2024 EJC JC2 GP Prelim P2 SAS for sharing

1 2024 EJC JC2 GP Prelim Examiner’s Report Suggested Answer Scheme 1. Why does the author describe herself as a ‘stranger in modern life’ (line 1)? [2] From the passage Suggested Answer If anything makes me feel like a stranger in modern life , it is a resolution I made after turning thirty: I will travel only when exceptional circumstances arise. What makes her a stranger (resolution) (a) While most people today would travel freely/often/all the time, she is different… Why is this resolution ‘strange’ (b) …as she solely travels when necessary / as she is averse to constant travel. 1m each for (a) and (b) 2. Explain the author’s use of the word ‘enough’ in line 9. [1] From the passage Suggested Answer Indeed, travelling to places remote enough (like a rainforest in Belize or the exotic Amazon) would affect one powerfully. Looking up at trees that seem to reach straight through the clouds to the heavens would not only make one feel the transcendent majesty of nature but also one's own insignificance in a universe vast in space and time. Benefit (Outcome) (a) According to the author, to experience the significant/strong psychological benefits of travel, Location (Context) (b1) we need to be sufficiently removed from our typical lives/ from urban society. OR (b2) we need to go to natural places of extreme seclusion/isolation. Both (a) and (b) needed for 1m

2 For (a), must be about psychological benefits – ‘transcendent majesty’ (inferred) For (b), degree of seclusion needs to be present to be awarded the point 3. Using paragraph 3, identify three reasons why learning from books is more beneficial than travelling. [3] From the passage Suggested Answer However, travelling no longer seems like a very efficient method of education as one can learn far more through regular trips to the library. For example, a single audiobook, The Meaning of Life , can offer a philosophy course that enables one to learn about texts as diverse as The Bhagavad-Gita, and the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius; about spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama and the Native American medicine man Lame Deer; and about belief systems like Confucianism, and Jainism. No single destination can offer this (at the comfort of our living room, no less). Efficient (inferred) (Quantity+Speed) OR (Ease + Speed) (a) Books enable us to acquire a lot more knowledge in a shorter amount of time as compared to travelling, which requires a great amount of time. Diversity of knowledge (b) A single book can provide the reader with a variety of knowledge that cannot be obtained from a single location when travelling. Familiarity/Comfort (c) Books allow us to learn in a familiar/relaxing environment, while travelling requires going to foreign places which could be stressful. 1m for each point

3 4. In paragraph 4, how does the author support her assertion that the ‘modern obsession with travelling is ludicrous’? [3] From the passage Suggested Answer In a month, in just the United States alone, companies cancelled 49,000 flights and delayed 30,000, affecting 30 million travellers… (a) The author provided examples of massive disruptions caused by corporations and …who racked up $2.5 billion in related expenses — presumably for hotel rooms, cabs and emergency phone sessions with counsellors in order to maintain their basic sanity. (b) the significant financial and mental costs incurred by travellers as a result Note: Both types of costs are needed for completeness of answer There is nothing calming about travelling. Travellers place themselves in a dystopian metropolis that is the airport: the sprawl, noise pollution, automobile traffic, stop -and-frisk policies, and infuriating bureaucratic nonsense. (c) Travellers also subject themselves to a stressful situation when they are trying to have a relaxing time. Note: Contrast of intent vs reality needs to be highlighted - the idea of ‘place themselves in’ has to be present. 5. Why has the author written ‘along with consumerism and workaholism’ in brackets (line 35)? [2] From the passage Suggested Answer The rage of travelling (along with consumerism and workaholism) serves as a distraction that muffles the inner voices asking important yet challenging questions: Who am I? Why do I feel so lonely? Am I living an authentic life that is in keeping with my values? Function (a1) The author uses brackets to provide additional features of the modern world that are similar to travelling. OR (a2) The author indicates that these are additional diversions / activities to the rage for travelling. Context (inferred) (b1) Like travelling, we engage in consumerism and workaholism to escape/ignore the perennial issues of life. OR

4 (b2) In doing so, the author highlights how much people in the modern world are trying to escape/avoid the perennial issues of life 1m each for (a) and (b) No marks awarded if the function (a) is missing or wrong Any pairing of points would be accepted. No credit given for lifting ‘important yet challenging’. 6 Summarise what the author has to say about the value of modern-day travel. Write your summary in no more than 120 words [8] Main idea From the passage Suggested paraphrasing a. People travel to take a break from the boredom of daily life. Most people today want to travel as a respite from the monotony of daily life. (line 1) Travel benefits people who need to take a break from the mundane routine of everyday life / their usual routine. Note: do not accept answers without the context. To obtain Point A, answers need to show understanding that this respite is from the monotony of life to differentiate from Point C. b. Travel offers inestimable rewards. On the contrary, travelling has countless rewards … (line 4) It offers immeasurable / numerous / inestimable benefits. BOD: many c. Travel helps to uplift the mood of people due to the busyness of daily life. For most people, travelling helps them feel refreshed as they are removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. (lines 6-7) It allows us to feel rejuvenated as we escape/ take a pause from the busyness of daily routines. Note: do not accept answers without the context. To obtain Point C, answers need to show understanding this refreshing is from being away from the busyness of life to differentiate from Point A.

5 d. Travel helps people to become healthier. (physical health) It also improves physical well-being. Travel means being physically active because one is walking, hiking, paddle boarding, or swimming so that in itself lowers blood pressure and builds stamina. (lines 7-9) It helps us to be healthier through the exercise we get when travelling. Note: The context of physical activities must be there. Do not accept the point if students just say travel makes them healthier. e. Travel helps people to be more positive in thinking Besides, travel can also help to detoxify negative thoughts… (line 10) Travel increases our optimism/ purge unpleasant thoughts… Note: ‘negativity’ here refers to thoughts about oneself Note: Points E & F are considered direct and indirect benefits of travel. f. Travel helps people become more productive. …which consequently helps to boost productivity. (line 10) …which then helps to increase our efficiency. g. Travel helps people have a deeper respect for other cultures. Another important benefit of travel is how it facilitates appreciation of cultural diversity. (line 11) Travelling helps us to develop respect for cultural differences. h. Travel helps us to be receptive to new ideas. Learning about other cultures during our travels encourages us to be more open-minded as we com