Question 1: Explain two main reasons why European countries formed alliances before the outbreak of WWI.

Answer: European countries formed alliances such as the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance to ensure mutual protection and strengthen their military and political influence. These alliances created a sense of security but also made the potential for a large-scale war more likely if conflicts arose.

Question 2: Describe the event that triggered the start of WWI, including where and when it happened.

Answer: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary occurred in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This event led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, triggering the wider conflict.

Question 3: List three new technologies or weapons used during WWI and explain how they impacted warfare.

Answer: 1. Machine guns - increased firepower and made traditional cavalry charges deadly. 2. Poison gas - caused injuries and panic among soldiers, leading to new gas mask technologies. 3. Tanks - broke through enemy lines and improved mobility on the battlefield.

Question 4: Describe the living conditions of soldiers fighting in the trenches.

Answer: Soldiers in the trenches faced muddy, cold, and cramped conditions. They suffered from rats, lice, and diseases, with limited food and water, and constant danger from enemy fire.

Question 5: Explain the concept of ‘total war’ and how WWI was an example of this.

Answer: Total war means that countries mobilize all their resources and involve all aspects of society in the war effort. WWI was an example because governments used propaganda, conscripted civilians, and directed industries to produce war supplies.

Question 6: Identify and explain one reason why many soldiers wanted to continue fighting during WWI, despite the hardships.

Answer: Many soldiers believed they were fighting for their country and for justice, which gave them a sense of duty and patriotism that motivated them to continue despite hardships.

Question 7: Draw a simple sketch of a trench system. Label the main parts, including the front line, communication trench, and support trench.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a zigzag trench layout with clearly marked sections: the front line (facing the enemy), a communication trench connecting to the support trench (further back), which provided supplies and shelter.

Question 8: Describe the impact of WWI on women in Britain.

Answer: WWI led to more women working in factories, farms, and offices as men went to war. This shift helped improve women's rights and contributed to the vote being extended to more women after the war.

Question 9: Explain why the Treaty of Versailles was significant in shaping the post-war world.

Answer: The Treaty of Versailles officially ended WWI and imposed heavy penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, military restrictions, and reparations. It redrew borders and created conditions that contributed to future conflicts.

Question 10: Summarize two long-term effects of WWI on Europe.

Answer: WWI led to the decline of empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire and contributed to political instability, which eventually led to WWII. It also caused widespread economic hardship and social change across Europe.