JC1 AP Paper 2 Review

JC1 AP Paper 2 Review

Youth Culture

1. When journalists and politicians accuse young people of being ‘irresponsible, materialistic, westernised’ (lines 3-4), what are they implying, in each case, about how young people should behave? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

• Question analysis– UYOWAFAP (ans from passage)– Paraphrase what? – Opposite of ‘irresponsible’, ‘materialistic’ and ‘westernised’

In the media, journalists and politicians attribute a long list of negative characteristics to young people: young people are said to be irresponsible, materialistic, ‘westernised’ and so on. Such attributions make you wonder whether these journalists and politicians ever experienced any kind of childhood or adolescence. They must have been little angels when they were young.

1. When journalists and politicians accuse young people of being ‘irresponsible, materialistic, westernised’ (lines 3-4), what are they implying, in each case, about how young people should behave? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Lifted answer Paraphrased answerirresponsible

materialistic

westernised

Young people shouldtake ownership/ be reliable/ accountable,

less concerned with wealth/physical/ tangible things

rooted in/familiar with local/native traditions/practices

Common mistakes/ Inaccurate paraphrases:Serious, mature, disciplined, thrifty, be Asian

2 (a) In paragraph 2, what assumption is usually made of young people? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAP– Paraphrase what? The assumption.– Where is the assumption?

In any case, when adults speak about youth, it is usually done with a kind of moralising. Young people are said to be vulnerable, easily misled because they are thought to be intellectually underdeveloped. This assumption forms the basis of policies that exclude young people from certain adult privileges such as watching R(A) movies and reading certain kinds of ‘adult’ books. This assumption also forms the basis of the charge that young people are easily subjected to western influence.


• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAP– Paraphrase what? The assumptions.

In any case, when adults speak about youth, it is usually done with a kind of moralising. Young people are said to be [vulnerable, easily misled because they are thought to be intellectually underdeveloped]. This assumption forms the basis of policies that exclude young people from certain adult privileges such as watching R(A) movies and reading certain kinds of ‘adult’ books. This assumption also forms the basis of the charge that young people are easily subjected to western influence.


Lifted answer Paraphrased answer

vulnerable, easily misledthought to be

intellectually underdeveloped

They are assumed to be susceptible/ gullible/ having a tendency to/ impressionable

because they are believed to be immature/ less discerning/ inexperienced

Common mistakes:unable to think for themselves, lifting of the word ‘easily’

2(b) What reactions are justified using this assumption? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAP– Paraphrase what? The reactions.– Where are the reactions? Look for signals.

In any case, when adults speak about youth, it is usually done with a kind of moralising. Young people are said to be vulnerable, easily misled because they are thought to be intellectually underdeveloped. This assumption forms the basis of policies that exclude young people from certain adult privileges such as watching R(A) movies and reading certain kinds of ‘adult’ books. This assumption also forms the basis of the charge that young people are easily subjected to western influence.


• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAP– Paraphrase what? The reactions

In any case, when adults speak about youth, it is usually done with a kind of moralising. Young people are said to be vulnerable, easily misled because they are thought to be intellectually underdeveloped. This assumption forms the basis of [policies that exclude young people from certain adult privileges such as watching R(A) movies and reading certain kinds of ‘adult’ books]. This assumption also forms the basis of the [charge that young people are easily subjected to western influence].


Lifted answer Paraphrased answer…policies thatexclude young people from certain adult privileges such as watching R(A) movies and reading certain kinds of ‘adult’ books.

…basis of the charge that young people are easily subjected to western influence.

Measures/rules/regulations are formed to deny/prevent/not include youth from rights/advantages/benefits meant for grown-ups…

…and adults blame/accuse youth of being vulnerable/susceptible to westernisation.

Common mistakes: Leaving out the second point;Not capturing the ‘reactions’ (especially the ‘charge’);‘charge’ interpreted as a belief/mindset when it is a forceful action

3. What is the underlying belief of ‘…a gerontocratic state that proposes to give more votes to persons of an older age…’

(lines 16-17). [1]

• Question Analysis– Inference Qn– Infer the mindset/belief behind such a state that

acts in such a way. – What way of thinking (about older people) makes

this state treat older people this way?

3. What is the underlying belief of ‘…a gerontocratic state that proposes to give more votes to persons of an older age…’

(lines 16-17). [1]

Inferred answerIt is the belief that the elderly are

more mature/experienced/ wiser/ more deserving of political power.Common mistakes:

Talking about young people w/o reference to the old at allParaphrasing this phrase (instead of inferring)Lifting the whole sentence before this.

4. According to the author, in line 19, how does ‘history repeat itself’? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAP– ‘word choice’ history & repeat (must be brought out in the

answer)– ‘How’ question a way in which something happens– Which words/phrases bring out the idea of ‘repeat’?– What is ‘history’?

But every adult generation of its time seems to condemn the young, and history repeats itself when [the grown-up youth, who was previously chided, now nags at the new generation for indulging in the sins of hedonistic pleasure]. Pop culture fashion, pop music, magazines, movies, fun and play are all part and parcel of youth.

4. According to the author, in line 19, how does ‘history repeat itself’? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Lifted answer Paraphrased answer

…history repeats itself when the grown-up youth, who was previously chided, now nags at the new generation for indulging in the sins of hedonistic pleasure. (lines 19-21)

Adults who were criticised/berated/condemned in the past would scold youth today (‘repeat’)

for their pursuit of sensual gratification/ revelry/ enjoyment (‘history’/subject matter)

Common mistakes:Degree of the words ‘chided’ and ‘indulging in the sins of hedonistic pleasure’ not brought out

5. Explain the metaphor of ‘the curry bowl’ (line 25) in the context of youth culture. [1]

• Question Analysis– Metaphor question– Identify the metaphor

• ‘_______ is _________.’

– What is the metaphor?

If money is the rice bowl for our survival, pop culture is the curry bowl that gives spice to youth.


• Question Analysis– Identify the metaphor ‘_______ is _________.’

If money is the rice bowl for our survival, pop culture is the curry bowl that gives spice to youth.

- To answer a metaphor question:Just as…., so…..


Inferred answerJust as a curry bowl/a bowl of curry/ curry is spicy/adds flavour ,

pop culture stimulates our lives

OR

gives/adds fun/excitement/zest.

6. Explain what the author means by 'your wisdom is one born of pain' (lines 31-32). [2]

• Question Analysis– No UYOWAFAP, you need to infer to some degree– Just explain what it means!– What are the key words?

• Wisdom, born, pain?

6. Explain what the author means by 'your wisdom is one born of pain' (lines 31-32). [2]

Inferred answerWe mature/ gain more experiences/ be enlightened/ gain more perspectives/ insights/ learn [1] (‘wisdom’)

when we make mistakes/ poor/ wrong decisions. [1] (‘pain’)

Common mistakesUsing the word ‘wisdom’ in the answer

7. What point is the author making in each of the following examples in paragraph 6? Use your own words as far as possible.

(a) ‘If an American eats Chinese food, he or she will not dream about Mao Zedong or be inspired by Deng Xiaoping. Similarly, if an Asian drinks Coke and listens to Madonna, he or she is not necessarily westernised.’ (lines 33-35) [1]

• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAP– Find the answers to (a) and (b) in the passage!

And the way human beings adopt elements of another culture is not a simple one. If an American eats Chinese food, he or she will not dream about Mao Zedong or be inspired by Deng Xiaoping. Similarly, if an Asian drinks Coke and listens to Madonna, he or she is not necessarily westernised. Cultures do influence individuals but not in a simplistic way. In fact, the influences are not uniform across all people. What you have today is a post-modern individual who partakes of the cultural elements of the global universe: he or she wears bangles and rings from Africa and Calvin Klein clothes made in Thailand, watches an American programme on a Japanese TV set, eats Hainanese chicken rice, while sitting on a chair made in Italy. This is an inevitable outcome of the processes of globalisation at work in the world.


(a) ‘If an American eats Chinese food, he or she will not dream about Mao Zedong or be inspired by Deng Xiaoping. Similarly, if an Asian drinks Coke and listens to Madonna, he or she is not necessarily westernised.’ (lines 33-35) [1]

Lifted Paraphrased

Cultures do influence individuals but not in a simplistic way. “…he or she is not necessarily westernised.” (line 35)

Cultures have an effect/ impact on people in a complicated/complex/profound way/ not easily impacted. [1]

Common mistakes:Students do not capture the idea of ‘not simplistic’ in their answers.


(b) ‘…what you have today is a post-modern individual who partakes of the cultural elements of the global universe: he or she wears bangles and rings from Africa and Calvin Klein clothes made in Thailand, watches an American programme on a Japanese TV set, eats Hainanese chicken rice, while sitting on a chair made in Italy.’ (lines 37-40) [1]

• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAPFind the answers to (a) and (b) in the passage!

…is not necessarily westernised. Cultures do influence individuals but not in a simplistic way. In fact, the influences are not uniform across all people. What you have today is a post-modern individual who partakes of the cultural elements of the global universe: he or she wears bangles and rings from Africa and Calvin Klein clothes made in Thailand, watches an American programme on a Japanese TV set, eats Hainanese chicken rice, while sitting on a chair made in Italy. This is an inevitable outcome of the processes of globalisation at work in the world.


(b) ‘…what you have today is a post-modern individual who partakes of the cultural elements of the global universe: he or she wears bangles and rings from Africa and Calvin Klein clothes made in Thailand, watches an American programme on a Japanese TV set, eats Hainanese chicken rice, while sitting on a chair made in Italy.’ (lines 37-40) [1]

Lifted Paraphrased

The influences are not uniform across all people

The effect/ impact on people are different/ peculiar/ unique/ diverse/ an amalgamation of different cultures.ORnot similar/ same/ standard/ alike. [1]

8. Explain what the author means by 'play is restorative, rejuvenating us for the next day of work' (lines 48-49). Use your

own words as far as possible. [1]

• Question Analysis– UYOWAFAP answer is in the passage– ‘Explain…what…means’– Key words to paraphrase?

8. Explain what the author means by 'play is restorative, rejuvenating us for the next day of work' (lines 48-49). Use your

own words as far as possible. [1]

Lifted Paraphrased

'play is restorative, rejuvenating us for the next day of work'

Play helps us to recover from/ renew/ revive, revitalise/ refresh for the next working day.

Common mistakes:Idea of ‘recovering’ or ‘re’ must is not presentX relax, prepare, freshen up

9. Why does the author use the word ‘certainly’ in line 75? [1]

• Question Analysis– Inference, author’s intention type– Word choice ‘certainly’– What point is the author making?

…The truth of the matter is that youth consume popular goods because of the cheapness of mass products and not because they are slaves to whim. Mass-production makes goods cheap and affordable and young people do not have much disposable income to afford luxuries. So they eat at McDonald’s, wear Giordano jeans, and so on.

Certainly and increasingly, there are youth who indulge in conspicuous consumption by purchasing expensive brand-name products. But the point here is that adults should not blame youth for being faddish and wasteful. Instead, we need more people to think ‘young’, to continue to have ideals and principles, to add colour and spice to an otherwise sterile society.


• Question Analysis– Inference, author’s intention– point– Word choice ‘certainly’

…The truth of the matter is that youth consume popular goods because of the cheapness of mass products and not because they are slaves to whim. Mass-production makes goods cheap and affordable and young people do not have much disposable income to afford luxuries. So they eat at McDonald’s, wear Giordano jeans, and so on.

Certainly and increasingly, there are youth who indulge in conspicuous consumption by purchasing expensive brand-name products. But the point here is that adults should not blame youth for being faddish and wasteful. Instead, we need more people to think ‘young’, to continue to have ideals and principles, to add colour and spice to an otherwise sterile society.

• Possible answers:– To show that he is conceding/ acknowledging / admitting

[stylistic purpose]– OR– has no doubt of / definite of/ sure of [‘certainly’]

– the fact that there are young people who immerse themselves in extravagant spending/buying luxury items/spending unnecessarily. [point]


10. Why does the author use inverted commas around the word ‘young’ (line 77)? [1]

• Question Analysis– Inference, author’s intention + point– Punctuation (understand use of “ ”)– Word choice ‘young’

Instead, we need more people to think ‘young’, to continue to have ideals and principles, to add colour and spice to an otherwise sterile society. (line 77)

10. Why does the author use inverted commas around the word ‘young’ (line 77)? [1]

Inferred answerTo show that he is not referring to the literal meaning of young as a physical/biological age…

but a kind of mentality/thinking/disposition that isopen/ adventurous/ all-embracing/ vibrantOR emulating the spirit of the young.OR youthful at heart.

Both parts needed for 1 mark.

Common mistakes:The author is not referring to the literal meaning but the figurative meaning. Seriously. (!?!)

AQ

In the passage, Leong Wai Teng provides a defence of youth culture in response to various criticisms by adults.To what extent do you agree with the views expressed in the passage? Support your answer with relevant examples and observations drawn from your own experience.

Structure of AQ paragraph

S.Ex.Ev.Eg.L.• S/Ex: Paraphrase the author’s argument

(explaining anything in the passage will only give you EX)

• Ev: Give reasons why you agree/disagree (anything offered from out of the passage will give you EV)

• Eg: Give examples from Singapore (and EValuate them)

• L: Link back to your stand wrt the author’s point.

Types of Evaluation

• Conceding/Balancing view• Examine implications for the future

– Long-term/ short-term– optimistic/ pessimistic

• Recommendations• 5W1H questions

– w.r.t. political, economic, social, cultural dimensions (PESC)

The difference between description and Evaluation

S/EX: Leong defends youth’s perceived freedom from obligations and their overly fun way of life by suggesting that a balance of work and play is necessary. EV-wannabe: This might seem true because SGean youth like to hang out at Orchard road and spend a lot of money on frivolous things like make-up, clothes and food. But they actually stress up over their studies.EG: Some students in Singapore have committed suicide because they could not cope in school. EV: Singaporean adults should understand the youth. They have the same kind of stress in their workplace. EG: Parents recognise the value of play, encouraging their children to go for extra classes like those of ballet, music and track and field. L: Hence, I agree that work and play are both important in my society.

EV-wannabe: This might seem true because SGean youth like to hang out at Orchard road and spend a lot of money on frivolous things like make-up, clothes and food. But they actually feel very stressed over their studies.

EV: It might seem true that youth are caught up with their own enjoyments and do not empathise with adult responsibilities like being a bread-winner, caring for aged parents or climbing the corporate ladder; but youth have a different set of ‘burdens’ to bear—that of academics.

• Don’t just tell me what you see with your eyes (descriptive)

• Evaluate with reasons. Tell me why this is the case. (evaluative)

• Use analytical language

DESCRIPTIVE EVALUATIVE

EG: Some students in Singapore have committed suicide because they could not cope in school.

EG: Academic achievement in SG is so heavily emphasised that students who lack knowledge on stress management have been known to commit suicide.

This is what happened

These are the combined

reasons that made it happen.

VS

DESCRIPTIVEEVALUATIVE

EG: Parents recognise the value of play, encouraging their children to go for extra classes like those of ballet, music and track and field.

EG: While the holistic value of encouraging play is recognised in SG through the enthusiastic enrolment of children in sports, cultural or artistic pursuits like ballet, music, and track and field classes, EV/EG: these pursuits have often become an added source of stress for students with many taking external examinations and some parents even using these to help their children gain entry into elite secondary schools through the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise where students enter these schools with non-academic talents.

Try to give a deeper, multi-layered answer, not just a simplistic one.

Evaluate with future implications.

DESCRIPTIVE

EVALUATIVE

L: Hence, I agree that work and play are both important in my society.

L: Hence, while I believe that we need a balance of work and play, Singaporeans need to consciously divorce play from work in order to reap its true benefits.

Evaluate with suggestions.

Mere restatement EVALUATIVE

S/EX: Leong defends youth’s perceived freedom from obligations and their overly fun way of life by suggesting that a balance of work and play is necessary.

EV: It might seem true that youth do not empathise with adult responsibilities like being a bread-winner, caring for aged parents or climbing the corporate ladder; but youth have a different set of ‘burdens’ to bear—that of academics.

EG: Academic achievement in SG is so heavily emphasised that students who lack knowledge on stress management have been known to commit suicide.

EV: Being in the same society as us, adults should be more tolerant and understanding of Singaporean youth, encouraging them to have appropriate leisure in order to achieve greater productivity.

EG: While this is recognised in SG through the enthusiastic enrolment of children in sports, cultural or artistic pursuits like ballet, music, and track and field classes,

EV: these pursuits have often become an added source of stress for students with many taking external examinations and some parents even using these to help their children gain entry into elite secondary schools through the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise where students enter these schools with non-academic talents.

L: Hence, while I believe that we need a balance of work and play, Singaporeans need to consciously divorce play from work in order to reap its true benefits.

Thank you!

11) SUMMARYA Moralists…envy (line 49-50) Moralists are jealous of youthB this period of carefree

irresponsibility (of youth)…(line 50)

for their untroubled/ the freedom from/ lack of answerability/accountability/ liability.ORas they are not shackled/ chained/ bogged down by any duty.

C … not whether play is good or not (since it is definitely positive) …(line 51)

Play is beneficial/ profitable/ useful

D … but a question of balance.. (lines 51-52)

…in the correct/ right proportion/ quantity/ amount.

E …greater leeway for experimental styles. (line 56-57)

Adults resent the lack of flexibility of personal style/ unfair/ differing/ unreasonable/ unwarranted standards within society seem to favour the young…

SUMMARYF If you are fifty-something and you wear

psychedelic-coloured clothes, you will be ridiculed as a vain senior citizen (line 57-58)

…and how their bold fashion sense can be mocked/ jeered at/ criticised/ taunted/ condemned

G …bodily dimension of youth culture makes adults feel ambivalent (line 60)The moral rhetoric against youth all seems to centre on pleasure associated with the body. (line 65-66)

Adults do not likethe physical/ carnal / sensual satisfaction/ gratification that youth possess/ enjoy

H Adults want that youthful look (line 63) Adults relish/ desire/ wish/ would like to appear young/ youthful.

I We often hear adults complaining about youth being victims of (mass produced) fashion, adopting whatever is popular and faddish (line 70-71)

They are subjected to/ succumb to/ targets of/ preys of

SUMMARYJ We often hear adults complaining about

youth being victims of (mass produced) fashion, adopting whatever is popular and faddish (line 70-71)

…current/ prevailing trends/ temporary craze/mainstream

K … youth consume popular goods because of the cheapness of mass products … (lines 71-72) Mass-production makes goods cheap and affordable (line 73)

Youth buy items because they are low priced/ cost little/ inexpensive/ within their budget…

L … and not because they are slaves to whim. (line 72)

…not because they are spendthrift/ frivolous/ lack self-control/ impulsive and controlled by their fancies/ desires.

M … young people do not have much disposable income … (lines 73-74)

Youth do not have much spending power/ enough moneyORhave little/ meagre/ limited/ insufficient/ few means…

SUMMARYN … to afford luxuries. (line 74) …to buy expensive/ branded/ opulent/

extravagant/ high-end products.

O ..There are youth who indulge in…(line 75-76)

…and purchase excessively…Note: Degree/intensity of over-spending is necessary.

P conspicuous consumption by purchasing expensive brand-name products… (line 75-76)

…flashy productsOR…to show off/ to display one’s status publicly.

Q ...adults (should not) blame youth for being faddish and wasteful. (line 76-77)

Youth are extravagant/ lavish/ liberal/ profligate/ spendthrift.

R … to continue to have ideals and principles, … (lines 77-78)

Youth have values/ beliefs/ standards/ aspirations/ purpose/dreams

Young mentality/mindset/perspectives/thinking

SUMMARYS … to add colour and spice …

(line 78)…contribute variety/ excitement/ vibrance/ zest/ vividness

T … to an otherwise sterile society. (line 78)

…to a cold/ boring/ lifeless/ dull/ dead/ society.

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JC1 AP Paper 2 Review