Hai Sing Catholic School 4N prelims 2018

1 | P a g e 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. Why did the cartoonist draw this? Explain your answer, using details of the cartoon. [5] b) Study Sources B and C. How similar are these two sources? Explain your answer. [7] c) Study Source D Are you surprised by Source D? Explain your answer. [6] d) Study Source E How useful as evidence is Source E in reflecting Singaporeans’ attitude towards the CPF? Explain your answer. [7] e) “The CPF policy is not benefitting Singaporeans.” Using sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

2 | P a g e How far do Singaporeans support the Central Provident Fund? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions. The Central Provident Fund (CPF) is a compulsory comprehensive savings plan for working Singaporeans and permanent residents primarily to fund their retirement, healthcare, and housing needs. As at 2018, employers contribute 17% of the employee’s pay to the CPF account while employees contribute 20% of their pay into the CPF account. Although hailed as a good plan by many overseas observers as CPF guarantees Singaporeans a secure retirement fund to be paid out every month, it has also received many criticisms as Singaporeans are not allowed to withdraw the full amount at the age of 55. Read the sources to determine if Singaporeans support the CPF. Source A A cartoon about CPF found in a blog.

3 | P a g e Source B An article adapted from a website that is critical of the government. PAP manipulated the CPF which is a retirement saving by mixing it up with housing financing, apart from other usages. Only 11% of a person's salary is kept as fixed savings for retirement, including Medisave for healthcare. People cannot withdraw their CPF money at the age of 55 to put to put it to other uses. Thus, it is not surprising at all that most Singaporeans will not be able to afford a comfortable retirement just depending on the CPF savings. Source C An interview with a financial consultant, published in The Straits Times. One reason could be that people tend to view the CPF system in fragments rather than as a whole retirement savings plan. Looking at it in parts, people see that they put their money in when they are young, and when they want to take it all out at 55 they are unable to, and at 65 they try again and can withdraw only a portion. In ‘CPF Life’, money is in the Retirement Acc