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.
鈥楬ow successful鈥 means there is an argument to be made, so you need to give reasons why the Soviet Union was or was not successful.
鈥楽preading communism in Europe鈥 is telling you to focus only on this area of Soviet policy, so other events are not relevant, eg the atom bomb test wouldn鈥檛 really suit this answer, even though it is within the stated time period.
鈥1945-1949鈥 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 鈥榟ow far鈥 question requires you to reach a conclusion. It is important that you argue your point of view and provide evidence to support it.