FMSS 2026 4Exp Social Studies Prelim (w ans)

FMS(S) Sec 4 Exp/5 N(A) Preliminary Examination 2026 Humanities Paper 1 (Social Studies) FAIRFIELD METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2026 SECONDARY 4 EXPRESS / 5 NORMAL (ACADEMIC) HUMANITIES 2260/01 2261/01 Paper 1 Social Studies Date: 24 August 2026 Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes Candidates answer on the Answer Booklet. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name, index number and class on all the work you hand in. Section A Answer all questions. Section B Answer both questions. You are to answer Section A and Section B on separate answer booklets. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. Setter: Mr Joel Loke and Ms Wong Jiayi This question paper consists of 7 printed pages, including the cover page. [Turn over

FMS(S) Sec 4 Exp/5 N(A) Preliminary Examination 2026 Humanities Paper 1 (Social Studies) 2 Section A (Source-Based Case Study) Answer all questions Citizenship and Governance Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions. You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions, you should use your knowledge of the issue to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1 Study Source A. Why did the author publish this letter? Explain your answer. [6] 2 Study Source B and Source C. How different is Source B and C? Explain your answer. [6] 3 Study Source D. How useful is Source D in telling us about the reason for rising inflation? Explain your answer. [6] 4 Study Source E and Source F. Having read Source E, are you surprised by Source F? Explain your answer. [7] 5 ‘The government is solely responsible for managing rising inflation in Singapore.’ Using the sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

FMS(S) Sec 4 Exp/5 N(A) Preliminary Examination 2026 Humanities Paper 1 (Social Studies) 3 Is rising inflation an increasing challenge for Singaporeans? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Singapore experienced a significant rise in the cost of living driven by high global inflation. Geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and increased import costs drove up the prices of daily necessities, hawker food, and electricity. This financial pressure on citizens was further compounded by the scheduled increases in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which rose to 8% in 2023 and to 9% at the start of 2024. To address this, the government introduced successive financial support packages under the Assurance Package during the 2023 and 2024 National Budgets. This included distributing Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers to all Singaporean households, a s well as providing cash payouts and utility (U -Save) rebates to cushion the impact of inflation. While Singaporeans expect the government to take the lead in managing inflation, others argue that addressing rising inflation requires a collective effort from governments, businesses and citizens. Study the following sources to find out who is responsible for managing the impact of rising inflation in Singapore. Source A: A forum letter published on The Straits Times, 7 September 2023. Singaporeans generally accept and trust that the Government will always act fairly in their best interests. However, as most Singaporeans continue to struggle and cope with the higher cost of living, one wonders if the rising prices of goods and services might trap us in a vicious circle of unending price increases. The transport fare and GST increases are likely to trickle down into higher operating costs for all businesses, including hawkers and coffee shop operators, who will then be compelled to pass on the incremental costs by raising their prices to remain profitable and survive. When will this increasing price spiral end? Although the Government has been rolling out support measures to help low-income families, we should be mindful that they are still most vulnerable, especially the children who might be deprived of some development opportunities as these families scrimp to stay afloat.

FMS(S) Sec 4 Exp/5 N(A) Preliminary Examination 2026 Humanities Paper 1 (Social Studies) 4 Source B: An online infographic from the website ‘ Unusual Hunts’ posted by the Government of Singapore, October 2024. * House brands refer to budget-friendly items manufactured by the local supermarket. Source C: Adapted from a n extract posted by FairPrice Group on its official website, January 2024. Source D: Adapted from a n opinion article published on The Online Citizen , 27 November 2024. The Online Citizen (TOC) is an alternative socio-political platform. FairPrice Group (FPG) announced today a price freeze on popular seafood items and promotion for selected house brand items for the Chinese New Year period. To help all in Singapore to cope better with the cost of living crunch, FPG has been rolling out a series of measures, from GST absorption to CDC return vouchers, to help loosen the strain on household budgets. The price freeze is also part of FPG’s commitment to ensuring that customers have access to quality and affo rdable produce for their Chinese New Year celebrations – traditionally a time where extended families and loved ones across Singapore gather to catch -up and deepen familial bonds. At the PAP’s 70th Anniversary and the election of its 38th Central Executive Committee (CEC) on 24 November 2024, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shifted the narrative by attributing Singapore’s rising costs squarely to “global inflation.”… This raises questions about whether PM Wong is avoiding a deeper issue: the impact of PAP’s own policies in primarily causing high costs across Singapore… Policies such as high indirect taxes (GST and ERP), exorbitant land and rental prices significantly worsen inflation, disproportionately affecting ordinary Singaporeans. The government’s control over land supply has driven up prices for housing, rentals, and properties. Policies such as the Goods and Services Tax, Certificate of Entitlement and Electronic Road Pricing significantly increase costs. The recent GST hikes from 7% to 8%, with another planned increase to 9%, have compounded domestic inflationary pressures, affecting every aspect of daily life. *

FMS(S) Sec 4 Exp/5 N(A) Preliminary Examination 2026 Humanities Paper 1 (Social Studies) 5 Source E: Adapted from a transcript of a speech delivered by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the PAP Party Conference commemorating PAP 70th anniversary, 24 November 2024. Source F: Adapted from a speech delivered by Nominated Member of Parliament Mr Mark Lee during a Parliamentary debate, 7 November 2023 . Mr. Mark Lee is a notable business leader who serves as the CEO of Sing Lun Holdings Pte. Ltd., a privately owned enterprise with a diverse range of business interests worldwide. Frustration with rising cost of living overshadowed other matters, and contributed to strong anti-incumbency feelings. This means whoever is the incumbent in power (i.e. PAP) - there is a strong feeling against that incumbent party... We feel the pressure in Singapore too. The Opposition parties have tried to exploit this issue to turn sentiments against the PAP, even though they themselves do not have good solutions. We hope Singaporeans understand that these are global inflation trends … In Singapore, th