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

Answer: Countries formed alliances to strengthen their military and political power, and to prevent their enemies from attacking unopposed. These alliances created a sense of security but also increased tensions, making a larger conflict more likely.

Question 2: Explain how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand contributed to the start of WWI.

Answer: The assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the immediate trigger that led Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. This event activated the complex system of alliances, causing many countries to enter the war rapidly.

Question 3: Identify and describe one technological advancement used during WWI that changed warfare.

Answer: One technological advancement was the machine gun, which allowed soldiers to fire many rounds quickly and drastically increased the lethality of battles.

Question 4: Write a brief explanation of what trench warfare was and why it was used during WWI.

Answer: Trench warfare involved soldiers fighting from long, deep ditches to protect themselves from enemy fire. It was used because of new weapons that made open-field fighting very deadly.

Question 5: Draw a simple diagram showing the layout of a typical World War I trench system, including at least three features such as the front-line trench, support trench, and a communication trench.

Answer: A correct sketch should show a series of parallel trenches with labeled sections: the front-line trench closest to the enemy, support trenches behind it for reserves and supplies, and communication trenches connecting the two.

Question 6: List three ways in which WWI affected civilians in Britain.

Answer: Civilians faced shortages of food and supplies, many young men enlisted to fight, and women started working in factories to replace men at war.

Question 7: Explain why the Battle of the Somme was significant in WWI history.

Answer: The Battle of the Somme was significant because it was one of the bloodiest battles with heavy casualties on both sides. It also demonstrated the brutal nature of trench warfare and the difficulties of breaking enemy lines.

Question 8: Describe the impact of WWI on the political landscape of Europe after 1918.

Answer: WWI led to the fall of several monarchies, including the German and Austro-Hungarian empires, and resulted in political upheaval, revolutions, and the redrawing of borders in Europe.

Question 9: Identify one way in which WWI influenced art and literature of the post-war period.

Answer: WWI influenced art and literature by inspiring works that depicted the horrors of war, such as lost innocence and trauma, exemplified in poetry, paintings, and novels like 'All Quiet on the Western Front.'

Question 10: Discuss one reason why WWI is considered a 'total war.'

Answer: WWI is considered a total war because it involved the complete mobilization of a country's resources, including civilians, economies, and industries, to support the war effort.