CATHOLIC JUNIOR COLLEGE
JC2 MID YEAR EXAMINATION 2009
PAPER 2 ANSWER GUIDE
From Passage A – The Promise and Paradox of Community
From Paragraph 1
1.. Explain “an instinct of community”. Use your own words as far as possible. (1)
Lifts
Paraphrase
Indeed, it could be said that we have
Humans have a
“an instinct of community”.
natural/inborn/inherent/inherited
need/tendency/inclination/urge/desire/
want (1/2)
to form groups/social units (1/2).
First half of answer needs to have both
parts to be awarded ½ mark : “natural”
and “tendency”
Natural act/understanding – 0 marks
Interdependent relationships (1/2)
Relying on each other (1/2)
Relationships (1/2)
Unite (1/2)
Forming bonds with each other (1/2)
From Paragraph 2
2. Explain in your own words as far as possible the paradox in line 11. (2)
Lifts
Paraphrase
Individuals and ecosystems arise from
Even though the individual has a
two seemingly conflicting forces: the
strong/urgent urge/desire/necessity
absolute need for individual freedom,
/requirement (1/2)
and the unequivocal need for
want liberty to be left alone/live in
relationships.
isolation/separate from the rest (1/2)
Yet this contradicts the desire
/urge (1/2)
for companionship (1/2)
Answer needs to show understanding
of contradiction to be awarded any
marks
– needs to explain the phrase
“paradox” (e.g. conflict, contradiction,
usage of phrases like “yet”, “how”)
– ideas have to be conflicting; partial
marks to be awarded if ideas are
conflicting but not an accurate
reflection of the ideas in the passage
- paradox and opposing ideas need to
be explicitly shown
Contradiction between separation from
the rest and companionship – 0 marks
1
(doesn’t show the paradox)
Contradiction between the different
urges – 1 mark
3. Summarize the ways in which the individual and the community both interact with
and depend on each other.
Using material from paragraphs 3 to 5, write your summary in no more than 120
words not counting the opening words given below. Use your own words as far as
possible.
Note: “Individual” and “Community” are acceptable lifts.
A
B
Lift
Paraphrase
Individuals are figuring out how to
be together in ways that support
themselves.
Individuals are discovering how to coexist in self-sustaining ways / ensure
their own survival / securing their
needs
Yet these individuals remain
astutely aware of their neighbours
and local environmental conditions
½ mark for each half of the point
Individuals are sharply conscious of /
mindful of others as well as their
surroundings
(no paraphrase of “astutely” – ½ mark
at best)
C
take notice – ½
knowing about – ½(despite expression
error)
But even as the individual exercises As they choose / elect / opt to be
its freedom to respond … (line 20- different / change
21)
Liberty to react - 1
Nor do they act as passive recipients of
someone else's demands (point to be
inferred)
They are never forced to change by
others or the environment (point to be
inferred)
D
E
… the environment are a major They consider others when making
influence
on
their
individual their preferences known / selections
decisions.
“Surroundings” can be used to
paraphrase
the
idea
of
the
environment
… community observes these
When an individual changes, its
modifications and acts / reacts
neighbours also take notice and
accordingly.
2
decide how they will respond.
OR
… their community reciprocate.
Individuals becomes so connected …
F
Over time, individuals become so
intermeshed in this process …
G
that it becomes impossible to
distinguish the boundary between
self and other, or self and
environment.
That the line becomes blurred
between the individual and the
community
H
There is a continuous exchange of
information and energy between
all neighbours,
There
is
a
constant/ceaseless/
sustained
spirited
interaction
/diffusion/dissemination
between
individuals of ideas/knowledge …
(“information and energy” can be
taken as one entity)
I
J
K
and a continuous process of
change and adaptation
everywhere in the system.
It is these individual changes that
contribute to the overall health and
stability of the entire system.
Provides a level of stability and
protection that was not available
when individuals were isolated.
(answer needs to paraphrase all
aspects of the answer to get the full
mark)
And ongoing transformation/evolution
…
(“change and adaptation” can be taken
as one entity)
That ensures the general well being/
sustainability of society …
(“health and stability” can be taken as
one entity)
…and a degree of security/safety (1/2)
which is not found when individuals
live alone (1/2)
(“stability and protection” can be taken
as one entity)
2nd part of answer can only be
awarded if the 1st part is correct
constancy – 0 marks
Points J and K need to be clearly two
separate points for both marks to be
awarded
3
L
Members develop new talents and
new abilities as they work out
relationships with others.
OR
Teaching point: answer needs to be
taken as a whole
Both
improve/progress(1/2)
in
competency/ sophistication (1/2)
(“skill and complexity” can be taken as
one entity)
Both individuals and systems grow
in skill and complexity.
OR
Communities increase the capacity
and complexity of life…
From paragraph 6
4. Why does the author put quotation marks round the phrase “the greater good”? (2)
Lifts
Paraphrase
…individuals are required to conform,
The author disagrees/does not
to obey, to serve “the greater good” of
believe/think/feel that the community
the community.
will truly benefit as a whole (1)
But that this is only what the
community believes (1)
Answer needs to show the
disagreement
Need to explicitly talk about the author
Sarcasm – 0 marks
Cynical/ Skeptical – 0 marks
From Paragraph 7
5. According to the author, why would people choose to lead a life of isolation? Use
your own words as far as possible. (2)
Lifts
Paraphrase
…we move toward isolationism in order They do so because they are unwilling
to defend our individual freedom.
to compromise their own liberty /
rights(1)
We choose a life lived alone in order
And wish instead to take full
for it to be our life
possession of their own existence. (1)
Choosing your own path – 1 mark
Control of destiny – 1 mark
Ownership – 1 mark
4
From Passage B – In Defence of Individualism
From Paragraph 1
6. Why does the author refer to the critics of individualism as collectivists? Use your
own words as far as possible. (2)
Lifts
… as that would bring out their
dangerous tendency (1)
to regard the group as more
important than the individual of whom
it is composed(1)
Paraphrase
This is because the author wants to
highlight their harmful inclination
in giving greater prominence to the unit
more than the people who compose it.
Lift either “group” or “important” – ½
mark
Lift both “group” and “important” – 0
Needs to show contrast: more
important
From Paragraph 2
7. What is the author implying by using the word ‘slogan’ (1)
Lifts
There are a number of slogans
characteristic to collectivist rhetoric.
Paraphrase
He is implying that the ideas are
trivial/empty talk/ not substantial/ lacks
substance/ meaningless/ shallow/
hollow/clichéd/predictable/platitudes (1)
Typical – 0 marks
Common – 0 marks
Catchy phrase – 0 marks
Forced – 0 marks
Repetitive ideas – 0 marks
Unoriginal – 0 marks
Propaganda – 0 marks (not accurate)
From Paragraph 3
8. What is ironic about the statement that “Even a hermit is identified by his decision
to abandon the community from which he springs.” (2)
Lifts
Paraphrase
Even a hermit is identified by his
We would expect a hermit to be
decision to abandon the community
defined as an individual because he
from which he springs.
lives alone/isolates himself/ asserting
his individuality.(1)
However / But yet he is still being
defined in terms of/in relation of the
group he has left. (1)
Answer needs to show contrast
5
between expected and actual outcome
to be awarded any marks
From Paragraph 5
9. Explain the parallel drawn between the Byzantine emperors and the conflicts in
Bosnia? Use your own words as far as possible. (2)
Lifts
Byzantine emperors were able to
generate artificial hostility between
groups of citizens by dividing them by
an arbitrary line into blues and greens.
But a short distance to the struggles in
places like Bosnia, where people who
had previously lived at ease with each
other for generations, and indeed
intermarried, went in for the barbarities
of ethnic cleansing.
Paraphrase
Byzantine kings were able to develop
anger/distrust/fights between their
people merely (1/2) by separating one
half from the other and re-naming
them. (1/2)
Only ½ of the marks can be awarded if
the ease or triviality of the issue is not
shown – through words like “Simply”,
“merely”, “just”, “randomly”
Similarly, this was amplified in Bosnia
when the people who were living
peacefully together started killing each
other (1/2) when they became aware of
their racial differences. (1/2)
Note: Students should show that both
examples show how one group turns
against another due to the realization
of differences
Both examples need to be described
10. Give the meaning of the following words (5)
From Passage A:
1. Intermeshed (line 24)
2. Forfeit (line 37)
From Passage B
3.
4.
5.
Impasse (line 12)
Apotheosis (line 36)
Unreflective (line 42)
word
Intermeshed
(idea of
harmony)
1 mark
Connected with each
other, linked
together, fitted
together, woven
½ mark
Interlocked,
woven,
connected, linked,
fitted
6
0 mark
Intertwined
(twisted
together)
Intermingled,
together,
interconnected,
interwoven,
interlinked
Forfeit
Impasse
Apotheosis
Unreflective
Surrender, be
deprived of, give up,
sacrifice, relinquish,
forego/forgo
Standstill, deadlock,
dead end, fullstop,
stalemate, standoff,
Lose
integrated,
immersed,
entangled,
interrelated,
enmeshed,
involved, mixed
together,
interact,
cohesion,
deeply
engaged,
bonded
Withdraw,
forsake,
abdicate
Halt, stop,
Not getting
anywhere, no
progress, when no
conclusion can be
drawn, no
consensus, cul de
sac
Difficult
situation,
dilemma,
roadblock, end
of the road,
debate, neverending
argument,
circular
argument,
dichotomy,
stagnant stage,
stasis,
conclusion,
end, confusion,
almost
impossible to
solve, no
solution
High point,
Deification,
elevation,
limit,
glorification, summit paramount,
worst,
disastrous
peak, optimum
Peak, culmination,
climax, pinnacle,
highest point, zenith,
height, epitome, best
example, ultimate,
apex, maximum
point/level,
maximum,
Unthinking, with little
thought, thoughtless,
with no thought,
uncritical,
unquestioning, not
contemplative, lack
of contemplation,
undiscriminating,
Mindless, does
lack of introspection not look within,
lacking
consideration,
Not thoughtful,
never thought
of, not carefully
7
without second
thought, not thought
through
thought of,
without proper
consideration,
uninsightful,
unknowingly,
unquestionable,
unconscious
11. Passage A presents arguments in favour of belonging to the community while
Passage B argues in favour of individualism.
Which of these views is more relevant to your society? How much emphasis do you
think should be placed on the individual in your society?
Justify your views with reference to the points made by both writers and your
experience.
0-2 – C
3-5 – B
6-8 – A
AQ
Passage A presents arguments in favour of belonging to the community while Passage B
argues in favour of individualism.
Which of these views is more relevant to your society? How much emphasis do you think
should be placed on the individual in your society?
Individualism
Collectivism
That is true but that does not
in any way suggest that
individual expression is
secondary to group
expression.
This instinct for community
is even more apparent in
Singapore, given the
dominance of Asian values
that gives emphasis to the
community over the
individual.
Passage A
Paragraph 1
We human beings have a
great need for another.
We have “an instinct of
community”.
The instinct for individual
unique expression is every
much as strong, if not
stronger, than the instinct for
community.
Murmurings of
discontentment can already
be seen in an increasingly
vibrant civil society in
Singapore.(note: how
homosexuality have stirred
impassioned responses in
public discourse)
8
Paragraph 2
In human society, we
struggle with the tension
between “the absolute need
for individual freedom, and
the unequivocal need for
relationships”.
It is possible to create
“resilient and adaptive
communities that welcome
our diversity as well as our
membership”.
This tension is played out in
Singapore, with the former
being unfairly relegated to
secondary importance.
An emphasis on
individualism is the only
recourse to our unbalanced
society, that have attracted a
fair share of detractors for
not having given due regard
to the expression of human
freedom.
This tension is resolved most
amicably through our
tolerance of differing views
in a respectful and orderly
fashion that welcomes
diversity and individual
membership, but within the
confines of what is socially
acceptable by the majority in
Singapore.
That limitation is of course
subject to change, and
contrary to opposing views
of the lack of freedom in
Singapore, Singaporeans do
enjoy freedom of expression,
but that is simply kept in
check for the greater good of
society.
There is no need for us to
emulate Western standards
blindly, for different cultures
and communities require a
different system.
We have in our own uniquely
Singaporean way, created a
proudly resilient, adaptive
and prosperous community,
based on collectivism, much
to the envy of many,
including ironically some
scholars from the West.
Paragraph 5
The new system provides a
level of stability and
protection that was not
available when individuals
were isolated.
Members develop new
talents and new abilities as
they work out relationships
with others. Both individuals
Although this is true,
individualism by no means
entails an isolation from
society.
The benefits of a community
are indisputable, but in
forging the community, it is
imperative that the interests
of the individual should not
9
Like ecosystems, human
societies thrive when
individuals commune and
learn from one another.
In Singapore, this is
especially so given our multiracial profile. There is a
distinct need to ensure that
members of each ethnic
groups get ample
and systems grow in skill and be negated for such countercomplexity.
productive measures
undermine the development
of the individual talents and
abilities, that are so crucial
for the larger good of the
community.
opportunities to work closely
or interact with those of
another.
Through these interactions,
misconceptions and
stereotypes are dispelled and
replaced by correct
information of other groups.
They cease to be an “other”,
but become one’s “brother”
or “sister” in the larger
Singaporean community.
This emphasis on
collectivism thus helps to
create the current stability
and protection that would not
have been possible if
Singaporean individuals were
isolated, or if individual
differences were emphasized
over group similarities.
Paragraph 6
Very often the price of
belonging to a community is
to forfeit one’s individual
autonomy.
That is very true in
Singapore. There are severe
constraints on expression in
Singapore.
Instead of honouring the
individual as a unique
contributor to the capability
of the community, instead of
recognizing the community’s
need for diverse gifts,
individuals are required to
conform to obey, to serve the
“greater good of the
community”.
Example: Catherine Lim, Mr
Brown, who have been
cautioned in the past for
transgression of what has
been termed ‘OB markers’
(in Catherine Lim’s case:
making remarks in a political
commentary that were
construed to be unfavourable
to the government.)
This severely undermines the
progress of our nation, for far
from encouraging talented
people to take up positions as
politicians, the OB markers
have served to only create
insecurity and stifle creative
and critical expression.
10
There may be some truth to
how our community has
compelled uniformity rather
than truly embraced
diversity.
But these rigid measures
were needed, perhaps even
necessary during a time when
Singapore had to ensure
stability above all else. It
must also be noted that
dissenting views, while
potentially useful, oftentimes
stem from a lack of clear
information on the topic at
hand as well. To allow full
expression or autonomy of
divisive characters or
seditious speech poses a
threat to the well-being of the
nation. It would have been
irresponsible of the
government not to pre-empt
This is ironically opposed to
the goals of our education,
which is partly to cultivate in
students a spirit of creativity
and confidence in selfexpression. A climate of fear
and uncertainty, that rewards
assent but frowns on
constructive disagreement,
hardly provides an
environment for such growth.
The Singaporean government
has been in recent years
giving hints through various
postures that signal the
opening up of Singaporean
society. It is time to accord
individualism its rightful
status in Singapore society.
any such danger to
Singapore.
Our government’s sharp
rebukes and harsh treatment
of what some may consider,
unique contributors, is also
actually a safeguard against
the perils of propagandists
like Chee Soon Juan, who is
more divisive than helpful in
conservative Singapore.
Some neutral parties or
‘innocent’ people may have
unfortunately bore the brunt
of our government’s
indiscriminate response. But
there is no denying that our
government’s emphasis on a
collectivist ethos has indeed
provided the stability that
eludes many other nations,
and has served to catapult
Singapore into international
prominence.
We should correct the
mistakes of the past, and
move on accordingly. There
is no need, as a result of past
errors, to throw the baby out
with the bathwater – to
remove the collectivist focus
altogether.
Paragraph 6
…a major management
problem also emerges.
The community needs to
spend more and more energy
on new ways to exert control
over individuals through
endlessly proliferating
policies, standards and
doctrines.
It is only human to crave
individual expression, and as
Singaporeans become
increasingly educated, and
exposed to the democratic
ideals of the West, that desire
would only grow stronger,
resulting in the inevitable
clamouring for greater
emphasis on individualism.
11
The problem is grossly
exaggerated. While we
would not go as far as movie
star, Jackie Chan, in saying
that Asians (more
specifically Chinese) need to
be controlled, our leaders
have spoken more than once
on how Singapore needs to
be run pragmatically rather
than idealistically.
The proliferation of
governmental restrictions we
see today is counterproductive against the rising
tide of individualism.
Paragraph 7
We move towards isolation
in order to defend our
individual freedom
What we can see from our
pursuit of loneliness is the
terrible price exacted for
such independence.
The conflict between
individualism and
collectivism does not have to
be a zero-sum game.
There is no need to isolate
oneself to defend our
individual freedom.
Individualism, properly
understood, calls for a return
not to loneliness, but to a
celebration of humanity.
Given the success of our
government in overcoming
various crises (like SARS,
financial crisis) in the past,
many Singaporeans, despite
some grumblings, are still
generally inclined to believe
that certain sacrifices on the
part of the individual,
especially freedom, is
necessary for the unique
sociopolitical circumstances
in Singapore.
The dangers of individualism
is too real to be disregarded.
In the West, where
individualism reigns, we
have seen people retreating
into their own private
abysses, away from
meaningful interaction with
others.
On a more severe scale, it is
that same spirit of
individualism that has
erupted in school-shootings
What we need is an
(example: Virginia Tech)
enlightened understanding
with the sole intention to
that at its core, individualism assert individuality, more
is not opposed to a
specifically frustration and
community, but in fact serves anger, coupled with a total
to define the raison d’etre of disregard for the community.
a group.
The price to pay for
individualism is far too great
to conceive. The dichotomy
between Eastern and Western
values may seem contrived,
but such a division however
artificial remains necessary
for us to retain focus on
what’s truly important: our
family, our community, our
country.
12
Passage B
Paragraph 1
Individualism as the root of
many of the evils in the
modern world.
Dangerous tendency to
regard the group as more
important than the
individuals of whom it is
composed.
There is indeed a dangerous
tendency in Singapore to
regard the group as more
important. Over here, the
individual interest is
oftentimes marginalized.
Strict penalties (offence to
litter) and restrictions (e.g.
ban on chewing gum) restrict
the freedom of the person on
the street, ostensibly on
communitarian grounds. The
marginalization of the
individual has given rise to a
number of disillusioned
Singaporeans who have left
the nation for greener
pastures.
Western individualism is
dangerous and inappropriate
for a conservative country
like Singapore, where the
family remains the nucleus of
society. The social group
must remain paramount if we
are to retain the values that
have served this nation so
well since independence.
Individualism, far from being
a dangerous evil, should be
embraced for being
consistent with the
democratic values of our
nation.
Singapore’s brand of
regulated capitalism is far
safer and steadier.
Even though it is true that
man is a social animal, it
does not follow that
individualism entails a nonholistic or atomistic view of
society. The society is still
seen as a complete whole,
but more emphasis needs to
be given to the individual.
That is sorely lacking in our
society.
An atomistic view of society
is a luxury for those who
have already attained a
secure sense of group
identity. For Singapore, we
are still in the midst of
forging that common shared
Singapore identity; thus the
need for us to remain
interconnected and
interdependent.
Example: the global
economic crisis is a good
example of how
individualism taken too far –
in unregulated, independent
markets – has devastating
consequences.
Paragraph 2
Man is a political (or
sometimes social) animal.
The individualist is accused
of lacking a holistic view of
society.
13
Paragraph 2
More emphasis should be put
on duties instead of rights
Paragraph 3
Groups are made of
individuals; but individuals
form groups. A debate on
which fact is primary is the
kind of debate which never
gets settled.
The underlying assumption
here that the state should be
of primary importance,
instead of the citizen, is
grossly flawed.
The state exists to protect the
interests of the citizens, not
vice versa. So
notwithstanding the
obligatory duties of
citizenship, the rights of each
citizen must never be
compromised.
A compromise, however
small, diminishes the
legitimacy of the government
in power.
External organizations like
Amnesty International and
Human Rights Watch have
commented on the appalling
abuse of human rights in
Singapore.
Examples: Discriminatory
laws against homosexuals;
domestic worker abuse
including their poor living
conditions; ISA which allows
the detaining of people
without a trial.
These problems arise because
of the undue emphasis of
duties over rights. It not only
undermines Singapore’s
international standing, but is
becoming increasingly a
point of contention and
division domestically with an
increasingly educated
populace.
The emphasis on
individualism, in the light of
14
Favouring the common good
and emphasizing duty over
individual rights and
benefits, are fundamentally
aligned with our social ethos.
It is this communitarian
system that has, despite our
inherent disadvantages of
limited size and resources,
helped fostered a competitive
and efficient country.
Example: The tripartite
system of Governmentunion-employer in Singapore
has been seen by some as
discriminatory towards
workers, and does not do
justice to the full rights they
are entitled to. However, it
has ensured a spirit of
cooperation and goodwill,
rather than one of
antagonism that plagues
many countries – like France
for instance, with their many
cases of strikes and even
‘bossnappings’ (holding
bosses hostage).
our current arguably
unenlightened practices,
represents true progress for
our nation, and bodes peace
in the long run.
Paragraph 4
“The small group” can be
very oppressive and
stultifying.
The worst side of group
psychology is the hostility
always generated to those
outside the group.
When the focus shifts from
the individual to the group, a
dangerous passion emerges
that oftentimes erupts in
hostility.
The potential oppressive and
stultifying effects of the
group have been held in
check somewhat by the
watchful paternalistic eye of
the government that seeks to
Example: The AWARE saga ensure civil discussion
highlighted how the conflict
between different groups,
between emotionally-charged especially regarding religion
groups that represented
and race. Boundary markers
Christian fundamentalist
have been established to
values and liberal ones, gave prevent a slippery slope
rise to much bitterness and
towards the atrocities in
fury that threatened to divide Bosnia.
our harmonious pluralistic
society.
The potential dangers of
grouping must always be
balanced against the
prodigious benefits gained
from the existence of
significant groups. In
Singapore, VWOs (Fei Yue
community services,
AWARE) and ethnic selfhelp groups (Mendaki,
SINDA, CDAC) that have
arisen are proud products of
the collectivist ethos in our
country.
Paragraph 5
The disastrous error reached
its apotheosis in the state
worship of the Nazi and
communist regimes.
Singapore’s one-party system
lies susceptible to similar
abuse due to the lack of
political checks and balances.
Collective entities should
never be accorded a value
over and above the
individual.
Singapore’s system may
work well at the moment, but
15
Although Singapore bears
some similarities to those
extreme regimes in
exercising an almost
draconian rule in some
aspects of social and political
life, it is ridiculous to draw
close parallels between our
democratic system and their
totalitarian systems.
(according to Newsweek
correspondent Fareed
Zakaria), it is dependent on
the continual good
governance of the PAP.
That assumption, may not
hold true in the long run, and
a conversion to a truly
democratic Western model
that espouses individualism
in more emphatic terms, is
the solution in the long haul.
Our government is at worst,
authoritarian, and it has
proven to be a reliable
government, having brought
about much prosperity, while
enjoying commendably low
international ratings on
corruption.
Collectivism poses no threat
to the permanent prosperity
of our nation. In fact, in an
increasingly globalised world
where the loyalties of our
citizens, especially the elites,
are severely tested, it is the
emphasis on collectivism, in
the form of nationalism, that
will truly help to maintain
Singapore’s competitiveness
and success for years to
come.
Paragraph 6
How much suffering is
justified by the gratification
of my feelings of national
pride? Analysis along such
lines would be likely to make
people more self-conscious.
Every enlightened
civilization comes to this
point of self-knowledge,
where citizens become no
longer submissive mindless
imbibers of state doctrines,
but critical thinkers in their
own right.
Resistance against this trend,
for the semblance of order,
peace and the common good,
stifles the potential progress
that we can and should be
making as a nation.
Individualist concerns like
the freedom of the mind, the
freedom to dissent, may lead
to some discomfort, even
disorder, but it is through
such deep negotiation and
discussion that the interests
of the nation can be furthered
in the long run.
16
This is decidedly the wrong
question to ask for a young
nation that is struggling to
forge a common identity.
What we lack in numbers, we
need to compensate in terms
of dedication, resolve and
passion.
We need not a skeptical
reflection of self-interests,
but a genuine willingness to
consider nation above self,
not a waning of nationalism,
but an unswerving
patriotism.