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 l