HWA CHONG INSTITUTION (High School Section)

INTEGRATED HUMANITIES CORE

SECONDARY THREE
TOPIC : ANSWERING SBQ
NOTES

Name : ___________________ ( )/3__ Date : ________

Answering the inference question
(1) Inference cannot be lifted, paraphrased or quoted. It is the underlying idea
in the extract.
How to structure the first sentence?
Depending on the question for example, Why was this poster designed?
It was designed to ______________.
2 Structure of writing out the whole inference answer
(1) INFERENCE
(2) SUPPORT
(3) EXPLANATION (SHORT ONE)
(4) SENTENCE TO LINK TO (1)

Although it is difficult to get the message behind a graphic illustration, it is
easier to write it out once you have understood it.

It is more difficult to write out the inference for a text source because you may
lift the words from the text. When you do this, you will be marked as Level 1.
(3) Writing the purpose
(1) Verb to indicate the purpose
(2) Target Audience
(3) Purpose
(4) Eventual outcome
Example : The purpose is to persuade Singaporeans to so that ..

Example : This is from the recent exercise we completed on globalisation)
The cartoons purpose is to expose to the public the exploitation of the world by the
TNCs that they are more concerned with making profits than being concerned with
the world. This is indicated by the bidding whereby, even at one trillion there are
takers. The intention is to highlight the disadvantages of globalisation and oppose
the spread of American-based TNCs.

4. Simple way to structuring the inference answer.
The message behind the text / poster / cartoon is _________________ . This is
implied by ________________. This means that _______________ The other
message behind the text is ________________ . This is implied by
_______________. This means that ______________
The cartoon/ text / posters purpose is to _______________

5. Marking Scheme
L3 Inference
L4 Purpose / Intention
Answering the comparison question
1 Structure

Must state whats the difference, that is, content / tone / purpose in the first
sentence.

Second sentence, infer the similarity or tone. Again you cannot lift /
paraphrase / or quote.

3
rd
Sentence, quote / paraphrase / lift.

Short explanation if it is necessary.

Follow the steps for the other source.



Example
(This is from the previous exercise we completed.)
The sources are different in their content. In source B, it paints a glowing picture of
globalisation while in Source D, it states that globalisation has a downside to it.
(Take note : answer has avoided the use of words from the extract like
benefits, negative etc.)

2. Simple way of writing out the answer
The sources differ in their __________. In source __, it ______________ while in
source ________, it states ____________. It is implied such in Source B when it
claims _______________. This means ______________ . In Source D, it is implied
by ___________ . This means ______________.

3. Marking Scheme

L3 Similarity / Difference (Content)
L4 Similarity / Difference (Content / Tone)
L5 Similarity / Difference (Tone / Purpose)

Answering the usefulness question
1. Structure
State the aspect the source is useful. Usually, this is related to the question.
Again the usefulness needs to be inferred. But unlike the inference question,
this can be a word or short phrase.
Quote / Lift / Paraphrase the evidence
State the not useful aspect. State the inference, then give evidence. But this
must be taken from another source. Then use contextual knowledge.
Evaluate on reliability based on provenance. Check against tone, audience,
purpose and intention.
The above step + evaluating against cross reference to another source and
contextual knowledge.
If the source is not reliable, it has some usefulness. State in which aspect it is
useful.
2. Simple way of writing out the answer
L4 - This source is useful in ___________________ . This is implied by ______.
This means ____________.
However, this source is limited in its usefulness because it does tell
______________. This may be inferred from source __ which states / claims
___________. This means __________. And from what I have learnt ____________
This means ________________

L5 - This source is useful to ____________ because it is reliable. From source __ ,
this can be verified because the source states that ________ which means that
_________. Also from what I have learnt, this can be verified. That is
____________. Thus this source is useful.
What if the source is not reliable?
L5 This source is limited in its usefulness in telling us about __________because
it is not reliable. Judging from the provenance, it is clear it is _____________ It is
also contradicted by Source __ which tells us that _____________. This means that
_________. Also from what I have learnt, this can be verified. That is,
_____________ Thus the source is limited in its usefulness.
L6 However, though it is limited in its usefulness, it is useful to show another
aspect, that is, it shows ________________.

Answering the Reliability question
1. Structure

State the reliability with regard to the question.
Verify with another source or contextual knowledge (usually, another source would
help).
State the unreliable part. Refer to another source and contextual knowledge.
Evaluate the reliability using provenance, cross-reference to sources and contextual
knowledge.

2. Simple way of writing out the answer

L4 This sources suggests that _______________. The source states / claims that
___________. This implies that _______________ . This may be verified by Source
___ which states that _____________. This implies that ______________ . Also
from what I have learnt, it is true that __________________
However this source is not reliable since Source __ suggests that ____________.
This is implied by ___________________. This means _______________. Also
from what I have learnt, it is true that ______________
L5 This source is unreliable based on its provenance, __________________.
L6 - This can be verified by Source ______ which contradicts it as it states that
___________. This means _______________. This can be verified by what I have
learnt too. ___________. Thus this source is limited in its reliability.