East Spring Secondary School 2019 Sec 4and 5 Prelim SS

1 East Spring Secondary School Towards Excellence and Success Name: …………………………………………………………………………………… ( ) Class: ………………. Preliminary Examination 2019 Secondary 4 Express / 5 Normal (Academic) Humanities (Social Studies) 2272/1 2273/1 2274/1 28 August 2019 1 h 45 min Wednesday 0800 – 0945 hrs Additional materials: 4 sheets of writing paper 2 pieces of string INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES Write your name, class and register number in the spaces provided above, and on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black ink. Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, and glue or correction fluid. Section A [35 marks] Answer all questions on the writing papers. Section B [15 marks] Answer all questions on the writing papers. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each part-question. This question paper consists of 6 printed pages including the cover page. 50

2 SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates. 1 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. Why do you think the cartoonist drew the cartoon? Explain your answer. [5] (b) Study Source B. How truthful is Source B in allowing us to understand the common man’s sentiments about the cost of living in Singapore. Explain your answer. [6] (c) Study Source C. Are you surprised by the 27 year-old’s view on life in Singapore? Explain your answer. [7] (d) Study Sources D and E. How far does Source E prove that D is right? Explain your answer. [7] (e) ‘Happiness is derived from the current atmosphere in Singapore.’ Using the sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

3 Is Singapore a liveable country? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. A liveable city is defined as one that achieves a competitive economy to attract investments and provide jobs, a sustainable environment to survive with limited natural resources and a high quality of life, including the social and psychological well-being of the population. There are several aspects that one has to take into consideration. Healthcare expenses, housing cost and cost of living are a few of them. There has been divided consensus over this topic and the budget that was released earlier in the year 2018. A sizable population has criticized that the cost of living in Singapore has been increasing. Study the following sources to find out whether Singapore is a liveable country. Source A: A cartoon published on the Facebook account of All Singapore Stuff on March 4, 2018. All Singapore Stuff is a website that provides alternative views of the Government. [*PAP: People’s Action Party, the party that forms the majority of the Singapore Government.] * Average Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat

4 Source B: An excerpt of Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat’s comments to reporters on February 21, 2018 held at Mediacorp. Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said that Singaporeans need to understand that the tax hike is necessary and being done for a very important purpose. It is to finance the country’s growing expenditure needs. When asked how he would alleviate the worries felt by the man on the street about the high cost of living, Mr. Heng said: “I’ve tried to explain on how expenditure in healthcare, security and infrastructure is increasing. We’ll have to find new sources of revenue . I feel v ery grateful that our forefathers have left a pool of reserve savings with us. As our economy grows, I hope that our reserves will also grow together with the economy and in that way, our younger people can have the same assurance that we inherited from our forefathers.” Source C: An e xcerpt from an online blog titled ‘Sharing Ideas for a Better Life and Singapore’ by a 27-year-old author. The cost of living in Singapore is comparable to some of the most expensive cities around the world. Whether you’re a young graduate who just entered the workforce, or a young couple who just moved into your new home, you may wonder often how much you can expect to be spending each month. I came up with this list on how much a young adult would spend monthly. Those who are married and living in their own house would spend around $2,055 per month. This excludes categories like fitness, travel, obligations and personal grooming. I’ve done my best to give the most realistic picture possible via observations of my peers. At the end of the day, everyone’s life is different.

5 Source D: An excerpt of an article on The Online Citizen, July 2019. The Online Citizen is Singapore's longest-running independent online media platform. The CPF Board has rejected a 47-year-old man’s request to allow his CPF savings in his Ordinary and Special accounts to be transferred to his wife’s Medisave* account. This is so the couple can u se the money to pay for her medical expenses that had occurred as his wife was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. He noted that he ran out of cash to pay for his bills, resulting in his house’s electricity being cut off on a few occasions. “It’s very tough. But I don’t mind this toughness. I just want her to live until the age of 79, until she sees her grandchildren. And I don’t mind if God takes my life and give it to her. That is what I always pray,” he said in sadness. [*Medisave: MediSave is a national medical savings scheme which helps CPF members put aside part of their income into their MediSave Accounts to meet their future personal or approved dependant's hospitalisation, day surgery and certain outpatient expenses.] Source E: Excerpt from the Speech by Mr Edwin Tong, Senior Minister Of State for Health on MediSave withdrawal limits, 6 March 2019. MediSave withdrawal limits are set to be sufficient for the vast majority of expenses after government subsidies. It takes into account the different charges and different complexity of surgical procedures. We also allow exceptions, taking into account factors such as the need for more complex treatments, sometimes unforeseen circumstances or complications, and also financial difficulties which may make it hard for the family to pay the outstanding bill.

6 SECTION B (Structured Response Questions) 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 the latest Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report, 22 self -radicalised Singaporeans were arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) from 2015 -2018. In contrast, only 11 self -radicalised Singaporeans were detained from 2007 to 2014. The detainees included 17-year-old youths and a 62-year-old woman, who were influenced by extremist propaganda to draw more people to their cause, participate in armed violence overseas or conduct attacks in Singapore. Extract 2 Singapore has taken active steps in tackling the problem of transnational terrorism. The Internal Security Act is one law that the government has implemented to allow it to react swiftly to terrorism threats in Singapore. Extract 3 After a terror attack, societies may be severely paralysed, such as tensions arising a