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A Level H2 History Practice Paper 4

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TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - History H2 A-Level

TuitionGoWhere Exam Practice (AI)

Subject: History H2
Level: A-Level
Paper: Practice Paper (Version 4 of 5) – Source-Based Skills
Duration: 1 Hour 15 Minutes
Total Marks: 40

Name: ________________________
Class: ________________________
Date: ________________________

Instructions to Candidates

This paper consists of one section.
Answer all questions.
You are advised to spend approximately 15 minutes on Question 1 and 60 minutes on Question 2.
The marks for each question or part question are given in brackets [ ] at the end of the question.
All sources are fictionalised for practice purposes but reflect the style and content of A-Level History H2 Prelim examinations (2018 cycle).

Section A: Source-Based Case Study

Topic: ASEAN and the South China Sea Dispute (1990s–2010s)

Read Sources A to F and answer the questions which follow.

Source A
Excerpt from the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea.

"The Ministers reaffirmed the need for all parties concerned to exercise restraint with a view to creating a positive climate for the eventual resolution of all disputes. They emphasised that the resolution of territorial and jurisdictional disputes should be pursued without resorting to force. They called upon all parties concerned to resolve all sovereignty and jurisdictional issues pertaining to the South China Sea by peaceful means, without resorting to force."

Source B
Statement by a Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, 2014, regarding Chinese oil rig activities.

"Vietnam firmly opposes the illegal placement of the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. This action violates international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and undermines peace and stability in the region. We call on ASEAN to speak with one voice and take concrete action, not just words, to protect the rights of smaller member states against hegemonic expansion."

Source C
Excerpt from an academic analysis by Dr. L. Tan, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2016.

"ASEAN’s response to the South China Sea issue has often been characterised as 'toothless.' The principle of consensus, while preserving unity, often results in the lowest common denominator. When member states have divergent economic ties with China, such as Cambodia and Laos versus Vietnam and the Philippines, ASEAN struggles to issue a joint communiqué. Thus, while ASEAN provides a diplomatic forum, its ability to enforce international law or constrain great power behaviour is structurally limited."

Source D
Cartoon published in a regional newspaper, 2012.

[Visual Description: A large dragon labelled 'China' is sitting on a pile of rocks labelled 'Scarborough Shoal'. Surrounding the dragon are smaller animals labelled 'ASEAN Members'. One animal, labelled 'Philippines', is shouting. Another, labelled 'Cambodia', is looking away. In the background, a figure labelled 'USA' is watching through binoculars but not intervening. The caption reads: 'Consensus in Action?']

Source E
Excerpt from the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration Ruling (The Hague) regarding the case brought by the Philippines against China.

"The Tribunal found that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the 'nine-dash line'. The Tribunal concluded that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone. However, the Tribunal has no enforcement mechanism. Compliance relies entirely on the political will of the parties involved and the pressure of the international community."

Source F
Speech by the ASEAN Secretary-General, 2018, on the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations.

"We are making significant progress in the negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. This framework will provide rules-based mechanisms to manage incidents at sea and prevent miscalculation. While critics point to the slow pace, we must recognise that building trust among ten diverse nations and a major power takes time. ASEAN’s centrality ensures that the region remains a zone of peace, free from open conflict, which is a success in itself."

1. Compare and contrast the evidence provided by Sources A and B on the approach to resolving disputes in the South China Sea. [10]

......

2. How far do Sources A–F support the view that ASEAN’s efforts in managing the South China Sea dispute have been a failure? [30]

[END OF PAPER]

Answers

TuitionGoWhere Practice Paper - History H2 A-Level

Answer Key & Marking Scheme (Version 4)

Subject: History H2
Topic: Source-Based Skills (ASEAN & South China Sea)

Question 1: Compare and contrast the evidence provided by Sources A and B on the approach to resolving disputes in the South China Sea. [10]

Marking Criteria:

Level 3 (7-10 marks): Detailed comparison identifying both similarities and differences. Explicit reference to evidence in both sources. Nuanced understanding of tone and intent.
Level 2 (4-6 marks): Identifies some similarities and/or differences. May list points from each source separately rather than comparing directly. Some reference to evidence.
Level 1 (1-3 marks): Simple paraphrase of one or both sources. Little or no comparison.

Indicative Content:

Similarities:

Commitment to Peaceful Resolution: Both sources advocate for resolving disputes without the use of force. Source A states disputes should be pursued "without resorting to force," while Source B calls for action to protect rights but implies a diplomatic/legal struggle rather than military initiation (though it protests an act it views as aggressive).
Reference to International Norms/Law: Source A calls for resolution by "peaceful means," implying adherence to diplomatic norms. Source B explicitly cites "international law" and "UNCLOS" as the basis for its stance. Both rely on a rules-based order.
Concern for Regional Stability: Source A aims to create a "positive climate" and stability. Source B argues that the oil rig placement "undermines peace and stability." Both view the dispute as a threat to regional order.

Differences:

Tone and Urgency: Source A is diplomatic, collective, and restrained ("reaffirmed," "called upon"). It reflects a consensus-based, cautious approach. Source B is confrontational, urgent, and accusatory ("firmly opposes," "illegal," "hegemonic expansion"). It reflects the perspective of a directly aggrieved party.
Specificity of Action: Source A is vague on mechanisms, focusing on the principle of peaceful resolution. Source B demands specific action from ASEAN ("speak with one voice," "concrete action, not just words"), criticising the lack of enforcement.
Perspective on the Aggressor: Source A is neutral, addressing "all parties concerned" equally. Source B explicitly identifies China as the aggressor ("hegemonic expansion," "illegal placement") and positions Vietnam as the victim.
Role of ASEAN: Source A presents ASEAN as the unified voice issuing the declaration. Source B views ASEAN as potentially ineffective unless it moves beyond rhetoric, implying a critique of ASEAN’s current passive stance.

Question 2: How far do Sources A–F support the view that ASEAN’s efforts in managing the South China Sea dispute have been a failure? [30]

Marking Criteria:

Level 4 (25-30 marks): Comprehensive evaluation. Balanced judgement on "how far" the sources support the view. Integrates evidence from multiple sources to build a coherent argument. Critically evaluates the reliability and utility of sources. Clear conclusion.
Level 3 (19-24 marks): Good evaluation. Addresses the question directly. Uses most sources effectively. Some imbalance in argument or limited critical evaluation of source provenance.
Level 2 (13-18 marks): Partial evaluation. May describe sources rather than evaluate them. Argument may be one-sided. Limited use of sources.
Level 1 (1-12 marks): Simple description or paraphrase of sources. Little or no attempt to answer the specific question.

Indicative Content:

Argument: Sources SUPPORT the view that ASEAN’s efforts have been a failure.

Lack of Enforcement/Concrete Action: Source B explicitly criticises ASEAN for offering "not just words" but failing to take "concrete action." This suggests that despite diplomatic declarations, ASEAN has failed to protect member states’ sovereignty.
Structural Weakness/Disunity: Source C argues that ASEAN’s "consensus" principle leads to the "lowest common denominator," preventing effective action when members (like Cambodia/Laos vs. Vietnam/Philippines) have divergent interests. This structural flaw is presented as a cause of failure.
Visual Evidence of Ineffectiveness: Source D (Cartoon) depicts ASEAN members as small, powerless animals unable to challenge the "Dragon" (China). The caption "Consensus in Action?" is sarcastic, implying that consensus leads to inaction. The depiction of the USA watching but not intervening further isolates ASEAN’s inability to secure external support or deter China.
Legal Victory but Practical Failure: Source E notes that while the Tribunal ruled in favour of the Philippines, it has "no enforcement mechanism." This supports the view that even when legal avenues (supported by ASEAN members) are pursued, the lack of political will/enforcement renders the effort a "failure" in practical terms.
Continued Violations: Source B’s complaint in 2014 about the oil rig, despite the 1992 Declaration (Source A) calling for restraint, shows that ASEAN’s early efforts failed to prevent subsequent aggressive actions by China.

Argument: Sources DO NOT SUPPORT (or limit) the view that ASEAN’s efforts have been a failure.

Prevention of Open Conflict: Source F argues that ASEAN’s centrality has kept the region a "zone of peace, free from open conflict." From this perspective, the management of the dispute (preventing war) is a success, even if resolution hasn't been achieved.
Diplomatic Progress: Source F highlights "significant progress" in negotiating a Code of Conduct (COC). This suggests that ASEAN is achieving incremental diplomatic successes, providing a "rules-based mechanism" to prevent miscalculation. This counters the "failure" narrative by showing long-term engagement.
Establishment of Norms: Source A shows that ASEAN successfully established a normative framework (1992 Declaration) calling for peaceful resolution. This set the stage for future diplomatic engagements and kept the issue on the international agenda.
Platform for Legal Challenge: While Source E highlights enforcement issues, the fact that the Philippines could bring a case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration was facilitated by the diplomatic environment ASEAN helps maintain. The ruling itself (Source E) delegitimises China’s claims, which is a diplomatic victory for ASEAN members, even if enforcement is lacking.
Nuance in "Failure": Source C acknowledges ASEAN provides a "diplomatic forum." While limited, this forum allows for dialogue that might otherwise be absent. Total failure would imply a breakdown in communication or outbreak of war, which has not happened.

Evaluation of Sources:

Source A (Official Declaration): Useful for understanding ASEAN’s stated goals and normative stance. However, as a self-serving official document, it may overstate unity and understate internal divisions. It represents the ideal rather than the reality.
Source B (Vietnamese Statement): Highly useful for understanding the perspective of a claimant state. However, it is biased and emotionally charged ("hegemonic"). It reflects frustration but may exaggerate ASEAN’s total ineffectiveness to garner international sympathy.
Source C (Academic Analysis): High reliability due to objective, analytical tone. Provides structural explanation for ASEAN’s limitations. Useful for evaluating why efforts might be seen as failing.
Source D (Cartoon): Useful for understanding contemporary public perception/media critique of ASEAN. However, it is subjective, simplistic, and satirical. It exaggerates powerlessness for effect and should not be taken as factual evidence of policy outcomes.
Source E (Legal Ruling): High reliability as a legal document. Provides factual evidence of the limits of international law. Useful for showing the gap between legal victory and political reality.
Source F (ASEAN Sec-Gen): Official perspective, likely biased towards portraying ASEAN in a positive light. Useful for understanding the official narrative of "progress," but must be cross-referenced with Source B and C to check validity.

Conclusion: The sources provide moderate to strong support for the view that ASEAN’s efforts have been a failure if success is defined as resolving the dispute or enforcing international law. Sources B, C, D, and E highlight structural weaknesses, lack of enforcement, and continued violations. However, the sources also suggest that this view is limited if success is defined as conflict prevention and diplomatic engagement. Sources A and F argue that ASEAN has maintained regional stability and created frameworks for dialogue. Therefore, ASEAN’s efforts are better described as "limited" or "inconclusive" rather than a total failure. They have failed to resolve the sovereignty issue but succeeded in preventing large-scale military conflict.

[END OF MARKING SCHEME]