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A Level H2 History Practice Paper 5

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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 (Version 5) Duration: 3 Hours Total Marks: 100 Name: __________________________ Class: __________ Date: __________

Instructions to Candidates

This paper consists of two sections: Section A (Source-Based Case Study) and Section B (Extended Response).
Answer all questions in Section A and one question from Section B.
Read the sources carefully before attempting the questions.
Write your answers in the spaces provided.

Section A: Source-Based Case Study (50 Marks)

Focus: ASEAN and the South China Sea Dispute

Source A: An excerpt from a speech by a senior ASEAN diplomat at a regional summit (2012). "Our commitment to the 1992 Declaration remains steadfast. The South China Sea is not merely a matter of sovereignty, but a test of our collective will to maintain peace. While progress on the Code of Conduct (COC) has been slow, the very fact that we remain at the table proves that diplomacy is the only viable path. We must not let external pressures fracture our unity."

Source B: A political cartoon published in a regional newspaper (2015). The cartoon depicts a small, fragile boat labeled "ASEAN" being tossed by massive waves labeled "China" and "USA." The crew on the boat are arguing with each other, while the boat's rudder is broken and labeled "Consensus."

Source C: An excerpt from an academic journal article, The Limits of Regionalism (2018). "The 'ASEAN Way'—characterized by non-interference and consensus—has become a liability in the South China Sea. Because member states have diverging interests (some are claimants, others are not), the organization cannot speak with one voice. Consequently, ASEAN's efforts are often reduced to toothless declarations that are ignored by the superpowers."

Source D: A joint statement issued by three ASEAN member states (2016). "We express grave concern over the militarization of features in the South China Sea. We call upon all parties to exercise self-restraint and resolve disputes through international law, specifically UNCLOS. We believe that a legally binding Code of Conduct is the only way to ensure long-term stability."

Source E: A report from a geopolitical think-tank (2020). "Despite the narrative of failure, ASEAN has successfully prevented the South China Sea from descending into full-scale war for decades. By providing a diplomatic forum, ASEAN ensures that tensions are managed. The lack of a final resolution is not a failure of the organization, but a reflection of the intractable nature of the sovereignty claims themselves."

Source F: A letter from a minority political group in a claimant state to their government (2019). "Your government's insistence on following the ASEAN consensus is a betrayal of our national interests. While you play the diplomat in Jakarta, our fishing waters are being seized. ASEAN is a shield for the weak and a cloak for the indecisive."

Question 1 (a) Compare and contrast the evidence provided by Source A and Source C on the effectiveness of ASEAN's diplomatic approach to the South China Sea dispute. [10]

(Space for answer)

(b) How far do Sources A–F support the view that ASEAN's efforts in the South China Sea dispute have been a failure? [30]

(Space for answer)

Section B: Extended Response (50 Marks)

Answer ONE question from this section.

Question 2 "The United Nations' peacekeeping efforts were largely undermined by the principle of collective security between 1945 and 1990." To what extent do you agree with this statement? [50]

Question 3 "Economic development of independent Southeast Asia was driven more by state than non-state actors." How far do you agree with this characterization? [50]

(Space for answer)

Answers

Answer Key & Marking Scheme - History H2 Practice (Version 5)

Section A: Source-Based Case Study

Question 1(a): Compare and Contrast (Source A vs Source C)

Mark Allocation: 10 Marks

L1 (1-3m): Generic comments or simple summaries of sources without explicit comparison.
L2 (4-6m): Identifies basic similarities or differences (e.g., "Source A is positive, Source C is negative").
L3 (7-10m): Nuanced comparison of evidence. Identifies specific points of agreement/disagreement and evaluates the nature of the evidence.

Expected Response Framework:

Comparison (Similarity): Both sources acknowledge that the process of resolving the dispute is difficult/slow. Source A mentions "progress... has been slow," while Source C refers to "toothless declarations."
Contrast (Difference): Source A views the continuation of diplomacy as a success ("the very fact that we remain at the table proves..."), whereas Source C views the "ASEAN Way" (consensus/non-interference) as a "liability" that prevents effective action.
Evaluation: Source A is a diplomat's speech (likely optimistic/propaganda), while Source C is an academic analysis (critical/objective).

Question 1(b): Synthesis/Evaluation (Sources A-F)

Mark Allocation: 30 Marks

L1 (1-10m): Descriptive listing of sources. "Source A says yes, Source B says no."
L2 (11-20m): Grouping sources into "support" and "refute" categories with some explanation of why.
L3 (21-30m): Sophisticated synthesis. Weighs reliability, considers provenance, and reaches a judged conclusion on the "extent" of support.

Response Framework:

Support for "Failure":
- Source B: Visual evidence of a "broken rudder" (consensus) and internal conflict.
- Source C: Academic argument that the "ASEAN Way" is a liability.
- Source F: Direct criticism from a domestic perspective, calling ASEAN a "cloak for the indecisive."
Refutation/Limited Support:
- Source A: Argues that maintaining the diplomatic channel is a success in itself.
- Source D: Shows active efforts to use international law (UNCLOS) and push for a binding COC.
- Source E: Argues that "failure" is the wrong metric; "management" of conflict is the actual success.
Synthesis: The sources provide moderate support for the view. While the resolution of the dispute is a failure (Sources B, C, F), the prevention of war is a success (Sources A, E). The reliability of the diplomat (A) is lower than the academic (C), but the think-tank (E) provides a necessary counter-perspective on "success."

Section B: Extended Response

Question 2: UN Peacekeeping & Collective Security

Marking Descriptors:

Knowledge (20%): Accurate use of dates (1945-1990), UN Charter articles, and case studies (Korea, Congo, Cyprus).
Analysis (40%): Ability to explain the tension between "Collective Security" (enforcement/unanimity) and "Peacekeeping" (neutrality/consent).
Evaluation (40%): Judging if collective security was the primary constraint or if other factors (Superpower Veto, lack of standing army) were more significant.

Key Arguments:

Agreement: The Veto power of the P5 (USA/USSR) effectively paralyzed the collective security mechanism, making the UN a tool of superpower rivalry rather than a global policeman.
Counter-Argument: Peacekeeping succeeded when it moved away from collective security toward "interpositional" forces (e.g., UNEF I in Sinai), proving that the UN was effective when it abandoned the rigid collective security model.

Question 3: State vs Non-State Economic Actors

Marking Descriptors:

Knowledge (20%): Examples of SOEs, FDI, Five-Year Plans, and specific countries (Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia).
Analysis (40%): Analyzing the synergy between state planning and non-state investment.
Evaluation (40%): Determining which actor was the "driver" versus the "facilitator."

Key Arguments:

State-Driven: Emphasis on Singapore's EDB, Malaysia's New Economic Policy, and state-led infrastructure.
Non-State Driven: The role of MNCs in the "Flying Geese" model, foreign capital during the export-oriented industrialization phase, and the impact of the 1997 crisis (non-state capital flight).
Synthesis: State actors created the environment (stability, law, infrastructure), but non-state actors provided the engine (capital, technology, markets).