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HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF

SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION

History
Mock Paper

HKDSE History examination consists of 2 written papers: Paper 1 consists of compulsory

data-based questions, and carries 60% of the subject marks. Paper 2 consists of seven
essay-type questions, of which candidates may attempt any two, and it carries 40% of the
subject marks. The duration of Paper 1 and Paper 2 are 2 hours and 1½ hours
respectively. For Paper 2, students are advised to spend about 15 minutes for planning
their writing.

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MOCK EXAMINATION PAPER 2019

HISTORY PAPER 1

2 hours
This paper must be answered in English

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This paper carries 60% of the subject marks.

2. This paper consists of compulsory data-based questions. The maximum mark for each question is indicated in
brackets after each question. It is a guide to the length of answer required, which may vary from one to a few
short paragraphs.

3. Where a question is divided into a number of sub-questions, you MUST divide your answer into different parts
accordingly. You risk mark penalties if you do not do so.

4. Write your answers in the answer book. Start each question (not sub-question) on a new page.

5. The source acknowledgements at the end of the question paper are included to indicate copyright ownership.
They do not form part of the respective sources or questions.

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Attempt all questions in this paper.

1. Study Source A.

SOURCE A

The following is adapted from a historian’s work. It is related to the development of Japan’s politics during the
early 20th century.

Among the Meiji oligarchs, Yamagata Aritomo was mainly responsible for the operation of the army. He
trained people to be his own buddies in the government and military. Thus, the Yamagata faction was formed
and his influence was even greater than Ito Hirobumi.

Ito Hirobumi was different from Yamagata. This prominent student of the Cambridge University wished to
create an entirely Western political system which not only included constitution, cabinet and the Diet, but
also formation of party politics. He founded the Constitutional Association of Political Friendship.

During the Meiji era, many Prime Ministers were not nominated by political parties. The genro discussed the
choice of Prime Minister and the Emperor nominally announced the outcome.

In 1905, Japan defeated Russia. A proud and joyful moment. People of Tokyo organised a parade to
celebrate. They burned and tore down government buildings on their way so that the military was sent to
maintain order and security.

Although Japan won, it could not earn a single dollar of indemnity from the Russians. This was a defeat
without being defeated in the eyes of the people. Moreover, there was great taxation in the wartime. A riot
could be expected but what had made people stunned was the slogan of ‘Down with the Oligarchs’.

In January 1906, as a result of such a parade, Prime Minister Katsura Taro (from the Yamagata faction) had
to give up his title and he was replaced by Saionji Kinmochi (from the Ito faction). Since then the two
factions were more unfriendly. In the next 7 years, the Japanese politics witnessed such a strange
circumstance: Saionji resigned in July 1908 and the second Katsura cabinet was formed; Katsura resigned in
August 1911 and the second Saionji cabinet was formed; Saionji resigned in December 1912 and the third
Katsura cabinet was formed.

During this 7-year period, the Constitutional Association of Political Friendship was not struggling alone.
The Constitutional Nationalist Party also participated in the movement against the oligarchs. Even journalists
and scholars joined. These anti-oligarch people were the main supporters of constitution protection.

(a) During the early 20th century, were the Japanese people satisfied with the government? Explain your
answer with reference to Source A. (4 marks)

(b) Why can the cabinet changes of Japan from January 1906 to December 1912 be regarded as a continuity?
(3 marks)

(c) ‘In the first 20 years of the 20th century, Japanese politics underwent modernisation but not thorough
Westernisation.’ Do you agree? Explain your answer with reference to Source A, and using your own
knowledge. (8 marks)

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2. Study Sources B and C.

SOURCE B

The following is adapted from a Chinese cartoon published in the late 20th century. It summarises the economic
condition of China from the 1960s to 1990s.

SOURCE C

The following table shows the revenue and expenditure of a Chinese peasant family with 7 persons in 1999.

Revenue (RMB) Expenditure (RMB)

4 acres of wheat 900 General expenditure
4 acres of rice 1640 Seed 460
Peanut 180 Fertiliser 523
5 pigs 450 Pesticide 237
Wages of 2 younger brothers 1000 Others 180
Total revenue 4170 Total general expenditure 1400
Taxation
Village and township planning tax* 805
Pig tax, transportation tax 490
School construction tax 126
Small walking tractor 100
Total taxation 2046
* Money used for production facilities, social welfare, routine administration expenditure, family planning,
militia training, and maintenance as well as construction of roads in villages or townships.

(a) Did the economic policy of the Chinese government in the 1990s differ greatly from that in the 1960s?
Explain your answer with reference to Source B. (3 marks)

(b) Did the peasant family in Source C seem to live in a special economic zone? Explain your answer with
reference to Source C. (4 marks)

(c) ‘The Reform and Opening-up policy gave Chinese people a better life.” Do you agree? Explain your
answer with reference to Sources B and C, and using your own knowledge. (8 marks)

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3. Study Sources D and E.

SOURCE D

The following cartoon was published in Britain in 1934. By that time, France (the singing man in the cartoon),
together with the USSR, was trying to call on Czechoslovakia, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to sign a treaty
related to Eastern Europe.

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 SOURCE E

The following cartoon was published in Britain in October 1938.

(a) Infer the aim of France in its promotion of the treaty shown in Source D. Explain your answer with
reference to Source D. (3 marks)

(b) Suggest a caption for the cartoon in Source E. Justify your choice with reference to Source E. (4 marks)

(c) If you were a European in the late 1930s, would you be optimistic towards peace in Europe? Explain your
answer with reference to Sources D and E, and using your own knowledge. (8 marks)

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4. Study Sources F and G.

SOURCE F

The following is adopted from a US government pamphlet given to its people in the 1950s.

What is FALLOUT?

When an atomic or hydrogen bomb is exploded close to the ground, thousands of tons of atomised earth,
building materials, rocks, and gases are sucked upward, sometimes to a height of 80,000 feet or more. Some
of these radioactive practices spill out in the immediate area of the explosion soon after its occurs, but others
may be carried by the upper winds for many miles. Sooner or later, however, they settle to earth. This is
called fallout.

If it comes my way, what do I do then?

Ÿ If you don’t have time to evacuate, seek the best available shelter.

Ÿ An ordinary house will offer some protection. It may cut radiation danger by about one-half. Get on the
floor, away from doors and windows, or preferably go to a location with additional walls at the center of
the house.

Ÿ A basement shelter will offer even more protection. The radiation danger there might be one-tenth.

Ÿ An underground shelter with 3 feet of earth above it will give you almost complete protection if it is
equipped with a door and an air filter.

SOURCE G

The following is adapted from a Soviet propaganda given to its people in the 1950s.

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 In the USSR:

During the period 1951-1955, the rate of school

construction will increase roughly by 70% compared to
previous 5 years.

In the US:

The government assigns 1% of budget for education,

and 74% for military needs. The US has over 10 million
illiterate people. About one-third of their children do
not study.

(a) What was the historical background that led to the production of the pamphlet by the US government in
Source F? Explain your answer with reference to Source F. (3 marks)

(b) What were the political purposes of the Soviet propaganda in Source G? Explain your answer with
reference to Source G. (4 marks)

(c) During the Cold War, which country, the USA or the USSR, posed a greater threat to one another?
Explain your answer with reference to Sources F and G, and using your own knowledge. (8 marks)

END OF PAPER

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PROVENANCE OF SOURCES

Source A: http://www.cb.com.cn/life/2018_0726/1248483.html
Source B: http://www.manfen5.com/sjshow/gz_ls/g2012060822595723224078/
Source C: China Youth Daily, 17 December 1997.
Source D: https://www.cartoons.ac.uk/
Source E: https://reviewwalls.co/what-is-the-main-message-of-1938-political-cartoon-above/
Source F: https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/fallout-docs
Source G: https://www.quora.com/How-did-Soviet-propaganda-portray-the-United-States

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MOCK EXAMINATION PAPER 2019

HISTORY PAPER 2

1½ hours
This paper must be answered in English

INSTRUCTIONS

1. This paper carries 40% of the subject marks.

2. This paper consists of seven essay-type questions, of which you may attempt any two.

3. Write your answers in the answer book. Start each question on a new page.

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Answer any two of the following seven questions.

1. Examine how Hong Kong’s social and economic development mutually influenced each other in the
second half of the 20th century. (25 marks)

2. Do you agree that leader’s personal influence was the major factor in determining the results of
Chinese modernisation in the 20th century? Explain your answer with reference to Jiang Jieshi or
Mao Zedong. (25 marks)

3. ‘National consciousness was a double-edged sword to Japan in the first half of the 20th century.’
Comment on the validity of this statement. (25 marks)

4. Compare the effectiveness of the international society in maintaining peace before the two World
Wars. (25 marks)

5. Why could the Cold War last almost half a century? Explain your view. (25 marks)

6. To what extent was the year 1945 a turning point of international co-operation in the 20th century?
(25 marks)

7. Select one region covered in your history course, examine how external factors affected its
regional development after the Second World War. (25 marks)

END OF PAPER

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