TMJC 2022 JC2 MYE GP Bulletin

1 General Paper Bulletin 2022 (JC 2) Dear TMJC students, w elcome to the second issue of TMJC’s GP Bulletin for 20 22! Following the previous edition, we bring you yet another selection of the essays written by your schoolmates during the recent Mid- Year Examinations. We thank the students who have contributed their essays, and who have proven that good writing is very possible despite the exam conditions! Just like previous publications, these essays may not be perfect but do try to learn from them in terms of the ir content and skills. Also, please exercise discretion in using such information in a manner that is relevant to the question you are answering. Lastly, you should not attempt to copy and pass them off as your own. We wish you all the best for the upcoming Preliminary Exams! Editorial Team ___________________ Mdm Aslindah Ms Jacqueline Tan Mrs Annie Clayton Mr Max Cheong Contents Q1: ‘The pursuit of the arts is only for the privileged.’ Is this true?………………………….……..... 2 Q3: Given Singapore’s space constraints, should playgrounds still be retained? ......................... 4 Q8: Is it ever acceptable for social activists to break the law? ……………………………………….. 7

2 Q1: ‘The pursuit of the arts is only for the privileged.’ Is this true? Sample Essay Marker’s Comments In today's increasingly affluent and digitalised world, the pursuit of the arts has been a talking point. Whether it is appreciating the stunning murals of Michaelangelo, or watching the latest films on Netflix, the arts has come in many different forms, and seems to be pursuable by the common man. However, some may argue that the pursuit of the arts is exclusively for the privileged minority. Whilst such a view is not entirely wrong, it is certainly too sweeping and parochial. The arts can be pursued by the common man and will increasingly be that way. Relevance to Question Requirements: A clear balanced stand: focussed on establishing a stance while also outlining opposing points of view. Suggestions for Improvement: Deeper contextualisation of the issues may add value to the reader’s understanding of the point of contention. Why is it that the arts is often associated with the privileged? That would set the parameters for the discussion that follows. For some critics, the pursuit of the arts is solely for the privileged. It seems that way, as many developing nations are too preoccupied with pressing bread and butter issues of day -to-day life to pursue the arts. In war -torn and poverty-stricken countries, the pursuit of the arts is entirely out of the equation when their own survival is at stake. People from such countries simply do not have the means, as well as the leisure to appreciate the arts when there are more urgent issues at hand. These impoverished people face such great oppression by the belligerent and corrupt leaders that there is absolutely no room to even think about the arts, much less pursue it. In countries such as Syria, the people are more concerned about their own survival and livelihood than pursuing the arts and making a living in their country that is constantly at war. In the Middle East, the masses are too preoccupied with rallying and protesting against their oppressive governments to even bother pursuing something as secondary as the arts in the Arab Spring. In countries with authorita rian governments, such as North Korea, the heavy censorship of the arts means the people do not even have the option to pursue it. Only when the basic safety and security of the people are secured, can they decide to pursue the arts. This is why the arts is reserved for the privileged of developed countries and is not to be pursued by the underprivileged. Relevance to Question Requirements: Clear point and topic sentence on why the arts may be perceived to be the purview of the privileged. Quality of argument (Depth and Scope): Clear flow of argument showing why less developed countries may consider the arts as unimportant, especially in the face of survival challenges. There is a consideration of various challenges various societies face that may limit their ability to develop the arts. Use of Illustrations: Varied examples used. Suggestions for Improvement: Perhaps there could be further explanation as to why the arts is of secondary importance to bread-and-butter issues. Is it because of the low economic returns associated with the arts? Is it because of the highbrow nature of the arts, which means it is inaccessible to the lower/middle class, who have limited time and money to spend on the arts? Also, why is it the case that the arts may only be pursued when the safety and security of people are ensured? Does the development of the arts threaten safety and security? However, the pursuit of the arts may not exclusively be just for the privileged minority. In an increasingly digitilised world, advancements in technology have allowed the arts to be increasingly accessible to the masses, hence allowing privileged and not so privileged people alike to pursue it. With social media and the internet, anyone can pursue the arts. What used to be painting and sculptures locked up in museums with exorbitant entrance fees, are now one search away on the internet. One does not have to be wealthy to simply search artworks like the Mona Lisa or the Last Supper on the Internet. Potential content creators who wish to produce art may also turn to the internet and social media to showcase their masterpieces to almost the whole world in just an instant. People do not have to be privileged to upload their music on YouTube or Relevance to Question Requirements: A relevant point that covers why the arts is not just for the privileged. Quality of argument (Depth and Scope): There is a clear explanation and elaboration on why the arts is accessible to everyone today. Use of Illustrations: The examples given are appropriate and cover a few areas

3 SoundCloud, or to create pieces of art that could be sold at high prices. This is shown by an increasing trend of indie artists and musicians as well as the recent hype of NFTs. It is due to the advent of social media and the Internet that the barriers of entry for pursuing the arts are lowered such that even those who are not privileged could pursue it. Hence, the pursuit of the arts is not solely for the privileged. within the overarching point on advancements in technology. The arts could also be pursued by the underprivileged depending on the type of governance in the country. Despite not having the financial means to pursue the arts, if the government views the arts as a priority, even those who are not privileged can pursue it. Whether or not a person decides to pursue the arts is less dependent on their own financial circumstance but more on t he view of their government on the arts. In Singapore, government efforts have been put in place to increase the pursuit of the arts regardless of social class or socioeconomic background. It is without doubt that programmes such as the Arts Elective Programme (AEP) and the Music Elective Programme (MEP) allow privileged and underprivileged students to pursue the arts based on their interest and passion, and not incumbent on their family's financial background. By making museum entries free for citizens and beautifying the daily commute through art murals in MRT stations, Singaporeans are encouraged to appreciate and pursue the arts regardless of their level of privilege. In such a case, the pursuit of the arts is not only for the privileged and wealthy. Rat her, the pursuit of the arts is highly dependent on the government's own funding and willingness to promote it and encourage its pursuit. Hence, it is the government's willingness to interven