This type of question asks for your point of view.
Example:
How successful were the Soviet Union in spreading communism in Europe in the period 1945-1949? Explain your answer.
Tips:
Again, focus on the wording and instruction in the question.
‘How successful’ means there is an argument to be made, so you need to give reasons why the Soviet Union was or was not successful.
‘Spreading communism in Europe’ is telling you to focus only on this area of Soviet policy, so other events are not relevant, eg the atom bomb test wouldn’t really suit this answer, even though it is within the stated time period.
‘1945-1949’ The dates are important, anything you refer to outside of these dates would not be relevant, eg the Warsaw Pact, set up in 1955, would not be relevant to this question.
A good way to quickly plan your answer might be to note down the relevant events that happened in this period and decide if they agree or disagree with the question.
A ‘how far’ question requires you to reach a conclusion. It is important that you argue your point of view and provide evidence to support it.
