A Level H2 History Source Based Skills Quiz

A-Level History H2 Quiz - Source Based Skills

Name: _________________ Class: _________________ Date: _________________

Score: _____ / 50 Duration: 45 minutes

Instructions

• Answer ALL questions in the spaces provided.
• Read all sources carefully before attempting the questions.
• Support your answers with evidence from the sources where indicated.
• Write clearly and concisely.

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Source Materials

Source A: Extract from ASEAN Joint Communiqué, July 1992 "ASEAN reaffirms that the South China Sea disputes should be resolved through peaceful means, without resort to force. All parties should exercise self-restraint and create conditions conducive to the eventual resolution of the disputes."

Source B: Speech by Singapore Foreign Minister, 2010 "ASEAN's approach to the South China Sea has been one of quiet diplomacy and confidence-building measures. While we have not resolved the territorial disputes, we have successfully prevented military confrontation and maintained regional stability."

Source C: Academic analysis by Dr. Chen Wei, 2015 "ASEAN's consensus-based decision-making has proven inadequate in addressing the South China Sea disputes. The organization's inability to take strong collective action has emboldened claimant states to pursue unilateral measures."

Source D: Editorial from Jakarta Post, 2016 "The recent tensions in the South China Sea demonstrate that ASEAN's diplomatic efforts have failed to prevent the militarization of the disputes. The construction of artificial islands and deployment of military assets show that peaceful resolution remains elusive."

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Section A: Source Comprehension [20 marks]

Question 1 [5 marks] According to Source A, what approach does ASEAN advocate for resolving South China Sea disputes?

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Question 2 [5 marks] What achievements does the Singapore Foreign Minister claim in Source B regarding ASEAN's handling of the South China Sea issue?

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Question 3 [5 marks] Identify two criticisms of ASEAN's approach mentioned in Source C.

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Question 4 [5 marks] What evidence does Source D provide to support its claim that ASEAN's efforts have failed?

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Section B: Source Analysis [30 marks]

Question 5 [10 marks] Compare and contrast the evidence provided by Sources B and C on ASEAN's effectiveness in handling the South China Sea disputes.

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Question 6 [20 marks] How far do Sources A-D support the view that "ASEAN's efforts in the South China Sea dispute have been a failure"?

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A-Level History H2 Quiz - Source Based Skills (Answer Key)

Section A: Source Comprehension [20 marks]

Question 1 [5 marks] According to Source A, what approach does ASEAN advocate for resolving South China Sea disputes?

Answer: ASEAN advocates for peaceful resolution without resort to force. The organization calls for all parties to exercise self-restraint and create conditions conducive to eventual resolution of the disputes.

Marking:

• Peaceful means/resolution (2 marks)
• Without resort to force (1 mark)
• Self-restraint (1 mark)
• Creating conducive conditions (1 mark)

Question 2 [5 marks] What achievements does the Singapore Foreign Minister claim in Source B regarding ASEAN's handling of the South China Sea issue?

Answer: The Foreign Minister claims that ASEAN has successfully prevented military confrontation and maintained regional stability through quiet diplomacy and confidence-building measures.

Marking:

• Prevented military confrontation (2 marks)
• Maintained regional stability (2 marks)
• Quiet diplomacy/confidence-building measures (1 mark)

Question 3 [5 marks] Identify two criticisms of ASEAN's approach mentioned in Source C.

Answer:

1. Consensus-based decision-making has proven inadequate in addressing the disputes
2. ASEAN's inability to take strong collective action has emboldened claimant states to pursue unilateral measures

Marking: 2.5 marks per correct criticism identified

Question 4 [5 marks] What evidence does Source D provide to support its claim that ASEAN's efforts have failed?

Answer: Source D cites recent tensions, militarization of disputes, construction of artificial islands, and deployment of military assets as evidence that peaceful resolution remains elusive despite ASEAN's diplomatic efforts.

Marking:

• Recent tensions (1 mark)
• Militarization of disputes (1 mark)
• Construction of artificial islands (1 mark)
• Deployment of military assets (1 mark)
• Peaceful resolution remains elusive (1 mark)

Section B: Source Analysis [30 marks]

Question 5 [10 marks] Compare and contrast the evidence provided by Sources B and C on ASEAN's effectiveness in handling the South China Sea disputes.

Sample Answer: Sources B and C present contrasting assessments of ASEAN's effectiveness. Source B, from Singapore's Foreign Minister, presents a positive view, claiming ASEAN has "successfully prevented military confrontation and maintained regional stability" through diplomatic approaches. In contrast, Source C offers a critical academic perspective, arguing that ASEAN's "consensus-based decision-making has proven inadequate" and has actually "emboldened claimant states."

Both sources acknowledge ASEAN's diplomatic approach, but they differ significantly in their evaluation of outcomes. While Source B emphasizes conflict prevention as a success, Source C suggests this approach has been counterproductive by encouraging unilateral actions. The sources also differ in their assessment of ASEAN's institutional capacity - Source B implies effectiveness through "quiet diplomacy," while Source C highlights structural weaknesses in collective decision-making.

Marking Scheme:

• Identification of contrasting views (2 marks)
• Specific evidence from both sources (3 marks)
• Points of agreement/similarity (2 marks)
• Analysis of different perspectives/contexts (3 marks)

Question 6 [20 marks] How far do Sources A-D support the view that "ASEAN's efforts in the South China Sea dispute have been a failure"?

Sample Answer: The sources provide mixed support for the view that ASEAN's efforts have been a failure, with stronger evidence supporting this claim than refuting it.

Sources C and D strongly support the failure thesis. Source C argues that ASEAN's "consensus-based decision-making has proven inadequate" and has "emboldened claimant states to pursue unilateral measures." Source D provides concrete evidence of this failure, citing "militarization of the disputes" and "construction of artificial islands" as proof that "peaceful resolution remains elusive."

However, Source B offers significant counter-evidence, claiming ASEAN has "successfully prevented military confrontation and maintained regional stability." This suggests that while territorial disputes remain unresolved, ASEAN has achieved some success in conflict management.

Source A, being from 1992, establishes ASEAN's original peaceful approach but cannot evaluate its effectiveness. However, it provides a baseline against which the other sources can be measured.

The reliability of sources varies significantly. Source B represents an official government position and may overstate successes, while Source C offers academic analysis but may be overly critical. Source D, as a newspaper editorial, reflects public perception but may lack analytical depth.

Overall, the sources provide moderate to strong support for the failure view. While ASEAN may have prevented outright military conflict, the continued militarization and unilateral actions described in Sources C and D suggest that its core objectives of peaceful dispute resolution have not been achieved. The organization's structural limitations, particularly consensus-based decision-making, appear to have hindered effective collective action.

Marking Scheme:

• Clear thesis addressing the question (2 marks)
• Analysis of sources supporting the view (6 marks)
• Analysis of sources contradicting the view (4 marks)
• Evaluation of source reliability/limitations (4 marks)
• Synthesis and balanced conclusion (4 marks)