CJC 2023 GP Prelim Paper 2 Answer Scheme

2023 Prelim Paper 2 Suggested Answer Scheme Passage 1 1. What is the author ’s definition of meritocracy in paragraph 1? Use your own words as far as possible. [1m] From the passage Suggested paraphrase that an individual’s position in society should depend on his or her combination of ability and effort. A person’s success/progress/status in society should be based/reliant/contingent on/ defined/informed by a mix/blend of their skills/talent/prowess and hard work/labour. DNA: ‘willpower/determination/ commitment/ contributions/ work’ for ‘effort’ DNA: ‘role’/’value’/’worth’ for ‘position’ (notion of hierarchy or progression is required) DNA: ‘represented by’ for ‘depend’ 2. State three reasons why meritocracy is ‘so popular’ (line 7) to most people today. Use your own words as far as possible. [3m] From the passage Suggested paraphrase First, it prides itself on the extent to which people can get ahead in life on the basis of their natural talents. Second, it tries to secure equality of opportunity by providing education for all. Third, it forbids discrimination on the basis of race and sex and other irrelevant characteristics. Fourth, it awards jobs through open competition rather than patronage a) Meritocracy allows people to progress/succeed due to their innate/inborn skills. DNA: “head start”, “potential” for “talents” DNA: ‘their own’/‘personal’ for ‘natural’ b) It ensures everyone has the same prospects/chances through schooling/dissemination of knowledge. B.O.D.: “give everyone learning resources” c) It disallows unfair treatment/prejudice on the pretext of colour/ethnicity and gender. DNA: “strongly against”, ‘prevents’ for ‘disallows’ DNA: “segregation”, “ostracised”, “exclusion” for ‘discrimination’ d) Jobs are not assigned to people on the grounds of associations/ lineage/family connections/recommendations and to those who

and nepotism have shown support through financial aid, but instead to the best talents/fair challenge. Accept paraphrase of “patronage and nepotism” collectively, through some notion of “privilege”. Any 3 points for 3m 3. Explain the author ’s use of the metaphor ‘palace of illusions ’ (line 22) to describe meritocracy. [2m] From the passage Suggested paraphrase However, some argue that meritocracy is now the opposite of what it was intended to be: a way of transmitting inherited privilege from one generation to another through the mechanism of elite education... This palace of illusions is also a factory of misery. a. (Literal meaning) Just as a palace of illusions promises grandeur / holds great allure but is ultimately false, [1m] Note: notion of ‘grandness’/’greatness’ is required for point A. DNA: ‘delusion’; ‘romanticised’ (by itself) b. (Contextual meaning) meritocracy promises fairness/equality but does not actually deliver on that promise. [1m] Note: ‘Meritocra