IGCSE History 0470 · Topic 9

Depth study E: The Second World War in Europe and the Asia–Pacific,: past paper questions

90 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2022–2026usually: Explain, Describe, Discuss, Write, Write an account of

Real questions on depth study e: the second world war in europe and the asia–pacific,

The newest 20 of 90 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q17a[4]
What were the immediate consequences of the attack on Pearl Harbor?
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q17b[6]
Why did the Americans win the Battle of Midway?
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q17c[10]
‘Singapore fell because the British had expected an attack from the sea.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q18a[4]
Describe the Battle of Guadalcanal.
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0470/11 · May/June 2026 · Q18c[10]
‘The Allied advance through Italy was essential in the defeat of Germany.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q8a[4]
Describe US involvement in Vietnam under Eisenhower, 1955–61.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q8b[6]
Why did the United States agree to the Paris Peace Accords of 1973?
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q17a[4]
Describe the methods used by Japan to attack Pearl Harbor.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q17b[6]
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q17c[10]
‘Singapore fell because of the speed with which the Japanese advanced through the Malayan jungle.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q18a[4]
Describe the uprising in Warsaw against the Nazis in 1944.
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q18b[6]
Why did the Holocaust largely take place in Poland?
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0470/12 · May/June 2026 · Q18c[10]
How far did German bombing of British cities achieve its aims? Explain your answer.
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q17a[4]
Describe German military successes in Western Europe up to June 1940.
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q17b[6]
Why was the Vichy government established in 1940?
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q17c[10]
‘Germany did not invade Britain in 1940 because of the Battle of Britain.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q18a[4]
Describe how the Japanese controlled people in Malaya.
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q18b[6]
Why did the Germans carry out the Blitz in 1940–41?
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0470/13 · May/June 2026 · Q18c[10]
‘The French Resistance was not very effective.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0470/12 · February/March 2026 · Q3b[6]
Why was the raid on Harpers Ferry important?
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What examiners said

Comprehensive responses • Most candidates had a clear understanding of the Warsaw Pact. • Many candidates were able to include features of the Pact notably that it was a military alliance formed in 1955 by Khruschev in response to NATO. • Most responses included some of the countries who were members of the Pact. Limited responses • A misconception among some candidates was that the Pact was form...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0470/12 Q7(a) (Cambridge)

This was answered well in most cases. Candidates were able to examine in some detail the impact of the Japanese invasion of China for Communist support. Answers often cited how the Communists were able to win the support of the peasant villages, while the Nationalists were seen as corrupt and ineffective in fighting the invaders. Balance was provided by examining other factors that helped bolster...
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0470/42 Q9 (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise depth study e: the second world war in europe and the asia–pacific,

In the syllabus

1 0470.9.1.01 — To what extent had Nazi Germany gained control of Europe in 1940?.

To what extent had Nazi Germany gained control of Europe in 1940?.
Why was Germany unable to conquer Britain?.
Why did Hitler invade the Soviet Union in 1941?.
Why was the Battle of Stalingrad a turning point?.

2 0470.9.1.02 — Why was Germany unable to conquer Britain?.

Why was Germany unable to conquer Britain?.

3 0470.9.1.03 — Why did Hitler invade the Soviet Union in 1941?.

Why did Hitler invade the Soviet Union in 1941?.

4 0470.9.1.04 — Why was the Battle of Stalingrad a turning point?.

Why was the Battle of Stalingrad a turning point?.

5 0470.9.2.01 — How did US–Japanese relationships deteriorate?.

How did US–Japanese relationships deteriorate?.
How successful was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?.
Why were the Japanese successful in the initial stages of the war?.
Why was the Battle of Midway a turning point?.

6 0470.9.2.02 — How successful was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?.

How successful was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?.

7 0470.9.2.03 — Why were the Japanese successful in the initial stages of the war?.

Why were the Japanese successful in the initial stages of the war?.

8 0470.9.2.04 — Why was the Battle of Midway a turning point?.

Why was the Battle of Midway a turning point?.

9 0470.9.3.01 — What was the impact on civilians of the bombing of Britain (1940–41) and Germany (1943–45)?.

What was the impact on civilians of the bombing of Britain (1940–41) and Germany (1943–45)?.
How did Japanese control impact on peoples’ lives?.
What were the experiences of civilian populations in Nazi-occupied Europe?.
How effective were resistance movements in Europe and the Asia–Pacific?.

10 0470.9.3.02 — How did Japanese control impact on peoples’ lives?.

How did Japanese control impact on peoples’ lives?.

11 0470.9.3.03 — What were the experiences of civilian populations in Nazi-occupied Europe?.

What were the experiences of civilian populations in Nazi-occupied Europe?.

12 0470.9.3.04 — How effective were resistance movements in Europe and the Asia–Pacific?.

How effective were resistance movements in Europe and the Asia–Pacific?.

13 0470.9.4.01 — What was the importance of the Allied advance through Italy?.

What was the importance of the Allied advance through Italy?.
Why was Nazi Germany on the point of collapse by April 1945?.
Why were the Allies able to achieve victory over Japan?.
How did the Allies consolidate their victories in Germany and Japan?.
Extent of German conquest of Europe 1940:; invasion of and surrender of France; Vichy government in France; Dunkirk; German plans to invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion); the Battle of Britain and its consequences.
Operation Barbarossa and initial Nazi successes.
German defeat at Stalingrad and its impact.
The reasons for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and its consequences.
Reasons for initial Japanese military successes in Southeast Asia by early 1942:; Case study: Malaya and Singapore.
The Battle of Midway and its impact.
The impact of bombing on peoples’ lives and morale in Europe:; the Blitz; Allied bombing of German cities.
The impact of Japanese control on people’s lives:; Case study: Malaya and Singapore.

14 0470.9.4.02 — Why was Nazi Germany on the point of collapse by April 1945?.

Why was Nazi Germany on the point of collapse by April 1945?.

15 0470.9.4.03 — Why were the Allies able to achieve victory over Japan?.

Why were the Allies able to achieve victory over Japan?.

16 0470.9.4.04 — How did the Allies consolidate their victories in Germany and Japan?.

How did the Allies consolidate their victories in Germany and Japan?.

17 0470.9.4.05 — Extent of German conquest of Europe 1940:; invasion of and surrender of France; Vichy government in France; Dunkirk; German plans to invade

Extent of German conquest of Europe 1940:; invasion of and surrender of France; Vichy government in France; Dunkirk; German plans to invade Britain (Operation Sea Lion); the Battle of Britain and its consequences.

18 0470.9.4.06 — Operation Barbarossa and initial Nazi successes.

Operation Barbarossa and initial Nazi successes.

19 0470.9.4.07 — German defeat at Stalingrad and its impact.

German defeat at Stalingrad and its impact.

20 0470.9.4.08 — The reasons for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and its consequences.

The reasons for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and its consequences.

21 0470.9.4.09 — Reasons for initial Japanese military successes in Southeast Asia by early 1942:; Case study: Malaya and Singapore.

Reasons for initial Japanese military successes in Southeast Asia by early 1942:; Case study: Malaya and Singapore.

22 0470.9.4.10 — The Battle of Midway and its impact.

The Battle of Midway and its impact.

23 0470.9.4.11 — The impact of bombing on peoples’ lives and morale in Europe:; the Blitz; Allied bombing of German cities.

The impact of bombing on peoples’ lives and morale in Europe:; the Blitz; Allied bombing of German cities.

24 0470.9.4.12 — The impact of Japanese control on people’s lives:; Case study: Malaya and Singapore.

The impact of Japanese control on people’s lives:; Case study: Malaya and Singapore.

25 0470.9.4.13 — The impact of Nazi control in occupied Europe:; Case study: Poland, including circumstances leading to the Holocaust and its impact.

The impact of Nazi control in occupied Europe:; Case study: Poland, including circumstances leading to the Holocaust and its impact.

26 0470.9.4.14 — The methods and effectiveness of resistance movements in Malaya and in France.

The methods and effectiveness of resistance movements in Malaya and in France.

27 0470.9.4.15 — The Allied invasion of Sicily and victory over German forces in Italy.

The Allied invasion of Sicily and victory over German forces in Italy.

28 0470.9.4.16 — The collapse and surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945:; the D-Day landings and the advance to Germany; the Russian advance from the East.

The collapse and surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945:; the D-Day landings and the advance to Germany; the Russian advance from the East.

29 0470.9.4.17 — The reasons for the defeat of Japan:; the battles of Guadalcanal and Okinawa; the US strategy of island-hopping; the bombing of Japan; the d

The reasons for the defeat of Japan:; the battles of Guadalcanal and Okinawa; the US strategy of island-hopping; the bombing of Japan; the decision to use the atomic bomb and its consequences.

30 0470.9.4.18 — Consolidation of victory:; the Allied occupations and control of Germany and Japan; the war crimes trials in Nuremberg and Tokyo Faculty fee

Consolidation of victory:; the Allied occupations and control of Germany and Japan; the war crimes trials in Nuremberg and Tokyo Faculty feedback: ‘Understanding how and why our climate is changing and providing the knowledge and skills to explore the challenges plays a key role in every student’s education.’ Feedback from: Dr Amy Munro-Faure, Head of Education and Student Engagement of Cambridge Zero Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 syllabus for 2027 and 2028.

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