2025 RI Y6 GP TP P2 ANS KEY students

Raffles Institution 2025 RI Y6 GP TP P2 (Relevance of Art) 1 Suggested Answer Key From Passage 1 1. In paragraph 1, why has the author placed information about another of Burden’s performance inside brackets (lines 6-7)? [2m] From the passage/Lift Suggested Answer Marks Try as he might, Burden never quite matched the shock of his spectacular debut (and he did try, once letting himself be crucified onto the back of a Volkswagen Beetle). (l.5-7) A [Function] The author i. wishes to include a side note / additional / supplementary information / information not central to the main point ii. to illustrate / demonstrate OR emphasise to the reader that i. Both i. and ii. required for A. 1m B [Context]: Focus of bracketed text is on Burden’s subsequent attempts to match his initial effort. (Clue: ‘try as he might’… ‘he did try’) Burden made an attempt to match / supersede / top his initial / very first showcase (by allowing himself to be crucified on the back of a Volkswagen Beetle.) [Note: Answer should focus on his re-attempt and not on the ‘extreme nature’ of his performance] 1m

Raffles Institution 2025 RI Y6 GP TP P2 (Relevance of Art) 2 2. Explain what the author means by writing ‘there is a broadmindedness so roomy that it is indistinguishable from indifference, and it is lethal’ (lines 14-15). [2m] From the passage/Lift Suggested Answer Marks But there is a broadmindedness so roomy (l.14) A The author implies that the general attitude towards the arts is too / overly / excessively accommodating / liberal. Note: must capture the intensity of “so roomy”. 1-2 pts = 1m 3 pts = 2m that it is indistinguishable from indifference, (l.14-15) B such that we cannot tell it apart from apathy / detachment / a total lack of concern. Note: answer must capture how there is no difference between excessive broadmindedness and indifference and it is lethal. (l.15) C Such an attitude could cause the demise of OR be fatal / deadly to the arts. Must capture the intensity that it is death causing or extremely dangerous.

Raffles Institution 2025 RI Y6 GP TP P2 (Relevance of Art) 3 3. In lines 24-25, what does the author have to say about the future of the art market? [3m] From the passage/Lift Suggested Answer Marks One can expect more such record- breaking in the art market over the next few years as it is (l.24) A [FOCUS: Stronger market (not rate/speed of growth)] The author is implying that the art market will continue to experience increasing/ stronger growth OR new highs in the demand for / value / prices of art, and Must capture the comparative ‘more’. 1m … bolstered by … (l.25) B Focus: Strong growth is fuelled by this growth / expansion is fuelled / driven by 1m Hong Kong dollars, Swiss francs, and Qatari riyals. (l.25) C [INF] Focus: International buyers/clientele OR global demand OR diverse markets demand that comes / arises from buyers / customers / collectors / countries around the world / diverse markets OR international / global / world demand for art. 1m

Raffles Institution 2025 RI Y6 GP TP P2 (Relevance of Art) 4 4. In lines 29-31, what distinction does the author make between what was expected of an informed citizen in the past and what is expected today? [2m] From the passage / Lift Suggested Answer Marks Fifty years ago, educated people could be expected to identify the likes of Saul Bellow, Buckminster Fuller, and Jackson Pollock, (l.29-30) A Point of contrast: 1. Cognitive knowledge/awareness of Arts vs knowledge of the Sciences 2. Students can make a reasonable inference so long as context & support for the distinction is provided e.g. intangible value vs practical application. While enlightened individuals in the past were required to be able to recognise / be acquainted with artists / architects / artistic endeavours, Must capture the expectation placed on informed citizens (based on close reading of the text and repetition of the phrase, “expected to”). 2m or 0 while today one is expected to know about the human genome, AI and the debate over global warming (l.30-31) B educated people today are required to understand / be aware of developments in science / technology.

Raffles Institution 2025 RI Y6 GP TP P2 (Relevance of Art) 5 5. In lines 40-41, the author claims that the arts ‘need to draw inspiration from the society and culture that is its substrate’. How does the metaphor of a ‘plucked flower’ (line 46) support his claim? [2m] From the passage/Lift Suggested Answer Marks Indeed … the arts, which need to draw inspiration from the society and culture that is its substrate. (l.40-41) The human experience is needed to enrich art, and without a meaningful living connection to the society that nurtures it, art is a plucked flower. (l.45-46) A The metaphor supports his claim by showing that [Metaphorical / figurative meaning: To be captured – a flower needs to draw nourishment to survive OR a plucked flower being removed from its source of nourishment] just as / in the same way that i. a flower requires soil / a proper environment / needs to be planted in the ground / soil, OR ii. a plucked flower cannot draw nutrients from the soil / its environment / the ground, 2m or 0 B [Contextual meaning: To be captured – arts need to draw inspiration from / to be connected to society/culture] the arts i. similarly require a deep / significant / real / an authentic link / relationship with society / culture (optional: to thrive / attain value / be enhanced). OR ii. similarly cannot survive / exist without obtaining references / ideas / insights from society and culture.

Raffles Institution 2025 RI Y6 GP TP P2 (Relevance of Art) 6 From Passage 2 6. Summarise what the author has to say about the characteristics and impact of art. Write your summary in no more than 120 words. [8] NOTE: • BOLD = key word(s)/phrase(s) that ideally should be paraphrased • UNDERLINE = key ideas that need to be captured (but need not be paraphrased) From the passage Point Suggested answer Art is anything that stirs something deep within us. (l.1) OR What art depicts can evoke a visceral , almost cellular reaction. (l.10-11) A [Characteristic/Impact: Stirs instinctual response] Art is anything that elicits / brings forth an instinctual / innate / gut response in us. …art has managed to survive the confines of what was considered as ‘true art’’ (l.3-4) B [Characteristic: Resists definition] Art resists definition / cannot be pigeonholed. Art is a form of performative and visual language (l.6) C [Characteristic: Visual communication] [INFERRED – combining both qualities] Art is a form of expression / communication that has to be viewed / seen (to be appreciated). OR [PARAPHRASE – accept either or] Art is a dramatic OR graphic/pictorial form of expression/communication. …it has been an important contributor to an existing discourse (l.6-7) D [Impact: Significantly shapes discussion of issues] Art has been [1] vital in influencing / has profoundly shaped / directed [2] current / contemporary conversations / dialogue. Note: Both [1] and [2] needed It has even created a new narrative around a particular issue (l.7-8) E [Impact: Generated fresh perspectives] Art has even [1] generated novel / fresh / original perspectives / insights [2] about a topic / concern. Art has also exposed issues of social justice (l.8) F [Impact: Uncovered issues of social justice] Art has also brought to light / uncovered social problems / unfairness. As a cultural tool