| Date | May 2013 | Marks available | 15 | Reference code | 13M.1.bp.5 |
| Level | SL and HL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | |
| Command term | Discuss | Question number | 5 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
“The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have not improved life for the world’s poorest people.” Discuss this statement.
Markscheme
Responses would be expected to show knowledge of the MDGs. Good responses may query what is meant by “poorest” and may take a broader approach than focusing solely on changing income distributions, perhaps by also showing knowledge of life satisfaction index, happiness index, etc. Or at least make some distinction between economic and social development criteria. For example, they may consider the lives of women, primary school children, elderly, HIV/AIDS sufferers, etc.
Responses may show that many of the world’s poorest people still face obstacles to health, welfare and education provision, especially where there is poor governance of resources. However, the counter-argument would be that there have been successes, such as populations in SE Asia and S Asia where considerable progress has been made.
There may be some recognition that the targets are tied to percentages; thus, even when targets are met, large numbers of people can still experience a low quality of life, especially where fertility rates are high eg sub-Saharan Africa.
The strongest answers may conclude that some MDGs are easier to reach in some places than others and that some sectors of the population are more or less marginalized than others.
Responses presenting accurate, specific and well detailed knowledge and understanding of two or more of the MDGs with relevant examples and discussion are likely to reach bands E or F.
Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.
Examiners report
Some impressive knowledge of the MDGs was shown by a number of candidates but this was not a popular question. Some excellent answers made reference to Paul Collier’s “The Bottom Billion” and the most current Millennium Development Reports, contrasting progress made between Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Many candidates examined the goals in terms of whether they were realistic and attainable in the proposed timeframe. The more able candidates were also able to look ahead to where these goals should be taken after 2015.
