TMJC 2023 H1 GP P2 Suggested Answers

Tampines Meridian Junior College | GP Department 1 | 2023 JC2 GP Preliminary Examination P2 Suggested Answers 2023 JC2 Preliminary Examination Paper 2 Suggested Answers 1. According to the author in paragraph 1, what are 2 similarities between conscious consumerism and the boycotts in Hong Kong and Qatar? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] From the passage Suggested answer Tens of thousands of students in Hong Kong boycotted the first day of school to protest a proposed extradition bill. Globally, there were calls for football teams to boycott Qatar 2022. In both these instances, (A1) ordinary people have used boycotts as the easiest way (B1) to express their discontent about situations they (C1) have no control over . Beyond politics and sport, boycotting is (A2) also used by consumers (B2) to show their disapproval of a business and its practices – even though deep down they know that boycotting (C2) may not have any impact on what the business does. (lines 1-7) Any 2 of the possible points of similarities: Both conscious consumerism and the boycotts in Hong Kong and Qatar a. Were initiated by individuals / average persons / the masses // are ground-up movements. b. Are used to convey / verbalise / show dissatisfaction / condemnation / criticism / censure / rebuke. c. Are reactions to circumstances of disempowerment / inability to effect actual changes. 1m for each pair of similarity. 2. In paragraph 2, how does the author illustrate her claim that conscious consumerism is about shopping with a ‘clear conscience’ (line 11)? [2] From the passage Suggested answer For instance, American consumers boycotted companies linked to former President Donald Trump as they condemned these corporations for indirectly endorsing policies they vehemently disagreed with. These policies ranged from the inhumane treatment and targeting of detained migrants, to Trump’s political inaction on climate change and his refusal to regulate guns despite unprecedented mass shootings. (lines 12-16) a. Identification of the evidence used: The author uses the example of American consumers who had refused to patronise businesses that supported / aligned themselves with Trump’s policies. [1] b. Context (to unpack ‘clear conscience’): They did this as they wish to buy without a sense of guilt from companies which uphold sound values / practise fairness / protect rights. 3. From lines 12-18, explain 3 ways in which the author uses language to convey protesters’ strong feelings about Trump’s policies. [3] From the passage Suggested answer For instance, American consumers boycotted companies linked to former President Donald Trump as they condemned these corporations for indirectly endorsing policies they vehemently disagreed with. These policies ranged from the inhumane treatment and targeting of detained migrants, to Trump’s political inaction on climate change and his refusal to regulate guns despite unprecedented mass shootings. These consumers had turned outrage into action: a The author uses words that convey the intense rejection / denouncement / feelings of rebuke protesters had regarding Trump’s policies: a. Condemned: To show that they found Trump’s policies reprehensible / wrong / disapproved ofthem. [1]

Tampines Meridian Junior College | GP Department 2 | 2023 JC2 GP Preliminary Examination P2 Suggested Answers spreadsheet of companies linked to Trump explained why those companies were on the list and what they needed to do to get off it. (lines 12- 18) b. Vehemently: To show that they intensely / rigorously / fiercely disagreed with these policies. [1] c. Outrage: To show that they reacted with anger / shock / indignation to his policies. [1] Note: ‘Inhumane’ not accepted. It was not used to describe feelings/reactions of protesters. Rather, it was used by the author to describe the treatment of detained migrants. 4. In paragraph 3, explain the author’s assertion that ‘calls to boycotts are more visible on social media’ (lines 22-23)? Use your own words as far as possible. [2] From the passage Suggested answer Between the two expressions of conscious consumerism, calls to boycott are a lot more visible on social media than rally cries to pledge brand support. Boycotts b) stem from anger , and c) anger spreads faster and further on social media than any other emotion. (lines 22- 24) a. Unpacking the phrase: By ‘visible’, the author means that pushes for boycotts appear more* prominent / obvious / apparent on social media. b. This is because boycotts are borne out of / arise from fury c. which is infectious // escalates / proliferates / gains traction / influences others quickly. OR This outrage reaches / touches much more people / has extensive reach. Point C – only need either the idea of faster or further. 1 pt – 1m 2-3 pts – 2m 5. What does the word ‘catchall’ in line 33 suggest about conscious consumerism? Use your own words as far as possible. [1] From the passage Suggested answer Conscious consumerism is today’s catchall phrase to describe a lifestyle invested in a host of progressive values : worker rights, animal rights, low-carbon footprint, recycled and/or renewable materials, organic, local… (lines 33- 35) Conscious consumerism encapsulates (meaning) a list of / varied / diverse causes / ethical standards / principles (context). [1] Accept: all-encompassing / all-inclusive Note: meaning of the word must be captured in the answer .

Tampines Meridian Junior College | GP Department 3 | 2023 JC2 GP Preliminary Examination P2 Suggested Answers 6. According to paragraph 5, why is conscious consumerism seen as something that only the elites can do? Use your own words as far as possible. [3] From the passage Suggested answer The cost of maintaining such a lifestyle (line 37) a fair amount of disposable income to afford ethical and sustainable options (line 39) They need a substantial level of wealth to purchase goods and services that meet moral and environmental standards. the leisure time to research what to buy, (lines 39-40) They need free time to find out more about items to purchase the luxury not to choose products commonly available to the masses (line 40) They have the privilege to forgo items that are easily accessible to the general public in favour of ethical goods that might be more expensive and less accessible (inferred) a post-graduate degree in chemistry to understand the true meaning behind ingredient labels. (lines 41-42) They need to be highly educated to discern the real / actual impact of materials declared to be part of the manufacturing process. *idea of expertise/specialised knowledge must be evident in the answer. 1 mark for every point, up to a max of 3 points 7. Explain the author’s use of the phrase ‘at best’ (line 81). Use your own words as far as possible. [2] From the passage Suggested answer At best , the rising popularity of conscious consumerism suggests that the public will at least spend their way to a healthier world; the big problem, though, is that individual monetary action — even when performed collectively — is only a drop in the ocean.(lines 81-83) The author means that in the most optimistic scenario, [1] the purchasing decisions of people in the community will lead to amore viable ecosystem / a less degraded environment, but have a highly limited / minuscule impact OR can hardly protect the earth from destruction. [1] 8. In the last paragraph, how confident is the author about conscious consumerism as a way to protect our environment? Use your own words as far as possible. [2m] From the passage Suggested answer Where and how we spend our money does matter. But how much it matters depends on what else we do with our money and what governments and corporations do with their (considerably larger) budget. At best, the rising popularity of conscious consumerism suggests that the public will at least spend th