1. National 5 Skills
Options Questions

2. Options Questions…
In this skill question you will be presented with evidence on a particular topic and asked to decide between two possible options.
There is no “correct” answer so you can choose either option and still get full marks.
Remember that you must only use the information provided in the sources to answer the question.

3. Step 1: Read the sources…
Read all three sources of information before making a choice.
Note/highlight information which supports each side as you read. Whichever side has more evidence should be the option you choose.

4. Step 2: State your option
Make sure that you clearly state which option you have chosen at the START of your answer.
“I have chosen option 1, Nora Mason the candidate for the Scottish Conservative Party as the Millwood MP”
REMEMBER: YOU MUST STATE THE FULL OPTION, NOT JUST SAY 1 OR 2.

5. Step 3: Evidence your decision
Write three paragraphs highlighting why made your choice.
“One of the reasons I have chosen option 1 is…(Source 1). This can be further backed up by Source 3 which states…”
Link information from between sources when giving evidence and always link this back to the Option…
e.g “…this illustrates that Nora Mason, the candidate for the Conservative party is the best option for Millwood.”

6. Step 4: Reject the other option
You must explain why you did not choose the other option. You should briefly recognise why this option could be good.
“Option 2 could be a possibility as Source 2 tells us…”
Then prove that it is not by providing evidence from the sources which highlights why it is a poor option/using new evidence to show the other option is better.
“..however, Option 2 is not actually realistic as Source 1 shows that…”

7. Task Attempt the Options Question Remember to follow the steps/layout.
Step1 : Read all the sources
Step 2: State your option
Step 3: Evidence your decision
Step 4: Reject the other option
REMEMBER: ALWAYS NAME YOUR SOURCES & USE ALL THREE!!!!!

8. Australia Voting Question
I have chosen Option 1, to keep compulsory voting in Australia.
One of the reasons I have chosen Option 1 is due to the fact turnout is higher in Australia with compulsory voting- it was only 47% before it was introduced and now it is around 95% (Source 1). This is further supported by evidence in Source 2 where turnout at the most recent parliamentary election was 93.22%.Turnout has doubled since it was introduced. Another reason to support Option 1 can be seen in Source 3 which highlights that when turnout is high, the election result is much more accurate and reflects what the Australian people want. This is further reflected in Source 1 which shows that compulsory voting is highly supported by the Australian people.

9. Although Option 2 could be a viable option, as it has been suggested that removing the right to not vote can be undemocratic (Source 1), Option 1 is still the better choice as, in all countries where there is compulsory voting, turnout is much higher compared to all countries where there isn't. For example, Brazil and Argentina have turnout rates near 80% while Canada and Russia have only 60% (Source 2).