RI T1W9 Practice Explanatory Essay Review 2021

Practice Essay QuestionExplain tworeasons why people migrate to Singapore. [10m]

Expected Answers—Define key terms◦Migrant:apersonwhomovestoanothercountrytofindworkorforbetterlivingconditions◦Need to distinguish between –Temporary (migrant) vs. permanent (immigrant)–Migrant workersseeking employment and business owners/investors seeking business/investment opportunities–Economicmigrants(reasonsrelatedtowork)vs. other groups e.g. International students

Expected Answers—Economic opportunities◦Employmentopportunities provided by companies (especially MNCs and those in rapidly-growing industries) needing foreign talent with skills local workforce lacks; alsolower-skilled foreign workers needed in certain sectors (e.g.construction, domestic work) to do work shunned by locals◦Businessopportunities created by SG’s business-friendly environment (low taxes, administrative efficiency, political stability etc.), presence of MNCs/hub status in various sectors (finance, technology, aviation), and continued economic growth

Expected Answers—Immigration policy◦SG has need to attract migrants to address short-term gaps in the labourmarket(emerging/rapidly growing industriesthatcannotfind sufficiently-skilled locals) and longer-termproblemofageing population given low citizen birth rates and continued brain-drain of skilled locals◦Relatively open and lenient immigration policy that makes it easy for skilled immigrants to seek permanent residency (and eventual citizenship) with various passes and schemes

Expected Answers—Sociocultural environment◦SG is known as a safe country with low crime rates and no ongoing conflicts/political instability◦SG also has a recognisedpublic education system that ranks highly internationally (e.g.PISA) and many international and private schools that cater to expat communities and foreign students seeking higher education◦SG is also known for its diversity (ethnic, religious etc.) with numerous established migrant community support groups, consular support for many nationalities, and other facilities that cater to specific groups

Common Mistakes—Raising points that are not substantiated/conflatingmultiple points that are actually distinct—Copying/lifting entire sentences/paragraphs from sources (e.g.readings) verbatim instead of using only relevant sections as evidence—Being vague with evidence/explanations–not elaborating with sufficient detail—Presenting evidence that is hypothetical, fictitious, or anecdotal–these are not valid

Common Mistakes—Not answering/no clear link to the question by explaining how the point makes migrants want to come to Singapore i.e.their motivations/concerns◦E.g.A safe and low-crime environment coupled with good schools and supportive expat communities makes Singapore very attractive to immigrants with families who see SG as an ideal place to raise their children

Level of Response Marking Scheme (LORMS)LevelDescriptorMarksL1Listing: 1m per point without any elaboration (evidence and explanation is absent) 1-2 L2Description: 3-4m for one point with weakevidence andexplanation; 5-6m for two points3-6 L3Explanation: 7-8m for one point with strongevidence and explanation; 9-10m for two points7-10

Level of Response Marking Scheme (LORMS) MarkGradeGPA≥8A+4.007A3.606B2.805C2.00≤4D1.60 For 10m explanatory essays:

General Advice & Tips—Plan your essay –sketch out main points and think about how you would substantiate and weigh them—Remember to define key terms and frame your response according to them—Be concise and to the point: make one point per paragraph, with one solid example as evidence, and one clear explanation that links to the question