NYJC 2023 H1 General Paper 8807 P2 Summary Answer

Suggested Answer Scheme for Summary EOY 2023 (Passage A) Using material from paragraphs 2-3 only (lines 7-27), summarise what the author has to say about the perception of kindness and how it is beneficial today. Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. Kindness has been viewed as… Pt From the Passage Suggested Answer 1 Kindness is not new Existing in the past, not a novel behaviour 2 characteristic of the magnanimous man Mark/ trait of a generous/ charitable/big hearted person 3 to ask no favour but to be ready to do kindness to others To be willing to assist / help others without expectations of reciprocation / repayment / 4 seen as mankind’s ‘greatest delight’ brings the most happiness 5 yet, for a long time it has been seen as sort of… suspicious being questioned/ doubted 6 As religion’s hold on our culture has weakened (elaboration of suspicion) With the diminishing influence of religion 7 a certain selfishness has come to be expected (consequence of suspicious). Higher probability / likelihood to be self- centred 8 To be kind is also to be weak Feeble 9 Unfocused on achievement Lack drive to accomplish (goals) 10 Unsuccessful. Ineffectual / ineffective / failure 11 Kindness is seen as a nostalgic Optimistically it is a longing for a less complex past (at best)

throwback to simpler times at best most favourable , viewed positively , 12 and a con at worst Pessimistically, it is a way to be deceptive 13 To go out of one’s way to be kind suggests an ulterior motive Hidden agenda 14 who has time (reason for ulterior motive) to look up from their phone Too busy / lack spare time 15 let alone expose themselves to the discomfort of empathising with a stranger (reason why not comfortable with being kind)? We do not want placing ourselves in a challenging / troublesome / uneasy position to assist / helping (interpretation of empathise) someone we do not know 16 Yet, today, kindness is not only fashionable OR (evidence of fashionable) Online, hashtags highlight small acts of kindness witnessed in public appearing in a flood of news stories about everyday heroism (evidence to support ‘fashionable) Being kind is popular / trendy / in vogue On the internet, acts of kindness / kind behaviour are featured Constantly featured in the media 17 also profitable 18a) Reaps monetary rewards (literal) or advantageous/ rewarding (suggesting some form of returns rather being good or helpful) 18 GoFundMe campaigns raise thousands for people in need monetary assistance / collect donations for the less fortunate focus on stakeholders

19 publishing industry is calling the trend for kindness ‘up lit’– as in, illuminated from below, to expose one’s best angles publishing industry showcases people’s qualities that are the most positive / Inspiring stories focus on stakeholders 20 After a year of dark thrillers, today they are investing in feel- good stories of empathy and care The publishing industry is spending money/ putting in time/ effort on /giving attention to narratives of kindness in order to get bigger returns 21 People are yearning for good news because in the age of push notifications, because such narratives fulfil people’s want / desire for positive news 22 the crush of stories about tragic things happening in the world can seem overwhelming. To overcome excessive negativity / bad news 23 People want a reminder that, despite the swamp of death and poverty they scroll through, all is not lost. and reassure them that there is hope Allow lift of “reminder” 24 This ‘yearning’ means there is a market for more good news and to seek them out. And stories of kindness lead to clicks. stories featuring kindness lead to viewership/ interest 1-2 pts 1 3-4 pts 2 5-6 pts 3 7-8 pts 4 9 pts 5 10-11 pts 6 12-13 pts 7 14 & above 8