The following is a SPECIMEN EXAM PAPER for candidates taking the examination from 2002 onwards; it represents the strictly political format of the revised module.

Candidates have two hours in which to attempt TWO questions.

1. What was "Victorian" about Victorian Britain?

2. To what extent is the politics of the period 1837 to 1846 characterised by the unity of the front benches against the "extremes" of "left" and "right" ?

3. Why was there so much popular discontent throughout the British Isles between 1839 and 1848?

4. Why was the average life-expectancy of Governments between 1846 and 1868 merely two and a half years?

5. 'Though they lacked the parliamentary vote, women in fact played a crucial role in Victorian politics.' Discuss.

6. Was Parliamentary Reform in 1866-7 and 1884-5 ever any more than an attempt by the governing party to secure electoral advantage?

7. 'Gladstone claimed to be Peel's disciple; but Disraelian pragmatism suggested that he was, in fact, the true disciple.' Discuss.

8. 'Conservative domination of the last years of Victoria's reign owed more to Liberal weakness than to their own strength.' Discuss.

9. Why did the Trade Unions turn to direct political action?

10. What factors united, and what divided, the United Kingdom, in Victoria's reign?

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