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 tha