Bedok View 4E SS PRELIM 2024

BEDOK VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2024 CANDIDATE NAME REGISTER NUMBER CLASS HUMANITIES Secondary Four Express 2260 / 01 2261 / 01 2262 / 01 2265 / 01 Paper 1 Social Studies 23 August 2024 Additional Materials: Foolscap Paper Mark Page 1 hr 45 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write all answers on foolscap paper. Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid. Start all answers on a fresh page. Section A Answer all questions. Section B Answer both questions. The total number of marks is given in bracket [ ] at the end of each question. Setter: Ms Nur Iznina This question paper consists of 7 printed pages and 1 blank page. [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 the question. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the question, in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the question you should use your knowledge of the issue to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1. Study Source A. What is the attitude of the cartoonist towards the universal charger law passed in Europe? Explain your answer, using details of the source. [5] 2. Study Sources B and C. How far do these sources agree about efforts to reduce electronic waste? Explain your answer. [6] 3. Study Sources D and E. Does Source D prove Source E is unreliable as evidence that multinational corporations can be environmentally-friendly? Explain your answer. [7] 4. Study Source F. How surprised are you by this source? Explain your answer. [7] 5. ‘It is possible to discourage the culture of buying new things.’ Using sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

3 How challenging is it for consumers to shift towards sustainable consumption? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. With globalisation, goods can be readily mass-produced, distributed and sold worldwide at lower costs. This has encouraged the emergence of a global consumer culture, where individuals around the world engage in continuous and widespread consumption of goo ds and services. Many are concerned about the impact on the environment if the global demand for goods continues to grow at an unsustainable pace. A possible solution is to shift consumers towards sustainable consumption. This involves practices such as bu ying fewer items and buying secondhand. However, there are obstacles hindering people from consuming products sustainably. Study the following sources to find out about the challenges involved in shifting consumers towards sustainable consumption. [Turn over Source A: A cartoon published in an American newspaper on September 2023. A few months before, Europe had passed a universal charger law requiring all electronic devices to adopt a common charging connection. This allows buyers to use one common charger across all devices. The headstone shows an Apple company logo and “Bespoke Chargers”, which refers to chargers designed exclusively for use with Apple devices. Apple’s chargers have been criticised for not being long-lasting.

4 Source B: Adapted from an article by an American journalist who covers developments in technology, January 2023. Corporations are seemingly inventing better products with new features. But these new features are affecting device repairability. A prime example is Apple’s butterfly keyboard – thinner and great for reducing the laptop’s weight. But because it was designed to be one piece and fused to the internal hardware, users cannot fix a single stuck key by themselves without the right equipment and serious skill. They must head to the Apple Store or an Apple Authorised Service Provider to get the whole keyboard replaced by an expert. And the cost of repair without warranty is so costly that it makes more sense to simply buy new. These barriers to repair must be removed but major corporations will almost certainly never go for that. Consumers, too, are all too happy to move on to the next new thing. So the cycle of constant buying continues. Source C: A photograph showing a “Right to Repair” demonstration in Berlin, 2019. This consumer-led global campaign urges governments to pass laws requiring product manufacturers to offer lifetime repair services, either for free or at a reasonable price. In 2024, European lawmakers finally approved the law. Source D: A cartoon drawn by a Finnish cartoonist in 2007.

5 *Amazon is a major online retailer that stocks items from other manufacturers. Customers worldwide can shop for a range of products on Amazon and have them delivered to their door. [Turn over *listicles are articles that feature a list of items. Source E: Adapted from a statement by Amazon’s Country Manager for the United Kingdom. He was speaking at the launch of Amazon UK’s Second Chance Christmas pop- up store, open from 29 November till 12 December 2023. Amazon* is committed to cutting down waste and giving more products a second chance by helping customers shop secondhand. We offer a variety of high-quality secondhand goods at our online store throughout the year. This includes pre-owned designer wear, toys, home essentials and electronics that are restored to a like-new condition and sold at lower prices. With the launch of our Second Chance pop -up store today, festive shoppers can browse secondhand products in person for the first time. They can shop more sustainably while benefitting from up to 50% in savings compared to retail prices. The pop -up store also features a Repairs Zone where customers can participate in free repairs workshops and learn to fix broken laptops and household tech from experts onsite. Source F: Adapted from an article by an environmental reporter, published on an American news media on 12 July 2022. The date marks the start of Amazon Prime Day, an annual event where Amazon offers special deals and discounts on a range of products. The Internet is alive with listicles* of “Best Prime Day Deals” for products of every kind, including eco-friendly ones. But this Prime Day, think twice before purchasing that biodegradable phone case or Adidas shoe made out of recycled plastic. The item may be green but do you really need it? Or could you buy it from your local store? Prime Day generates more packaging waste and carbon emissions than any other period of the year. It dangles attractive sales and free shipping, feeding into our worst habits, tempting us to consume more! faster! now! Amazon has publicly pledged to improve the sustainability of its operations but it is just empty promises. The company continues to stock and sell items from manufacturers that generate massive emissions, and maintains a fleet of gas-burning vehicles for deliveries nationwide. Only a concerted, global effort to produce and buy less can avert environmental disaster.

6

7 SECTION B (Structured-Response Questions) Answer both questions. Exploring Citizenship and Governance Study the extracts carefully, and then answer the questions. Extract 1 International events can have a direct impact on Singapore and its citizens. It is important for Singaporeans to stay informed about current affairs and understand how local and