74515__07 Compre Answer Scheme

8/4/2019 74515__07 Compre Answer Scheme

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Questions on Passage 1 (updated 20/8/07)

1. According to the writer in paragraph 1, why do people value material wealth? Use your own words as far as

possible. [3]

From the passage Paraphrase

its relation to luxurious standards of living. (ll.7-8)

The value of material wealth has more to do withits relation to freedom of choice(ll.6-7)

It enables people to live lavish /ostentatious lifestyles [1]

But more than that,

it gives them the autonomy/the liberty/ability to decide/to selectwhat they want/they have more options [1]

Many also assume that the more money we have,the better able we will be to use it to provide uswith what we value material goods, leisuretime, education.(ll. 9-11)

It provides us with a means to obtain what we see asimportant in life/cherish [1]

2. Why does the writer think that freedom of choice is not an unalloyed good (lines 13 - 14)? Use your own

words as far as possible. [2]


people can be paralysed by too wide a choice,(l.14)

people have so many choices that they do not know what topick/do/ they are faced with a dilemma [1]

(award mark for the idea of paralysis)

and in part because they often choose badly(ll.14-15),

They seldom choose wisely/well/make the right decisions/ theymake wrong decisions [1 ]

in part because even when people overcomeparalysis, and choose well,

the thought of all those attractive options they

have left on the table can undermine theirsatisfaction with the option they chose.(ll.16-17)

even when they choose well,

they have this nagging suspicion that the other options could

have been better than the one that they have picked/ thehappiness they derive from such goods is reduced as theyhave left behind other desirable options. [1]

(award mark for the idea of leaving behind other desirablechoices)

1-2= 1; 3= 2

3. Explain how the obesity epidemic is myopia in action (line 26). [2]


obesity epidemic is myopia in action (ll.25-26)

We have a powerful tendency to indulge (l.21)

in short-term passions at the expense of long-term interests (ll.21 22)

Myopia (literal):

Just as myopia suggests that one is short-sighted/ cannot see far

Likewise,(Inferred)People eat what they like in inordinate amounts/ people do noteat their favourite food in moderation/ people do not control whatthey eat. [1]

They derive instantaneous/ immediate pleasure from it and areunable to foresee/ they ignore the negative implications on theirhealth/of becoming fat in the long run. [1]

[must show contrast between short term passion and long term

interest

4. Why does the author refer to the process of adaptation as the hedonic treadmill (line 39)? Use your own


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New acquisitions give us pleasure,(l.36)

but for much less time than we expect.We become bored, (ll.36- 37)

ORwe feel cheated orshort-changed, (l. 37)

and we are off to find the next new thing.

(ll.37- 38)

But, as on exercise treadmills, we do notactually get anywhere. (l. 39)

Buying new things/consumption gives us satisfaction.

However, we tire of them easily/ they do not sustain ourattention for long / it is short-lived [1]

and when we start searching for something new or proceed to

find/hunt another new product,

we end up where we started/ we are back to square one/ we arestuck/trapped in a vicious cycle [1]

NB: No marks awarded for literal meaning of treadmillbecausethe writer has explained it in the passage

5. In line 48, the writer asks how much wealth is enough? What point is he trying to make here? Use your own



The answer is: more wealth than yourneighbours. (l.48)

OR

The result is a kind of arms race of wealthacquisition (ll.48-49)

People will never be satisfied with what they have/ they have aninsatiable appetite for wealth

ORWe compete with one another to amass more wealth [1]

that thrives on inequality, (l.49)

but leaves no one better off. (l.49)

This feeds on the unfair/uneven distribution ofresources/exploitation [1]and

leading to a lose-lose situation/ resulting in no one gaining theupper hand/ there are no winners [1]

1-2=1mark; 3=2marks

Questions on Passage 2

6. What do the writers mean by we consume for the wrong reasons (line 9)? Use your own words as far as

possible. [2]


The problem is our attachment toconsumption, (l.7)

form attachments to products (l.11)

the way we invest our hopes, our goals (ll.7-8)

and our sense of selfin the things we buy andown. (l.8)ORwe want to use them to build an ideal self(ll.11 12)

The process of consumption/material goods we buy becomeessential/important/significant to us [1/2]

and we think these material possessions help us attain ouraspirations/ what we aspire to be [1/2]

define who we are/shape our identity/build confidence/self-esteem through these products [1/2]

(inferred)the reason for consumption is superficial/shallowORwe no longer buy out of necessity.ORIt is unhealthy []

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7. What, according to the writers, can we do to combat affluenza? Using material from paragraphs 3 to 6,

summarise these measures. Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening wordswhich are given below. Use your own words as far as possible. [8]


1 What an average person can do:Conscious consumption is the antidote toaffluenza (l.13)ORConscious consumption involves cultivating anawareness of why we buy things andunderstanding what needs we are trying tomeet by buying this item or that one. (ll.14 15)

The writers suggested that

We should be mindful/ cognizant of the reasons weacquire possessions/ productsORWe should instil an understanding of/sensitivity to thereasons/rationale for our purchases.

(Award marks based on general understanding ofthis point)

2 What parents can do:One of the things that parents can do for theirchildren is to teach them to adopt a criticalattitude towards marketers attempts toinfluence them. (ll.19 20)ORpoint out that advertisers are trying to deceivethem (ll.22 23)

Parents should instruct their children to be moresceptical towards marketers attempts to manipulatethem.

ORParents should highlight/identify advertisersattempts to mislead children.

3 Parents who not only control the amount oftelevision their children watch but also take timeto watch it with them and (ll.21 22)

Parents should limit the amount of television theirchildren watch and supervise them.

4 What (more) an average person can do:

We must also be conscious of the impact ourdecisions on the rest of the world. (ll.27 28)

ORWe need to think about our consumptiondecisions socially(l.28)

We should also be more mindful/ aware of theimplications/ repercussions of our decisions/ actionson the environment /others/ people around us.

5 What governments can do:

What is needed is a political philosophy of well-being, one that focuses on those aspects of our personal lives and social structure that doimprove our welfare. (ll.29 30)

We need a political ideology/paradigm that willenhance/ better our lives.

6 It would give priority to fulfilling work and helpus reclaim our time. (ll.30 31)

It would emphasise the importance of achieving asense of satisfaction from jobs/tasks/what we do[1/2]and we have more time [1/2].

7 It would encourage vibrant, resilient,sustainable communities (ll31 32)

It would promote/ foster dynamic/ interesting/diverse, tenacious/ strong and self-supporting/ self-reliant/ progressive communities(Paraphrase encourage and any 1 of the qualities toget 1m)

8 And help people develop the skills to buildstrongerfamily relationships. (l.32)

and help people acquire skills to foster betterrelationships with family members.

9 It would wind back the process ofcommercialising our educational institutions(ll.33 34)

We should ensure that school are not run like acorporation/ business

10 And insist that our schools and universities bedevoted to improving the physical, emotionaland moral health of our young people, (ll.34 35)

Schools should focus on a holistic education and becommitted to holistic development/welfare of youngpeople

11 rather than certifying them for the workplace.(l. 35)

Less emphasis should be placed on preparing themfor the labour market/improving their employability.

1 mark each, up to a maximum of 8 marks.

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8. The writers seem pessimistic about the dystopian future (line 43) which is marked by anintensification of all the distress and damage caused by affluenza (line 44). Identify and explain twophrases that reflect this pessimism. Use your words as far as possible. [2]


unthinking consumerism (1/2) suggests thatpeople buy excessively/buy even when there isno need to. (1/2)

ORfractured relationships (1/2) suggests thatrelationships will break down/relationships willbecome strained/ can lead toestrangement/dysfunctional families. (1/2)ORpsychological disorders (1/2) suggests thatpeople can suffer from mental/emotionalproblems (1/2)ORmountains of waste (1/2) suggests that the worldwill be drowned in its own garbage/ become athrow-away society/ we will have to deal with amassive environmental problem. (1/2)OR(condemed to) lives without meaning (1/2)suggests that life is not worth living/there is nopurpose in life. (1/2)OR'turned over to the market' (1/2)suggests that our lives will becontrolled/manipulated by the market. (1/2)

Any 2 of the above for 2 marks.

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Questions on Passages 1 and 2 (updated 15/08/2007)

9. Give the meaning of each of the following words as they are used in Passage 1 and Passage 2. Youmay write your answer in one word or a short phrase. [5]

1 0

a) exacerbates (V)Psg1, l.27Wealth exacerbates

them (problems ofself-control)

worsens

makes worse

aggravates

compounds

adds on to

intensifies

deteriorate

degenerate

decline

amplifies

magnifies

b) regard (N)Psg 1, l.44Status or regard canbe derived...

respect

esteem

admiration

repute

positiveopinions/perception thatpeople have of

someone

see

look

attention

consideration

reputation

howpeopleperceive us

socialstanding

recognition

image

stature

c) reinforcing (V)Psg 2, l.2

The illness isconstantly reinforcingitself

making stronger

fortifying

strengthening

intensifying emphasising

empowering

d) habituated (Adj)Psg 2, l.38habituated to theideology of themarket

accustomed to

used to

familiar with become ahabit

ingrained

comfortable with

adapted to

conditioned

used(without to)

e) marked (V)Psg 2, l.44This dystopian futurewill be marked by anintensification

characterised

distinguished

having adistinctivecharacter/trait

identified

defined

indicated

recognised

denoted

to bedifferentiated

highlighted

stigmatised

shown

plagued

symbolised

signified

signalled

represented

cursed

afflicted

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plagued

Rule of thumb: award whichever mark is lower.

+ =

+ 0 = 0

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10. The writer of Passage 1 discusses the problems that have arisen as a result of affluence, while the writers ofPassage 2 suggest solutions to these problems. To what extent is the world today plagued or afflicted byaffluenza? How far are people in your generation willing to re-examine their priorities and values to combataffluenza? [8]

Draw appropriate information from the passages. You must also rely on your own knowledge andobservations. [8]

Unhealthy and excessive consumption, and the negative implications as a result (to show that it is a problem, an

illness)

Reference Possible discussion points

Arguments Counter arguments

Society:The importance of choice also castslight on the emphasis that developedsocieties place on increasing thematerial wealth of their citizens. (psg1, ll.5-6)

per capita GDP is a decent proxy forthe amount of freedom enjoyed by

individuals in a society. (psg 1, ll.8-9)

wealth becomes an increasinglyimportant yardstick of status (psg 1,ll.46-47)

In developed societies, it is not justan emphasis but an over-emphasison wealth acquisition the 5Cs andthe celebration of the rich andfamous e.g. Hi-Life

The mark of a civil society is oftenmistakenly measured by its affluence

and its economic prowess E.g.Singapore fixated on amassingwealth at the expense of other morepositive traits such as appreciatingthe arts and social etiquette.Singaporeans being infamous forsnobbish/obnoxious behaviour inMalaysia (Johor Bahru) Everything ischeap cheap cheap.

There has been much talk about theemerging middle class in China andtheir purchasing power. Other

countries are wooing Chinesetourists because of their ability topurchase and their brandconsciousness.

Societies also emphasise otherthings, besides wealth. The attempt toinstil social etiquette is an example.For e.g. Singapores courtesycampaigns, Beijings attempt toeducate its residents to stop spittingand littering (i.e. its not just buildingup infrastructure to get ready for the

Olympics and hence showing off itseconomic prowess only)

Individuals:Many assume that the more moneywe have, the better able we will beable to use it to provide us with whatwe value material good, leisuretime and education (psg 1, ll.9 - 11)

E.g. There is an increasing trend ofthe wealthy in Asia buying expensivewatches; more luxury cars such asLamborghinis, Ferraris being sold inSingapore, all these for the sake ofbuilding up an image, for elevation ofstatus. They are self-delusional. It isa misconception.

Eton schoolhouse/ exclusive andelitist schools favoured bySingaporeans because they are seenas prestigious (even though parentschoose to believe that theseinstitutions will be able to providebetter quality education).

constraining us to derive ouridentities and sense of place in theworld though our consumptionactivities. (psg 2, ll.3-4)

The problem is our attachment toconsumption, the way we invest ourhopes, our goals and our sense ofself in the things we buy and own.

More people are visiting gyms, ratherthan do sports outside, as going togym is seen as a lifestyle i.e. peopleno longer exercise for the sole

purpose of keeping fit; people want tobe seen. (narcissistic) And affluencegives them the means to buy gymmemberships. People even go to

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(psg 2, ll.7-8) gyms to check out members of theopposite sex.

our inability to exert self-control.We have a powerful tendency toindulge in short-term passions at theexpense of long-term interests, andincreased wealth feeds this myopia,by giving us the wherewithal toindulge such preferences. (psg 1,

ll.20-23)

Australians and Americans areplagued by credit card debts (long-term implications) because theyconsume excessively due to theirinability to exert self-control. Seemsprevalent amongst young peopleeven in Singapore as well, as more

file for bankruptcy at a young age.

US Federal Reserve increased theinterest rates, which was an attemptto slow down the overheated theproperty market as people werebuying property on credit, causing aproperty bubble.

An example is the obesity epidemicthat now plagues the developedworld: thats myopia in action. (psg 1,ll.25-26)

Increasingly, obesity is plaguingsocieties with emerging economies,suggesting that wealth/affluence canalso bring about health problems

because wealth gives us the meansto indulge. Parents in China, forexample, send their children tocamps just to lose weight. This alsosuggests a co-relation betweeneconomic progress (hence affluence)and obesity.

Increasing obesity rates in USA andAustralia.

BBC (2002): obesity responsible formany cancers & increased risk of

cancer. 50% of men & 35% ofwomen are obese in UK. Between

1987-97 10% increase in obesityrates, but Govt is still ignoring issuesthat make a difference: long workinghours & high pressure environment,which leads to a decrease in leisuretime, prohibiting regular exercise orhealthy cooking.

In Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australiaadult obesity is increasing alarmingly.In some islands in the South Pacific

the svelte are close to extinction.Obesity rates on Nauru and WesternSamoa are almost 75%.

We must be conscious of the impactof our decisions on the rest of theworld. (Psg 2, l.28)

We also consume at the expense ofthe environment (long-termconsequences). The Inter-governmental Panel of ClimateChange has recently concluded thatthey are 90% certain that theenvironmental problems we facetoday is a result of humans actions,such as industrialisation (i.e. part of

the production-consumption cycle)Consumption and the throw-awayculture is the reason for theenvironmental problems we face

Around the world, the effort to savethe environment is gainingmomentum (example: Live Earthconcert). Governments have begunputting in place measures to do theirpart or encourage their citizens to dotheir part for the environment, such asSingapores Bring your own bagsDay, Ikea charging for its plastic bags

in its outlets all over the world. Theseshow that we acknowledge that weneed to pay a price for the affluencewe enjoy and we need to start looking

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today.

With emerging economies such asChina and India, and their rapidindustrialisation (fuelled by demand)as well as the middle classesincreasing demand for what used tobe considered luxury items, such ascars and air-conditioners, the

problem will only get worse.

at the long-term consequences.

Other efforts include:RGS students lobbied to force theircanteen drink vendor to buy fair-tradecoffee as well as the excitementabout hybrid cars in the recent yearsespecially because of its popularityamongst politicians and celebrities.

Role of advertisers and marketers:The market offers us one novelconsumption opportunity afteranother, and novelty tends toproduce a bias towards short-termrewards, towards individualism,hedonism, narcissism anddisorientation. (psg 1, ll. 23-25)

Advertisers dangle attractive treats infront of our eyes and nosesThe

market shoves shiny toys in our facesand we can afford to buy them. (psg1, ll.30 - 33)

The virus is spread and intensified bya vast marketing industry thatexploits our insecurities andvanities (psg 2, ll. 4-5)

...they persuade us to formattachments to products because wewant to use them to build an idealself. (psg 2, ll. 11 - 13)

The problem of affluenza isexacerbated by advertisingmessages that promote hedonisticlifestyle. For e.g. Some things arepriceless, for everything else theresMastercard. Advertisers resort toselling lifestyles rather than productsand many a times, the products havevery superficial differences.

Very prevalent as a marketingstrategy for beauty products, and thesaid products as a solution if onewants to be more popular, or if onedoes not want to be rejected.Advertisers usually portray users ofthe products as confident anddesirable.

Bodyshop: popular among the youngbecause of the marketing strategyabout non-animal testing (a differentway of marketing themselves bypromoting animal rights, therebyshowing that we need notcompromise the environment whilepromoting consumption)

Dove has tried to deviate from suchadvertising tactics by using normalwomen of all shapes and sizes, fromall walks of life, and to promote whatthey call true beauty.

Conscious consumption: cultivatingan awareness of why we by thingsand understanding what needs weare trying to meet by buying this itemor that one. People who have a betterunderstanding of themselves and areless prone to self-deception can seethrough marketers attempts todeceive them. (Psg 2, ll. 14 - 17)

Media literacy is given very littleemphasis in most countries and thereis very little done to cultivate anawareness of our consumptiondecisions. Hence many people are alot more prone to affluenza due totheir ignorance/ are unable to seethrough marketing ploys.

Misplaced priorities:In a society in which efforts are

concentrated on increasing GDP, andlife is oriented towardsconsumptionother things recedeinto the background. (psg 1, ll. 14 -17)

Other important things that fade into

the background include family timeand relationships. In China, the urbanChinese go away during CNY,suggesting a de-emphasis oftraditions and family ties. Misplacedpriorities as an example of disorientation?

The time we spend on the hedonictreadmill is time we do not spendnurturing and sustaining relationswith friends, family and community.

(psg 1, ll.45 - 47)

Urban Chinese go away during CNY,but the rural Chinese still stick totraditionDual income households in many

developed societies- much time isspent on work and earning that extradollar to buy material goods. What issacrificed in the process is quality

Not everyone is affected by influenza;there are families which try to strike abalance and are able to juggle both,where there is an equal emphasis

placed on both material pursuits andfamily.

The time spent on pursuing material

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family time.

Friends and family often take abackseat as young couples buildtheir careers and go after materialpursuits or success in career/ fame.For example, in the pursuit of theSingapore dream, manySingaporeans are also spending too

much time building their careers,which accounts from the low birthand marriage rates, so much so thatthe government has had to step in topromote the importance of familiesand relationships (throughcampaigns such as the I LoveChildren and RomancingSingapore)

pursuits is an attempt to betterprovide for the material comforts ofour family; means to an end

Friends can also bond throughsimilar topics of conversation albeitthrough shopping for their materialgoods

In the past we relied on a network ofrestraints provided by the state andvarious social and religious

institutions. But these restraints haveweakened. (psg 1, ll.27 - 29)

As societies focus on building wealth,and with personal choice andfreedom being the basis of

consumption (which is needed to fueleconomic growth), societies seem tohave become more individualisticand liberal. Such exacerbates theproblem of affluenza as theparameters of what is sociallyacceptable become blurred.

Religious leaders themselves are notsetting very good examples for us tofollow; the financial scandalsinvolving the Churches in Americashow us that even priests are not

immune to affluenza. Also some ofthe pastors and Buddhist/ Taoistmonks drive Benz and earn a lot ofmoney conducting rites for people.

Not true that the restraints haveweakened. The various institutionsremain strong advocate of positive

values such as family relationships,morality and environmentalism(already discussed earlier).Governments definitely play thelargest and more active role inpromoting family relationships, suchas encouraging people to startfamilies through various incentives(for e.g. Germany contemplatinggiving mothers a years maternityleave, suggesting theemphasis/importance placed onfamily.) Moreover, the restraints may

not necessarily be effective to beginwith. Studies have shown that eventhough Americans go to church moreoften (presumably more religioustherefore), such does not translateinto positive behaviour. Thisundermines the role of religion as aneffective restraint to begin with.

Many parents still fulfil their roles inimparting values to their children

Many young people are active in their

cell groups and the sermonspreached by religious leaders havean impact on young people too.

The result is a kind of arms race ofwealth acquisition that thrives oninequality, but leaves not one betteroff. (psg 1, ll.48 - 50)

The final evidence of the world beingplagued by affluenza is the dual-economy in many developedcountries, i.e. widening income gap.This results in the unhappiness ofthose in the lower and middle-incomebrackets. The rich get richer while thepoor get poorer.

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How far are people in your generation willing to re-examine their priorities and values to combat affluenza?

From the passage Possible discussion points

Arguments (Willing) Counter-arguments (unwilling)

Conscious consumption: cultivatingan awareness of why we by thingsand understanding what needs weare trying to meet by buying this item

or that one. People who have abetter understanding of themselvesand are less prone to self-deceptioncan see through marketers attemptsto deceive them. Less vulnerable.(Psg 2, ll.14 17)

Difficult for young people to cultivateconscious consumption becausethey are at an age where they tendto be less self-assured and more

self-conscious. They are thus morevulnerable to the deception ofmarketers and this is exacerbatedby peer pressure.

Parents (can and should) teach (theirchildren) to adopt a critical attitudetowards marketers attempts toinfluence them. (Psg 2, ll.19 20)

Parents themselves may beplagued by affluenza (dual incomefamilies being on the rise) and arebusy amassing their wealth to evenspend time with their children.Young people take the cue from

their parents and in their own wayssuccumb to affluenza. Parents alsocontribute to the problem by makingup for their lack of attention withmaterial goods, and hence send thewrong message to children.

In a society in which efforts areconcentrated on increasing GDP,and life is oriented towardsconsumptionother things recedeinto the background. (psg 1, ll.46 -47)

Some young people are conscious ofthe impact their actions have on theenvironment; and are involved ingreen projects.

Other young people are fervent

supporters of causes, such asrecycling, and the refusal to wear fur.

With so much talk about theenvironmentalism and the effectsbecoming more evident, as well asgreater awareness, young peoplemay actually be more willing topractise conscious consumption.

It does not mean that other things arenot important to them either. Youthsinitiate Community Involvement

Programmes (CIP) and despite beingvoracious consumers, do not allowother things to recede to thebackground. While they may bematerialistic, they are not about tocreate a dystopian future. They arenot overly obsessed withconsumption.

Youths are self-centred and tend tomake decisions based on what theythink will benefit them (the whats init for me mentality). They areunlikely to think of the impact oftheir decisions on the others around

them and they are too caught up inthe hedonic treadmill to reflect onthe impact of their consumption onothers

Many societies are still result-oriented, especially as competitionbecomes more intense in the globaleconomy. Where there is so muchemphasis on GDP, young peoplemay find it hard to choose not to bepart of the rat race. This is evidentin the Singapore system, where the

young are encouraged to do CIP sothat they can stand out (CV-building), market themselves better.There is also evidence that youthsthese days are plagued by manymore problems (such as self-mutilation and suicide) suggest thatthe competition has become evenmore intense. In addition,consumption could be a means ofescapism.

The time we spend on the hedonictreadmill is time we do not spendnurturing and sustaining relationswith friends, family and community.(psg 1, ll.41 - 43)

Governments have realised theimpact of affluenza. Schemesintroduced to improve welfare /refocus on the family; such as FamilyDay, 5-day work week, Eat With YourFamily Day. The Chinese government

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is also reinforcing Confucian valuesamongst the young. Therefore youngpeople will re-examine their valuesand learn to place greater emphasison family and relationship.

What is needed is a politicalphilosophy of well-being wind backthe process of commercialising our

educational institutions and insist thatout schools and universities aredevoted to improving the physical,emotional and moral health of ouryoung people, rather than certifyingthem for the workplace. (Psg 2, ll.29 35)

With greater emphasis on holisticeducation (example, characterdevelopment), young people may be

willing to re-examine their values?

Difficult to change the mindset ofpeople who have been ingrainedwith the mentality that Singapore

can only rely on human resourceand that the economy will onlysurvive if the people are skilled towork in the economy.

Unwillingness to re-examine ourpriorities and values stem from thefact that people in this generationhave grown up in relatively affluenttimes where their needs and wantsare very much provided for by theirparents. Being used to it, it wouldtake tremendous effort to get this

generation to alter their consumption patterns. (History hasended for them)

In the past we relied on a network ofrestraints provided by the state andvarious social and religiousinstitutions. But these restraints haveweakened. (psg 1, ll.27 - 29)

Religion could also be a positivesource of influence by promotingvalues/virtues such as prudence,charity, compassion, and the sametime denouncing materialism.

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Mark Range Strand Descriptor

A

7-8 m

Requirement

Systematic & conscientious reference to specific

evidence/symptoms of and solutions to affluenza, from passages 1and 2 respectively.

Logical and well-substantiated conclusion drawn about 1) the extentto which the world is plagued by affleunza and 2) whether people oftheir generation will be willing to re-examine their priorities and values.

Explanation

Arguments are well-developed. Clear, convincing, relevant, effective (even original) illustrations

that provide insights about the world.

Evaluation

Shows mature and in-depth analysis of the factors that havecontributed to the problem of affluenza or those that have workedagainst it.

Shows sensitivity to the word plagued and/or afflicted and the extent

that we are affected.

Able to critically and convincingly evaluateand predict whether ornot people of their generation will be willing to re-examine their values.

Able to offer sound, relevant and concrete reasons to support the

evaluation.

Coherence Shows impeccable coherence and organisation very good

paragraphing, good use of appropriate connectors, very cleardevelopment of ideas and logical flow of argument.

B

4-6 m

Requirement

Answer is adequately based on points from the passages, but thismay not be clear or explicit. Requires work on examiners part todiscern this.

Attempts to show evidence of affluenza and to draw conclusions aboutwhether people of their generation are willing to re-examine theirvalues, but may not always be logical and well-substantiated.

Inadequate or superficial references to what happening in the world.

Explanation

Evidence of some elaboration but may not be fully developed.

Examples cited may be clichd, common, or not truly effective.Scope may be limited to examples from Singapore (or their owncountry)

May include minor misinterpretation.

Evaluation

Balance may be lacking.

Personal insights and predictions are hinted at, but tend to besuperficial with limited development of ideas.

Reasons offered to support the students evaluation may not be fullydeveloped and clear.

Coherence Answer shows a fair degree of organisation (paragraphing, etc) but is

not completely effective.

Links between some points may be lacking. Some minor logical gaps.

C

1-3 m

Requirement Little or no reference to the specific points made by the writers in the

passages.

Little or no reference to people of their generation.

Explanation

Explanations are unconvincing, badly reasoned, lack examples anddevelopment.

Shows a high degree of misinterpretation of the question and ideas

in the passages.

Evaluation

Little or no attempt at all at evaluation.

Student may resort to paraphrasing / summarising passage insteadof critically commenting on selected points.

Little or no attempt made to justify the evaluation.

Coherence Direction of answer is sorely lacking. Student does not seem to

have a thesis / argument, essay is extremely disorganized (evidence ofrandom points jumbled together).

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If students do not address both questions, max mark awarded will be 4 for fulfilling only part of the questionrequirement.

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74515__07 Compre Answer Scheme