This section is dedicated to different social studies skills, providing structured approaches to help you analyze, interpret, and apply key concepts effectively. Whether it’s critical thinking, source evaluation, you’ll find the right format to enhance your understanding.
Cheat Sheet_G2G3S5 (1).pdfCase A: If a cross-referred source SUPPORTS the claim in the main source
Step One:
Answer: State that Source E is reliable.
Infer: Explain what Source E suggests.
Support: Provide evidence from Source E.
Explain: Elaborate on why the evidence supports the inference.
Step Two:
Cross-reference: Compare with another source (Source D).
Support: Provide evidence from Source D that aligns with Source E.
Explain: Justify why Source D’s agreement makes Source E reliable.
Concluding Statement: Reinforce that since Source D supports E, Source E is reliable.
Case B: If a cross-referred source CONTRADICTS the claim in the main source
Step One:
Answer: State that Source E is unreliable.
Infer: Explain what Source E suggests.
Support: Provide evidence from Source E.
Explain: Elaborate on why the evidence supports the inference.
Step Two:
Cross-reference: Compare with another source (Source C).
Support: Provide evidence from Source C that contradicts Source E.
Explain: Justify why Source C’s contradiction makes Source E unreliable.
Concluding Statement: Reinforce that since Source C contradicts E, Source E is unreliable.
Key Point:
The concluding statement is very important to ensure clarity and completeness in the response.
(Source E is the main source for this example.)
Case A: If a cross-referred source SUPPORTS the claim in the main source
Step One:
Answer: State that you are not surprised by Source E.
Infer: Explain what Source E suggests.
Support: Provide evidence from Source E.
Explain: Elaborate on why the evidence supports the inference.
Step Two:
Cross-reference: Compare with another source (Source D).
Support: Provide evidence from Source D that aligns with Source E.
Explain: Justify why Source D’s agreement makes Source E unsurprising.
Concluding Statement: Reinforce that since Source D supports E, Source E is not surprising.
Case B: If a cross-referred source CONTRADICTS the claim in the main source
Step One:
Answer: State that you are surprised by Source E.
Infer: Explain what Source E suggests.
Support: Provide evidence from Source E.
Explain: Elaborate on why the evidence supports the inference.
Step Two:
Cross-reference: Compare with another source (Source C).
Support: Provide evidence from Source C that contradicts Source E.
Explain: Justify why Source C’s contradiction makes Source E surprising.
Concluding Statement: Reinforce that since Source C contradicts E, Source E is surprising.
The concluding statement is very important to ensure a well-structured response.
Keywords like "expected" (not surprising) and "unexpected" (surprising) should be included in explanations when applicable.
Inference Format (A.I.S.E.)
Answer – Directly answer the question.
Example: Source A tells me that Singaporeans are harmonious and united.
Infer – Explain what can be inferred from the source.
Example: I infer that Singaporeans value social cohesion and work together as a community.
Support – Provide evidence from the source.
Example: This can be seen in Source A as it states, "Singaporeans celebrate different cultural festivals together."
Explain – Elaborate on how the evidence supports the inference.
Example: This shows that Singaporeans are harmonious because they respect and participate in each other’s traditions, fostering unity.
Study All Sources Format (A.I.S.E. for Each Source)
Answer – Address whether the sources agree or disagree with the statement.
Example: Sources C and E agree with the statement, while Sources D and B disagree.
Infer – Explain the inference for each source.
Example: Source C agrees that globalization has brought more harm than good because it highlights job losses.
Support – Provide evidence from the source.
Example: This can be seen in Source C as it states, "Many workers were retrenched due to outsourcing."
Explain – Elaborate on how the evidence supports the inference.
Example: This shows that globalization negatively impacts workers by causing unemployment.
Repeat A.I.S.E. for all relevant sources, ensuring each inference is well-supported.
Key Notes:
If needed, conclude with a balanced conclusion (e.g., "While some sources argue globalization is harmful, others show its benefits, so the overall impact is debatable.").
Ensure all sources are analyzed to avoid missing marks.
In higher-level responses, reliability and bias may also be considered.
NOTE: This is the old format booklet.