Admiralty Sec 4NA SS Prelims 2019 Question Paper

ADMIRALTY SECONDARY SCHOOL SUBJECT : Humanities (Social Studies) CODE : 2175/01, 2176/01 LEVEL/STREAM : Secondary 4 Normal Academic DATE : 29 July 2019 TIME : 0800h – 0945h DURATION : 1 hour 45 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name, class and index number in the spaces provided on the writing paper. Write in dark blue or black ink. Do not use staples, paperclips, highlighter, glue or correction fluid. Section A Answer all parts of Question 1. Section B Answer both parts of Question 2. Write all answers on the writing papers provided. Begin each section on a fresh sheet of paper. At the end of the examination, submit your Question Paper and answers for Sections A and B separately. The number of marks is given in the brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO. ______________________________________________________________ This question paper consists of 8 printed pages including this cover page. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2019 50 NAME: NO: CLASS:

2 Section A: Source-Based Case Study Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates. Study 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 you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 (a) Study Source A. What does Source A tell you about the public housing policies? Explain your answer. [5] (b) Study Source B. What is the intention of the author in saying this? Explain your answer. [6] (c) Study Sources C and D. How far will Source C agree with Source D? Explain your answer. [7] (d) Study Source E. Are you surprised by this source? Explain your answer. [7] (e) How far do the sources in the case study show that the public housing schemes have met the needs of the people? Explain your answer. [10]

3 Have the public housing schemes met the needs of the people? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. Singapore is known for its success in providing low-cost affordable public housing for the people. It is also adm ired for its town planning and urban management policies. Singapore transformed its housing landscape from one of slums and squatters into a well-planned distribution of residential townships throughout the island state. Supporting these housing development are the various public housing policies that the Housing Development Board (HDB) has implemented over the years since their establishment in 1960. The main features of these public housing policies are to provide strong government support and provision of financial aid in the form of subsidies and housing loans. However, there are people who have not benefitted from these public housing policies. Study the following sources to assess whether the public housing schemes have met the needs of the people.

4 Source A An infographic from the HDB on the various public housing schemes.

5 Source B An extract from a speech by a social worker on the state of homelessness in Singapore. Source C An online comment by a Singaporean on the state of home ownership in Singapore. Source D An online comment by a Singaporean on the state of home ownership in Singapore. Every night, there could be hundreds of people sleeping rough even as so many of us in the country are having a good night’s rest in the safety of our homes. We must get rid of homelessness instead of just managing it. We must adopt a comprehensive approach to fulfil the housing and social security needs of fellow citizens who have fallen through the cracks of our housing schemes. It must be a whole-of-government priority to protect every Singaporean’s right to a home… For example, can the HDB explore a “fast track” public rental policy for the homeless? This would enable the homeless to secure shelter first before the relevant agencies can help them to stabilise their situation. It is true that private property prices will cost an arm and a leg in Singapore, but the widespread availability of HDB flats does make the dream of owning a home more accessible in Singapore compared to many other comparable cities around the world. While it is noticeably more expensive than in the 1980s and 1990s, Singapore’s home ownership is at a respectable 90%. In contrast, with ever -escalating home prices, Hong Kong’s home ownership has recently crossed a significant milestone, falling below 50%. Currently, with extensive housing subsidies by the government, a family earning $1,500 pays $26 to under $100 per month from their CPF account to rent a one - room or two-room HDB flat. The home ownership scheme targeted at rental -flat families starts with good intentions, thinking that it is all for their own good. But it can potentially create extra financial burden on families that are only scraping by. We are looking out for low - income families. But it may unknowingly have the disadvantaged wear themselves out.

6 Source E An extract from a book written by the ex -minister from the Ministry of National Development which looks into the public housing in Singapore, Mr Mah Bow Tan. HDB provides not just a roof over the heads of more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans. It also creates new communities, forging new ties and new memories for a young nation. Our public housing programme may have garnered widespread international recognition and numerous accolades. But it is the unique HDB experience, as shared by two generations of Singapore families, which testify most strongly to HDB’s success. This has not been an easy effort. In carrying out our public housing programme, we have to work within a limited budget, and policy trade-offs have to be made.

7 SECTION B (Structured-Responses Question) Question 2 is compulsory for all candidates. 2 Living in a Diverse Society Study the extracts carefully and then answer the questions. Extract 1 Year June 2014 June 2015 June 2016 Non-Resident Population in Singapore 1,598,985 1,632,312 1,673,724 Non-resident population comprises foreigners who are working, studying or living in Singapore. They are not granted permanent residence and they do not include tourists and short-term visitors. Extract 2 Cultural exchanges and interactions can create di stinct positive experiences. This is because of diversity in nationality, race and ethnicity, religion and socio -economic status in Singapore. Extract 3 Differences in cultural background can lead to differing and sometimes conflicting views on values and beliefs. Negative sentiments can arise when people jump to conclusions about others. + 33 327 Residents + 41 412 Residents

8 (a) Extract 1 states that there has been an increase in the number of foreigners in Singapore from 2014 to 2016. In your opinion, why do you think foreigners choose to come to Singapore? Explain your answer with reference to one reason. [7] (b) Extracts 2 and 3 reflect the positive and negative experiences of living in a diverse society. Explain the exchange and appreciation of culture as well as prejudice and misconceptions that can occur in a diverse society. [8] Copyright Acknowledgments: Source A: Extracted from the HDB website Source B: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/comment -homelessness-must-be-tackled-by-society-at-large-