A Level History chapter 8: A Level: The end of the Cold War, 1975-1991 (exams to Nov 2026) MCQs with answers
By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026
37 exam-style questions on A Level: The end of the Cold War, 1975-1991 (exams to Nov 2026), each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.
Détente and the outbreak of the Second Cold War9 questions
Problems facing the USSR9 questions
The impact of Reagan and Gorbachev9 questions
The collapse of the Soviet system, 1989-199110 questions
Ten A Level: The end of the Cold War, 1975-1991 (exams to Nov 2026) questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.
1. What is meant by the 'era of stagnation' in the USSR?
A
the period of Stalin's Five-Year Plans and collectivisation in the 1930s
B
the Brezhnev years, when growth slowed and leaders aged
C
the Civil War years under War Communism
D
the years after 1991 under Yeltsin's reforms
Show answer
Answer: B. Under Brezhnev (1964-82) the planned economy lost momentum, living standards lagged and reform was avoided.
2. How did the USA respond to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
A
it sent US ground troops into Afghanistan to fight the Soviet army
B
it signed a new SALT III treaty to limit Soviet forces in Central Asia
C
it recognised the new pro-Soviet Afghan government in return for a withdrawal date
D
it withdrew SALT II, imposed a grain embargo and boycotted the 1980 Olympics
Show answer
Answer: D. Carter also announced the Carter Doctrine to defend the Persian Gulf and began aid to the Afghan resistance.
3. In which Eastern bloc country was the 1989 revolution most violent, ending in the execution of its leader?
A
Czechoslovakia
B
Bulgaria
C
East Germany
D
Romania
Show answer
Answer: D. Ceaușescu was overthrown and executed in December 1989. Czechoslovakia's 'Velvet Revolution' was largely peaceful.
4. What did Reagan call the USSR in a speech of March 1983?
A
'a partner for peace'
B
'an evil empire'
C
'the other superpower'
D
'a paper tiger'
Show answer
Answer: B. The phrase showed Reagan's early confrontational approach, which included a large US defence build-up.
5. What did the Carter Doctrine of January 1980 state?
A
that the USA would defend the Persian Gulf, by force if necessary
B
that the USA would put human rights before security in its policy
C
that the USA would arm anti-communist rebel movements around the world
D
that the USA would negotiate SALT III with the Soviet Union
Show answer
Answer: A. It responded to fears that the USSR might move from Afghanistan towards Gulf oil. Supporting anti-communist rebels became the Reagan Doctrine.
6. When did the last Soviet troops leave Afghanistan?
A
February 1989
B
December 1979
C
August 1991
D
April 1986
Show answer
Answer: A. Withdrawal followed the Geneva Accords of April 1988 and was completed in February 1989.
7. On what terms was Germany reunified in October 1990?
A
as a neutral state outside all alliances, as Moscow first demanded
B
as a united state within NATO, after the Two Plus Four Treaty
C
with Soviet troops staying permanently in the east
D
as a confederation of two states
Show answer
Answer: B. Gorbachev accepted a united Germany in NATO, with Soviet troops withdrawing by 1994 and West German financial help.
8. Which development in the later 1970s undermined détente?
A
the signing of the SALT I agreements in Moscow
B
Nixon's visit to Moscow and the Basic Principles agreement of 1972
C
Soviet and Cuban involvement in African conflicts such as Angola
D
the signing of the Helsinki Final Act by 35 states
Show answer
Answer: C. Many Americans saw these actions as Soviet expansion under cover of détente. SALT I, Nixon's visit and Helsinki were achievements of détente.
9. What did 'glasnost' mean?
A
economic restructuring towards a partial market
B
openness: more freedom of discussion, less censorship
C
new thinking in foreign policy
D
acceleration of industrial growth through investment
Show answer
Answer: B. Glasnost allowed criticism of the past and present. Perestroika meant restructuring, mainly of the economy.
10. Place these summits in the correct order.
A
Reykjavik, Geneva, Washington, Moscow
B
Geneva, Washington, Reykjavik, Moscow
C
Geneva, Reykjavik, Washington, Moscow
D
Washington, Geneva, Moscow, Reykjavik
Show answer
Answer: C. Geneva (1985), Reykjavik (1986), Washington (1987, INF Treaty), Moscow (1988).
A Level: The end of the Cold War, 1975-1991 (exams to Nov 2026): questions students ask
How many A Level: The end of the Cold War, 1975-1991 (exams to Nov 2026) MCQs are there?
37, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 4 topics: Détente and the outbreak of the Second Cold War, Problems facing the USSR, The impact of Reagan and Gorbachev, The collapse of the Soviet system, 1989-1991. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.
Is the A Level History chapter 8 test free?
Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.
How is the chapter test marked?
The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.
