2025 EJC JC2 GP Prelim P2 Insert

1 EUNOIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 Preliminary Examination 2025 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Higher 1 GENERAL PAPER Paper 2 INSERT 8881/02 29 August 2025 1 hour 30 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST This Insert contains the passages for comprehension. This document consists of 4 printed pages.

2 Passage 1. An author presents the benefits of embracing uncertainty. 1 Life is unpredictable. From career decisions to personal relationships, we are constantly faced with uncertain situations that can lock us in moments of anxiety and stress. However, when we approach uncertainty as an invitation to discover and explore, we will be able to manage ourselves better. It enables us to test our ability to regulate negative emotions and to identify other psychological strengths that may need further development — uplifting us in all aspects of our lives. In other words, learning to live with insecurity is the only way to feel truly secure. 5 2 Uncertainty is often accompanied by ambiguity, and when we are faced with ambiguity, we are forced to think critically and creatively. Caught in a maze of unfamiliarity, we come to a slow realisation that the usual methods and strategies that we use in known and predictable situations no longer achieve anything. We come to accept the need to adapt to new situations, and this requires thinking outside the box and coming up with creative solutions. 10 3 Fortunately, such a shift in mindset often brings positive developments, even if we may be far from anticipating these during our moments of discomfort. Embracing uncertainty and being flexible can broaden our understanding of the world around us, fostering compassion and a deeper appreciation for the richness of human experience. In 2015, Germany ventured into murky waters by opening its borders to over a million refugees despite political and social risks. While this policy has recently been faced with controversy, anyone capable of deeper reflection cannot deny that it has opened important conversations about the plight of others and urged us to reflect on our shared responsibility towards those who are suffering. 15 20 4 While it may not happen smoothly, e mbracing uncertainty makes us more resilient over time, allowing us to adapt and recover from unexpected challenges . This was clearly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when communities quickly adjusted to public health measures and developed remote work solutions. Ultimately, a society comfortable with uncertainty is less likely to succumb to panic and thus makes better decisions. This fosters stronger social cohesion and reduces collective anxiety by accepting that not everything can be fully prepared for. 25 5 In professional settings, the willingness to step into the unknown is an asset . In today’s fast-paced business environment, change is inevitable, and companies that