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Answering Application Questions

The document provides guidance on how to effectively answer Application Questions (AQs) in the General Paper exam. It explains that AQs require higher-order thinking skills like analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. Answers are assessed based on four criteria: requirements, explanation, evaluation, and coherence. It provides detailed guidance on each step of answering an AQ, including analyzing the question, identifying and selecting relevant arguments from the passage, responding to and evaluating the arguments, and ensuring coherence both within and across paragraphs.

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Menon Hari
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60 views

Answering Application Questions

The document provides guidance on how to effectively answer Application Questions (AQs) in the General Paper exam. It explains that AQs require higher-order thinking skills like analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. Answers are assessed based on four criteria: requirements, explanation, evaluation, and coherence. It provides detailed guidance on each step of answering an AQ, including analyzing the question, identifying and selecting relevant arguments from the passage, responding to and evaluating the arguments, and ensuring coherence both within and across paragraphs.

Uploaded by

Menon Hari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Answering Application Questions (AQ)

Many General Paper (GP) students face difficulties when trying to answer the
Application Question (AQ) of the paper.
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Application Question or AQ is a long-answer question in the General Paper
comprehension paper that demands higher order thinking skills namely inferential
understanding, comparative analysis, critical evaluation and synthesis of information.
The examiners assess the AQ answer using 4 criteria: Requirements, Explanation,
Evaluation and Coherence.

A. Requirements
Band 1: Systematic reference to the requirements of the question with evidence of
balanced treatment.

1. Analyze the question


 Always read the whole question carefully, every word, every phrase. Identify and
underline the question requirements.
 Make sure you understand the central issues in the question, so that you can choose
arguments from the passage(s) and discuss them in light of the central issues

2. Identify and select the author's arguments


 Having formed a good understanding of the question requirements and central
issues, identify the author’s arguments.
 Select at least 3 of the author’s points you understand thoroughly.
 Always keep the question in mind. Put it in front of you at all times while you select
arguments to check for relevance.
 How to select the right arguments?
 Locate the key arguments in the passage
 Look for topic sentences in the passage
 Look for controversial arguments
 Passages are designed to invite evaluation. They are deliberately selected to include
controversial ideas and opinions within the arguments presented. One way will be
to select arguments that include absolute words or superlatives such as ONLY,
EVER, BEST etc.
 From the summary: use points you understood earlier. Make sure you check the
summary question is similar to one of the central issues in the AQ.
 Distinguish fact from opinion

3. Respond to the author's arguments


 Brainstorm for your possible responses, and for relevant examples of your own.
 Decide how much you want to agree / disagree with each argument from the author
 If required, decide your overall stand towards the AQ. This must be based on
holistically, how much you agree / disagree with all the arguments from the
passages
 Make references to your society / your generation/yourself or any other variations as
stated in the question.

B. Explanation
Band 1: Shows a good or very good understanding of terms and issues.
 Explain the selected (author’s) argument in the context of the central issue of the
passage by paraphrasing the argument. You may quote the argument directly if it’s
self-explanatory.
 Explain the situation in your society/generation etc. that supports your evaluation
 Make sure arguments are not misinterpreted. If unsure of even just ONE
word/phrase, never choose it.

C. Evaluation
Band 1: Makes very convincing evaluation by making judgements and decisions and by
developing arguments to logical conclusions, and includes elaboration and support
through personal insight and apt illustration.

1. What do you need to do?


2. State your level of agreement on the identified argument
3. Evaluate the situation in your society / generation that supports your position,
through giving good reasons (Why do you agree / disagree?)
4. Provide good evidence to support your reasons
5. How do you evaluate?
6. Identify the claims and beliefs of the writer(s) about the issue.
7. Identify the reasons and evidence given in support of the claims.
8. How convincing are the claims/beliefs/reasons/ evidence? What do you think?
9. In comparing the arguments raised by both writers,
10. are there significant similarities and differences between the arguments?
11. is one more persuasive than the other? Why?
12. Assess the validity of arguments
13. Are the writers’ views one-sided / biased? Can you provide a fairer one?
14. Is the issue in the argument oversimplified? Are there other causes/reasons the
writer missed out (which are as, if not more, important)?
15. Is the evidence presented by the writer relevant and credible? Do you have more
evidence to substantiate or even to show otherwise?

D. Coherence
Band 1: Very clear shape and paragraph organization and cogent argument.

1. Coherence WITHIN a paragraph


Organization – points must flow logically in sequential order.
Linking words to glue the explanation and evaluation components together.
Use words in your response that resonate with the keywords given in the question.

2. Coherence ACROSS paragraphs


Use linking words to show balance
Ensure the overall stand is reflective of the sum of your evaluation of the writers’
arguments

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