SingaporeSocial StudiesSyllabus dot point

How do you compare two sources and prove whether they agree or disagree?

Compare two sources for similarity or difference and support the comparison with matched evidence from both sources

A focused answer to the O-Level Social Studies comparison skill. How to find a clear point of agreement or disagreement between two sources, and prove it with matched evidence quoted from both, rather than describing each source one after the other.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.88 min answerUpdated 2026-06-06

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What this dot point is asking
The answer
Examples in context
Try this

What this dot point is asking

SEAB wants you to compare two sources and decide how far they are similar or different, then prove your judgement with evidence taken from both. The skill being tested is not whether you can describe each source, it is whether you can put them side by side on the same issue and show exactly where they match or clash. The single biggest mistake candidates make is to write a paragraph on Source A, then a paragraph on Source B, and never actually compare them. A strong comparison weaves both sources together around one focused point.

The answer

Compare, do not summarise

A comparison answer must do the comparing for the marker. Saying "Source A says X" and then "Source B says Y" leaves the reader to spot the link. Instead, name the relationship first ("the sources disagree about...") and then bring evidence from both to prove it in the same breath. Words such as "whereas", "in contrast", "similarly" and "both" are the signal that you are comparing rather than listing.

Decide the focus of the comparison

The question always points at a specific issue: their view of immigration, their attitude to harmony, how serious they think a problem is. Compare them on that issue, not on everything. Two sources might agree that a problem exists but disagree on its cause; a sharp answer names exactly which.

The structure of a comparison point

A clear comparison point has three moves:

State the relationship. "Source A and Source B disagree about whether immigration helps Singapore."
Evidence from the first source. Quote or describe the detail that shows its view.
Matched evidence from the second source. Quote the detail that shows the other view, on the same issue, so the contrast is visible.

Surface agreement versus deeper meaning

Sources can agree on the facts but differ on the message, or use different words to make the same point. Look past the surface. A poster and a speech that use completely different images may still carry the same message about harmony, just as two reports quoting the same figure may draw opposite conclusions from it. Compare the meaning, not only the wording.

Reaching the top band: both sides

The strongest comparisons recognise that two sources are rarely identical or total opposites. After your main point, add the secondary relationship: "although they disagree on whether immigration is good, both agree it has a major impact." Showing a similarity and a difference, each proven, is what separates a top-band answer from a competent one.

Worked example

Question: Source A is a cartoon showing the government as a careful gardener watering many different plants equally. Source B is a written extract claiming the government "favours some groups over others when sharing out support." How far do the two sources agree about how fairly the government treats different groups? Explain with evidence from both. [6 marks]

Step 1: Read both sources for the same issue

Both sources are about whether the government treats different groups fairly. That is my focus for the comparison.

Step 2: Name the relationship first

I decide they mostly disagree, and I open with that: "Source A and Source B disagree about whether the government treats groups fairly."

Step 3: Prove it with matched evidence from both

I write: "Source A suggests fairness, because it draws the government as a gardener watering many different plants equally, implying every group gets the same care. Source B suggests the opposite, because it claims the government 'favours some groups over others when sharing out support,' implying unequal treatment." The two details sit on the same issue, so the clash is clear.

Step 4: Add the secondary relationship for the top band

I finish: "The sources do share one assumption, that the government's distribution of support matters greatly to fairness; they differ only on whether that distribution is even." That gives both a difference and a smaller similarity, each proven.

Examples in context

Example 1. Two views of foreign workers. Imagine Source A is a photograph of foreign construction workers building new MRT lines, captioned to praise their contribution, while Source B is a letter complaining that foreign workers crowd public spaces on weekends. A strong comparison states that the sources disagree about foreign workers, proves it by setting the praised contribution in Source A against the complaint of overcrowding in Source B, then notes both agree foreign workers are a visible and significant presence in Singapore.

Example 2. Two takes on globalisation. Imagine Source C argues globalisation has made Singaporeans wealthier through trade and investment, while Source D argues globalisation has widened the gap between high and low earners. A sharp comparison names the disagreement about whether globalisation benefits everyone, proves it from both, and adds that both sources agree globalisation has reshaped the Singapore economy, differing only on who gains.

Try this

Q1. Explain why writing a paragraph on each source separately is not a comparison. [2 marks]

Cue. A comparison must set the two sources side by side on the same issue and name their relationship with matched evidence; describing them one after another leaves the marker to spot the link and does not do the comparing.

Q2. Source E praises a policy as "bold and necessary"; Source F calls the same policy "rushed and risky." State the relationship and prove it from both. [3 marks]

Cue. They disagree about the policy: Source E sees it positively ("bold and necessary") while Source F sees it negatively ("rushed and risky"), so they take opposite views of the same measure.

Q3. Why should you look past the wording when comparing two sources? [2 marks]

Cue. Two sources can use different words or images and still carry the same message, or share words yet draw opposite conclusions, so you must compare the underlying meaning rather than only the surface language.

Exam-style practice questions

Practice questions written in the style of SEAB exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.

Original6 marksSource A is a newspaper editorial arguing that immigration has strengthened Singapore by filling skills gaps and keeping the economy growing. Source B is a letter to the same newspaper arguing that rapid immigration has strained housing, transport and the sense of national identity. How similar are these two sources in their view of immigration? Explain your answer with evidence from both.

Show worked answer →

What the question wants: A clear judgement on similarity or difference, then matched evidence from both sources to prove it. Do not summarise each source in turn.
Judgement: The two sources are largely different in their view of immigration.
Point of difference, proven from both: Source A is positive: it argues immigration has "strengthened Singapore by filling skills gaps and keeping the economy growing," which suggests it sees immigration as an economic benefit. Source B is negative: it argues rapid immigration has "strained housing, transport and the sense of national identity," which suggests it sees immigration as a source of pressure and cost. They disagree because one weighs the economic gains while the other weighs the social strains.
A point of similarity (for the top band): Both sources do agree that immigration has a large impact on Singapore; they differ only on whether that impact is positive or negative.
Why it earns marks: Markers reward a clear comparison (mostly different), evidence drawn from both sources and matched on the same issue, and recognition that there is also a smaller similarity.

Original4 marksSource C is a poster encouraging Singaporeans to attend their neighbours' festivals of other faiths. Source D is a speech extract urging citizens to 'step beyond your own community and share in others' celebrations.' How far do these two sources agree on building harmony? Explain using both.