JPJC 2023 JC2 GP Prelim P2 Ans Scheme

1 JC2 GP Preliminary Examination 2023 Paper 2 Answer Scheme 1. What are two purposes of the author’s opening statement? [2] Lifted Paraphrased/Inferred “We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us,” mused Winston Churchill in 1943 while considering the repair of the bomb-ravaged House of Commons. The author is a) introducing the topic of architecture in the first sentence. b) emphasising/ highlighting how architecture can influence/ affect us. c) alluding to an authoritative/ influential figure to add weight to the topic of architecture. Any 2pts = 2m 2. Explain what the author means by the phrase ‘doubtless be pleased ’ in line 3. Use your own words as far as possible. [2] Lifted Paraphrased/Inferred More than 70 years on, he would doubtless be pleased to learn that neuroscientists and psychologists have found plenty of evidence to back him up. a) The author is certain of Churchill’s elation/ delight b) as there has been abundant proof to justify Churchill’s views. 1pt = 1m 3. According to the author, why have ‘urban architects often paid scant attention to the potential cognitive effects of their creations on a city ’s inhabitants ’ (lines 6-7). Use your own words as far as possible. [2] Lifted Paraphrased/Inferred The imperative to design something unique and individual tends to override considerations of how it might shape the behaviours of those who will live with it. a) The importance of originality/ distinctiveness is prioritised above b) concerns of how design may affect/ influence its inhabitants. 1pt = 1m Note: for a) either ‘unique’ or ‘individual’ will suffice

2 4. Using material from paragraphs 2 to 4, summarise what the author has to say about the impact of poor city design as well as the features and benefits of a good urban environment. Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which ar e printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. Poor city design leads to… 1. L14 crime wrongdoing/illegal acts 2. L14 squalor filthy/dirty environments 3. L15 social dysfunction inability to fit in 4. L16 discouraged a sense of community deterred the formation of social bonds 5. L20 If the façade is complex and interesting, it affects people in a positive way; If the appearance/exterior is complicated/captivating, it benefits people. Note: paraphrase either complex or interesting 6. L21 negatively if it is simple and monotonous. There are undesirable impact if exterior is plain/dull Note: paraphrase either simple or monotonous 7. L26 -27 block after block of bric-a-brac and mom- and-pop-scale buildings and shops When many shops of varied/random nature 8. L27 are being replaced by blank, cold spaces are substituted by vacant/distant/clinical spaces Note: paraphrase either blank or cold 9. L28 that effectively bleach street edges of conviviality. that removes/eliminates any warmth/hospitality 10. L29 access to green space Being in proximity to nature // availability of natural surroundings 11. L30 can offset some of the stress of city living balances the pressures of city living. 12. L30 -32 Vancouver has made a virtue of this…residents have a decent view of the mountains, forest and ocean to the north and west. Having a nice scenery of nature 13. L32 or 36 As well as being restorative, OR One theory is that the visual complexity of natural environments acts as a kind of mental balm is healing/uplifting/therapeutic // psychologically/emotionally soothing. Note: focus is on the psychological, physical aspect cannot be credited as it is the next point 14. L33 green space appears to improve health. Better physical well-being 15. L36 -37 Virtual reality experiments found residential street scenes with the most architectural variation the most mentally engaging. Neighbourhoods with the most architectural differences/diversity are the most mentally stimulating 16. L38 -39 Most people also feel better in rooms with curved edges and rounded contours than in sharp-edged rectangular rooms. People are more comfortable in rooms with circular/smoother edges and contours than those with straight lines Note: credit if an understanding of how specific form and design have an impact on our well- being is shown Points 13 + 11-12 9-10 7-8 5-6 3-4 2 1 Marks 8m 7m 6m 5m 4m 3m 2m 1m

3 5. What does the author find counterintuitive in lines 45- 47? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] Lifted Paraphrased/Inferred It sounds counterintuitive: surely the sheer number of people makes social interaction more likely. While this may be true superficially, the kind of meaningful social interactions that are crucial for mental health do not come easily in cities. The fact that a) While it is expected that the large volume of city inhabitants would encourage engagement / communication b) in reality, genuine/ sincere/ purposeful social connection/ togetherness/ unity is difficult to achieve. Note: For b), note the necessity of the underlined parts. If absent, part b) is NOT awarded 1pt = 1m 6. How does the author support the claim that ‘urban design that fosters genuine social interaction is crucial for creating a kinder and more inclusive society ’ (Lines 48-49) ? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] Lifted Paraphrased/Inferred Therefore, urban design that fosters genuine social interaction is crucial for creating a kinder and more inclusive society… In 1975, the Project for Public Spaces transformed the way people used the Rockefeller Center in New York City by placing benches alongside the yew trees in its basement concourse (instead of people-repelling spikes), along with smaller parks and plazas throughout the complex to create a network of public spaces that serve a diverse community. The author a) uses the example of the Project for Public Spaces / Rockefeller Center to show b) how utility of spaces was revolutionalised // it experienced a change in how it was utilised c) as features which discouraged social engagement were substituted for/ eliminated in favour of ones that promoted engagement, d) which led to a collection of communal areas that catered to a variety of people. 1-2pts: 1m 3-4pts: 2m

4 7. Explain the author ’s use of the word ‘duty’ (line 58) and suggest one implication if this is not fulfilled. Use your own words as far as possible. [2] Lifted Paraphrased/Inferred Cities have the duty to accommodate this problem, to build a society where people can treat each other kindly even in such settings. Intention and meaning: a) The author is asserts/believes/thinks that cities are obligated to / responsible for / addressing/ solving the issue. Implication b) The goal of constructing/establishing a compassionate/gracious community will be difficult to achieve. 1pt = 1m 8. In paragraph 8, explain why the Seattle Central Library is disorientating. Use your own words as far as possible. [2m] Lifted Paraphrased/Inferred One of the issues is the huge one-way escalators that sweep visitors from the ground floor into the upper reaches with no obvious means of descent, defying expectations on how navigation works , which confuses people. a) The library contains uni-directional escalators b) that bring visitors up quickly c) without clear indications of how to come back down. d) This challenges conventional norms of direction-finding. 1-2 pts: 1m, 3-4 pts: 2m 9. How do “desire lines” (line 76) represent ‘a form of mass rebellion’ (line 78)? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] Lif