2025 OCR A Level History A Y205/01 Exploration, Encounters and Empire 1445–1570 | Verified Question Paper with Marking Scheme

the 2025UK.STUDIES//2025
OCR A/AS Level question
OCR Apaper,
Level History
including
A the
Y205-01
complete
Exploration,
QuestionEncounters
Paper withand
Exam-Ready
Empire 1445–1570
Examiner Mark
Verified
Scheme.
Question
Covers
paper
all examinable
with Marking
Page
content
Scheme
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Attached
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2025 OCR A Level History A
Y205/01 Exploration, Encounters and Empire 1445–1570
Verified Question paper with Marking Scheme Attached



Oxford Cambridge and RSA


Thursday 12 June 2025 – Morning
A Level History A
Y205/01 Exploration, Encounters and Empire 1445–1570
Time allowed: 1 hour


You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet




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.
• Choose one question and answer all the parts of that question.

INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 30.
• 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 [L/506/4268] OCR is an exempt Charity
DC (CJ) 354177/1 Turn over




S Level question
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,the 2025UK.STUDIES//2025
OCR A/AS Level question
OCR Apaper,
Level History
including
A the
Y205-01
complete
Exploration,
QuestionEncounters
Paper withand
Exam-Ready
Empire 1445–1570
Examiner Mark
Verified
Scheme.
Question
Covers
paper
all examinable
with Marking
Page
content
Scheme
2 of 20
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Attached
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2

BLANK PAGE




© OCR 2025 Y205/01 Jun25


S Level question
Downloadpaper,
the 2025
including
OCRthe
A/AS
complete
Level question
Questionpaper,
Paperincluding
with Exam-Ready
the complete
Page
Examiner
2 of
Question
20 Mark
Paper
Scheme.
with Exam-Ready
Covers all examinable
Examinercontent
Mark Scheme.
with Verified
CoversAnswers
all examinable

,the 2025UK.STUDIES//2025
OCR A/AS Level question
OCR Apaper,
Level History
including
A the
Y205-01
complete
Exploration,
QuestionEncounters
Paper withand
Exam-Ready
Empire 1445–1570
Examiner Mark
Verified
Scheme.
Question
Covers
paper
all examinable
with Marking
Page
content
Scheme
3 of 20
with
Attached
Verifie

3

Answer Question 1 or Question 2.

1
(a) Which of the following gains was more important for explorers and their patrons during the period from
1445 to 1570?

(i) Prestige

(ii) Wealth

Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii). [10]

(b)* To what extent were the routes taken by explorers determined by trade during the period from 1445
to 1570? [20]


2
(a) Which of the following was more important in encouraging exploration?

(i) Technological change

(ii) Internal developments in Portugal and Spain

Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii). [10]

(b)* ‘The settlement of Brazil was the most significant feature of Portuguese expansion during the period
from 1445 to 1570.’

How far do you agree? [20]




END OF QUESTION PAPER




© OCR 2025 Y205/01 Jun25


S Level question
Downloadpaper,
the 2025
including
OCRthe
A/AS
complete
Level question
Questionpaper,
Paperincluding
with Exam-Ready
the complete
Page
Examiner
3 of
Question
20 Mark
Paper
Scheme.
with Exam-Ready
Covers all examinable
Examinercontent
Mark Scheme.
with Verified
CoversAnswers
all examinable