medium-term review of liberal studies independent … · liberal studies independent enquiry study...

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Medium-term Review of Liberal Studies

Independent Enquiry Study

Samples of A Structured Approach

Four Steps for Conducting IES

• Problem Definition Step 1�

• Relevant Concepts and Knowledge/ Facts/ Step 2 Data

• In-depth Explanation of the Issue Step 3�

• Judgement and Justification Step 4�

2

THE ENQUIRY STRUCTURE OF THE SAMPLES

3

SAMPLE 1

Should waste charging be

adopted to alleviate the solid

waste problem in Hong Kong?

4

Focus questions: Can waste charging alleviate the solid waste problem in Hong Kong? Which of the charging mechanisms is effective in Hong Kong?

Step 1 • Problem Definition

• Contemporary issue

• With social bearing

SAMPLE 1

5

Step 2 • Relevant Concepts and Knowledge/ Facts/ Data

References (P.14 & 15)

BusinessDictionary.com

China Daily, “Foul air rises over landfill expansion”, 30 September, 2013.

The Environmental Protection Department, Strengthening Waste Reduction: Is Waste Charging an Option? Public Consultation, January 2012

The University of Hong Kong, The Public Opinion Programme

中文大學，中大香港亞太研究所公布市民對固體垃圾收費態度意見調查結果摘要， 2012年1月31日

Published sources

SAMPLE 1

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Step 3 • In-depth Explanation of the Issue

Who are the key stakeholders

involved? What are their

standpoints and views? What are

the conflicts that might arise? Evidence-based analysis Application of concepts and knowledge to explain

SAMPLE 1

7

Focus questions:

• Can waste charging

alleviate the solid waste

problem in Hong

Kong?

• Which of the charging

mechanisms is effective

in Hong Kong?

Step 4 • Judgement and Justification

Respond to the focus questions Analyse from multiple perspectives (e.g., concerns/ conflicts of the stakeholders) Support arguments with relevant information, concepts/ knowledge

樣本樣本樣本樣本2

探討立法規限停車熄匙有何爭議探討立法規限停車熄匙有何爭議探討立法規限停車熄匙有何爭議探討立法規限停車熄匙有何爭議，，，，並剖析其成效如何並剖析其成效如何並剖析其成效如何並剖析其成效如何

8

焦點問題:計劃能否達到減少車輛廢氣排放的目的?計劃面對什麼限制?計劃是否擾民?各持份者如何配合才能提高計劃的有效性?以上都是立法規管停車熄匙的主要焦點問題。希望透過探討這個議題分析立法停車熄匙的爭議，並建議改善

措施。

• 當代議題 • 社會關注

1 • 問題定義問題定義問題定義問題定義


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2 • 相關概念及知識相關概念及知識相關概念及知識相關概念及知識/事實事實事實事實/資料資料資料資料

參考資料參考資料參考資料參考資料(P.17 & 19)

「「「「網上資料網上資料網上資料網上資料」」」」

香港天文台香港天文台香港天文台香港天文台

運輸業請願運輸業請願運輸業請願運輸業請願反對強制停車熄匙反對強制停車熄匙反對強制停車熄匙反對強制停車熄匙 2008年年年年4月月月月1日日日日

環境保護署的討論文件和問卷調查環境保護署的討論文件和問卷調查環境保護署的討論文件和問卷調查環境保護署的討論文件和問卷調查

《《《《汽車引擎空轉汽車引擎空轉汽車引擎空轉汽車引擎空轉（（（（定額罰款定額罰款定額罰款定額罰款））））條例草案條例草案條例草案條例草案》》》》 2011年年年年7月月月月22日日日日

「「「「影視資料影視資料影視資料影視資料」」」」

劉健儀劉健儀劉健儀劉健儀，，，，「「「「停車熄匙為環境停車熄匙為環境停車熄匙為環境停車熄匙為環境政策寬緊探民情政策寬緊探民情政策寬緊探民情政策寬緊探民情」」」」，，，，城市論壇城市論壇城市論壇城市論壇，，，， 2010/04/25。。。。


10

3 •深入闡釋議題深入闡釋議題深入闡釋議題深入闡釋議題

探討不同持份者的關注探討不同持份者的關注探討不同持份者的關注探討不同持份者的關注／／／／看法看法看法看法


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4 •論點及論證論點及論證論點及論證論點及論證

焦點焦點焦點焦點問題問題問題問題：：：：

計劃能否達到減少車輛廢氣排計劃能否達到減少車輛廢氣排計劃能否達到減少車輛廢氣排計劃能否達到減少車輛廢氣排放的目的放的目的放的目的放的目的?計劃面對什麼限制計劃面對什麼限制計劃面對什麼限制計劃面對什麼限制?

計劃是否擾民計劃是否擾民計劃是否擾民計劃是否擾民?各持份者如何各持份者如何各持份者如何各持份者如何配合才能提高計劃的有效性配合才能提高計劃的有效性配合才能提高計劃的有效性配合才能提高計劃的有效性?

以上都是立法規管停車熄匙的以上都是立法規管停車熄匙的以上都是立法規管停車熄匙的以上都是立法規管停車熄匙的主要焦點問題主要焦點問題主要焦點問題主要焦點問題。。。。希望透過探討希望透過探討希望透過探討希望透過探討這個議題分析立法停車熄匙的這個議題分析立法停車熄匙的這個議題分析立法停車熄匙的這個議題分析立法停車熄匙的爭議爭議爭議爭議，，，，並建議改善措施並建議改善措施並建議改善措施並建議改善措施。。。。

運用運用運用運用概念概念概念概念及知及知及知及知識識識識／／／／事實事實事實事實／／／／資資資資料料料料

探討不同持探討不同持探討不同持探討不同持份份份份者的關注者的關注者的關注者的關注／／／／看看看看法法法法

THE MARKING CRITERIA AS ILLUSTRATED BY THE

PERFORMANCE OF THE SAMPLES

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This report aims at analysing the appropriateness of waste charging, in terms of its

principles and the effectiveness of various charging mechanisms suggested in the

consultation document, to alleviate the solid waste problem with reference to the

situation in Hong Kong.

Focus questions

Can waste charging alleviate the solid waste problem in Hong Kong?

Which of the charging mechanisms is effective in Hong Kong?

The municipal solid waste problem has been pressing in Hong Kong. The daily

quantity of municipal solid waste being dumped into Hong Kong’s three strategic

landfills “stands at 9 100 tonnes, sufficient to fill up three Olympic-sized swimming

pools.”1

Step 1 • Problem Definition

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SAMPLE 1

• Defines and explains clearly the focus and scope • Articulates clearly the social significance of the issue

P.3

Clear focus

Justify the social

significance

Clear scope

1.

� Appropriateness of a measure

The appropriateness in this case could be assessed with reference to the possibility of

reducing the waste generation, alleviating the pressure on landfills and the acceptance

among the general public, which determines the feasibility and the possible

behavioural changes and suitability of the various charging mechanisms in the

situation of Hong Kong. 14

SAMPLE 1

P.5

Step 2 • Relevant Concepts and Knowledge/ Facts/ Data

� Waste charging

A charge is incurred on the disposal of waste. The objective of waste charging is “to

create an economic incentive to achieve waste reduction” Its principles and

possible charging mechanisms are to be analysed to determine its appropriateness in

Hong Kong.

P.6

• Clearly identifies necessary and highly relevant concepts • Explains the relevance and applicability to the enquiry

Criteria for assessing the appropriateness

3The Environment Bureau, Strengthening Waste Reduction: Is Waste Charging an Option? Public Consultation, January 2012, P.7.

3

Marking Guidelines�7-8

Performance Level

(Marks)#

Problem Definition and Identification of Concepts (Weighting: 3)

Outstanding Achievement (7 – 9 marks)

Defines and explains clearly the focus and scope of the enquiry and articulates clearly the social significance of the issue Clearly identifies necessary and highly relevant concepts/knowledge and explains the relevance and applicability to the enquiry

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.1

SAMPLE 1

Step 3 • In-depth Explanation of the Issue

16

In January, 2012, the government issued a consultation document, Strengthening

Waste Reduction: Is Waste Charging an Option? Public Consultation. The

government suggested waste charging as a means to reduce waste in Hong Kong.

Three reasons were put forward in support of the implementation of waste charging:

(1) “Reducing Waste Generation at Source”; (2) “Increasing Waste Recovery Rate”

and (3) “Fostering Behavioural Changes”

The key stakeholders involved in the issue are the Hong Kong government, green

groups, all households in Hong Kong, the commercial and industrial sectors.

The controversial nature of the issue can be evident from the surveys conducted by

the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2012.

P.7

Uses relevant data as

evidence for the contro-versial nature

Arguments of the government— perspectives for assessing the

appropriateness

7The Environment Bureau, Strengthening Waste Reduction: Is Waste

Charging an Option? Public Consultation, January 2012, P.14-15.

7

1

SAMPLE 1 Step 3 • In-depth Explanation of the Issue

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P.8 In relation to the introduction of waste charging in Hong Kong, conflicts may arise

firstly, due to different perceptions of the share of responsibility of waste management

among different sectors in society and the government. From Tables 2 and 3, about

one-third of the respondents disagreed with the polluter-pays principle and 26.3%

preferred “partial charging” for the commercial and industrial sectors, indicating the

unwillingness for some households to take up their responsibility of the waste they

generate.

Conflicts in society may also arise in the discussion of the amount to be charged and

the charging mechanism as stakeholders have different concerns and interests. As

shown in Tables 2 and 3, people are not willing to pay much and not an

overwhelming majority agree with the adoption of waste charging. However, as the

green groups are concerning more about the reduction of waste generation so as to

alleviate the environmental problems with waste treatment, they are suggesting a

higher charge as an economic incentive. The Friends of the Earth believes that 60

cents, which is the average charge people were willing to pay as found from a survey,

“would be too low to encourage waste reduction”.

P.9

Clearly explains how the conflicts arise

Applies knowledge and concepts

Supporting evidence

Supporting evidence

12South China

Morning Post,

“Public

support waste

disposal

charges”, 15

August, 2012. 12

1

Can waste charging alleviate the solid waste problem in Hong Kong?

This charging scheme will be able to tackle the waste problem at source and provide

an incentive for people in Hong Kong to reduce waste. Firstly, from the survey by the

University of Hong Kong , though just about half agreed with the polluter-pays

principle, the majority (62%) of the respondents will sort waste for recycling after the

implementation of the waste charges.

SAMPLE 1 Step 4 • Judgement and Justification

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P.11

• Responds to the focus question • Clearly explains the criteria for assessing the

appropriateness, e.g. waste reduction, behavioural change, alleviation of the existing waste problem

• Evidential support

14The Public Opinion Programme, The University of Hong Kong

14

Applies knowledge and concepts

1.

If the amount of waste to be disposed of at the landfill is reduced, the landfills will not

be exhausted so quickly. There will not be a pressing need for the extension of the

existing landfills and the environmental problems, for instance the noise and air

pollution related to the rubbish trucks, will not be further aggravated. The

opposition to the expansion of the Tuen Mun landfill by residents in Tuen Mun and

Shenzhen Wan, which is separated from the landfill by the Deep Bay, shows evidence

of the impact of the intense and far reaching foul smell from the landfill

The experiences in Taipei City and Seoul indicate the positive effects of waste

charging. From Table 4, both the per Capita daily generation and disposal of waste

are lower than that in Hong Kong and London, where waste charging is not

implemented.


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P.12

Multiple perspective thinking (e.g., assessing by survey results and

experiences of other cities, considering counter-arguments, conflicts)

P.12

Evidential support

From Step 3

16

Some people worried about fly-tipping after the implementation of waste charging.

However, the presence of loopholes should not be the reason for aborting a regulation.

In an analogy, the idling engine ban should not be abolished just because it is difficult

to penalize drivers who have breached the law. As mentioned previously on P. 11

that the majority (62%) of the respondents in the survey will sort waste for recycling

after the implementation of the waste charges. This indicates that the majority of

people will change their behavior to reduce waste production, rather than evading the

payment by illegal means. In fact, monitoring measures and spot checks could be

conducted to deter people from fly-tipping, instead of shelving this proposal, which

will help alleviate the waste problem in Hong Kong.


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P.12

Evidential support

• Considers counter-arguments • Addresses the possible concerns from

stakeholders • Supports arguments with examples

From Step 3

Suggestions

A. Consensus building through consultation

Friends of the Earth has criticized the government for delaying the implementation of

waste charging by conducting lengthy consultations. The government should allow

sufficient discussion among the public before the implementation of new measures.

Table 2 shows the diverse views among citizens on waste charging. Through

consultations, the government will be able to achieve a broad consensus among

citizens on the implementation of waste charging.


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P.14

Evidential support

• Addresses the problems of waste charging identified in the enquiry

From Step 3

Marking Guidelines�Performance

Level (Marks)#

Explanation and Justification (Weighting: 5)


Deploys highly useful information Provides an accurate and highly relevant linkage between the analysis, justification and the information Sharply identifies, clearly and logically articulates factors/ impacts/ relationships/ major viewpoints of key stakeholders, dynamic relationships/ disagreements/ embedded values in the issue, with relevant concepts and knowledge/ facts/ up-to-date information Fully and logically justifies the standpoint/ choices/ decision with highly relevant conceptsand knowledge/ facts/ up-to-date information, showing logical and strong reasoning and high level of multiple-perspective thinking Provides insightful ideas/ views, which are relevant to the issue concerned and the enquiry question, with supportive arguments Addresses well the issue and the enquiry question with a comprehensive analysis from multiple perspectives

7-8

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Performance Level

(Marks)#

Presentation and Organisation* (Weighting: 1)


Communicates ideas in a concise and well-organised manner, with a coherent structure Clearly acknowledges sources of information

23

近年香港空氣污染情況愈來愈嚴重，汽車廢氣排放是香港空氣

污染（可吸入懸浮粒子和一氧化碳）的主要來源之一 1。一些駕駛

者和職業司機在停車期間繼續開動引擎，保持車內的空調系統繼

續運作。引擎空轉產生了不少廢氣、熱氣和噪音，滋擾行人和店

鋪，而這些廢氣亦會影響人體健康。此外更增加了溫室氣體的排

放，加劇全球暖化的問題。

政府就空氣污染問題，推行從不同措施改善空氣質素 2。例如推動

駕駛者使用柴油、更換舊式規格汽車、收緊新進口車輛廢氣排放

規格、引入更潔淨的燃料等，而停車熄匙則是其中一項新建議的

措施。環保署曾在 20 00 年就立法規定停車熄匙的建議諮詢了十八

個區議會，但立法的意見並未一致。政府因而把立法的建議轉為

加強宣傳教育。環保署人員自 199 7 年在空氣污染指數甚高的時候

到該區勸籲駕駛者停車熄匙，改善駕駛者的駕駛態度 3。


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背景背景背景背景資料資料資料資料

嘗試解釋嘗試解釋嘗試解釋嘗試解釋這議題這議題這議題這議題為為為為什麼什麼什麼什麼值得值得值得值得探究探究探究探究，，，，但但但但欠清晰欠清晰欠清晰欠清晰

P.3

1張嘉琪，《2011年香港排放清單報告》，環境保護署空氣科學組 2013年3月（http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/environmentinhk/air/data/files/2011HKEI Report_CHI_2.pdf）


25


• 指出焦點問題指出焦點問題指出焦點問題指出焦點問題，，，，但欠詳盡但欠詳盡但欠詳盡但欠詳盡 • 沒有指出衡量效度的準則沒有指出衡量效度的準則沒有指出衡量效度的準則沒有指出衡量效度的準則 • 沒有清楚解釋分析立法的爭議與探沒有清楚解釋分析立法的爭議與探沒有清楚解釋分析立法的爭議與探沒有清楚解釋分析立法的爭議與探究的關係究的關係究的關係究的關係

計劃能否達到減少車輛廢氣排放的目的 ?計劃面對什麼限制 ?計劃

是否擾民 ?各持份者如何配合才能提高計劃的有效性 ?以上都是立

法規管停車熄匙的主要焦點問題。希望透過探討這個議題分析立

法停車熄匙的爭議，並建議改善措施。

P.4


26

2 • 相關概念及知識相關概念及知識相關概念及知識相關概念及知識/事實事實事實事實/資料資料資料資料

「停車熄匙規定」 1根據《汽車引擎空轉 (定額罰款 )條例》 (《條

例》 )(第 611章 )規定，車輛停定時，若「內燃引擎於任何連續的 60

分鐘時段內合計運作超過 3分鐘。執法人員可向違反停車熄匙規定

的司機發出罰款通知書，要求該司機繳交定額罰款 $320。」

「空氣污染物」是指一些危害人體健康及周邊環境的物質，這些

物質包括氣體、固體或液體，而車輛所排放則屬氣體污染 2。要處

理香港空氣污染問題，其中要做的是減少汽車排出的污染物質，

所以立法規定停車熄匙的成效在於能否減少汽車排出的污染物。

P.5

• 嘗試解釋與嘗試解釋與嘗試解釋與嘗試解釋與議題探究議題探究議題探究議題探究的關係的關係的關係的關係，，，，但欠深入但欠深入但欠深入但欠深入。。。。


Performance Level (Marks)#

Problem Definition and Identification of Concepts (Weighting: 3)

Satisfactory Achievement (4 – 6 Marks)

Attempts to define the focus and scope of the enquiry and the social significance, but lacks clarity, or shows a partial understanding of the social significance of the issue Points out briefly some concepts, but may not be all relevant; attempts to explain the relevance and applicability of some of the concepts to the enquiry, but lacks clarity; may omit some key concepts

27


28

3 • 深入闡釋議題深入闡釋議題深入闡釋議題深入闡釋議題

P.8

總括而言，環保團體與政府大致支持立法停車熄匙，因他們

認為造成空氣污染的主因來自車輛的廢氣排放，廢氣中的有害物

質更是人們患病的其中一個來源。要解決空氣污染指數上升的問

題和保障市民大眾的健康，環保團體認為必須立法規定停車熄匙

才能最有效地解決污染問題，並協助執法人員執法及解決人們所

擔心的執法困難的問題。

然而，交通運輸業界及交通界代表則反對立法停車熄匙。他

們認為停車熄匙反而加劇空氣污染問題，因重覆開關引擎會排放

更多廢氣，也更加速車輛的機件損耗，增加職業司機的負擔和開

支，更危害司機及乘客的健康。此外，他們認為停車熄匙執法困

難，且與為改善環境的立法目標背道而馳，反而對環境造成嚴重

的破壞和影響 1。

各持份者都各認為空氣質素和人體健康是最重要，但立法規管停

車熄匙是增加還是減少溫室氣體排放，或是否能保障駕駛者及市

民的健康仍是當時最大的爭議點。

清楚解清楚解清楚解清楚解

釋持份釋持份釋持份釋持份

者的者的者的者的看看看看

法法法法、、、、分分分分

歧歧歧歧及爭及爭及爭及爭

議點議點議點議點P.9

圖 1


29

4 • 論點及論證論點及論證論點及論證論點及論證

近年香港污染問題日趨嚴重，路邊空氣污染主要來源之一是道路

的汽車 1。 2顯示道路運輸排放的污染物佔超過 20 %，其中一氧

化碳的排放最高，超過一半。有研究指空轉引擎比行車中的引擎

的污染物排放高兩倍 3。加上香港街道狹窄，高樓大廈阻擋通風，靜止汽車排放的污染物聚積，使路旁的污染物濃度提高。停車熄

匙的確能夠減少廢氣排放及聚積，減低污染，減少對行人的健康

影響。

根據以上的數據，停車熄匙理論上可減低空氣污染，改善環境。

但停車熄匙立法的成效取決於市民能否改變習慣，遵守法例。

針對運輸業界的憂慮，政府已加入了一些豁免條款 1。政府亦已

修訂在「黃色、紅色或黑色暴雨警告信號」及「酷熱天氣警告」

時，所有車輛能夠均獲得豁免，避免有司機因在酷熱天氣警告時

停車熄匙而中暑身亡的事件再次發生。

P.10

運用相關概念及知識運用相關概念及知識運用相關概念及知識運用相關概念及知識

•回應回應回應回應焦點焦點焦點焦點問題問題問題問題

•衡量成效衡量成效衡量成效衡量成效的指標清的指標清的指標清的指標清晰晰晰晰

P.11

圖121以以以以資料支持資料支持資料支持資料支持觀點觀點觀點觀點

21資料來自 http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/environmentinhk/air/data/emission_inve.html


30


P.11要知道該法例從 2 01 1 年 12 月實施以來的成效，空氣質素指數是成

效的指標。圖 2 顯示路邊監測站的空氣質素指數超過 1 00 的天數有

下降的趨勢 (由 1 7 5 天下跌至 1 4 0 天 )。不過，這並不能直接說明該

法例帶來直接成效。而環境保護署也把這下降的趨勢歸功於其他

措施 1。在 2 0 1 3 年 12 月立法會會議上，環境局局長黃錦星回應有

關該法例的成效時，也承認「對改善整體空氣質素來說，停

• 以以以以資料支持觀點資料支持觀點資料支持觀點資料支持觀點 • 以以以以不同不同不同不同來源的資料來源的資料來源的資料來源的資料互相互相互相互相引證引證引證引證

2013


31


P.13其成效不彰可能與以下因素有關：

第一，豁免太多。除了一些商業車輛外，還有「酷熱天氣警告」

生效的日子。香港夏天炎熱，在 2 01 1 年 1 2 月至年 12 月，

共有 5 6 日「酷熱天氣警告」 1生效，全年有 1 5 %的日子不能執行這

法例。

第二，執法困難。法例需要眾多執法人員，也費時。至 2 01 3

年 11 月，警務處交通督導員及環境保護督察「進行了 6 77 次聯合

行動，執法人員一共進行了 3 0 7 0 次計時，並向當中 86 名違例（即

未有在三分鐘內熄匙）的司機發出定額罰款通知書，其餘的司機

則熄匙或駛離現場。」 2

清楚清楚清楚清楚、、、、有理地有理地有理地有理地解釋因素解釋因素解釋因素解釋因素

以以以以資料支資料支資料支資料支持觀點持觀點持觀點持觀點

透過多角度回應探究透過多角度回應探究透過多角度回應探究透過多角度回應探究問題問題問題問題 ((((例如例如例如例如:::: 污染數據污染數據污染數據污染數據、、、、持持持持份者的態度份者的態度份者的態度份者的態度、、、、行為行為行為行為、、、、關注點關注點關注點關注點、、、、法例的執行情況法例的執行情況法例的執行情況法例的執行情況））））

從步驟3

2012


32


P.14

就以上因素就以上因素就以上因素就以上因素提出建議提出建議提出建議提出建議，，，，回回回回應探究問題應探究問題應探究問題應探究問題

相關建議

為解決交通業界人士所指出執法上有困難問題，我建議政府為執

法人員作培訓，訂立明確和清晰的指引。交通業界人士亦指出停

車熄匙會加速機件損耗增加負擔，政府可就這方面作研究，參考

有立法停車熄匙的國家例子，例如瑞士 1政府為業界提供有關較耐

用或增加使用配合停車熄匙的汽車型號（例如提供稅項減免），或

是增加車輛津貼已減低司機的運作成本。

以以以以資資資資料支料支料支料支持觀持觀持觀持觀點點點點

Marking Guidelines�Performance

Level (Marks)#

Explanation and Justification (Weighting: 5)


Deploys highly useful information Provides an accurate and highly relevant linkage between the analysis, justification and the information Sharply identifies, clearly and logically articulates factors/ impacts/ relationships/ major viewpoints of key stakeholders, dynamic relationships/ disagreements/ embedded values in the issue, with relevant concepts and knowledge/ facts/ up-to-date information Fully and logically justifies the standpoint/ choices/ decision with highly relevant conceptsand knowledge/ facts/ up-to-date information, showing logical and strong reasoning and high level of multiple-perspective thinking Provides insightful ideas/ views, which are relevant to the issue concerned and the enquiry question, with supportive arguments Addresses well the issue and the enquiry question with a comprehensive analysis from multiple perspectives

7-8

33


Performance Level

(Marks)#

Presentation and Organisation* (Weighting: 1)


Communicates ideas in a concise and well-organised manner, with a coherent structure Clearly acknowledges sources of information

34

35

Sample 1 Sample 2

Word Count 2800 3838

medium-term review of liberal studies independent … · liberal studies independent enquiry study...

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