Practice Comparison Question “The benefits of video-games” Higher Paper 2011

5 mark question: Consider the attitude displayed by each writer to video games and their effects on young people. Referring to important ideas in both the passages, identify the key areas on which they disagree.

Task minutes Write down the three main areas that the two passages disagree on. 1. “The passages disagree on…” 2. “The passages disagree on…” 3. “The passages disagree on…”

Main areas of disagreement 1. the educational/intellectual benefit. 2. the mental challenge involved. 3. The rewards involved. You must clearly identify three of these essential areas to get 3 marks or above. Whether you get 3, 4 or 5 marks will depend upon how well you explain the difference in ideas, and your supporting evidence.

2 mark answer: The passages disagree on the educational and intellectual benefits of playing video games. The passages disagree on the mental challenge involved in playing video games. The passages disagree on the rewards involved in playing video games. You have identified the three main areas of disagreement, but there is no evidence.

To gain more marks, you have to provide evidence. “Some supporting evidence” = 3 marks. “Sound supporting evidence” = 4 marks. “Intelligent supporting evidence” =5 marks.

Task minutes Provide supporting evidence for the three main areas of disagreement: 1. The passages disagree on the educational and intellectual benefits of playing video games. 2. The passages disagree on the mental challenge involved in playing video games. 3. The passages disagree on the rewards involved in playing video games.

Passage 1: Main ideas Video games are viewed as pointless, but they are not. They develop the brain in a number of ways. High level thinking skills are involved. They are very challenging at times. Unlike other entertainment, pleasure is not immediate. They can appear simple, but are often very complex. They tap into the brain’s natural desire for reward.

Passage 2: Main ideas They are as addictive as drugs. They are a threat to literacy. They require no thought or effort. They encourage slovenly behaviour and thinking. They may pretend to be educational, but they are totally lacking in educational value. They offer simple and immediate pleasure.

1. The educational/intellectual benefit Passage 1 They develop the brain in a number of ways. Passage 2 They are a threat to literacy. They may pretend to be educational, but they are totally lacking in educational value.

2. The mental challenge involved Passage 1 They are very challenging at times. They can appear simple, but are often very complex. High level thinking skills are involved. Passage 2 They require no thought or effort. They encourage slovenly behaviour and thinking.

3. Rewards involved Passage 1 They tap into the brain’s natural desire for reward. Unlike other entertainment, pleasure is not immediate. Passage 2 They offer simple and immediate pleasure. They are as addictive as drugs.

Example 5 mark answer Bullet Point 1 The first main area of disagreement is over whether video games have any educational or intellectual benefit. Passage 1 argues that they develop the brain in a number of ways. However, Passage 2 argues that they are a threat to literacy and have no educational value at all.

Bullet point 2 The second main area of disagreement concerns the mental challenge involved in playing video games. Passage 1 argues that they are often very complex and that high level thinking skills are involved. However, Passage 2 argues that they require no thought or mental effort.

Bullet point 3 The third main area of disagreement concerns the rewards involved in playing video games. Passage 1 argues that they tap into the brain's natural desire for reward and that pleasure is not immediate. However, Passage 2 argues that they are as addictive as drugs and that they offer simple and immediate pleasure.

Why is this an excellent answer? It is well organised using 3 extended bullet points. I have identified three essential areas of disagreement. Each extended bullet point focuses on an essential area of disagreement. For each bullet point, there is an intelligent use of supporting evidence from both Passages.

The first main area of disagreement is over whether video games have any educational or intellectual benefit. Passage 1 argues that they develop the brain in a number of ways. However, Passage 2 argues that they are a threat to literacy and have no educational value at all. The second main area of disagreement concerns the mental challenge involved in playing video games. Passage 1 argues that they are often very complex and that high level thinking skills are involved. However, Passage 2 argues that they require no thought or mental effort. The third main area of disagreement concerns the rewards involved in playing video games. Passage 1 argues that they tap into the brain's natural desire for reward and that pleasure is not immediate. However, Passage 2 argues that they are as addictive as drugs and that they offer simple and immediate pleasure.