2023 Mgs Sec 4 Prelims SS Question Paper

Class Index Number Name: __________________________________________ This question paper consists of 8 printed pages. METHODIST GIRLS’ SCHOOL Founded in 1887 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2023 Secondary 4 Humanities Paper 1 Social Studies Friday 2272/2273/2274/01 4 August 2023 1 hour 45 minutes INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES Write your class, index number and name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen on both sides of the paper. Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid. Section A Answer all questions. Section B Answer both questions. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question.

Page 2 of 8 Methodist Girls’ School Social Studies Secondary 4 Preliminary Examination 2023 SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Answer all questions. Living in a Diverse Society Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions, you should use your knowledge of the issue to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1. Study Source A. Do you think the cartoonist supports the American healthcare system? Explain your answer, using details of the cartoon. [5] 2. Study Sources B and C. How different are the sources? Explain your answer. [6] 3. Study Source D How useful is this source as evidence of the role of governments in responding to healthcare needs? Explain your answer. [7] 4. Study Sources E and F. Having read Source E, are you surprised by Source F? Explain your answer. [7] 5. ‘Individual effort is the best way to survive a pandemic.’ Using the sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

Page 3 of 8 Methodist Girls’ School Social Studies Secondary 4 Preliminary Examination 2023 How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted vulnerable groups? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. A novel coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 emerged in late 2019 in China, and quickly spread to the world. Due to its highly contagious nature of transmitting via respiratory droplets, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The pandemic has resulted in numerous illnesses and deaths. It has strained healthcare systems worldwide, whether it is America’s market -based approach that is mainly based on private health insurance coverage, Singapore’s shared-responsibility approach of shared healthcare costs, or Sweden’s government -financed approach of universal access based on high taxation. Various controversies over COVID-19 response strategies arose when governments sought to address greater socio-economic diversity: the tensions between public health measures— lockdowns, mask mandates, border and travel restrictions —and their economic and social impacts. The pandemic has also exacerbated existing social and economic inequalities. Study the following sources to find out in what ways the COVID -19 pandemic has impacted vulnerable groups. Source A: An American cartoonist’s view on the American healthcare system in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, published on an American online news site, 6 May 2020.

Page 4 of 8 Methodist Girls’ School Social Studies Secondary 4 Preliminary Examination 2023 Source B: From a report about the impact of the pandemic on Singapore by a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Singapore, February 2021. It shows Singapore’s shared responsibility approach. The government had four budgets for COVID -19 support measures. To flatten the virus curve, everyone had to assume responsibility for his/her personal safety, as caring for oneself was caring for the community. However, the disruptions caused by containment measures have been especially stressful for low-paid workers. They had to forgo wages—or jobs—in order to care for their children when schools or childcare centres closed, and when they or their family members fell sick. Low-paid and lower-income self -employed workers we re concerned about the lack of medical benefits or paid sick leave. Staying safe comfortably, working from home and getting paid: these are marks of privilege, and out of reach for many lower-income families who lived in overcrowded conditions and faced mental health issues. Bolstered by the offers of help from volunteers, donors, and members of the public, we provided aid such as food, finances, digital access, and employment. Source C: From a research article about the impact of the pandemic on Sweden, February 2022. Sweden is a welfare state where the government -financed approach provides universal protection for the disadvantaged. To contain the spread of the pandemic, Sweden focused on voluntary measures regarding individual hygiene, social distancing, and travelling. It relied less on mandatory measures and lockdowns. Schools and preschools remained open during the pandemic. The pandemic has exposed social inequalities within Swedish society. In response, Sweden relies on univers al protection systems in protecting lives and livelihoods. Existing social insurance provisions were temporarily reinforced. Sick pay insurance, normally compensating income loss by 80% up to a ceiling, was extended in several ways. Unemployment insurance providing up to 80% income replacement, was also temporarily reinforced. The Swedish healthcare system is publicly governed, tax -funded, and universal, offering access to care services at low cost to all citizens on equal terms. Even so, the pandemic placed a high level of stress on the healthcare system. There were initial challenges of insufficient beds, staff, medical technology, and personal protection equipment.

Page 5 of 8 Methodist Girls’ School Social Studies Secondary 4 Preliminary Examination 2023 Source D: From WHO Director-General’s speech about the findings on how the pandemic can halt global progress towards Universal Health Coverage where everyone has access to quality health services, 12 December 2021. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health services and stretched countries’ health systems beyond their limits as they struggled to deal with its impact. It triggered the worst economic crisis, making it increasingly difficult for people to pay for healthcare. Even before the pandemic, half a billion people were being pushed or pushed still further into extreme poverty because of payments they made for healthcare. All governments must immediately resume and accelerate efforts to ensure every one of their citizens can access health services without fear of the financial consequences. This means strengthening public spending on health and social support, and increasing their focus on primary healthcare systems that can provide essential care close to home. The World Bank Group is also support ing over 60 low - and middle -income countries , majority of them in Africa, with the purchase and deployment of COVID -19 vaccines until the end of 2022. Source E: From an online article on the views of public health scientists, sociologists, and governance experts about Singapore’s COVID -19 Story, published on a Singapore news site, 22 January 2022. “All safe distancing measures are really about that sense of solidarity with others", said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat when he announced the Solidarity Budget, Singapore’s third fiscal package —out of five, totalling $100 billion in pandemic suppor t measures. Some experts said that the pandemic has amplified the importance of solidarit