2025 JPJC JC2 GP Prelim_P2_Insert

Name: _________________________________ Class: _____________ JURONG PIONEER JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 Preliminary Examination 2025 GENERAL PAPER 8881/02 Higher 1 15 September 2025 Paper 2 1 hour 30 minutes INSERT READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name and class in the spaces provided above. This Insert contains the passages for Paper 2. This document consists of 4 printed pages.

2 Passage 1. The author writes about how success can be problematic. 1 Money is often equated with success, but this association carries significant societal harm. Those who accumulate substantial wealth can detach from everyday anxieties, enjoying life's pleasures far beyond the average person's reach. Yet, the problem with equating success with financial accumulation is its superficial nature. Money becomes a crude external metric of personal worth, suggesting that those who amass wealth are inherently more valuable. This notion distorts moral values, where financial success overshadows deeper qualities of character such as integrity, compassion, and empathy. 5 2 Such competitiveness inherent in common definitions of success often leads to a toxic environment. Success is always relative, valued only in comparison to others. This breeds a cycle where the successful are driven by an insatiable need for more, never content, always comparing themselves to their peers. High-profile cases like Sam Bankman-Fried exemplify how even the most successful can push ethical boundaries, driven by the endless desire for more. Success, in these terms, clouds judgment, inflating egos and diminishing the sense of vulnerability, leading to potentially disastrous decisions that can have widespread ramifications. 10 15 3 Moreover, the chase for success exacerbates human contradictions – the desires to both fit in and stand out. While success might bring admiration, it is closely trailed by envy and resentment. There is another dark side of success, where notable achievements can lead to a lonely existence, marked by social avoidance and personal disconnect. Consider the case of J.K. Rowling, who became one of the wealthiest authors in the world after the global success of her Harry Potter series. Despite her substantial material success and positive impact on literacy, Rowling's fame also attracted intense public scrutiny and personal criticism. This often invasive attention has led to significant personal challenges, including battles with the media and isolation, illustrating how substantial financial success can paradoxically lead to social isolation and emotional distress. 20 25 4 Furthermore, the freedom promised by success is often illusory. High achievers might escape menial jobs or impoverished living conditions, but they are frequently trapped in a cycle of unending responsibilities. Top executives may have financial security yet lack the freedom to enjoy personal time or pursue interests outside work. The very nature of t