Victorians - Unit Assessment

The Year 2 history assessment on the Victorians, created by Focus Education (UK) Ltd, is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate students' knowledge of the Victorian era. The assessment includes a variety of questions that cover different aspects of Victorian life. Students are quizzed on the currency of the time, identifying a farthing and two shillings as coins used during the period. They must also recognize Queen Victoria as the reigning monarch of the time. Further questions delve into the Industrial Revolution, asking students to understand its significance, including the rise of machinery and factory work, and to identify inventions like the Spinning Jenny and steam engines that were pivotal during this transformative era.

The assessment also explores the harsh realities of Victorian life, particularly for children who often worked in dangerous environments such as coal mines and cotton mills, or as chimney sweeps. Students are asked about the typical objects found in Victorian classrooms, with items like a cane and chalkboards being correct answers, and to name traditional games like marbles and hopscotch that Victorian children would have played. The assessment encourages critical thinking about the drawbacks of the Industrial Revolution, highlighting issues such as pollution and overcrowding. Additionally, students are tasked with associating words like 'parlour' and 'workhouse' with the Victorian era. The final part of the assessment requires students to evaluate different sources of evidence, such as photographs, newspapers, and diaries, to determine their reliability in providing information about the Victorian period.