A Level H2 History Practice Paper 2

TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI) — History H2 A-Level Practice Paper

School: TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI)
Subject: History H2
Level: A-Level
Paper: Practice Paper (Source-Based Skills) — Version 2 of 5
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Marks: 80
Name: ________________________
Class: ________________________
Date: ________________________

Instructions

• This paper contains 20 questions across three sections testing source-based skills drawn from A-Level H2 History prelim patterns.
• Read all sources carefully before answering.
• Write your answers in the spaces provided.
• Section A: 5 short structured questions (2–4 marks each). Section B: 10 comparison and reliability questions (4–6 marks each). Section C: 5 extended source-evaluation questions (8–10 marks each).
• Total marks: 80.

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Section A: Source Identification and Basic Skills (Questions 1–5)

[Total: 14 marks]

1. [2 marks] What is meant by the term "provenance" when analysing a historical source?

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2. [3 marks] Identify two differences between a primary source and a secondary source. Give one example of each.

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3. [3 marks] A cartoon published in a US newspaper in 1962 shows Khrushchev and Kennedy in a tug-of-war over a missile. State what type of source this is and explain one limitation of using it as evidence for the Cuban Missile Crisis.

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4. [3 marks] Explain the historical skill of "corroboration" in source analysis.

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5. [3 marks] Why is the date of a source important when evaluating its usefulness for a historical inquiry?

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Section B: Comparison and Reliability (Questions 6–15)

[Total: 46 marks]

Source A (Extract from a 1989 speech by a Polish trade union leader):
"Workers in Gdansk have organised peacefully for free representation. The state's refusal to recognise our rights shows the fragility of the communist system. Change will come from the people."

Source B (Extract from a 1990 Soviet government bulletin):
"Recent labour disturbances in Poland were resolved through proper legal channels. The government remains stable and continues to guide socialist development in consultation with the workers."

6. [5 marks] Compare the evidence provided by Sources A and B on the situation of workers in Poland in 1989–1990.

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Source C (1991 memoir of a US diplomat):
"Gorbachev's reforms opened the door, but it was the people in the streets of Leipzig and Warsaw who ended the Cold War."

Source D (1988 editorial in a Soviet party newspaper):
"Under the wise leadership of the Communist Party, the USSR is strengthening international socialism and detente. External pressures are manageable."

7. [5 marks] Compare the views in Sources C and D on the role of leadership in ending the Cold War.

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8. [4 marks] How useful is Source D as evidence for understanding Soviet official attitudes before 1989?

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Source E (Statistical table — NATO and Warsaw Pact troop numbers 1985):

Year	NATO troops (000s)	Warsaw Pact troops (000s)
1985	4,200	3,900

Source F (1986 news report): "Both alliances maintain roughly equal military forces in Europe."

9. [4 marks] How far do Sources E and F agree on military balance in Europe?

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10. [5 marks] Assess the reliability of Source A as evidence for popular opposition to communism in Poland.

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Source G (Cartoon, 1975): Two Southeast Asian leaders shaking hands over a document labelled "ASEAN cooperation", with a small figure labelled "external pressure" in the corner.

Generated cartoon for 11.

11. [4 marks] What does Source G suggest about ASEAN's approach to regional cooperation? Use the cartoon's features.

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Source H (1963 Malaysian government statement): "The formation of Malaysia is a peaceful step towards stability welcomed by all communities."

Source I (1964 report by a foreign journalist): "In Borneo, armed opposition to the Malaysia plan reveals deep division among local populations."

12. [5 marks] Compare Sources H and I on the acceptance of the Malaysia plan.

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13. [5 marks] How reliable is Source I for understanding local responses to Malaysia's formation?

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Source J (1980 World Bank data): "GDP growth in ASEAN averaged 6% annually 1970–1980."

Source K (1979 speech by an ASEAN finance minister): "Our open economic policies have driven rapid regional growth."

14. [4 marks] Compare Sources J and K on the cause of ASEAN economic growth.

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15. [5 marks] Assess the usefulness of Source J for a study of Southeast Asian economies in the 1970s.

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Section C: Extended Evaluation (Questions 16–20)

[Total: 20 marks]

16. [4 marks] "Sources A, B and C show that the end of communist rule in Poland was caused mainly by foreign pressure." How far do the sources support this assertion?

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17. [4 marks] Using Sources D and F, how far do they support the view that the Cold War was stable until the late 1980s?

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18. [4 marks] How far do Sources G, H and I support the claim that regional cooperation in Southeast Asia faced external and internal challenges?

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19. [4 marks] Sources J and K support the assertion that government policy was the key to ASEAN growth. How far is this valid?

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20. [4 marks] Using all sources A–K, how far do they support the view that popular movements were more important than leaders in Cold War ending?

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End of Paper