TJC 2025 Prelim P2 ans

Temasek Junior College2025 JC2 Preliminary Examination Paper 2 1 2025 JC2 Preliminary ExaminationGENERAL PAPER Paper 2 Suggested AnswersFrom Passage 11.According to the author, why are many shoppers ‘increasingly disillusioned’ (line 6) with online shopping? [2] From the passageSuggested rephraseOnline shopping promises variety (l.6–7)but often delivers frustration in the form of misleading images, vague descriptions, and unpredictable sizing (l.7–8)Many shoppers are increasingly disillusioned because they expected/ were looking forward to// were excited about a wide range of products that they could buy online, [1]but the products they bought were nothing like what was shown online/ fell short of what they looked like online// they were disappointed/ let down by/ dissatisfied/ felt cheated/ scammed by the actual product. [1]**Note: answers which pick points from lines 2 to 6 = 0, because these do not illustrate disillusionment.2.From lines 17–22, explain two ways in which the author uses language to depict the ‘hyper-competitive’ (line 17) environment of online retail. [2] From the passageSuggested rephraseconstant churn of advertising, promotions and discounts (l.18–19)In this race to the bottom (l.19)forced to undercut their profit margins (l.19–20)Businesses slash prices to the bone (l.21–22) The author uses the phrase ‘constant churn’ to show how businesses have to continuously/ keep rolling out strategies to attract consumers. [1]The author uses the phrase ‘race to the bottom’ to show how businesses try to outdo/ compete with one another at huge cost/ with great losses// end up in financial ruin in their quest to outdo one another. [1] The author uses the phrase ‘forced to undercut their profit margins’ to show how the businesses have no choice/ are pressured to keep prices low/ reduce their profits. [1]The author uses the phrase ‘slash prices to the bone’ to describe how businesses compete by reducing prices to the point where they cannot survive/

Temasek Junior College2025 JC2 Preliminary Examination Paper 2 2 barely earn profits. [1]*Any 2 points for 2 marks.3. Explain the author’s use of the phrase ‘endangered species’ (line 27). [2]From the passageSuggested rephraseBrick-and-mortar shops are becoming the endangered species of the retail world. (l.27)Empty storefronts are now a common sight in city centres, as independent shops struggle to compete with global giants like Amazon. (l.27–29)Just as endangered species are dying out/ facing extinction/ becoming fewer in number, [1]brick-and-mortar shops are dwindling/ disappearing/ closing down in large numbers as they are losing consumers to online businesses/ people prefer online shopping. [1]4.What does the phrase ‘quietly siphons’ (line 34) suggest about the impact of online shopping? [2]From the passageSuggested rephraseWe lose a sense of shared space and a connection to our community, (l.33)… life out of the very communities we live in. (l.33–34)as online shopping q