O Level History 2147 · Topic 9

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

67 real questionsasked in 9 of the last 10 exam series2020–2026usually: Explain, Describe

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

The newest 20 of 67 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

2147/12 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[4]
Describe the Balkan Wars, 1912–13.
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2147/12 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[4]
Describe the actions of Japan in Manchuria from 1931 to 1933.
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2147/12 · May/June 2026 · Q17a[4]
Describe the methods used by Japan to attack Pearl Harbor.
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2147/12 · May/June 2026 · Q17b[6]
Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?
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2147/12 · 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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2147/12 · May/June 2026 · Q18a[4]
Describe the uprising in Warsaw against the Nazis in 1944.
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2147/12 · May/June 2026 · Q18b[6]
Why did the Holocaust largely take place in Poland?
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2147/12 · May/June 2026 · Q18c[10]
How far did German bombing of British cities achieve its aims? Explain your answer.
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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q6c[10]
Which was more important: Germany’s invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 or its invasion of Poland in September 1939? Explain your answer.
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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q7a[4]
Describe the events of the Korean War.
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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q7b[6]
Why did Kennedy launch the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961?
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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q7c[10]
‘The United States withdrew from Vietnam because of media coverage of the war.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q17a[4]
Describe German military successes in Western Europe up to June 1940.
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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q17b[6]
Why was the Vichy government established in 1940?
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2147/13 · 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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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q18a[4]
Describe how the Japanese controlled people in Malaya.
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2147/13 · May/June 2026 · Q18b[6]
Why did the Germans carry out the Blitz in 1940–41?
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2147/13 · 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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2147/12 · May/June 2025 · Q17a[4]
Describe the extent of German control over Europe by the end of 1940.
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2147/12 · May/June 2025 · Q17b[6]
Why did Germany invade the Soviet Union in 1941?
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What examiners said

Some responses to this question were one-sided, with few answers considering the impact of Total War on German civilians. Some provided limited explanations of the impact of the allied bombing of German cities such as Dresden, or the impact of the naval blockade, leading to shortages, but there was often a lack of supporting detail. Explanations about the impact of Total War were either not attemp...
— Examiner report, October/November 2020, 2147/12 Q12(c) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

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

In the syllabus

9.1 How did the Second World War in Europe develop?

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?.

9.2 How did the Second World War in the Asia–Pacific develop?

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?.

9.3 What was the impact of war on civilian populations in Europe and the Asia–Pacific?

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?.

9.4 How did the Allies achieve victory over the Axis powers?

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.

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