Question 1
Answer: E
B, C and D are too simplistic. Simple balancing between A and E of which E is simply more pertinent to the text. We think that you should try and come up with the answer to a question like this before reading the options, then use your own answer and ‘match it’ to the most similar option.
Question 2
Answer: C
E was also quite convincing and the only difference was with the main argument proposed for the third paragraph. Both were, incidentally, arguments made by the author but the question explicitly asks for the main argument which fits option C marginally better as the text focused on the violence Nicholas responded with without sufficient attempts to deescalate first.
Question 3
Answer: B
D is not completely wrong, though B is of course the correct answer. The author is quite clear that the Tsar was a failure but he was not 'always' influenced and certainly not tyrannical; the author described him as "pious and gentle" which is a strong indication that the author thinks Nicholas (the man) was potentially quite nice, but Tsar Nicholas (the despot) was less incompetent.