ActiveHistory revision materials for the Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Modern World History Examination.
 

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The Cambridge IGCSE Modern World History Examination consists of two papers.

Paper 1 (two hours) - Structured Questions

In Paper 1, you are required to answer THREE questions in the (a) Describe, (b) Explain, (c) Assess format.
You have 40 minutes to answer each of these three questions (i.e. two hours in total).

Section A: Core Content (answer TWO questions from this section)

You will answer two questions from a range of topics in the 20th century.

Was the Treaty of Versailles fair? ActiveHistory complete scheme of work, teacher support materials and FREE revision quizzes	How successful was the League in the 1920s? ActiveHistory complete scheme of work, teacher support materials and FREE revision quizzes	How successful was the League in the 1930s? ActiveHistory complete scheme of work, teacher support materials and FREE revision quizzes

Section B: Depth Study (answer ONE question from this section)

You will choose one question from a choice of two from the Depth Study you have covered in class. For example, if you have studied Germany 1918-1945, it is likely that one question will focus on "The Weimar Republic and the Rise of Hitler" whilst the other will be on "The Nazi Regime".

Weimar Germany ActiveHistory complete scheme of work, teacher support materials and FREE revision quizzes		Nazi Germany ActiveHistory complete scheme of work, teacher support materials and FREE revision quizzes

Each of the three questions you answer in this paper will be broken into three parts:

(a) Describe (4 marks) > four developed points

(b) Explain (6 marks) > two detailed explanations

(c) Assess (10 marks) > three interpretations, plus a conclusion

Interactive Paper 1 revision resources from ActiveHistory

Interactive Paper 1 question practice

Describe [4] [practice questions] | Explain [6] [practice questions] | Assess [10] [practice questions]

"Play Your Dates Right" game

Play this game to test your chronogical understanding.

"Who Am I?" challenge

A team-based game to test your knowledge of key individuals in the course.

Paper 2 (1hr45m) - Sourcework

Students answer five questions based around a topic from the 19th Century option, or the 20th Century option, depending on what they have studied in class.

For examination in Summer 2024, the prescribed topics are as follows:

Nineteenth century Core content (Option A)		Twentieth century Core content (Option B)
What caused the First World War? ActiveHistory complete scheme of work, teacher support materials and FREE revision quizzes		How effectively did the United States contain the spread of communism? [Korea | Cuba | Vietnam] ActiveHistory complete scheme of work, teacher support materials and FREE revision quizzes

You will answer five compulsory sourcework questions.
When appropriate, you will use your background knowledge to evaluate and elaborate upon the sources.

The following resources will help you revise and develop your sourcework skills ready for the exam.

Interactive Cartoon Analysis Tool

Sourcework Question Markschemes

Source Overlay Template

Sourcework Skills Overview

Origin of Sources: Evaluation Worksheet

Purpose of Sources: Evaluation Worksheet

Nature of Sources: Evaluation Worksheet

2 Key Cartoonists: Low and Partridge