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. Key Evaluative Terminology
Majority/Minority Increase/Decrease
Balanced/Equal Positive/Negative
Strong/Weak Spiked/Risen
Dropped/Declined Continuous/Continual
Drastically/Hardly Poor/Strong
Steadily/Slowly/Quickly
Underwhelming/Overwhelming

5. Writing your Answer
This is question is worth 10 marks total… an easy 10 marks in the final exam!
In your answer you MUST:
Give clear conclusion in your own words - be as plain and direct as possible stating “In conclusion…”.
Use all of the sources throughout the course of your answer.
Link information from within & 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 – otherwise you will not gain full marks.

6. 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
the link between unemployment and economic downturn
You must now give an overall conclusion about the impact of the recession on the EU. (10 marks)

7. Answer Frame
The impact of the recession on Eurozone members – write out the bullet point
In conclusion… start with your conclusion; use your own words to “answer” the bullet point
Source A shows that… which is clearly linked to Source C which states that… Source B also backs this up as… - provide your evidence – a minimum of two pieces of evidence per bullet point; use EVALUATIVE language where it is needed.

8. 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 (Source B), which is much higher than the EU figure and is nearly five times higher than it was previously.

9. The economic impact of the recession on Non- Eurozone members
In conclusion, the recession has had a smaller impact 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 90 billion Euro hand-out (Source A). 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 of 89% of GDP (Source C). In fact, one non Eurozone country, Sweden, did not increase its levels of debt at all as a result of the recession highlighting the more limited impact the recession has had on non-Eurozone members (Source C).

10. 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 previous conclusions discussed the Eurozone members; the non-Eurozone members clearly and unemployment, the overall conclusion should include reference to them where possible. 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.

11. Structure of Answer
Part 1: Make a distinct conclusion on the topic of the first bullet point, providing evidence to back up your point and ensuring the use of EVALUATIVE language.
Part 2: Make a distinct conclusion on the topic of the second bullet point, providing evidence to back up your point and ensuring the use of EVALUATIVE language.
Part 3: Make a distinct conclusion on the topic of the third bullet point, providing evidence to back up your point and ensuring the use of EVALUATIVE language.
OVERALL CONCLUSION: Make an OVERALL JUDGEMENT on the topic stated, providing further evidence. This is will usually be on a slightly wider topic than the bullet points although your answers to this will help.