What this lesson teaches
I can explain how individuals and community groups respond to differences in race, religion and culture.
Syllabus K336, Issue 2, Guiding Question 3, Citizens and government responding to socio-cultural diversity. Responses of citizens as individuals and community groups
Make a guess
In Question 6, one student lists four ways with no detail; another explains two with named examples. Who do you think scores higher?
- Both score the same, because both answered the question.
- The one who lists four ways, because more points earn more marks.
- The one who explains two ways with named examples.
Show the answer
The one who explains two ways with named examples.
Markers reward explaining what happens because of each way, with a specific Singapore example. A list stays low.
Identify the way, give a specific Singapore example, explain the outcome step by step, and link back to the question.
Question 6 is worth 7 marks. It opens with a short extract, then asks "In your opinion, how/what/why...? Explain your answer with reference to two ways." G2 asks for one. G3 needs two explained points for full marks.
The section B questions are never on the same Issue as the case study. If the case study is on Issue 3, Questions 6 and 7 will be on Issue 1 or Issue 2. So revise all three Issues.
The ladder: Level 1 describes the topic. Level 2 identifies or describes a way. Level 3 explains it: what happens because of it, step by step, with a specific example. Name the example, such as "Racial Harmony Day in schools on 21 July". "A Korean drama" or "a person" is too vague to reach Level 3.
Many recent Question 6s ask about attitudes or actions, such as which attitudes help harmony or how to respond to insensitive remarks. Prepare two or three attitudes, such as respect, open-mindedness and empathy, each with a real example.
- Chain
- D (identify), E (specific example), O (outcomes step by step), L (link to the question).
- Section B Issue
- Never the same Issue as the case study (K230 and K336 syllabuses).
Worked example: One explained way, step by step
Question: In your opinion, what attitudes help keep harmony in Singapore's diverse society?
- Identify (D): "One attitude is open-mindedness: being willing to learn about other cultures before judging them."
- Example (E): "On Racial Harmony Day, on 21 July, students learn about one another's customs, food and games."
- Outcomes (O1, O2): "Learning why a classmate keeps a practice replaces guesses with understanding, so stereotypes lose their hold."
- Link (L): "As a result, people are less likely to take offence or make hurtful remarks, so harmony is easier to keep."
Watch out for this
Listing four ways earns more marks than explaining two.
Marks come from explanation, not number. Two fully explained ways, each with an example, beat a list.
Check your understanding
The case study is on Issue 2. Which Issues can the Section B questions be on?
- Any Issue, including Issue 2 again.
- Issue 1 or Issue 3, the other two Issues.
- Issue 2, the same Issue as the case study.
Show the answer
Issue 1 or Issue 3, the other two Issues.
Right. The structured-response questions are not set on the case study's Issue.