Edexcel History Exam Technique Booklet - Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 - Paper 2 Exam Breakdown

Sep 5, 2026

Edexcel GCSE History Paper 2 exam technique guidance for the period study Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91. The booklet breaks down section B and P question types, including explaining consequences (4 marks), writing analytical narrative accounts of key events (8 marks), and the structure for importance/significance questions (16 marks). Marking criteria are unpacked with AO1/AO2 targets and exemplars, alongside a PEEL paragraph method using chronology, evidence, explanation, and linking language.

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Reading Time20 min

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Paper 2 Exam Breakdown

Period Study: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91

Question 1a: Explain one consequence (4 marks)

Question 2: Narrative account analysing key events (8 marks)

Question 3: Explain the importance of X to Y (16 marks)

Time allocation for Paper 2

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Edexcel History | | --- | --- | | Exam Technique Booklet
Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91
Name:
Class:

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| | | Paper 2 Exam Breakdown Booklet P: Period Study | | --- | | 1a
Explain one consequence of... How confident do you feel? Targets: AO1/AO2 Skills: Explaining consequence 4 marks

&b | | Write a narrative account analysing the key events in... How confident do you feel? Targets: AO1/AO2 Skills: Analytical 8 marks
narrative, causation

2
Explain two of the following...
Explain the importance of X to Y (3 choices) How confident do you feel? Targets: AO1/AO2 Skills: Importance/significance 16 marks

3

You have 1 hour 50 mins for Paper 2 (sections B and P) | Explain one consequence of... This is how you are marked: 2 marks for AO2 (analysis of history-for this question, specifically how you explain consequence) 2 marks for AO1 ( knowledge and understanding of the topic) This means that to achieve full marks on this question you need to: Identify a consequence and explain why it came about Draw on your knowledge of features of the time period, using specific information to demonstrate your understanding There are two 4 mark ‘explain one consequence of’questions-these will be on separate topics and will be marked separately [classroom42.com](classroom42.com) Edexcel GCSE History Question: Explain one consequence of Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’. (4 marks) Answer: One consequence of Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’ was the increase in political and social freedoms in the Soviet Union. The policy of Glasnost aimed to make the government more transparent and allowed Soviet citizens greater freedom of speech, includingthe ability to criticize the government and discuss previously taboo subjects like the failures of past policies. This openness led to a surge in public debate, political activism, and demands for further reforms. It also exposed deep dissatisfaction with the Soviet system, which contributed to unrest and a loss of faith in the Communist Party. Feedback: This answer would get 4/4 marks because the pupil has identified a consequence ( increase in freedoms) , and has analysed the consequence using specific information, showing good understanding of the period. [classroom42.com](classroom42.com) Edexcel GCSE History Write a narrative account analysing the key events in... 3 ( L) PEEL paragraphs: 1 on first point given, 1 on second point given and 1 on your own idea (These need to be in chronological order) L-Link (only paragraph 2 & 3) P-Point E-Evidence E-Explain L-Link Link-Only needed for paragraph 2 & 3, link to previous point As a result of [ previous event]... Point-The first/second/final key event of [event in question] was ... Make sure to do one paragraph for each of the given points, and one paragraph on a point of your own, in the order that they happend Evidence-Stats, Places, Events, Names, Dates Explain-Show how this evidence links your point to the event in the question Link-Link to the event in next paragraph, or in the final paragraph link to overall outcome of the event in the question Does not need a separate introduction and conclusion [classroom42.com](classroom42.com) Edexcel GCSE History | | | --- | |
Question:
Write a narrative account analysing the key events in the early tensions between East and West in the years 1941-58.
You may use the following in your answer:
The Yalta Conference (1945)
Long and Novikov Telegrams
You must also use information of your own. (8 marks)

Answer:
Firstly, early tension between East and West in the years 1941-58 was caused by the Yalta Conference in 1945. The conference with USA, USSR and Britain agreed to split up Germany after its defeat into four occupation zones, with one zone being controlled by France, USA, Britain an

FAQs

What do the AO1 and AO2 marks focus on for the 'explain one consequence' question (4 marks)?

AO2 rewards analysis of the consequence, specifically how you explain it. AO1 rewards knowledge and understanding of the topic, with identification of a consequence and clear explanation using period features and specific information.

How should a narrative account analysing key events be structured to reach top marks (8 marks)?

Use PEEL paragraphs in chronological order: one paragraph for each given point plus one for your own idea. Include a point, evidence (facts, dates, names, places), explanation linking evidence to the question, and linking sentences between paragraphs.

What evidence and linking should be used in the narrative answer?

Include specific evidence such as statistics, places, events, names, and dates, then explain how the evidence links your point to the event in the question. Link to the next paragraph’s event, or link in the final paragraph to the overall outcome.

Sep 5, 2026

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