CHR 2026 4E5N SS PRELIM MS

1 Setter: Mr Firdaus Hair 2260,2261/01/O/Humanities (Social Studies) [Turn Over Section A (Source-Based Case Study) 1 Study Source A. Source A is a political cartoon published by a Western media platform. Is it still useful as evidence of how women are treated in Iran? Explain your answer. [6] Leve l Descriptor Marks L1 Stand based on bias / lack of bias, unsupported. 1 L2 Stand based on content, useful, OR less useful, unsupported. ● Award 2m for useful OR less useful based on content, unsupported. ● Award 3m for usefulness that is supported by either evidence or explanation. 2 – 3 L3 Stand based on content, useful, OR less useful, supported by BOTH evidence and explanation. US: Yes, Source A is still useful as evidence of how women are treated in Iran. EX: Source A explains that women who challenge Iran's compulsory hijab laws risk severe and violent punishment from the authorities, demonstrating how women's rights are systematically suppressed under the regime. The cartoon remains useful because it illustrates how the Iranian state enforced compliance through fear and intimidation. EV: Source A shows an armed security officer standing over a woman's bloodied body while saying, "She drew her headscarf first." A cleric is seen watching passively in the background, and a group of women are shown protesting nearby. OR US: No, Source A is not useful as evidence of how women are treated in Iran. EX: Source A explains a highly exaggerated and one -sided version of events because it is a Western political cartoon meant to criticise the Iranian government . Such cartoons often rely on distortion, so the message may not accurately represent what most women in Iran experience daily. Its purpose is to provoke and persuade rather than provide a balanced or factual account, making it less reliable as evidence. The dramatic imagery and exaggerated violence reflect the cartoonist’s intention to condemn Iran rather than give an objective picture of women’s treatment. EV: Source A shows a security officer standing over a dead woman with blood on her clothes and smoke from his gun, while saying, “She drew her headscarf first.” A cleric is seen 4

2 Setter: Mr Firdaus Hair 2260,2261/01/O/Humanities (Social Studies) [Turn Over watching passively in the background, and a group of women are shown protesting nearby. L4 L3 + Cross reference to other sources. ● Award 5m for 1 valid cross-reference for support OR contradict, supported by a complete linking statement. CRS: Source A is still useful because when I cross-reference it with Source D, Source D supports Source A's message that women in Iran experience strict control and punishment when they do not follow the compulsory hijab rules, highlighting how women's rights are suppressed under the regime. Therefore, Source A is reliable and hence useful. EX – D: Source D explains that Iran's enforcement of hijab laws goes beyond physical punishment to include systematic surveillance of women in their daily lives. This means the state's control is not limited to isolated incidents but is an ongoing system designed to pressure women into compliance. EV – D: Source D states, “Friends tell me the authorities are using these cameras to identify women who appear in public without the hijab.” It also states, “One friend received a warning message ordering her to pay a fine after she appeared unveiled in a short online video,” and “ Another was contacted and told to report to the police for questioning.” LS: Since Source D supports Source A’s message, Source A is reliable and therefore is still useful. OR CRS: Source A is less useful because when I cross-reference it with Source B, Source B contradicts Source A’s message that women in Iran are heavily oppressed and denied opportunities. Therefore, Source A is not reliable and less useful. EX – B: Source B explains that women in Iran are gaining greater access to education and professional roles. It highlights that women form a significant proportion of university students and faculty members, suggesting that women are actively participating in the country’s development. This challenges Source A’s portrayal of harsh and restrictive treatment, showing that women do have opportunities to advance in society . EV – B: Source B states, “This year, women make up more than half of all new students, and now account for 56% of students in state universities across the country.” It also states, “We have also seen an increase of over 33% in the number of female university fac ulty members, with women making up 34% of faculty in medical universities.” LS: Since Source B contradicts Source A’s message, Source A is not reliable and therefore is less useful. 5 L5 Less useful based on purpose and presence of bias/ulterior motive, supported by source use. 6

3 Setter: Mr Firdaus Hair 2260,2261/01/O/Humanities (Social Studies) [Turn Over US: Yes, Source A is less useful because it is a political cartoon drawn by a Western cartoonist, which means it is likely to present a one-sided view of Iran's treatment of women. The dramatic imagery and exaggerated violence reflect the cartoonist’s intention to condemn Iran rather than give an objective picture of women’s treatment. Thus, Source A is less reliable and therefore less useful. The cartoonist wants to criticise (V) the Iranian government before Western audiences (A) by portraying it as suppressing women's rights and using deadly force against women who defy hijab rules (M). The intended outcome is for Western audiences to condemn the Iranian government and push for international pressure against it (I). Source A shows a security officer standing over a woman's bloodied body while saying, "She drew her headscarf first." (EV). Source A explains that the Iranian state's enforcement of hijab laws is disproportionate and lethal, suppressing women's basic rights to bodily autonomy. This means the cartoonist is framing Iran as a regime that suppresses women's rights and values control over women's bodies more than women's lives (EX). Since Source A is a cartoon that exaggerates through caricature rather than presenting factual evidence, it is less reliable and therefore less useful in giving an accurate picture of how hijab laws are enforced in Iran and the extent to which they suppress women's rights. (LS)

4 Setter: Mr Firdaus Hair 2260,2261/01/O/Humanities (Social Studies) [Turn Over 2 Study Source B. Why did the Iranian news agency (IRNA) circulate the official government announcements? Explain your answer. [5] Leve l Descriptor Marks L1 Describes the source / Not answering question. 1 L2 States a valid inference, unsupported (S). ● Award 3m for 1 valid inference, supported with only evidence or explanation (SE). 2 – 3 L3 States a valid inference, supported by valid source use (SEE). S: The Iranian news agency circulated the official government announcements to portray the government positively by highlighting its success in promoting opportunities for women. EX: Source B explains that the government has expanded educational and professional opportunities for women. As a result, women in Iran have gained greater access to higher education and a broader range of professions, allowing many to participate more actively in public and economic life. EV: Source B states, “This year, women make up more than half of all new students, and now account for 56% of students in state universities across the country.” It also states, “These achievements reflect our long -term commitment to expanding opportunities for girls and supporting their participation in national development.” 4 L4 States a valid purpose, supported by valid source use. ● Award 5m for a complete VAMIEE with a logical intended outcome. The Iranian news agency circul