Having reviewed the SB questions over the last few years, I have noticed a new form of question emerging. The "are you surprised" question tests the students' ability at identifying contradictions and expressing these contrasts coherently in an answer. These slides are an attempt at helping students approach this question confidently.

1. The “Are you surprised?” Question

2.  By the end of the lesson, you would be able to:
 Appreciate the features of this question
 Understand the approach to answering a question
 Practice answering a question in class

3.  This question has surfaced occasionally in source-
based questions in the last two years.
 This question is basically testing the ability to:
 compare and contrast the sources and
 …Analyse sources to see if there are contradictions
 It is like a combo question

4. Source B – From a magazine article
written in 1928 by Simon
Vereschak, who was in prison with
Stalin in 1908
Source C – From a book written by a
historian in 1983
When you looked at his primitive brow
and small head, it seemed that, were
you to break it open, it would reveal the
entire works of Marx. Marxism was his
element, and in it he was invincible.
Once he had made up his mind on a
subject, nothing could shake him. He
made a tremendous impression upon
young, politically inexperienced party
members, and had the reputation of
being a second Lenin.
Many Bolsheviks would have been surprised
to find Stalin ranked as Trotsky’s equal in
political stature. Stalin had none of the
attributes that the Bolsheviks normally
associated with outstanding leadership. He
was not a charismatic figure, a fine orator, or
a distinguished Marxist like Lenin or Trotsky.
He was not a war hero, an upstanding son of
the working class, or even an intellectual. He
was a good backroom politician, an expert on
the internal working of the party, but a man
without personal distinction.
Does Source C make you surprised about what Source B says about Stalin?
Explain your answer.

5.  Since Source C generally gives a different and opposing
view of Stalin when compared to Source B, Source C
does make me surprised about what Source B is saying
about Stalin.

6.  Source B is of the view that Stalin was a staunch supporter of
Marxism. This is evident as Simon Vereschak says, “…when you
looked at his primitive brow and small head, it seemed that, were
you to break it open, it would reveal the entire works of Marx.
Marxism was his element and in it he was invincible…” This is
opposed by Source C as the historian claims, “… that Stalin had
none of the attributes that the Bolsheviks normally associated
with outstanding leadership. He was not a…distinguished Marxist
like Lenin or Trotsky. I am surprised by this as the Historian in
Source C does not see Stalin as a staunch believer of Marxism
like Lenin.

7.  In addition, Source B implies that Stalin was a
charismatic leader. This is evident as the source claims
that Stalin made a “…tremendous impression upon
young, inexperienced party members, and had a
reputation of being a second Lenin…” Source C has
a contradictory view as the historian claims that Stalin
“…was not a charismatic leader”. This was surprising.

8.  Based on the above differences, it is clear that Source B
portrays Stalin as an effective leader like Lenin. Vereschak
is of the view that Stalin, “…had the reputation of being a
second Lenin…” Unlike Source B, Source C regards Stalin as
an unsuitable leader, “…without personal distinction…” The
historian is of the view that Stalin was not a
“…distinguished Marxist like Lenin…” Since Source C
contradicts all the views raised by Source B, I am
surprised by what Source B says about Stalin.

9.  Start by reading the two sources – to get information about
potential inferences (similarities + differences)
 Next check both sources to see if there are similarities /
differences.
 If similarities are > than differences = “Not surprised” as
more reasons that show that sources are not contradictory.
 If differences are > than similarities = “I am surprised” as
more contradictory statements.