In Individuals and Societies, Criterion A is about knowing the content and using the subject’s vocabulary properly. High marks go to developed explanations with examples, not lists of facts.
Subject terms appear in the right place and are used accurately.
You describe, explain and give examples, rather than listing facts.
A little of the criterion is addressed. Ideas are basic, partly missing, or not linked to the task.
The main points are there but thin. Some explanations are correct; links to the task or evidence are incomplete.
Mostly accurate, well explained and consistently tied to the task, with only small gaps.
Detailed, precise and justified throughout, with ideas connected and applied to new situations or evidence.
A plain-language guide only. Your teacher marks against the official IB level descriptors.
Explain one cause of the Industrial Revolution beginning in Britain.
Britain had lots of coal and factories so industry grew.
One cause was Britain’s access to coal and iron ore close to ports and canals. Cheap coal powered steam engines, which allowed factories and mines to operate away from rivers, and good transport lowered the cost of moving heavy goods. As a result, manufacturers could produce and sell textiles and iron at lower prices, which encouraged more investment in industry.
Criterion A is Knowing and understanding. It is marked out of 8 across 2 strands (A.i, A.ii). In Individuals and Societies, Criterion A is about knowing the content and using the subject’s vocabulary properly. High marks go to developed explanations with examples, not lists of facts.
Use terms such as causation, significance, urbanisation or inflation in context, and define them briefly the first time. Move from describe to explain to example: what happened, why it mattered, one specific case. Link causes and consequences with phrases such as this led to and as a result.
Long narrative with no explanation of why events mattered. Using key terms loosely or without showing you understand them. Giving a general example (some countries) instead of a specific one.
Written by CritABCD for study and revision, in our own words. The official MYP Individuals & Societies (Humanities) guide and assessment criteria are published by the International Baccalaureate. Official IB guide ↗