GCSE History Paper 1B/B - Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918–1939 - Specimen Material

Sep 5, 2026

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GCSE History Paper 1B/B specimen material assesses historical understanding of the inter-war period from 1918 to 1939 through four question responses. Learners analyse provided sources, including an extract opposing Germany and sources addressing opinions about the Treaty of Versailles, and apply contextual knowledge. A further question examines how events in Manchuria escalated into an international crisis between 1931 and 1933, followed by an extended-response argument on the Nazi-Soviet Pact’s role in the Second World War outbreak in 1939, including SPaG assessment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Specimen Material - Paper 1B/B

Instructions and materials

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

| Please write clearly in block capitals. | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Centre number | | Candidate number | | | Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature | | | | GCSE HISTORY Paper 1B/B: Conflict and tension: the inter-war years, 1918–1939 Specimen Material Session Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes Materials For this paper you must have: • You must ensure you have the other optional question paper/answer booklet for the Paper 1 Section A topic you are entered for. You will have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete both papers. • a Sources Booklet (enclosed) . Instructions • Use black ink or black ball-point pen. • Fill in the boxes at the top of this page. • Answer all four questions. • Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. • You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages. | For Examiner’s Use | | | --- | --- | | Question | Mark | | 01 | | | 02 | | | 03 | | | 04 | | | TOTAL | | Information • The maximum mark for this paper is 44. • The marks for the questions are shown in brackets. • Extended writing is tested in Question 04. • Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) will be assessed in Question 04. The marks for SPaGare shown below the mark allocation for Question 04. Advice • You are advised to spend 50 minutes on Paper 1 Section A and 50 minutes on Paper 1 Section B. *SAM81451BB01* IB/M/SAM/E1 8145/1B/ B 2 Do not write outside the | Answer all four questions. | | --- | | 0 1 Study Source A in the Sources Booklet.
Source A opposes Germany. How do you know?
Explain your answer using Source A and your contextual knowledge.
[4 marks]

| box 4 *02* IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 3 Do not write outside the box 0 2 Study Sources B and C in the Sources Booklet. How useful are Sources B and C to a historian studying opinions about the Treaty of Versailles? Explain your answer using Sources B and C and your contextual knowledge. [ 12 marks] | | | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | *03* Turn over ► IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 4 Do not write outside the box *04* IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 5 Do not write outside the box | Extra space
| | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | 12 | *05* Turn over ► IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 6 Do not write outside the box 0 3 Write an account of how events in Manchuria became an international crisis in the years 1931 to 1933. [8 marks] | | | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | *06* IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 7 Do not write outside the box | Extra space
| | | --- | --- | | | 8 | *07* Turn over ► IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 8 Do not write outside the box 0 4 ‘The Nazi-Soviet Pact was the main reason for the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. [ 16 marks] [SPaG 4 marks] | | | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | *08* IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 9 Do not write outside the box *09* Turn over ► IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B 10 Do not write outside the box *10* IB/M/SAM/8145/1B/B

FAQs

What is the time allowed and how should the exam be completed?

The time allowed is 1 hour 45 minutes. Answer all four questions, use black ink or black ball-point pen, and write only in the spaces provided.

How is Question 4 assessed, and what extra skills are included?

Question 4 is an extended writing question worth 16 marks. Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPaG) are assessed for 4 marks.

What topics do Questions 1 to 3 focus on?

Question 1 requires analysing Source A opposing Germany. Question 2 evaluates Sources B and C for studying opinions about the Treaty of Versailles. Question 3 asks for an account of how events in Manchuria became an international crisis from 1931 to 1933.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Violet