EJC 2026 Prelim P2

1 EUNOIA JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 Preliminary Examination 2026 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Higher 1 GENERAL PAPER Paper 2 INSERT 8881/02 28 August 2026 1 hour 30 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST This Insert contains the passages for comprehension. This document consists of 4 printed pages.

2 Passage 1. Eason presents the harms of pursuing wealth. 1 Amid the shimmering allure of riches, a deeper narrative unfolds, often overlooked in the pursuit of currency. What truly beckons when one chases wealth? The quest for wealth is a universal theme. It is a race set against the backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers, with dollar signs lighting up our eyes and dreams of a better and more comfortable life. Money, with its promises of luxury, security, and status, is our number one modern aspiration. Sadly, what if this relentless pursuit has costs we have not fully accounted for? Beneath the glossy surface of affluence, are there shadows cast by the blinding lights of wealth? 5 2 It is so easy to get caught up in the idea that once you have a hefty bank balance, all your worries will simply melt away. More often than not, people get caught up in the rat race, chasing fleeting financial goals. Sure, it can make many aspects of life more comfortable, but thinking it is a golden ticket to a problem -free life? That is a bit of a stretch. Even with a cushy bank account, it is essential to remember that life, with all its unpredictability, does not play favourites based on your financial status. 10 3 Ever caught yourself saying, ‘I wish I had more time’? We race after the never-ending subsequent promotion or business opportunity, chasing every dollar, all for the supposed life without worries. Yet, in the process, we often leave behind precious moments we cannot get back. Very few actually manage to achieve the lifestyle we desire while balancing work and life. We simply end up in a perpetual race. It is not just about reaching the top but about continuously staying there, and giving up what is important in life. 15 20 4 Looking back, we see the gaps in our personal timelines, all because we swapped those golden moments for another pointless hour in the office. As they say, time is the one thing you cannot buy back. Often, we pursue that upscale lifestyle – the high- end cars, the spacious house, or that ornate watch . Yet, we forgo the emotional intimacy forged through family dinners and time spent with loved ones, or the irreplaceable milestones of life such as watching your children take their first steps. So, we hustle, only to obtain transient rewards and promotions, if we are lucky. 25 5 The blinding drive to chase more often blurs the lines between work and rest, until there is no distinction at all. This severely harms our physical health. Denying the rest we need can lead to chronic fatigue, lowered immunity, and a host of other health issues. Perhaps the most insidious impact is on our mental well -being. In today’s world, the rise of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse is startling. It is even more alarming when linked to the relentless pursuit of material wealth. Paradoxically, we attain these extrinsic goals and they make us happy. Yet, the rabbit hole of emotional and psychological turmoil from the pursuit endures. 30 35 6 Perhaps it is time to reassess our relentless drive for wealth . After all, is it not happiness, fulfilment, and peace of mind a truer, more sustainable gauge of a life well-lived? As Felix Dennis (a self-made multi-millionaire) once said, ’People who get trapped in the tunnel vision of making money think that is all there is to life.’ 40

3 Passage 2. Holmes writes how money grants various benefits. 1 Having money helps us in many ways. One reason for this is the ‘time tax’ poor people pay just to accomplish everyday tasks. To find affordable housing, they often have to live f arther from their work, resulting in longer commutes. Those who can afford to live near business centres spend less time travelling to work. The time saved through money can be spent on meaningful activities like cultivating relationships. 5 2 If you have to get home in the middle of a vacation because of a crisis, having money means you can book a flight at premium fares without blinking. If a family member is sick, having money means being able to get them urgent care. It seems clear that having money during a crisis can reduce stress. 10 3 Beyond baseline security, money can also facilitate greater choice. When you do not have to worry about your basic survival, you get to think more about what you want out of life. You can choose what kind of work you want to do. You can pursue a risky startup or work in the arts instead of working a 9-to-5 job. 4 Wealth provides better living conditions, such as greater access to green space and lower noise levels, factors that promote long-term health. Such wealthier areas also provide access to premium exercise services and healthy foods, preventing potential health problems from becoming acute or chronic. Correspondingly, without money, many people are forced to work in conditions that are suboptimal for health, including manual labour that causes repetitive stress injuries, shift work or even exposure to toxic substances. 15 20 5 If it were not for money, many couples would not have a child at all. Assisted reproductive technologies are expensive. They are a sizable expense even for high- income earners. Even if you do not need fertility treatments to start your family, money can still be a consideration as couples find it increasingly hard to have children without making sacrifices that compromise their own happiness. 25 6 When we look at the systems that hold us back from change, we nearly always find that money is a major factor. If the system runs on money, then let us use money to change the system. What injustices would you rectify? How could money bring your life more into alignment with your values? While money cannot buy love, inspiration or community, it still plays a big role in our well-being. 30

4 Copyright Acknowledgement: Reading Passages © Adapted from Chasing Money: The Hidden Costs Beyond Wealth. [https://www.adam-eason.com/10-ways- you-benefit-from-embracing-uncertainty/] © Adapted from What If Money Does Buy Happiness After All?. [http://easyplanners.info/the-importance-and- benefits-of-planning-ahead/] © Adapted from The Hidden Cost of Chasing Wealth. [https://vocal.media/motivation/the-hidden-cost-of- chasing-wealth-9g28a0b6q] Passage 3. A motivation expert reflects on the need for wealth. 1 Perhaps the most dangerous cost of chasing wealth is the illusion of success. When I finally bought that expensive car, I felt proud – for about a week. Then the excitement faded, and I was already craving the next thing. A bigger house, a higher salary, a flashier vacation. 2 Wealth is a moving target. What begins as a pursuit of comfort easily becomes a race where satisfaction always feels one step ahead. The ‘finish line’ keeps shifting, leaving us exhausted but never fulfilled. It took a long time – and several painful lessons – for me to see the truth. Wealth is not wrong. Money itself is not evil. In fact, it can create opportunities, provide stability, and reduce unnecessary stress. But when wealth becomes the center of our lives, we risk losing the very things that make life worth living. 5 10 3 Wealth promises security, but the process of acquiring it can quietly rob us of connection. I remember one evening when I came home exhausted, laptop still open in my hand. My partner had prepared dinner, waiting for