2024 VJC GP Prelim P2 Insert & QP

1 VICTORIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2024 HIGHER 1 GENERAL PAPER 8881/02 Paper 2 Insert 1 hour 30 mins READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your C.T. group, index number and name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. Answer all questions. Note that up to 15 marks out of 50 will be awarded for your use of language. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. This document consists of 10 printed pages and 1 blank page. [Turn over]

2 Passage 1 The writer writes about the possible benefits of hobbies. 1 At some point in our collective experience, the term ‘hobby’ became nearly interchangeable with ‘coping mechanism’. Whether it was the myriad of pandemic hobbies adopted to distract us from an unprecedented global crisis or binge- watching Netflix to find solace from the political upheavals of contemporary society, hobbies have always been around. 5 2 Historically, hobbies have indeed evolved from the past, where it used to be the exclusive domain of the aristocracy who had much wealth and leisure at their beck and call, to being part and parcel of the lives of the bourgeoisie due to their growing wealth. The rise of capitalism further accelerated this trend of extending the reach of hobbies into the lives of the everyday man. This was due to how businesses are quick to leverage the emergence of new trends and markets and entice people into taking up unbeknownst activities in the name of leisure. Crass commercialism aside, the undeniable fact remains that hobbies continue to offer something more to individuals. 10 3 The benefits of hobbies are derived not from particular types of hobbies but from what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi theorised as ‘flow’, a cognitive state where one is completely immersed in an activity. Hobbies cause the brain to release feel-good chemicals that provide instant gratification. Additionally, hobbies can alleviate the stresses of daily responsibilities, even when time and energy for recreation seem scarce. For example, a study examining the relationship between long working hours, depression, and well-being found that while excessive work negatively impacts mental health, hobbies help mitigate these adverse effects. 15 20 4 Investing in hobbies is also a long-term investment in oneself. A 2023 meta- analysis of data from over 93,000 older adults revealed that those with hobbies— defined as activities done for pleasure during leisure time—reported higher levels of health, happiness, and overall life satisfaction. Conversely, individuals exhibiting signs of depression were less likely to engage in hobbies. In other words, hobbies bring about psychological benefits that