BUKIT MERAH SEC SCH O LEVEL 4E5N Prelim 2019 QN

Class Index Number Name BUKIT MERAH SECONDARY SCHOOL 'O' LEVEL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2019 SECONDARY FOUR EXPRESS / FIVE NORMAL (ACADEMIC) HUMANITIES Paper 1 Social Studies 2272/01 2273/01 2 September 2019 1 hour 45 minutes Additional Materials: Writing paper x4 READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. Write in dark blue or black pen. Write your Name, Index number and Class on the writing paper in the spaces provided. Section A Answer all parts of Question 1. Section B Answer both parts of Question 2. The number of marks is given in [ ] at the end of each question or part question. This document consists of 7 printed pages, including this cover page. Setter: Mr Clement Xiao [Turn over

2 SECTION A (Source-based Case Study) Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates. 1 Exploring Citizenship and Governance 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. (a) Study Source A. What is the message of the source? Explain your answer, using details of the cartoon. [5] (b) Study Sources B and C. How are these two sources similar? Explain your answer. [6] (c) Study Source D. How reliable is Source D as evidence about who should be responsible for training safety? Explain your answer. [7] (d) Study Sources E and F. Both Sources E and F differ in their opinion of achieving zero fatalities during National Service. Does this mean one of them is wrong? Explain your answer. [7] (e) ‘The Singapore government is responsible for National Service training safety.’ Using sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

3 Is Singapore’s National Service training safe? BACKGROUND INFORMATION National Service (NS) is the national policy in Singapore that requires all male Singaporean citizens to serve 2 years in the uniformed services. It is to strengthen Singapore’s defence forces to better protect the nation. However, 9 Singaporeans have passed away in the past 16 months while serving National Service between September 2017 and January 2019. 6 victims were full-time national servicemen (NSFs), 2 regular servicemen and 1 NS man who was killed during reservist training . Many Singaporeans have questioned the safety of National Service training and there were even cries to abolish National Service altogether. Study the following source to find out whether National Service training in Singapore is safe. Source A: A cartoon depicting National Service training in Singapore, 2015. *Angry bird is a mobile phone game Relax la, I am the champion of angry bird*

4 Source B: An article written by a Singaporean published on The Online Citizen website, 25 January 2019. As a soldier in the SAF myself, I have seen numerous instances where the designated Safety Officer has little to no training or experience to undertake this important role. In my experience, the Safety Officer role is usually tasked to a junior officer of Second Lieutenant (2LT) or Lieutenant (LTA) rank who just ‘copies and pastes’ the Safety documentation when completing the necessary documents. These documents address simp le issues such as hydration plans, rest, evacuation routes etc. I do not blame these young Safety Officers as he or she does not know any better. The senior officers need to take accountability. This poor ‘culture’ is the root cause. If this issue is addressed, perhaps then, we would be able to minimise or even eradicate any injuries or deaths during training. Source C: An article on a Singaporean’s reflection of National Service , published on an online commentary website, 3 May 2018. The thing about the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is that they are ruled on the ground by kids – 19/20 year old sergeants/officers who are barely a year older than the men they command. Give these boys a little power, and they get drunk with it . Without proper supervision and discipline, things will get out of hand. These are the people I once overheard saying among themselves, ‘Honestly, I hope we can have war soon. We have already train so hard, I really hope there is a war, so that we can put what we learn to use’. Source D: An online commentary by a Singaporean shared on social media , 24 January 2019. Many have blamed the government for safety lapses, but think of this: If a driver got into an accident on the streets, who do you blame? Land Transport Authority (LTA) for letting him drive on the road? The driving school who passed the driver? The manufacturer company of the car he drove? You will blame the driver for his own actions right? Honestly, we can put in all our efforts to prevent things from happening but end of the day, it’s still an individual’s responsibility.

5 Source E: A speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen in Parliament, 11 February 2019. Over the past 17 months, four national servicemen have passed away during training. In 2012, the SAF also experienced four training fatalities . But from 2013 to 2016, we had n one. How did this turnaround occur? This was probably due to multiple factors, but I think the new safety measure we put into place after the devasting incidents of 2012 had an effect. If we put our minds and effort to achieve zero training facilities, it can be achieved. Source F: Adapted from a speech by Pritam Singh who is an NS man, 11 February 2019. The Defence Ministry’s (MINDEF) recent message to make zero -training deaths the norm is not only unrealistic but also wishful, considering the risks involved in training a military force . No organisation, let alone one that is in the business of war and defending Singapore’s authority, can realistically promise zero fatalities or training incidents even as the public must insist on the strictest training safety parameters for the SA F. One approach MINDEF should consider is stretching the retirement ages of commanders. This allows more experienced commanders to oversee training and to foresee the risks of high -intensity training and to better prepa re to deal with unprecedented mishaps.

6 SECTION B (Structured-Response Question) Question 2 is compulsory for all candidates. 2 Being part of a Globalised World Study the extracts carefully, and then answer the questions. Extract 1 In 2014, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged Singaporeans to take advantage of current technological advances extensively . He said that Singapore should be working towards becoming a Smart Nation – A nation where people live meaningful and fulfilled lives, enabled seamlessly by technology. One such example of technology was cashless payment. Cashless payments allow Singaporeans to pay for things using their computer or mobile phones. It eliminates the need to transact in cash. However, this move towards a cashless society result in fear in elderly Singaporeans. Many of these elderly are afraid to engage in cashless transactions for fear of losing money or are unable to understand the concept of cashless payments. Extract 2 Rhythm and blues (R&B) music originated in African Americ