Aga Khan University Examination Board

Notes from E-Marking Centre on HSSC-II Pakistan Studies Examination May 2018

Introduction:

This document has been produced for the teachers and candidates of the Higher Secondary
School Certificate (HSSC) Part II subject in Pakistan Studies. It contains comments on
candidates’ responses to the 2018 HSSC-II Examination, indicating the quality of the responses
and highlighting their relative strengths and weaknesses.

E-Marking Notes:

This includes overall comments on students’ performance on every question and some specific
examples of students’ responses which support the mentioned comments. Please note that the
descriptive comments represent an overall perception of the better and weaker responses as
gathered from the e-marking session. However, the candidates’ responses shared in this
document represent some specific example(s) of the mentioned comments.

Teachers and candidates should be aware that examiners may ask questions that address the
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) in a manner that require candidates to respond by
integrating knowledge, understanding and application skills they have developed during the
course of study. Candidates are advised to read and comprehend each question carefully before
writing the response to fulfil the demand of the question.

Candidates need to be aware that the marks allocated to the questions are related to the answer
space provided on the examination paper as a guide to the length of the required response. A
longer response will not in itself lead to higher marks. Candidates need to be familiar with the
command words in the SLOs which contain terms commonly used in examination questions.
However, candidates should also be aware that not all questions will start with or contain one
of the command words. Words such as ‘how’, ‘why’ or ‘what’ may also be used.

General Comments:

The paper of Pakistan Studies at this level comprises of several components. This year
candidates did fairly well in the questions which required more of a general approach. Whereas,
it was generally felt that the students are not able to perform well in the question which were
specific in nature in terms of effects of inflation, effects of certain type of pollution on climate,
and the salient features of foreign policy envisaged by Quaid-e-Azam. Most candidates
performed poorly in questions dealing with foreign policy part. However some candidates
produced good responses to questions from these sections well. It seemed that the candidates
were not well prepared to answer questions from the above mentioned topics. It was also
observed that candidates do not spend time in reading questions which lead to poor answers as
in most cases, candidates prepared a general response which they wrote without realizing the
demand of the question.

Note: Candidates’ responses reproduced in this report have not been corrected for
grammar, spelling, format or factual information.

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Detailed Comments:

Constructed Response Questions (CRQs)

Question 1:

Describe the reasons behind the reversal of partition of Bengal in 1911?

Better responses covered the reasons in a well-articulated manner, covering all the aspects that
have resulted in the reversal of the partition of Bengal which included the protests and riots
done by the Hindus, introduction of Swadeshi movement, i.e. boycott of British goods.
Candidates also mentioned the attack on the Viceroy.
Example:

Weaker responses reflected lack of understanding of the candidates in terms of the reversal of
Bengal; they majorly mentioned the causes behind the partition rather than its reversal. This
reflected that the candidates have not read the entire question or have not spent time in
comprehending the question, resulting in an inappropriate response.

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Example:

Question 2:

What were the salient features of the foreign policy envisaged for Pakistan by the founder of
the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in 1947?

Better responses highlighted that the candidates were able to mention the features of the foreign
policy presented by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah which includes honesty and fair
play in national and international dealings, preservation of the ideology of Pakistan. Candidates
also wrote that being an independent sovereign state Pakistan will maintain its independence,
regional co-operation with the states, support for the right of self-determination, protection of
national security/ interest and there will be no aggressive designs against any country or nation
etc.

Example:

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Weaker responses were not able to be specific in their answers and mentioned general
descriptions such as foreign policy should be made to develop relationships with other
countries. Few responses even mentioned that Quaid-e-Azam mentioned the advocacy of the
interests of Muslim nations. These points were not aligned with the thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam,
thus such responses did not entail any marks.

Example:

Question 3:

How do the following human activities affect the climate?

Human Activity Effect on Climate

1. Release of carbon dioxide by

burning fossil fuels and use of
refrigerators

2. Release of particles (aerosols)

from industrial and
agricultural practices due to
industrial emission and spray
of pesticides

3. Patterns of land use, e.g.

urbanisation, agriculture,
overgrasing, deforestation,
etc.

Better responses were those which had linked the human activity with that of the effect on
climate, this included the change in the minimum and maximum temperatures, change in the
rainfall patterns, occurrence of floods, acid rain etc.

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Example:

Weaker responses generally mentioned the effect of human activity but not in terms of climate
but the effects were general such as increase in pollution, resulting in water logging and
salinity, increased air pollution effecting human lives etc. As the question was specific in terms
of climate; thus, the given responses did not account for any marks.

Example:

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 Question 4:

Explain any TWO reasons that led to the promulgation of martial law in Pakistan in 1958?

Better responses were those which correctly mentioned the reasons that led to the promulgation
of martial law which included unstable political conditions, failure of parliamentary
democracy, lack of economic progress in the country, political rivalry/ mistrust between East
Pakistan and West Pakistan, immature political attitude of politicians, corruption etc.

Example:

Weaker responses could not comprehend the question as it seemed that a few of the candidates
were not aware of the word promulgation; this might have created the confusion. Moreover, the
candidates mentioned common reasons behind the imposition of martial law such as inability to
govern the country without explaining what it entails.

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 Question 6:

List any TWO widely spoken languages in Balochistan apart from Balochi language.

Question 5:

Mention any TWO features of the local government system introduced by General
Pervez Musharraf's government in 2000.

Example:

Better responses appropriately mentioned the features of local government system 2000.
Candidates mentioned that there were allocation of seats for women/ peasants and farmers,
there was no provincial intervention; police was bound to accept orders of nazims. Candidates
mentioned about decentralisation of specified taxation powers, direct elections, single-non
transferrable vote, creation of three countrywide levels of governments etc.

Example:
Weaker responses instead of being specific, mentioned the features which were true for all type
of devolution that is it devolved the power to the grass root level. Some responses also included
the amendments that were made by General Pervez Musharraf in the constitution which has
nothing to do with the devolution of power.

Example:

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Better responses clearly mentioned the languages that were spoken in Balochistan i.e. Brahui,
Pashto and Hazaragi (Dari).

Example:

There were few weaker responses which showed that the candidates did not read the question
well and mentioned Balochi as the language. This could also be due to their lack of knowledge
of the language spoken.

Example:

Question 7:

Mention any TWO positive and TWO negative effects of inflation on a country’s economy?

Better responses reflected understanding of candidates in terms of inflation. Though this was an
economic concept, yet the candidates were able to answer the question pretty effectively. The
negative effects included difficultly for consumers to purchase more goods, reduction in the
living standard and purchasing power of people, increase in tax bracket, decline in national
savings, increase in import expenditure, increase in crime rate etc. Whereas the positive effect
included increase in investment in the country, may cause increase in inventions and
innovations, interest rate will increase etc.

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Example:

Weaker responses were the ones where the candidates instead of highlighting the effects of
inflation mentioned the reasons due to which inflation takes place. Some of the responses even
reflected that the candidates were not aware of this term.

Example:

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 Question 8:
Suggest any THREE ways in which an individual can contribute to strengthening national
integration in a country.

Better response carried interesting suggestions in terms of strengthening national integration.

For example, the candidate wrote about respect of diversity, more weightage to national interest
than personal self-interest etc. The responses reflected the sense of maturity amongst the
candidates in relation to the country.

Example:

Weaker response reflected the poor attention that the candidates gave while reading the
questions. Some of the responses were towards why do we need national integration and some
responses gave suggestions which involved the working of government rather than an
individual.

Example:

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 Question 9:

Explain any TWO benefits that Pakistan would reap if Afghanistan joins China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC)?

Better response reflected the understanding of CPEC that how it can benefit Pakistan through
multiple options. Candidates mentioned that improved relationship between both the countries
that is Pakistan and Afghanistan will be helpful in benefiting the refugees, there will be no
security threat/ level of hostility/ border tension with Afghanistan, curbing smuggling and more
systematic trade will occur between both the countries. Candidates also wrote that there will be
new economic market for Pakistan i.e. relations with Central Asian countries can be enhanced
for trading purpose etc.

Example:

Weaker response showed that the candidates were confused between the relationships of
Afghanistan and Iran and wrote about trade relations in terms of oil and others which are not
true for Afghanistan. Some of the responses even mentioned benefit that can be reaped by
Afghanistan rather than Pakistan. For example, Afghanistan will be able to have good relations
with Pakistan and other countries in surrounding; Afghanistan can provide more job
opportunities to its people if it will join hands with Pakistan. etc.

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Example:

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 Extended Response Questions (ERQs)
This question offered a choice between part a and b. Part a was based on history whereas part b
was from the topic of economic development. Majority of the candidates attempted option b
and did well.

Question 10a:

The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) failed to achieve its immediate objectives but it left
lasting impact on the politics of the subcontinent.

Explain the benefits reaped by the Indian Muslims from the Khilafat Movement in the long
run.

Better responses mentioned how the khilafat movement was beneficial for the Indian Muslims.
Candidates mentioned that it created a general awareness and self-confidence among the
Muslims of India. They also wrote that this movement contributed in awakening the sense of
political understanding in the Muslims of India, it led to produce leaders who were key figures
in Pakistan movement and it boasted journalism as the publication of many magazines and
newspapers started under the patronage of Muslim community. Candidates also mentioned that
it made the Muslims of India realise that they could now no longer rely on the British and
Hindus for the protection of their rights.

Example 1:

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Example 2:

Weaker responses simply highlighted the reason which initiated the Khilafat movement. Some
of the responses mentioned the events rather than reflecting of the demand of the questions.
Candidates wrote about the impacts of this movement which were negative in nature. For
example, Khilafat was abolished not by British but by Turks themselves, religious leaders for
the time being vanished from political arena. etc.

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Example:

Question 10b:

i. Why are tourism activities considered to be important sources of economic growth?

ii. What is the current situation and contribution of international tourism in the economic
growth of Pakistan?

Better responses comprised of generating income, employment, investment and exports,

infrastructure and local community facilities. Tourism supplements the foreign exchange
earnings which are considered to the important sources of economic growth through tourism.

The answer to the second part of the question was well-informed as the candidates mentioned
the reasons for the decline and how it has improved in the recent years. The candidates were
able to mention that Pakistan has many tourist attractions places including Swat, Kalam,
Malam Jaba, Shangla, Balakot, Ayubia, Murri, Chitral, Gilgit, Naran and Kaghan valleys, and
other mountains ranges, historical, and archaeological places in the other parts of the country.
Some candidates also mentioned that International tourism is highly dependent on peace and
security and currently Pakistan is facing problems in relation to security that is adversely
affecting international tourism.

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Example:

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Weaker responses showed a complete lack of understanding. They were not able to associate
the importance of tourism with the economic growth nor were aware about the current
situation. Candidates mentioned the benefits of tourism that due to tourism infrastructure will
be developed, schools will be made and job opportunities will be provided to the people and
hence their living standard will be increased. These pointers were not the requirement of the
question.

Example:

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