2025 Prelims SAJC P2 Ans

1 SAJC 2025 JC2 Preliminary Exam P2 – Suggested Answers SAQS (11m) Q1: In paragraph 1, explain why the author uses the term ‘ideological straitjacket’ (line 3) to describe woke culture. [2] From the passage Suggested Answers Yet, in its extreme form, it has become something else entirely: an ideological straitjacket that stifles debate, demands ideological purity, and thrives on public shaming rather than meaningful change. The author uses the term ‘ideological straitjacket’ to... A [Reason / Purpose]: make a comparison / draw an analogy OR show that just as how a straitjacket constricts / constrains / traps us, OR employ imagery / metaphor of the ideological straitjacket B [Context]: woke culture constrains / constricts our imagination / logical deductions / ability to think Q2: In paragraph 2, how does the author support his view that “woke culture obsessively cleanses the past” (lines 11 – 12)? [2] From the passage Suggested Answers Since the police killing of George Floyd erupted into the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, woke protesters have defaced and destroyed colonial statues around the world. Race campaigners have also branded the decision not to remove Cecil Rhode’s (a British imperialist linked to the slave trade) statue in Oxford University as an act of institutional racism, ignoring the opportunity to learn from its history and contextualisation. The author cites A [Technique]: the example(s) of how… B [Context]: woke activists damaged / ruined / dismantled / took down colonial statues during the Black Lives Matter BLM protests; OR race campaigners condemned the keeping of Cecil Rhode’s statue—an emblem of British imperialism—at Oxford University as a manifestation of systemic racism.

2 Q3: In paragraph 3, what are the three reasons why woke culture fails to “deal with the complexity of the world” (line 21)? [3m] From the passage Suggested Answers Woke culture also fails to deal with the complexity of the world by reducing individuals to groups based on race, gender and class . It turns complicated issues into simple clashes of good and evil, conferring a halo of virtue on those who pick the right side. In 2023, the Israel-Hamas war shattered this worldview that the powerless can do no wrong, unlike the powerful, and that nobody can be both. The polarised passions and viral slogans were worsened by the echo -chamber effect of social media, where many were transfixed by Hamas’s depredations or Gaza’s agony. This binary worldview is tailor -made for posturing, but it prohibits the nuanced judgments that complicated real-world issues demand. Woke culture A (reducing individuals to groups based on race, gender and class): simplistically / superficially classifies / categorises / characterises / segregates / sorts people by identity markers / by their ethnicity, sex, or wealth/income status, B (turns complicated issues into simple clashes of good and evil): presents complex / intricate / profound problems / matters as shallow / overly basic / binary / black- and-white. Note: black-and-white is accepted due to its negative connotation, but not right vs wrong And C (prohibits the nuanced judgments): impedes / prevents a well-considered / sophisticated / in-depth understanding of the world Q4: What does the author mean when he claims that woke culture is “performative and tokenistic” (line 30)? [2m] From the passage Suggested Answers And posturing it is, for wokeism is performative and tokenistic in nature: Large corporations embracing the language of social justice continue to exploit workers; fashion brands loudly promoting body positivity still encourage excessive consumerism; technology giants championing diversity initiatives routinely ignore children’s rights. He means that wokeism / woke culture is A (performative): an act / insincere / superficial / virtue signalling / put on a show / symbolic i.e. Showiness B (tokenistic): ineffective / not substantive / harming the cause i.e. Uselessness For B, needs the idea of hijacking the cause, thus “harmful” is not sufficient. ‘Merely / just’ – not A.

3 Q5: In paragraph 5, explain two ways in which the author uses language to create a powerful impact on the reader. [2] From the passage Suggested Answers Coercion rather than conversation Black-and-white worldviews, backlash, and ultimately bitterness Black-and-white worldviews, backlash, and ultimately bitterness Like a gardener who uproots every plant that doesn’t bloom immediately—eventually, nothing is left but barren soil. Like a gardener who uproots every plant that doesn’t bloom immediately—eventually, nothing is left but barren soil. Will woke culture now decide whether it wants to be a force for meaningful change, or merely an instrument of moral absolutism? A [Contrasts]: By juxtaposing “coercion” with “conversation,” the author highlights the difference between the forceful imposition of politically correct standards and constructive dialogue. B [Strong Words / Consequential Language]: The author uses strong words like “backlash” and “bitterness” which highlight the negative repercussions of relying on moral absolutism, underscoring how actions based on inflexible judgment only sow further discord and resentment. C [Imagery / Expression]: The imagery / expression of “black-and-white worldviews” further emphasises the lack of nuance in the approach being critiqued, suggesting that such rigidity inevitably leads to oversimplification and division. OR The imagery / expression of barren soil highlights the absolute/abject outcome of a society that cancels people for their imperfections. D [Metaphor / Figurative Language]: The author uses the metaphor of a gardener to highlight that the swift removal of what is not deemed perfect removes the prospect of growth, much like a gardener who destroys plants before they have a chance to flourish. E [Rhetorical Question]: The author uses a rhetorical / closing question in lines 45 to 47 to challenge the reader (and the movement itself) to reflect on its true purpose, encouraging deeper thought about the consequences of such a binary, uncompromising stance. Any 2 points for 2 marks.

4 Cross-Comparison Questions (4m) Q7: Passage 1 states that woke culture has an ‘impulse to suppress all that dissents and offends’ (lines 5 – 6). Identify one specific idea from Passage 3 which can be used to support this statement. Justify your answer. [2m] [Specific idea: dictates alternative views] Suggested Answers Specific idea(s): (i) “…woke culture is fundamentally about control. It is about watching every word, every opinion, every action, in fear that one wrong move could lead to public humiliation and cancellation.” (Para 1) (ii) “Social media is a minefield where people pounce on the smallest misstep. Say the wrong thing, and suddenly, you are the enemy: there is no room for questioning dominant narratives or asking an “unacceptable” question.’ (Para 2) (iii) “Woke culture enforces ideological conformity, policing thought rigidly. If you criticise a prevailing narrative or even suggest a nuanced take, you risk being seen as a traitor.” (Para 3) Idea of suppression has to be conveyed. Paraphrase Passage 3 paragraph X states that… • woke culture is essentially about dictating / dominating / commanding what is acceptable, otherwise people get shamed / disgraced / discredited / deplatformed. • woke culture has given rise to a culture on social media where people immediately criticise / denounce / reject alternative views; OR people fear inquiry / self-censor / live in a climate of fear about expressing different perspectives. • woke culture imposes the same / similar thoughts / perspectives / worldviews, ensuring that no