2024 YIJC JC2 Prelim P2 Answer Guide

2024 GP Prelim P2 Answer Guide 1. Explain how the first paragraph supports the author's assertion about people rejecting the ‘stress and burnout traditionally baked into work culture’? [2] From the passage Suggested Answer In 2021, so many people were quitting their jobs the media began calling it the “Great Resignation”. Then, people started “quiet quitting”, proudly doing the bare minimum at work without resigning. Data shows that preference for part-time work is rising and, at least according to one 2022 study, the pandemic ushered a sharp decline in the number of hours adults want to work. a) The author referred to the trend of the “Great Resignation” to emphasise the large numbers of people are leaving their stressful jobs [1] b) The author referred to trends like “quiet quitting” to highlight how it has become prevalent for people to put in the least amount effort required at work, [1] c) The author also cited evidence to support this assertion as he/she referred to research finding that echoes the idea that there is a drastic drop in the duration that people were willing to work. [1] 2. What is the author’s purpose in describing individuals settling for mediocrity as ‘white noise’? (line 19) [2] From the passage Suggested Answer All our social institutions thrive on the spark that comes from the pursuit of excellence. Settling for mediocrity is abdicating our responsibility to be better. The world is already filled with mediocrity, and we should not settle for adding more meaningless white noise. a) Just as ‘white noise’ is not valuable/ just in the background/ does not stand out/ can be easily ignored, b) being mediocre will not value-add/ make a notable difference to society a+b = 1m C1) The author uses the analogy to help the reader understand/visualise/emphasise/illustrate the insignificance of settling for mediocrity. [1] Or C2) The author is criticizing/showing disapproval/distaste/ exhorting the world to consider not taking the easy way out and reinforcing mediocrity // exhorting people to aim for excellence as a duty/obligation for the advancement of the world. [1]

2024 GP Prelim P2 Answer Guide 3. From lines 23 –27 in paragraph 3, explain two ways in which the author uses language to emphasise the importance of the pursuit of excellence. [2] From the passage Suggested Answer Every single facet of human life thrives because of the spark that comes from the pursuit of excellence. Our schools and workplaces must imbue within us the audacity to aspire to loftier pinnacles. Only with this audacity to imagine and pursue a better future can we continue to plant the seeds of a flourishing tomorrow. The way forward has always been clear – excel, or be left in the dust. (a) The author uses the phrase "every single facet of human life" to emphasize the all-encompassing importance of excellence where no part of life is untouched by the drive for excellence, underscoring its fundamental role in progress. (b) The author uses the imagery of the ‘spark’ as an analogy to an actual spark which ignites a fire, to highlight how aspiring after and chasing excellence provides much desired inspiration for communal establishments. (c) The author uses the word ‘pinnacles’ to emphasise how the pursuit of excellence can take us to the apex of human achievement. (d) The metaphor "plant the seeds of a flourishing tomorrow" is used to illustrate the idea that the pursuit of excellence is essential for creating a prosperous / successful future. (e) The author employs the phrase "excel, or be left in the dust" to highlight the consequences of not striving for excellence, implying that those who fail to do so will inevitably fall behind. (f) The author uses words like ‘must’, ‘only’ to emphasise how the striving to become excellent is absolutely necessary. 1pt = 1m (up to a maximum of 2m) 4. According to the author in Paragraph 3, what would happen if we choose to embrace mediocrity? [1] From the passage Suggested Answer They stand as the vanguards propelling civilization to new frontiers: they cure diseases, they make discoveries and they compose brilliant music and artwork that move millions of people. The way forward has always been clear – excel, or be left in the dust. (a) There will be fewer opportunities/a lower chance for society to push/transcend boundaries/attain greater heights/achievements. OR (b) We will not be able to push/transcend boundaries/ attain greater/novel heights/achievements. OR (c) There is a higher chance that society would stagnate/maintain status quo // not flourish // we would be lag the rest/overtaken/forgotten/behind others

2024 GP Prelim P2 Answer Guide 5. In Paragraph 5, how were American and Japanese car manufacturers different in the way they manage their production process? [2] From the passage Suggested Answer Many years ago, while American car manufacturers avoided mistakes on their assembly lines by slowing down and introducing slack, the Japanese manufacturers sought breakdowns by putting the line to its paces and pushing its boundaries, receiving feedback by studying the breakdowns, taking corrective action, and then pushing boundaries again. a1) American car manufacturers prevented/shunned/evaded errors// producing cars in a more cautious manner while a2) Japanese car manufacturers looked out for errors/ analysed/examined the reasons/causes for the errors and took measures to counteract/guard against them. [1] b1) American car manufacturers lowered the speed of production and including buffer/extra time in the process // b2) while Japanese car manufacturers found/tested/formulated ways/methods to produce as efficiently as possible // testing capabilities/stress testing [1] 6. Identify two ways in which the final paragraph provides an effective ending to the author’s argument? [2] From the passage Suggested Answer Given the value of pursuing excellence, it is baffling why people today are retreating from it. Perhaps too many of us got used to life being easy. Everything is one click, touch, or call away. Want food? Why cook when you can get fast food? Why go there yourself when you can just order? Need to buy anything? Why physically go to the store when there is Amazon? It is time for us to rethink the value of the super convenience existing in this age which led us to become lazier and ever so willing to lapse into mediocrity – forming a generation that quits from not just work but achieving in life. a) The author uses a series of questions to illustrate/emphasise the pervasiveness of convenience in our lives today//to help readers reconsider our dependence on convenience today. b) The author calls for readers / engages the reader to review/re- evaluate whether enjoying convenience is something truly beneficial. c) The author refers back to the trend of masses choosing to quit which ties back to the start of the introduction. d) The author shares his perplexity to get readers to contemplate/try to fathom/reflect on the reason for individuals moving away from the pursuit of excellence. e)The author raises an apparent paradox that the very advancements which had in the past made life more convenient have made people more sluggish/ slack // less driven / less proactive / less dynamic today. Any 2 points for 2m

2024 GP Prelim P2 Answer Guide 7. Summarise what the author says about the harms of pursuing excellence and the reasons for living a life which is good enough. Write your summary in no more than 120 words. [8] R1 – harms of pursuing excellence R2 – reasons for living a life which is good enough Req From the Passage Paraphrased From Paragraph One 1 R1 However, our quest to be excellent can create huge inequalities. (line 4) Yet, our pursuit o