JYSS SBQ & SRQ Notes 2026 (4N)

Notes for Social Studies Skills 4NA Junyuan Secondary School Humanities Department

Section A: Source Based Questions (SBQ)

Example Source A An excerpt from a British newspaper article about the Thai‐Cambodia conflict. QUESTION TYPE INFERENCE SAMPLE QUESTION “What can you infer from the source about ….?” “What does the source tell you about …?” First Paragraph (3 – 4 marks) Infer: I can infer that …………………. Support: This is stated in the source “……………” Explain: This shows that….. / This implies that …………. Second Paragraph (4 -5 marks) Infer: I can also infer that ……………… Support: This is stated in the source “……………” Explain: This shows that….. / This implies that …………. Inference It is not just a dispute between Thailand and Cambodia anymore. The leaders of ASEAN have failed to achieve any breakthrough in their attempts to end the deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. This is due to the organisation’s policy of non‐interference in member states’ domestic affairs. As a result, both Thailand and Cambodia have continued to provoke each other by mobilising troops and firing mortar shells and grenades into the disputed areas around Preah Vihear. Due to ASEAN’s insistence on non‐interference, in the end, all that was achieved was a face‐saving announcement that the Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers would stay an extra day for more talks. What does this source tell you about ASEAN in the Thai‐Cambodian conflict? Explain your answer [5m] Question Focus Question Stem = Inference I can infer from the source that ASEAN is ineffective in resolving the Thai‐Cambodian conflict.[I] This is supported from the source that ASEAN has “failed to achieve any breakthrough in their attempts to end the deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia”. [S] This shows that ASEAN has not been effective in mediating the conflict. [E] I can infer that ASEAN has worsened the Thai‐Cambodian conflict with its policy of non‐interference. [I] This is stated in Source A that ASEAN has “failed…to end the deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia” due to its policy of non-interference.” [S] It claims that as ASEAN did not interfere directly in the conflict, it had encouraged both Thailand and Cambodia to be more aggressive. [E] ASEAN had been ineffective ASEAN’s policy of non- interference had worsened the conflict Always start inference with the question focus X2 Do not lift words from the source for your Inference statement

Example Source B From a post by a female Singaporean on an online forum. QUESTION TYPE INFERENCE SAMPLE QUESTION “How far do the sources agree that NS deferment should be allowed?” “Does the author agree that females Singapore citizens and PR should enlist in National Service?” First Paragraph (3 – 4 marks) Infer: I can infer that …………………. Support: This is stated in the source “……………” Explain: This shows that….. / This implies that …………. Second Paragraph (4 -5 marks) Infer: I can also infer that ……………… Support: This is stated in the source “……………” Explain: This shows that….. / This implies that …………. Higher Order Inference I would not recommend having the whole population involved. NS relies heavily on national expenditure for army supplies. Doubling the size of the full- time national servicemen army (by including the women in the population) only encourages a huge waste. Making National Service (NS) compulsory for women will delay their entry into the workforce. The immediate effect will be a decline in the size of our local workforce and a reduction of household incomes. Even if women are enlisted for non-military NS roles to enhance our healthcare and social services, it may make manpower shortages in other industries worse. “Does the author agree that females Singapore citizens and PR should enlist in National Service?” [5m] Question Focus Question Stem = Inference The author does not agree because it will lead to unnecessary costs that can be used for other national expenditure. .[I] This is supported from the source Doubling the size of the full-time national servicemen army (by including the women in the population) only encourages a huge waste.. [S] This shows NS will increase the financial costs of the country which could be used to support other public expenditure like education or healthcare. [E] The author does not agree because It will impact the economy negatively. [I] This is stated in Source B “The immediate effect will be a decline in the size of our local workforce and a reduction of household incomes.” [S] This suggests that NS reduces people who can work in the workforce which affects Singapore’s economic development. [E] It will lead to unnecessary costs that can be used for other national expenditure. It will impact the economy negatively. Always start inference with the question stem X2 Do not lift words from the source for your Inference statement

QUESTION TYPE PURPOSE SAMPLE QUESTION “Why did the speaker made this speech?” “Why did the cartoonist draw this cartoon?” General Steps Author Aim (using purpose verb) Audience Message + Support + Explain Intended outcome (so that…) Textual Source: Why do you think the Prime Minister made this speech? The Prime Minister (author) made this speech BECAUSE he wants to convince (purpose verb) the Singaporeans (audience) that the government is not effective in keeping healthcare affordable. (message). This can be seen from the source “…….” (support) This shows that …… (explanation). He said this BECAUSE he wants Singaporeans would demand the government to put in more measures to keep healthcare costs low. (intended outcome/impact) Political Cartoon: Why did the newspaper publish this cartoon? The newspaper (author) made this cartoon BECAUSE it wanted to persuade (purpose verb) the Singaporeans (audience) about the need to bring in foreign talent (message). This can be seen from the cartoon which shows “…….” (support) This shows that …… (explanation). He drew this BECAUSE he wants Singaporeans would support the policy of foreign talent (intended outcome). Purpose List of Useful Purpose Verbs Encourage Convince Persuade Criticize Condemn Justify the actions Discredit Tarnish the reputation/image Boost morale Motivate Win / garner support Assure Mock Blame Warn Pressurise the government Reassure Appeal for help Win sympathy from Defend To allay the fear Create awareness about Purpose Verbs must be strong enough to evoke reaction from audience)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION To meet the costs of hospital treatment, Singaporeans are expected to have health insurance through the Medisave and Medishield schemes. Each month people save a small amount of their pay into Medisave. Certain groups such as non-working spouses, the elderly and children may have no Medisave themselves, but can still use the Medisave of immediate family members. The needy, who cannot afford hospital charges, can apply for financial help from Medifund. The government aims to ensure that healthcare costs are kept affordable, yet some Singaporeans feel that charges are high. How effective are the healthcare schemes in helping people cope with the costs of ill health? Source D: From a statement issued by the Public Affairs Manager of the Ministry of Health, 29 June 2001. How affordable is healthcare for Singaporeans? Example (Purpose Answer) When Singaporeans are admitted into hospital, they are given financial advice. This helps them make a sensible choice of ward class, based on how much they can afford. The government subsidises lower-class wards heavily. Therefore, if Singaporeans in the lower income group choose their ward class wisely, their hospital costs should be very affordable. In fact, most lower-income patients would be able to use Medisave to pay for their hospital expenses fully. Study Source D. Why do you think the Ministry of Health issued this statement? Explain your answer. [7] The Ministry of Health (author) issued this statement BE