Depth study: The First World War, 1914–18 — IGCSE History (0977) questions by topic
Coverage runs from the Battle of Mons and the Balkan League through to the American contribution on the Western Front in 1918, so both early causes and late-war turning points need equal attention rather than a focus on just one phase of the conflict.
Explain, how-far, describe, assess and identify are the top command words, worth from 20 to 40 marks, across 17 questions drawn from 2023 to 2025 sessions, making this the largest set in the syllabus. Because how-far questions demand a judgement on importance rather than a list of events, practise structuring an argument before writing, then submit for instant marking to check whether your conclusion was properly supported.
May–June 2025, Paper 12
A wide range of different factors contributed to the outbreak of the First World War. Describe the naval race between Britain and Germany.
Answer this question and get it marked →The First World War soon became a war of attrition. Describe how the Schlieffen Plan was meant to work.
Answer this question and get it marked →The First World War eventually came to an end in 1918. Describe the contribution of American troops in 1918 on the Western Front.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 42
Write an account of the German offensive on the Western Front in 1914 to the end of the Battle of the Marne. [15]
Answer this question and get it marked →Write an account of Japan's contribution to the Allied war effort. [15]
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
The Allied war effort was supported by many different countries. Describe Japan's contribution to the Allied war effort.
Answer this question and get it marked →There were several fronts in the First World War. Describe what happened in the Battle of Jutland.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
Many factors contributed to the growth of tension between the Great Powers in the years before the First World War. What was the Black Hand?
Answer this question and get it marked →The start of the First World War did not go according to plan for Germany. What was the Schlieffen Plan?
Answer this question and get it marked →The war was fought on many fronts. What was meant by the term 'unrestricted U-boat warfare'?
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
May–June 2023, Paper 42
How important was the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in how the war developed to the end of 1914? Explain your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →How significant was the impact of recruitment into the armed forces on the British Home Front? Explain your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
It was difficult to break the stalemate on the Western Front. Describe the main features of a trench.
Answer this question and get it marked →Military and political issues weakened the German war effort in 1918. Describe Allied tactics in their offensive of 1918 on the Western Front.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
How important was the Battle of Mons to the course of the war by the end of 1914? Explain your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →How significant were the Turkish defences as a cause of Allied failure in the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915? Explain your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE History topics
- Depth study: The USA, 1919–41 (15)
- Depth study: Germany, 1918–45 (14)
- Depth study: Russia, 1905–41 (14)
- Core content: the 19th century (13)
- Core content: the 20th century (10)
- Depth study: The Second World War (9)
- The Cold War (9)
- Depth study: China, c.1930–c.1990 (6)
- Depth study: South Africa, c.1940–c.1994 (6)
- Depth study: Israelis and Palestinians since 1945 (6)