Friday 23 May 2025 – Morning
A Level History A
Y317/01 China and its Rulers 1839–1989
Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
(Verified Question Paper With Mark
Scheme Combined June 2025)
, INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer the question in Section A and any two questions in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 80.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
© OCR 2025
OCR is an exempt
[L/506/4304] DC (SL)
Charity Turn over
354198/1
, 2
Section A
Read the two passages and answer Question 1.
1 Evaluate the interpretations in both of the two passages.
Explain which you think is more convincing as an explanation of the nature and course of
the Cultural Revolution. [30]
Passage A
© Michael Lynch, The People's Republic of China since 1949, pps 47-48, Hodder & Stoughton, 1998. From first line "The sheer enthusiasm of the Red Guards soon led the movement to turn in on itself." to last line "Army units travelled throughout China in a
campaign to impress upon the people the inte
Passage B
© Jon Halliday; Jung Chang, Mao: The Unknown Story, pps 652-653, Vintage Books, 2007. From first line "The commander [in Wuhan] General Chen was deeply opposed to the Cultural Revolution," to last line "who took a fearsome beating." Item removed
due to third party copyright restrictions.
© OCR Y317/01
2025 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Throughout the period from 1839 to 1989, changes to the nature of government
in China were only possible through violence.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* ‘The most important change in the Chinese economy during the period from 1839
to 1989 was the growth of industry.’
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘The Korean War (1950 –1953) was the most important turning point in Chinese
relations with the wider world during the period from 1839 to 1989.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR Y317/01
2025 Jun25