What age/year would you think this exam question was intended for?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

One map, showing Sparta, the topography (is that the right word?) and the nearby towns. Two paragraphs, explaining which of the nearby towns Sparta has good relations with, which it doesn't get on with and why, and a bit of history about wars. Set in ancient times. Sparta and ancient Greece not previously studied before, so coming at the paper cold.

The question is "Explain how Sparta's physical and political geography contributed to its military victories."

Year 8/9 Classical Civilization?

I think it would depend on the mark scheme TBH. What level you are expecting them to be answering at.

Second Year (Year 8)

13/14 year olds?

Year 3 or 4.

Greek/Sparta is definitely KS2, and the types of geography come up in KS2 too. So as you say Greeks not yet done, I'd put it in 1st half. Nice to see a question that blends the traditional lines between subjects.

We've just covered Ancient Greece in year 5/6 so I'd guess that age group.

I agree with Seeker.

Could be a Ph.D. topic, frankly. Meditrina, I'd be interested to meet a group of 7-year-olds who could tackle a question like that, but I suspect most of you are thinking this is a trick question.

I don't think most of the 7 and 8 year olds in Y3 would understand the words in the question ('physical and political geography', 'contribute to its military victories') never mind be able to answer it from reading a map. Was Y3 a serious suggestion?

Sounds like a Y7 or 8 question - if not, it's a private junior school Y5 or 6.

impossible to say. most questions can be answered at most levels. could be primary school (but I doubt it - not with the ref to political geography). other than that it could be pretty much anything at secondary school. Though I'd hope it wasn't A level, where I wouldn;t expect questions on unprepared topics. (unless it was General Studies or whatever the current equivalent is)

Year 6, so age 10/11. I thought it required quite demanding powers of analysis for that age, and was interested to see what others thought.

Not UK school.

ooo. i'm going to ask dds is they understand the question. (but not know, they are in bed. being y6 and 4)

just seen teh answer - yes I thin it is quote demanding. though a diet of Horrible Histories will no doubt help.

excuse my multiple typos

LondonMother: I didn't think it was a trick question, and the elements within it were covered by at least one of my children in yr4. Obviously, as TheFallenMadonna points out, you could extend it to a much higher level, but if the answers were to be based on the information in the paragraphs given then I still think it's a 1st half KS2 question.

X-posted with MrsSchadenfreude's answer.

The answer they were expected to provide was quite complex too, I thought, tying in who their allies were, and who might help Sparta attack which enemy, and which supporting towns were better placed to succeed than others, and why. DD1 didn't get anything this challenging in KS2 when she was at UK school. Which is why I was a bit and

I think I would expect most year 8/9s to have a decent stab at it. However I do think a lot of younger children could have a go too - particularl if you weren;t looking for "right" answers, just sensible suggestions, and if you made sure they understood the question. I think ds could, and he's in year 5.

But for proper, right answers, I think you'd need a 13 year old.

Year 5/6 selective independent.

Because of course only independent schools learn stuff like this. State schools are too busy teaching them how to claim benefits and break into cars.

I work in a state primary - mixed year 5/6. Most of my class would have a decent stab at this question. The year 6s in particular would be able to produce an acceptable attempt. Year 5s might have more problems. They would all have a bit of an issue with the political geography but I'd be disappointed if any of them struggled with the physical geography side of the question.

No, they couldn't, SandStorm - you're imagining it!

It depends partly on what level of answer you accept, partly on how used the class is to this type of thinking and discussion in general.

Ha! I was going to say 7/8 yr olds.
Dd (7, 2nd year Italian primary) has just done something similar about Rome.

My 7 year old could make a stab at it. She'd get it right if the "physical and political geography" bit was explained. She's been a Spartan for most of this term, so knows quite a lot (if a cleaned up version).