KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL
MID-YEAR EXAMINATION 2017
COMBINED HUMANITIES (SOCIAL STUDIES)
2120/1
SEC 4 NORMAL (ACADEMIC)
Wednesday 3 May 2017
KENT
KENT
KENT
KENT
1 hour 45 minutes
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Name: ___________________________(
)
Class: Sec __________
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write your name, class and index number clearly in the spaces provided at the top of this page.
Do not open this question paper until you are told to do so.
Section A
Answer all parts of Question 1.
Section B
Answer both parts of Question 2.
Write all answers on foolscap paper.
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part of question.
The total mark for this paper is 50.
_________________________________________________________________________________
This Question Paper consists of 6 printed pages, including this page.
[Turn over
SECTION A (Source-Based Case Study)
1
Living in a Diverse Society
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.
(a)
Study Source A.
What is the message of the photograph? Explain your answer, using
details of the photograph.
(b)
Study Source B.
Why did Finance Minister Taro Aso make this statement at that time?
Explain your answer.
(c)
(e)
[6]
Study Source C.
[7]
How reliable is this source? Explain your answer.
(d)
[5]
Study Sources D and E.
How different are these two sources? Explain your answer.
[7]
‘Japan’s government is doing enough to care for the growing number of
elderly.’ Using sources in this case study, explain how far you would
agree with this statement.
[10]
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Kent Ridge Secondary School
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2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
Is Japan’s government doing enough to care for the growing number of elderly?
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions.
Japan is believed to be the country with the highest proportion of elderly citizens. Until
2000, publicly funded social care was non-existent in Japan. Caring for the elderly was a
family responsibility. However, due to undesirable consequences as a result of individual
and familial support, the government introduced long-term care insurance to provide social
care to those aged 65 and above. This system is part funded by compulsory payments for
those over the age of 40 and part funded by taxation. Some Japanese feel that the
government is keeping costs for care affordable for the elderly though some complain about
the ineffectiveness of government policies in caring for the elderly.
Study the following sources to find out how whether Japan’s government is doing enough
to care for the growing number of elderly.
Source A:
A photograph taken of Dr Akira Kawahito (right) and nurse Yuko Okabe (left),
who are both retired volunteers, on a regular house call to an elderly resident
in their neighbourhood.
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Source B:
Japan’s Finance Minister Taro Aso’s speech at a meeting of the National
Council on Social Security* reforms, 22 January 2013. The National Council
on Social Security was formed in 2012 and is made up of 15 professors and
experts.
You should not be forced to live on when you want to die. I would wake up feeling
increasingly bad knowing that the treatment was all being paid for by the government. I
would refuse end-of-life care and I would ask my family not to give me life-prolonging
medical treatment. The problem wouldn’t be solved unless you let the elderly hurry up and
die. I see people aged 67 or 68 at class reunions who stagger around and are constantly
going to the doctor. Why should I have to pay for people who just eat and drink and make
no effort? I walk every day and do other things, but I’m paying more in taxes.
*Social Security: monetary assistance from the government for people with inadequate or no income.
Source C:
An excerpt from an article regarding crime in Japan, published in an American
news website, 27 March 2016.
Even with a frugal diet and dirt cheap accommodation, a single Japanese retiree with
minimal savings has living costs more than 25 percent higher than the basic *state pension
of ¥780,000 (USD$6,900) a year. The social situation in Japan has forced the elderly into
the need to commit crime. The number of people receiving public assistance is the highest
since the end of the World War Two. About 40 percent of the elderly live alone. It is a
vicious cycle. They leave prison, they don’t have money or family so they turn immediately
to crime.
*State pension: a regular payment made by the state to people who meet the official retirement age.
Source D:
An article about Carebot, featured in the technology section of an online
newspaper, 20 November 2015.
Japan experiences a climbing number of seniors yet the number of caregivers remain
stagnant. It is predicted that there would be a shortage of one million caregivers by 2025
for Japan. To address the issue, Japanese companies are leading in the development of
Carebots. Carebots are robots specifically designed to assist elderly people. One third of
the Japanese government’s budget is allocated to developing Carebots. Honda’s ASIMO
robot can help the elderly by getting food or turning off the lights.
Source E:
A Japanese journalist, Masako Tsubuku, comments on the current situation
of the elderly in Japan, in a Japanese news website, 8 August 2015.
There is a shortage of nursing care facilities for the elderly despite the rising demand for
such facilities due to the ageing population. A new nursing home in Tokyo was built but
remained unopened due to lack of staffing. Nursing is hard work and notoriously underpaid.
This shortage is particularly severe in Tokyo as there is no room for the elderly at existing
public welfare facilities. Public welfare facilities are subsidised by the government. Yet the
government is cutting subsidies to these nursing care facilities. The government thinks that
the elderly should spend some of their money to help relieve the government burden.
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Source F:
Akira Kawahito, a 66-year-old home-based volunteer doctor share in an
interview published in Financial Times, 17 January 2014.
It is better for patients to spend their final years and months in familiar surroundings than
in some faceless hospital. In fact, the state has increased the payments doctors receive for
home visits in an effort to encourage more home-based care. Our philosophy of caring is
to support their quality of life and to make sure they have joyful moments, eat great food
and spend time with family and friends. We are less concerned with extending life than in
maintaining its quality.
Acknowledgements
Source A:
David Piling. ‘How Japan stood up to old age’, in FT Magazine, 17 January 2014.
Taken from: < https://www.ft.com/content/07d4c8a8-7e45-11e3-b409-00144feabdc0 >
Source B:
Justin McCurry. ‘Let elderly people ‘hurry up and die’ says Japanese Minister’, 22 January 2013.
Taken from: < https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/22/elderly-hurry-up-die-japanese >
Source C:
Lewis, Leo. ‘Japan’s elderly turn to life of crime to ease cost of living.’ in CNBC, 27 March 2016.
Taken from: < http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/27/japans-elderly-turn-to-life-of-crime-to-ease-cost-of-living.html >
Source D:
Muoio, Danielle. ‘Japan is running out of people to take care of the elderly, so it’s making robots instead’ in
Business Insider, 20 November, 2015.
Taken from: < http://www.businessinsider.com/japan-developing-carebots-for-elderly-care-201511?IR=T&r=US&IR=T >
Source E:
Brasor, Philip & Tsubuku, Masako. ‘Japan’s elderly boomers squeezed to pay more as care facilities struggle”,
in The Japan Times, 8 August 2015.
Taken from: < http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/08/08/business/economy-business/japans-elderlyboomers-squeezed-pay-care-facilities-struggle#.WPftk8997IU >
Source F:
David Piling. ‘How Japan stood up to old age’, in FT Magazine, 17 January 2014.
Taken from: < https://www.ft.com/content/07d4c8a8-7e45-11e3-b409-00144feabdc0 >
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2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
SECTION B (Structured-Response Question)
Question 2 is compulsory for all candidates.
2
Being Part of a Globalised World
Study the extracts carefully, and then answer the questions.
Extract 1
Singapore is the third most popular destination to which Multinational Corporations
(MNCs) relocate their employees in 2014, based on data collected from a global
relocation services. This is a huge improvement from being in the sixth spot in 2013.
Global businesses find it advantageous to set up their headquarters in Singapore.
They see Singapore as the world’s easiest place to do business.
Extract 2
Globalisation makes it easier for individuals to look for jobs due to the increase in
mobility. This allows for individuals to benefit from globalisation.
Extract 3
Globalisation creates competition from others around the world. This has led to some
individuals losing their job due to the competition. Thus, globalisation has caused
disadvantages to individuals.
(a)
Extract 1 states that Singapore is a popular location for Multinational
Corporations (MNCs) to relocate due the ease of doing business here.
In your opinion, how do Multinational Corporations (MNCs) benefit Singapore?
Explain your answer using one way.
[7]
(b)
Extracts 2 and 3 describe the economic impact of globalisation on individuals.
Explain how globalisation benefits and causes problems economically for
individuals.
[8]
End of Paper
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Kent Ridge Secondary School
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2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL
MID-YEAR EXAMINATION 2017
COMBINED HUMANITIES (SOCIAL STUDIES)
2120/1
SEC 4 NORMAL (ACADEMIC)
Wednesday 3 May 2017
KENT
KENT
KENT
KENT
1 hour 45 minutes
RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDG
RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDG
RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDG
RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDGE SECONDARY SCHOOL KENT RIDG
Name: ___________________________(
)
Class: Sec __________
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write your name, class and index number clearly in the spaces provided at the top of this page.
Do not open this question paper until you are told to do so.
Section A
Answer all parts of Question 1.
Section B
Answer both parts of Question 2.
Write all answers on foolscap paper.
At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part of question.
The total mark for this paper is 50.
Answer Scheme
_________________________________________________________________________________
This Answer scheme consists of 11 printed pages, including this page.
[Turn over
Secondary 4 Normal (Academic)
Kent Ridge Secondary School
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2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
Section A (Source-Based Case Study)
1a) What is the message of the photograph? Explain your answer, using details of the
photograph.
[5]
L1
Descriptors
Describes source/does not answer to the question.
Marks
1
Source A shows a doctor and a patient smiling happily for a photograph
which is taken by the nurse.
L2
Inference, without support
Award 3 marks for two inferences, unsupported.
2-3
The message of the photograph is that:
-
L3
Japan’s healthcare system for the elderly is dependent on volunteers
who are also seniors.
Japan’s elderly receive a high standard of healthcare through healthcare
volunteers.
Japan’s elderly are happy receiving home based care.
Inference, supported.
Award 5 marks for two inferences, supported.
4-5
The message of the photograph is that Japan’s healthcare system for the
elderly is dependent on volunteers who are also seniors. This is seen in
Source A where an elderly patient is smiling happily at the camera for a
photograph together with an elderly volunteer doctor who is here on a
house call. This implies that the elderly in Japan are receiving proper
medical care as doctors go personally to the patients’ home regularly and
often, there is a close relationship formed between the doctor and the
patients. This shows that the elderly in Japan are well taken care of.
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1b) Study Source B. Why did Finance Minister Taro Aso make this statement at that time?
Explain your answer.
[6]
L1
Descriptors
Lifts from source/does not answer to the question.
Marks
1
Source B states, “You should not be forced to live on when you want to
die.”
L2
Inference, without support.
Award 3 marks for 2 or more inferences.
Award 3 marks for purpose, unsupported.
2-3
Finance Minister Taro Aso made this statement to:
-
convince the National Council on Social Security that the elderly are
putting a burden on government finances.
convince the National Council on Social Security that the Japanese
people are paying more taxes to support elderly.
convince the Japanese elderly that they should not try to prolong their
lives unnecessarily.
convince the Japanese elderly that they should feel guilty for putting a
burden on government finances.
convince the Japanese elderly that there is no point in living when you
rely on medical treatment.
Purpose, unsupported
Finance Minister Taro Aso made this statement to convince (Action) the
National Council on Social Security (Audience) that the elderly are putting
a burden on government finances (Inference). This is so that the National
Council on Social Security would consider the burden on the working adults
and reduce the monetary assistance to the elderly as an attempt to reduce
taxes (Reaction).
L3
Inference, supported.
Award 5 marks for 2 inferences, supported.
4-5
Finance Minister Taro Aso made this statement to convince the National
Council on Social Security that the elderly are putting a burden on
government finances. Source B states ‘Why should I pay for people who
just eat and drink and make no effort? I walk every day and do other things,
but I’m paying more in taxes.’ This implies that Finance Minister Taro Aso
believes that the elderly are just wasting taxpayers’ money as the elderly
do not contribute to the society and still receive government assistance.
L4
L3 + Purpose, contextualised.
Award 6 marks for purpose contextualised.
5-6
Finance Minister Taro Aso made this statement to convince (Action) the
National Council on Social Security (Audience) that the elderly are putting
a burden on government finances (Inference). Source B states ‘Why should
I pay for people who just eat and drink and make no effort? I walk every
day and do other things, but I’m paying more in taxes.’ This implies that
Finance Minister Taro Aso believes that the elderly are just wasting
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2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
taxpayers’ money as the elderly do not contribute to the society and still
receive government assistance. This is so that the National Council on
Social Security would consider the burden on the working adults and
reduce the monetary assistance to the elderly in order to reduce taxes
(Reaction). As a Finance Minister in the midst of an economic recession
and a country with ageing population, he could be concerned about the
plans that the NCSS would formulate. As such, he was sharing his
concerns and worries, hoping that his perspective would carry some weight
as NCSS formulates policies (Context).
1c) Study Source C. How reliable is this source? Explain your answer.
L1
[7]
Descriptors
Marks
Yes AND/OR No, without specific claim, based on provenance.
1-2
Award 0 marks for answers that do not answer to the question.
Source C is reliable as it is from a news website. It must be telling the truth.
Source C is not reliable about Japan as it is from an American news website.
L2
Yes AND/OR No, based on source content.
Award 3 marks for Yes OR No.
Award 4 marks for Yes AND No.
3-4
Yes, Source C is reliable about the government not doing enough to care for
the growing number of elderly. Source C states “Even with a frugal diet and
dirt cheap accommodation, a single Japanese retiree with minimal savings
has living cots more than 25 percent higher than the basic state pension of
¥780,000 (USD$6,900) a year. The social situation in Japan has forced the
elderly into the need to commit crime.” This implies that the Japan’s
government has not provided enough social support for the elderly as their
living costs is still more than what the government is providing for them.
AND/OR
No, Source C is not reliable about the government not doing enough to care
for the growing number of elderly. Source C states “Even with a frugal diet
and dirt cheap accommodation, a single Japanese retiree with minimal
savings has living costs more than 25 percent higher than the basic state
pension of ¥780,000 (USD$6,900) a year.” Even though Source C seems to
show that the government is not doing enough for the elderly in Japan, the
source is not reliable. This source is from an American news website and
hence it is not possible that they do not know the actual situation in Japan.
As such, their information may not be that accurate.
L3
Yes AND/OR No, based on cross-referencing.
Award 7 marks for both sides.
5-6
Yes, Source C is reliable about the government not doing enough to care for
the growing number of elderly. Source C states “Even with a frugal diet and
dirt cheap accommodation, a single Japanese retiree with minimal savings
has living cots more than 25 percent higher than the basic state pension of
¥780,000 (USD$6,900) a year. The social situation in Japan has forced the
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elderly into the need to commit crime.” This implies that the Japan’s
government has not provided enough social support for the elderly as their
living costs is still more than what the government is providing for the elderly.
Furthermore, Source C is reliable as it is supported by Source E. Source E
states “Public welfare facilities are subsidies by the government. Yet the
government is cutting subsidies to these nursing care facilities. The
government thinks that the elderly should spend some of their money to help
relieve the government burden.” This implies that the government is
reducing subsidies for care facilities provided and would want the elderly
citizens to fork out their own money to pay for the facilities. Since Source E
supports Source C in saying that the government is not doing enough to
care for the growing number of elderly, Source C is reliable.
AND/OR
No, Source C is not reliable about the government not doing enough to care
for the growing number of elderly. Source C states “Even with a frugal diet
and dirt cheap accommodation, a single Japanese retiree with minimal
savings has living costs more than 25 percent higher than the basic state
pension of ¥780,000 (USD$6,900) a year.” Even though Source C seems to
show that the government is not doing enough for the elderly in Japan, the
source is not reliable. This source is from an American news website and
hence it is not possible that they do not know the actual situation in Japan.
As such, their information may not be that accurate. Source C is also not
reliable because it is contradicted by Source D. Source D states “Carebots
are robots specially designed to assist elderly people. One third of the
Japanese government’s budget is allocated to developing Carebots.” This
implies that the government recognise the fact that Japanese elderly require
more assistance and it is putting in money to develop technology to help
assist the elderly people. Since Source D contradicts Source C in saying
that the government is not doing enough to care for the growing number of
elderly, Source C is not reliable.
L4
L3 + No, Provenance explained.
7
Provenance explained
No, Source C is not reliable about the government doing enough to care for
the growing number of elderly because it is published on an American news
website. The reporter could be sensationalising the news by providing
general statements, linking crime rates to the lack of social support. He is
trying to gain American readership by sensationalising the poor social
conditions that the elderly in Japan find themselves in, and the supposed
choice to turn to crime as the only solution to gain entry into prison and be
cared for. As such, Source C may not be totally accurate and reliable due to
its agenda to increase online readership.
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Mid-Year Examination 2017
1d) Study Sources D and E. How different are these two sources? Explain your answer.
[7]
L1
Descriptors
False-match/Comparison based on provenance.
Marks
1-2
Award 1 mark for similarity based on topic, provenance/source type or no match.
Award 2 marks for false match.
Provenance: Both sources are similar as both are from news websites.
Topic: Both sources are similar as both are about the elderly in Japan.
False Match: Both sources are different because Source D mentions about care
for elderly by Carebots while the Source E mentions about the provision of care
for the elderly by nursing care facilities.
L2
Similarity AND/OR difference, based on content, unsupported.
Award 3 marks for one similarity OR difference, unsupported.
Award 4 marks for both similarity AND difference, unsupported.



3-4
Both sources are similar about the fact that there is an increasing
number of elderly to care for.
Both sources are similar about the insufficient amount of manpower to
care for the increasing number of elderly.
Both sources are similar as both agree that the Japanese government
is trying to cope with the elderly’s increasing demand for healthcare.
AND/OR



L3
Both sources are different about whether the government is doing
enough to care for Japan’s elderly.
Both sources are different about the severity of the issue of insufficient
amount of manpower to care for the increasing number of elderly.
Both sources are different about whether the government is willing to
use the government’s budget to provide care for the elderly.
Similarity AND/OR difference, based on content, supported.
Award 5 marks for similarity OR difference, supported.
Award 6 marks for both similarity AND difference, supported.
5-6
Both sources are similar about the insufficient amount of manpower to care
for the increasing number of elderly. Source D states that “Japan
experiences a climbing number of seniors yet the number of caregivers
remain stagnant.” This implies that there has been a rise in the number of
elderly people to look after and yet the number of people who are able to
provide care for them remains the same. This shows that the growth in the
demand for care is not being met by the constant number of caregivers.
Source D states “There is a shortage of nursing care facilities despite the
rising demand for such facilities due to the ageing population. A new nursing
home in Tokyo was built but remained unopened due to lack of staffing.”
This implies that there is inadequate number of nursing care facilities due
to the lack of nurses and trained medical personnel to sustain such nursing
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Mid-Year Examination 2017
care facilities although there is an increasing number of elderly people who
require such facilities. Thus, this shows that both sources are similar about
the insufficient amount of manpower to care for the increasing number of
elderly.
AND/OR
Both sources are different about whether the government is doing enough
to care for Japan’s elderly. Source D states “Japanese companies are
leading the development of Carebots. Carebots are robots specifically
designed to assist elderly people. One third of the Japanese government’s
budget is allocated to developing Carebots.” This implies that the
government is trying to provide care for the Japanese elderly by pumping in
money for the development of Carebots which can help elderly people.
Thus, the government is doing enough to care for Japan’s elderly. Source
E states “Yet the government is cutting subsidies to these nursing care
facilities. The government thinks that the elderly should spend some of their
money to help relieve the government burden.” This implies that the
government is trying to reduce their spending on providing subsidies for
nursing care facilities as they believe that the elderly should be helping to
contribute to their care by spending some of their own money. This shows
that the government is holding back on caring for the elderly and is not
providing enough support for the elderly.
L4
Difference based on purpose, supported.
7
Both sources differ in terms of their purposes. For Source D, is published to
persuade (Action) the international community and Japanese alike
(Audience) that Japan is innovative and has come up with a high-tech
solution to deal with the lack of caregivers (Inference). Source D states
“Japanese companies are leading the development of Carebots. Carebots
are robots specifically designed to assist elderly people. One third of the
Japanese government’s budget is allocated to developing Carebots.” This
implies that the Japanese companies are creating high-tech solutions to the
problem of insufficient caregivers and this is being funded and supported by
the government. This is in hopes that the international community can learn
and adopt high-tech solutions to manage the problem of ageing population
in their own countries (Reaction). As for Source E, Masako Tsubuku, a
Japanese journalist wants to convince (Action) Japanese citizens
(Audience) that the government is not doing enough to care for the elderly
in Japan (Inference). This can be seen in Source E, “This shortage is
particularly severe in Tokyo as there is no room for the elderly at existing
public welfare facilities. Public welfare facilities are subsidised by the
government. Yet the government is cutting subsidies to these nursing care
facilities.” This implies that the government is not helping the situation of the
lack of caregivers and are cutting down on subsidies leading to unaffordable
care for the elderly in Japan. This is in hopes that there is more awareness
about the current care situation in Japan and that citizens would join him in
protesting against the government (Reaction).
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1e) ‘Japan’s government is doing enough to care for the growing number of elderly.’ Using
sources in this case study, explain how far you would agree with this statement.
[10]
L1
Descriptors
Writes about statement, no valid source use.
Marks
1-2
Japan’s government is doing enough to care for the growing number of
elderly.
L2
Yes OR No, supported by valid source use.
Award 6 marks for 3 sources used and good analysis of the sources.
3-6
Yes, Japan’s government is doing enough to care for the growing number
of elderly. Sources A, D and F show that that the government is trying out
new ways to cater to the needs of the elderly. For instance in Source D,
“Carebots are robots specifically designed to assist elderly people. Carebots
are robots specifically designed to assist elderly people. One third of the
Japanese government’s budget is allocated to developing Carebots.” This
implies that the government is coming up with innovative solutions to help
care for the elderly in Japan and thus, this shows that the government is
doing enough to care for the growing number of elderly.
Source A – the elderly are being cared for by volunteers and the elderly
receive personalised care due to availability of home-based care.
Source F – the government has increased pay of home-based doctors so as
to encourage doctors to provide more home-based care to the elderly.
OR
No, Japan’s government is not doing enough to care for the growing number
of elderly. Sources B, C and E show the insufficient amount of care provided
by the government. For instance in Source B, Finance Minister Taro Aso
said “You should not be forced to live on when you want to die. I would wake
up feeling increasingly bad knowing that the treatment was all being paid for
by the government.” This implies that Finance Minister Taro Aso is unwilling
to provide assistance for the elderly in Japan because he feels that it puts a
burden on government finances. Thus, this shows that Japan’s government
is not doing enough to care for the growing number of elderly.
Source A – The government is not doing enough as retired doctors still have
to step in to care for the elderly.
Source C – Japanese elderly are turning to crime as they are unable to afford
the cost of living in Japan. Japan’s government not providing enough public
assistance.
Source E – lack of nursing facilities to cope with the increasing demand for
such healthcare services as well as reduction in subsidies provided for the
elderly for such care services.
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L3
Yes AND No, supported by valid source use.
Award 10 marks for 4 sources used and good analysis of the sources.
7-10
Both elements of L2.
Section B (Structured Response Question)
2a)
Extract 1 states that Singapore is a popular location for Multinational Corporations
(MNCs) to relocate due the ease of doing business here.
In your opinion, how do Multinational Corporations (MNCs) benefit Singapore?
Explain your answer using one way.
[7]
Descriptors
L1
Marks
Describes the topic i.e. Multinational Corporations (MNCs).
1-2
Multinational Corporations are businesses with economic activities in more
than one country.
L2
Identifies/describes the benefit.
Award 3 marks for identifying a benefit.
Award 4-5 marks for describing a benefit.
3-5
Possible benefits:
-
More employment opportunities and higher wages for job seekers in
Singapore.
New technology and expertise to help sustain competitiveness in
Singapore.
More research and development activities helping to enhance skills of
the workforce.
Source of tax revenue for Singapore.
Attracts more investors and foreign direct investment to Singapore.
Provide the population with a wider choice of goods and services.
More economic growth for Singapore.
Multinational Corporations (MNCs) benefit Singapore because they
provide employment opportunities. MNCs are large businesses with
economic activities in more than one country and thus, will need to employ
large numbers of employees in order to set up their headquarters or their
company here in Singapore. Furthermore, this helps to lower
unemployment rate in Singapore as most employees would be locally
recruited. MNCs provide attractive employment opportunities to job
seekers as there are more positions available and higher salaries to
employees.
L3
L2 + Explains the benefit.
Award 7m for clear explanation of the benefit.
5-7
Note: An explanation showing how MNCs benefit Singapore.
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2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
Multinational Corporations (MNCs) benefit Singapore because they
provide employment opportunities. MNCs are large businesses with
economic activities in more than one country and thus, will need to employ
large numbers of employees in order to set up their headquarters or their
company here in Singapore. Furthermore, this helps to lower
unemployment rate in Singapore as most employees would be locally
recruited. MNCs provide attractive employment opportunities to job
seekers as there are more positions available and higher salaries to
employees. With more employment opportunities in Singapore, there
will be an increase in revenue generated from increased employment.
This leads to economic growth. The increased economic growth will
then attract more foreign investment in Singapore, further boosting
the economy. Therefore, MNCs benefit Singapore by increasing
employment opportunities and subsequently helping to sustain
economic growth.
(2b)
Extracts 2 and 3 describe the economic impact of globalisation on individuals.
Explain how globalisation has resulted in positive and negative economic impacts
on individuals?
[8]
Descriptors
L1
Marks
Writes about the topic (i.e. positive and negative economic impacts
arising from globalisation) without addressing the question.
1-2
Globalisation has resulted in positive and negative impacts on individuals.
L2
Describes the factor(s).
Award 3 marks for one factor.
Award 4 marks for two factors.
3-4
Positive Impacts
Globalisation has resulted in positive economic impacts on individuals
because the world is now interconnected. Globalisation has increased the
flexibility of movement from one country to another and has allowed for
easy communication with people from other countries. This allows
individuals to look for jobs overseas, thus increasing and expanding the
job prospects of individuals. This has allowed for the exchange of skills
and knowledge and partnerships with foreign companies. For example,
individuals are more open to the idea of working overseas as they are now
able to stay in touch with their family and friends back home. Travelling
from one country to another is also convenient and some individuals enjoy
higher salaries when working abroad.
Negative Impacts
Globalisation has resulted in negative impacts on individuals because
there is greater competition from other job seekers from all over the world.
This makes individuals more vulnerable to losing their jobs as they are
affected by the increased competition. For example, Multinational
Corporations (MNCs) may look to relocate overseas in order to get access
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Kent Ridge Secondary School
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2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
to foreign markets offering lower labour costs. Jobs are lost when global
companies close down their operations and shift to another location. In the
1970s, Western countries such as the USA were affected when companies
relocate to China and India where there is a lower labour cost. As a result,
many Americans lost their jobs.
L3
Explains the factor(s).
Award 5-6 marks for one factor.
Award 6-7 marks for two factors.
Note: An explanation is showing how each factor brings about
positive/negative economic impact on individuals.
5-7
Positive Impacts
Globalisation has resulted in positive economic impacts on individuals
because the world is now interconnected. Globalisation has increased the
flexibility of movement from one country to another and has allowed for
easy communication with people from other countries. This allows
individuals to look for jobs overseas, thus increasing and expanding the
job prospects of individuals. This has allowed for the exchange of skills
and knowledge and partnerships with foreign companies. For example,
individuals are more open to the idea of working overseas as they are now
able to stay in touch with their family and friends back home. Travelling
from one country to another is also convenient and some individuals enjoy
higher salaries when working abroad. With the increased
interconnections and interdependence, more job opportunities and
better job prospects for individuals are available. Individuals are able
to upgrade their skills easily with more access to information,
resulting in higher incomes when they are highly skilled. Higher
income and better job prospects lead to a higher standard of living,
which benefits the individual. As such, globalisation does benefit
individuals economically.
AND/OR
Negative Impacts
Globalisation has resulted in negative impacts on individuals because
there is greater competition from other job seekers from all over the world.
This makes individuals more vulnerable to losing their jobs as they are
affected by the increased competition. For example, Multinational
Corporations (MNCs) may look to relocate overseas in order to get access
to foreign markets offering lower labour costs. Jobs are lost when global
companies close down their operations and shift to another location. In the
1970s, Western countries such as the USA were affected when companies
relocate to China and India where there is a lower labour cost. As a result,
many Americans lost their jobs Loss of jobs results in financial burden
on other working family members and leads to stress on the family
when there is not enough money for pay for daily necessities. This
results in families having to cut back on their spending and often
leads to a lower standard of living. As such globalisation results in
negative economic impacts on individuals.
Secondary 4 Normal (Academic)
Kent Ridge Secondary School
17
2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017
End of Answer Scheme
Secondary 4 Normal (Academic)
Kent Ridge Secondary School
18
2120/1 Combined Humanities (SS)
Mid-Year Examination 2017