SCGS 2024 SS Prelim with Ans

1 SINGAPORE CHINESE GIRLS’ SCHOOL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2024 SECONDARY FOUR O-LEVEL PROGRAMME SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Living in a Diverse Society - How can discrimination in workplace be managed? 1 Study Source A. What is the message of this source? Explain your answer using details from the cartoon. [5] ANSWER: Note: 2 short PEEL paragraphs. Do NOT overwrite! There are two messages in the source. Firstly, it suggests women facing discrimination at the workplace due to many reasons that are beyond their control. This is evident as the source shows both a male and a female at a weighing scale, and the scale is tipping against the female, indicating that in the workplace, women are not at a level playing field. Secondly, it shows the reasons faced by women, such as ‘caregiving responsibilities, unequal pay, gender bias’. This can be difficult to remove due to longstanding society’s perceptions. It shows women to be discriminated and cannot find equality with men. 2 Study Sources B and C. How similar are these two sources? Explain your answer. [7] ANSWER: NOTE – It is very hard to detect purpose and perspectives in Sources B and C to show Comparison or contrast. To have better TIME MANAGEMENT, 2 x BOC paragrpahs o Similar in Message o Different in Message And go to Question 3 first. Both sources are similar in stating a declining trend in workplace discrimination. (BOC Statement) This is evident in Source B where it shows the incidence of discrimination is declining from 24.1% in 2018 to 8.2 % in 2022. Thus, less people in Singapore is facing workplace discrimination. This is also reflected in Source C where the source states ‘Fewer Singapore residents in the labour force faced discrimination at work.’ Thus, less Singaporeans are affected by workplace discrimination. Next, both sources are different about the types of discrimination one would experience at the workplace. (BOC Statement) Source B states that discrimination would come in the form of ‘age, mental health and race’ while Source C states ‘females were more likely than males to experience discrimination at work, which commonly occurred through unequal distribution of workload.’ Source B shows discrimination based on race while Source C shows discrimination based on Gender.

2 3 Study Sources D and E. Having read Source D, was Source E surprising? Explain your answer. [7] ANSWER: Note: o Contrast Source D to Source E first – in their claims o Source E is the target / main source , cross check Source E to another source outside Source D o Then check if Source E is from a different perspective to Source D. Answer using perspective (and not purpose) Having read Source D, Source E is surprising as it contradicts Source D about the impact of legislation of workplace discrimination. Source E suggest legislation might not be effective and this is evident as the source states ‘When it comes to gender stereotyping, legislation may not address this for gender stereotyping in th e workplace is rooted to structures in the society that reinforce ideas of gender inequality.’ Hence, legislation might be powerless to stop workplace discrimination as perceptions are difficult to change. On the other hand, Source D feels that legislation can offer protection, and this is evident as the source states ‘A key plank in the Government's efforts will be the creation of a tribunal to deal with workplace discrimination. This will protect workers against discrimination.’ The author feels that legislation will deter discrimination form employers. However, Source E is not surprising when I cross refer to Source C. Source E states the need to solve workplace discrimination without resorting to confrontation . This is evident in Source E states ‘You don't want to ruffle any feathers so it can be challenging to have some kind of voice when these situations arise.’ Thus, the need to prevent conflicts arising in the workplace suggest that it is best to solve disputes in a peaceful manner. Similarly, Source C also shows that discrimination can be managed via an alliance of employees, employers and the government and this is evident as the source states ‘Fewer Singapore residents in the labour force faced discrimination at work and during their job searches last year. This is possible following efforts by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices*. Hence, this tripartite alliance can help to mitigate the impact of discrimination. Source E is thus reliable and having read Source D, Source E is not surprising. Critical Analysis of Provenance - Using ‘Perspective in Source D’ In addition, Source E is not surprising as it is dated after Source D, the ‘creation of a tribunal to manage discrimination’ might not have in in place yet. Moreover, the perspective of Maya, a women employee, is not unusual as she is speaking from her experience in her workplace. The government’s perspective in Source D , offered by PM Lee Hsien Loong is one of national strategy to combat discrimination, but in Source E, the changes to adapt to government direction takes time and sometimes, workplace cultures such as ‘men were better at advertising and creative work’ are harder to change quickly over time. Hence, Source E is not actually surprising as some women like Maya could still face discrimination at work,

3 4 Study Source F. How useful is this source as evidence about workplace discrimination ? Explain your answer. [6] ANSWER: Note: A source is useful if it helps your understanding! ▪ Source F is from AWARE, it is hard to state that it has a motive as its mission statement is to help to fight discrimination. ▪ Hence, one cannot be cynical and claim it has an ulterior motive. ▪ Thereby, from the prov enance and the context, A WARE does offer information to aid your understanding. The source is useful in showing there is workplace discrimination for women in Singapore. This is evident as the author of Source F states ‘her supervisor yelled at her and disparaged her at a meeting, criticising her “attitude” when she was pregnant and implying that her taking maternity leave showed a lack of concern for her work.’ This shows that she faced gender discrimination as taking maternity leave led to a negative response from her superior. Similarly, Source A shows women being discriminated in the workplace. This is evident in Source A where it shows both a male and a female at a weighing scale, and the scale is tipping against the female, indicating that in the workplace, women are not at a level playing field. since Source A corroborates with Source F, Source F is thus reliable hence useful/ 5 m Using analysis of provenance and also showing understanding of CONTEXT The source is useful in showing women faced discrimination in Singapore as the source came from AWARE, whose responsibility is to remove gender-based barriers to create gender equality. They are the organization to go to for women who faced discrimination and therefore, they will have privilege and access to all cases of discrimination. The source was released in 2022 where the government is focusing on workplace discrimination, from background information, ‘the proposed legislation … to impose penalties for companies that engage in workplace discrimination.” AWARE is sharing more stories of discrimination in support of the government’s move as both their objectives are aligned. Source F, with its expertise and research is timely and reliable and hence useful.

4 5 ‘The government should be responsible for managing workplace discrimination.’ Using the sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement.