Friday 23 May 2025 – Morning
A Level History A
Y318/01 Russia and its Rulers 1855–1964
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
[R/506/4305] DC (PQ)
Charity Turn over
355180/1
, 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 weaknesses of
the Provisional Government. [30]
Passage A
Adapted From Philip Longworth, Russia's Empires. Their Rise and Fall: From Prehistory to Putin, Pages 236-238, John Murray Publishers Ltd, 2005. Item removed due to third party
copyright restrictions.
Passage B
Adapted from Orlando Figes, Revolutionary Russia, 1891-1991, Pages 100,101,104,105,106,113,114,115,121,122,123, Penguin Books Ltd, 2014. Item removed due to third
party copyright restrictions.
© OCR Y318/01
2025 Jun25
, 3
Section B
Answer any two questions.
2* ‘Communist leaders in the period from 1917 to 1964 were more willing to accept
political change than were the Tsars in the period from 1855 to 1917.’
How far do you agree? [25]
3* ‘The Russian people experienced little improvement in their personal, political
and religious freedoms throughout the period from 1855 to 1964.’
How far do you agree? [25]
4* ‘The October Revolution of 1917 changed Russian society more than any other war
or revolution in the period from 1855 to 1964.’
How far do you agree? [25]
END OF QUESTION PAPER
© OCR Y318/01
2025 Jun25