ACJC 2023 P2 Prelim Ans

ACJC GP JC2 Prelim 2023 1 ACJC General Paper Department JC2 Preliminary Exam 2023 Paper 2 Post-Exam Package 1. According to paragraph 1, why did the fishermen perform elaborate rituals in the open sea but not in the lagoon? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] From passage Suggested answer … the ‘magic’ rituals performed by the islanders were a response to help them cope with the unpredictable might of the Pacific Ocean. (lines 5-7) (The fishermen performed elaborate rituals in the open sea) because the elaborate rituals were perceived to be able to help them to deal with / overcome / protect them from the danger in the open sea / their fear of the open sea / from the unexpected strength / uncertainty of the open sea. (2-part answer) But when the fishermen went out into the nearby calm lagoon, they did not use these rites. (lines 4-5) (However, the fishermen did not perform the elaborate rituals in the lagoon) because the lagoon was placid / serene / tranquil / not turbulent / not stormy / there was no danger in the lagoon. Question Type: Contrast Q Examiners’ Comments: Some responses missed the notion that elaborate rituals were performed as a way to manage their fears of a turbulent Pacific Ocean. Instead, these responses went straight ahead to state that rituals were performed because the Pacific Ocean was turbulent which was misconstrued. Some responses only focussed on the open sea, and totally did not mention the lagoon. 2. From paragraph 1, suggest why effigies are burnt during the New Year in Central and South America. [1] From passage Suggested answer New Year activities include… burning effigies that represent the previous year in Central and South America (lines 9-12) (An effigy is a crude figure of someone created to become the focus of hatred / contempt / ridicule and often hung up or burnt in public.) Burning an effigy represents / symbolises the driving away of bad luck / removing of misfortune / getting rid of figures, things or events that one hates / does not want from the previous year / season. Note: Effigies must have a negative connotation. Question Type: Inference Q Examiners’ Comments: Most responses were incorrect because many mistakenly thought that the act is to demonstrate the passing of seasons. The burning of effigies was also seen to be a positive thing when it is not.

ACJC GP JC2 Prelim 2023 2 3. Why does the author use the word ‘fateful’ (line 14) to describe the decision to live in bigger groups? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] From passage Suggested answer That fateful decision… (line 14) (The author uses the word ‘fateful’ because the decision has led to) disastrous / catastrophic / detrimental / harmful consequences / effects for humankind (in the future). Note: Answer must be negative. Do not accept ‘momentous’, ‘significant’, ‘important’. … has exposed humans to all kinds of violence, … from conflicts within groups to wars between groups (lines 14-16) Living in such big groups has led to battles / disagreements / aggression / altercations / strife. all kinds of … and diseases, … to infectious diseases that can now spread swiftly across entire villages. (lines 15-16) The close contact has caused diseases to be transmitted quickly / pandemics / epidemics. OR The close contact has caused many types / a large variety of illnesses. 1-2 points = 1 mark; 3 points = 2 marks Question Type: Literal Q / Vocab Q Examiners’ Comments: A number of responses did not explain or wrongly thought ‘fateful’ meant ‘inevitable’. ‘Conflicts’ was lifted in some scripts. 4. In paragraph 2, what does the author mean when she describes the human mind as ‘nimble’ (line 17) and ‘whimsical’ (line 18)? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] From passage Suggested answer To prevent such catastrophes from occurring, humans put their very nimble, (line 16-17) People have lively / agile minds / are alert in thinking / can think quickly / display mental quickness / dexterity (to prevent catastrophes from occurring). whimsical minds to work. (line 17-18) Human beings think in unusual / strange / quaint / peculiar / eccentric / quirky / idiosyncratic / fanciful ways (to prevent catastrophes from occurring). Note: Accept any paraphrase that captures the meaning of ‘strange’ or ‘unusual’. Do not accept ‘unpredictable’, ‘creative’, ‘innovative’ and capricious etc. Question Type: Vocab Q; Literal Examiners’ Comments: Most responses were able to paraphrase ‘nimble’ but ‘whimsical’ was frequently misconstrued.

ACJC GP JC2 Prelim 2023 3 5. How does the example of Rafael Nadal in paragraph 3 illustrate the importance of rituals? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] From passage Suggested answer Rafael Nadal, winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, reportedly has almost as many rituals – 19 – which he uses before each match. (lines 33-35) Rafael Nadal is already such a skilful / competent / top / experienced / elite player who has won in many high-stakes competitions / high pressure tournaments, …yet he still performs many rituals. OR …and he performs many rituals. (2-part answer) Studies show that the anxiety- reducing effect of rituals can apply to almost any high-pressure endeavour. Sport psychologists also propose that pre- performance rituals can confer benefits for athletes, such as better execution and possible reduction in anxiety levels. (lines 30-33) The rituals can help him to decrease / minimise / alleviate his nervousness / tension / nerves / stress / apprehension. OR The rituals can help him to improve / bolster / enhance / his skills / techniques / performance. Question Type: Example Q Examiners’ Comments: Some responses missed explaining the contradiction that Nadal was a talented player who nonetheless frequently performed rituals, causing them to lose a mark. 6. Explain the paradox in lines 49 to 51. Use your own words as far as possible. [1] From passage Suggested answer Paradoxically, rituals involving pain, injury or trauma could hold some type of psychological advantage for those who perform them. For example, firewalkers reported a higher level of happiness after they had taken part in this ritualistic ordeal. (lines 49-52) Rites that involve physical agony / suffering / harm would hurt us… yet / however / but they can also result in greater joy / mental benefits. (2-part answer) Question Type: Paradox Q Examiners’ Comments: A number of responses looked at the start of line 49 instead of the example after the contextual cue ‘paradoxically’ in line 49 for the paradox. These scripts wrongly paraphrased ‘reducing anxiety’ instead. Connectors such as ‘yet, however, but’ were not used to indicate the contradiction.

ACJC GP JC2 Prelim 2023 4 7. Why has the author written ‘spiritual practice’ (line 70) in inverted commas? [1] From passage Suggested answer Group rituals indicate that members are like- minded and share certain values, which promote an atmosphere of trust… And for singer-songwriter Beyoncé, saying a prayer in a circle with all her crew is a ‘spiritual practice’ that leads to a perfect performance. (lin