Pei Hwa 4E5N Prelim 2026 MS

4E5N PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2026 SOCIAL STUDIES [LORMS] Section A Source-Based Case Study [35marks] 1. Study Source A. What does it suggest about radicalisation today? Explain your answer. [5] Level Descriptor Marks L1 Describes source, no clear message mentioned. e.g The cartoon shows a terrorist holding onto a handphone with words like “Spread Propaganda!” “Our Best Weapon”. e.g. Radicalisation is done by terrorist 1 L2 Valid interpretation of the source but not detecting the message i.e. not an adjective about the process / nature of radicalisation Award the higher mark for more developed answer. e.g. Source A suggests that technology or handphones are the main reason for radicalization. (L2/2) This can be seen from Source A which shows “Spread Propaganda!” “Our Best Weapon” suggesting that the technology is what is allowing for the spread of radicalisation. Possible L2: Radicalisation happens because of propaganda online / online recruitment / any of the sub messages shown in cartoon. 2-3 L3 Main message of the source (process / nature of radicalisation) Award the higher mark for more developed answer to explain WHY the process/ nature is as such. e.g. Source A suggests that it is easy/convenient/widespread for radicalisation to spread. (L3/4) due to the use of technology / handphones (L3/5). This can be seen from Source A which shows “Spread Propaganda!” “Our Best Weapon” suggesting that the technology is making it easy for radicalisation. Possible L3: Radicalisation occurs easily. Radicalisation is difficult / hard to stop/ difficult to detect. 4-5

2. Study Source B. Why do you think this was published? Explain your answer. [6] Level Descriptor Marks 0 Answer not presented as reason 0 L1 Purpose based on provenance Because it is published by official US Homeland Security website and so they want to counter terrorism. 1 L2 Purpose based on context (anything about extremist groups using online propaganda and recruitment) Because at that time rise in radicalisation is largely driven by algorithmic online propaganda OR Because today, extremist groups are weaponising technology to recruit, radicalise and exploit young people, and they are infiltrating some unexpected arenas – gaming and Artificial Intelligence (AI) OR Because extremist groups use digital networks to target vulnerable individuals, drastically shortening the timeline between exposure and radical action. OR AI – Qaeda’s propagandist started running pro –Al Qaeda blogs and translated Al -Qaeda materials from his parents’ house in USA as early as 2004 but because he had not broken any U.S. laws, American authorities couldn’t arrest him or take down his websites. 2 L3 Purpose based on message of source Award 4m for answers supported. Because it wants to convince US government that censorship of the internet is crucial / more and more are spreading extremist ideas or radicalising online. 3 - 4 L4 Purpose based on intended outcome of source Because it wants to encourage US government to adjust their laws to arrest those who are spreading radicalisation and extremist ideas online. 4 L5 Purpose based L2+ L3 + L4 Award 5m if no L2. Because it wants to convince US government that censorship of the internet is crucial so that they will be more willing to adjust their laws to arrest those who are spreading radicalisation and extremist ideas 5 - 6

online. Because at that time, extremist groups are weaponising technology to recruit, radicalise and exploit young people, like AI – Qaeda’s propagandist but because he had not broken any U.S. laws, American authorities couldn’t arrest him or take down his websites. 3. Study Source C. How useful is Source C as evidence that technology drives radicalisation? Explain your answer. [6] Level Descriptor Marks L1 Useful based on uncritical use of source provenance E.g. This was published by from a research article by S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, a prominent research institution that conducts studies in national security, counterterrorism and non-traditional security hence it will be useful. 1 L2 Useful based on use of Source content [Any use of source content] 2 L3 Useful / Not Useful based on cross reference Note: Answers will be capped at L2/2 if ● no reference to RELIABILITY ● not about technology driving radicalisation Award the higher mark for more developed answer. Useful as reliable e.g. Useful [ATQ] as reliable [LOR] as supported by Source A/B/D [LOR]. Both [CW] suggest that technology drives radicalisation. [CC] Not useful as unreliable Not useful [ATQ] as unreliable [LOR] as refuted by Source D/F[LOR]. C suggests that technology drives radicalisation. but [CW] F suggests that technology can only counter radicalisation. [CC] 3 – 4 L4 Both sides L3 5 L5 Useful based on holistic interpretation of source Award the higher mark for a more developed answer. 6 - 7

C is useful as it is reliable since it is adapted from a research article by S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, a prominent research institution that conducts studies in national security, counterterrorism and non - traditional security,(WHO) which means they will have done in-depth research to be well informed and specialized in the area of terrorism (Exp) and hence, more reliable (Vocab) about the methods which terrorist groups are using to influence innocent young minds ISIS, created The Clanging of the Swords, a video game where players engage in simulated attacks against targets representing ISIS’ enemies and also able to make sound workable solutions to counter terrorism (WHAT-threat) because since the terrorist tactic transforms terrorist activities into a shared group experience, fostering a sense of camaraderie and purpose among players who might be searching for a sense of belonging. Then the solution for those seeking to counter radicalisation can also use gaming as a powerful medium for promoting empathy, understanding and resilience, (WHAT-solution) so that governments can consult these and apply these solutions to counter terrorism more effectively (WHY), making their knowledge of terrorist tactics updated and relevant to serve counter radicalisation organisations and governments. (Exp) 4. Study Sources D and E. D and E differ in their opinion on the ways to manage radicalisation. Does it mean one of them is less reliable? Explain your answer. [7] Level Descriptor MARKS L1 Reliable/ less reliable based on uncritical use of provenance Yes it mean one of them is less reliable because one is from a research institute hence will be reliable, but E is less reliable because it is only by one person from RRG and the one person could have their personal opinion which tends to be less reliable. 1 L2 Reliable / Less reliable but use of only one source (D or E) 2

Eg. Means one of them is less reliable because E is only by one person from RRG and the one person could have their personal opinion L3 One of them is more/ less reliable because they are talking about completely different ways of managing radicalisation (Use of both D & E) Note: Focus for this level isn’t on whether they are reliable or not, but simply that they are talking about completely different things. (Just comparing the difference in sources given) Eg. One of them is less reliable because they differ in the ways of managing radicalisation. Source D suggests the way is through use of technology to counter radicalisation but Source E suggests that it is through family support/ awareness. (L3/3) + Evidence of D and E (L3/4) 3 - 4 L4 None of them are less reliable / Both are reliable through cross referencing of sources to other sources. OR L3 + One of them is le