2024 HCI Prelim P2 Answers

Hwa Chong Institution 2024 C2 General Paper Preliminary Examination Paper 2 Answers From Passage 1 1. Why is ‘miracle’ (line 1) an appropriate description of shared meals in France? [2] Passage Answer (2 points for [1] each) A miracle occurs THRICE in France EVERY DAY. At breakfast, lunch and supper, MILLIONS of people gather round a table to eat together. a) It is surprising/amazing and remarkable … b) … that commensality can occur so regularly/ frequently and on such a massive scale. 2. In paragraph 1, the author states that ‘social practice varies across communities’. Give two examples of how European and American eating habits differ to support this claim. [3] Passage Answer (2 of these pairs for [1] each) EU: CREATURES OF HABIT who FAVOUR FIXED MEALTIMES AM: EAT WHEN THEY WANT TO a) Regular/specific mealtimes vs. flexible scheduling/eat when one is ready EU: relish SHARING food AM: NO ONE CAN BE JUDGED for insisting on healthy food or liking food that requires no preparation b) willing to consume the same food as the others vs. will exercise the right to decide what to have EU: RELISH … GOOD COMPANY AM: Eating is about SATISFYING BODILY NEEDS … c) Derives happiness/enjoyment vs. focus on sustenance/nourishment EU: LABOUR – shopping, cooking and washing AM: food that REQUIRES NO PREPARATION d) Will invest time/effort vs. convenience/ease is uppermost in their mind 3. Suggest why dinner became ‘a very fulfilling part of my day’ (line 16) for the author. [2] Passage Answer (2 of these points for [1] each) We ate sandwiches and pizzas in front of our computers or dined with friends. We rarely spoke. … We did and, SOMEHOW, THE SAME FOOD TASTED BETTER. We missed Mum and Brother and it was THERAPEUTIC TO KNOW WE STILL HAVE EACH OTHER. Our CHATS ABOUT THE TRIVIAL – of sports and Netflix – LED TO DISCUSSIONS OF THE SERIOUS – of economics and politics, of memories and the future. Dinner together meant a little less time for distractions, but it was invariably a very fulfilling part of my day. a) Good company enhanced the dining experience and this made food (allow) more palatable/delectable. b) Being with a loved one coping with the same loss was cathartic/helped the author feel supported. c) Being able to talk about a myriad of issues was intellectually stimulating to the author. d) Father and child grew close again/rebuilt their relationship through their rich dinner conversations. 4. Why does the author make the point that the workers are ‘revived’ (line 22) by their shared meal? [2] Passage Answer (2 points for [1] each) In competitive cities … workers FATIGUED BY THEIR DAILY GRIND crowd late-night eateries and are revived by a shared supper and gossip. a) The author is highlighting/praising the power of a shared meal … b) … to revitalise/re-energise workers exhausted by boring work.

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