12.

Hybrid: 2 Source Proving

12.1 Overview

Hybrid questions1 in SBCS are questions that require you to make use
of more than one SBCS skill that you have learnt previously to answer
the question. One common hybrid question that will come out is known
as 2-source proving. Examples of such questions are:

Example 1 Study Sources D and E.

Does Source E prove that the concerns raised in Source D

are unjustified? Explain your answer. [7]
(GCE O-Level SS 2018 Q1c)
Example 2 Study Sources D and E.

How far does Source C prove that Source D is correct?

Explain your answer. [7]
(GCE N-Level SS 2012 Q1c)
Example 3 Study Source B and C.

How far does Source B show that C is wrong? Explain your

answer. [7]
(GCE N-Level SS 2010 Q1b)

Essentially, we are using one source to prove a claim on another source

(e.g. whether it is correct/wrong). The idea of ‘proving’ rests on
reliability2, specifically about the source being used to prove the claim.

12.2 Question Analysis

To answer the question, we will need to understand the key parts of the
question that we will need to respond to in our answer. For example:
Sources to use
Study Sources C and D.

How far does Source C prove that Source D is correct? Explain your
Key Word Question Claim
answer. [7]

1 Note that this is an informal way to refer to such questions.

2 Refer to 9. Reliability.
 (GCE N-Level SS 2012 Q1c)
We can learn some things from the question phrasing:

Sources to All questions that require some form of comparison will

use specify to study 2 sources.
Key Word The key word ‘prove’ tells us that we will need to evaluate
reliability3.
Question The question focus is a claim given in the question. In this
Focus case, the question focus is ‘Source D is correct’?

Note that since a source is mentioned as part of the

question focus, its content also needs to be analysed (i.e.
make an inference4 for the source stated in the question
focus).

For the next few parts, we will be using this example to go through the
possible steps to answer a 2 Source Proving question:

Example Study Sources X and Y.

How far does Source X prove that Source Y is correct?

Explain your answer. [7]

12.3 2 Source Proving – Compare Source Content

The first step is to look at the inferences (that relates to the issue
question) we can draw from Sources X and Y to answer the question5.

If Source X agrees with Source X can prove that Source Y is correct.

Source Y

If Sources X disagrees Source X cannot prove that Source Y is correct.

with Source Y

This is similar to the idea of cross-reference. If the ideas match, they are
likely to be accurate, thus one source can prove another to be correct.
The reverse is true as well.

IMPORTANT

3 Refer to 9. Reliability.
4 Refer to 1. Basic Inference.
5 Refer to 6. Comparison I. However, note that your answer should not be phrased as

if to answer a comparison question.

12. 2 Source Proving

If the question phrasing changes, e.g. ‘How far does Source X show that Y
is wrong?’, your phrasing (and stand) needs to change6.

If Sources C and D Source C cannot prove that Source D is wrong.

agree

If Sources C and D Source C can prove that Source D is wrong.

disagree

12.4 2 Source Proving – Reliability (Source X)

Following the example above, given that Source X is being used to

evaluate the claim (of Source Y being correct or not), it is important to
establish the reliability of Source X. If Source X can be trusted, we can
then have confidence to use Source X to prove the claim. If Source X
cannot be trust, we will lose confidence in Source X to prove the claim.

To evaluate Source X, we have learnt two methods to check reliability7:

• Cross-Reference (to a third source)8
• Higher Order Evaluation

As we evaluate the reliability of Source X, the following cases on the next

page are possible.

6 The question can also go beyond “correct” and “wrong”, as seen from Example 1. It
is far better to logically think about the question phrasing, and how to derive the
conclusion based on how the question is phrased, rather than memorise the possible
conclusions listed here.
7 Refer to 8. Analysing Source Provenance and 9. Reliability. The steps and

explanations to evaluate reliability for a source are in 9. Reliability, and will not be
repeated here.
8 Do not cross-refer to Source Y, since we have already used Source Y in our initial

answer.
12. 2 Source Proving

If Source X agrees with Source Y, Source X can prove that Source Y is

correct.
Case 1 Source X is reliable Source X can further prove that Source
Y is correct.
Case 2 Source X is Source X cannot prove that Source Y is
unreliable correct.

If Source X disagrees with Source Y, Source X cannot prove that

Source Y is correct.
Case 3 Source X is reliable Source X likely proves that Source Y is
wrong (and thus cannot prove that
Source Y is correct).

Case 4 Source X is Source X cannot prove that Source Y is

unreliable correct (or not).

IMPORTANT
If the question phrasing changes, e.g. ‘How far does Source X show that Y
is wrong?’, your phrasing (and stand) needs to change9.

If Source X agrees with Source Y, Source X cannot prove that Source

Y is wrong.
Case 5 Source X is reliable Source X likely proves that Source Y is
correct (and thus cannot prove that
Source D is wrong).
Case 6 Source X is Source X cannot prove that Source Y is
unreliable wrong (or not).

If Source X disagrees with Source Y, Source X can prove that Source Y

is wrong.
Case 7 Source X is reliable Source X can further prove that Source
Y is wrong.
Case 8 Source Y is Source X cannot prove that Source Y is
unreliable wrong.

9 The question can also go beyond “correct” and “wrong”, as seen from Example 1. It
is far better to logically think about the question phrasing, and how to derive the
conclusion based on how the question is phrased, rather than memorise the possible
conclusions listed here.
12. 2 Source Proving

12.5 Sample Format

Do note the format given is only a sample. It is not the best or only way
to answer a question on 2 source proving. Do adapt the format to fit the
question phrasing.

Paragraph 1: Study Source(s) Content

Answer the Question Source X can/cannot prove that Source Y is
correct.
Inference (Source X) From Source X, I can infer that __________.
Evidence (Source X) I know this because “_________________”.
Explanation (Source X) This suggests that ___________________.
Inference (Source Y) From Source X, I can infer that __________.
Evidence (Source Y) I know this because “_________________”.
Explanation (Source Y) This suggests that ___________________.
Linking statement <The phrasing is depending on which case you
encounter above>.

Paragraph 2: Cross-Reference (Source X10)

Introduce the source you Furthermore, Source X is reliable/unreliable
are cross-referencing to. because Source Z supports/contradicts it.
Inference (Source Z) From Source Z, I can infer that __________.
Evidence (Source Z) I know this because “_________________”.
Explanation (Source Z) This suggests that ___________________.
Linking Statement <The phrasing is depending on which case you
encounter above>.

Paragraph 3: Higher-order evaluation (Source X11) (e.g. purpose)

Purpose / motive / bias/ The author is…
tone/ context/ logical
reasoning/ typicality
<no fixed format>

Linking Statement <The phrasing is depending on which case you

encounter above>.

10 There are rare instances that we will evaluate the reliability of Source Y instead. The
explanation is given in the tips.
11 Refer to footnote 46.
12. 2 Source Proving

Other tips for 2 Source Proving

1) Focus on writing the first paragraph (2 Source Proving – Comparing
Source Content) well. This needs to be credited, before you can be
credited for your cross-reference or higher order evaluation.
2) When you cross-refer specifically to other sources in the case study,
ensure as far as possible that you are cross-referencing to a reliable
source. At least, do not cross-refer to an obviously unreliable source
(it may not be credited).
3) Your stand of whether ‘Source X can prove <claim>’ can change
throughout the question. This is because you are at different stages of
evaluating the source. As you evaluate the source more, you may find
that your original stand does not hold true. You do need to explain why
you have a particular stand at each stage of your answer.
4) There are rare instances that we can evaluate the reliability of Source Y
instead to answer the question. This is because Source Y can be so
reliable/unreliable that any use of Source X to evaluate Source Y is
rendered useless. This is dependent on the question, source and
context. If we are to evaluate Source Y instead, then the explanation of
why we do so needs to be clearly written out. The writing format is
similar to if we are evaluating Source X.
12. 2 Source Proving