VJC 2026 Prelim P2

1 VICTORIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2026 HIGHER 1 GENERAL PAPER 8881/02 Paper 2 INSERT 1 hour 30mins READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST This Insert contains the passages for comprehension. This document consists of 4 printed pages. [Turn over

2 Passage 1. The author discusses the shifts and decline in third places. 1 Where do you go when you are neither at school, at work nor at home? For some, the answer lies in a "third place": perhaps a library, neighbourhood café or community centre. For many others, however, no such destination readily comes to mind. Coined by soc iologist Ray Oldenburg, the term third place refers to informal public spaces where people gather, unwind and cultivate relationships beyond the confines of domestic and professional life. Yet escalating living costs, together with the ubiquity of digitally mediated interaction, have progressively hollowed out these once-vibrant communal spaces. The gradual disappearance of third places has eroded opportunities for meaningful social encounters, contributing to a growing sense of loneliness, particularly among younger generations. 5 10 2 Traditionally, third places were often where people could linger without the pressure to spend much money. Today, corporations have hijacked the idea of the third place, repackaging what was once an organic social institution into a mere marketing tool. St arbucks, perhaps the most recognisable example, explicitly branded itself as a “third place” in the 1990s, creating environments where customers could gather, work, or relax while enjoying a coffee. While these corporate third places often provide a consis tent and “welcoming” experience – comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, ambient music – they are inherently transactional. 15 3 The corporatisation of third places has introduced financial barriers that fundamentally undermine their inclusivity. Rather than functioning as genuinely egalitarian spaces, third places now feel exclusive, due to the pricing that often caters to a more affluent clientele. This is the consequence of a culture obsessed with wealth and status. As corporate third places flourish, many grassroots third places struggle to survive. The latter often lack the financial resources to compete with large chains able t o exploit economies of scale and brand recognition. Escalating rents and shifting consumer habits have also played a role in making it difficult for these smaller spaces to stay afloat. 20 25 4 At the same time, modern society presents us with the curious paradox of the Internet as a supposed third place. On the one hand, online forums, gaming communities and social media provide highly accessible places for interaction and belonging. The interne t, mobile phones and video games have opened a multiverse of new connections and opportunities. Nonetheless, digital interactions have proved incapable of replicating the emotional richness of face -to-face encounters, spawning a loneliness epidemic. 30 35 5 Finally, in most major cities, there is extreme segregation between wealthy communities and poor communities. Wealthy people live in places where they can have big, gated houses, their own swimming pool and private park. In contrast, lower-income and even middle-class families find themselves living in places where there are not enough public spaces. 40 6 While physical third places are not quite extinct, they are endangered. The erosion of such places may have lasting consequences on society and culture as their loss may lead us to become increasingly isolated and polarised. There needs to be more effort on the part of civil society, businesses and governments to preserve third places and enable them to organically thrive. Given humanity's enduring need for belonging and meaningful social connection, physical third places are an essential, irreplaceable aspect of healthy modern life. 45

3 Passage 2. The author discusses the importance of third places. 1 2 In a world where many aspects of our lives are becoming increasingly individualised, third places offer something that is often overlooked: a sense of community. This is particularly important in an era where we are experiencing a crisis of connection. By giving us opportunities to interact with a wider range of people, third places help reduce feelings of loneliness. Being in such communities can even increase our self - esteem, when other members validate us. 5 3 As supportive environments for people from all walks of life, third places bring together those whose paths might otherwise not converge. Furthermore, because everybody tends to be level in third places, they can be great places to increase social capital and help us progress in the world. Third places give us a release from the stressors of modern life when it can be difficult to establish a healthy work -life balance, providing spaces where we can enjoy ourselves. 10 4 Many of us can work remotely at least some of the time, and working from a third place like a library or a coffee shop can be a happy medium between going into the office and working at home in isolation. They give us the chance to change our environments, something that increases our productivity. However, this does mean that some of our third places can be filled with people who, while physically present, are not interacting with one another. 15 5 Third places can transform a neighbourhood into a welcoming home, but only if we take ownership of them. City officials, architects, designers, and others who build and maintain them have a responsibility to ensure that they are safe, accessible, and useful. Individuals can engage with these places by participating in events and being open to conversations. Third places can also help themselves by promoting active rather than passive interaction. They are where people are welcome to drop in, linger, and mak e conversation with others, whether they know them well or not. 20 25 6 We need to utilise the third places in our communities as much as we can. With work, caring responsibilities, and just the chores of day -to-day life, finding the time to visit third places can be difficult and unrealistic. Even then, just short amounts of time when we are able to can go a long way.

4 Passage 3. This passage describes the author’s experience with third places. 1 Much of my teenage years was spent on TV shows, and for one reason perhaps – I was a lonely teenager left to my own devices and watching them helped me live vicariously through them. What they had in common was a sense of camaraderie and friendship so palp able I could feel it through the screen. It was only years later I understood why. They all had places to hang out, a “headquarters” of sorts where people could touch base and cultivate the type of friendships I longed to have; Gilmore Girls had Luke’s Diner, Friends had Central Perk, while Dr. Who had the TARDIS. 5 2 Now, my friends and I don't really have a permanent headquarters. Instead, we drift between different places depending on what we're in the mood for. On some weekends, I run with the same group of people before grabbing breakfast together. Other times, I find myself at a silent reading club, where everyone spends almost an hour reading quietly before conversations begin to flow organically. Over time, I've realised that we're not searching for one giant circle of friends; we're building little communities instead. 10 15 3 That doesn't mean these spaces are perfect. Some of them revolve around expensive hobbies or t