CJC 2025 JC2 GP PRELIM P2 - Suggested Answers

2025 CJC GP Prelims Paper 2 Suggested Answers. Version: 29 August 2025. 1 Answer all questions Your answers should be:  written in your own words as far as possible. Where you select the appropriate material from the passage for your answer, you must still use your own words to express it.  Written in continuous prose. From Passage 1 1. In paragraph 1, what does the author suggest are the possible consequences of groupthink? [3] From the passage Acceptable answers leading to collective (the question is already about groupthink) emotions of hatred and anger, [both ‘hatred’ and ‘anger’ must be captured] the loss of autonomy and the erasure of personal responsibility a. people would despise/ loathe/ feel resentment and fury/ rage [1] 0 marks = negative feelings (vague)/ disdain/ dislike/ angst/ frustration/ annoyed BOD 1= extreme/ intense dislike/ spite b. … which can lead to erosion/ deprivation/ overwhelm individuals' rationality/ agency/ independent thought/ independence/ control over their own actions [1] 0= individuality/ freedom (on its own =wrong context); losing/ lose = lifted BOD= take charge/ self-control c. … and remove/ reduce personal accountability/ ownership/ culpability [1] 0= reliability/ duty/ onus (wrong context) 2. In paragraph 3, what warning does the author offer about things we might have “come to accept unquestioningly as true” (line 18)? [2] From the passage Acceptable answers Any of us can be susceptible to the subtle social influence that induces groupthink [note: can use the word groupthink] a. … because anybody/ anyone/ any person BOD 1= people/ we/ everybody (accept “any” but not the lifting of “any of us”) …might be vulnerable/ fall prey to/ be an easy target for/ be affected by/ succumb to/ fall victim to/ be defenceless against/ be easily led to believe [note: just ‘believing’ is not the same as ‘susceptible’] [1] b. by the indirect/ unnoticeable/ not obvious/ indistinct. BOD 1= discreet / hidden 0= subconscious/ unknowingly/ discrete (opposite meaning) … social pressure/ impact/ manipulation/ (get swayed) that encourages groupthink [1]

2025 CJC GP Prelims Paper 2 Suggested Answers. Version: 29 August 2025. 2 3. In paragraph 4, what is the author suggesting by using the word “contagious” (line 20)? [2] From the passage Acceptable answers … negative emotions are contagious too. (L19-20) a) [Meaning] spreading [1] 0= affect others (only) [insufficient] … people in a mob barrel through the usual social restraints and erupt into disproportionate violence (clue) b) [Context] feelings of hatred/ anger/ animosity/ brutality/ aggressive feelings spread among themselves 0= bad (only)/ harmful/ adverse BOD 1= very bad (correct intensity) 4. In paragraph 5, why does the author use the word “even” (line 29)? [2] From the passage Acceptable answers Even prestigious Ivy League college campuses are seeing more hate-filled protest activity than they have in the recent past. [FUNCTION] A1. To emphasise/ highlight/ stress OR express disbelief/ shock/ surprise, finds it unexpected/ ironic [1] 0= show/ support his view/ convey/ demonstrate/ prove OR A2. underscore the severity/ pervasiveness/ extent of the situation [1] [CONTEXT] B. This is because Ivy League colleges are typically associated with academic excellence/ rational discourse/ and a degree of social restraint, yet they are not exempt from/ still encounter angry demonstrations/ riots/ disorder/ unruly behaviour these elite institutions would usually be the last place one might expect such riotous behaviour. [1] 0= opposition/ demonstration (without the idea of being hate-filled)

2025 CJC GP Prelims Paper 2 Suggested Answers. Version: 29 August 2025. 3 5. In paragraph 6, how does the use of language convey the author’s criticism of crowds on social media? [2] From the passage Acceptable answers a) cyber mob b) who can use social media to drum up a cyber mob/ online crowds . . . c) can be whipped up in much the same way. d) Online crowds can be as unthinking as in-person ones, and can be whipped up in much the same way. 0 for “found yourself in a crowd shouting hostile slogans in unison about another person or group at the encouragement of a populist leader” as this is not about online crowds 0 for “trolls” and “soapbox orator” (not about crowds on social media) a) The writer uses the word “mob” to show that the crowds on social media are like violent gangs/ unruly/ disorderly/ inflamed or worked up by trouble-makers/ intent on causing trouble/ prone to violence b) Uses the phrase “drum up” to show that crowds can be easily worked up/ provoked/ aroused to anger/ stirred into a frenzy/ craze c) Uses the phrase “whipped up” to show that people can be easily worked up/ provoked/ aroused to anger/ stirred into a frenzy/ craze d) Uses the word “unthinking” to show how crowds can be reckless/ impulsive/ rash/ foolish/ stupid 0= thoughtless (lift of root word) Accept any 2 ideas. [Note: Must quote the actual word/ phrase, then explain it to get the mark]

2025 CJC GP Prelims Paper 2 Suggested Answers. Version: 29 August 2025. 4 From Passage 2 6. Summarise the benefits of crowds. Write your summary in no more than 120 words. [8] From the passage Acceptable answers improved mood a more joyful / cheerful [0= feelings] reduced loneliness b lessened isolation/ alone [0= increase friendships/ connections] greater self-esteem c increased confidence / self-assurance feelings of belonging / feeling part of something that is bigger than yourself d sense of community / identity/ inclusivity/ acceptance major source of well-being e huge source of mental health/ health [0= physical health] greater feelings of social support f heightened sense of group/ community assistance / encouragement/ help/ guidance and life satisfaction g and contentment greater offline civic engagement h more involvement in real-world community affairs we allocate greater cognitive resources—focussed attention and thought i We put in more mental effort/ more alert in terms of what attracts / interests us Emotions, ……take on an intensity that individuals would be hard- pressed to summon on their own j Feelings are heightened beyond what a person would be able to achieve alone we often start to move in time with others k We act together as one/ in-sync helps with the cultivation of empathy l leads to the development of understanding/ ability to relate to others/ reflect the compassion of the collective m demonstrate the sympathy/ care/ kindness/ understanding of the community test the waters for opinions on products and services n gauge / assess views / consumer feedback on products and services trust the judgement of many and the validation it offers o … have faith/ confidence in the evaluation/ assessment and affirmation of the majority reach their audience p Appeal to/ entice/ access their consumer base / customers boost their profitability q and improve / raise their earnings/ increase revenue Points 1-2 3-4 5 6 7 8 9 10 or more Marks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2025 CJC GP Prelims Paper 2 Suggested Answers. Version: 29 August 2025. 5 From all the passages 7 Passage 1 states that crowds may end up ‘sacrificing its effective intelligence and wisdom’ (line 13). Identify one specific idea from Passage 3 which can be used to support this statement. Justify your answer. [2] Selected idea from Passage 3 Suggested paraphrase of Passage 3 Suggested Justification Joining crowds can rob us of our agency, our capacity for rational thought (line 1) a. We lose our capacity /ability to be logical / reasoned [1] This supports the idea