SAJC JC2 Prelim 2024 - P2 Answer Scheme

2024 SAJC JC2 Preliminary Examinations P2 – Suggested Answers Q1: What does the author mean by ‘the shoe has dropped’ (line 1)? [1] From the passage Suggested Answers The shoe has dropped. The big one. China, the most populous country on the planet for centuries, this month reported its first population decline in six decades, a trend that is almost certainly irreversible. By the end of the century, China may have only around half of the 1.41 billion people it has now, according to U.N. projections, and may already have been overtaken by India. A: The author means that a significant / major/ main event has finally/inevitably occurred with regards to declining population (context). Note: the idea of finally / inevitably must be captured for the mark to be awarded. BOD - if the idea of “significant” is captured. Q2: Explain the author’s use of the phrase, ‘the glass is at least half full.’ (lines 6–7) [2] From the passage Suggested Answers But the alarmist warnings are often simplistic and premature. The glass is at least half full. Shrinking populations are usually part of a natural, inevitable process, and rather than focus excessively on concerns like labour shortages and pension support, we need to look at the brighter spots for our world. A : Despite the concerns/panic/ negativity behind the issues of population decline B : There is still reason for optimism/ a silver-lining/there is hope to solve it. Award 1m per point BOD if context is unclear.

Q3: What are three reasons the author argues that lower birthrates might not be completely negative in paragraph 3? [3] From the passage Suggested Answers China, South Korea and Japan are now all in population decline; this is due in part to rapid increases in income, employment and education. The number of South Korean women who went on to postsecondary education rose from 6 percent in 1980 to more than 90 percent by 2020; China and Japan also have seen big gains. Lower birthrates reflects greater personal and reproductive freedom, such as the choice to stay unmarried; higher pay; and A (women’s autonomy): Women now have greater autonomy and choices on when to give birth/whether to have children. B (women in the workplace): women are receiving more wages at work. C (more professional opportunities): women have greater career progression / more likely to be employed. more professional opportunities for women in these nations. Q4: According to the author, how does the increase in life expectancy “reshape lives and open up opportunities” (line 19)? [2] From the passage Suggested Answers Increases of that magnitude reshape lives and open up opportunities unimaginable when life spans were shorter, such as workers remaining productive later in life and growing markets for older consumers in areas like tourism, nutritional supplements and medical devices, among others. A: Increases in life expectancy means individuals can continue to work and contribute much longer than before. B: These increases have spurred /developed a wider range of products and services / lucrative opportunities catered to the elderly.

Q5: From paragraph 5, what is the author suggesting about the impact of having more people on the planet? [2] From the passage Suggested Answers Fewer people on the planet, of course, may reduce humanity’s ecological footprint and competition for finite resources. There could even be greater peace as governments are forced to choose between spending on military equipment or on pensions. A. The author is suggesting that having more people would place greater strain on the environment and B. more struggle over/ fighting for / depletion of limited resources C. Higher likelihood of war or conflict Any 2 for 2 marks Ecosystem - Lifted (0m) Q6: What is the author implying about policies to raise fertility by using the phrase ‘birth machines’ (lines 31–32)? From the passage Suggested Answers And just as earlier panic led to harmful policies in China and elsewhere, efforts to raise fertility — which may prove futile — risk viewing women once again as birth machines. A) The author is implying that these policies do not see women as anything more than tools / dehumanises / objectifies women. OR B) The author is implying that women do not have a choice in reproduction as that’s their purpose.

Q7: Summarise the drivers of the great fertility slump. Write your summary in no more than 120 words. [8] Line Point Lift Paraphrase Main idea 9 1. "societies progress up the hierarchy of needs from physical survival to emotional self-actualisation" As societies evolve, they shift focus from bodily needs to psychological needs. Moving Up Hierarchy of Needs 10-11 2. "rearing children gets short shrift because people pursue other, more individualist aims" People focus more on their personal goals, rather than raising children Personal goals > Raising children 12-13 14 - 15 3. "fertility drops as female education and employment rise" "a rising proportion of women have entered higher education and the skilled labour force" More women in developed regions are gaining access to/empowered by higher education and skilled jobs. Women’s Economic Empowerment 15 – 16 4. "Improved education has also given women greater autonomy within relationships" Education enhances women's choice/say/voice within relationships… Autonomy 16 – 17 5. “…a better understanding of contraception, and greater input into family planning.” and their control over whether to have children. Family Planning

17 6. "Many have opted to delay becoming mothers to pursue their careers" Many women choose to put off having children to focus on their careers. Economic Development 20 – 21 7. "the industrial revolution reduced the importance of children as a source of unskilled labour" Economic development decreases the need for children to help with manual tasks. Reduced need for children to be manual labour 21 – 22 8. "families invest more in their children, providing them with better education" Economic growth leads families to spending more on each child’s education. Higher Spending on Children 29 9. "the stress and busyness of modern life" The hectic pace of life today impacts fertility decisions. Hectic Pace of life 23 – 24 10. “While some countries have introduced pro-natalist policies … the effectiveness of these measures has been mixed at best.” While countries have taken steps to boost fertility rates, they have not solved the problem. Ineffectiveness of Pro-Natalist Policies 28 11. “grim global outlook owing to overcrowded cities and…” Some couples are unwilling to have children due overpopulated cities Overpopulation 28 12. “…already strained ecosystem.” …an ailing planet/limited resources/earth’s limited capacity. Strained planet

30 13. "the supply of online entertainment that may compete with sexual activity" People are having less sex due to digital distractions. Impact of Technology on Human Sexual Behaviour 30-31 14. "elevated rates of depression and anxiety among young adults" The higher incidence of mental health issues among youth can deter family planning. Mental Health Issues 31-32 15. "the detrimental effect of smartphones on real-world human interactions" Smartphones and similar technologies might reduce face-to-face interactions. Impact of Technology on Human Interaction 32 16. “and the lack of appeal to women of ‘hooking up’.” Women today are less interested in casual relationships. Changing Relationship Norms 2024 Preliminary Examination Mark Distribution: Marks 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 No of points identified 0 1 2 3-4 5-6 7 8-9 10-11