2024 ACJC GP Prelim P2 Answer Scheme (Revisedl)

1 8881 H1 General Paper 2024 Anglo-Chinese Junior College Preliminary Examination Paper 2 Answer Scheme Common errors: • Illegibility, marked out as spelling errors, often severely impeded understanding of students’ responses. • Students need to pay attention to the accurate identification of question types for short answer questions. • Weaker students did not use the present tense in referring to the author’s intention or when referencing the author. From Passage 1 1. Explain what the author means when he describes gig work as part of a ‘casualised, precarious and on- call jobs market’ (line 1). [2] Question Type: Vocabulary Examiners’ Comments: Weaker responses paraphrased the words without understanding the context. ‘Casualised’ was often wrongly paraphrased as ‘normalised’, ‘relaxed’, trivialised’ and ‘laidback’. ‘Precarious’ was also often wrongly paraphrased as ‘risky’. A handful of responses did not recognise that this was a vocabulary question. 2. In paragraph 2, how does the author illustrate that the gig economy is detrimental to consumers? [2] Question Type: Inferential (Use of example) Examiners’ Comments: Some responses did not focus on the impact on consumers but instead focused wrongly on the impact of the market economy or the impact on gig workers. Some carelessly lifted ‘aware’ or ‘hygiene’. The contents of this document are the intellectual property of the Anglo-Chinese Junior College English Department. Reproduction of the contents is NOT allowed unless permitted by the Department 3. H ow are gig firms’ claims of ‘autonomy’ (line 18) for gig workers an illusion? [1] From Passage Pt Paraphrased Across Britain, gig work —part of a casualised… (line 1) a The author means that gig work is part-time / short-term / impermanent, OR flexible / informal / freelance …precarious… (line 1) b …uncertain / insecure / unstable Note: Do not accept ‘unsafe’ or ‘dangerous’ since the context is wrong. …and on-call jobs market—is growing at a giddy rate. (line 1) c and that gig workers have to go to work at a moment’s notice / to be available whenever there is demand for their services. 1 – 2pts = 1m; 3pts = 2m From Passage Pt Paraphrased/Inferred Consumer rights are also being rewritten… People using popular takeaway apps such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo can order from thousands of restaurants without being aware of their poor hygiene ratings. (lines 14-16) a The author uses the example of how consumers can order from Uber Eats and Deliveroo / food places without being conscious / having knowledge of their unclean / dirty environment / inadequate sanitary standards to show that… Note: 2-part answer; Students must also mention the specific example or make reference to food delivery. b Inferred …this is detrimental to customers’ welfare / well -being / physical health. (Health) OR …customers may suffer from food poisoning or other ailments. (Health) OR …this is detrimental because customers are deprived of the right to information / right to know. (Rights) Note: accept lift for ‘rights’ Note: Do NOT accept a generic response such as ‘harms ’ or ‘causes problems to customers’.

2 Question Type: Literal Examiners’ Comments: Weaker responses either did not provide the contrast or the intensity. Some responses merely paraphrased the examples in lines 19-21. 4. Explain the author’s use of the rhetorical question in lines 23 – 24. [1] Question Type: Linguistic device Examiners’ Comments: Weaker responses only paraphrased the author’s rhetorical question. Weaker responses did not give the context at all or gave a vague context (e.g. the problems of the gig economy). 5. In paragraph 3, what are the assumptions made by gig-economy firms of their workers? [3] From Passage Paraphrased/Inferred Hidden beneath the claims of autonomy is the fact that the platforms exercise firm control over most aspects of how, and to what standard, work is done. (lines 17-19) (While gig firms claim that gig workers have autonomy ), gig firms actually have much / a lot of power / authority / influence over work done by gig workers. Note: • Students must demonstrate the contrast. ‘Hidden beneath’ is bolded to demonstrate that students must capture the contrast. • Intensity must be captured. From Passage Paraphrased/Inferred Productivity becomes the way to measure human value. Firms can cherry-pick workers, usually those without children or in good health. What happens to those who have lives that do not match the gig economy’s demands? (lines 21-24) Function The author wants the reader to think about / ponder / contemplate… OR The author wants to emphasise / reinforce / highlight… Context …whether it is right for companies to use efficiency / efficacy / contribution made by the worker to determine the worth of a person. OR …how the gig economy is biased towards / unfairly chooses those who are single / physically fit. OR … how unfair the gig economy could be towards workers with other commitments / who cannot keep up with / live up to the requirements/ expectations of the gig economy. Function The author wants the readers to empathise with … Context …those who are left out / not preferred by the gig economy.

3 Question Type: Literal Examiners’ Comments: Some responses mistakenly took reference from lines 29-31. Others lifted ‘self- employed’ for point (a). 6. Explain how the last sentence in Paragraph 4 reinforces the author’s criticism of the commercialisation of leisure time. [2] Question Type: Inferential Examiners’ Comments: Weaker responses missed out point (a) entirely or paraphrased point (a) very generically as ‘relaxing’ or ‘having fun’. From Passage 2 From Passage Pt Paraphrased Gig-economy firms assume gig workers to be self-employed contractors… (lines 26) a Gig-economy firms assumed that gig workers are independent contractors / their own bosses… …rather than their employees who are entitled to employment benefits… (line 27) b …rather than employees who have the right to job/work privileges / perks… OR Gig workers have no right to job perks / privileges / welfare schemes. …and have the right to unionise and bargain collectively for better terms and conditions. (lines 27-28) c …and to negotiate with / pressure companies together / as a group to improve work conditions. OR Gig workers cannot participate in labour organisations that will help them fight for their rights. From Passage Pt Paraphrased … This will not make us happy. We ought to work and have careers that enable us to focus on our relationships and have soul- enriching pastimes. (lines 41-42) It cannot be socially good to consider leisure time as a lost commercial opportunity. (lines 42-43) Unless we can turn away from such thinking, we shall see ourselves acting less like humans... (lines 44) a The last sentence highlights how commercialising leisure causes us to become less concerned with human ties / social interactions OR meaningful / fulfilling pursuits… OR (Inferred) The last sentence highlights how commercialising leisure causes us to become less concerned with our well - being. Note: • Students should not simply paraphrase ‘less like humans’. Either ‘relationships’ or ‘soul -enriching pastimes’ should be captured. Alternatively, award mark if student demonstrates holistic understanding of both ideas. • Allow lift for ‘social’. …and more like companies. (lines 45) b … and become driven by profit / more money-minded. Note: Students should not simply paraphrase how we become more like firms. Idea should be inferred. Allow lift of ‘more’.

4 7. Summarise the benefits of the 20th century labour market and those of the gig economy today. [8] Allocati