IGCSE History (9–1) 0977 · Topic 9

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

12 real questionsasked in 2 of the last 6 exam series2025–2025usually: Explain, Describe

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

The newest 12 of 12 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0977/11 · October/November 2025 · Q17a[4]
Describe how Japan took control of Malaya.
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0977/11 · October/November 2025 · Q17b[6]
Why was the fall of Singapore important?
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0977/11 · October/November 2025 · Q17c[10]
‘The main reason why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor was to gain access to raw materials in Southeast Asia.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0977/11 · October/November 2025 · Q18b[6]
Why were the D-Day landings important?
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0977/11 · October/November 2025 · Q18c[10]
How far do you agree that Japan was defeated because of the Battle of Okinawa? Explain your answer.
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0977/21 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[8]
Study Source F. Can Neurath’s account be trusted? Explain your answer using details of the source and your knowledge.
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0977/12 · May/June 2025 · Q17a[4]
Describe the extent of German control over Europe by the end of 1940.
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0977/12 · May/June 2025 · Q17b[6]
Why did Germany invade the Soviet Union in 1941?
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0977/12 · May/June 2025 · Q17c[10]
‘Dunkirk was more important than the Battle of Britain.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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0977/12 · May/June 2025 · Q18a[4]
Describe the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
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0977/12 · May/June 2025 · Q18b[6]
Why did the Allies invade Italy in 1943?
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0977/12 · May/June 2025 · Q18c[10]
‘The Allied methods of occupation and control of Germany in 1945 were similar to those used in Japan.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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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.

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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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