AJC Prelim 2005

AJC Prelim 2005

Which of the two authors do you agree with more?

Agree:• Logical• Realistic• Justified• Fair• Objective

Disagree• Overgeneralisation• Sweeping statement• Biased• Subjective• Oversimplified

Passage 1 – Point 1

• Without the moorings of social connectedness to political and religious institutions and neighbourhoods, we have no reality check on our fears (para 4)


Agree • Fair observation• Globalised world, breakdown of traditional

institutions of family and religion – people do not have strong links & ties to their families

• Logical to conclude that people have relatively little support in times of crisis, increasing their fears

• E.g. post-911, many more people turned back to religion, hoping to find answers and support


Disagree• Sweeping statement• Despite the globalised world, technology has

allowed many people keep in touch with family and friends who provide moral support during crises

• Ethnic community groups are relatively strong as people join such groups when they are in foreign lands -> these help to keep fears in check

• E.g. post-911, many claim to have found answers and support by turning back to religion


Not relevant to Singapore• As we are still very much an Asian society,

family & community ties are still relatively strong• Most people still turn to such groups for

emotional support• Of course there are some who become paranoid

and turn to superstitions, but most are still rational and logical

• E.g. During SARS, although some turn to unsupported psuedo-scientific cures, many religious/community groups helped assuage fears through prayer sessions / workshops


Agree• Despite being educated, human nature causes

us to point our fingers at others when things go wrong

• Many countries are still unable to accept the rapid influx of migrants in the globalised world and believe that these are the natural ‘perpetrators’

• Paranoia played up by stereotypes perpetuated in the media causes people to ‘fantasise enemies’

• E.g. burning of shops owned by Muslims after the London bombing

Passage 1 - Point 3

Disagree• Exaggerated claim• Many of us are still sensitive to our surroundings and the

multicultural environment• Many are educated and rational, and are able to discern

who the real ‘enemies’ are• Although there have been cases of blanket attacks of

certain communities, these are the minorities• Furthermore, the enemies are often real, rather than

imagined. People are merely being cautious• E.g. Many people protested against the human rights

problems at Guantanamo Bay and are against detaining them without trial


Relevant to Singapore• Singapore society, despite having always

been a multicultural one, is still a young and rather immature one

• The presence of a majority Chinese race has created racial tension at times

• E.g. when news of Yishun MRT bombing plan was released, tensions between races were high and the government had to arrange focus groups to diffuse tension

Passage 2 - Point 2

• Sadly, many metropolitan leaders seem less prepared to meet today’s current terrorist threat head-on, in part due to the trendy multiculturalism that characterizes so many Western cities. (para 2)


• Agree

• Globalisation and a the need for economic competitiveness have led to influx of cultures into countries

• Positive discrimination and attempts to remain politically correct have led to discontent amongst citizens. Lack of understanding of cultural differences also led to suspicions between races


• Hence, because of the ineffectiveness of ‘softer’ measures such as dialogue and education to maintain peace, harsher measures need to be implemented to reduce fear and ensure security


• E.g. In Australia, the govt was at a loss when opposition leader Pauline Hanson gained support when she blamed migrants for the social/economic problems that Australia was facing.


• Disagree• With increased education and technology,

people have greater knowledge of different cultures and more accepting of differences.

• Although there have been some discontent, most people are rational and understand the need to welcome migrants

Passage 2 Point 2

• Most governments are stringent in screening the migrants and find means to assimilate them into society -> harsh measures will merely perpetuate stereotypes that these migrants create problems

Passage 2 Point 2

Not relevant to Singapore• Singapore has always been a multicultural

society built on values of tolerance and understanding - strategies to increase dialogue and interaction between races

• We have strict background checks for migrants• E.g. interfaith dialogues, racial harmony day in

schools, religious tensions after 911 did not break out into riots

Passage 2 Point 3

Agree

• Reasonable advice

• In a technologically advanced world where terrorists have the means to get past security systems, we have to step up our measures

• There are bound to be inconveniences but if we don’t use harsh measures, our freedom will be further diminished because we will always be fearful

Passage 2 Point 3

• But Kotkin’s warning should be heeded and governments have to use these with caution

• These should still go hand-in-hand with education and public awareness programmes (Suggest alternatives)

• E.g. many EU leaders protested against full-body airport scanner because of unnecessary invasion of privacy

Short Questions

Question 2

• What is the writer’s intention in mentioning the cities of antiquity (line 6)? [1]

• Skill – Look at the e.g. and link it back to the main idea of the passage. Use the word ‘emphasise’

• Answer – He wants to emphasise that these cities ceased to exist because of security reasons, which reinforces his argument

Question 3• Explain what the writer means by ‘there is no

reason why the juggernaut of the West should be so preoccupied by the flea Al-Qaeda’ (lines 13-14). [2]

• Skill – ‘explain what the writer means’ = paraphrase the quote in context

• Answer -The West is a large and powerful force, so there is no cause for their obsession with Al-Qaeda, which is insignificant in comparison.

Question 4

• What does the word ‘actually’ (line 17) suggest about the writer’s attitude towards the Mayor’s action?

• Skill – possible words: supportive, skeptical, critical

• Answer - He is disapproving of/ is critical of the mayor’s action

(He has a negative attitude - 0 mark)

Question 1According to paragraph 2, what is ironic about

life in the West today? Use your own words as far as possible.

Skill: explain what is expected and the reality, joined by the word ‘yet’/ ‘however’

Answer:

• With life in the West being safer today, people should feel less fearful/more protected, yet they are feeling more threatened.

Question 5

Suggest how the ‘peddling of fear’ (line 36) specifically benefits the following groups of people:

• security consultants

• academics

Question 5

Examples of acceptable answers

• a) security consultants: more clients will engage their services to beef up security in their homes and this will bring them more business

• b) Academics will get more opportunities to air their ideas as more people will ask them to analyse the security situation

Documents

AJC Prelim 2005