RVHS H1 General Paper P2 Soln

2023 RVHS JC2 Prelims P2 Answer Scheme 1. How is the opening sentence an effective introduction to the author’s argument? (1 mark) From passage Paraphrase/ Inference On the surface, universities are a nice idea [Function] He is preparing us for his argument OR introducing his argument [Context] that universities might not be as helpful as they seem/only helpful in theory. 2. How does the author support her assertion that ‘many people find the benefits of higher education underwhelming’ (line 8-9)? UYOWAFAP (3 marks) From passage Paraphrase/ Inference People go in, pick a subject they like, learn from the experts, and leave (A) being job-ready and future-ready young adults. This is why so many ppeople decide to go to college, even if it means making (C) big financial and personal sacrifices. Yet just because so many people are doing it does not mean it is necessarily a good thing to do. In fact, while there is generally a cost—in terms of employment prospects— of not having a college degree, there are (D) not always clear competitive advantages in having one, particularly if (E) almost half of the population has one. The reality is that many people today find the benefits of higher education underwhelming. [Expectation] A. People expect that college will prepare them to succeed in their careers/ lives [Reality] B. However, they may end up being disappointed as… [underwhelming] C. not only does it cost a lot, D. having a college degree may not give them benefits that others do not have/ an edge over others, E. especially since a lot of people now have college degrees. 1-2 points: 1 mark 3 points: 2 marks 4-5 points: 3 marks

2023 RVHS JC2 Prelims P2 Answer Scheme 3. What contrasts does the author draw between university graduates’ experience in college and their experience of entering the labour market in paragraph 2? UYOWAFAP (2 marks) From passage Paraphrase/ Inference Most university graduates have (A1) very fond memories of their years in college. Unfortunately, most graduates also have memories—more recent and (A2) significantly less fond—of the challenges they face when they enter the labour market and the frustrations employers express when dealing with them and finding them (B2) unprepared for the workplace despite being (B1) successful in the classroom. A1 & A2. The years in college are pleasant, unlike their experience of entering the workforce. B2. They may struggle to cope in their new jobs, unlike B1. Their experience in college where they may have done very well.

2023 RVHS JC2 Prelims P2 Answer Scheme 4. Using material from paragraphs 3-4 only (lines 18-45), summarise what the author has to say about what students expect from a university degree and why it sometimes falls short. Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below. UYOWAFAP Students’ expectations from a university degree are… From passage Paraphrase/ Inference – 24 points Students have (A) unrealistic (but (B) understandable) demands of college. They enter college with the (repeat A) blind faith that having a university degree give them a (C) better chance of succeeding in life. After all, irrespective of their global ranking, all universities market themselves as an (D) engine of growth, (E) employability, and (Repeat C) success, and a college education is still a (F) promise to upgrade someone’s talent. Students’ expectations from a university degree are… (A) too idealistic/ high (B) even though we can see/ know why. (C) Students believe they are more likely to do well in the future (D) as universities say they are pivotal for economic development, (E) getting jobs, (F) and improving competencies. This inevitably (G) sets a high bar that is just (H) not feasible to fulfil at scale. (I) Not everyone can be a leader, a CEO, a manager, or a highly sought-after knowledge worker. By any objective measure, we have come a long way in the past 100 years, transitioning from monotonous assembly lines and routine jobs to flexible and meaningful careers. But let us not forget that (J) it is just not possible to give everyone their dream job. If (K) our career aspirations surpass the available opportunities and (L) our self- perceived talents exceed our actual talents, we are surely destined to be (M) miserable But the system falls short as (G) our expectations to succeed are unrealistic (H) and impossible to achieve for everyone/ en masse (I) since most are merely average/ cannot all be great (J) We cannot all to have their ideal careers (K) When there are insufficient dream jobs and (L) we are over-confident about our abilities,

2023 RVHS JC2 Prelims P2 Answer Scheme at work. Perhaps this explains the prevalence of (N) low employee engagement ratings (O) despite more emphasis on worker well-being. The equivalent in our personal lives would be if everyone aspired to date movie stars: the result would be (P) a flood of (Repeat M) dissatisfied people. (M) we become sad and (N) less passionate at the workplace (O) despite companies paying more attention to staff welfare. (P) The result is many unhappy people But at the end of the day, students (Q) want jobs. The number one reason students have for investing so much time and money into a college education is to get a (Repeat Q) good job, with two thirds of them seeing (R) ‘financial stability’ as the primary goal. That is not an unreasonable expectation to have. And yet, despite record low unemployment, (S) under-employment is extremely common, with as many as 40% of college graduates working in jobs that do not actually require their qualifications. (T) In fact, one in every five graduates is still not working in a degree-demanding job even 10 years post-graduation. And for all the kerfuffle about (U) education for its own sake, it is also unlikely that students’ main motivation for going to college is their desire to engage (V) in the actual process of learning — or absorbing knowledge — as much as the (W) actual degree they receive at the end. Anyone who says otherwise should be asked the following question: would they rather attend a top university without receiving a degree, or obtain a degree from a top university without the education? (Q) Fundamentally, people desire employment and (R) prioritise monetary security/ having regular salaries/ income (S) So almost half of graduates end up in occupations that do not need graduate degrees and (T) for a minority, this stayed true for a decade after graduation. (U) So, for all the hype/ hurly- burly about the intrinsic value of learning, (V) students do not value mastering concepts, (W) and just want paper qualifications.

2023 RVHS JC2 Prelims P2 Answer Scheme Points 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-13 14-17 18 + Mark s 1m 2m 3m 4m 5m 6m 7m 8m Students’ expectations from a university degree are too idealistic, but we can see why. Students think they will excel in the future as universities claim they drive economic development, help get jobs, and improve competencies. But the system falls short as we expect too much, and it is impossible to achieve en masse, when most are merely average. With insufficient ideal jobs and over-confidence in our abilities, employees become sad and disengaged, despite employers paying more attention to staff welfare. The labour force becomes unmotivated. Fundamentally, people just need employment and steady incomes. Almost half of graduates have non-graduate occupations. For some, this stayed true for a decade after graduation. Despite our fuss over education’s intrinsic value, students would rather have the extrinsic benefits of paper qualifications. (120 words) (23 points)

2023 RVHS JC2 Prelims P2 Answer Scheme 5. What reasons does the author give in paragraph 5