Justify Your Choice
A vague ending scores low. In the 12-mark decision question, a strong answer states a clear choice and justifies it with specific evidence. Learn how to build one.
Use it, the way the marks are given
Free interactive practice at using the material, which is what the marks are for.
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More than an opinion
A vague ending like on balance it is better scores low. In the 12-mark decision question, a strong answer states a clear choice and justifies it with specific evidence. This module is about building a justified answer that earns the marks.
Justification words
Four ideas run through a justified answer:
A strong answer
What makes a decision answer well justified?
- It gives reasons backed by specific evidence
- It only says which option the writer likes
- It ends with a vague on balance
- It simply repeats the question
Strong or weak?
The same choice can be argued well or badly.
Strong or weak phrase?
- It is just better
- Source B shows fewer homes flood
- It helps people and protects the river
- I think it is the nicest
- A weak, vague claim with no evidence
- A strong point using specific evidence
- A strong point weighing human and physical impacts
- A weak personal opinion
Build the answer
A strong 12-mark answer follows a clear shape: state the option you choose, justify it with specific evidence from the sources, weigh the physical and human impacts, explain why the other options are weaker, and finish with a clear evidenced conclusion.
What earns the marks?
Which THREE make a decision answer strong?
- It uses specific evidence from the sources
- It weighs physical and human impacts
- It explains why the other options are weaker
- It repeats the question wording
- It ends with a vague on balance
Order the answer
Put the parts of a strong 12-mark answer in a sensible order.
- State the option you choose
- Give specific evidence from the sources
- Weigh the physical and human impacts
- Explain why the other options are weaker
- Reach a clear, evidenced conclusion
Which justify?
Tap the TWO sentences that justify the choice with evidence.
- Source A shows the wetland would cut flooding by half.
- This protects homes, a clear human benefit.
- On balance, it just seems best.
- I like this option the most.
- It is the right choice, obviously.
The move most answers skip
The move most answers skip is the one about the options you did not pick. Writing that option C is worse will not do on its own, because it offers no _____. A stronger sentence names the fault and sources it: option C pushes the flood risk downstream, which Source B shows would put more _____ at risk than the scheme protects. Notice that rejecting an option needs the same two ingredients as choosing one, a specific _____ and a named source, so it is not a separate skill to learn. An answer that picks well and never says why the alternatives lose has done _____ the job, and that is what keeps it out of the top _____.
Why not on balance?
Why does a vague on balance conclusion score poorly?
- It gives no evidence or reasons for the choice
- It is too long to read
- It uses too many facts
- It is too neatly written
Make it stronger
- It is better
- I like it
- It is good for people
- It is the right choice
- Source C shows it costs less and floods fewer homes
- It protects the wetland, a physical benefit
- It helps people and limits harm to the river
- It is best because the evidence supports it
Fix the answer
A student is writing a decision answer about a flood scheme. Help them improve it.
- They write that option A is best, but give no reasons. What should they add?
- They only mention the jobs a scheme creates. What are they missing?
- They end by saying on balance it is good. How do they improve the conclusion?
Plan the answer
A town must choose one of three flood options. Plan a 12-mark answer that justifies your choice.
- State which option you would choose
- Give two pieces of evidence to justify it
- Weigh one physical and one human impact
- Explain why the other options are weaker