Edexcel IGCSE History: The Middle East, Conflict, Crisis and Change, 1917–2012 — Practice Questions

These are original questions written for Marlbridge, for revision and practice on this content. They are not reproduced past-paper questions, and they do not replicate the exam’s exact structure, question count or mark tariffs — examination boards hold copyright in their own papers. Use these alongside the official past papers available free from your board.

Related: B7 revision notes | B7 study guide

These questions practise the three Breadth Study question types of Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History 4HI1 Paper 2, Section B — two differences (6), two causes (8) and a 16-mark change-over-time essay — across the five key topics and themes of Breadth Study B7.

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Set 1

1(a) Explain two ways in which Britain’s role in the Middle East in 1946 was different from its role in 1957. [6]

1(b) Explain two causes of Israel’s victory in the war of 1948–49. [8]

1(c) “International involvement did more to prolong conflict in the Middle East than to resolve it in the years 1917–79.” How far do you agree? [16]

You may use the following in your answer:

• the Balfour Declaration
• the Camp David Agreements

You must also use information of your own.

Set 2

2(a) Explain two ways in which the Yom Kippur War (1973) was different from the Six-Day War (1967). [6]

2(b) Explain two causes of the Oslo Accords (1993). [8]

2(c) “Terrorism was the main obstacle to peace in the Middle East in the years 1946–2009.” How far do you agree? [16]

You may use the following in your answer:

• the Munich Olympics (1972)
• the assassination of Rabin (1995)

You must also use information of your own.

Set 3 — extra practice

3(a) Explain two ways in which the position of the PLO in 1969 was different from its position in 1982. [6]

3(b) Explain two causes of the Suez Crisis (1956). [8]

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Answers and mark guidance

1(a) [6]

• Control: in 1946 Britain ruled Palestine under the Mandate and had a major base in the Suez Canal Zone; by 1957 it had left Palestine (1948) and the Canal Zone.
• Influence: in 1946 Britain was the dominant power in the region; after Suez (1956) its humiliation showed that the USA and USSR now decided events.

1(b) [8]

• Organisation and morale: Israeli forces had a unified command and fought for survival, while Arab armies were poorly coordinated and had different aims.
• Weapons and timing: arms bought from Czechoslovakia during the truce of 1948 strengthened Israel, while Arab states lacked supplies.

1(c) [16]

Prolonged: the Balfour Declaration made conflicting promises; British Mandate policies on immigration angered both sides; the UN partition plan was rejected and led to war; the Suez invasion; the Cold War, in which the USSR armed Egypt and Syria and the USA armed Israel, fuelled the 1967 and 1973 wars. Resolved: UN armistices (1949) and emergency force (1956); Resolution 242; Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy; Camp David (1978) and the 1979 treaty. Judgement: outside powers often created or deepened conflicts, but only outside mediation produced the first peace treaty.

2(a) [6]

• Who attacked: in 1967 Israel struck first; in 1973 Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Yom Kippur.
• Course and outcome: in 1967 Israel won quickly and decisively; in 1973 the Arabs gained early success with Soviet missiles before Israel recovered with a US airlift, and the war led to negotiations.

2(b) [8]

• The first Intifada: the uprising from 1987 showed Israel that occupation was costly and gave Palestinians international sympathy.
• Changing international position: after the Cold War ended and the 1991 Gulf War, the PLO had lost Soviet backing and Gulf funding, while the USA pushed for talks; Rabin and Arafat each saw advantages.

2(c) [16]

Terrorism: King David Hotel (1946); fedayeen raids; Munich (1972); suicide bombings in the second Intifada; Hamas and Hezbollah attacks; Rabin’s assassination by an Israeli extremist (1995). Other obstacles: disputed territory — Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Golan; Israeli settlements; the refugee problem; superpower rivalry; Arab states’ refusal to recognise Israel before 1979; leaders’ choices, such as Netanyahu’s opposition to Oslo. Judgement: terrorism repeatedly derailed peace, but disputes over land and refugees were the root obstacles.

3(a) [6]

• In 1969 the PLO, under Arafat’s new leadership, was based in Jordan and growing; by 1982 it had been driven from Jordan (1970) and then from Beirut by Israel’s invasion.
• In 1969 it was mainly a guerrilla force; by 1982 it was internationally recognised by many states and the UN, though without a territorial base.

3(b) [8]

• Nasser’s nationalisation of the canal: after the USA and Britain withdrew funding for the Aswan Dam, Nasser took over the canal to use its revenues, threatening British and French interests.
• Israeli security concerns: fedayeen raids from Gaza and Egypt’s blockade of Israeli shipping led Israel to join Britain and France in a secret plan to attack Egypt.

How the (c) essay is marked

The 16-mark essay rewards accurate knowledge from at least two key topics, analysis of change and continuity across the period, and a supported judgement. Set out what “main obstacle” or “prolong” means at the start, use examples from early, middle and late in the period, and return to that criterion in the conclusion.

Where marks are usually lost

• In (a), confusing the order of events in 1967 and 1973.
• In (b), giving background instead of direct causes.
• In (c), discussing only one decade.

Source: question patterns modelled on the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History (4HI1) specification, Issue 5, February 2026, Paper 2, Section B.

Frequently asked questions

How is the Paper 2 breadth study question structured? Part (a) asks you to explain two ways something was different at two dates (6 marks), part (b) to explain two causes (8 marks) and part (c) is a 16-mark essay on change, continuity or significance across the period.

How is the 16-mark essay marked? It rewards accurate knowledge from at least two key topics, analysis of change and continuity across the period, and a supported judgement.

How did Britain’s role change between 1946 and 1957? In 1946 Britain ruled Palestine under the Mandate and had a major base in the Suez Canal Zone; by 1957 it had left Palestine (1948) and been humiliated over Suez (1956).

Are these real Edexcel past-paper questions? No. They are original questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel International GCSE History 4HI1; use them alongside the official past papers and mark schemes.