2025 VJC Prelims H2 ELit P1 QP

VICTORIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2025 HIGHER 2 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH 9539/01 Paper 1 3 hours Additional Materials: Answer Paper Set texts may be taken into the examination room. They may bear underlining, highlighting or vertical lines. Pages can be flagged with paper clips or by folding the page corners. Any other kind of folding or flagging of pages in texts (for example, use of sticky notes or tape flags) is not permitted. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Begin each answer on a FRESH 4-PAGE BOOKLET. If you need additional answer paper ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet and label appropriately. Answer three questions: one question from Section A, one question from Section B, and one question from Section C. You are reminded of the need for good English and clear presentation in your answers. At the end of the examination, ensure your name and class is written at the beginning of each answer. All questions in this paper carry equal marks. This document consists of 9 printed pages [Turn over

2 Section A 1 Either (a) Write a critical comparison of the following poems, considering in detail ways in which language, style and form contribute to each poet’s presentation of national monuments. A Us by the Merlion When I told you there were many islands that could be loved by you other than this, you shook your head and Mona-Lisa-smiled. I dry-heaved till I merlioned. Take that, it seemed to say, the puke stain on your shoe, so much for claiming to be well-travelled and worldly-wise. Who could love a prison? Did swallowing myths morph away your mind? Of course not. But how else could you account for loyalty instead of turning tail? Because what we hate is but a brief slice, when there are many more days it has seen. In the distance, the creature spewed, its spray never quite reaching us here where we stood. Ian Chung 5 10 B The New Colossus1 Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Emma Lazarus 5 10 1 Colossus: refers to the ancient Colossus of Rhodes, a massive bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios . New Colossu