Paula's answer

Many nationalists were happy to see the arrival of the British Army in August 1969. They thought that the Army would protect them from loyalist attacks and that its arrival signified the beginning of the end of Stormont rule.

Comment: Level 1 Answer

Paula would get a level 1 for this answer. The response does not address all parts of the question. It says nothing about how and why the attitudes of nationalists changed by 1971. Furthermore the candidate says nothing at all about the attitudes of unionists.

Joanne's answer

Many nationalists were happy to see the arrival of the British Army in August 1969. They hoped that the Army would protect them from sectarian attacks, such as those in Bombay Street in the middle of August 1969. They also felt that its arrival showed that the British government was unhappy with the unionist government's handling of the security situation. However by 1971 their views on the British Army had changed. Nationalists no longer saw the Army as protectors.

On the other hand unionists were initially unhappy with the arrival of the British Army. They resented what they viewed as British interference in a Northern Ireland problem. They also felt that, initially, the Army did not do enough to end republican "no - go" areas. However by 1971, unionist attitudes towards the British Army were much more positive.

Comment: Level 2 Answer

Joanne would get a level 2 for this answer. The response is good in the sense that it addresses the initial views of nationalists and unionists and it also explains why they held these views. There is also recognition that the attitudes of both groups changed. However the candidate would need to explain why these attitudes changed at the end of each paragraph in order to answer the question fully.

Michelle's answer

Initially most nationalists were very happy to see the arrival of the British Army. They believed that the Army would protect them from further loyalist attacks, such as the burning of Catholic homes in Bombay Street in the middle of August. Nationalists felt that finally the British government was taking a more active role in the affairs of Northern Ireland and that it would put pressure on the unionist government to introduce reforms that nationalists demanded. It was also hoped that the Army's arrival might signify the beginning of the end of Stormont rule.

However by 1971 attitudes had changed. The "honeymoon" period was over. The fact that the Army was used to escort Orange parades past Catholic areas meant that it was increasingly seen to be enforcing Stormont rule. Incidents such as the 36-hour curfew on the lower Falls in July 1970 and the deployment of the Army to intern hundreds of Catholics in August 1971 only increased nationalist hostility.

On the other hand many unionists were initially angry at the arrival of the British Army. They felt that the British government was interfering in what they saw as a Northern Ireland problem. They felt that the authority of their government was being undermined. Many unionists initially felt that the British Army was adopting a "softly-softly" approach to republican "no-go" areas. However by 1971 its attitude had changed. It welcomed the more active security measures of the early 1970s against nationalists. This was shown by the July 1970 curfew and the introduction of internment in August 1971.

Comment: Level 3 Answer

Michelle would get a level 3 for this answer. This is an extremely direct and comprehensive answer. The candidate addresses all parts of the question. The response considers how and why the attitudes of nationalists changed between 1969-1971. It also considers how and why the attitudes of unionists changed between 1969-1971.