These questions practise the four lessons in foreign relations. Write each answer first, then open the explanation.
Part A: Factors and organisations
1. State one security or political factor behind the founding of ASEAN in 1967. 1
Answer
The ASEAN Declaration aimed to promote regional peace and stability. A full answer names the factor and adds the reason.
2. Explain one economic or social reason for joining ASEAN.
Answer
The ASEAN Declaration aimed to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development, so membership offered a way to pursue growth together with neighbours. The reason is shared development, and the evidence is the declaration’s stated aim.
3. State the difference between a global and a regional organisation.
Answer
A global organisation, such as the United Nations, has members from around the world, while a regional organisation, such as ASEAN, has members from one region. The contrast is the reach of membership.
4. What role did the United Nations membership play for the new country?
Answer
It gave the country recognition as a sovereign state and a place to speak on world issues. Malaya joined on 17 September 1957 2, about two weeks after independence on 31 August 1957 6, which shows the timing was close.
Part B: Comparing and dating
5. Write one sentence comparing the number of parties in bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Answer
“Bilateral cooperation involves two countries, whereas multilateral cooperation involves three or more.” The word “whereas” puts both sides in one sentence.
6. The 1962 Water Agreement between Malaysia and Singapore entitles Singapore to draw 250 million gallons of raw water per day from the Johor River, until 2061, as the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs states 4. Give one reason a country might prefer a bilateral agreement like this.
Answer
It can settle a specific issue between two countries, because only two sides need to agree. A second reason is that the terms, such as the quantity of water and the end date, can be tailored to the two parties.
7. Match the year to the event: 1957, 1963, 1967. Events: founding of ASEAN, formation of Malaysia, independence of Malaya.
Answer
1957: independence of Malaya (31 August) 6. 1963: formation of Malaysia (16 September) 3. 1967: founding of ASEAN (8 August) 1. Check the years against your textbook and tie each to a reason, such as recognition, a new federation and regional cooperation.
8. In four sentences, explain why Malaysia took part in founding ASEAN.
Answer
A model answer has four parts: the claim (Malaysia was one of five founding members in 1967), a security reason (the aim of promoting regional peace and stability), a development reason (faster economic growth, social progress and cultural development) and a link (founding membership gave Malaysia a place in shaping the group). The marks come from linking each reason to the decision.
Extra fact: the Five Power Defence Arrangements of 1971 are consultative, not a promise of military intervention. 5
If you got these wrong
- Questions 1 and 2: revisit explaining factors influencing foreign relations.
- Questions 3 and 4: revisit identifying the roles of international organisations.
- Questions 5 and 6: revisit comparing bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
- Questions 7 and 8: revisit using historical examples with the correct dates.
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