1. HIGHER MODERN STUDIES: CONCLUSIONS QUESTIONS

2. Lesson Focus… Breaking down complex sources of information
Discussing how to reach a precise conclusion
Writing exam style answers to Conclusions questions

3. Conclusions
Conclusion: a judgement or decision reached by reasoning
In this type of question you have to interpret and evaluate up to three complex sources in order to reach CONCLUSIONS.
You must show evidence which explains the conclusions reached.
You will be provide will 3 or 4 sources of information, focusing on a particular theme/issue. You will be asked to come to conclusions on SPECIFIC aspects of the issue and an OVERALL conclusion as well.
Previous topics have included:
Social Exclusion in Scotland
Eurozone Economics
Russian Politics

4. Step 1: Identify the evidence
Read all the sources and, in pairs come to a conclusion for the first bullet-point – highlight the information which backs up your conclusion.
What conclusions can be drawn about the impact of the recession on different EU
members?
You must draw conclusions about:
• the impact of the recession on Eurozone members
• the impact of the recession on Non-Eurozone members
You must now give an overall conclusion about the impact of the recession on the EU. 8

5. Writing your Answer
This is question is worth 8 marks total…an easy 8 marks in the final exam!
In your answer you MUST:
Present a clear conclusion in your own words i.e. be as plain and direct as possible stating “In conclusion…”.
Use all three sources throughout the course of your answer.
Synthesise information from between the sources i.e relate Source A with Source C, using your own words to back up your position.
Give an OVERALL CONCLUSION on the topic stated i.e reach a judgement on the entire topic, using the bullet-points previously used to guide you.

6. How to write your answer
The impact of the recession on Eurozone members
In conclusion, the recession clearly had a negative effect on all Eurozone countries but not all to the same extent.
This is shown by the example of Spain from Source B which has a debt of 72% of its GDP which is lower than the EU average of 89% (Source A) and by the example of Ireland which was more seriously affected as its debt has increased to 123% of GDP, which is much higher than the EU figure and is nearly five times higher than it was.

7. The economic impact of the recession on Non- Eurozone members
In conclusion, the recession has not had such a serious effect on Non-Eurozone members. Several Eurozone countries have required “hand-outs” from the EU to help them cope with their huge debts for example, both Ireland and Spain needed a 90billion Euro hand-out. This hasn’t been needed for any non-Eurozone countries who all, apart from the UK, have a level of debt below the EU figure (89% of GDP) (Sources A & C). In fact, one non Eurozone country, Sweden, did not increase its levels of debt at all as a result of the recession. All of the Non-Eurozone countries in Source C have unemployment rates below the EU average.

8. Overall Conclusion
The overall conclusion is that the EU as a whole has suffered badly from the recession but the Eurozone members suffered the most. Source A shows that the level of exports to countries outside the EU has dropped by 4% which may have resulted in the large increases in unemployment and debt levels in countries like Portugal (Source B).
The two previous conclusions discussed the Eurozone members and the non-Eurozone members so clearly, the overall conclusion should include reference to them. The “question” is another good pinpoint for the overall conclusion – have you actually answered it?
You must now give an overall conclusion about the impact of the recession on the EU.