Paper 2 · Evaluate media sources and make a decision
Practise using advertisements, journals, magazines, newspapers, websites and apps, then justify a decision using evidence and trade-offs.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Original StudyForA teaching and practice, aligned to the named Cambridge syllabus version. These are not Cambridge questions, specimen resources, mark schemes or grades. Written practice feedback is formative, does not automatically award marks, and does not replace teacher review. Map and image tasks use clearly labelled practice data unless a source is linked; check its date, scale, units and context before drawing conclusions.
Before you begin
- Identify the command word and the resource type.
- Read labels, keys, units, date and source before making a claim.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which method supports a reliable resource answer?
What you will learn
- Extract and evaluate media information and justify a reasoned decision using relevant evidence from Paper 2 topics.
- Use an original resource-based practice task and explain what the evidence can and cannot show.
Use media evidence carefully
For advertisements, newspapers, journals, magazines, websites and apps, identify the claim, author or organisation, publication date, purpose and evidence. Check whether the source reports data, opinion or a proposal. Consider missing groups or costs and corroborate important claims with authoritative information.
Decision-making response
For a decision question, define criteria, compare realistic options, use evidence from more than one topic or resource, consider who benefits and who bears costs, then justify a choice. There may be more than one defensible answer; marks depend on the reasoning and evidence, not on selecting one predetermined option.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies 0448 syllabus for examination in 2028–2030
- Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies 0448 syllabus for examination in 2027 (separate version)
- Cambridge IGCSE Pakistan Studies 0448 qualification page
- UNDP Pakistan Climate Resilience Programme
- UNFPA Pakistan · Sihat Mand Khaandaan project
- FAO · Sustainable and regenerative rice production in Pakistan
Pause and explain
What makes a decision answer convincing?
Worked example
Invented practice task: choose between a solar mini-grid and a diesel generator for an isolated community. The source packet gives cost, reliability, emissions and maintenance data. State the factors you would compare and justify a choice.
Show the worked solution
- Identify the resource, question and relevant unit or context.
- Select evidence and explain the connection to the task.
- State a limitation, alternative or further check.
Answer Compare total cost over time, reliability, fuel or sunlight availability, emissions, maintenance skills and access for households. A solar mini-grid may reduce fuel use but need storage and technical support; diesel may be dispatchable but exposes users to fuel cost and emissions. Use the supplied evidence, state your priorities and acknowledge one trade-off. This scenario and data are invented.
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Invented practice task: choose between a solar mini-grid and a diesel generator for an isolated community. The source packet gives cost, reliability, emissions and maintenance data. State the factors you would compare and justify a choice.
Give me a hint
Start with the resource labels, then connect one piece of evidence to the question.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify the resource and command.
- Select a precise observation or value.
- Explain what it supports and one limitation.
Compare total cost over time, reliability, fuel or sunlight availability, emissions, maintenance skills and access for households. A solar mini-grid may reduce fuel use but need storage and technical support; diesel may be dispatchable but exposes users to fuel cost and emissions. Use the supplied evidence, state your priorities and acknowledge one trade-off. This scenario and data are invented.
Look for these in your work
- Reads the resource correctly
- Uses specific evidence
- States a limitation
Plan a response using this skill: Invented practice task: choose between a solar mini-grid and a diesel generator for an isolated community. The source packet gives cost, reliability, emissions and maintenance data. State the factors you would compare and justify a choice.
Give me a hint
Choose a clear criterion and support it with evidence.
Compare my reasoning
- State the question and criteria.
- Compare evidence for the options or interpretations.
- Reach a justified conclusion with a caveat.
A strong response states its criteria, selects relevant resource evidence, explains the connection and acknowledges a limitation. Compare total cost over time, reliability, fuel or sunlight availability, emissions, maintenance skills and access for households. A solar mini-grid may reduce fuel use but need storage and technical support; diesel may be dispatchable but exposes users to fuel cost and emissions. Use the supplied evidence, state your priorities and acknowledge one trade-off. This scenario and data are invented.
Look for these in your work
- Criteria made clear
- Evidence compared
- Conclusion justified
Original practice claim: ‘A chart proves the policy caused the change.’ Explain what further evidence is needed.
Give me a hint
Check dates, alternative explanations and whether the evidence supports causation.
Compare my reasoning
- Describe the pattern the chart shows.
- Identify another factor that could explain it.
- Name a comparison or source that would strengthen a causal claim.
A chart can show a change or association but does not alone prove that a policy caused it. Check timing, comparison groups, other changes and the source’s methods. Further evidence could include before-and-after data with a suitable comparison and independent information about how the policy was implemented.
Look for these in your work
- Pattern distinguished from cause
- Alternative considered
- Further evidence named
Common mistakes
- Ignoring a scale, unit, date or key
- Describing a pattern as its cause
- Making unsupported claims about people from a visual source
- Treating an invented resource as authentic evidence
What can you explain now?
What should be checked before interpreting a resource?
Compare with the explanation
Its title, source, date, units, scale and context.
Resource interpretation needs evidence and a cautious explanation.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
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Make it stick
Before using a resource, record its source, date, units and one limitation; then explain how a specific observation answers the question.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.