A fact can be checked in the text or in a reliable source. An interpretation is a judgement drawn from facts, and it must be supported and worded with care.
This lesson belongs to the Federal Constitution cluster. For the wider answering skills, see answering historical questions.
How do I sort a statement?
Ask two questions in order.
- Can I check this directly in the text or a reliable source? If yes, it is a fact.
- If not, is it a judgement about meaning, cause or effect? If yes, it is an interpretation, and I need evidence for it.
Worked example: a sorted list
The statements below are about real provisions of the Federal Constitution, which you can check in the text.
| Statement | Sort | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 states that Islam is the religion of the Federation. 1 | Fact | It can be checked in the text |
| Article 152 makes Malay the national language, while other languages may still be taught and used for non-official purposes. 1 | Fact | It describes what the text provides |
| Article 153 safeguards the special position of the Malays and the indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, and the legitimate interests of other communities. 2 | Fact | It can be checked in the text |
| Article 153 is a fair arrangement for every community. | Interpretation | “Fair” is a judgement that needs evidence |
| Articles 5 to 13 prevent the misuse of power. | Interpretation | It claims an effect; the Articles themselves are a fact 1 |
A sound answer uses facts to support interpretations. For example: “Article 152 makes Malay the national language but allows other languages for non-official purposes, so it may show an aim of unity without removing other languages.”
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is to state an interpretation as if it were a fact: “The Constitution guarantees fairness for everyone.” That claim is a judgement without evidence.
Instead, state the provision as a fact, then mark the conclusion as an interpretation.
| Interpretation written as fact | Fact with marked interpretation |
|---|---|
| The Constitution guarantees fairness. | Articles 5 to 13 set out fundamental liberties, which suggests an aim of protecting fair treatment. |
Check yourself
Sort and explain: (a) “The Constitution is the supreme law (Article 4).” (b) “This is the best constitution in the world.” (c) “The Ninth Schedule divides legislative powers between the federal and state levels.”
Answer
(a) Fact, because it can be checked in the text. (b) Interpretation, because “best” is a judgement with no evidence in the statement. (c) Fact, because the Ninth Schedule sets out the Federal, State and Concurrent Lists and can be checked in the text. 3
What to study next
Go on to reading a short constitutional extract accurately. Practise labelling your own sentences with the Sejarah evidence-to-explanation planner.
For a teacher to mark your sentences as fact or interpretation, see online one-to-one Sejarah tuition.