source based questions are cool right well they are

sec 3 topic chapter a57

1. Source-Based
Questions
(Carbon Tax paper: Q1-3)

2. How to do well in Source-based questions?
SOURCE
INTERPRETATION
QUESTION
ANALYSIS
CONSTRUCTION
OF ANSWER

3. Direct InferenceInference about
author’s
attitude/stand
Inference about
purpose (Why)
Inference as a
building block for
reliability/ utility
What is the
message?
What can you infer?
What is the author’s
attitude towards…?
Do you think the
author support …?
Why did the
cartoonist draw
this…?
What is the motive/
purpose…?
How reliable is
source D in telling me
that Singaporeans
support GST hike?
PEE Stand +
PEE
Msg [PEE] +
Impact/Outcome +
Context
Stand + PEE + ….
Types of Inference Work

4. SBQ Skill Low (LL) Medium (ML) High (HL)
Inference
Different ways of
interpretation as long as
evidence supports
Describe (no inference)Valid inference, not
supported
Valid inference, supported
Message
Complete (total/holistic)
vs incomplete (partial)
Critical reading (deep
reading/ interpretation)
vs Literal interpretation
(obvious/ superficial)
Describe (no msg)Incomplete/ literal
interpretation
Complete/ critical
interpretation
4

5. ●What is the main focus of the source?
Hint: Look at Background Info/ SBCS Issue
●Who are the key subjects and what is their
relationship with each other/ with the issue
at hand?
5
Finding the message of a source

6. Inferring from a Pictorial Source
How do you infer the message?
READ: What is the SBQ question?
LOOK: Event, People, items, Captions (EPIC)
THINK: Subject/s, Author’s toolbox

7. What do you need to do?
Identify the main subject(s)
as shown in the source
Explain in context (EPIC)
●Event
●People
●Item
●Caption
How does the author present
his PoV in his message?
Author’s tool box
(i.e. ‘cartooning techniques’):
(-)
Sarcasm
Irony
Mockery
Exaggeration
(+)
Praises
Glorification

8. 8
What is the message of this source?

9. Analysing picture sourcesEvent (context) → refer to Background Info!
●Government’s actions in tackling climate
change

10. 10
c

11. People
●Sleeping person
What does
sleeping signify?

12. 12

13. The message is that the government is taking a
nonchalant/ lacklustre approach towards tackling the
problem of climate change which is affecting the
well-being of human race.
[+ Evidence + Explanation]
What is the message of this source?

14. The right inference could be
something that’s not obvious
from the source
→ don’t interpret the source
literally without considering the
larger context
What is the message of this source?

15. The message of the source is that the migrant workers
were exploited and taken advantage of by the
recruitment agents and employers when they came to
Singapore for work.
[+ Evidence + Explanation]
What is the message of this source?

16. Take note of the key words/
captions.
What is the message of this source?

17. The message is that Singaporeans are against the
presence of foreigners in Singapore.
The message is that Singaporeans are unhappy with
the immigration policy of the government which is
reflected in their negative sentiments against the
presence of foreigners in Singapore.
[+ Evidence + Explanation]
What is the message of this source?

18. How to answer “Purpose” question
18

19. 19
SBQ Skill Low (LL) Medium (ML) High (HL)
‘Why’ (Purpose) Qn
1)Must be presented as a
reason
2)Message, outcome, context
3)Context can be general or
specific depending on the
SBCs issue (Realistic/ evident
from case study)
4)Audience can be specific or
general depending on the case
study - to choose direct
audience first
5)Outcome must be aligned to
the message
Message (inferred)Message (inferred)
+ Outcome
Context +
Message +
Impact/Outcome
Message →
Impact/Outcome →
Context

20. MESSAGE
OUTCOME
CONTEXT
IN A PURPOSE ANSWER
20

21. WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S PURPOSE
Purpose
●Direct impact on
the audience
(Mindset + action)
●So that the
situation can
chane
*Societal/national
To address the
context
●The event that
happened (reaction/
responses) in
Backround
in?ormation that
caused the author to
have the purpose
●Main in?erence
(Point)
●Evidence
(Quotation)
●Explanation o?
the in?erence
21
To convey a
message
To achieve an
outcome

22. Answering ‘Why’ Qns
What is the change he hopes to see in his
audience and also the change at a national/
societal level
OUTCOME
What is the issue he wants to tackle
in the background?
CONTEXT
What is the key idea the author wants to
convey
MESSAGE
Clues for the author’s intentBACKGROUND
22

23. Context
23

24. Source EAn open letter published in the Straits Times Forum on 28 April 2018.
I am disappointed with the selection of the incoming chief executive of SMRT. With due
respect, how did the decision-makers end up appointing another SMRT chief with zero
experience in the transport industry, zero experience working in the private sector and zero
experience at the board level of any company, let alone a $1 billion company?
When I visited Russia a year ago, I was impressed by its metro. Trains run more speedily than
those we have here. The former head of the Moscow Metro, Mr Dmitry Pegov, graduated as an
electrical engineer. He started his career as an assistant engineer in a locomotive depot, and
was eventually promoted to several other senior positions before being appointed as head of
the metro in 2014.
Why did the author publish this open letter? Explain your answer.
Displeasure: questioning about the
competence / selection process
24

25. Valid Message
●SMRT leaders are to be blamed for SMRT’s poor
leadership/ incompetent leaders.
●The SMRT leadership selection process is flawed
25

26. Anticipated impact→ outcome
●To pressurise SMRT to review
its existing selection process
○and to select the most
competent leader with
relevant experience in the
future
●To review its hiring process
○and to re-evaluate its newly
appointed leader
[Context/
problem]
So that the train
system will be
reliable/ regain its
credibility as an
effective train
system
26

27. Message
(Support)
The author wrote this letter as he wanted to convince
____Singaporeans_________ that
SMRT leadership selection process is flawed
______________________________________________________________
This is evident from the source “I am disappointed with the selection of the incoming chief
executive of SMRT. With due respect, how did the decision-makers end up appointing
another SMRT chief with zero experience in the transport industry” This signifies his
frustration with the candidature choice.
Outcome By writing this letter, he will hope that Singaporeans will pressure the government
to review the selection process and select the best leaders (Impact)
And the (Outcome) that Singapore will have a reliable transport system.
Context He did so as there were many cases of SMRT trains breakdowns affecting the
commuters, and so by addressing the poor leadership structure, he hopes that
the problematic issues will be solved by a capable management team.
27

28. Q1 - 3

29. SKILL: MAKING INFERENCE
QUESTION 1

30. Target Skill Inferring purpose
Qn Focus
Why did the author publish
Instructional Word
Why
Base Source
Source A
1) INFERENCE (STAND)
Study Source A.
Why did the author publish this cartoon? Explain using the details of the cartoon.

31. People:
Actions/ body
language/ emotions/
associated identities
must be explained
The Quebec governor
with frightened
expression when
facing a meek looking
mouse labelled
“Carbon tax”
Unbeknownst to him,
there is an evil
looking mouse
labelled “climate
change” behind him.
Symbolises the
inept,
incapability and
not having the
foresight to look
at the bigger
scale of the
challenge.
Items:
The choice items
used in the cartoon
and what they
represent
The broom he is
equipped with
symbolises the
futility of his
efforts to get rid
of carbon tax

32. 1) INFERENCE (STAND)
Study Source A.
Why did the author publish this cartoon? Explain using the details of the cartoon.
Markers’ Comments
●Students need to be aware the audience of the source:
residents of Quebec
●So that the audience understands:
i) The author’s message
ii) The impact of message on audience and the anticipated
outcome
iii) The context

33. 1) INFERENCE (STAND)
Study Source A.
Why did the author publish this cartoon? Explain using the details of the cartoon.
Strengths Weaknesses
Most students framed the answers as a
REASON.
Some students misinterpreted the source
and deemed the outcome is for the citizens to
be supportive of the tax and not for the
Quebec government to be supportive of the
tax
Some students misinterpreted the source
and inferred that author was critical of carbon
tax/ did not support carbon tax

34. Markers’ Comments on PURPOSE
Message
Impact on
Audience
Mindset/
Reaction
Action/
response
Reason
Context

35. Audience Message Impact +Outcome
Canadians
Quebec Citizens
Quebec State
Government
Poor leadership of the
Quebec government in not
recognizing the imminent
impact of climate change
over the insignificant
impact of carbon tax
The urgency for the
Quebec State government
to re-evaluate its stance
on carbon tax and to
tackle the more immediate
problem of climate change
(IMPACT)
Pressure the Quebec State
government to prioritize combating
the harmful effects of climate change
over the negligible negative effects of
carbon tax/ stop its criticism of carbon
tax
(OUTCOME with CONTEXT)
So that the effects of climate change
can be reduced, helping to promote
the use of renewable energy and
electric vehicles, benefitting public
health

36. SKILL: COMPARISON
QUESTION 2

37. Target Skill Comparison
Qn Focus
Agreement
Instructional Word
Do you think authors would agree…
Base Source
Sources B and C
1(b) COMPARISON
Study Sources B and C.
Do you think authors would agree on carbon tax? Explain your answer.

39. What is the main message
of the source?

40. 2) COMPARISON
Study Sources B and C.
Do you think authors would agree on carbon tax?
In what ways are the sources similar? Explain your answer.
Markers’ Comments
●Students need to be aware of the type of question:
Whether authors agree or disagree with each other in
terms of their POV/ opinion/ beliefs
●The stance of the authors need to be clearly presented:
support/ against the carbon tax

41. 2) COMPARISON
Study Sources B and C.
Do you think authors would agree on carbon tax? Explain your answer.
Strengths Weaknesses
Agree Similar
●They agree that the carbon tax is unfair/
unjust in principle.
●They agree on the limitation of a carbon
tax in reducing carbon emission/ carbon
footprints
Disagree Different
●They disagree on the effectiveness of
the carbon tax in reducing carbon
footprints.
●They disagree with how the carbon tax
would burden society indiscriminately
●Students need to phrase it based on the author’s
perspectives and stance
Invalid comparisons
●They agree that the rich are the ones responsible for carbon
emission (Inference should be on carbon tax)
●They agree that the poor are not responsible for carbon
emission (Inference should be on carbon tax)
●They agree that the carbon tax is unfair to the poor
(Inference is not evident from the source)
Invalid Explanation and inference from Source C:
If students quote from Source C “I pay for my energy and if I want to
waste it, I waste it” and states that the carbon tax is unfair to the
poor. (Invalid) * Candidate needs to infer based on how the tax
impacted the rich/ higher income.
Mismatch comparison: Comparison of effectiveness with fairness

42. SKILL: EVALUATING
RELIABILITY
QUESTION 3

43. Target Skill Reliability
Qn Focus
Carbon tax would have a negative impact
Instructional Word
prove
Base Source
Source E
1) RELIABILITY
Study Source E.
Does source E prove that carbon tax would have a negative impact? Explain using the details
of the cartoon.

44. Source E tells me that the carbon tax would have a negative impact on the:

45. Source E tells me that the carbon tax would have a negative impact on the:
i) Economic growth of the country
ii) standard living of the people
iii) detrimental impact on the low SES

46. Cross-reference
[ATQ] Source E proves that carbon tax would have a negative impact because it is reliable.
[P] Source E tells me that the carbon tax would have a negative impact on the standard of
living of the people.
[E] This is evident “the higher prices it caused would diminish the purchasing power of
people’s earnings, effectively reducing their wages.”
[E]This implies that the carbon tax would cause one to earn less and they might not afford
the things that they could once afford.
[P]This point from source E is supported by Background information which tells me the
carbon tax would have a negative impact on the standard of living of the people.
[E]This is evident “opponents of carbon taxes are quick to point out that this may adversely
affect the livelihood of people.”
[E]This implies that carbon tax could cause people to earn less than before and not able to
have the purchasing power.
[L]This corroboration makes source E reliable, hence prove that carbon tax would have a
negative impact.

47. Higher Analysis
[ATQ] Source E proves that carbon tax would have a negative impact because it is
reliable.
[Provenance] Source E is from a Non-partisan: non-affiliated to any political party
and the report is to be submitted to the US congress, for them to review the
implementation of carbon tax in the USA.
[p] Source E tells me that the carbon tax would have a negative impact on the
standard of living of the people.
[E] This is evident “the higher prices it caused would diminish the purchasing power
of people’s earnings, effectively reducing their wages.”
[E]This implies that the carbon tax would cause one to earn less and they might not
afford the things that they could once afford.
[Analysis/ argument] In the report, it claimed that the carbon tax would negatively
impact the less advantaged. As the report is based on the research findings and
objective reporting, it wishes to raise the awareness of the need of the government
to take precautions to mitigate the possible impact of the carbon tax on the
lower-income, it is reliable.

48. Review of
SBQ Practice
Assertion Qn (Q5)
SBCS on Carbon Tax (SST Prelim 2021)

49. Qn Analysis
My task:
Statement
Question
“Carbon tax generates a positive impact
for the next generation”
Using sources in this case study, how far would YOU
agree with this statement?
unpack the Statement
and the Qn Focus
Focus in the
Statement
Carbon tax generates a positive impact (Agree)
vs
Carbon tax generates a negative impact (Disagree)
Focus (positive/
negative impacts) must
be inferred from source
Issue in the
Statement
impact for the next generationextended explanation
(your OWN views)
should be linked to the
Issue, and elaborated
Qn Focus… how far would YOU agree
⇒ Balanced perspectives = Agree + Disagree paras

50. Key Words on the ‘Focus in AS’
less
natural
disasters
reduce
speed of
global
warming
Positive Impacts Negative Impacts
clean and
green
environment
healthier
next
generation
vibrant
economy
better
standards
of living
?
?
?
?
?
?
does not
reduce
speed of
global
warming
more
natural
disasters
polluted
environment
ailing/
unsustainable
economy
lower
standards
of living
unhealthy
next
generation

51. BSA Method for para development
Extended Explanation to reach ‘Valid Use of Source’
level
EVIDENCE Because So As a result
WHAT SO WHAT NOW WHAT
What is the
evidence implying
in relation to the
Focus and Issue
in the Assertion
Statement?
What is the
positive or
negative impact?
(bring out the
FOCUS by inferring
from the source)
What is the greater
outcome/ deeper
implication?
(link to/ address the
ISSUE)
Which specific
piece of evidence
needs to be
surfaced in order
for you to bring
out the Focus?
STAND
(Agree/ Disagree)
reiterate STAND
(Agree/ Disagree)
Extended EXPLANATION

52. Source B to support my Agreement on the Assertion Statement
EVIDENCE Because So As a result
WHAT SO WHAT NOW WHAT
“Carbon tax…
have worked fairly
well in some
countries, such as
the UK, where
higher prices have
prompted
electricity utilities
not to use coal
since 2013.”
Because carbon
tax causes
countries to switch
to/ use
environmental
friendly energy in
order to manage
their operating
costs/ produce less
carbon emission
So the countries
will have a clean
and green
environment free
of pollution
As a result, the next
generation will get to live
healthier lives and not
susceptible to diseases
linked to polluted
environment
Thus, carbon tax
generates positive impact
on the next generation.
[Stand]
Carbon tax generates
positive impact on the
next generation.
[Stand]
Note: If there is no indication in your source para the words, ‘the next generation’,
then it is likely that you are not working on the larger outcome/deeper implication.
In other words, not addressing the ISSUE in the statement.

53. Source A to support my Disagreement on the Assertion Statement
EVIDENCE Because So As a result
WHAT SO WHAT NOW WHAT
The rat, with the label
‘climate change’
symbolises the threat
of global warming/
devastation of
climate change, and
is immensely larger
than the rat that
symbolises the
carbon tax used to
tackle it
Because of the
immense
challenges of
climate change,
this implies that the
carbon tax may be
too late/ ineffective
to stop the
destruction of the
environment
So the global
warming will
continue at a faster
rate than the efforts
to counter it and
perpetuate
problems of extreme
weather into the
future
As a result, extreme weather
effects such as flooding,
droughts, famine, etc will be
experienced by the next
generation which will negatively
impact on their economic
stability and wellbeing
Carbon tax does not
generate positive impact
on the next generation.
[Stand]
Thus, carbon tax generates negative
rather than positive impacts on the
next generation. [Stand]
Note: If there is no indication in your source para the words, ‘the next generation’,
then it is likely that you are not working on the larger outcome/deeper implication.
In other words, not addressing the ISSUE in the statement.