General Studies Exam Information

Information about the 2014 General Studies exam

EXAM DATES:
Monday 9 June - Case Study exam
Wednesday 18 June - General exam

REVISION SESSIONS:
Friday 6 June - Case Study exam

• 11m/Gs1 with Mr Cullen : 10-11am (P2) in room 676
• 11m/Gs2 with Miss James : 10-11am (P2) in room 680
• 11n/Gs1 with Mr Nicol : 2-3pm (P5) in room 678
• 11p/Gs1 with Mrs Reid : 12.20-13.20pm (P4) in room 211

Tuesday 17 June - General exam

• 11m/Gs1 with Mr Cullen : 10-11am (P2) in room 676
• 11m/Gs1 with Miss James : 10-11am (P2) in room 680
• 11n/Gs1 with Mr Nicol : 10-11am (P2) in room 678
• 11p/Gs1 with Mrs Reid : 9-10am (P1) in room 211

General Exam Past Papers:

June 2013:

• Question Paper Section A
• Question Paper Sections B&C
• Mark Scheme

June 2012:

• Question Paper Section A
• Question Paper Sections B&C
• Mark Scheme

June 2011:

• Question Paper Section A
• Question Paper Sections B&C
• Mark Scheme

Case Study Exam Past Papers
June 2013:

• Case Study Material
• Question Paper
• Mark Scheme

June 2012:

• Case Study Material
• Question Paper
• Mark Scheme

June 2011:

• Case Study Material
• Question Paper - Not Available (see mark scheme for questions)
• Mark Scheme

Case Study Exam: 20 mark question revision

L/O: to practice a 20 mark question for General Studies exam based on case study material.

Starter:
As part of the case study exam, you will be asked questions on the materials provided (you will have a copy of the materials in the exam, you cannot take your class copy in the exam).  You will have a variety of question styles.  Today we are looking at the 20 mark question.

Question:
In answer to this question you should refer to all the Sources (1 to 4) as well as using your own knowledge.

In a fair society people accept that when they have rights they also have responsibilities.

Discuss the arguments for and against being free to say whatever you like on social media.

You might consider:

• The right to express your own opinion
• Responsibilities for your actions/comments
• Why others might want to restrict your rights.

Explain your reasons.

STEP 1:

• Make initial notes, bullet points are fine at this point.
• What points from your own knowledge do you want to include? Think of at least two.
• Find points/quotes from each source (include at least one from every source for higher marks)
• Look for points/quotes that cover the bullet points of the question (the areas to consider) 

PEEL technique

• Point - make your point
• Example - back it up with own experience, quote from stimulus material or figures
• Explain - how does the example answer the original question/point
• Link - use the language of the question and reiterate the point.

MARK SCHEME:

Level 5 (17-20 marks)

• Selects from source material with considerable precision
• Discriminates well between important and less important material
• Draws conclusions in a clear and logical way
• Offers personal judgements supported by detailed evidence drawn from a wide range of areas
• Demonstrates additional research where appropriate 
• Analyses and evaluates clearly and concisely 
• Extends and develops points – always with clear aims 
• Communication displays a high degree of accuracy. 

Level 4 (13-16 marks) 

• Clear analysis of the facts and well-informed personal opinion. 
• Makes full use of relevant supporting material 
• Selects with precision from pre-released material and introduces and links material from elsewhere 
• Information is clearly presented and simple for the general reader to understand 
• Contains clear conclusions drawn from a range of relevant material and based on clear analysis 
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar is largely accurate. 

Level 3 (9-12 marks)

• Some cross-referencing of material – linking ideas in different documents. Answers in this band should draw clear comparisons and not simply give isolated facts. 
• Clear evidence of reorganisation of material with personal opinion beginning to be expressed 
• Information is presented clearly and simply with some illustration of points 
• The answer should contain clear conclusions, though these may be in the simplest form 
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar is reasonably accurate. 

Level 2 (5-8 marks)

• Selects some relevant material 
• Attempts to use stimulus material and/or own ideas 
• Examples are frequently undeveloped 
• Some evidence of reorganisation of the material provided and/or of additional material 
• Draws relevant simple conclusions 
• Communication is likely to be unclear and contain a number of errors. 

Level 1 (1-4 marks)

• Simple interpretation/selection of source material. 
• Basic level of organisation of material – probably in the order in which it was presented 
• No real development of points
• Communication may well be weak with numerous errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar. 

0 marks

• No relevance to question
• Not attempted

Case Study Exam: 6 mark question revision

L/O: to practice a 6 mark question for General Studies exam based on case study material.

Outcome: You will have developed answers for an example 6 mark question using the PEEL technique and case study material.

Starter:
As part of the case study exam, you will be asked questions on the materials provided (you will have a copy of the materials in the exam, you cannot take your class copy in the exam).  You will have a variety of question styles.  Today we are looking at the 6 mark question.

Question:

Source 4 reveals some concerns about having privacy laws for social media.

• Using information from Source 1 and Source 3, explain to what extent you think such concerns in Source 4 are justified.

PEEL technique

• Point - make your point
• Example - back it up with own experience, quote from stimulus material or figures
• Explain - how does the example answer the original question/point
• Link - use the language of the question and reiterate the point.

MARK SCHEME:

Level 3 (5-6 marks)

Cross-referencing, developed points and conclusions

Level 2 (3-4 marks)

Some development of points

Level 1 (1-2 marks)

Simple undeveloped points

0 marks

No relevance to question

Not attempted

NB A candidate who does not use Sources 1 and 3 should usually be awarded the lower
of the 2 marks in the appropriate mark band.

Case Study Exam: 4 mark questions revision

L/O: to practice 4 mark questions for General Studies exam based on case study material.

Outcome: You will have developed answers for two 4 mark questions using the PEEL technique and case study material.

Starter:
As part of the case study exam, you will be asked questions on the materials provided (you will have a copy of the materials in the exam, you cannot take your class copy in the exam).  You will have a variety of question styles.  Today we will look at the 4 mark questions

Questions:

• Using Source 2, identify and explain two answers people gave to the question “Why do you comment online?”  (4 marks)

• Using Source 1, identify and explain two reasons why people would troll others. (4 marks)

PEEL technique

• Point - make your point
• Example - back it up with own experience, quote from stimulus material or figures
• Explain - how does the example answer the original question/point
• Link - use the language of the question and reiterate the point.

MARK SCHEME:

Level 1 (1-2 marks)

Simple undeveloped points (identification only)

Level 2 (3-4 marks)

Some development of points

0 marks

No relevance to question

Not attempted

Christopher Hitchens on Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech Vs Trolling

L/01 To understand what freedom of speech is

L/o2 To identify the difference between freedom of speech and trolling

Freedom of Speech Vs Trolling

Stater

Last week on Daybreak TV Curtis Woodhouse, a former footballer turned boxer, came face to face with a person who had been trolling him.

Task 1

Find information and facts as well as your own opinions on the following questions:

• What is freedom of speech?
• Is trolling freedom of speech?
• Should you be able to always speak your mind online?
• What are the boundaries?
• What online laws are there to protect people?
• Find three examples where freedom of speech online has been cited in the news

Task 2  

Create an account with  https://mural.ly 

When signing up type A NAME OF YOUR CHOICE as your organisation. 

Use your school email and choose a password. 

Mural.ly is an online whiteboard where you can organise you ideas and research.

• Add your answers to the questions above
• Add images to support your answers
• Add videos to support your answers
• Add websites to support your answers

Plenary

Choose three pupils in your class to invite to view your room. Invite them by their school email.

Log on to your school email and accept invitations,  you can now use their murals for revision too. 

Post on your blog what you have done and remind yourself where your revision is for this topic.

Freedom of Speech - what does it really mean?

Task:
Research and create a revision tool for yourself, find information and facts as well as your own opinions on the following questions:

• What is freedom of speech?
• Should you be able to always speak your mind?
• What are the boundaries?
• What laws are there to protect people?
• Find three examples where freedom of speech has been cited in the news