This document provides a guide for answering source-based questions (SBQs) in history. It outlines different question types and the expected answering format for each. It discusses basic inference questions, inference of purpose questions, reliability questions, and provides examples and levels of response. The guide emphasizes using evidence from the sources provided, making inferences supported by the source content or contextual knowledge, and cross-referencing between multiple sources when answering questions about reliability.

1. Name: _______________________________ ( )
Class: ____________
Sec 2 CA2 History SBQ Guide
Question type Answering format Example LORMS
Basic inference This source tells me This source tells me that Farquhar was not L1 – Lifting/ describing the
that…. (Inference). The responsible in anyway for the founding of source
What does this evidence is “…” Singapore. This is evident from the phrase that
source tell you (Evidence). This shows Farquhar “did not occupy any position in which he L2 – Making inferences
about…? that ... (Explanation) could have planned and undertaken the without support
foundation of Singapore.” This shows that
What can you infer Note: You need 2 Farquhar did not play a critical role in the founding L3 – Making inferences
from this source? paragraphs of inferences of Singapore with support
Inference of The author made this The author also wrote this source to criticize the L1 – Lifting/ describing the
purpose comment to … (Inference unethical behaviour of the ‘pocket mother’. This source
of purpose). The can be seen from the source that states that
Why did the evidence is “…” “Pickering found two Teochew girls, who, after six L2 – Making inferences
author write this? (Evidence). This shows years, were still repaying their debts even though without support
that the author made the sums had been paid over and over again.” This
Why did the this comment to… shows that the author is criticizing the pocket L3 – Making inferences
author make this (Explanation) mothers’ unscrupulous behaviour by highlighting with support
comment? that they use underhanded means to cheat the
Note: You need 2 girls into staying in the flesh trade for a long term.
paragraphs of inferences
Reliability This source proves/ does Source C proves that early Singapore was not L1 – Answers based on
not prove that …. . This peaceful. This can be seen from the arrowhead source type/ provenance/
Does this source can be seen from the which must have been used as a weapon to inflict uncritical acceptance of
prove that…? source which states that physical harm on another person. The existence of source
“…” (Evidence) This such weapons indicates that early Singapore was
Victoria School Sec 2 History 1

2. Name: _______________________________ ( )
Class: ____________
Is this source shows that the source not peaceful and might have been threatened by
reliable in showing proves that…because… external invaders. L2 – Answers based on
that…? (Explanation) content of the source
This can be supported by Source A which states
Is this source fair This can be supported/ that there is a “defence structure” which was L3 – Answers based on
in showing that…? contradicted by Source “boosted by the presence of a moat” that is used cross-referencing either to
____(The source that to protect a place from people attacking it. Given other source(s)/ contextual
you’re cross-referencing the existence of such defence structures, we can knowledge
to) which states that “…” safely say that Singapore might have been under
(Evidence). attack from an external party, showing that early
Singapore was indeed not peaceful, as proven by
The source can also be Source C.
supported / contradicted
by my contextual This can be further supported by what I know
knowledge which states about early Singapore. Towards the end of the 14th
that … (Evidence from century, Singapore was either attacked by Siamese
what you’ve learnt). troops or Majapahit troops. This further shows
Thus, the source is/ is that Source C is reliable.
not reliable.
Note: You need 3
paragraphs (1 based on
the source you are asked
to study, 2 on cross-
referencing)
Victoria School Sec 2 History 2