2023 SASS EL Prelims P2 Ans

1 2023 EL 4EX 1184 P2 ANSWER KEY Section A [5 marks] 1 Look at Text 1. Tick ( ) the most effective title for this poster. Bin the right trash! Recycling is everyone’s business! Let’s build a sustainable Singapore. 2 The poster states ‘40% of the items in recycling bins still can’t be recycled due to contamination’. What does the word ‘still’ suggest? It highlights the urgency/importance of recycling the right trash./ It emphasises that many Singaporeans are not recycling the right trash . (context is important) [1] 3 What is the purpose of the speech in text 2? The MP wanted to highlight the challenges of recycling with the purpose to convince the government the need to improve infrastructure to encourage more Singaporeans to recyle. (Intended outcome) …………………………………………………………………………………...... [1] 4 Look at Texts 1 and 2 and statements (a) and (b) below. Decide whether the statements refer to Tex1, Text 2, both texts, or neither text. Circle the answer you have chosen for each statement. (i) Readers are asked to join the writer in taking action. Text 1 / Text 2 / Both / Neither [1] (ii) The tone suggests the writer and the reader are of the same status. Text 1 / Text 2 / Both / Neither [1] √

2 SECTION B ANSWERS (20M) 5 Referring to Paragraph 1, what do these words ‘awoke and decided to go’ (line 2) suggest about the couple’s decision to head to the island for breakfast? ANS It was impromptu / unplanned / done on impulse (spur of the moment) /quick - can accept anything similar [1] 6 (a) Identify one word in Paragraph 2 which suggests that the writer was puzzled by what he was seeing. ANS ‘confounded’ (line 6) [1] (b) The writer ‘saw rental powerboats and Long Tails (Thai Canoes) racing towards us’ (lines 10-11). What were the people trying to do? ANS They were trying to reach the shore as quickly as possible / escape from the waves - Inferential question requiring readers to understand people were trying to escape from an imminent danger. Weaker boys may just think they were racing for fun. [1] 7 (a) Why does the writer describe the wave as ‘a small foam line on the horizon’ (line 12)? ANS To suggest it was far away. [1] (b) In Paragraph 3, what were the two things that made the writer ‘realised it was useless to run’ (line 16)? i He saw that the wave was gaining distance at an unbelievable rate ii The wave hit the power boat and broke it apart - No need to paraphrase but better answers would be those that edit to exclude the unnecessary details [2]

3 8 Give one piece of evidence each from Paragraph 3 about what the writer did or said which suggests that he was (i) a loving husband and (ii) a responsible man. Each answer must not exceed seven words. (i) Loving husband ‘I bear-hugged her’ (lines 16-17) (ii) Responsible man ‘I can’t release her no matter what’ (line 17) - Not interchangeable [1] 9 In Paragraph 4, the writer describes the sea approaching them. Explain how the language used in this paragraph makes the sea seem like an aggressive person or beast. Support your answer with three details from Paragraph 4. ANS 1) ‘boiling froth of sea coming at us with an increasingly loud swishing noise’ (line 18) -- it was going after them with great intensity and sound [or intimidating manner] 2) ‘As it hit, I felt us smacked to the sand instantly’ (line 20) -- violently attacked the couple 3) ‘I could feel us tumbling like toy dolls head over heals along the bottom’ (lines 20-21) -- Force so strong it made them lose control of movement / what was happening to them 4) ‘The pressure and force of the water prevented us from surfacing’ (lines 21-22) -- Wanted/determined to push/keep/press the couple underwater 5) ‘two palm trees drifted wildly by ferocious current’ (line 23) -- Sea was pushing/carrying/destroying palm trees recklessly Any 3. For each mark, candidates must provide a quotation AND an explanation. Must look at the highlighted verbs to show intent. It’s a personification question. [3] 10 ‘Despondent, I had to make it to the surface again and made a final effort to reach the top.’ (lines 32 – 33) What does this suggest about the writer’s attitude to reach the top? Answer in your own words. ANS He was resolute / determined despite the odds to stay alive. -- Must say how he didn’t give in to his despondence [1] Calm / Composed / Collected / Serene / Tranquil / Defeated / Resignation

4 11 ‘I recall saying to myself, “I wonder how long it takes to drown” and “I wonder if it will be quick?”’ (lines 38 – 39) What was the writer’s tone when he said these to himself? Answer in your own word(s). Calm / Composed / Collected / Serene / Tranquil / Defeated / Resignation - Don’t accept peaceful as it’s in the passage [1] 12 From Paragraph 7, which two things did the writer do which showed that he was trying all out to save Helen? (i) He repeatedly grabbed her to pull her out of the water. (ii) He yelled at the man twice to help him. - No need to use evidence but must convey the highlighted words in each part. [2] 13 The writer claimed that his wife was ‘lifeless’ (line 50). Explain how this claim is supported with reference to two pieces of evidence from Paragraph 7. I. ‘She was unconscious, pure white and just staring expressionless.’ (line 42) - She was not moving, looked deathly / devoid of emotions or feelings. II. ‘Helen slipped and began to sink below the water expressionless, her face seemed resigned and to say that she has had enough.’ (lines 44-45) - Not putting on any fight (or moving) as she submerged / went down. - can quote judiciously but must have those underlined words and explain them [2] 14 The structure of the text reflects the main stages of the narrative. Complete the

5 flow chart by choosing one phrase from the box to summarise the main focus of each stage of the narrative. There are some extra phrases in the box you do not need to use. Main focus trying to stay alive determine to succeed an unexpected discovery fearing for the worst frantically seeking help facing up to the threat hoping for the best Flow chart Paragraphs 1-2 (i) an unexpected discovery ↓ Paragraphs 3-4 (ii) facing up to the threat ↓ Paragraphs 5-6 (iii) trying to stay alive ↓ Paragraph 7 (iv) frantically seeking help [4]

6 Section C [25 marks] 15i) In Paragraph 1, what remains shocking for the writer. Answer in your own words. Unlawful hunting for revenue is a big factor in making the species extinct. (2m) ii) State two reasons why the writer finds it shocking. (2m) Alarming consenquences of climate change, rampant deforestation and suffocating plastic pollution- any two 16 In Paragraph 2, the writer states that ‘Even zoos, often regarded as safe havens, have proven incapable of protecting rhinos.’ (lines 12 – 13) What is the writer’s tone when he makes this comment? Disbelief [1] Any other suitable answer 17i) With reference to Paragraph 3, state two consequences caused by illegal tiger farms. Failed to discourage hunting of wild tigers/ more tigers in captive than in the wild/normalize tiger trade / fuel the demand for it [2] ii) Explain why these tiger farms have failed to stop poachers. [1m] As it is more cost effective to kill a wild tiger than to rear one in captivity. 18 Here is part of a conversation between two students, Jonathan and Tommy, who have read the article. (a) With reference to Paragraph 4, in your own words, explain how Jonathan can support his view. [2m] Spotting unlawful hunting activities and looking for the actual place of these products is difficult. (b) Which phrase in Paragraph 4 can Tommy use to support his view? [1m] “Innovations are proving instrumental”

7 19 Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the ways in which various countries are fighting poaching. Use only information from Paragraphs 5 and 6. Your summary must be in continuous writing (not no