2024 RI Y5 GP Promo P2 Answer Scheme

Raffles Institution  2024 Y5 GP Promotion Exam  P2 Answer Scheme  1    From Passage 1 1. Why does the author include the phrase “near ly one for every person” (line 6) between dashes? [2] From the passage/Lift Pt Suggested Answer Marks some of the 250 million animals — nearly one for every person — who populate American households. (lines 6-7) A [FUNCTION] The author wants to emphasise/highlight/underscore 1m B [CONTEXT] the sheer number/large number /scale of pets/great extent in American households/how widespread pet ownership is in America. Note: Intensity must be captured 1m 2. In lines 11-14, what contrast does the author make in his observations about pet ownership? [2] From the passage/Lift Pt Suggested Answer Marks there are deep shadows beneath the sunny narrative of pet ownership, (lines 11-12) things like physical abuse, animal hoarding, puppy mills, and dog fighting. But beyond such extremes, Pierce’s work aims to direct our gaze to where more subtle but far more common forms of neglect and cruelty lie. (lines 12-14) A1 B1 [CONTRAST: Positive perception vs. Existing cruelty] The author contrasts the positive perception that people have of pet ownership with the worrying/concerning mistreatment like pet abuse. 2m or 0m there are deep shadows beneath the sunny narrative of pet ownership, (lines 11-12) things like physical abuse, animal hoarding, puppy mills, and dog fighting. But beyond such extremes, Pierce’s work aims to direct our gaze to where more subtle but far more common forms of neglect and cruelty lie. (lines 12-14) A2 B2 [CONTRAST: Visible vs. Hidden] The author contrasts the visible/superficial perception that people have of pet ownership with the underlying/hidden reality of how pets are often abused.

Raffles Institution  2024 Y5 GP Promotion Exam  P2 Answer Scheme  2    3. According to the author in lines 26-30, what are three expectations of pet owners that are unrealistic? [3] From the passage / Lift Su ggested Answer Marks We demand companionship with as little friction as possible (line 26) A The first unrealistic expectation is that pet owners insist on affection/company with minimal difficulty/resistance, Any 3 for 3m expecting our pets (especially dogs) to always be docile and agreeable (lines 26-27) B expecting pets to be compliant/pliable /cooperative at all times adapt quickly to the human world, with its countless rules and norms that mean nothing to them (lines 27-28) C and to adjust with speed to a human world/context that is not relevant to them/that does not make sense to them. (Inferred) And when they inevitably fail to do so at first, we deem their natural habits misbehaviour in need of correction, or abandonment. (lines 28- 30) D And when the pets (predictably) miss the mark, pet owners judge their innate behaviour to be wrong/to be in need of punishment/retraining or desertion. (Inferred) 4. Explain how the situation in paragraph 5 demonstrates that the relationship between pets and their human owners is “uneven”. [2] From the passa ge / Lift Su ggested Answer Marks Just how uneven the relationship is between pets and their human owners was demonstrated during the pandemic when, lonely and stuck at home, one in five households easily adopted a new pet. (lines 33-35) A [KEY IDEA: ease of adoption vs. difficulty of adjusting to owners’ absence] The situation demonstrates the unevenness by showing how, (Inferred) to cope with their isolation (during the pandemic), people chose/were able to adopt pets without (any) difficulty. 1m As new pet owners returned to work, however, their newly lonely pets struggled with the sudden change (lines 35-36) B (Inferred) Yet, the pets had no choice but to contend with/found it challenging/were unable to cope with the abrupt adjustment/ unexpected loss of their owners’ presence (once they went back to their offices). 1m

Raffles Institution  2024 Y5 GP Promotion Exam  P2 Answer Scheme  3    5. Suggest one purpose for listing the actions of the “newly lonely pets” (line 36) after the pandemic ended. [1] From the passage/Lift Suggested Answer Marks their newly lonely pets struggled with the sudden change, showing high rates of chewing, digging, barking, escaping, pacing, hiding, and indoor urination and defecation. (lines 36- 38) [KEY IDEA: Severe difficulty of coping] He wants to emphasise/highlight the great extent to which the suddenly isolated pets struggled with their owners’ unexpected absence. OR [KEY IDEA: Extreme irresponsibility of owners] He wants to demonstrate just how incredibly/extremely irresponsible the pet owners are as they adopted pets and then went off to work to the detriment of their pets’ wellbeing. Note: Intensity must be captured 1m 6. In paragraph 6, how confident is the author t hat there will be a solution to the dilemma of pet ownership? [1] From the passage/Lift Suggested Answer Marks I am increasingly inclined to think the answer could be yes — or that at the very least, there should be far fewer pets, and those owners should be prepared to put in the time and effort to provide them with far better lives. However, abolishing pet ownership is a political and cultural nonstarter. What might be more realistic is to radically rethink how we acquire and treat them, and just what we owe them. (lines 41-46) [KEY IDEA – EXTENT OF CONFIDENCE] He is not very/fully confident of a solution to the problem. 1m

Raffles Institution  2024 Y5 GP Promotion Exam  P2 Answer Scheme  4    From Passage 2 7. Summarise what the author has to say about the benefits of owning pets. Write your summary in no more than 120 words. [8] NOTE:  BOLD = key word(s)/phrase(s) that ideally should be paraphrased  UNDERLINE = key ideas that need to be captured (but need not be paraphrased) Source/Point Possible paraphrase increase in physical activity… This regular physical activity translates to a multitude of health improvements, including a stronger heart, lower blood pressure, and improved cholesterol levels, for both the human and the dog. (lines 2-7) A [Focus: Increased physical activity that leads to many health benefits] We engage in more physical exercise/movement, leading to numerous/diverse/many/a variety of health benefits. Pets also play a significant role in managing stress. (line 7) B [Focus: Greatly reduces stress] Pets greatly contribute to dealing/coping with stress. OR greatly alleviating tension/strain. Owning a pet often necessitates a structured routine, as they require regular feeding, walks, and playtime. This schedule can indirectly influence our own routines, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, especially for individuals who lack a sense of daily purpose. (lines 10-13) C [Focus: Pets need orderly routines, encouraging healthy living] Pets need order/planning/routines which promotes/contributes to healthy/active living/well- being for owners, particularly those without daily routines. Note: Cause and effect sequence must be captured Additionally, pets that require frequent outdoor activities motivate us to spend more time in nature, which has well-documented benefits for overall well-being. (lines 13-15) D [Focus: Well-being improves from being in nature] Being outdoors/in nature with our pets contributes to our general well-being/overall health. BOD: welfare caring for pets can also indirectly encourage healthier eating habits. The routine involved in pet feeding may influence our own eating patterns, and we might find ourselves drawn to making healthier choices not just for our pets but for ourselv