What this lesson teaches
I can explain how competition for resources such as jobs and housing can cause tension in a diverse society.
Syllabus K230, Issue 2, Guiding Question 2, Experiences and effects of living in a diverse society. Competition for resources
Make a guess
A student answers: 'I am surprised by Source F because I did not expect it.' How well do you think this scores?
- Low, because it gives no reason or evidence for the surprise.
- High, because it answers the question directly.
- Fairly well, if the student states it clearly and with confidence.
Show the answer
Low, because it gives no reason or evidence for the surprise.
Surprise is judged against other sources and the author's situation. Explain what you expected and why.
Answer both sides: what is surprising and what is not, judged against other sources and the author's purpose.
Surprise questions ask "Are you surprised by Source F?" or "After reading Source E, is Source F expected?" They appeared in five of six recent G3 prelims, so practise them.
A surprise answer is a kind of cross-reference. You are surprised when a source says something that other sources, or the author's situation, would not lead you to expect. You are not surprised when it fits.
The ladder: content of one source, then both sides (surprised and not surprised), then cross-reference with other sources, then CAP: explaining why the author would or would not be expected to say this, given who they are and why they wrote.
- Surprise ladder
- Content, both sides, cross-reference, then CAP.
Worked example: The surprise ladder
Source F, a business federation's statement, supports a new rule that firms must consider local job applicants fairly. Source E says many firms complained that hiring rules add costs.
- Level 1, content only: "F supports the rule."
- Level 2, one side with cross-reference: "I am surprised, because E shows many firms complained about hiring rules, yet F supports one."
- Level 3, both sides: add "But I am not surprised that F also asks for time to adjust, which matches the firms' worries in E."
- Top level, CAP: add "A federation that represents firms wants good relations with the government and the public, so supporting fair hiring protects its members' reputation. Its support is therefore not so surprising."
Watch out for this
I am surprised because I did not expect it.
Your feeling is not evidence. Explain the surprise against other sources or the author's situation.
Check your understanding
What makes a surprise answer reach the top level?
- Quoting as many lines from the source as you can fit into the answer.
- Explaining it using the author's context, audience and aim.
- Saying clearly how surprised you were by the source.
Show the answer
Explaining it using the author's context, audience and aim.
Right. CAP explains why the author would or would not say this.