How do I answer exam questions?

What is in a name paragraph?

POINT

EVALUATE

EXPLAIN WITH EXAMPLE

LINK

This causes that.

This is defined as ____. For example, in Country A..

This is important/not important, contributes/does not contribute…

Therefore, this indeed causes that.

What is in a name paragraph?

POINT: [THIS FACTOR] CAUSES/DOES NOT CAUSE [_____]

EVALUATE:

EXPLAIN + EXAMPLE: Give a named example.

Singapore has an extremely high water demand due to its large population size.

With a high population size, the demand for water will be correspondingly high as people consume water.

To illustrate, Singapore has a population size of 5.24million people, and is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

P

EE

LINK: Link back to the pointL Thus, water demand will increase.

Question: “Only countries with dry climates experience water shortage.” Do you agree with this statement? Give an example to support your answer. [3]

POINT

EXAMPLE

EXPLAIN

How to answer open-ended questions?

I do not agree with this statement as countries with wet climates can also experience water shortage. [1]• Malaysia, a tropical country with high rainfall, faced a water

shortage earlier this year due to climate change.• Taiwan, despite having a wet climate, uses a lot more water than

the US (271L vs 250L) due to agriculture. [1]

LINKThus, not all countries with dry climates would experience water shortage. [1]

As such, we see how having a wet climate might not be automatically mean that the demand for water is safely accounted for.

“That is one paragraph! What about a WHOLE essay?”

The Hamburger Answer to all mini-essays!

TOP BUN: Introduction

VEG, SAUCES, CHEESE: Factor(s) supporting argument.

EACH FACTOR HAS A PARAGRAPH (PEEL) BEEF PATTY: Factor(s) against

argument. EACH FACTOR HAS A PARAGRAPH (PEEL)

BOTTOM BUN: Concluding sentence.

FOUR PARAGRAPHS!

Marking Scheme

Level Description

L1 (0-1m) • One sided answer with limited explanation• No examples• No evaluation

L2 (2-3m) • Two sided answer with reasonable explanation• Examples are vague• No evaluation

L3 (3-5m) • Two sided answer with clear explanations• Specific examples given• Evaluation/Comparison is made.

Q: ‘Singapore is not suffering from water shortage due to its wet climate.’ Do you agree or disagree with this? [5]

In your GI groups..

Question: ‘Singapore is not suffering from water shortage due to its wet climate.’

Demand > SupplyWater shortage: a situation when the level of water usage exceeds available

water supply.

In your GI groups..

Question: ‘Singapore is not suffering from water shortage due to its wet climate.’

Contributes to Water Constraint

Does not contribute to water constraint

Demand • Urbanisation (WHY??)• Population Size (WHY?)• High-tech Manufacturing

Industry (WHY??)• Lifestyle Changes

(WHY??)

Supply • Physical Size (WHY??) • Climate (WHY??)