EJC 2023 Promo P2 SAS

1 Eunoia Junior College English Department 2023 JC1 GP Promotional Examination Suggested Answer Scheme HIGHLIGHTED WORDS: KEY TERMS THAT NEED TO BE PARAPHRASED FOR THE ANSWER TO BE CREDITED. UNDERLINED WORDS: WORDS THAT SET THE CONTEXT; THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE PARAPHRASED BUT WILL NEED TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE ANSWER FOR CREDIT TO BE GIVEN. From Passage 1 1. Explain the author's use of the phrase 'dispiriting descent' (line 1). [1] From the passage Suggested Answer Mark In trying to explain the dispiriting descent of American politics into pervasive paralysis, conflict, and sheer mediocrity, it is hard not to wonder if many of the ills result from intrinsic shortcomings of the democratic model itself. The author uses the phrase to signal that the fall / decline of American politics into a state of dysfunction is disheartening. NOTE: Both words need to be addressed to gain the one mark. 1

2 2. According to the author in lines 10 –15, what happens when politicians take office after receiving funding from 'wealthy individuals and corporations'? [3] From the passage Suggested Answer Mark There is then little surprise that politicians who go on to take office make policies that manifestly reflect the interests of the wealthy, (a) The politicians craft policies that clearly/obviously/blatantly favour the rich BOD: significantly/greatly for ‘manifestly’ 1m each for a maximum of 3 marks often at a cost to the populace. (b) and that are frequently at the expense of ordinary/ the majority of citizens. ‘Population’ is a lift. Politicians also introduce rules and practices that make it easy for lobbyists to excessively influence policies. (c) Politicians introduce rules and practices that facilitate the manipulation/pressuring of politicians by lobbyists. OR Politicians introduce rules and practices that facilitate lobbyists having too much say in policies. Examples of such policies include tax breaks that have contributed to the rapid expansion of a class of superrich citizens in recent years. (d) This has given rise to the alarmingly quick growth of a group of enormously wealthy citizens.

3 3. Explain how lines 18 –21 support the author's assertion about democratic politicians being ‘averse to imposing near-term pain for long-term gain' (lines 16–17). [2] From the passage Suggested Answer Mark For example, quite a few politicians speak at length about the urgent need to restrain government spending in order to ensure future sustainability . When nearing an election, however, most are unable to refrain from signing off on even more spending on the infrastructure and services the electorate expects. The author gives the example of how (a) politicians who are standing for elections feel compelled to approve funding for things that satisfy voters (instead of encouraging frugality/austerity at present) [red] explicit link to near-term pain (b) even though they are aware of the pressing need for financial discipline to safeguard the nation’s future/ for the good of the nation in time to come. [blue] explicit link to long-term gain 1 1 NOTE: ● Candidates need to make a clear connection to 'near-term pain' and 'long-term gain'. ● Candidates’ entire response should also demonstrate understanding of ‘averse’ (strongly disliking or opposed to). This can mainly be achieved through capturing how politicians are ‘unable to refrain’ from signing off on even more spending.

4 4. Using paragraph 4, identify three ways in which democracy divides society. [3] From the passage Paraphrased Mark Yet another flaw is division and conflict. Competitive elections foment and sometimes intensity divisions in society. This undercuts a strong sense of national unity and purpose; it even generates conflict. Competing parties tend to accentuate differences between them rather than to emphasise common ground in their quest to win. They also often caricature and even demonise their opponents and tend to appeal more to emotion than reason in their quest for votes. (a) Competitive elections weaken/damage/undermine a strong sense of commonality/solidarity among the people which may even give rise to disagreement/discord. (b) Political parties vying for victory at elections highlight/ draw attention to what sets them apart/distinguishes them instead of where they align/ what they agree on. (c) They also mock/ emphasise the worst in other parties OR make their competitors seem silly and evil (d) and pander to voters’ feelings rather than logic to win them over. 1 mark for each correctly identified example, to a max of 3 marks.

5 5. From lines 36–39, explain two ways in which the author uses language to criticise voting as a way of ‘choosing the leaders a society needs most’. [2] From the passage Suggested Answer Mark This suggests that, rather than exercising independent thought on issues to determine policy preferences, voters end up jumping on the bandwagon of voting based on their attachment to a political party. (a) The author likens voters’ behaviour to ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ thus criticising how voters unthinkingly follow the prevailing/popular practice of voting based on partisan identity/ party allegiance rather than evaluating policies on their own to determine their vote. 1 Voting is thus a blunt tool for choosing the leaders a society needs most. (b) The author compared/likened voting to a ‘blunt tool’ to criticise how it is an imprecise / ineffective way/method of selecting the right leaders for society. 1

6 From Passage 2 6. Summarise the reasons why democracy is important. Write your summary in no more than 120 words. [8] Pt Main Idea From the Passage Suggested Answer a. Leads to superior outcomes The initial delay of democracies to react paid off in the long run with much better and more humane measures (l.4-5) Democratic decision -making is slower (than authoritarian regimes) but gives rise to superior and more compassionate / kinder policies. b. Creates access to information but, as a result, knowledge and data are made available to them (l.7-8) Democracies ensure that people have access to information… c. Transparency and are not hidden by cumbersome rules and processes (l.8) …which is not obscured / buried in bureaucracy // transparent. d. Enables people to respond to policies/ decisions This knowledge is essential for people to understand or challenge decisions made. (l.8-9) Democracies provide people with the information they need to respond to choices/policies made. OR This information is vital for civic participation. OR This information is crucial for them to appreciate/comprehend, or contest choices/policies made. e. Allows the discussion of diverse views that leads to the joint development of better policies In fact, it is precisely the vigorous, open debates that arise from a pluralism of opinions that is a strength of democracy as this leads to the co-creation of better policies. (l.10-11) OR No autocracy in this world can keep up with the many and complex challenges: what is crucial is not so much the decision-taking capacity but establishing a continuous co- creation process. (l.22-24 Robust discussion of diverse views/ideas gives rise to the joint development of superior policies. BOD: effective, good policies for ‘better policies’

7 Pt Main Idea From the Passage Suggested Answer f. Especially suited for dealing with crises (The need for democracy and co- creation of policies) is much higher during crises such as those our societies are confronted with now. (l.12-13) Democracy is especially crucial to cope with/amidst the emergencies of today. Inferr