Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies

2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

SUGGESTED MARKING GUIDE

Section A: Source-Based Case Study (35 marks)

1 (a) Study Source A. Does the cartoonist support Brexit? Explain your answer. [5]

Leve Description
Marks
l
Writes about issue without inference/ Stand
No stand = 0m
1 1
e.g. The cartoonist does not support Brexit.

Inference, without addressing question focus/ weak inference

2 e.g. I can infer from Source A that Brexit situation confuses the 2
European Union (EU).

Inference
Inference without support = 3m
Inference with support = 4m

I can infer from Source A that the Brexit situation is out of the
European Union (EU)’s control/ EU is unable to anticipate the
changes Brexit brings as the situation is running out of hand. (I)
From Source A, I see a pianist representing the EU, trying to play
a musical piece “Brexit,” but his fingers are detached from his
hands and playing their own tune as the pianist look confused.
3 This shows me that the EU is unable to control/ anticipate what 3–4
happens as Brexit unravels. (S)

OR

I can infer from Source A that the Brexit is not widely accepted as
the EU will have to change their plans to accommodate Brexit.
From Source A, I can see a pianist representing the EU, looking
confused as his fingers dance on the piano keys on their own, and
the word “improvisation”.

4 Stand + Purpose 5

e.g. The cartoonist does not support Brexit.

The purpose of Source A is to convince (P) the Europeans (A) that

the EU is unable to anticipate the effects of Brexit as the situation
is running out of hand (I) so that Europeans can pressurise the UK
citizens to vote Remain during the referendum. (S) From Source A,
I see a pianist representing the EU, trying to play a musical piece
“Brexit,” but his fingers are detached from his hands and playing
their own tune as the pianist look confused. This shows me that
the EU is unable to control/ anticipate what happens as Brexit
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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

unravels.
1 (b) Study Source B. Why do you think this blogpost was published at this time?
Explain your answer. [6]

Leve Description
Marks
l
Describes the source or repeats information from the source
1 1
Answers based on context – what was happening at that time

2 e.g. this was published in response to the upcoming referendum 2

that was to be conducted on 23 June 2016.

Inferences
4m for 1 inference
5m for 2 inferences

e.g. I can infer from Source B that Brexit is not widely accepted it
will cause British Universities to lose their world class reputation.
From Source B, “As a consequence, British universities would slide
down in the global university rankings.”
3 3–4
AND

e.g. I can infer from Source B that Brexit is not widely accepted as
it will hamper/ discourage global scientific advancement. From
Source B, “Research shows that visa restrictions between
countries make it more difficult for researchers of different
nationalities to work together.”

Purpose, with consideration of wider context

5m for purpose without wider context
6m for purpose with wider context

e.g. The purpose of Source B is to convince (P) the British (A) that
Brexit is not widely accepted as it will cause British Universities to
lose their world class reputation, (I) so that the British would vote
to remain in the EU during the June 2016 referendum. (R) From
4 Source B, “As a consequence, British universities would slide 5–6
down in the global university rankings.” (S)

As the referendum was about to take place a month after this

blogpost was published, this university blogpost seeks to sway the
public opinion of the British and to expound on the possible
negative consequences that Brexit could inflict upon British
academia. As such, the blogpost presents its case to influence
people to vote Remain.

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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

1 (c) Study Sources C and D. How similar are the two sources? Explain your answer.
[7]

Leve Description
Marks
l
Similar/ different in provenance
1 1
Half-matching/ incomplete inferences
2 2
Similar/ different in content
3m for weak comparison/ lack of evidence
4m for answers supported with evidence

e.g. Both sources tell me that the British people are generally
supportive of Brexit because they view Brexit as a perceived
solution to economic and social issues. From Source C, “It is no
surprise to see that the British people have delighted in welcoming
Brexit after all the trading and immigrant troubles plaguing Britain.”
From Source D, “Indeed, a quick poll has shown that the British
people are leaning towards voting Leave, so as to do away with all
the unhappiness they have endured with relaxed border control
thus far.”

OR
3 3–4
e.g. Both sources are different telling me about the consequences
of Brexit. (CR)

I can infer from Source C that Brexit will bring about positive
consequences as it will allow Britain to grow from strength to
strength. From Source C, “In short, Britain will remain a key player
on the world stage. Britain will in fact be all the more powerful.”

I can infer from Source D that Brexit will bring about negative
consequences as it would make British goods less competitive/
affect trade negatively in the global market. From Source D,
“Exporters would face some additional costs, such as complying
with the European Union’s rules of origin, if they were outside the
single market.“

Similar AND different in content, supported

4 5
5 L4 + Difference in Tone and/ or Purpose 6–7
6m for L4 + tone/ purpose
7m for L4 + tone and purpose

Cap at L5/5 if only tone/ purpose level is achieved.

Cap at L5/6 if both tone and purpose levels are achieved.

e.g. Both sources are different in purpose.

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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

The purpose of Source C is to convince (P) the British (A) that

Brexit will bring about positive consequences as it will allow Britain
to grow from strength to strength, (I) so that the British will give
their government support in realising Brexit. (R) From Source C,
“In short, Britain will remain a key player on the world stage. Britain
will in fact be all the more powerful.” (S)

However, the purpose of Source D is to convince (P) the British (A)

that Brexit will bring about negative consequences as it would
make British goods less competitive/ affect trade negatively in the
global market (S), so that the British would vote for Remain. (R)
From Source D, “Exporters would face some additional costs, such
as complying with the European Union’s rules of origin, if they
were outside the single market.“ (S)

AND

e.g. Both sources are different in tone.

Source C is biased towards Brexit. (T) Source C elaborates only

on the positive impacts of Brexit, such as how it would free Britain
to make its own economic policies. (E) From Source C, “Britain will
finally be able to control its borders again. It will no longer have to
listen to meddlesome EU judges, nor will it need to obey the
tsunami of instructions and restrictions from Brussels.”

However, Source D is objective about Brexit. (T) Source D

expounds on both the positive and negative consequences of
Brexit. While Brexit may give Britain greater autonomy in the
drawing-up of policies, Source D also expounds on how Brexit may
negatively affect Britain’s economy as British goods may be less
competitive ater Brexit. From Source D, “However, we would
probably see a period of weak foreign direct investment inflows as
the United Kingdom’s new relationship is renegotiated with the
EU.”

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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

1 (d) Study Source E. Can you trust this source? Explain your answer. [7]

Leve Description
Marks
l
Writes about issue without inference
No stand = 0m
1 1
e.g. I cannot trust this source.

Identifies what is/ is not surprising, but no explanation of why

Weak inferences
2 2
e.g. I can infer that Brexit brings about positive impacts.

Trust/ cannot trust, explained through valid inference

3m for valid inference with invalid evidence
4m for valid inference, supported

e.g. I can infer from Source E that Brexit is widely accepted as it

3 3–4
will encourage economic growth in Britain. From Source E, “Set
free from the shackles of EU control, we will be a great, global
trading nation once again bringing new jobs and new opportunities
for ordinary working families here at home.”

Trust / cannot trust, explained through cross reference

Only cross references to background information are accepted.

Answers that “can trust” will be capped at this level.

e.g. I can trust as it is supported by the background information. I

4 can infer from the background information that Brexit is widely 5
accepted as it will give Britain greater autonomy to craft their own
policies. From the background information, “Some argue that
Brexit could be beneficial to the UK as it allows for better control of
borders so that UK trade could be better positioned to suit national
agendas.”

5 L4 + purpose AND/ OR provenance 6–7

6m for answers with purpose or provenance.
7m for answers with purpose and provenance.

Cap at L5/5 for answers with purpose or provenance without L4.

Cap at L5/6 for answer with purpose and provenance without L4.

e.g. The purpose of this source is to convince (P) the British

citizens (A) that Brexit is widely accepted as it will encourage
economic growth in Britain (I), so that the British citizens will
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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

support the British government in the realising of Brexit. (R) From

Source E, “Set free from the shackles of EU control, we will be a
great, global trading nation once again bringing new jobs and new
opportunities for ordinary working families here at home.” (S)

AND

e.g. I cannot trust this source. I would expect the Prime Minister to
defend and praise her own policies and directives. Indeed, she
claims that Brexit is a sound policy as it would encourage
economic growth. Since she has an agenda to garner more
support from the British public in order for smooth realisation of the
policy under her charge, this source is biased, unreliable and
therefore I cannot trust it.

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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

1 (e) “Brexit brings about positive impacts.” Using sources in this case study, explain
how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

Leve Description
Marks
l
Writes about statement, no valid source use/ identification of
sources
L1/1 = accurate identification of sources from one side.
L2/2 = accurate identification of sources from both sides.

Note that Source D can be either agree OR disagree. Candidate

1 that uses Source D once on each side can be awarded twice. 1 -2

Note that Source F is a trap, it does not speak of impacts.

Students who use Source F should not be awarded.

e.g. Sources C, D and E agree but Sources A, B (and D) do not.

Yes OR No, supported by valid source use

3m for 1 SIEL of the same side
2 4m for 2 SIEL of the same side 3–5
5m for 3 SIEL of the same side

4 Yes AND No, supported by valid source use 6 – 10

6m for 1:1
7 – 8m for 2:1
8 – 9m 2:2
9 – 10m for 2:3 OR 3:2
Award the higher mark for answers with greater detail.

Agree

e.g. Source C agrees. (S) I can infer from Source C that Brexit
brings about positive impacts as it will allow Britain to grow from
strength to strength. (I) From Source C, “In short, Britain will
remain a key player on the world stage. Britain will in fact be all
the more powerful.” (E) Since Brexit would allow Britain to grow
from strength to strength, it would encourage Britain to re-
establish its global standing and allow it to have greater influence
in the world, hence Brexit brings about positive impacts for Britain.
(L)

e.g. Source D agrees. (S) I can infer from Source D that Brexit
brings about positive impacts as it would allow Britain greater
flexibility to pursue its own national agenda. (I) From Source D,
“Brexit would give Britain a crucial opportunity by allowing it to
manage its own trade deals with non-European Union countries.”
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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

(E) Since Brexit would allow Britain greater flexibility, this would
allow Britain to focus on areas they themselves deem to be
important instead of being restricted by EU policies, hence Brexit
brings about positive impacts for Britain. (L)

e.g. Source E agrees. (S) e.g. I can infer from Source E that Brexit
brings about positive impacts as it will encourage economic
growth in Britain. (I) From Source E, “Set free from the shackles of
EU control, we will be a great, global trading nation once again
bringing new jobs and new opportunities for ordinary working
families here at home.” (E) Since Brexit encourages economic
growth in Britain, the British citizens would be more satisfied as
standard of living increases. As such, Brexit brings about positive
impacts for Britain. (L)

Disagree

e.g. Source A disagrees. (S) I can infer from Source A that Brexit
brings about negative impacts as the Brexit situation is out of the
European Union (EU)’s control/ EU is unable to anticipate the
changes Brexit brings as the situation is running out of hand. (I)
From Source A, I see a pianist representing the EU, trying to play
a musical piece “Brexit,” but his fingers are detached from his
hands and playing their own tune as the pianist look confused.
This shows me that the EU is unable to control/ anticipate what
happens as Brexit unravels. (E) Therefore, should the Brexit
situation run out of control, states will begin to lose confidence in
the EU as a regional organisation and it would become more
difficult for the EU to implement their policies, hence it brings
about negative impacts for the EU. (L)

e.g. Source B disagrees. (S) I can infer from Source B that Brexit
is not widely accepted it will cause British Universities to lose their
world class reputation. (I) From Source B, “Research shows that
visa restrictions between countries reduce scientific collaboration
of researchers in those countries, this could harm the global
standing of British-based researchers and British universities.” (E)
Therefore, if British universities were to lose their world class
reputation, this would put a dent in British global economic and
social standing. As such, Brexit does not bring about positive
impacts. (L)

e.g. Source D disagrees. (S) I can infer from Source D that Brexit
brings about negative impacts as it would make British goods less
competitive in the global market. From Source D, “Exporters
would face some additional costs, such as complying with the
European Union’s rules of origin, if they were outside the single
market.“ (E) Since British goods may become less competitive in
the global market, this would mean that British economy may
deteriorate, resulting in a decrease in standard of living for British
citizens in general. As such, Brexit does not bring about positive
impacts. (L)
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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

Section B: Structured Response Question (15m)

2. Living in a diverse society

(a) Extract 1 shows the promotion poster of a local production about the
importance of dialects in Singapore.

In your opinion, why is the speaking of dialects dying out? Explain your
answer using two reasons. [7]

Leve Descriptor Marks

l

L1 Describes the topic i.e. dialects 1

e.g. Dialects such as Hokkien and Teochew is dying out in Singapore.

L2 Identifies reasons 2-4

2m = identify one reason
3m = identify two reasons OR describes one reason
4m = describes two reasons

L3 L2 + explain reason 5-7

5 – 6m = explains one reason
6 – 7m – explains two reasons

Award the higher mark for answers with greater detail

Possible answers

 Bilingual policy in Singapore

 Speak Mandarin campaign
 Any plausible and sensible reasons are accepted

e.g. One reason for the dying out of dialect speaking is due to the
“Speak Good English” campaign launched by the government in year
2000. (F) Many of the younger generation grew up not speaking their
own dialects, but mostly speaking only English and their Mother
Tongue in schools. This is especially so due to the widespread amount
of support the government has for speaking good English. (E) For
example, school curriculum in general government schools in
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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

Singapore is conducted mostly in English, with Mother Tongue as the

only exception. Radios and local television are also only permitted to
speak in either English or Mother Tongue. (E) Therefore, as the “Speak
Good English” movement took form, it encouraged Singaporeans, to
be more adept at speaking English and Mother Tongue. Students
therefore grow up only being proficient at these two languages only, as
such, dialect is dying out in Singapore.

AND

e.g. Another reason for the dying out of dialect speaking is due to its
impracticality in Singapore. (F) The lingua franca of Singapore is
English, and this language is commonly used across various activities.
The government has made English the “working” language, and most,
if not all, jobs in Singapore require English. (E) For example, the
language that most public announcements are made in in Singapore is
English, and most jobs from cashiers to teachers require job speakers
to be able to communicate in English minimally. (E) Therefore, since it
is more beneficial for Singaporeans to be able to communicate well in
English than in their dialects, this makes dialects more impractical in
pragmatic Singapore. The impracticality of dialects mean that the
knowledge of dialects is less likely to be of monetary gain (as
compared to other languages like English) for Singaporeans when they
begin to work locally. As such, dialects are dying out in Singapore.

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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

(b) Extract 2 and Extract 3 reflect on how there can be exchange and
appreciation in a diverse society through the exchange and appreciation of
culture and the exchange of skills and knowledge.

Explain how the exchange and appreciation of culture and the exchange of
skills and knowledge impacts a diverse society. [8]

Level Descriptor Marks

L1 Writes about issue without addressing the question 1-2

e.g. It is important for citizens to exchange and appreciate each other

so that it is a harmonious society.

L2 Describes factor(s) 3-4

3m = describe one factor
4m – describe two factors

L3 Explains factor(s) 5-8

5 – 6m = explain one factor
7 – 8m = explain two factors

F The exchange and appreciation of culture contributes to the

good of society.

E A diverse society provides people with many opportunities to

interact and learn from those who come from different countries
and cultures. This may result in fusion between local cultures
and foreign ideas, giving rise to interesting outcomes.

E For example, a product of cultural fusion is in the area of food.

One such chef who specialises in fusion food is Chef Willin
Low. He has created fusion between Singaporean and modern
European dining; examples of dishes include soft shell chilli
crab with squid ink mantou.

L Therefore, the exchange and appreciation of culture allows the

society to flourish and grow. It encourages creativity and
promotes positive interaction among different communities.
Hence, the exchange and appreciation of culture impacts a
diverse society by encouraging bonding and understanding
within a diverse society, thereby stabilising it.

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Kranji Secondary School | Sec 3 EXP Social Studies
2017 EOY Suggested Marking Guide

AND

F The exchange of skills and knowledge contributes to the good

of society.

E Exchanges in knowledge and skills in the areas of research and

development with overseas experts is important. Foreign
scientists can share their knowledge and expertise to help
strengthen research competencies and collaborations with
Singaporeans.

E For example, the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) of the

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) funds
and supports public research initiatives in Singapore. Under the
BMRC, internationally renowned scientists with the expertise
and knowledge to jump-start Singapore’s biomedical sciences
moved to Singapore. One such example is Dr. Sydney Brenner
– a distinguished 2002 Nobel prize winner who helped to start
the Molecular Engineering Lab in Singapore in 2009.

L Therefore, the exchange of skills and knowledge encourages

Singaporeans to learn and collaborate with overseas scientists.
This gives rise to more robust research which may lead to
significant health and medical discoveries. This impacts a
diverse society as it will help improve general health standards
and quality of life, raising the general standard of living.

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