Bukit Merah Secondary School 2024 Question Paper

Class Index Number Name BUKIT MERAH SECONDARY SCHOOL 'O' LEVEL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2024 SECONDARY 4 EXPRESS HUMANITIES Paper 1 Social Studies 2260/01 2261/01 14 August 2024 1 hour 45 minutes Additional Materials: Answer Booklet READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST An answer booklet will be provided with this question paper. You should follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Section A Answer all questions. Section B Answer both questions. The number of marks is given in [ ] at the end of each question. This document consists of 6 printed pages and 2 blank pages Setter: Mdm Sriwanty & Mr Amal [Turn over

2 SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Answer all questions. Being Part of a Globalised world Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions, you should use your knowledge of the issue to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 Study Source A. What is the message of this cartoon? Explain your answer. [5] 2 Study Sources B and C. Does Source C prove that the concerns in Source B are unjustified? Explain your answer. [6] 3 Study Source D. How useful is this source as evidence of the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian War on European countries? Explain your answer. [7] 4 Study Sources E and F. Having read Source E, are you surprised by Source F? Explain your answer. [7] 5 “The Russian-Ukrainian war has negatively impacted the economies of various countries.” Using the sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

3 How has the Russian-Ukrainian War impacted the global economy? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions. On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. This war has caused half a million deaths amongst Ukrainian and Russian troops, and even more civilian deaths. The Russian-Ukrainian war has had significant repercussions on the global economy. One of the primary impacts is the disruption of global supply chains, particularly in the energy sector. Many countries are no longer using gas supplied by Russia . Energy prices soared due to higher cost for gas supplied from other places . This has led to increases in electricity prices in many countries, including Singapore. The war has caused shortages and price hikes in food commodities, exacerbating food insecurity in various regions. The war has also increased geopolitical tensions, leading to sanctions against Russia that further strain international trade and economic stability. However, the war has also benefited certain countries, particularly those that engage in the sale of weapons. Study the sources below to find out the extent to which the Russian-Ukrainian War has harmed the world economy. Source A: An editorial cartoon from The Global Times, a China -based newspaper, February 2023.

4 Source B: A speech by the Ukrainian President Zelensky to world leaders in the United Nations’ General Assembly on 19 September 2023. This war has had terrible effects. Let me give you an example – food. During the war, Ukraine has struggled to continue exporting food to other countries. More than 45 nations saw how important it is to make Ukrainian food products available on the market… from European countries to Indonesia and China. This war is a clear attempt by Russia to create a global food shortage. This saw rising prices in every country, which the poor will struggle to afford. The aggressor scatters death and brings ruin. This war is not only about Ukraine. Many seats in this Hall may become empty if the aggressor, Russia, succeeds. Source C: Extracted from an article published on the website of ‘S&P Global’ on 2 May 2024. S&P Global is a prominent financial information and analytics company with a headquarter in New York. Russia has launched numerous waves of missile and drone attacks against Ukraine’s energy and transport infrastructure in recent weeks. On April 19 the port of Pivdennyi in Odesa was struck by heavy missiles, resulting in the destruction of grain storage facilities and significant damage to port infrastructure. Due to the attacks, agricultural products intended for exports to Asia and Africa were destroyed. Despite the attacks, the ports have continued to operate as Ukraine was resilient and quick to repair any damages. Ukraine shipped over 40 million *metric ton (mt) in a little more than 6 months. In fact, Ukraine now has regular container ship traffic to Romania via two ships that run back and forth constantly. In April, the country exported 4.13 million mt corn and 1.93 million mt wheat compared to 2.77 million mt and 1.09 million mt recorded in March. * One metric ton is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms Source D: An extract taken from an article titled ‘How Ukrainian migrants affect the economies of European countries’ published in an online journal in March 2023. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, millions of Ukrainian citizens fled the country for safety reasons. This meant European countries that accepted these Ukrainian refugees had to increase government spending on refugee aid that will place strain on governments in the short - term. Despite challenges for migrant -recipient countries, there are a few positive economic effects as well. Ukrainian migrants increased retail trade and sales of products during 2022, particularly in Poland and Estonia. Furthermore, Ukrainian refugees may decide to stay in these recipient countries for good. This will also boost the labour force and contribute positively to the countries’ economies in the long run.

5 Source E: An extract taken from a lecture by Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at the Singapore International Energy Summit on 23 October, 2023, to energy leaders from over 80 countries. A year ago, the world was deep in a global energy crisis. The war in Ukraine had disrupted energy supplies worldwide. Some countries even faced difficulties getting necessary fuel supplies. Following the Russian-Ukrainian war, Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (or EMA) has taken active steps to stabilise our electricity market. We successfully stabilised energy prices in Singapore through a swift implementation of crisis management measures in 2021. EMA implemented a Temporary Price Ceiling to prevent prices from rising beyond a certain level. The government also established a standby fuel facility to ensure that our generation companies had enough fuel reserves. Source F: An extract from The Straits Times article published on 6 March 2022. With Europe heavily reliant on Russian gas transiting through Ukraine - Russia provides Europe with around 40 per cent of its natural gas supply - the global energy markets will likely be hit hard by the war. Any impact on global gas prices means higher electricity prices for Singapore, as Singapore depends on imported natural gas for 95% of its energy. Due to an increase in global electricity prices, electricity and gas inflation in Singapore hit 17.2 per cent in January. This may affect the cost of production for local Singapore -based businesses, which may in turn reduce business profits.

6 Living in a Diverse Society Study the extracts carefully, and then answer the questions. Extract 1 A photograph taken during Racial Harmony Day Celebrations in a school.