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A Level H2 History Practice Paper 3

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A Level H2 History From Real Exams Generated by Gemma 4 31B Updated 2026-06-03

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Questions

TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI)

Subject: History H2 Level: A-Level Paper: Source-Based Skills (Practice Paper 3 of 5) Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Total Marks: 40 Name: __________________________ Class: __________ Date: __________

Instructions to Candidates

This paper consists of one set of sources and two main questions.
Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
You are advised to spend approximately 45 minutes on Question 1 and 45 minutes on Question 2.
Use the sources provided to support your arguments; however, external historical knowledge should be used to evaluate the reliability and usefulness of the sources.

Source Booklet: ASEAN and the South China Sea Dispute

Source A: Extract from an official ASEAN Joint Statement (1992) "The member states of ASEAN emphasize the importance of the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. We call for the exercise of restraint by all parties concerned and the avoidance of any action that would complicate the situation. Our goal is to maintain regional peace and stability through diplomatic dialogue and the spirit of cooperation."

Source B: A political cartoon from a regional newspaper (2014) The cartoon depicts a large ship (labeled 'China') pushing smaller boats (labeled with various ASEAN flags) aside to claim a large area of the sea. The ASEAN boats are shown huddled together, talking in a circle, while the larger ship ignores them completely. The caption reads: "The Consensus Circle."

Source C: Extract from a speech by a Southeast Asian diplomat (2016) "While the ASEAN-led process has prevented a full-scale military conflict, we must be honest: the 'ASEAN Way' of consensus is often a shield for inaction. When member states have conflicting interests—some being close allies of Beijing and others claimants—the organization is paralyzed. We are not failing because we lack a plan, but because we lack the unity to enforce one."

Source D: An academic analysis from a Global Affairs Journal (2020) "ASEAN's role in the South China Sea is often characterized as a failure by Western analysts. However, this ignores the reality of the power asymmetry. By maintaining a platform for dialogue, ASEAN has successfully 'managed' the dispute, preventing the region from sliding into open warfare. The lack of a legally binding Code of Conduct is a setback, but the continued diplomatic engagement is a strategic victory in itself."

Questions

Question 1 (a) Compare and contrast the evidence provided by Source A and Source C on the effectiveness of ASEAN's approach to regional disputes. [10 marks]

(Space for answer)

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Question 2 (b) How far do Sources A, B, C, and D support the view that ASEAN's efforts in the South China Sea dispute have been a failure? [30 marks]

(Space for answer)

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Answers

Answer Key: ASEAN and the South China Sea Dispute

Question 1(a)

Compare and contrast the evidence provided by Source A and Source C on the effectiveness of ASEAN's approach to regional disputes. [10 marks]

Comparison (Similarities):

Both sources acknowledge that ASEAN has a specific approach or "process" for dealing with disputes.
Both sources implicitly recognize the goal of maintaining peace/preventing conflict (Source A explicitly states it; Source C admits the process has "prevented a full-scale military conflict").

Contrast (Differences):

Perspective on Effectiveness: Source A presents the approach as a positive, proactive effort toward "peaceful resolution" and "stability." In contrast, Source C views the approach (the "ASEAN Way") as a "shield for inaction" and describes the organization as "paralyzed."
Outcome: Source A suggests that diplomatic dialogue and cooperation are the keys to success. Source C argues that these same mechanisms lead to failure because they cannot overcome the conflicting interests of member states.
Tone: Source A is optimistic and official (Joint Statement), while Source C is critical and candid (Diplomat's speech).

Question 2(b)

How far do Sources A, B, C, and D support the view that ASEAN's efforts in the South China Sea dispute have been a failure? [30 marks]

Introduction: The question asks to evaluate the extent to which the provided sources support the claim that ASEAN's efforts in the South China Sea have failed. The sources provide a spectrum of views, ranging from official optimism to blunt criticism and academic nuance.

Arguments supporting the view (Failure):

Source B (Cartoon): Strongly supports the view of failure. The visual of China ignoring the "Consensus Circle" suggests that ASEAN's collective diplomatic efforts are irrelevant and powerless against a dominant power.
Source C (Diplomat): Directly supports the view of failure. It argues that the "ASEAN Way" of consensus leads to paralysis and inaction, specifically because member states are divided by their relationships with Beijing.

Arguments opposing the view (Success/Partial Success):

Source A (Joint Statement): Opposes the view of failure. It frames ASEAN's efforts as a commitment to "peaceful resolution" and "stability," suggesting that the process of dialogue is the correct and effective path.
Source D (Academic Analysis): Provides a nuanced counter-argument. While it acknowledges the "failure" label used by Western analysts (such as the lack of a binding Code of Conduct), it argues that "managing" the dispute and preventing open warfare is actually a "strategic victory."

Synthesis/Evaluation:

Reliability/Context: Source A is an official statement, likely intended to project unity and strength, making it less critical. Source C is a diplomat's speech, providing an "insider" critique of the systemic flaws of the organization. Source B is a satirical commentary reflecting public or regional frustration. Source D provides a balanced, retrospective academic perspective.
Conclusion: The sources collectively suggest that while ASEAN has failed to produce a legally binding resolution or stop China's assertions (Sources B, C, D), it has succeeded in the more basic goal of preventing the dispute from escalating into a full-scale war (Sources C, D). Therefore, the "failure" is relative to the goals set: as a law-enforcing body, it has failed; as a conflict-management platform, it has been moderately successful.