rajhyss.files.wordpress.com · Web viewWrite your class, index number and name on all the work...

NA JURONG SECONDARY SCHOOL2017 GRADUATION EXAMINATION IISECONDARY 4 NORMAL ACADEMIC

CANDIDATENAME

CLASS INDEX NUMBER

COMBINED HUMANITIES 2120/01PAPER 1 Social Studies

14 August 2017

1 hour 45 minutesAdditional Materials: Writing Paper

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your class, index number and name on all the work you hand in. Write all answers in the Writing Papers.Write in dark blue or black pen.You may use an HB pencil for any rough working,Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.

Section A Answer all parts of question 1.

Section BAnswer both parts of Question 2.

At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.The number of marks given in the brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

For Examiner’s Use

SECTION A [35 marks]

SECTION B [15 marks]

TOTAL [50 marks]

This document consists of 08 printed pages including this page.

[Turn Over© Jurong Secondary School 2017 2120/01/GE2/JSS/17

2

Section A (Source-Based Case Study)

Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates.

1 Exploring Citizenship and Governance

Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions.

You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

(a) Study Source A.

What is the message of this cartoon? Explain your answer using details from the cartoon. [5]

(b) Study Source B.

Do you think the cartoonist approves of the government’s attempt to improve Singapore’s birth rate? Explain your answer. [6]

(c) Study Sources C and D.

To what extent does Source C agree with Source D? Explain your answer. [7]

(d) Study Source E.

How surprised are you by this source? Explain your answer. [7]

(e) How far do the sources in the case study show that the Marriage and Parenthood package has been effective in promoting Singapore’s birth rate? Explain your answer. [10]


3

Is the Marriage and Parenthood package effective in promoting Singapore’s birth rate?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions.

As of 2015, Singapore’s total fertility rate (referring to the average number of children who would be born per female) stood at 1.25. An ideal total fertility rate (TFR) for Singapore would ideally be 2.1. Low birth rate has been an ongoing problem for Singapore for many years.

Since 1987, many pro-family incentives have been implemented to encourage married couples to have babies but without much success. In 2001, the Singapore government stepped up its efforts to bring up the fertility rate of Singapore by introducing new policies such as the Marriage and Parenthood (M&P) package or Baby Bonus, with the aim of supporting parents' decision to have more children by helping to lighten the financial costs of childbearing. Ever since then, the Singapore government enhanced the M&P packages in 2004, 2008 and 2013. In the latest revision in 2015, the M&P package was given an additional boost to entice married couples to conceive which includes an increase in monetary rewards, enhanced tax relief and an increase in paternity leave.

While the government is hoping that these will work, some claimed that these measures address only the financial concerns of those who already have children, and failed to address other environmental factors such as the lack of work-life balance, which also influences the decision of married couples on whether to have children. Others say that the measures have little impact in pushing singles towards marriage. It remains debatable if the measures in place were effective.

Study the following sources to find out more if the measures to promote birth rate in Singapore have been effective.


4

Source A: A cartoonist’s impression of the Baby Bonus Scheme for Singaporean couples. This was published in the Straits Times on 2 October 2008.

Source B: A cartoon responding to the introduction of the Jubilee Marriage and Parenthood Package. This cartoon was published in The Straits Times on 16 December 2014.


5

Source C: A Singaporean blogger’s response to the new Marriage and Parenthood Package.

When the government first announced the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood package, my friends immediately messaged me and asked if I was considering having a third child. After all, I now get more money, they said. But my answer was a firm "no". I am stopping at 2 and 2 is more than enough in Singapore. I agree that the cost of raising kids in Singapore is extremely high but with the little money that the government is giving, it doesn't help much anyway. Having a kid is not about money. I am sure all parents are clear about their financial condition even before they consider having a kid.

Source D: A working mother’s view about raising children in Singapore in an online news article.

Raising two children is not easy for me as I need to spend time with them and earn more to feed them. It is tough for my mother-in-law to take care of two children. We tried to enrol my son into a nearby full day childcare but it is full and we are forever on the waitlist. There are vacancies elsewhere but the fee is S$1,000 per month, jolly well out of my budget. You know that could be the reason why people decide to have less or not to have any children at all. So, the new Marriage and Parenthood Package will at least help to relieve some of the financial burden of raising children in Singapore.

Source E: A forum posting on Straits Times made by a Singaporean man on the Marriage and Parenthood package, August 2015.

I have two children and my third is on the way. My wife and I thought carefully for a long time before finally deciding to have a third child. Even though it is very expensive and time-consuming to bring up a child in Singapore, the new Baby Bonus Scheme is really a big help. The government is also coming up with many new baby incentive packages to help us out. I know many friends who are also considering having more children because of these incentives. In addition to the government’s pro-family measures in place, I have more time to spend with my wife and kids.

[Turn Over6

© Jurong Secondary School 2017 2120/01/GE2/JSS/17

Source F: Adapted from an interview with various experts on population studies in Singapore after the announcement on the number of babies delivered in 2015, published in The Straits Times on 2 Feb 2016.

The Golden Jubilee of Singapore delivered 600 more babies to Singapore. The highest in 13 years, exceeding even the 33,238 births in 2012, the auspicious Dragon Year for the Chinese.

“This is a sign that more young Singaporeans are starting to embrace marriage and parenthood. Past parenthood packages and earlier policy interventions have ‘laid the groundwork’ for the gradual mindset change,” said a SIM University lecturer.

Another felt, “the rising trend could continue, as the PAP’s landslide victory in 2015 General Elections may bolster Singaporeans’ confidence in our future. However, with fewer marriages and people marrying later, having more babies might be an uphill task”.

[Turn Over7


Section B: Structured-Essay Questions

Question 2 is compulsory for all candidates.

2 Being Part of a Globalised World

Study the extracts carefully, and then answer the questions.

Extract 1

With globalisation, the job market saw a sizeable number of workers becoming redundant in their jobs, which unfortunately led to the being retrenched. The graph below shows the number of local workers in Singapore who became redundant and were retrenched from 1998 to 2014.

Extract 2

Advancements in technology is one of the main reasons for globalisation. Developments in information and communication technology have changed our way of life, whether at home, at work, in school or for leisure.

Extract 3

The growth of multinational corporations (MNCs) over the last 20-30 years played a major role in the globalisation process. They conducted businesses in more than one country, which was the foundation for Singapore’s growth to become one of the most competitive economies in the world.

[Turn Over8


(a) Extract 1 shows the workers redundancy and retrenchment figures over the years.

In your opinion, why is the number of retrenched workers are on the rise? Explain your answer using one reason.

[7]

(b) Extracts 2 and 3 are about the two key driving forces of globalisation – technological advancements and growth of MNCs.

Explain how technological advancements and growth of MNCs drive globalisation. [8]

_________________________________________________________________________________________© Copyright Acknowledgement:

Source A ©Taken from http://asia1.com.sg Source B © http://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.sg/2014/12/parents-sour-over-baby-milk-prices.html Source C © https://sg.news.yahoo.com/your-view---having-kids-is-not-about-incentives--but-

commitment--075647604.html Source D © https://takbolehtahan.wordpress.com/ Source E ©http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/2000-more-in-singapore-baby-bonus-cash-gift-all-

babies-to-get-at-least-8000 Source F © http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/600-more-babies-for-sg50


http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/600-more-babies-for-sg50

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/2000-more-in-singapore-baby-bonus-cash-gift-all-babies-to-get-at-least-8000

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/2000-more-in-singapore-baby-bonus-cash-gift-all-babies-to-get-at-least-8000

https://takbolehtahan.wordpress.com/

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/your-view---having-kids-is-not-about-incentives--but-commitment--075647604.html

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/your-view---having-kids-is-not-about-incentives--but-commitment--075647604.html

http://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.sg/2014/12/parents-sour-over-baby-milk-prices.html

http://asia1.com.sg/

NA JURONG SECONDARY SCHOOL2017 GRADUATION EXAMINATION IISECONDARY 4 NORMAL ACADEMIC

COMBINED HUMANITIES 2120/01PAPER 1 Social Studies

ANSWER SCHEME


Section A (Source-Based Case Study)

Question

Answer Marks

1(a) Study Source A. What is the message of this cartoon? Explain your answer, using details of the cartoon.

[5]

L1 Describes details of the source [1]

e.g. Source A shows me a couple who is not interested in the Baby Bonus Scheme.

L2 Explains sub-message, supported [2]

e.g. The message of Source A is that Singaporean couples are not interested in the Baby Bonus Scheme. The source shows a couple sleeping even when the baby bonus is dangling in front of them.

L3 Explains message, unsupported [3]

e.g. The message of Source A is that the Baby Bonus Scheme is not effective / successful. This is because the source shows a couple who continues to sleep although a carrot, symbolising the baby bonus, is dangling in front of them. This implies that the baby bonus scheme is not able to entice married couples to have children.

L4 Explains main message, supported: to highlight the government

[4-5]

Award the higher mark if student is able to explain the message and intended outcome of the message on the audience.

e.g. The message of Source A is to highlight to the Singapore government that the Baby Bonus Scheme is not effective / successful. This is because the source shows a couple who continues to sleep although a carrot, symbolising the baby bonus, is dangling in front of them. This implies that the baby bonus scheme is not able to entice married couples to have children. This cartoon was published in the Straits Times in 2008 when Singapore was facing low birth rate. The cartoonist wanted to highlight to the government about the ineffectiveness of the scheme so that the government was able to review its population policies.


Question

Answer Marks

1(b) Do you think the cartoonist approves of the government’s attempt to improve Singapore’s birth rate? Explain your answer.

[6]

L1 Answers based on provenance/ misinterpretation [1]

e.g. The cartoon was published in The Straits Times.

L2 Approves of government’s attempt [Sub-message] [2-3]

Award 2 marks for unsupported messageAward 3 marks for supported explanation

e.g. The cartoonist approves of the government’s attempt to improve Singapore’s birth rate because he felt joyous when receiving the package. [2m]

L3 Does not Approve of government’s attempt, explained with Main Message

[4-5]

Award 4 marks for unsupported messageAward 35marks for supported explanation

e.g. The cartoonist does not approve of the government’s attempt to improve Singapore’s birth rate because he finds it insufficient. [3m]

L4 L3+ Does not Approve of government’s attempt, supported with cartoonist’s attitude and context

[6]

e.g. L3+ It seems like the cartoonist is being sarcastic and pessimistic towards the baby bonus package in helping to improve birth rate. Furthermore, with the context of the time in which the cost of baby’s milk increasing, the cartoonist finds its ridiculous that the baby bonus does not include vouchers to help lessen the burden of having children when in fact the basis of the package is to help lessen financial burdens of couples who wants to have kids.


Question

Answer Marks

1(c) Study Sources C and D. To what extent does Source C agree with Source D? Explain your answer.

[7]

L1 Use of content but no valid matching [1]

e.g. Source E says that he will stop at 2 but Source F says that raising two children is not easy.

L2 Agree OR Disagree based on provenance/ source type/ topic

[2]

e.g. - Agree: they are both online responses- Agree: they are both about the enhanced Marriage and

Parenthood package.- Disagree: Source E is from an online blog but Source F is

from an online news article.

L3 False matching [3]

e.g. Disagree because one source says something which the other source does not say.

Source E says he will stop at having 2 children but Source F doesn’t say so, so they disagree.

L4 Agree OR Disagree on content [4-5]

Award the higher level mark for clear similarity or differences, supported from the source

e.g. They agree because both sources indicate that the cost of living in Singapore is high. Source E states that “standard of living in Singapore is extremely high”. Similarly, Source F states “the (childcare) fee is S$1,000 per month, jolly well out of my budget”. This shows that it is expensive to live in Singapore [4].

OR

e.g. They disagree in terms of the support shown towards the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood Package. Source E is not supportive of the package as he is firmly against having a third child in spite of the greater financial support given in the enhanced package. I know this because he claimed that “with the little money that the government is giving, it doesn't help much anyway”. This shows that he thinks the enhanced package is still not helpful enough to cope with the high cost of living in Singapore. On the other hand, Source F is supportive of the package. I know this because it states that the enhanced package “will at least help to


relieve some of the financial burden of raising children in Singapore”. This shows that she thinks it will help families to cope with the high cost of raising children in Singapore [4].

L5 Agree AND Disagree on content [6]

Award 6 marks for well-supported similarity and difference.

e.g. See L4

L6 Disagree in tone of sources [7]

e.g. Both disagree in terms of tone. Source E has a critical tone against the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood package. I know this because the blogger firmly said ‘no’ to having more children and uses words like ‘little’ to show that the amount of money that the government is giving in the package does not help him to cope with the high standard of living in Singapore. Source F, on the other hand, has a supportive tone towards the package. I know this because the working mother uses words like ‘relieve some of the financial burden’ to show how the package will be able to help parents like her cope with the high cost of living in Singapore [7].


Question

Answer Marks

1(d) Study Source E. How surprised are you by this source? Explain your answer.

[7]

L1 Use source content but no statement of surprise [1]

e.g. A forum post by a Singaporean man on the Straits Times forum praising the effectiveness of the M&P package.

L2 Identifies what is and/or is not surprising, but no explanation of why

[2]

e.g. I am surprised that a Singaporean man on the Straits Times forum praising the effectiveness of the M&P package.

L3 Surprised/ Not Surprised: common sense reasoning or based on contextual understanding

[3-4]

Award the higher mark for more fully developed answers.

e.g. I am not surprised that a Singaporean man was praising the effectiveness of the M&P package. It was a fact as stated by the government that they are trying to ease the burden of citizens who wants to conceive.

L4 Surprised/ Not Surprised: Explained through cross-reference

[5-6]


e.g. I am surprised that a Singaporean man was praising the effectiveness of the M&P package as Source C contradicts the claim of the M&P being effective. Source C states, “the cost of raising kids in Singapore is extremely high but with the little money that the government is giving, it doesn't help much anyway.”

L5 Not surprised: explained through purpose [7]

e.g. I am not surprised that a Singaporean was praising the effectiveness of the M&P package on the Straits Times forum. Probably, it was published to let other Singaporeans who are sceptical about the M&P package that it did work and can work for Singaporeans to start a family. Therefore, it hopes that with this positive forum posting, more Singaporean couples will come on board and increase the birth rate.


Question

Answer Marks

1(e) How far do the sources in the case study show that the Marriage and Parenthood package has been effective in promoting Singapore’s birth rate? Explain your answer.

[10]

L1 Writes about statement, no valid source use [1-2]

e.g. The Marriage and Parenthood package has been effective in promoting Singapore’s birth rate.

L2 Yes/No supported by valid source use [3-6]

e.g. These sources shows that the Marriage and Parenthood package has been effective in promoting Singapore’s birth rate. Source E states that, “the new Baby Bonus Scheme is really a big help. The government is also coming up with many new baby incentive packages to help us out.” This shows that the scheme has helped Singaporeans to procreate more. Source F states, “This is a sign that more young Singaporeans are starting to embrace marriage and parenthood. Past parenthood packages and earlier policy interventions have ‘laid the groundwork’ for the gradual mind set change..” This shows that the M&P package has enticed couples to have kids, thus promoting birth rate. Source D states, “the new Marriage and Parenthood Package will at least help to relieve some of the financial burden of raising children in Singapore.” This shows that the package did help to encourage birth rate.

OR

e.g. These sources shows that the Marriage and Parenthood package has not been effective in promoting Singapore’s birth rate. Source A shows a picture of a couple, sleeping through the night even though the baby bonus scheme/ M&P package were right at their face to encourage them procreate. This shows that the package was not effective at all. Source B also shows that the inadequacy of the M&P package has deterred couples from having babies. Especially with the increasing cost of baby supplies such as milk, couples want the package to incorporate more to help them in their daily necessities. This shows that the package has not been effective. Source C states, “I agree that the cost of raising kids in Singapore is extremely high but with the little money that the government is giving, it doesn't help much anyway. Having a kid is not about money.” This shows that the M&P still could not entice some couples to having more kids, thus to increase birth rate.

L3 Yes + No supported by valid source use [7-10]


i.e. Both elements of L2

Note : Consideration on number of sources used and the


quality of analysis in deciding on marks in L2 and L3


Section B: Structured-Essay Questions

Question

Answer Marks

2(a) Extract 1 shows the number of workers redundancy and retrenchment rate over the years.

In your opinion, why do you think the number of retrenched workers are on the rise? Explain your answer using one reason.

[7]

L1 Describes the topic i.e. about redundancy or retrenchment.

[1-2]

e.g. Singapore’s rate of workers becoming redundant or retrenched although falling, are still significant. [1]

L2 Identifies/Describes reasons [3-5]

Award 3 marks for identifying a reason.Award 4-5 marks for describing a reason.

e.g. One reason why the number of redundancy and retrenchment is still significant is because of workers lack of skills or education. With workers not willing or not taking initiative to upgrade themselves, this could cause the number of redundancy and retrenchment still significant [5].

L3 L2+ Explains reason [6-7]

Award the higher mark in the band for more developed answers.

e.g. One reason why the number of redundancy and retrenchment is still significant is because of workers lack of skills or education. With workers not willing or not taking initiative to upgrade themselves, this could cause the number of redundancy and retrenchment still significant in Singapore. With globalisation kicking in, job market are fast changing and the operations of certain jobs could have been automated or taken over by cheaper labours. If workers do not upgrade their skills or upgrade their knowledge to be on par with the changing demands of jobs, this could lead to redundancy and retrenchment. [7]

Question Answer Marks2(b) Extract 2 and 3 are about the two key driving forces of globalisation –

technological advancement and the growth of MNCs.

Explain how technological advancement and the growth of MNCs drive globalisation.

[8]

L1 Writes about the topic i.e. globalisation [1-2]© Jurong Secondary School 2017 2120/01/GE2/JSS/17

e.g. Globalisation is a process through which ideas and activities of people in different parts of the world become interconnected. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected as a result of massively increased trade and cultural exchange.

L2 Describes the key driving forces [3-5]

Award 3-4 marks for describing one driving force.Award 4-5 marks for describing two driving forces.

e.g. Technological AdvancementP: Technological advancement is a driving force of globalisation.E: Technological advancements in communication have resulted in greater access to the Internet and the increasing use of mobile communications. E: The smartphone is an invention of 21st century. It is a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. People can use it to connect to the Internet, allowing them to communicate anything and anywhere and access to vast amount of information.

Growth of MNCsP: The growth of MNCs is a driving force of globalisation.E: MNCs are business with activities in more than one country. Singapore is home to locally and foreign-owned MNCs. Foreign-owned MNCs have brought many benefits to Singapore such as employment, higher wages and bringing in new technology and expertise. They also collaborate with local institutions and companies to exchange knowledge and expertise.

E: For instance, foreign-owned pharmaceutical and biotechnology MNCs such as Novartis and Roche, established connections with local institutions in Singapore to conduct research and develop solutions to improve healthcare around the world.

L3 Explains the key driving forces [6-8]

Award 6-7 marks for explaining one driving force.Award 7-8 marks for explaining two driving forces.

e.g.Technological AdvancementP: Technological advancement is a driving force of


globalisation.E: Technological advancements in communication have resulted in greater access to the Internet and the increasing use of mobile communications. The Internet has greatly transformed the way one communicates, conducts business, obtain information and purchases good and services.E: The smartphone is an invention of 21st century. It is a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities. People can use it to connect to the Internet, allowing them to communicate anything and anywhere and access to vast amount of information.L: Therefore, technological advancements drive globalisation because it allow ideas and activities of people in different parts of the world to become interconnected at a faster pace than before.

Growth of MNCsP: The growth of MNCs is a driving force of globalisation.E: MNCs are business with activities in more than one country. Singapore is home to locally and foreign-owned MNCs. Foreign-owned MNCs have brought many benefits to Singapore such as employment, higher wages and bringing in new technology and expertise. They also collaborate with local institutions and companies to exchange knowledge and expertise.E: For instance, foreign-owned pharmaceutical and biotechnology MNCs such as Novartis and Roche, established connections with local institutions in Singapore to conduct research and develop solutions to improve healthcare around the world. L: Therefore, the growth of MNCs drives globalisation because it creates and increases economic interconnection between people and goods and economic interdependence of economic activities around the world.


rajhyss.files.wordpress.com · Web viewWrite your class, index number and name on all the work...

Documents

Transcript of rajhyss.files.wordpress.com · Web viewWrite your class, index number and name on all the work...