NCHS Sec 3 SS WA3 Practice Paper 2023

1 Name: Register Number: Class: NCHS – Practice Paper SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates. Living in a Diverse Society Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer the question. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the question, in addition to the source you are told to use. In answering the question, you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 Study Source A. How reliable is Source A as evidence about the benefits of HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy? Explain your answer. [7] Is the Ethnic Integration Policy still relevant in Singapore? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. The Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) was introduced in 1989 to ensure a balanced mix of ethnic groups in HDB estates, and to prevent the formation of racial enclaves. It seeks to promote racial integration in Singapore by allowing residents of different ethnicities to live together and interact on a regular basis in public housing, where 80% of the population lives. The EIP is implemented for all ethnic groups. Under the EIP, there are limits on the total percentage of a block or neighbourhood that may be occupied by a certain ethnicity. However, some have criticized that the EIP is irrelevant as it does not really promote integration among ethnic groups. Hence, is the Ethnic Integration Policy still relevant in today’s context?

2 Source A Source B Source C A mayor of a big city that has suffered from serious racial segregation and conflict came up to me. He said to me that he wished his city had implemented a version of the EIP much earlier on to foster harmony and avert the unrest that they now regularly face. But now that societal divisions have hardened along racial and ethnic li nes in his city, it is not a feasible nor politically attainable option to implement a similar policy. That is how bad the situation had become and that conversation with this mayor stuck in my mind all these years, reminding me of the importance in the co ntinuation of EIP in Singapore. An interview in 2015 where Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam spoke about the Ethnic Integration Policy. When the Ethnic Integration Policy was first introduced in 1989, I don’t think we knew how important it was going to be. Once people of different ethnic groups live together, they are not just walking the corridors and going to the same primary school, because all over the world young kids go to school very near to where they live and they grow up together. The EIP has helped to maintain racial and social harmony in Singapore by providing opportunities for social mixing among Singaporeans of different races . Nonetheless, I have to admit that the EIP is definitely one of the most intrusive* social policy in Singapore. *intrusive - causing disruption or annoyance through being unwelcome or uninvited A comment from a Singaporean livin g in a HDB apartment about the Ethnic Integration Policy The Ethnic Integration Policy works on the assumption that by living in close quarters, residents of different ethnicities will be forced to mingle and interact with each other, thereby strengthening the racial harmony and unity in Singapore. However, does living together equal, or necessarily lead to, integration and understanding? In my opinion, Singaporeans, by and large, tend not to mix around or even acknowledge their neighbours, which means the core function of the EIP may not always be the only tool that works. Just look at the recent gong incident, in which a Chinese woman started hitting a gong while her Indian neighbor was carrying out a prayer ritual. Certainly, some of these cases have shown that proximity does not necessarily breed understanding. A comment from Minister of National Development , Desmond Lee , about the relevance of Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) during parliamentary discussion in 2020

3 SECTION B (Structured Response Question) Question 2 is compulsory for all candidates 1 Exploring Citizenship and Governance. Study the extracts carefully, and then answer the questions. Extract 1 It has been reported in a new study that e lderly folk living with their families may be surrounded by people but they can still feel socially isolated. More than half of those who felt socially disconnected said they do not have someone they can go to for help . Social disconnection refers to the lack of social, emotional and physical engagement with other people, and is strongly linked to social isolation and loneliness. A professor who co-led the study said that it is a reminder that social disconnection could become a bigger issue in the near future, given Singapore’s ageing population and with more elderly people living alone. 2. Extract 1 illustrates how elderlies can experience social disconnection in Singapore. In your opinion, how can we address this issue of social disconnection that the elderly is facing in Singapore? Explain your answer with two suggestions. [7] Copyright acknowledgement ____________________________________________________________________________ Source A: https://www.gov.sg/article/hdbs-ethnic-integration-policy-why-it-still-matters Source B: Ibid. Source C: https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-matters/q-as/view/oral-answer-by-ministry-of- national-development-on-the-ethnic-integration-policy

4 Secondary 3 Social Studies Practice Paper Suggested LORMS 1 Study Source A. How reliable is Source A as evidence about the benefits of HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy? Explain your answer. [7] Marker’s Report  Most students were able to achieve L3/4 minimally as they were able to CR to another source with matching claims.  A handful of students gave superficial claims without inferring about its effectiveness/benefits as a whole (eg. EIP allows more people to live and interact with one another) Level /Mark Descriptor L1 / 1-2 Reliability based on superficial assessment of content and lifting of content from source e.g. Yes, it is reliable in showing that the Ethnic Integration Policy helped to maintain racial and social harmony in Singapore as there will be more opportunities for interaction between ethnic groups. e.g. No, it is not reliable as it is simply a comment made by Senior Minister Tharman who did not show any statistics or evidence showing whether the Ethnic Integration Policy was still relevant in today’s context. L2 / 2-3 Reliability based on content OR Sub-message or superficial claims, cross-referenced (L2/3)  Making inference  Candidates infer that the EIP is a success or is still relevant in integrating the society L2/2m with cross reference, L3/4m  Making inference – explaining that the EIP is effective/ has improved in maintaining a harmonious society in Singapore L2/3 with cross reference, L3/5m  Sub-Message with cross reference (L2/3m) Award the higher mark for answers supporting evidence. E.g. Source A is reliable as evidence about the benefits of HDB’s Ethnic Integration Policy a s it claims that the policy benefitted in creating a harmonious society in Singapore. This is seen from “Once people of different ethnic groups live together, they are not just walking the corridors and taking the same primary school.. The EIP has helped to maintain racial and social

5 harmony in S ingapore by providing opportunities for social mixing among Singaporeans of different races.” Hence, the source suggests that the Ethnic Inte