Ms Goh's GP blog

2. In paragraph 2, the writer says that Malthus’ prediction still stirs much debate today. Explain the two viewpoints that it generates. [4]

LIFTED PHRASES PARAPHRASE
 Basically, the Pollyannas of this world say that Malthus was wrong (l.

 the population has continued to grow, economies remain robust (l.

 and famines in Biafra and Ethiopia are more aberrations than signs of the future. (l.9–11)

 The Pollyannas say the more the merrier; (l.13-14)

 Cassandras reply that Malthus was right (l.

 but techno-fixes have postponed the day of reckoning. (l. 12-13)

 the Cassandras say that is already twice as many as can be supported in middle-class comfort (l.

 and the world is running out of arable land and fresh water. (l. 14-16) A

 One group feels that Malthus was incorrect [1/2]


 despite population increase, [1/2] economies in general have been strong / robust. [1/2]

 Famines that occur are exceptions. [1/2]


 In fact, the more people the better for the world. [1/2]

 The other group feels that Malthus was correct. [1/2]

 However, technology has delayed the outcomes of his predictions. [1/2]

 Furthermore, they see that the world has already more people than it can comfortably support [1/2]


 and its resources are being depleted rapidly. [1/2]

Any 8 out of 9 points


Mark range: 1½ – 4
Language Marks: 4 (Combined with Q3 & Q7)

COMMENTS:
Strengths
 This is a straightforward direct question that requires students to clearly identify two view points with regards to Malthus’ Theory. Except for a minority who managed to get the view points mixed up, most were able to scored decent content marks.
 There were some scripts which showed good grasp of English/vocabulary and managed to paraphrase the key words/phrases smoothly.



Weaknesses
 Weaker students tend to lapse into past tense for everything, e.g., “The writer said ….”
 Lifting was quite common. Despite the absence of explicit instructions in the question itself, students must remember the general instructions at the beginning of the answer booklet.
 Some answers were too wordy or repetitive.

Marked by: Mr Peck CS





3. In paragraph 5, why does the writer say that agriculture ‘removed the Malthusian lid in one fell swoop’? (l. 40) [3]

LIFTED PHRASES PARAPHRASE
 Agriculture altered how we related to the natural world … (l. 39)

 … liberating us from the confines of the local ecosystem … (l. 39)



 … one fell swoop (l. 40)


 The constraints that Malthus predicted do not apply today. [1]

 Modern agricultural practices/ technology have/has freed us from our dependence on the natural environment for our needs [1]

 all at once [1]

Mark range: 1 – 3
Language Marks: 4 (Combined with Q2 & Q7)

COMMENTS:
Strengths
 Only a few students managed to address all parts of the quoted phrase, especially “in one fell swoop”.

Weaknesses
 As with Q2, weaker students tend to lapse into past tense for everything, e.g., “The writer said ….” despite the wording in the question - “… why does the writer say…”
 Some answers even concluded that agriculture actually reinforced the Malthusian Theory.
 Lifting was quite common.
 Time management appeared to be a problem for some as there were some scripts which left this question unattempted.
 Some answers were too wordy or repetitive.

Marked by: Mr Peck CS



5. Explain the phrase ‘our rampant success in living outside the world’s ecosystems has put them all, and thus ourselves, in jeopardy’ (ll. 71-72). [2 + 1 lang]

LIFTED PHRASES PARAPHRASE
 our rampant success in living outside the world’s ecosystems has put them all, and thus ourselves, in jeopardy (l. 71-72)

 We have managed to live highly independently [1/2]

 of our natural environment. [1/2]

 However, our great achievement in doing so/ even though we have thrived [1/2], this
 has endangered the existence of these resources and our own existence [1/2].

 Explanation of irony – a situation that has an unexpected ending [Bonus 1/2]

Mark range: 0 – 2

COMMENTS:
 Many students just re-arranged the phrase and then went on to write about something else.
 Lifting important words like ‘rampant success’, ‘jeopardy’
 Most however, could at least explain that man is no longer dependent on the natural environment.

Marked by: Ms Faye Tan

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