A Level History H1 Practice Paper 4

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - History H1 A-Level

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper (AI) — Version 4

Subject: History H1
Level: A-Level
Paper: Practice Paper (Source-Based Skills Focus)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Marks: 40
Name:
Class:
Date:

Instructions:

• This practice paper is generated from syllabus-first inference. It is NOT derived from past-year A-Level papers.
• Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
• Section A contains source-based questions on Theme I (Development of the Cold War).
• Use the provided sources carefully. Marks are awarded for use of sources, contextual knowledge, and analysis.
• Write clearly and in continuous prose where required.

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Section A: Source-Based Case Study (40 marks)

The following sources relate to the emergence of the Cold War after the Second World War.

Source A: Extract from a telegram by George Kennan, US Charge d'Affaires in Moscow, 1946 (the Long Telegram).
"At the bottom of the Kremlin's neurotic view of world affairs is a traditional and instinctive Russian sense of insecurity... Soviet pressure on the free institutions of the Western world is something that can be contained by the adroit and vigilant application of counter-force at a series of constantly shifting geographical and political points."

Source B: Extract from Winston Churchill's speech at Fulton, Missouri, 5 March 1946.
"From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe... All these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere."

Source C: Extract from a Soviet history textbook published in Moscow, 1950.
"The aggressive circles of the United States, having monopolised the atomic bomb, embarked on a course of world domination. They surrounded the Soviet Union with military bases and refused to honour the agreements made at Yalta and Potsdam for a just postwar settlement."

Source D: Statistical table showing US and USSR military expenditure, 1948–1952 (in billion USD equivalent).

Year	USA	USSR
1948	12.0	13.5
1949	13.1	14.0
1950	14.4	15.2
1951	22.0	19.8
1952	44.0	25.1

Source E: Cartoon published in a US newspaper, 1948, titled "The Gift Horse". It shows a large horse labelled "Marshall Plan" with a small Soviet figure looking inside its mouth, suspicious of the aid being given to Western Europe.

Image pending generation: source_image for Q1(b).

Question 1 (a) — Compare the views of the Cold War's origins in Source A and Source B. [10 marks]

Question 1 (b) — "The Cold War was caused primarily by mutual suspicion and security concerns, not by one side's aggression." Using all the sources and your own knowledge, assess this assertion. [30 marks]

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End of Paper

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper Answers — History H1 A-Level (Version 4)

Subject: History H1
Level: A-Level
Paper: Practice Paper (Source-Based Skills Focus)
Total Marks: 40

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Section A: Source-Based Case Study — Mark Scheme

Question 1 (a) — Compare Source A and Source B [10 marks]

Level Descriptors (from syllabus):

• L3 (8–10): Effective use of both; clear explanation of similarities/differences with source details; insight into reasons.
• L2 (4–7): Uses both; clear explanation of similarities/differences with details.
• L1 (1–3): Describes content; simple comparison.
• L0 (0): No relevant response.

Teaching Notes & Sample Answer:

• Both sources attribute Cold War tensions to Soviet behaviour: Kennan (A) describes a "neurotic view" and Russian "insecurity" driving expansion; Churchill (B) speaks of an "iron curtain" and "Soviet sphere" in Eastern Europe. [Similarity: both see USSR as creating division]
• Difference: A is an internal US diplomatic analysis proposing "containment" via counter-force; B is a public speech alerting the West to Soviet encroachment. A focuses on psychological cause, B on territorial outcome.
• Insight: Kennan writes from Moscow embassy experience (1946), Churchill from Missouri after losing office, thus different audiences shape tone.

Mark breakdown example (L3, 9/10):

• Identifies both depict USSR as threat (2)
• Uses quote "iron curtain" and "containment" (2)
• Explains A is policy-oriented, B is rhetorical (3)
• Links to author context (2)

Question 1 (b) — Assess assertion using all sources + knowledge [30 marks]

Level Descriptors:

• L5 (25–30): Treats sources as set; critical awareness; evaluates in context; sustained argument.
• L4 (19–24): Good use; attempts evaluation with gaps.
• L3 (13–18): Some cross-referencing; not fully in context.
• L2 (7–12): Face value; isolation.
• L1 (1–6): Limited; contextual only.
• L0 (0): No response.

Teaching Notes: Assertion: Cold War caused by mutual suspicion/security, not single aggression.

Source use:

• A: US suspicion of USSR insecurity → containment (supports mutual suspicion from US side)
• B: Soviet sphere shows Western suspicion of Soviet expansion (security concern)
• C: USSR counters that US "aggressive circles" surrounded them with bases (shows Soviet suspicion of US, supports mutual)
• D: Spending rises on both sides 1948–52, USSR initially higher then US surpasses → arms race from both, security dilemma
• E: Marshall Plan seen by USSR as threat (image shows suspicion of aid)

Own knowledge: Yalta/Potsdam failures, Truman Doctrine, Berlin Blockade, NATO/Warsaw Pact.

Argument structure:

1. Intro: assertion partially valid; both sides feared others.
2. From US view: A + B show perception of Soviet threat → policy response.
3. From USSR view: C + E show perception of US encirclement.
4. D shows both built arms → mutual.
5. Counter: traditional view sees Stalin's aggression; but sources show reactive policies.
6. Conclusion: mutual suspicion central, but actions like blockade also aggressive; nuanced.

Marking example (L5, 27/30):

• Uses all 5 sources as set (10)
• Contextualises each (6)
• Own knowledge Yalta, Truman (5)
• Balanced judgement (6)

Common mistake: Using only US sources; not addressing "not one side's aggression".

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End of Answer Key