Anglo-Chinese Junior College

General Paper Preliminary Exams 2010

Revised Comprehension Answer Scheme (Final)

Questions from Passage 1

1. From paragraph 1,
i) why does the writer consider the term ‘Noughties’ (line 2) unfortunate? Use your own
words as far as possible. (1m)
Lift from the passage Inference
…‘naughty’ is probably one adjective that The term ‘Noughties’ sounds like ‘naughty’/
doesn't spring to mind unless you see suggests (sexual) misconduct/ impropriety / being
everything through the prism of one bad in some way.(1/2)
particular golfer. (lines 2-4)
The term is not representative/ inaccurate. (1/2)

ii) why is Time Magazine’s description of life in the Noughties ‘unkind’ (line 4)? Use your
own words as far as possible. (1m)

Lift from the passage Inference

Description : ‘The Decade from Hell’

…Time magazine has called the 00s ‘The The description suggests that the whole ten years
Decade from Hell’. That seems a little had been unpleasant/unfavourable/dreadful/awful
unkind. years for everyone/all (1/2)

After all, it hasn't been that bad for China, but the situation was not so/ the description is
India or TV personality Simon Cowell. inaccurate/not representative/some countries or
(lines 4-5) individuals had done well.(1/2)

2. Explain the irony expressed in the following lines: ‘I still remember the first personal
email I got from him … "Dear Matt," it started. An email just for me… and a few million
others.’ (lines 12 - 14) Use your own words as far as possible. (1m)

Lift from the passage Paraphrase

I still remember the first personal e-mail I It seems/appears as if the email is addressed to him
got from him. "Dear Matt," it started. alone (“Dear Matt”) as he is referred to by name
(1/2)

An e-mail just for me… and a few million yet, the same email is also sent to many
others. (lines 12-14) people.(1/2)

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 3. From paragraph 3, explain how the individual made use of technology to bring about
personal empowerment. Use your own words as far as possible. (3m)
Lift from the passage Paraphrase
You have grasped the power of the mouse With technology, the individual is empowered as
and the text message (lines 18-19) he can

Whether it's voting on American Idol (line 18)  choose the winner/influence the outcome of
talent shows, (1)
bargaining on eBay (line 18)
 exercise his consumer choice/ sovereignty/
make independent choices, (1)
You have done so in the world of
entertainment and politics. In Iran, you  capture/highlight events/images and bring
students and housewives used your mobile them to the attention of the public and
phones and computers to record and effect/influence political change (1)
broadcast footage that almost toppled the
government after disputed elections. (lines
19-22)

In China, you have overcome rural isolation  in a remote /economically deprived/

and poverty thanks to the Internet. OR economically backward/poor area, the
You may have lost your job in the garment individual gained access to (job)
factory in Guangdong, but you returned to opportunities(1)
your village armed with a web address and
expectations.(lines 22-24) These 2 points only refer to connectivity.
To get 1 mark, students must raise the notion of
empowerment. This is not stated in the passage and
must be inferred. In both contexts, accessibility has
brought benefits to local people, as well as given them
accessibility to the outside world.
In Botswana, mobile phones are now doing  people gain wireless accessibility/connectivity
what landlines could never do. to the outside world. (1/2) OR

And an undersea cable has just brought  people gain high-speed access to the outside
faster-than-fast broadband to Kenya. (lines world. (1/2)
24-25)
Any 3 of the 6 possible answers, to a maximum of 3 marks.

4. In paragraph 4, the writer gives the example of the American researcher who uncovered
the British financial scandal. (lines 28-30) What is his intention in citing this example?
(2m + ½ bonus)
Lift from the passage Paraphrase/Implication
Greater connectivity has gone As the world becomes increasingly wired-up/linked up (1/2),
hand-in-hand with a greater sense people expect/want/demand/deserve (1/2)
of entitlement, especially the
entitlement to information. (lines access to confidential/private/restricted information (1)
27-28) OR
greater/more transparency/legitimacy (1)

Remember how the British MPs' Award ½ bonus mark: how access to information should not
expenses scandal was first uncovered be limited by geographical boundaries. One should have
by an American researcher who was accessibility to every context. The British/American
incensed that authorities were denying reference is an example of this entitlement to information.
her access to public information about
what MPs spent on their second Do not award marks for ‘through/with technology, ‘using
homes? advanced technology’ etc…

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5. In paragraph 6, the author referred to the next decade as the ‘Teens’. (line 44) What can
be deduced about the next decade from the use of this term? (2m)

Context Inference
If the Noughties have been unnerving, The next decade would be even worse/more
what can we expect from the next unpredictable (1) than the last decade
decade?

we should just call the decade Note: Do not accept ‘unnerving’, ‘unsettling’ or
‘unnerving’ or ‘unsettling’ or even ‘unhinged’ unless it is modified by ‘even more’ or
‘unhinged’. (lines 5-6) something to that effect. ‘…even more unnerving
gets ½ mark as word was lifted.

They will after all be called ‘The as teenagers usually go through a troubled
Teens’. (line 42-44) phase/rebellious phase/a period when they experience
great emotional turbulence.(1)

Questions from Passage 2

6. What does the phrase ‘an almost Taliban-like policing of women's bodies’ (line 13) say
about the standards of beauty adopted by women’s magazines and entertainment
blogs? Use your own words as far as possible. (2m + 1 bonus)

Lift from the passage Paraphrase

Women’s magazines Bonus Mark :
and entertainment blogs The Taliban is a strict/ fundamentalist regime( in Afghanistan) /imposes
maintained an almost stringent moral, cultural values/standards. (1)
Taliban-like policing of
women's bodies (lines Women’s magazines and entertainment blogs set high/exacting
12-13) benchmark/standards/expect perfection (1)

and enforce/monitor/judge these standards closely/ stringently.(1)

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7. Using material from paragraphs 2 to 4, summarise how life in the Noughties was superficial
and fake. Use your own words as far as possible. (8m)
Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words printed
below.

Life in the Noughties was superficial and fake because ...

Lift from the passage Paraphrase
1a. We have stopped prizing things of enduring value, 1a. We no longer prioritised (1/2) things that were
lasting (1/2),

b. things that might be perceived as natural and flawed yet are 1b…worthwhile/wholesome(1/2) and imperfect /God-
still substantial given (1/2)

2. … and swapped them for inauthentic things (line 8) OR 2. We preferred fake/artificial/ superficial things (1) OR

… a beauty ideal that is more plastic than fantastic (line 8) … our epitome of beauty was more artificial than
real /naturally attractive. (1)

3 … reality TV celebrities whose rise and fall are based on 3. … Famous reality TV stars played stereotypical
constructed personas (lines 8-9) OR characters/created personalities (as opposed to being
their true selves). (1) OR

…their performances were less real… (lines 19-20) Actors maintained fake/superficial exteriors/
…People became characters; their real selves edited out or appearances/did not want to show their true selves.
turned into an exaggeration or a caricature.(lines 24-25) (1)

4. Our houses have come to resemble Barbie houses - with 4. (inferred) We were obsessed with consumerism/
more bedrooms than we need, his 'n' hers matching four-wheel- extravagance or desired expensive goods (1/2)
drives, heavy ''it'' handbags and statement heels - all of which despite the fact that we could not afford such
led people to record personal credit card debt in recent years. a lifestyle.(1/2)
(lines 9-12)

5. Women’s magazines and entertainment blogs maintained an 5. The media was obsessed with/pursued unrealistic
almost Taliban-like policing of women's bodies, except that beauty ideals and physical imperfections were not
these gatekeepers were monitoring flaws. Nothing less than tolerated/ subjected to stringent checks. (1)
perfection would do. (lines 12-14)
6. Botox was normalised, hair extensions were fitted and 6. (Inferred) Cosmetic/aesthetics enhancements/
spray tans became a sort of de facto national complexion. procedures that were “unnatural” and artificial were
(lines 17-18) accepted and encouraged (1)

7. At the fag-end of this decade, some actors looked more 7. Actors tried to look younger than their age. (1)
youthful than they did in the '90s. (line 19)
8. Dominating the art of inauthenticity was reality TV which was 8. Reality TV was the most orchestrated/scripted
the most contrived and predictable genre of television (lines format/show. (1) OR
22-23 ) OR

…producers may have sensed our desire for something real, so …even what was authentic seemed to be
they gave us Susan Boyle watching her perform on a reality TV constructed/manufactured.(1)
show, gave a sense that something had been staged, that this
claim of being authentic was not as real as we were being
told.(lines 30-35)

9. Australian Idol winner who was not the blonde, skinny Barbie 9. (inferred) Looks were valued over real talent/real
ideal of pop stars had the best voice, yet in the world of record talent did not matter. (1)
companies, photo shoots and glossy magazines, she sank
quickly. (lines 27-29)

Award a maximum of 8 marks.

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8. From paragraph 6, identify one metaphor and explain how it reflects the artificiality of life in
the Noughties. (2m)

 Accept any one of 3 metaphors. Although every identified metaphor has been given
corresponding literal and metaphorical meanings, please use your discretion and accept any
sensible combination of the meanings.

This is acceptable:
the identified metaphor/literal meaning may be “costume jewellery’ but the metaphorical meaning
given is the one for Barbie lives/toys.

 Award mark for the (holistic) interpretation, although a paraphrase, of the phrase ‘plastic,
disposable and ultimately worthless’ is also acceptable.

 Do not award mark for use of the word ‘artificial’

Any one of 3 answers

Lift from the passage Paraphrased
costume jewellery for our Barbie lives Metaphor: Costume jewellery (1/2)
(line 43)
Literal Meaning : Costume jewellery is inexpensive and
superficially attractive/ not durable/of little use or value.(1/2)

plastic,disposable and ultimately Figurative Meaning:

worthless. (line 44) Likewise, in the Noughties, we prize things that are
fake/superficially attractive/outwardly attractive (1/2) but have
little value.(1/2)

costume jewellery for our Barbie Metaphor: Barbie lives (1/2)

lives (line 43)

Literal Meaning: A Barbie doll is a symbol of physical

perfection/ has a flawless exterior/ is an object of perfect
proportions (although such expectations and standards are
unreal/unrealistic)(1/2)

plastic, disposable and ultimately Figurative Meaning:

worthless. (line 44) Likewise, in the Noughties, our lives are seemingly/outwardly
perfect (1/2) but feels/seems unreal/of little
consequence/lacking in meaning, purpose or direction. (1/2)

‘toys‘ (line 45) Metaphor: toys(1/2)

Literal Meaning: A toy is a (material) representation of the

real thing. (1/2).

Link to ‘artificiality’ not to ‘grown-up Figurative Meaning:

status’ Likewise, in the Noughties, we tend to escape from reality/
live unreal lives. (1)

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Questions from Passages 1 and 2
9. Give the meaning of each of the following words as they are used in Passages 1 and 2.You
may write your answer in one word or a short phrase. (5m)

Vocabulary item 1 mark ½ mark No mark

signature (P1, line 7) distinctive Characteristic (main) highlight
adjective iconic representative autograph
9/11 was THE event that definitive mark
set the tone… the distinguishing sign
defining key
signature phenomenon of
distinct prominent
this decade significant
well-known
special
distinguished
symbolic
emblematic
hallmark
trademark
most important
spawned (P1,line gave rise to Initiated offspring
31) generated triggered progeny
verb produced gave birth to, ‘birthed’
The decade also spawned a created resulted in
sense of entitlement to propagated
prosperity…(lines 31-32) reproduced
conceived
lubricated (P1,line eased enabled
31) verb facilitated smoothened
made easier by oiled
The decade also spawned a helped by greased
sense of entitlement to coated
prosperity, lubricated …by catalysed
easy credit. (lines 31-32) brought about
reduced friction between moving
parts
malleable( P2, line3) literal: easy to change weak
adjective adaptable easily changed able to bend
tractable movable
But for me, the plastic, pliable easily distorted
malleable Barbie doll is the with the ability to change highly changeable
symbol of our age (lines 2- modified, ’modifiable’
13) figurative: mouldable?
capable of being /easily
shaped, influenced, moulded
or manipulated

easy to shape, influence or

manipulate
unadorned (P2,line not made-up simple undecorated
31) not touched-up plain not decorated
adjective not beautified ordinary looking raw
…Susan Boyle - the middle- not groomed without accessories/ unglamorous
aged Scot; unworldly and without embellishment jewellery without flaunting
unadorned, living with her not extravagant
cat in her village and, so the not flamboyant
legend goes, 'never been untainted
kissed'. (lines 31-32) not beautiful
not well-groomed
not pampered
simplistic
living a simple life

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10. The Noughties have been an era of uncertainty and superficiality. Matt Frei describes
the Noughties as an era of personal empowerment while Bridget Delany sees it as an era
when life lacks authenticity and superficial values reigned.

Were the experiences of your society in the Noughties similar or different from the developments
and trends described in the passages? What are the implications for your society?

In your answer, develop some of the points raised by the authors, give your own views and
support your answer with examples drawn from your society’s experience.

Question Requirements: Students must

• refer to the trends and developments of the Noughties.

- Matt Frei feels that The Noughties have empowered the individual (lines 17 – 32) yet were unsettling as the
individual was caught in an ironic bind as he surrendered control to the institutions which represented/worked for
him. (lines 34-42)
- Bridget Delaney feels that the Noughties have been a decade when we lived plastic, malleable lives as we
fell prey to conspicuous consumerism (lines 6-12) and unrealistic standards of physical beauty (lines12-18) pursued
youth (lines 19-22) and searched for meaning in an inauthentic universe. (paragraphs 2-4)

• show the extent to which these trends are reflected in their society and how these
characteristics are manifested in ideas, attitudes. values, actions and forms of behaviour.
Answers/Examples must refer to the past and/or the present perspective

• raise the implications/outcomes/consequences of adopting these ideas/attitudes/values/

ifestyle/course of action. Answers /Examples must refer to the here-and-now perspective and/or
the future perspective.

• Better scripts will be able to pull together common ideas from both passages and present
a coherent picture of what their society is/will be like after the experience of the Noughties.

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Mark Range Strand Descriptor
 Systematic & conscientious reference to specific references
to show how the developments in our society were similar or
different from the trends and developments of the Noughties
 Logical and well-substantiated evaluation (implications) of
Requirement
how these these trends and developments have affected the
ideas, attitudes, values, actions and forms of behaviour of our
society
 Ideas from both passages must be raised.
A
 Arguments are well-developed.
Explanation  Clear, relevant, effective (even original) illustrations that
7-8 m
provide insight/explanation and examples.
 Implications raised are insightful, logical and well-
substantiated.
Evaluation
 Able to offer sound, relevant and concrete reasons; showing
how implications raised are valid ones.
 Shows impeccable coherence and organisation – very good
Coherence paragraphing, good use of appropriate connectors, very clear
development of ideas and logical flow of argument.
 Answer is adequately based on points from the passages, but
this may not be clear or explicit.
 Attempts to show how trends/developments in our society were
similar or different from the developments and trends of the
Requirement
Noughties but this may not always be logical and well-
substantiated.
 Inadequate or superficial references to what is happening in
Singapore.
 Evidence of some elaboration but may not be fully developed.
Examples cited may be clichéd, common, or not truly
B Explanation
effective.
 May include minor misinterpretation.
4-6 m
 Balance may be lacking.
 Personal insights and predictions are hinted at, but tend to be
Evaluation superficial with limited development of ideas.
 Reasons offered to support the student’s evaluation may not be
fully developed and clear.
 Answer shows a fair degree of organisation (paragraphing,
etc) but is not completely effective.
Coherence
 Links between some points may be lacking. Some minor logical
gaps.
 Little or no reference to the specific points made by the writers
Requirement in the passages. Requires work on examiner’s part to
locate/understand the ideas raised.
 Explanations are unconvincing, badly reasoned, lack
Explanation
examples and development.
C
 Little or no attempt at all at evaluation.
1-3 m  Student may resort to paraphrasing / summarising passage
Evaluation
instead of critically commenting on selected points.
 Little or no attempt made to justify the evaluation.
 Direction of answer is sorely lacking. Student does not seem
Coherence to have a thesis / argument, essay is extremely disorganised
(evidence of random points jumbled together).