2023 Mgs Sec 4 Prelims SS answer key

MGS SS PRELIM EXAM 2023 LORMS Page 1 of 18 Secondary 4 Social Studies Preliminary Examination Levels of Response Marking Scheme (LORMS) Section A: Source-Based Case Study (SBCS) Living in a Diverse Society 1. Study Source A. Do you think the cartoonist supports the American healthcare system? Explain your answer, using details of the cartoon. [5] Level (L) Description Mark L1 Supports/Does not support based on unexplained provenance Do not award any mark if candidates fail to address the cartoonist’s stance or describe the source only. e.g., The cartoonist supports the American healthcare system as he is an American. [1] L2 Supports, with details of the cartoon Award the higher mark for more developed answers. e.g., The American cartoonist supports the American healthcare system. Source A shows an American healthcare representative being interviewed by a reporter in a hospital. He claims that many of the “poor, the black, and nursing home resident” are “COVID fatalities” with “underlying conditions.” The cartoon shows that they are not denied emergency treatment in a hospital. Thus, the American cartoonist approves of the American healthcare system as it provides care for the vulnerable until they pass away. [2-3] L3 Does not support, with details of the cartoon in context Award the higher mark for inferring the cartoonist’s stance in context. e.g., The American cartoonist does not support the American healthcare system as he is mocking it. Source A shows the “poor, the black, and nursing home resident” as “COVID fatalities” with “underlying conditions.” The cartoonist is critical of the limitation of the American healthcare system in responding to the pandemic. The high rate of deaths amongst the poor, African Americans, and nursing home residents was due to not getting their underlying medical conditions treated and being exposed to the virus infection. America’s market -based approach is mainly based on private health insurance coverage that does not work well for lower-income individuals who cannot afford to get themselves insured and thus cannot access affordable healthcare. [4-5]

MGS SS PRELIM EXAM 2023 LORMS Page 2 of 18 2. Study Sources B and C. How different are the sources? Explain your answer. [6] Level (L) Description Mark L1 Difference based on unexplained provenance or source type e.g., Source B is an NGO report about the impact of the pandemic on Singapore while Source C is a research article about the impact of the pandemic on Sweden. [1] L2 False matching e.g., Source B shows community support but Source C does not. [2] L3 Difference OR similarity in content, i.e., must be valid matches, direct matching of content to make direct comparisons Award the higher mark for a clear similarity or d ifference and with support from both sources. e.g., Sources B and C show different pandemic-response strategies. Source B, Singapore adopted a more stringent lockdown/top-down approach to control the spread of the pandemic. Source B states that “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 scho ols or childcare centres closed, and when they or their family members fell sick.” This shows that Singapore relies on a lockdown to contain the spread of the virus in the earlier phase. However, Sweden’s pandemic - response strategy focuses more on a less stringent/open/bottom- up approach where Source C states that “it focused on voluntary measures” and “relied less on mandatory measures and lockdowns. Schools and preschools remained open during the pandemic.” This shows that Swedish people have learnt to li ve with the pandemic even at the earlier phase where daily activities went on as normal. OR e.g., Both sources are similar in showing that the COVID -19 pandemic has worsened socio -economic inequalities. Source B states that “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. Similarly, Source C states that “The pandemic has exposed social inequalities within Swedish society” between the healthy and the sick, the employed and unemployed. This reveals that the pandemic has exposed the rich -poor divide and made lower - income households, the sick, and unemployed even more vulnerable. Accept any plausible responses. [3-4] L4 Both aspects of L3 [5]

MGS SS PRELIM EXAM 2023 LORMS Page 3 of 18 Level (L) Description Mark L5 Difference in explained provenance in context OR Similarity in balanced treatment of content e.g., Both sources are largely different in their pandemic-response strategies due to different belief systems in different socio - economic contexts shown their source origins that are supported by their content . I n Source B, Singapore believes in a shared responsibility of healthcare costs. Source B states that “ The government had four budgets for COVID -19 support measures”, “ the disruptions caused by conta inment measures have been especially stressful for low -paid workers” and “ Low-paid and l ower-income self - employed workers were concerned about the lack of medical benefits or paid sick leave.” This implies that the lockdown in Singapore during the pandemic impacted vulnerable groups as they had to co -pay high healthcare costs even though the government provided subsidies. However, Sweden believes that all citizens should have access to healthcare services regardless of thei r background or socio-economic status. Its welfare healthcare system is based on the government -financed approach where the government provides substantial subsidies and services for most of the healthcare needs of its citizens. Source C states that “Sweden relies on universal protection systems in protecting lives and livelihoods”, “Sick pay insurance, normally compensating income loss by 80% up to a ceiling, was extended in several ways” and “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.” As a welfare state, the government continues to provide universal protection for the sick and disadvantaged where some of the healthcare services could be free through a government -financed approach that is based on high personal taxes. OR e.g., Both sources are largely similar in providing a balanced treatment of the importance of individual responsibility and government responsibility when responding to the COVID -19 pandemic. Source B states that “The government led the way with four budgets for COVID -19 support measures. To flatten the virus curve, everyone had to assume responsibility for their personal safety, as caring for oneself was caring for the community.” Similarly, Source C states that “To contain the spread of the pandemic, Sweden focused on voluntary measures regarding individual hygiene, social distancing, and travelling.” and “Sweden relies on universal protection systems in protecting lives and livelihoods. Existing social insurance provisions were temporarily reinforced.” Both sources show how individuals complement their governments i n minimising the spread of the pandemic and how both governments help the vulnerable with financial support. [6]

MGS SS PRELIM EXAM 2023 LORMS Page 4 of 18 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] Level (L) Description Mark L1 Useful/Not useful based on undeveloped provenance e.g., Source D is useful as it is from WHO Director-General. [1] L2 Useful/Not Useful based on content Award the higher mark for more