Learning Objectives
Assess alternative actions using evidence, impact, feasibility, sustainability, equity and stakeholder perspectives, then write a clear and fully supported recommendation.
Purpose Of Question 4
Question 4 is an extended response worth 20 marks and is based on all sources in the insert. You are given possible actions and asked which one you recommend. A high-quality answer uses evidence and reasons, develops a clear line of reasoning, considers different perspectives or alternatives and reaches supported judgements.
There is usually no single officially correct action. Marks depend on how effectively the recommendation is justified.
Understand Each Action
Before choosing, identify what each action would involve, who would carry it out, who would benefit, what resources it requires and what short- and long-term effects may follow.
Action Questions
- What problem does this action directly address?
- How quickly could it have an effect?
- How many people could it reach?
- What would it cost?
- Is it technically and politically feasible?
- Who might support or oppose it?
- Could it create unintended consequences?
- Is the effect sustainable?
Criteria For Assessing Actions
Impact
The scale and seriousness of the likely benefit or harm.
Feasibility
Whether the action can realistically be implemented with available time, money, skills, authority and public support.
Sustainability
Whether benefits can continue without creating unacceptable future costs or dependence.
Equity
Whether benefits and burdens are distributed fairly, especially for vulnerable groups.
Acceptability
Whether stakeholders are likely to support the action according to their needs, values and perspectives.
Unintended Consequences
Effects that were not the main purpose of the action and may reduce its value or create new problems.
Use Evidence And Reasons
The mark scheme rewards a wide range of relevant evidence and reasons. Evidence may come from the supplied sources. Own ideas are allowed when relevant, but they are not required for full marks.
Do more than repeat a source. Interpret it. If a source states that a programme reached 10,000 households, explain that this suggests scale. If a testimony says people felt dependent, explain how that may weaken long-term sustainability or dignity.
Develop A Line Of Reasoning
A line of reasoning is a connected chain leading from evidence to judgement. Each paragraph should contribute to the recommendation rather than present unrelated points.
Reasoning Chain
Evidence or feature → likely effect → importance for a stakeholder or criterion → comparison with another action → judgement.
Original Example
“Training local repair workers requires initial funding, but it creates skills that remain in the community. This makes it slower than importing technicians at first, yet more sustainable because future repairs can be completed locally and at lower continuing cost.”
Consider Alternatives Fairly
A strong recommendation recognises benefits of rejected options and limitations of the chosen action. This demonstrates evaluation rather than one-sided promotion.
Concession And Response
“Direct cash assistance would provide the fastest relief and may be necessary during an emergency. However, as the main long-term policy it does not improve local employment, so vocational training is preferable for sustained income.”
Consider Different Perspectives
Possible perspectives include government, taxpayers, businesses, local communities, vulnerable groups, workers, charities and future generations. Explain why an action may be viewed differently.
Stakeholder Contrast
Residents may support stricter pollution controls for health reasons, while small businesses may fear the cost of new equipment. A phased grant programme may address both perspectives better than an immediate uncompensated ban.
Short-Term And Long-Term Effects
Some actions provide immediate relief but do not remove underlying causes. Others address root causes but take time. The best recommendation may combine urgency and sustainability, but if the question requires one choice, explain why one priority is more important in that context.
Avoid the automatic assumption that long-term is always better. During a crisis, immediate life-saving action may outweigh slower structural change.
Local, National And Global Scale
Judge whether an action works at the scale of the problem. A local awareness campaign may be feasible and targeted but insufficient for a global supply problem. An international agreement may have wider reach but face slow negotiation and weak enforcement.
An action’s smaller scale is not always a weakness if the question concerns one community or if local implementation can be replicated.
Cost And Opportunity Cost
Cost includes money, staff, infrastructure, time and political effort. Opportunity cost means resources used for one action cannot be used elsewhere. Do not dismiss an action only because it is expensive; compare cost with expected impact and identify possible funding or efficiency.
Unsupported Cost Claims
Do not simply call every government action expensive. Explain what resources are needed and why the cost affects feasibility or fairness.
A Strong Question 4 Structure
Recommended Structure
- Introduction: state the recommended action and the main criteria.
- Paragraph 1: explain the strongest benefit using source evidence.
- Paragraph 2: develop another reason, such as sustainability or equity.
- Paragraph 3: evaluate the main limitation of the chosen action and explain whether it can be managed.
- Paragraph 4: compare with the strongest alternative and explain why it is less suitable overall.
- Conclusion: make a clear final judgement linked to impact, feasibility and perspectives.
This structure is flexible. The answer should remain connected and evaluative rather than becoming a checklist.
The Final Judgement
A fully supported judgement is clearly related to the issue, explained and consistent with the argument developed throughout the answer. Avoid introducing a new main reason in the final sentence.
Judgement Formula
“Therefore, Action B is the strongest overall choice because it addresses the root cause, reaches the most affected group and offers continuing benefits. Although it requires more initial investment than Action A, the sources suggest that its long-term impact and reduced dependence justify the cost.”
Original Practice Task
Scenario
A city wants to reduce household waste. It is considering three actions: charge households for non-recyclable waste, provide free home compost bins, or run a year-long education campaign. Recommend one action and justify your choice.
Possible Direction
A student might recommend charging for non-recyclable waste because it directly changes incentives and can reduce disposal quickly. The response should also consider unfair effects on low-income or large households, enforcement costs and illegal dumping. Free compost bins may work well for food waste but not all waste, while education is acceptable and broad but may not change behaviour without incentives. Another action can be recommended if supported by equally strong reasoning.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing an action without evaluating the others.
- Using only personal opinion.
- Repeating source statements without interpretation.
- Listing advantages and disadvantages without connecting them.
- Ignoring stakeholders and perspectives.
- Assuming the most expensive or technological action is automatically best.
- Presenting an entirely one-sided case.
- Changing the recommendation in the conclusion.
- Using own knowledge that is irrelevant or unsupported.
Final Exam Routine
Before Writing
- Circle the exact action you will recommend.
- Choose two or three criteria for judgement.
- Select evidence from more than one source.
- Identify the strongest alternative.
- Note one limitation of your chosen action.
Before Finishing
- Have I clearly stated the recommendation?
- Have I used evidence and explained its relevance?
- Have I developed connected reasoning?
- Have I considered different perspectives or actions?
- Is the final judgement consistent with the essay?
Exam Checklist
- I state one clear recommendation.
- I assess impact, feasibility and at least one further criterion.
- I use and interpret evidence from the sources.
- I consider the strongest alternative.
- I acknowledge a limitation of my preferred action.
- I finish with a supported, consistent judgement.
Lesson Summary
- Question 4 is worth 20 marks and uses all the source material.
- Actions should be judged through explicit criteria rather than preference.
- Evidence must be interpreted and connected to the recommendation.
- A strong answer develops a sustained line of reasoning.
- Different perspectives, alternatives and limitations should be considered fairly.
- The final judgement must be explained and consistent with the whole response.
