ExamChanging Landscapes of Singapore
Tutorial 4
Exam Format
3out of six questions
2hours to answer three questions
40minutes per question approximately
20marks each
3.5pages for each question maximum
Before you write
ReadRead the questions carefully
IdentifyFind the keywords and find out how many parts in question
PlanPlan what you want to write before you write
ChooseDo the questions you are most confident in
Writing
LegibleMake sure we can read your handwriting
Organizeintroduction, argument, conclusion
Paragraphtopic sentence, example, analysis
IntroductionExplain key phrases & introduce main points
“In this essay, I will be talking about…”“First I will … then followed by …”
Timing
TimeMake sure you have enough time for each question
AbandonSkip to the next question
Don’t
Don’tspot topics
Don’twrite in point form
Don’tbe Shakespeare Get to the point.
Don’tregurgitate
You must contextualize and explain relevance.
Do
Docheck out past year exam questions
Doread textbook and lecture notes
Dounderstand concepts
Doknow facts on Singapore’s ideologies and policies
Dofind out more about landscapes in Singapore
Keywords
DiscussDebate, give reasons for and against.
Examine the implications.Produce evidence.
EvaluateState the positive and negative points.
Make an appraisal of truth or usefulness.Justify your answer.
ExplainMake plain
Interpret and account forGive reasons for what, how and effects
IllustrateMake clear and explicit
Show by explaining and examplesExplain the meaning by giving opinion
JustifyGive good reason & explanation.
Show grounds for decision or conclusionState why a course of action has been chosen
Answer possible objections
DefineGive the meaning.
Keep it short.
ComparePoint out similarities and differences
Perhaps, reach a conclusion of which is preferable
ContrastBring out the differences
Draw up a distinction between the options
05.05.08