2020 S4 SS Prelims QP

This paper consists of 7 printed pages and 1 blank page. Page 1 of 7 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION 2020 Subject : Humanities (Social Studies) Paper : 2272/01, 2273/01 Level : Secondary 4 Express Date : Tuesday, 18 August 2020 Duration : 1 hour 45 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST An Answer Book will be provided with this Question Paper. You should follow the instructions on the front cover of the Answer Book. If you need additional answer paper, you may request from the invigilator. Sections A and B Answer all the questions. Please begin your response to each question on a fresh page. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question.

Nan Hua High School Humanities (Social Studies) Preliminary Examination 2020 2272/01, 2273/01 Page 2 of 7 SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study) Questions 1 to 5 are compulsory for all candidates. Exploring 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 topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1. Study Source A. Why do you think this Instagram post was published? Explain your answer. [5] 2. Study Sources B and C. Do you think the writer in Source B would agree with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Source C? Explain your answer. [7] 3. Study Source D. How useful is this source as evidence about Singaporeans ’ response to climate change? Explain your answer. [6] 4. Study Sources E and F. Does Source E make Source F surprising? Explain your answer. [7] 5. ‘Individual action is the best method in mitigating climate change.’ Using sources in the case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement. [10]

Nan Hua High School Humanities (Social Studies) Preliminary Examination 2020 2272/01, 2273/01 Page 3 of 7 How is Singapore preparing for climate change? BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you to answer some of the questions. The global climate is changing. Average global temperature and sea levels are expected to rise if carbon emission from human activities continue s to grow unchecked, and extreme weather events are likely to become more intense and frequent. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally 2019 described that climate change is “one of the gravest challenges facing humankind” and Singapore must act now or face the “ultimate threat to human survival” . He highlighted that Singapore must understand what it means for the country and take steps to mitigate and adapt to it. He also outlined how vulnerable Singapore is to the effects of climate change, particularly rising sea levels, and what the Government and Singaporeans are doing to prepare the Republic. Study the following sources to assess how Singapore is preparing for climate change. Source A: From an Instagram post on Climate Change in Singapore, Mar 2019.

Nan Hua High School Humanities (Social Studies) Preliminary Examination 2020 2272/01, 2273/01 Page 4 of 7 Source B: From an article in a local digital magazine, that offers fresh perspectives and bold commentary in Asia, 20 Aug 2019. The solution shouldn’t be for ordinary Singaporeans like Farah to start movements like Repair Kopitiam to advocate for individuals to reduce waste and consumption. Businesses are the ones who should be responsible for reducing waste generated from their products, and the govern ment should be responsible for regulating businesses to ensure they do so, instead of pushing the responsibility to ordinary citizens. PM Lee also mentioned that we must do our fair share of reducing emissions before we can be credible in asking others to reduce their emissions, and work towards a global solution to climate change. But how can we be credible when we aren’t going to be reducing our carbon emissions till 2030? In fact, we’re simply going to increase our emissions at a slower rate until 2030! Source C: From Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally speech, 18 Aug 2019. We are part of the Paris Climate Agreement, and we have committed to slow down and ultimately cap our carbon emissions by around 2030. To help achieve this, last year we introduced a carbon tax. Each of us can do our bit to promote sustainability. Like remembering to switch off lights, reducing waste, and reusing and recycling more. We need more young Singaporeans like Farah who is passionate about sustainability. He co-founded Repair Kopitiam to teach others how to repair damaged electronic appliances, furniture and toys. So these items can gain a new lease of life and you can use them longer, instead of being thrown away prematurely. Although Singapore may not be able to stop climate change by ourselves, we can contribute to solutions, and do our fair share. Then we can be credible asking others to reduce their emissions too, and work towards a global solution.

Nan Hua High School Humanities (Social Studies) Preliminary Examination 2020 2272/01, 2273/01 Page 5 of 7 Source D: From a blog by Khee Shihui, also called @tabaogirl* on Instagram. She is among the growing number of eco-warriors aspiring to a zero-waste lifestyle, Apr 2018. During the hectic lunch hour, instructions on how my food should be served can ruffle a few feathers. Some people behind me in the queue will say quite passive-aggressive things. Like ‘oh you’re so slow’ or ‘it’s not like I have all the time in the world.’ It’s not that I am a picky eater. Rather, I refuse to use disposables like plastic and styrofoam containers or paper cups when eating out or ordering takeaways. Food goes strictly into my collapsible lunchbox; cold drinks into my 750ml cup. This means taking a longer time to process my order. Still, I am serious about reducing my waste. I practise this everywhere, even in fast food joints like McDonald’s. People don’t realise that little steps can really make a big difference. * tabao is a Singlish phrase which means to bag your food for takeaway. Source E: A forum letter published in The Straits Times, Aug 2019. Singapore is not just a victim of climate change, but a driver as well. We have one of the largest oil refinery hubs. Our ports and airport are among the busiest in the world, contributing substantially to greenhouse gas emissions . While it would be difficult to change our economic and industrial orientation, this does not mean that it should be excluded from the national narrative. The individual actions are insufficient to make a meaningful difference. While switching off lights diligently does reduce energy usage, its effect on the national scale is minimal, as domestic energy consumption constitutes just 4.3 per cent of electricity generated. Meaningful climate action will need to straddle the individual and corporate -political spheres. Examples include making environmentally sound investments, backing grassroots calls for greener business practices and engaging the Government in crafting Singapore's climate policies.

Nan Hua High School Humanities (Social Studies) Preliminary Examination 2020 2272/01, 2273/01 Page 6 of 7 Source F: From an interview with Ms Tan Beng Chiak, a board member of the Jane Goodall Institute in an online newspaper, Aug 2019. The Institute is a global non -profit organisation focused on inspiring individual action to safeguard the planet we all share. Even though Singaporeans know it is a concern, they will still priori