SS Prelim 2021 - SJI

1 ST JOSEPH’S INSTITUTION PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2021 (YEAR 4) CANDIDATE NAME CLASS INDEX NUMBER HUMANITIES Paper 1: Social Studies Additional Materials : Writing Paper 2272/01 2273/01 24 August 2021 1 hour 45 minutes (08:00 – 09:45) This document consists of 7 printed pages including this cover page. [Turn Over] wendytb96

2 SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Answer all questions. Being Part of a Globalised World 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 which 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. - Inference website with worldwide articles Why was the infographic published? Explain your answer. [6] 2 Study Sources B and C. Does Source B agree with Source C? Explain your answer. [6] 3 Study Source D. - Purpose  Cartoon press Are you surprised by Source D? Explain your answer. [6] 4 Study Sources E and F. - Supporter opponent Prop Dev Does Source F prove that the cartoonist (Source E) is wrong about government support for companies during the COVID -19 recession? Explain your answer. [7] 5 ‘Singapore businesses need government support to cope with the COVID-19 recession.’ Using the sources in the case stud y, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10] wendytb96

3 Are Singaporean businesses able to survive the COVID-19 economic recession? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. The COVID-19 recession is an ongoing global economic recession that has occurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recession is currently the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression . Following a global economic slowdown during 2019 that saw stagnation of stock markets and consumer activity, the COVID-19 lockdowns and other precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic threw the global economy into crisis. On 28 Apr il 2020, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in its latest half -yearly economic review that Singapore will enter into a recession becaus e of the blow from the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in job losses and lower wages. Some industries, such as the retail industry, the food and beverage industry and the tourism industry, have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. Many companies and bu siness owners have struggled to cope with a drastic loss of income while at the same time, also managing their various costs such as labour costs or rental costs. Study the following sources to find out how Singaporean companies are able to survive the COVID-19 economic recession. Source A: An infographic created by the Ministry of Finance published in a newspaper in Singapore. wendytb96

4 Source B: An extract of an article published in a newspaper in Singapore. Source C: An extract of an article published by GoBusiness, the Singapore government’s online platform for businesses to access government electronic services and resources. Source D: An extract of an article published online by One Championship, a Singaporean-based company. The Covid-19 pandemic may have stopped mixed martial arts pro motion company, One Championship , from holding large scale fights but the company has figured out how the show can go on: Digitally. Besides live-streaming fights so that fans can tune in from wherever they are, we are working on taking the digital experi ence to the next level by offering data - driven insights for viewers as they stream live shows. For example, statistics could be displayed onscreen in real time to demonstrate the speed of a particular punch or kick. Going forward, we are also exploring the possibility of other cutting -edge concepts such as the use of holographic computing to help athletes visualise fights. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workforce Singapore (WSG), in collaboration with the Public Service Division (PSD) and various government agencies, launched the SGUnited Jobs Initiative and SGUnited Traineeships Programme to create jobs. This was part of the Resilience Budget to create more opportunities for jobseekers and workers affected by the COVID -19 situation, as well as match them to available jobs, including new ones created as a result of COVID-19. The initiative also aims to help businesses that are recruiting for the eventual recovery, as well as those with short -term manpower needs due to disruptions in labour supply. Whether you are looking to tackle the ongoing economic challenges, attract and retain local manpower, or improve productivity and innovation, WSG has the following programmes to provide you with support and resources customised for your manpower needs. An $800 million support package that includes enhanced wage subsidies under the Jo bs Support Scheme (JSS) and rental relief will be rolled out by the government to help businesses and workers cope with the economic impact of Covid-19. Announcing the measures on Friday (May 28), Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said affected gyms, fitness studios and performing arts and arts education centres will get 50 per cent of salary support for local employees under the JSS. Sectors that do not have to suspend operations but are significantly affected by the measures will get 30 per cent of JSS subs idies. This will help retailers, personal care service providers, museums, art galleries, historical sites, cinemas, indoor playgrounds and other family entertainment centres. Other businesses that wish to appeal for the enhanced JSS support can do so. wendytb96

5 Source E: A cartoon published online by a business magazine. Source F: An extract from a report published by a Singapore consultancy company that provides the service of helping businesses to grow. Consumer behaviours and demand patterns are likely to have changed significantly and will continue to do so post COVID -19. With the work -from-home arrangement and the increased use of online communication platforms, there is no doubt that the world will emerge from this pandemic into a dig