect (if applicable)
Paragraph 5: Evaluative conclusion
Mark scheme says (7--10 marks band): "There is a clear and detailed
focus on the question with mainly accurate support and an effective use
of specialist vocabulary. The demands of the question are fully
addressed. Answers are well structured and clearly expressed."
AC1.1 – Describe processes used for law making
Past Question (2017): Outline the process used by the government
for making laws such as The Theft Act 1968. [3 marks]
The public's response to a change in the law is collected through a Green
Paper followed by firm proposals in a White Paper. A Bill is then presented
to Parliament, and it follows a series of stages such as the first and second
readings in both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The Bill may
be amended before it is voted upon by Parliament and then given the
Royal Assent by the Monarch.
Past Question (2018): Describe judicial involvement in law-making.
[4 marks]
Judicial law making, or judicial precedent, is law made by judges in the
courts. When a case appears before them, they must make a judgement,
and this forms the law. It must be followed in future cases by the courts in
the hierarchy. For example, the legal principle in Donoghue v Stevenson
was applied in Daniels v White.
A judge in the higher courts may also need to interpret words or phrases
in a statute. This is known as statutory interpretation. A judge has a
variety of rules that can be used to aid interpretation, for example the
literal rule, as seen in *Whiteley v Chappell* where the court held that a
dead person is not 'entitled to vote'.
Past Question (2020): Identify four features of the parliamentary
(governmental) law-making process. [4 marks]
1. The Green Paper, which is a consultation stage.
2. The White Paper, which contains firm proposals for the new law.
3. A Bill enters either House and passes through several stages, including
First Reading, Second Reading, and the Committee Stage.
4. The final stage is Royal Assent, in which the Monarch gives approval
and the Bill becomes an Act.
Guide/Advice:
Specialist Terminology is always rewarded: terms like
recidivism, coercion, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation,
incapacitation, denunciation, reparation, due process, crime control,
dark figure of crime, MAPPA, etc.
Examples are always rewarded: case names (Donoghue v
Stevenson), statistics (25% budget cut), and statutes (PACE 1984,
Criminal Justice Act 2003)
For "assess" and "evaluate" questions, make a judgement:
Say whether something works or not; phrases like "This suggests
that...", "However,", "In conclusion...".
For scenario-based questions, link every point back to the
scenario: use name of the person, crime, the specific details given
Don't write more than what’s needed: The mark scheme
explicitly says credit is given for concise answers
1 Mark Questions - What it is: Identify, name, or state one thing.
Structure: One word, one phrase, or one short sentence. No explanation
needed.
2 Mark Questions - What it is: Identify two things. Each worth 1 mark.
Structure: Two bullet points or two short phrases. No explanation needed
unless the question says, "identify and explain” like "jury are responsible
for the verdict of guilty. The judge would be responsible for imposing the
prison sentence."
3 Mark Questions - What it is: Outline or identify three features. Each
point worth 1 mark.
Structure: Three short, clear points. Brief outline no unnecessary detail.
Example of outline features:
1. The repression of crime is the most important function of criminal
justice.
2. Criminal justice should concentrate on promoting victims' rights.
3. The criminal justice process should operate like a conveyor belt.
Example of outline:
"Collection of proposals through consultation, e.g. Green Paper and White
Paper. A Bill enters Parliament and proceeds through both Houses. Royal
Assent given to enable the Bill to become law."
,4 Mark Questions - What it is: Describe, explain, or briefly discuss. Four
marks for detailed answer with specialist vocabulary and examples.
Structure: Two detailed paragraphs or four clear points. Include at least
one example (case, law, statistic).
Point 1 with explanation and example
Point 2 with explanation and example
OR: 4 points
Example from Unit 2:
"One form of internal social control is rational ideology, which is the idea
of an individual's conscience. Feelings of guilt, anxiety, or worry from
within guide a person to follow laws and rules. For example, a person
might not steal a pen from school because their conscience tells them it is
wrong."
5 Mark Questions - What it is: Explain or assess in detail using
communicative meaning and terminology.
Structure: Two to three detailed paragraphs. Include examples, specialist
vocabulary, and at least one evaluative point (strength and/or limitation).
Template:
Paragraph 1: Explain the first aspect with example
Paragraph 2: Explain the second aspect with example
Paragraph 3 (optional): Brief evaluative comment
6 Mark Questions - What it is: Describe, explain, discuss, or assess –
demands of question are addressed clear, detailed and accurate support
with specialist vocabulary.
Structure: Three detailed paragraphs. Each paragraph makes a clear point
with an example. For "discuss" or "assess" questions, include both sides or
a judgement.
Template: 3 points, 3 detailed examples with evaluation/judgement
7 Mark Questions - What it is: Discuss or examine in detail – accurate,
detailed, well-structured, and clearly expressed with specialist vocabulary
with ease.
Structure: Three to four substantial paragraphs. Cover multiple aspects.
Use case examples, statistics, and specialist vocabulary throughout.
Template: 3-4 points, examples and evaluation/judgement
,8 Mark Questions - What it is: Analyse, discuss, or evaluate in detail.
Same bands as 7-mark but with slightly more depth expected.
Structure: Four paragraphs minimum. Cover multiple points. Include
theory links, case examples, and statistics. Make a judgement or reach a
conclusion.
Template:
Paragraph 1: First point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 2: Second point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 3: Third point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 4: Fourth point/aim with detailed explanation
Paragraph 5: Conclusion or evaluation
9-10 Mark Questions - What it is: Evaluate, assess, discuss, or analyse in
detail - nine/ten for clear, detailed, well-structured, specialist vocabulary
with ease.
Structure: Four to five detailed paragraphs. Cover both sides of an
argument. Use multiple examples, statistics, case names, theory links.
Reach a clear judgement or conclusion.
Template for evaluation:
Paragraph 1: Introduction stating what will be covered
Paragraph 2: Strengths/effectiveness – first point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 3: Strengths/effectiveness – second point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 4: Weaknesses/limitations – first point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 5: Weaknesses/limitations – second point with
example/statistic
Paragraph 6: Conclusion – overall judgement
Template for discussion/analysis:
Paragraph 1: First aim/aspect with detailed explanation, application
to scenario, and example
Paragraph 2: Second aim/aspect with detailed explanation,
application to scenario, and example
, Paragraph 3: Third aim/aspect (if applicable)
Paragraph 4: Fourth aim/aspect (if applicable)
Paragraph 5: Evaluative conclusion
Mark scheme says (7--10 marks band): "There is a clear and detailed
focus on the question with mainly accurate support and an effective use
of specialist vocabulary. The demands of the question are fully
addressed. Answers are well structured and clearly expressed."
AC1.1 – Describe processes used for law making
Past Question (2017): Outline the process used by the government
for making laws such as The Theft Act 1968. [3 marks]
The public's response to a change in the law is collected through a Green
Paper followed by firm proposals in a White Paper. A Bill is then presented
to Parliament, and it follows a series of stages such as the first and second
readings in both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The Bill may
be amended before it is voted upon by Parliament and then given the
Royal Assent by the Monarch.
Past Question (2018): Describe judicial involvement in law-making.
[4 marks]
Judicial law making, or judicial precedent, is law made by judges in the
courts. When a case appears before them, they must make a judgement,
and this forms the law. It must be followed in future cases by the courts in
the hierarchy. For example, the legal principle in Donoghue v Stevenson
was applied in Daniels v White.
A judge in the higher courts may also need to interpret words or phrases
in a statute. This is known as statutory interpretation. A judge has a
variety of rules that can be used to aid interpretation, for example the
literal rule, as seen in *Whiteley v Chappell* where the court held that a
dead person is not 'entitled to vote'.
Past Question (2020): Identify four features of the parliamentary
(governmental) law-making process. [4 marks]
1. The Green Paper, which is a consultation stage.
2. The White Paper, which contains firm proposals for the new law.
3. A Bill enters either House and passes through several stages, including
First Reading, Second Reading, and the Committee Stage.
4. The final stage is Royal Assent, in which the Monarch gives approval
and the Bill becomes an Act.
