May 2025 Edexcel: AS Level History 8HI0/2E Paper 2 – Depth Study, Option 2E.1:
Mao’s China, 1949–1976 & Option 2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949–
1990 – Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme
Exam Resource Summary
This May 2025 Edexcel AS Level History (8HI0/2E) document merges the official
question paper and mark scheme for Paper 2 – Depth Study. It covers both Option
2E.1: Mao’s China (1949–1976) and Option 2E.2: German Democratic Republic
(1949–1990). The paper assesses students’ ability to analyse sources, construct
evidence-based arguments and evaluate interpretations in a historical depth study.
The merged format gives students full visibility of the questions alongside the official
marking guidance, helping emphasise how marks are allocated and what examiners
expect in responses. An essential resource for focused revision, self-assessment and
readiness for the 2025 Edexcel AS Level History Paper 2 examination.
Turn over
, SECTION A
Choose EITHER Option 2E.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2E.2 (Question 2), for which
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
you have been prepared.
Option 2E.1: Mao’s China, 1949–76
Answer Question 1, parts (a) and (b).
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4.
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7.
1 (a) Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
Why is Source 1 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the
impact of the Korean War on China?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context.
(8)
AND
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(b) Study Source 2 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 2 for an
enquiry into the nature of the reunification campaign in Tibet in the
1950s?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context. (12)
(Total for Question 1 = 20 marks)
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, Choose EITHER Option 2E.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2E.2 (Question 2), for
which you have been prepared.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Option 2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949–90
Answer Question 2, parts (a) and (b).
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4.
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7.
2 (a) Study Source 3 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
Why is Source 3 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the growing
international prestige of the GDR in the 1970s?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context.
(8)
AND
(b) Study Source 4 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
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How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 4 for an
enquiry into the effectiveness of the economic planning of the GDR in
the years 1965–70?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context. (12)
(Total for Question 2 = 20 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
, Indicate which question you are answering by marking a cross in the box . If
you change your mind, put a line through the box and then indicate
your new question with a cross .
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Chosen question number: Question 1 Question 2
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Mao’s China, 1949–1976 & Option 2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949–
1990 – Merged Question Paper & Mark Scheme
Exam Resource Summary
This May 2025 Edexcel AS Level History (8HI0/2E) document merges the official
question paper and mark scheme for Paper 2 – Depth Study. It covers both Option
2E.1: Mao’s China (1949–1976) and Option 2E.2: German Democratic Republic
(1949–1990). The paper assesses students’ ability to analyse sources, construct
evidence-based arguments and evaluate interpretations in a historical depth study.
The merged format gives students full visibility of the questions alongside the official
marking guidance, helping emphasise how marks are allocated and what examiners
expect in responses. An essential resource for focused revision, self-assessment and
readiness for the 2025 Edexcel AS Level History Paper 2 examination.
Turn over
, SECTION A
Choose EITHER Option 2E.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2E.2 (Question 2), for which
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
you have been prepared.
Option 2E.1: Mao’s China, 1949–76
Answer Question 1, parts (a) and (b).
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4.
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7.
1 (a) Study Source 1 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
Why is Source 1 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the
impact of the Korean War on China?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context.
(8)
AND
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
(b) Study Source 2 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 2 for an
enquiry into the nature of the reunification campaign in Tibet in the
1950s?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context. (12)
(Total for Question 1 = 20 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
, Choose EITHER Option 2E.1 (Question 1) OR Option 2E.2 (Question 2), for
which you have been prepared.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Option 2E.2: The German Democratic Republic, 1949–90
Answer Question 2, parts (a) and (b).
You should start the answer to part (a) on page 4.
You should start the answer to part (b) on page 7.
2 (a) Study Source 3 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
Why is Source 3 valuable to the historian for an enquiry into the growing
international prestige of the GDR in the 1970s?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context.
(8)
AND
(b) Study Source 4 in the Sources Booklet before you answer this question.
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
How much weight do you give to the evidence of Source 4 for an
enquiry into the effectiveness of the economic planning of the GDR in
the years 1965–70?
Explain your answer using the source, the information given about it
and your own knowledge of the historical context. (12)
(Total for Question 2 = 20 marks)
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
, Indicate which question you are answering by marking a cross in the box . If
you change your mind, put a line through the box and then indicate
your new question with a cross .
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA
Chosen question number: Question 1 Question 2
(This is for part (a)) ............................................................................................................................. ..
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