The document provides guidance on how to answer inferential questions about historical sources. It emphasizes looking for key words in the question and relevant details in the source that address those words. An example is given about inferring living conditions in 19th century Singapore from descriptions of unsanitary streets and pollution. The document stresses identifying evidence from the source and explaining how that evidence supports the inference.

1. SBQ HOW TO INFER Inferential Question

2. Inference Written sources Pictorial sources

3. QUESTION What can we infer about Singapore’s living condition? Source A Despite its lovely setting and orderly planning, many parts of Singapore in the mid-nineteenth century were still unsightly. The main streets frequently flooded at high tide and were lit by feeble coconut lamps… the city’s refuse was thrown into swamps, the roads were littered by garbage and Singapore grand jury complained at almost every session about pollution and stench.

4. THE FIRST THING … YOU MUST LOOK OUT FOR THE KEY WORDS IN THE QUESTION. What can we infer about Singapore’s living condition?

5. THE SECOND THING … YOU MUST LOOK OUT FOR THE PHRASE IN THE PASSAGE THAT SHOWS THE KEY WORDS IN THE QUESTION. LOOK AT THE PHRASES HIGHLIGHTED IN RED!

6. QUESTION What can we infer about Singapore’s living condition? Source A Despite its lovely setting and orderly planning, many parts of Singapore in the mid-nineteenth century were still unsightly . The main streets frequently flooded at high tide and were lit by feeble coconut lamps… the city’s refuse was thrown into swamps, the roads were littered by garbage and Singapore grand jury complained at almost every session about pollution and stench. All the highlighted portions show the living condition back then.

7. ANSWER TO THE QUESTION I can infer that Singapore’s living condition was poor/bad. As it is stated in the source that, “ many parts of Singapore in the mid-nineteenth century were still unsightly; city’s refuse was thrown into swamps, the roads were littered by garbage ; pollution and stench.” The bad smell and the dirty state shows that the living condition in Singapore was poor. Your Inference Evidence from source Explanation of evidence and inference

8. Source A A picture drawn by a local artist portraying the work undertook by the local coolies.

9. Question to try out What can you infer about the British’s attitude towards the locals?

10. I can infer from source A that the British treated the locals in a cruel/harsh manner/ were indifferent to the locals’ welfare. From source A, I can see that the British made the coolies do hard labour, pushing the cart which the British sat on. The coolies did not have proper foot wear. Hence this shows the British did not take care of the welfare of the locals Inference must touch on what the question asks: How the British treated the locals? Evidence from the source. State the obvious related to the question. Simple explanation