Yr11 –
Revision
– Read
through
and
complete
as many
questions
as you
can.
Exam
Prep
Exam Technique Guidance:
How should we answer a 4 mark question?
Okay, so this should be the easiest type of question on our exam. A nice, simple 4 mark question. All
the examiner wants is facts. No opinions, no inferences, nothing but accurate descriptions. All we
need to include is just four simple, relevant facts for the A grade... or three for the B... two
for C...etc.
Simples!
Sample Question:
By 1955 two rival alliances existed.
Describe the membership and aims of NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
(4 marks)
Considerations:
What are the keywords in this question?
How can we start to answer this question?
How many sentences would you need to write to obtain 4 marks?
Quick Tips: If you are stuck for an opening statement you can always use the short description above
the question
Sample Answer:
NATO and the Warsaw Pacts were both military alliances - members of each alliance
would defend and work together with each other against the opposing alliance. NATO
included Western Powers like Britain, France and the USA who were determined to
contain and block communism in every way possible. The Warsaw Pact included the
USSR and its communist allies in East Europe, the states of East Europe (the Soviet
sphere of influence) were seen as a ‘buffer’ against attack on the USSR. Both alliances
bombarded each other with propaganda, blocked each other’s moves, helped other
countries fight against their opponents and often criticised/argued in the UN. But
officially, these were defence alliances in case they were attacked.
Level 3: 4 marks. This answer covers both NATO and the Warsaw Pact so is eligible for full marks. It
comfortably achieves this by describing the nature of the alliances, their aims and giving examples
of the members of NATO.
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Exam Technique Guidance:
How should we answer a 6 mark question?
This question is meant to show the examiner whether or not you understand the content and
purpose of a source and use your own knowledge to decide whether the source is accurate. The
question will always be worded along the lines of ‘Source A is one interpretation of........’ Students
should think about discuss other interpretations in your answer as well.
Sample Question:
SOURCE A suggests a reason why their Truman Doctrine was issued in March 1947. Do you agree
that this was the main reason for the Truman Doctrine? Explain your answer by referring to the
purpose of the source as well as using its content and your own knowledge.
(6 marks)
‘I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who
are resisted attempted conquest by armed minorities or outside pressures. I believe
that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way.’
President Truman, explains his Doctrine, 1947
Considerations:
Who made the source?
When was it made? Does it show opinions from the time or does it include hindsight?
What is the purpose of the source? Is it to entertain, make fun, educate, express an opinion?
Quick Tips: In order to make the most out of your answer, write two paragraphs; Paragraph 1 should
talk about Content, Nature, Origin and Purpose of the source (linking back to reliability), Paragraph 2
should state whether you agree of disagree with the source and provide own knowledge to support
your claim.
Sample Answer: What would you grade this out of 6?
The content of this is Truman explaining his Doctrine. Truman is stating that he believes that
it is the responsibility of the United States to protect free people who are resisted attempted
conquest by armed minorities or outside pressures. He also states that he believes that the USA
must help free people to work out their own destinies. Truman is arguably referring to the Soviet
Union who were expanding their power in Eastern Europe. This source is part of the Truman
Doctrine in 1947 and its purpose is arguably to send a message to Stalin that the United States will
protect smaller countries from the USSR.
I partially agree with the content of this source as the United States believed in selfdetermination and thought countries should have the right to rule themselves and this was the main
theme behind the Truman Doctrine. However, Truman was an ardent anti-communism who adopted
an iron fist approach to Stalin and therefore wanted to stop the spread of Communism. The conflict
between them had emerged after the end of the Second World War as capitalism west disapproved
of Stalin’s expansion east. However, as the source is from Truman is therefore a biased, one sided
interpretation of events and only presents the positive aspects of the Truman Doctrine.
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Exam Technique Guidance:
How should we answer a 10 mark question?
This question really gives you the opportunity to show off your own knowledge. In order to get the
highest possible marks make sure you follow the suggested formatting below.
Sample Question:
Which of these was more important as a reason for the development of the cold war in the years
1945 to 1955:


Soviet Expansion into Europe
The formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact
You must refer to BOTH reasons when explaining your answer.
(10 marks)
Formatting Considerations:
Paragraph 1: describe the first event in detail. Explain how it links to the question
(Example: in this case why may it be important in the development of the Cold War)
Paragraph 2: describe the second event in detail. Explain how it links to the question
(Example: in this case why may it be important in the development of the Cold War)
Paragraph 3: Conclude. Create a judgement to answer the question
(Example: Overall … was a more important reasons for the development of the Cold War because…)
Quick Tips: always use part of the question in your answer. This not only shows the examiner that
you are focused on the task but helps to create strong links to the topic. Always save your final
judgement until the final paragraph. This shows that you have considered all the evidence and
created a balanced judgement after considering all the evidence first.
STUDENTS CANNOT SCORE MORE THAN 5 IF THEY ONLY DISCUSS ONE BULLET POINT
STUDENTS CANNOT SCORE MORE THAN 7 IF THEY HAVE NOT MADE A JUDGEMENT
IF BOTH BULLET POINTS ARE DISCUSSED BUT THE LEVEL OF DETAIL IS POOR PITCH AROUND 5/10.
Useful websites:
http://www.johndclare.net/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir1/
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/treaty_of_versailles.htm
http://www.cartoons.ac.uk/
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/his_rel/new/history_b_materials.php?id=09&prev=09
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a)
b)
Describe how the Treaty of Versailles aimed to punish Germany following the
First World War. (4 marks) Hint: In order to get a full 4 marks you must have at
least four solid points and 4 sentences.
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Source A gives one interpretation of the Treaty of Versailles.
Do you agree with the view presented in this source? Explain your answer by
referring to the content and purpose of the source. (6 marks)
Source A: created by Will Dyson, an Australian cartoonist who moved to England to
pursue his career. Created in 1939.
Nature: what type of source is it?
Source A is a…
Origin: where is the source from? Is it primary or
secondary?
It was created...
Purpose: what is it meant to do? Why was it created?
The purpose of the source is…
Judgement:
The view presented in the source is…
I agree/disagree with the view presented in this source because….
My own knowledge confirms…..
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Complete exam style question c) or d)
HINT: In order to get 10 marks out of 10 your answer must be formatted in three
paragraphs; Paragraph 1 describe and explain bullet point 1, Paragraph 2 describe and
explain bullet point 2, Paragraph 3 should answer the question asked through forming and
supporting a judgement.
c)
Which of these terms made Germany weaker
 Restricting its armed forces
 Reparations
You must refer to both in your answer (10 marks)
OR
d)
Which was the more important factor in German resentment of the Treaty of
Versailles
 Clause 231 (War Guilt Clause)
 Reparations
You must refer to both in your answer (10 marks)
HINT: In order to get full marks remember your formatting. Please refer back to ‘How to’
notes.
Describe the structure of the League of Nations and how it aimed to maintain
peace.
(4 marks)
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Source B presents one interpretation of the League of Nations.
Do you agree with the view presented in this source?
Explain your answer by referring to the content and purpose of the source as well as
your own knowledge.
(6 marks)
Source B: Bernard Partridge. Published in Punch Magazine 28 July 1920
.
What made the League of Nations weaker?


Its peacekeeping powers
Membership
You must refer to both in your answer
(10 marks)
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Describe the events of the Manchurian Crisis.
(4 marks)
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Source C presents one interpretation of the Abyssinia Crisis.
Do you agree with the view presented in this source?
Explain your answer by referring to the content and purpose of the source as well as
your own knowledge.
(6 marks)
The crisis was fatal to the League. Nobody took it seriously again. They got ready for the
Second World War.
Written by the historian JR Western (1971)
Paragraph 1:
Nature: what type of source is it?
Source A is a…
Origin: where is the source from? Is it primary or secondary?
It was created...
Purpose: what is it meant to do? Why was it created?
The purpose of the source is…
Paragraph 2:
Judgement: The view presented in the source is…
I agree/disagree with the view presented in this source because….
My own knowledge confirms…..
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Which event proved more fatal for the League of Nations?


Manchuria
Abyssinia
You must refer to both in your answer
(10 marks)
In February 1945, the leaders of the USA, the USSR and Britain met at Yalta to decide what
to do with Germany when the Second World War was over.
Describe what was decided about Germany at the Yalta Conference. Hint: In order to get a
full 4 marks you must have at least four solid points and 4 sentences.
(4 marks)
Source D From The Roots of Expansion by the Soviet writer Vadim Nekrasov, published in
Moscow in 1984.
The American military intervention in Korea in the summer of 1950
worsened the already tense international relations. The United States
had landed troops in South Korea after Japan’s surrender in 1945. Now
they were trying to gain control of the whole country.
Study Source D.
Source D suggests that the USA was trying to take over North Korea during the Korean War.
Do you agree that this was the main reason why the USA took part in the Korean War?
Explain your answer by referring to the purpose of the source, as well as using its content
and your knowledge.
(6 marks)
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Which was more important in causing the Cold War:

the Soviet expansion in East Europe, 1945–1948

the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, 1947?
You must refer to both causes when explaining your answer.
(10 marks)
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