Practice Exam Questions

Paper 2 is an essay paper based on 12 world history topics of which students study two ​topics. Each topic gives you a choice of two questions to answer and you have to answer two exam questions, one for the Cold War, and one for Authoritarian States (or any other topics you have studied). Paper 2 is 1 hour 30 minutes in duration which gives you 45 minutes per essay question. The maximum mark for this paper is 30 marks, 15 marks per essay. To practice, try these exam essay questions from past papers:
May 2021
Evaluate the factors that led to detente between the US and USSR between 1971 and 1979.
Discuss the impact of two Cold War crises on superpower rivalry.
Nov 2020
To what extent was the arms race the most important reason for the end of the Cold War (1980-1991)?
Examine the economic impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region.
May 2020
Exam Cancelled - COVID!
Exam Cancelled - COVID!
Nov 2019
​Evaluate the impact of detente upon US–USSR relations up to the end of 1979.
“Ideology was the most important cause of Cold War crises.” Discuss with reference to two Cold War crises, each from a different region.
May 2019
​"China's relations with the USSR and the US were largely shaped by increasing mistrust and suspicion." Discuss with reference to the period between 1947 and 1979.
"The actions of individual leaders had a significant impact on the development of the Cold War." Discuss with reference to two leaders, each from a different region.
Nov 2018
“Superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia between 1943 and 1949 led to the breakdown of the grand alliance.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Discuss the impact of two Cold War crises, each from a different region, on the development of superpower tensions.
May 2018
​"Economic problems between 1980 and 1991 were the most significant reason for the end of the Cold War." To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Compare and contrast the impact of two leaders, each from a different region, on the development of the Cold War.
Nov 2017
"Confrontation rather than reconciliation ended the Cold War." Discuss with reference to the period from 1980 to 1991.
Evaluate the impact of two leaders, each from a different region, on the course of the Cold War.
May 2017
​To what extent did economic interests rather than ideology lead to the breakdown of the grand alliance between 1943 and 1949?
Evaluate the impact of Cold War tensions on two ​countries (excluding the USSR and the US).
Spec Paper
​Examine the impact of the US policy of containment on superpower relations 1947 - 1964.
​​Evaluate the impact upon the course of the Cold War of two crises, each chosen from a different region.
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