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2009 PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION
GENERAL PAPER
Paper 2 Suggested Answers


QUESTIONS ON PASSAGE A

1. The writers believe that “there is something to be gained from keeping track of global developments in the area of freedom of expression” (l. 4–5). Explain why the writers believe this and what the gain is. Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

LIFTED PARAPHRASE
 While the particularities of each society may make its citizens feel that their situation is entirely unique, the impact of economic globalisation and new communication technologies has precedents and parallels elsewhere. (l. 5–8)



 The global debates on the opportunities and challenges of freedom of expression can provide guidance for a society that is trying to navigate the fraught choices before it. (l. 8–10)  The writers believe this because freedom of expression in each country is similarly affected by globalisation and greater interconnectedness/ a more inter-connected world. [1]

Note: No marks awarded for ‘countries are similar/ experience similar effects’.

 Keeping track of global developments provides help/ assistance/ facilitates in making decisions/ deciding among the difficult options/ dealing with difficult situations/ enhances ability to make informed judgement regarding freedom of expression. [1]

Note: No marks awarded for ‘learn from mistakes’, ‘solve problems’, ‘give advice’. Half mark for ‘use as reference’, ‘provide guidelines’.


COMMENTS
 Many students were unable to capture the first point and merely wrote that countries around the world are similar. Note that lines 5–8 indicate the way in which countries are similar.


2. “… one of the key conclusions … was the bankruptcy of the notion of an Asian-Western divide over the principle of freedom of expression” (l. 11–14). Why do the writers use the word “bankruptcy”? [1]

 The writers want to emphasise that such a notion no longer exists/ has no basis/ has collapsed/ no longer stands/ has been totally debunked/ is invalid/ has been overthrown. [1]

Note: no marks to be awarded for ’not true’, ‘proven wrong’, ‘weakened’, ‘no longer supported’, ‘not relevant’, ‘diminishing’, ‘no difference between Asian and Western countries’.

COMMENTS
 Just as the literal meaning of ‘bankruptcy’ means that one is left with no money/ assets, the answer must capture the idea of ‘completely gone’.
 As such, answers which indicate that the notion is in the process of being weakened are not acceptable. Bankruptcy is not a process.

3. In paragraphs 3 to 6, the writers discuss some key ideas concerning freedom of expression. Summarise these ideas and the reasons why the writers believe these ideas are important. Write your answer in no more than 140 words, not including the opening words printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. [8]

The first key idea is that …
LIFTED PARAPHRASE
 First, it is clear to most that freedom of expression is not only an individual right (l. 20–21)


 but also an essential ingredient for societal progress. It is vital for development. (l. 21–22)


 The new global economic competition requires education systems that nurture open and creative minds – inconceivable without freedom of opinion and expression. (l. 22–25)


 It is also indispensable for democracy. Governments cannot be truly accountable to the people without the scrutiny of independent media. (l. 25–26) A1


 although/ while freedom of expression is part of human rights/ everyone is entitled to freedom of expression,

 it is also necessary for/ indispensable to/ critical for the growth/ advancement/ improvement of any society/ country.

 Moreover, to compete successfully in the global economy, an education system which encourages/ develops innovation is necessary and would be impossible without freedom of speech/
OR
 freedom of speech is necessary for an education system which encourages/ develops innovation so that the country can compete successfully in the global economy.

 It is crucial/ essential to the democratic process because governments can only be answerable/ held responsible when the media is allowed to critique/ criticise their actions.
OR
 It is essential for the media to question/ critique the government’s actions so as to provide a system of checks and balances.
 Second, no freedom is absolute. It is legitimate to require the individual’s freedom of expression to be exercised in ways that take into account the rights of other individuals as well as the public interest. (l. 27–29)

 People have a right to protect their private lives and their reputations, (l. 29–30)

 and there is no right to incite hatred or violence.
 International standards allow restrictions on speech to uphold public order, public morality and national security. (l. 30–32)

B3  Secondly, there must be limitations/ restrictions/ conditions so that one person’s freedom of expression does not infringe on the rights of others or go against public welfare.


 This is because people are entitled to privacy/ keep away from the public eye
Note: “privacy” is acceptable as long as students do not lift “private lives”.

 and one should not provoke/ stir up social unrest/ disrupt peace and stability/ it is necessary to maintain social stability/ cohesion
Note: Students should capture the main idea of not stirring up unrest/ disrupting peace and stability. If they pick on one of the factors such as “public morality” then only ½ mark to be given.

 Third, however, such restrictions are frequently misused by governments to suppress legitimate speech and protest. (l. 33–34)






 Any restriction on expression should pass three tests. It should be based on law rather than arbitrary action. (l. 35–37)

 It should also serve aims that are recognised internationally as legitimate – which do not include the need to protect the position of those in power. (l. 37–39)

 Finally, any interference with freedom of expression must be necessary and proportionate, unlike the all too common tendency of authorities to engage in overkill. (l. 39–41)

 Thirdly, governments should not/ governments often abuse/ exploit such restrictions to quash/ clamp down on justifiable/ valid criticisms.

Note: Half mark for ‘governments abuse/exploit restrictions’. Students must capture the second half of the answer about ‘clamping down on justifiable/ valid criticisms’.

 Restrictions on expression must be objective/ have legal backing

 and should not be used to safeguard the government’s authority/ standing.

 Such restrictions must be exercised in moderation/ should not be excessive and be used only in times of need.
 Finally, there is recognition that freedom of expression does not mean removing the state from the equation. Quite the contrary: the state is needed to uphold the rule of law. (l. 42–44)

 In many parts of the world, including here in Asia, government censorship is not the only or even the most serious threat to media workers and artists. (l. 44–46)

 Unpopular but legitimate speech is routinely attacked by non-government interests – including angry mobs – that go beyond vigorous complaint and use violent means to silence those with whom they disagree. (l. 46–49)

 Lastly, government intervention is needed to regulate freedom of expression.

 Government restrictions are not always harmful to those who work in the media

 In fact, such restrictions are needed to restrain those who resort to bloodshed/ aggression to gag/ curb/ suppress opposing views.

[1 mark each, any 8 points out of 14]

COMMENTS
 A wide range of marks for the summary question, but several students were able to score a decent range of 5–7 marks.
 Lifting was not a prominent problem, although a few scripts contained massive amounts of lifted phrases.


QUESTIONS ON PASSAGE B

4. From paragraph 1, identify the word which indicates that the debate on freedom of speech is not new. [1]
 The word is ‘reignited’ (l. 2). [1]

COMMENTS
Students are to give one word only. No marks will be awarded if they give more than one word. Marks are also not awarded if the word is spelt wrongly or given in the wrong form (eg. reignites). This is a simple case of copying the correct word and students are expected to be able to do so.


5. Explain the metaphors used in the phrase "veneer of tolerance concealing a snakepit of unaired and unchallenged views" (l. 7–8). [2]

 Just as a veneer is a thin covering/ layer over a surface, a law against incitement to religious hatred will result in a facade/ illusion/ appearance of mutual acceptance [1]
 which hides/ suppresses people’s unspoken/ unexpressed opinions/ beneath which unspoken/ unexpressed opinions are allowed to fester and like a snakepit, this is a highly dangerous situation. [1]

COMMENTS
 This question was not well-answered. A significant number of students had absolutely no idea what the metaphors refer to.
 Despite going through the format for explaining metaphors, several students did not follow the format and answered in the most garbled manner. There is a reason why we had a resource package to teach you this. Go and dig up the relevant package!!!


6. From paragraphs 4 and 5, why it is not possible “to frame a law that allows freedom of speech while keeping in check our freedom to offend” (l. 23–24)? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

LIFTED PARAPHRASE
 "The UN declaration talks about freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, not our freedom to offend". (l. 29–30)




 … one person's attempt to shock, outrage and offend is another's legitimate form of creative expression. It is a murky area of discussion, one that is entirely subjective. (l. 31–33)  It goes against the spirit of the UN declaration that expresses universal/ one’s rights in an affirmative/ constructive way. [1]

Note: Half mark for ‘not part of/ does not support the UN declaration”.

 There is no clear distinction between what is insulting/ rude and what is not. [1]

Note: Half mark for ‘no clear distinction between what is offensive and what is not’ because ‘offensive’ is lifted. No marks for merely stating that ‘people have different opinions/ cannot agree’.


COMMENTS
 Most answers did not capture the first point and did not get the full mark for the second point because they lifted ‘offensive’ in various forms.


7. From paragraph 7, why does art critic Richard Dorment wrestle with how to respond to art that sets out to offend? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

LIFTED PARAPHRASE
 condemning it unreservedly runs the risk of generating further publicity. And as the modern proverb goes: no publicity is bad publicity (l. 48–50)

 Censuring/ showing his disapproval of such forms of art will result in greater publicity for/ direct attention to them [1]
 which is exactly the intention of the artists/ which is what Dorment does not want. [1]


COMMENTS
 Many students were unable to see that ‘wrestle’ implies that Dorment undergoes some sort of struggle/ conflict with how to respond to such art forms.


8. "The right to freedom of speech is still relatively new and we are like adolescents, insufficiently mature in how we should use it.” (l. 60–62). Explain the analogy in this sentence. [2]

 Just like adolescents who are not experienced/ old enough to handle new situations, [1]
 the concept of freedom of speech is such a recent phenomenon that society is unable to handle it wisely/ sensibly at the moment. [1]

Note: No marks awarded if no reference made to/ no comparison made with ‘adolescents’.

COMMENTS
 It is indeed baffling to note that a number of students thought that ‘adolescents’ are babies, infants or young children.
 Again, many students did not adhere to the format of explaining an analogy and as such, did not fully capture the answer. Find that resource package of yours and study it carefully!!!
 Several answers made no reference to the analogy of adolescents. It simply defies logic.


9. Why does Mullin believe that “censorship is never the answer” (l. 62–63) to the issue of freedom of speech? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

LIFTED PARAPHRASE
 Whatever offence people at the margins seek to cause,


 you have to trust that there are enough people at the core of society who will not be swayed to the extremes. (l. 63–65)
 Even though there are those who aim to exploit freedom of speech by offending/ insulting others, [1]

 the majority of people are sensible/ clear-headed/ objective enough not to be easily influenced by such radical views. [1]

COMMENTS
 Few students were able to capture the entire answer.




QUESTIONS ON PASSAGES A AND B

10. Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the passages. Write your answer in one word or a short phrase.

Vocabulary 1 mark ½ mark 0 mark
profound [adj] (Passage A, line 18) complex, multi-faceted, intense deep, in-depth complicated, sophisticated, difficult to understand
illusion [n] (Passage B, line 16) mistaken belief, false impression/ idea/ belief/ perception, inaccurate belief delusion, belief that is not reflective of reality figment of imagination, not true, fake, simplistic, false image, not real, unrealistic, deceiving, façade, false reality, false vision
shelved [v] (Passage B, line 20) put aside, set aside for future consideration, put on hold abandoned, threw away, kept aside, kept away, put away, postponed, put off, aborted, cast aside, scrapped, discarded, removed
cherish [v] (Passage B, line 21) treasure, value, hold dear, appreciate, prize, hold close to one’s heart love, like, do not take for granted, embrace, hold close
levelled [v] (Passage B, line 53) directed, targeted, aimed brought up, raised, surface, brought forth, brought up, put forward

Note: If more than one answer is given, and takes the form of:
 X and Y – marks will be awarded to the answer worth a lower mark
 X or Y – marks will be awarded to the first answer
 X,Y – marks will be awarded to the first answer

COMMENTS
 Students are reminded that one and only one answer should be given.


11. In Passage A, Boyle and George are of the opinion that while freedom of expression is necessary, it should come with restrictions. In Passage B, Duffy echoes that by highlighting the dangers of the freedom to offend.

Should freedom of expression be restricted?

Justify your answer by examining at least two issues, one from each passage. Support your discussion with specific examples from your own observations and experiences. [8]

COMMENTS
 It is pleasing to note that most students were able produce the basic structure of an AQ answer, as taught in the resource package, ie. the stand (R1) and each issue with proper line references (R2) were clearly stated
 However, in order to score a Band A mark, students need to work on the explanation and evaluation of the issues raised as well as the use of appropriate examples (R3) which are clearly linked to R2 and R1.
 Poor time management resulted in a number of incoherent or incomplete answers.

R1 – state your stand clearly  students should be able to state that there should not be complete freedom of expression/ freedom of expression should be restricted but room has to be made for some freedom of expression/ should not go overboard in placing restrictions on freedom.

Note: R1 does not ask which author you more in agreement with. It merely asks if freedom of expression should be restricted. So it does not make sense to begin the answer with ‘I agree more with Boyle and George/ Duffy’.

R2 – issues from the passage must be clearly indicated and used to support the stand indicated in R1

R3 – specific examples must be given to support R2 and the link to R1 must be made.

Requirements
Band A (6 – 8 marks) Band B (3 – 5 marks) Band C (1 – 2 marks)
 R1 – clear and sensible stand, indicated with balance
 R2 – each issue raised is clearly identified and students must be able to link the issue to the stand
 R3 – examples are relevant and each example is clearly linked to R2 and R1  R1 –stand is indicated, but may not have balance
 R2 – each issue raised is clearly identified but link to the stand is not always clear
 R3 – examples are relevant but the link to R2 and R1 is not always clear  R1 – Stand is not indicated clearly
 R2 – issues from the passages are not clearly identified and not clearly linked to the stand
 R3 – for lower end: no examples/ totally irrelevant examples, for higher end: examples are not clearly linked to R2 and R1/ link is not obvious.

Explanation/ Evaluation
Band A (6 – 8 marks) Band B (3 – 5 marks) Band C (1 – 2 marks)
 Students identified key ideas from the passage and evaluated the validity of the writers; claims with convincing, insightful examples that demonstrated mature understanding of the issues.  Students attempted to evaluate the extent to which the ideas are reflected, but not fully informed or convincing
 Answer showed an adequate level of understanding of the issues but tended to be less thorough with limited development of ideas  Answer tended to be a mere summary or restatement of the text instead of an evaluation
 Answer showed very limited knowledge/ understanding of the issues and higher incidence of misinterpretation with very thin support

Coherence
Band A (6 – 8 marks) Band B (3 – 5 marks) Band C (1 – 2 marks)
 Students demonstrated high degree of coherence , organisation and clarity
 Used connectors effectively to enhance the logical flow in their arguments
 Students showed a fair degree of organisation, coherence and clarity
 Used connectors which may not always be appropriate
 Some minor logical gaps that do not lead to ambiguity in meaning  Coherence, organisation and clarity are in question
 Inconsistency in arguments evident – points contradict stand taken



Why restrictions on freedom of expression are necessary.

ISSUE 1
From the passage

It is legitimate to require the individual’s freedom of expression to be exercised in ways that take into account the rights of other individuals as well as the public interest. … there is no right to incite hatred or violence. (Passage A, l. 27–31)

There are rules to limit what can be said. Among them are laws against incitement to racial hatred, the common law prohibition of blasphemy, and libel laws. A few years ago, Tony Blair's government tried to pass a law that would make it an offence to deny the Jewish Holocaust, although this was eventually shelved. (Passage B, l. 16–20)

Re-phrase of issue
Boyle and George point out that restrictions on freedom of expression are necessary to maintain social cohesion/ peace and stability. Duffy also believes that freedom of expression must be limited for the same reason.

Explanation/ Evaluation
 Due to immigration/ globalisation, many societies are multi-cultural/ multi-racial/ cosmopolitan. It is necessary to restrict freedom of expression to prevent any attempts to incite hatred amongst the different groups in society/ to maintain peace and harmony.
 As such, there must be clear limitations on freedom of expression to ensure that various racial, religious and cultural sensitivities are not offended. Failure to do so can result in widespread violence, loss of lives, destruction, etc
 Eg. the use of the mass media to promote genocide or racially-motivated attacks, such as the role played by Radio-Télévision Libre des Milles Collines, a Rwandan radio station, in the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Widely listened to by the general population, it projected racist propaganda against Tutsis, moderate Hutus, Belgians, and the United Nations mission UNAMIR. It is widely regarded as having played a crucial role in creating the atmosphere of charged racial hostility that allowed the genocide to occur.
 The need for restrictions is even more significant as many countries are opening their doors to foreign labour and talent, and businesses are going global. There is an increased need to practice tolerance and acceptance as we continue to uphold freedom of expression.
 In August 2007, Intel, the computer chip maker, was forced to apologise for an advertisement which has been widely criticized as racist. The ad, which was for a new generation of micro-processors, showed six black sprinters crouched in the start position in front a white man in formal office wear in an office. Above the image was a slogan which read: "Multiply computer performance and maximize the power of your employees." Critics were quick to spot the connotation of a white master surveying a group of black workers apparently bowed at his feet.
 In 2005, fast food giant McDonald’s spent thousands on a new TV ad to target the Chinese consumer. The ad showed a Chinese man kneeling before a McDonald’s vendor and begging him to accept his expired discount coupon. The ad was pulled out due to a lack of cultural sensitivity on McDonald’s behalf after causing an uproar because begging is considered a shameful act in Chinese culture
 Also need to take into consideration the concerns and values of the majority. Freedom of expression should not threaten these values/concerns upheld by society.
 Eg. K Bhavani, spokesperson of the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, stated: In relaxing our censorship policies, the Government needs to take into account the concerns and values of the majority of Singaporeans. Our people are still largely conservative. Hence, the Government needs to balance between providing greater space for free expression and the values upheld by the majority.
 Eg. In Singapore, the Sedition Act makes it an offence to .
o In September 2005, two men, Nicholas Lim Yew, 25, and Benjamin Koh Song Huat, 27, were charged for making racist remarks on Internet forums in response to a letter printed in The Straits Times.
o In passing the sentences to Koh and Lim on October 7, 2005, Senior District Judge Richard Magnus said passing a deterrent sentence was necessary so that such offending acts are tackled early and contained, adding that callous and reckless remarks on racial or religious subjects had the potential to cause social disorder, regardless of which medium or forum they are expressed.
o In June 2009, a couple was found guilty last month of distributing seditious or objectionable publications, and sentenced to 8 weeks jail each. A couple, 50¬year¬old SingTel technical officer Ong Kian Cheong and his 46¬-year-¬old wife, UBS associate director Dorothy Chan Hien Leng, had been found guilty on four charges each of sedition. For two decades, the couple spread their faith by handing out religious pamphlets, and then by dropping tracts into random HDB letterboxes. From around 1998, however, the couple, both Protestant Christians, mailed them to addresses picked out from the telephone directory ¬ those of Muslims included. Such "intolerance, insensitivity and ignorance of delicate issues concerning race and religion" in Singapore "clearly warranted" a custodial sentence, said District Judge Roy Neighbour.



ISSUE 2
From the passage

Quite the contrary: the state is needed to uphold the rule of law. … Unpopular but legitimate speech is routinely attacked by non-government interests – including angry mobs – that go beyond vigorous complaint and use violent means to silence those with whom they disagree. (Passage A, l. 43 – 49)

Re-phrase of issue
Restrictions are necessary to ensure that law and order is not disrupted/ justifiable actions by the government are not undermined by those who use freedom of expression to further their own interests through violent means

Explanation/ Evaluation
 Detrimental to peace and stability, proper functioning of the state
 Innocent lives are lost
 In July 2009, tensions between the Uighurs, an ethnic minority group, and the majority Han Chinese erupted into a riot in Urumqi, Xinjiang province. In September 2009, police arrested a man who allegedly spread rumours used to trigger the Urumqi riots which killed 197 people. Kurban Khayum, a member of the World Uighur Congress (WUC), was arrested for exaggerating the death toll of a factory unrest involving Uighur in Guangdong province in June. After a factory brawl took place between Han Chinese and Uighurs on June 26, WUC secretary-general Dolqun Isa instructed WUC's intelligence agents, including Kurban Khayum, to gather information on the unrest, which left two people dead and more than 100 injured.
 Kurban Khayum merely made up a report and sent it to the WUC saying "the factory brawl had caused the death of 17 to 18 people, including three females." China's police have accused the WUC of arousing antagonism and confrontation between the Uighurs and people of other ethnic groups by spreading fake videos and photographs. On July 28, a netizen believed to be a key WUC member, was blamed for spreading a fake video about "a Uighur girl beaten to death", which was in fact CNN footage shot in Mosul, Iraq on April 7, 2007. Authorities in Xinjiang confirmed that innocent civilians accounted for 156 of the 197 deaths in the riot.



ISSUE 3
From the passage

Today, the "growing deluge" of artists graduating from college means many resort to causing offence, says Mr Walker, simply as a means of standing out from the crowd. (Passage B, l. 44–46) The right to freedom of speech is still relatively new and we are like adolescents, insufficiently mature in how we should use it. (Passage B, l. 60–62)

Re-phrase of issue
Restrictions are necessary to prevent/ deal with misuse of freedom of expression by people who are unable to handle it responsibility and merely see it as a means to stand out from the crowd, particularly for those in the arts

Explanation/ Evaluation
 An insult to art – not based on skill of the artist but merely generating publicity – quick and easy way to gain fame? Distasteful? Trying to pass off what the majority would deem as offensive as something artistic.
 Art which depicts animal cruelty (Adel Abdessemed, whose Don’t Trust Me video installation shows footage of various animals being slaughtered with a sledgehammer, Hermann Nitsch, whose performances include the disembowelling of lambs, and Wim Delvoye, who tattoos pigs), songs with lyrics meant to provoke and offend
 Virtual Museum of Art set up to exhibit art that some people find offensive, disturbing, shocking, insulting, vile, distasteful, pornographic, blasphemous or ugly
 In January 2009, Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra apologised to Bulgaria for any offence caused by an official artwork portraying the country as a squat toilet, saying the image would be removed. The artwork was the massive "Entropa" exhibit in the grand foyer of the main EU Council building. commissioned by the Czechs, who assumed the EU presidency for six months in January 2009. The idea had been that an artist from each of the 27 EU member states would depict their own country. However Czech artist David Cerny has admitted to making it himself with a couple of associates.



Why restrictions should not be excessive/ Why freedom needs to be balanced with restrictions

ISSUE 4
From the passage

… an essential ingredient for societal progress. It is vital for development. The new global economic competition requires education systems that nurture open and creative minds – inconceivable without freedom of opinion and expression. (Passage A, l. 21 – 24)

Re-phrase of issue
 Freedom of expression is not only an individual right, but important for societal progress and development

Explanation/ Evaluation
 Not censoring gruesome/horrid truth from the past could help people learn from the past e.g. historical books which tell the truth (Japanese History textbooks, He Mufeng’s Walls Have Ears) allow further emancipation of mind.
 Necessary to eradicate the remains of the autocratic mentality that stands in the way for the country's further progress, reviewing painful history instead of hushing up public voices at this critical moment is of significance.

 The Arab Human Development Reports by the UN in 2003 highlighted the underdevelopment of human capabilities in Arab countries. The dissemination of knowledge faces social, institutional, economic and political impediments. Arab society today is characterized by illiteracy, restricted media access, lack of access to education and translation channels and the declining quality of education in general. Governments do not adequately support scientific research and education, and their restrictions on freedom of expression inhibit open education and the dissemination of knowledge.(http://middleeastprogress.org/ 2008/04/overview-of-arab-human-development-reports/)

 In particular, if countries want to stay ahead in the global economy, they must work on developing open-mindedness and creativity in its people by encouraging freedom of expression.
 Economies today need to harnesses the power of the creative industries.
 The global market value of the creative industries has increased from $831 billion in 2000 to $1.3 trillion in 2005; more than 7% of global GDP.
 The United States is far ahead of the pack: over 11% of its GDP comes from the creative industries. (And we’re just about the only country without a ministry of culture!)
 In the UK, the creative industries account for 8% of the GDP and 1.9 million jobs. Recent trends show that cultural is a powerful economic driver, as well as making an acknowledged contribution to social, environmental, educational and health well-being. The government’s aim is to make the UK the world’s creative hub, and has invested in education through specialist schools, universities and business schools, and is seeking to provide schoolchildren with opportunities to develop creativity and take part in cultural activities. It is strongly linked to changes in the curriculum to support enterprise. (http://www.huntsdc.gov.uk/NR/ rdonlyres/CB7C37A7-CD97-46E4-94F4-ED8C80D299D1/0/creative_industry strategy.pdf)
 In New Zealand, the creative industries generated $8.268 billion in total gross output in 2006 (http://www.nzte.govt.nz/ACCESS-INTERNATIONAL-NETWORKS/EXPLORE-OPPORTUNITIES-IN-GROWTH-INDUSTRIES /GROWTH-INDUSTRIES/Pages/Creative-industries.aspx)
 “For over four decades, Singapore has prospered through an investment-led economic strategy focused on traditional manufacturing and services industries. As we transit into an innovation-fuelled economy, the driving force in the next phase of our development will be the imaginative and creative capacity of our people. The new architects of the global economic landscape are those who apply their imagination, creativity and knowledge to generate new ideas and create new value. Multi-dimensional creativity - artistic and literary creativity, design innovation, business entrepreneurship and technological innovation - will be the new currency of success.” (MICA website)
 “Creative industries not only contribute towards the economy directly, they also have a powerful, indirect impact on the rest of the economy - by adding style, aesthetics and freshness to differentiate our products and services. The creative industries also improve our quality of life and make Singapore more vibrant by stimulating awareness and demand for the arts, design and media products and services.” (MICA website)
 E.g. the Singapore government is injecting $230 million over the next 5 years (fr 2009) in the media industry. The new media masterplan is called Singapore Media Fusion which aims to stimulate demand, grow talent and create jobs in the media industry. Singapore’s creative industry is growing at 6% per annum and contributes significantly to the economy (http://www.onscreenasia.com/article-4455-singaporeincreasesmediafunding-onscreenasia.html)
 E.g. MICA is spearheading the Creative Industries Development Strategy to revitalize Singapore’s economy (http://app.mica.gov.sg/Default.aspx?tabid=66)
 Freedom of expression is therefore essential/ must be encouraged to build up/ produce a creative workforce which can cater to the needs of such an economy
 One way to do so is through an education system that cultivates open-mindedness and broadening of perspectives



ISSUE 5
From the passage

Governments cannot be truly accountable to the people without the scrutiny of independent media. (Passage A, l. 25–26)
… such restrictions are frequently misused by governments to suppress legitimate speech and protest. (Passage A, l. 33–34) … unlike the all too common tendency of authorities to engage in overkill (Passage A, l. 40–41)

Re-phrase of issue
Too many restrictions will result in the suppression of constructive/ justifiable criticisms by government. Freedom of expression is needed in order to allow for objective/ rational/ constructive criticism of governments and their policies.

Explanation/ Evaluation
 While unjustifiable attempts to cast the government in a bad light should not be tolerated, governments need to be tolerant of/ open to constructive criticism. Necessary for greater transparency and accountability, especially today where the electorate is better educated and more aware of their rights and the responsibilities of the government.
 There is growing awareness among governments regarding this – greater tolerance and relaxation of rules regarding restrictions on freedom of expression.
 In April 2007 in Egypt, head judge Abdel Fattah Mourad, filed a lawsuit against fifty-one websites belonging to prominent Egyptian human rights organizations and bloggers, demanding their shutdown on the basis that they "tarnish the reputation of the Egyptian government." The case, also referred to as the "51 websites trial," took an interesting turn shortly after Eid's HRInfo in turn accused judge Mourad of violating the organization's intellectual property rights by including fifty pages of an HRinfo report on Internet blogging in his own book without citing sources or including references. In a court ruling in December 2007, the request was rejected, with the court expressing its support for freedom of expression and stressing the importance of not compromising the freedom of these websites as long as they do not undermine fundamental beliefs or public order. (http://www.menassat.com/?q=en/news-articles/2641-dark-year-press-freedom-egypt)
 In July 2009, the UK government finally relented and agreed to abolish the offences of seditious libel and criminal defamation. The Ministry of Justice's move comes after a long campaign by free speech organisations, their advocates, and opposition politicians. The laws, which date from the time of the Star Chamber, made criticism of the monarch or the government a criminal offence, and were used to silence political dissent. (http://humanrightshouse.org/Articles/11311 .html)
 In 2008, the Singapore government passed a law that ISPs would not be liable if their customers visit black-listed sites which reflects the govt’s softening stance on freedom of speech.

 However, criticisms of governments which are seen as misusing restrictions of freedom of expression still abound.
 In 2007, the Egyptian government was criticised for suppression of the country’s independent media, for fear that the reporting of the independent press will shape and influence public opinion. Several members of the independent press were arrested for their reports on controversial issues.
 In January 2007, Al-Jazeera journalist Howaida Taha Mitwalli was stopped at Cairo airport by security as she tried to board a flight to Qatar, where the Al-Jazeera headquarters are located. Taha had been working on a documentary film about torture in Egypt and was allegedly stripped of her videotapes and computer. She was sentenced to six months in prison in May 2007 for "possessing and giving false pictures about the internal situation in Egypt that could undermine the dignity of the country."
 In December 2007, six insult and defamation lawsuits were brought against Wael El Ibrashi, editor-in-chief of the independent Sawt El-Omma. The lawsuits were reportedly filed by businessmen in response to articles published in Sawt El-Omma, "following legal transgressions reportedly committed by the companies run by the businessmen." (http://www.menassat.com/?q=en/news-articles/2641-dark-year-press-freedom-egypt)

 Manipulated and used for the wrong purposes/own agenda, inciting unhappiness  eg. the “Great Firewall of China”, which started because the China Communist party feared the China Democracy Party would breed a powerful new network that the party elites might not be able to control

 In Iran, the government deployed the Revolutionary Guards, Basij vigilante squads and special riot police officers to confront demonstrators protesting the 12 June 2009 presidential election results. General Yadollah Javani, director of the corps’s political arm, warned the public that there was no room for dissent. more Foreign press credentials were revoked and journalist visas were not renewed.

 Examples of government control over media scrutiny in Central Asian states (http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1068032.html):
 Kazakhstan – Although Kazakhstan has seen the harassment of journalists and media outlets that fall afoul of the state, the larger problem is one of access -- both to sensitive information and to the larger public. Asked whether freedom of the press exists in Kazakhstan, Darigha Nazarbaeva -- the daughter of President Nursultan Nazarbaev and a media magnate in her own right – said recently that one need walk only five minutes in Almaty to find a publication that elaborates "what a bad president we have and how I've monopolized the entire press." And she's right – an opposition press exists. But national television, with its enormous potential to shape popular opinion, remains either state-controlled or subordinate to allied interests -- as witnessed by a strict taboo on investigations of alleged corruption in the Nazarbaev family.
 Kyrgyzstan – Nowhere in Central Asia has the fate of the media reflected political upheaval as strikingly as in Kyrgyzstan of late. The true fall of President Askar Akaev in March 2005 took place not when he fled the seat of government before an advancing crowd, but when opposition leaders later made an impromptu appearance on state television. A heady period ensued, with revelations of Akaev-era skullduggery suddenly front and center in national media. But the honeymoon proved short-lived. A post-Akaev political morass deepened through 2005 and early 2006 amid high-profile contract killings and frustrated expectations of political and economic reform. And the media environment followed suit, with initial gains eroded by renewed state interference in television, salaried partisanship in the print media, and the rising influence of organized-crime groups.
 Tajikistan – Tajikistan's media environment has seen no such political upheavals. President Imomali Rakhmonov could rule through 2020, as long as he continues to secure reelection. He has consolidated his power in recent years -- seemingly with that aim in mind.The media have also felt the consequences. As the country nears the end of its first decade since the 1992-97 civil war, the state maintains a firm grip national television and politically relevant print outlets. Meanwhile, a handful of tiny independent newspapers fight an increasingly uphill battle for access to printing facilities and readers.
 Turkmenistan – The case of Turkmenistan speaks eloquently of a total stifling of media under blanket state control. News outlets trumpet the cult of President Saparmurat Niyzov and tout the purported glories of Turkmenistan's golden age under his rule. This reduces them to little more than a peephole on an otherwise sealed regime. The media unfailingly broadcast Niyazov's pronouncements and feast on the latest official to fall from grace. On April 24, for example, former Prosecutor-General Gurbanbibi Atajanov, who recently stepped down after a decade of dispatching onetime colleagues to unenviable fates, begged for mercy on the evening news as the president vilified her for corruption. Those same media outlets ignore whatever fails to fit the script of the decreed golden age.
 Uzbekistan – President Islam Karimov insists that Uzbekistan's media are at war. What foreign media reported as evidence of a massacre in Andijon in May 2005, the president and officials have described as an "information attack" intended to undermine Uzbekistan's stability and sovereignty. Print and broadcast outlets, controlled either directly or indirectly by the state, are required to fight off this alleged assault by detailing extremist threats and foreign plots. They are also tasked with explaining the country's shift of geopolitical allegiance to Russia and China. What space remains goes to a sanitized portrayal of Uzbek reality, with some warts left in – local corruption and economic difficulties – to lend credence to the grand official narrative espoused by slogans such as "Uzbekistan, a country with a great future."
 The press in Singapore has often been criticised for being too much of a government’s mouthpiece.
 Several publications, most notably the Far Eastern Economic Review, have been sued by Singapore’s government leaders for what are considered defamatory articles. The view is that such legal proceedings are an overkill as it generates more infamy and a more negative impression of the transparency of the democratic nature of the government. This stifles discussion of politics in Singapore and instils caution within her citizens.
 In late 1970s, Ho Kwon Ping, the Review's Singapore correspondent, was accused of endangering national security and fined $3,000. Lee Kwan Yew later charged FEER editor, Mr. Derek Davies, of participating in "a diabolical international Communist plot" to poison relations between Singapore and neighbouring Malaysia.
 In the 1980s, Lee banned the Review in Singapore after it published an article about the detention of Roman Catholic church workers.
 In 2006, after the publication of an article on Dr. Chee Soon Juan, an opposition politician and member of the Singapore Democratic Party, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father and minister mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, sued the publication for defamation alleging the magazine had suggested they were corrupt.
 However, defamatory statements against the government without evidence or basis have to be challenged as these will understandably undermine the trust of the people in the government.

ISSUE 6
From the passage

… the law would force "creative thinkers" to bite their tongue, and so produce a "veneer of tolerance concealing a snakepit of unaired and unchallenged views". (Passage B, l. 6–8)

Re-phrase of issue
Some freedom of expression should be allowed as excessive restrictions stifle opinions/ discussions/ creativity and could cause more problems instead.

Explanation/ Evaluation
 There is a fine balance between upholding the right to freedom of expression and protecting other human rights. In some countries, hate speech laws have been introduced to outlaw such expression but success of such laws is often questionable and could drive hate speech underground.
 While it may be necessary to ban certain extreme forms of hate speech and certainly to make its use by the state prohibited, parallel measures involving the promotion of a pluralistic media are essential to give voice to counter viewpoints.
 In China, no one may legally publish a book, newspaper, magazine, news Web site, or Internet publication without significant registered capital, a government sponsor, and government authorization. The government has the authority to revoke any publisher's license and force it to cease publishing. Those who violate Chinese publishing regulations are subject to heavy fines and long prison terms. This is used as a means to control public opinion.
 China's leaders also strictly control who may publish books and impose harsh regulatory and criminal penalties to deter individuals from attempting to engage in private publishing. The government requires that all books published in China have serial numbers and that officials regulate who may publish by exercising exclusive control of the distribution of these numbers. In March 2005, new regulations became effective that prohibit the publication, and allow the confiscation, of any book that "harms the honor of China," "propagates superstition," or "disturbs social order."
 As a result, China has a thriving underground publishing industry, and banned books, such as the "Survey of the Chinese Peasantry," are easily purchased from unlicensed publishers and retailers. By forcing unlicensed publishers to become criminals, however, the government is eroding respect for intellectual property and rule of law, as these illegal publishers are also de facto copyright violators (the illegal works are "pirated," since authors cannot collect royalties on them) and must bribe corrupt officials in order to keep operating. (http://www.cecc.gov/ pages/annualRpt/annualRpt05/2005_3e_expression.php)

 Iranian society has had a strong tradition of art since ancient times and a modern art movement with Western influences began in the early 20th century, reaching its peak in the 1970s. The 1979 Islamic Revolution put a stop to all this gharbzadeghi (“Westoxification”), with Ayatollah Khomeini’s regime quickly shutting down anything originating in the West. The art schools and academies were closed, and a more "popular" religious art, in the form of murals and politico-religious graffiti with its themes of Shi’ite martyrdom and the perennial battle between good and evil (with depictions of revolutionary heroism and battle scenes from the Iran-Iraq war) came to dominate.
 The 1990s saw an underground art movement surface and blossom into a vibrant art scene as galleries sprung up around the capital, Tehran. These became meeting points for young people and talking shops for cultural exchange. As has often been the case with the arts, repression became a catalyst, provoking artists to challenge the system with tongue-in-cheek social, religious, and political criticism and commentary. Despite this, the Islamic regime left artists largely to their own devices, even when younger artists introduced more and more audacious works in an attempt to force cultural and artistic change. Museums and institutions around the world began to seek out Iranian art and artists.
 In 2009 however, the government imposed more restrictions on artists and banned galleries that showed "un-Islamic" art. The culmination of this change in mood (more than strategy) was manifested in the regime’s reaction to some of the artists and works featured in Saatchi Gallery’s groundbreaking exhibition “Unveiled: New Art From the Middle East,” held in London earlier this year. Several participating artists felt it prudent not to return to Tehran after “visits” from the authorities to their studios, friends, and family in their absence. (http://www. artinfo.com/news/story/32096/the-politics-of-art-in-contemporary-iran/?printer_ friendly=1)

 There are depictions of reality in film that are censored. Royston Tan’s award-winning film, ‘15’, depicts the underbelly of gangsterism in Singapore. However, it was censored with 20 or more cuts before it was screened. This stifles the artist who wants to create an authentic work of art that reflects reality as they perceive it.



ISSUE 7
From the passage

The crux of the matter is that one person's attempt to shock, outrage and offend is another's legitimate form of creative expression. It is a murky area of discussion, one that is entirely subjective. (Passage B, l. 31–33)

Re-phrase of issue
Restrictions on freedom of expression have to take into account the fact that what constitutes something offensive is subjective. It is difficult to decide what restrictions to impose.

Explanation/ Evaluation
 Different people have different perceptions and may have different levels of acceptance.
 Damien Hirst’s works are seen as controversial and some find them questionable as works of art. However, many critics have also applauded and awarded him with many accolades. The artist attempts to break from previous art forms by creating new ones that are a rejection to what came before. Acceptance will naturally take some time. If there are restrictions to avoid controversy, there will be no new art created.
 Singapore’s erotic artist Martin Loh, notorious for his homo-erotic art, had to shelve his exhibition as the gallery practiced “self-censorship”, according to a Reuters news report in June 2008. He states that there is “no future for this kind of art”.
 What might not be deemed art now could well be deemed as such many years later. History is replete with examples of now famous and canonical works that were initially dismissed as “not art”.
 Throughout history, societies have reacted to scandals in art by calling for censorship and self-censorship. But such censorship have always been temporary. Social conventions change and along with that, perceptions of what constitutes art will also change. Dejeuner sur L’Herbe can now be seen in history of art textbooks.
 Eg. Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain—a urinal mounted 90 degrees to its usual position and signed pseudonymously “R. Mutt”. In 2004, the Dadaist piece, replicas of which are now displayed in museums around the world, was voted “the most influential modern art work of all time” by a panel of 500 experts. But in 1917, when Duchamp first submitted the piece for inclusion in the exhibition of the Society of Independent Artists in New York, it was hidden from view as having “no darn place in an exhibition of art”.
 Other famous works that were initially dismissed as “not art” include Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup tins and Roy Lichtenstein’s comic-strip inspired paintings.



ISSUE 8
From the passage

Whatever offence people at the margins seek to cause, you have to trust that there are enough people at the core of society who will not be swayed to the extremes. (Passage B, l. 63–65)

Re-phrase of issue
People should have a reasonable amount of free speech as we must trust that the majority do know how to use it responsibly. We should not penalise the majority just because of a small group which abuses freedom of expression.

Explanation/ Evaluation
 As people become better educated and more exposed to global issues/ news with the constant development of technology in the mass media, it becomes even more difficult to impose too many restrictions on freedom of expression.
 New technologies, such as the Internet, and satellite and digital broadcasting, offer unprecedented opportunities to promote freedom of expression and information.
 Action by the authorities to limit the spread of harmful or illegal content through the use of these technologies should be carefully designed to ensure that any measures taken do not inhibit the enormous positive potential of these technologies.
 Imposing limitations on such technologies is a fine balancing act between defending the freedom of expression and information and ensuring protection from abuses e.g. spread of child pornography.






SAMPLE ANSWER A

Yes, I do agree freedom of expression should be restricted as I agree with Kevin Boyle and Cherian George who state in Passage A, paragraph 4, lines 27–32, that it is legitimate to require the individual’s freedom of expression to be exercised … to uphold public order, public morality and national security. I feel that freedom of expression should be restricted because every individual is part of a community and freedom of speech, if used inappropriately, could lead to instability and also security issues within the society. The freedom of speech is a right provided to an individual and an individual should utilise it with discretion. If personal discretion is not exercised, restrictions are necessary to ensure that this freedom is not abused. In Singapore, there were racial riots eminent during the 1960s commonly induced by verbal abuses from one race to another. The lack of restriction on the freedom of expression has thus led to instability and disruption within the country. However, comparing with the recent racist bloggers who posted defamatory remarks about other races and were brought to justice in court, the existence of laws restricting freedom of expression seems to deal with the situation in a more orderly and peaceful manner. Thus the restriction of freedom of speech ensures that individuals exercise discretion and uphold public order, morality and national security.

Nevertheless, freedom of speech is subjective and would be hard to restrict. In Passage B, paragraph 5, lines 31–32, Jonathan Duffy claims that “the crux of the matter is that one person’s attempt to shock, outrage and offend is another’s legitimate form of creative expression”. This is logical as an interpretation of speech or imagery tends to be subjective and varies depending on the perspective of different people. The Dutch comic strips depicting the Muslim prophet in controversial fashion was well-received in the country as a comedic parody but was met with hostility from the Muslim population. As such, it is true that the freedom of expression is subjected to perception.

Darren Lim, CG 02/09
Marks: 7 out of 8 R1 – but not addressing the question directly
R2

EX



EX

EX – clear link to R1
R3



R3/ EV- link to R2






EV
R2



EX

R3/ EV


Link to R1 not clear


SAMPLE ANSWER B

Freedom of expression should not be restricted.

In Passage B, Duffy argues that freedom of expression is “a murky area of discussion, and one that is entirely subjective”. I agree with him as I feel that there is no concrete line drawn to determine what is appropriate and what is inappropriate. It is unfair for a person’s work or opinion to be suppressed just because the law deems it as inappropriate, as everyone has different ideas of what is unique. People who are thought to spark controversy may just be creative in expressing their ideas and hence it is sad to see their ideas being rejected as long as the law says it is inappropriate. It is even worse if it is a conservative society, as many things would not be allowed. In 1997, Janet Jackson’s album “The Velvet Rope” was prohibited in Singapore as the government thought that it was inappropriate. If this happens often, artistes would not have the incentive to produce their works for fear of them being restricted as well. Hence, I believe that the issue of freedom of expression is too murky and uncertain. Hence, freedom of expression should not be restricted. However, that being said, it is true that some people can be too extreme in their views. For example, in Singapore, racist bloggers sparked tension and threatened social cohesion. Hence, freedom of expression in a racial context can be dangerous if people go overboard, as social cohesion can be eroded. However, as Duffy says, “(we) have to trust that there are enough people as the core of society who will not be swayed to extremes”. Hence, it should still be unrestricted as these people form only a small portion of society.

In Passage A, Boyle and George argue that “restrictions are frequently misused by governments to suppress legitimate speech and protest”. I agree with this because governments have the tendency to over-restrict political opinions to maintain their legitimacy. In China, people are not allowed to direct their protests to the central government and are only allowed to target the local governments. Hence, this is unfair as they are not allowed to express their needs or the difficulties they face, as there are too many restrictions. This would cause dissatisfaction amongst the people as well. However, it is sometimes important for a government to suppress protests, as it may lead to increased social unhappiness amongst the people, stirring up fights and unrest. In China, they have implemented the Great Firewall and 10000 or more workers have been employed to monitor it. This is to block out the bad things said about China. In this case, it is good to restrict the freedom of expression as these external factors might cause people in China to be upset with the government, in turn possibly leading to chaos. However, that being said, governments should still not overuse restrictions as people’s voices need to be heard.

Hence I feel that freedom of expression should not be restricted.

Amanda Chong, CG 33/09
Marks: 7.5 out of 8 R1

R2 – no line ref


EX



EX


EX/ EV
R3/ EV
Could have explained ‘inappropriate’ in what way
Links R3 to R2 and R1

R3 – more details needed

EV


EV – link to R1


R2 – no line ref again
EX
R3 – could have been more specific, ie. cite a specific incident
EV

EV

R3

EV


How does this tie in with the stand in R1? Answer has become rather confused

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To what extent has technology had an impact on both privacy and security in your country?

Technology has a great impact on both privacy and security in my country, Singapore. Privacy is the right of an individual to be secure from unauthorised disclosure of information about oneself that is contained in documents. Security is the state of being free from dangers and the precautions against theft, espionage or other dangers. In Singapore, technology is an essential part of people’s lives. Be it to work, play or travel, technology is an integral part of them all. Therefore, technology will definitely affect one’s privacy and security in one way or another.
One of the ways in which technology has had an impact on security in my country is that it has made crime solving faster and more efficient. Technology has invented new methods of investigations and procedures that helped to solve crime cases at a much higher efficiency and also to prevent crimes from happening. Such technology includes the DNA database, computer forensics, and many more. The DNA database used by law enforcement agencies to identify crime suspects helps to deter people from repeating crimes as anyone who has committed crimes will have their DNA stored in the police’s database and this makes it easier to trace a repeat offender. Computer forensics has also made crime solving become more efficient and faster. This has enabled authorities to crack cases faster as well as stop them from occurring. An example is the stopping of the alleged plot by six foreign nationals to attack the Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey. This shows how efficient computer forensics is in dealing with crimes. In Singapore, we have such technology as well. Therefore, when people know that the chance of getting caught is very high, they are naturally deterred from committing a crime. This leads to lesser crimes and according to statistics, Singapore’s crime rate is less than 1% which means less than 1% of the people in Singapore are in danger of being a victim of crime. Therefore, this shows that the security in my country is enhanced due to technology as it has deterred potential criminals and made crime solving more efficient and faster.
Technology has improved the security in my country as technology such as the Biometric Identification System is used when people travel in and out of Singapore. The introduction of the biometric passports means that passports are unique to each individual person as everyone’s thumbprint is different. Since no two persons have the same thumbprint, a person cannot use another’s passport to travel. This security system restricts the space for terrorists’ movements by tightening passport controls and border surveillance. This ensures the safety of the citizens in Singapore as terrorists cannot enter or leave the country without being detected. This is because with passports being unique to each individual, the authorities can trace and check whether the person entering the country poses any threat and take the necessary actions. Therefore, before the terrorists even enter the city, they would be arrested and no harm will be done to the citizens. Hence the safety of the people is not jeopardised and the security in the country is enhanced. However, Biometric Identification System also has its drawbacks. Since a large amount of information such as personal particulars of all the people in the country are stored in a single smart card, any leakage in the transmission of information from one source to another or a successful hack into the system will cause an enormous amount of private information to be disclosed. However, given Singapore’s security systems, the chance of such mishandling of information is very low and hackers will not be drawn to hack into Singapore’s system as it is very difficult to penetrate through the firewalls that the government has put in place. Therefore, since the information of all the Singaporeans is safe, the privacy of the people remains. Also, since their personal particulars will not be disclosed, potential criminals who want to harm the people will not be able to carry out their crime as they lack the information to use for their plans. Therefore, the security and privacy of the people are not jeopardised by the Biometric Identification System. In fact, the security in the country is enhanced because people are free from danger.

Privacy and security is increasingly being passed over for sharing on Facebook as people are more interested in social interactions and are less concerned about the dangers of losing their privacy. People are lured into Facebook with the promise of fun free service and do not realise that they are paying for it by giving up loads of personal information. Facebook has changed the way it works so that much of your personal profile information including where you work, what music you like, and where you went to school, now are made public by default. This allows potential criminals who want to harm a person to obtain valuable information to use against him or her. This jeopardises the safety of the person and causes the person’s security to be compromised. Some information is even shared with companies that are special partners of Facebook, like Yelp, Pandora and Microsoft. This is because the creators of Facebook are also profit-driven. Therefore, they give the information of their users to such companies in return for money. This leads to a loss in privacy as the right of an individual to be secure from unauthorised disclosure of personal information that is contained in documents is taken away. Therefore, technology has also had a negative impact on both security and privacy in my country.

In conclusion, because technology is used in our everyday lives and is an integral part of our society, it has unambiguously affected us in one way or another. It is a two-edge sword which can be used to enhance or jeopardise the privacy and security in my country. Either way, the impact of technology on the privacy and security in Singapore is undeniably significant.

Jasmine, good job! You explored different aspects beyond what many will focus on-- computers and the Internet. :) You were also thorough. Continue with the good work.

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Do you agree that the Internet has created more barriers than it has broken down?

At this particular epoch of time, we live a life that is more facilitated by the Internet than ever before. Not only has it broken down communication barriers between people, it has also improved the society economically. People are able to have smoother business transactions, be able to communicate with people all over the world and go about performing other daily chores without taking a single step out of their homes. However, why is it that people of recent times have less social interaction with others than generations before? Has the Internet created more barriers or broken them? I am inclined to believe in the latter.

The Internet is an efficient tool in helping individuals and businesses to overcome geographical, cultural and logistical barriers. Not only does it reduce time and distance required in accomplishing a task that would have been at least twice in magnitude if done the conventional way, it also simplifies complex business processes and creates faster and more effective communication. Gradually, as these barriers fade away, more individuals and small companies are able to participate in the global economy, regardless of their location or time. For example, Kenny’s Bookshop, a small book and gift shop in Ireland was the pioneering bookshop in Europe to advertise and sell their products on the internet. It now takes care of hundreds and thousands of orders worldwide and reaps millions of dollars in revenue. Hence, it is now possible for a small company to overcome huge advertisement cost barriers that would once be available only to the larger companies, thus proving why it is logical to say that the Internet has indeed broken down more barriers than creating them.

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter are examples of the rapidly growing array of web services and tools which exploit new media’s power to bring people together. The internet has been effective in breaking down barriers between people as networking sites allow one the opportunity to know and get closer to another person. The cyber world broadens the social network of people which in turn stimulates further communication between people. The Pew Internet and American Life Project conducted a study with American Internet users and found that the networking sites of the Internet actually helps users maintain relationships with people in their networking circle or beyond instead of breaking them as some mistakenly believed. Users are also more proactive in finding opportunities to socialize through these networking sites instead of staying home all day long, which was the wrong assumption made by many in the past. People in different parts of the world are now able to communicate better with the invention of the Internet today. For example, an employer can connect with his employees through the use of video conferencing; a family member studying or working overseas will still be able to communicate with his family members through the use of web-camera; people are able to learn about different cultures across the planet through video and music sharing websites like YouTube and Imeem. This will indefinitely help promote better inter-familial and racial ties. Hence, it is undeniable that the Internet breaks down barriers instead of creating them.

However, it is not to say that the Internet does not have its flaws. As improvements in technology have sped up exponentially in recent times, the majority of frequent internet users are mainly those from the newer generations. This has caused a gradual increase in the gap between the computer illiterate and literate. Furthermore, the computer literate, that is, the newer generation, are using abbreviations that many of the older generations do not understand, thus making communications through e-mailing or any other forms with the Internet as its medium difficult. This would ultimately result in the exacerbation of the generation gap. However, this situation can be easily remedied. Take for example, Singapore. The Singapore government has put in millions of dollars to re-educate the increasing older generation through the setting up of institutions like the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) which equips the greying population in Singapore with sufficient Information Technology (IT) skills which may assist them in communicating and coordinating with the younger generations and hence improving work efficiency. This shows how the Internet if used with the correct skills can negate its minor flaws.

Another shortfall of the Internet is that it is a readily available platform whereby people, regardless of age, religion, sex are able to legally share their ideas and thoughts to the global internet audience. This may not be a good thing. Consider what consequence may be resulted if extremist groups like the Al-Qaeda or Jemaah Islamiya (JI) are allowed to freely use the net to influence gullible teenagers to join in their cause. This should call for a more wary eye among the net surfers to recognize such websites and be able to call on their moral values to differentiate what is morally right or wrong.

Experts suggest that within 10 years, half the world’s population – 3.5 billion people by then – will have access to the Internet. A connected world on such a scale will no doubt create even more extensive network between people from different nations and cultures. This new global connectivity would result in the acceleration of economic and social development. At the same time, it may also cause the worsening of the flaws of the Internet. However, I believe that the shortcomings of the Internet will be negated by its superiority in complementing communications and will continue to break down barriers to create a level playing field for companies, countries and individuals around the world. I thus conclude that the internet breaks down barriers than creating them.

Bing Hong, Continue with the great work! You discussed the topic with sensitivity. You managed to bring out the complexities of the issue. :)

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GENERAL PAPER
PAPER 2 SUGGESTED ANSWERS

Questions on Passage 1
From paragraph 1
1. What views does the writer express on the issue of obesity? [2]

From the passage Paraphrased Answers
“It does not seem…fastest-growing fat problem” (lines 1 – 2)
“Well perhaps not. Scare stories are …food and drink to the media.” (lines 3 - 4)
“… killing children … is not … a hallmark of civilization” (lines 5 – 6) While the rate of obesity is increasing rapidly, (1/2)


things are not as serious as they are made out to be. (1/2)


That said, the losing of children to obesity is not an acceptable measure of a developed society. (1)

Comments: This paragraph needs very close and careful reading as many students were not able to really pick up on the complexity of ideas. Many of the answers tended to deal with only a single aspect of what was said and there was a tendency to simplify the issues with points that are not even found in the passage. Excellent answers would have been able to distinguish between what the writer has observed about the fat issue, how this trend could be an exaggeration by the media and lastly, to point out that despite all this, the writer feels that the problem is not a good reflection of progressive society.

Sample of a good answer:
“The writer recognises the increasing frequency of obesity cases in Europe. Although she acknowledges that the situation may have been exaggerated by the media, she considers the problem to be at odds with the advancements of mankind.” ~Nur Azzah Amir Gany 33/04


From paragraph 2
2. a. What is implied by the use of “or else” (lines 8 and 11)? [1]
Answer: It implies that a threat is being made by the government/The government will impose some kind of sanction/penalty on the food and drinks industries. (1)
Comments:
Answers should be put in a meaningful context as far as possible. Please note the words in bold as above.

b. Why, according to the writer, does the government “not want to venture down the ‘or else’ route” (lines 12 – 13)? [1]
From the passage Paraphrased Answer
“how often has it been accused of running a nanny state” (lines 12 – 13) The government does not want to be criticised once again for being too controlling in people’s lives. (1)

Note: ½ mark more for “once again”
Comments:
Look for contextual clues in paragraph 2 to help you. “Or else” … “Mandatory regulations do not seem coercive in other areas”. Avoid doing word-for-word substitution of meanings like baby-sitter, governess, maid, etc. Avoid extreme meanings like “totalitarian, spoon-fed, dictator, etc.
c. How do the examples used by the writer in lines 15 – 20 develop the argument that the government should take action on obesity? [3]

From the passage Paraphrased Answer
“Mandatory regulations do not seem coercive …”(lines 14 – 15)

…not an assault on human rights… (lines 16)

quaint…aircraft and buses.”
(lines 17 - 18)

“But British children…fatty food lunches…dispense rubbish” (lines 18 – 20) The wearing of crash helmets and seat belts and the ban on smoking in planes and buses have been forced upon people not to restrict them but to protect them. (1)

They do not see these as a violation of their human rights. (1)


Moreover, these restrictions have been generally accepted as beneficial/people recognize these as benefits. (1)

Therefore, the writer feels that it is perfectly reasonable to regulate against obesity for the benefits it would bring. (1)
Accept any 3 of the above points
Comments: For each point made from these examples, remember link them back to the point of why the government should take action on obesity. Lastly, for questions 1 and 2, please avoid lifting especially of key words/ideas.


From paragraph 3
3. Select any two reasons why it is difficult for the government to deal with the problem of obesity? Briefly explain the difficulty in each case. Number your answers 1 and 2. [2]
From the passage Paraphrased Answer
“the causes of obesity differ” (lines 21 – 22)

“…individual choice…not one for regulators” (line 23)



“…stigma... criticise fat youngsters…unthinkable…their shape of adults’ devising” (lines 24 – 25) There are many reasons for obesity. (1/2) So, the solutions will be harder to find. (1/2)

The individual decides what he/she is going to eat (1/2)
and it is therefore regarded as not the business of the government/a private matter/as something that government should not/cannot get involved in. (1/2)

It is felt that it would be damaging for young people to be criticized for being fat when it is not really their fault (1/2) and government involvement would lead to them being singled out even more. (1/2)

Note: Give max of 2 marks for any 2 of the above reasons plus the explanation.

Comments:
• A fairly direct question with many able to secure the maximum marks.
• Students were penalized for their inability to paraphrase with the lifting of words- causes, regulation, and choice- being common.
• Not many were able to infer the writer’s critique that obesity of children is largely the fault of parents-“their shape of adults’ devising.” This shows the need for a closer reading and analysis of the given passage.
• The attempt by a few to break the general argument of how there are multiple causes of obesity making the problem intractable into separate arguments on genes, depression etc. cannot be fully justified.

4. “Never, outside the Garden of Eden, has so much significance been invested in a free apple” (lines 27 – 28). What is the writer’s intention in saying this? [1]

To be witty/To mock the government’s efforts/the writer is being sarcastic/to question the government’s actions/to criticize or doubt the government. (1)

Comments: Only a small percentage of the entire cohort managed a coherent answer. This question required students to go beyond rephrasing stock sentences and was one of the few that truly tested one’s understanding of the writer’s message and how she uses tone to make a point. Biblical references were not particularly useful for this question and what students needed to do was make some reference to the sarcasm and the writer’s dismissal of the government’s half-hearted efforts.


Questions on Passage 2
From paragraph 1
5. According to the writer why was the school effort to ensure “good nutrition” (lines 3 and 4) a failure? [3]
From the passage Paraphrased Answers
“in the playground, away from the teachers’ eyes… sweets and chocolates were traded” (lines 4 – 5)
“… marks of rebellion…statements of independence” (lines 5 – 6)

“… ever so much more enticing” (lines 6 – 8) “…food plus attitude” (line 8) It did not stop the eating of sweets and chocolates. (1/2)
The inability to ensure complete supervision led to the secret eating of sweets and chocolates. (1)

The banning attached more significance to the eating of them.
Students saw the eating of sweets as a way of asserting their right to freedom of choice/a way of subverting authority/ challenging adults/asserting themselves. (1)
Sweets and chocolates became the forbidden fruits and became more attractive.(1)

Note: Give up to a max. of 3.

Comments:
• Again a fairly direct question that required mainly extraction and some degree of inference skills. Many students were able to identify some of the arguments but failed to provide the requisite number to secure a full mark.
• Many seemed to have problems with paraphrasing “the marks of rebellion” and “statements of independence.” “Being cool” does not adequately bring across the meaning of these phrases.
• There was also a failure to make explicit the necessary links in the argument. It is not sufficient to simply write that “sweets and chocolates became more attractive after the ban” without explaining why the ban made them attractive i.e. the forbidden food argument.

From paragraph 2
6. State briefly how the Health Select Committee could learn from the school experience. [1]
Lifts Paraphrased Answers
The school was well-meaning – just misguided (line 9)
… has turned good intentions into bad conclusions (lines10 – 11) Even though one wanted to do something right/started off meaning well (0.5), the act could end up with undesirable outcomes/ends/solutions that had a negative impact rather than a positive one (0.5).

Comments:
• Most students did not get this question right. While it is logical to propose a variety of answers (eg. that solutions implemented must be carefully thought through, that banning food is not a good solution because students will find other ways to obtain it, that banning food can only worsen the situation etc.), students must read carefully to realise that the answer MUST come from paragraph 2, and not elsewhere.
• It should be obvious that key phrases like “good intentions”, “bad conclusions” must not be lifted.
• Given that this is only a one-mark question, it is amazing to note that many students produced answers that way exceeded the number of lines given. This is an indication of floundering for an answer. The importance of economising the number of words cannot be more emphasised.
• Sample of a good answer:
The committee could reflect on itself and see if its actions, though they meant well, have actually resulted in more harm than good being done, such as in the case of the school.
(Cheng Maoxin, 10/04)

7. Orbach expresses a number of doubts and concerns about the obesity problem, seeing it as only one aspect of a larger pattern of disturbed eating. Using material from paragraphs 3 to 8, summarise her views in about 150 words, using your own words as far as possible. [8]
Lifts Paraphrased Answers
the extent of it is (lines 16 – 17)

the well-trumpeted dangers … need to be questioned (lines 18 – 19)

there is serious money to be made from a condition in search of treatment, and the categorisation of fat may just fit this bill perfectly (lines 19 – 21)

… let us not out of our sight the other players responsible for driving the obesity panic (lines 25 – 26)

Important correctives to the scare tactics are needed (line 32)

… the new rise in obesity is not simple growth, but is partly due to the BMI being revised downwards… (lines 33 – 34)
(to be inferred) from examples on writers Paul Campos and Alicia Mundy (l. 37 – 43)

… may look like a straightforward public health issue … unless it is recognised that fat is also an economic and psychological issue requiring innovative initiatives (lines 44 – 48)

… need to contest that … fitness, not fat, determines our mortality. You can be fat, fit and healthy (lines 49 – 51)
Children … have often imbibed anxiety around food and feeding … come along, quite unwittingly, with a mother’s milk, as she seeks to mange the societal pressures to stay away from fat (lines 54 – 57)
… we are, as a culture deeply confused about eating and dieting … something to be watchful, wary and afraid of. People of so-called normal weight … are as much part of the real epidemic of disturbed eating (lines 58 – 62)
A1 She questions the number of people who are said to be obese. (1)
A2 She suggests/challenges that being considered overweight/heavy may not be as dangerous/harmful as some people claim. (1)

A3 She sees the labeling of more people as fat could be an attempt by businesses to make more money. (1)



B1 She points out that society’s obsession with obesity is fuelled by many parties, and it is too convenient to blame only the obvious ones. (1)

C1 She suggests that the schemes/methods/strategies to trick people into feeling insecure/vulnerable need to be adjusted/altered. (1)
C2 She notes that a lot of people are brought under the obesity umbrella because of a simple change of measurement. (which she implies is absurd) (1)

C3 She points to the extensive evidence/literature that links big business to the concerns of obesity. (1)


D1 She expresses concern that the agencies that are trying to deal with the obesity problem do not see the whole picture/do not address the issue fully enough/are taking a too narrow view of the problem, and that creative solutions/strategies are needed. (1)


E1 She indicates that being fat may not mean you are unfit./ It is fitness that decides our lifespan, not the amount of fat. (1)

E2 She is concerned that parents pass on an unhealthy perception of what it means to be fat/our obsession with fat is something that we are creating a legacy for our children, and eating becomes an unavoidable difficulty for them. (1)



F1 She indicates that obesity is really only one part of the whole societal problem where people fear eating, and that many people who are not even considered obese are very troubled by the whole business of eating. (1)



Comments:
• Perennial issues:
a. Please do a word count at the end of your answer.
b. Please do not lie about the number of words used.
c. Please write in a single paragraph.
d. Please do attempt the summary because you will be giving up too many marks if you don’t.
• Too much rigid paraphrasing without showing an awareness of the question or an understanding of the passage. This usually happens when there is too much word substitution or a lack of linkers to connect the ideas.

Compare the paraphrases (a) and (b) of the following excerpt:

Creating a panic about obesity may look like a straightforward public health issue… but we won’t be (on the side of the angels) unless it is recognised that fat is also an economic and psychological issue requiring innovative initiatives (lines 44 – 48).
(a) People would not worry about obesity unless it affects the economy and mental well-being, and needs creative solutions.
(b) The agencies trying to deal with the obesity problem do not see the whole picture, and that creative solutions are needed to tackle it.

(a) clearly has got the wrong idea because the paragraph is not arguing that we worry about obesity, but rather, obesity is worrying because it is far more complex and multi-dimensional than assumed, which is captured in (b) succinctly. (a) has also conveniently substituted “an economic and psychological issue” with “the economy and mental well-being”, which completely misses the point.

The following is an obvious example of poorly-linked ideas. What can be done to improve its coherence?

We must question the pitfalls of being overweight. There is much profit to be made from obesity. There are many parties responsible for scaring people about obesity. Amendments to the ways of frightening people must be done. More people are obese today. The BMI has been revised. Fat is an economic and psychological issue that needs creative solutions. The market makes money by making us all think we are fat. We must challenge that. Fitness determines how long we can live. One can be fat and fit. Children today are afraid of eating. We ourselves are troubled by eating, and dieting has become necessary. Normal-weight people are part of the eating problem.


Sample of a good answer

The severity of the weight problem and its effects have been exaggerated (A2). Food markets are not the only sector that gains from this issue. However, the authorities are too quick to denounce unhealthy foods as the cause. The seemingly increasing trend could also be due to the fact that the form of measurement employed to track obesity was scaled downwards (C2), thereby increasing the estimates of overweight people. Companies that track these statistics are funded by other organizations that stand to profit from an increase in the figures as more people seek treatment for obesity (A3). Moreover, the government and governing agencies must realise that there are economic and psychological contributors to this problem (½D1 – and so?). Our level of fitness, not weight, determines our lifespan (E1). Children must be taught not to fear unhealthy food as they now do. More focus should be placed on those of normal weight as they too are misguided about their diets (F1). ~ Gayathri Ragharan, 37/04


8. Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the passage. You may write your answer in one word or a short phrase. [5]
From the passage Possible Answers
stigma (passage 1, line 24) stain to one’s reputation, shame, dishonor, disgrace (1)
scoff (passage 1, line 38) mock, jeer, deride, ridicule, dismiss, to scorn (1)
plethora (passage 2, line 11) overabundance, excess, numerous, myriad, range, variety(1)
dogma (passage 2, line 27) established belief, prescribed doctrine, practice, custom (1)
unwittingly (passage 2, line 58) inadvertently, unintentionally, accidentally, unknowingly, unconsciously (1)

Comments: Students who wrote several answers were penalised for trying to get by on guesswork. Leaving blank answer scripts also affected the grammar mark for this section (if there were at least three blanks, then half a mark would be deducted). Short, concise answers are preferable over long rambling explanations.


9. Both passages express the view that people’s relationship with food is a complex and not always happy one. Give your views on obesity, dieting and food, illustrating your argument by referring both to what you have just read and to your own observations and experiences.

“both to what you have just read”
• Many of you ignored this part of the question and produced answers on how to lead a healthy lifestyle. These scripts focused on the importance of exercising and eating right. These were mostly irrelevant, simplistic and had little connection to both the passages.

“to your own observations and experiences”
• Most scripts responded to this part of the question. But most were comfortable with just describing the programmes in schools, the Slim 10 saga with Andrea d’Cruz and various eating campaigns. Your personal experiences and observations must be considered in relation to the arguments and issues raised by the writer. Many of you have the tendency to just describe your examples. You must evaluate your ideas by asking what it means, who it affects and how it is tied to the larger concerns in society.

Basically, the application question is a test of your ability to identify (read) key points of the writers’ argument. To do this, you must have a clear idea of what Riddell and Orbach are saying.



Ridell’s Argument
 The thrust of Riddell’ argument is the role of the government in controlling or regulating the obesity problem. But the real question is the extent of control. How far should and can the government go before it is perceived as being over controlling?
 And in relation to the food industry, she argues that the government should take action now and not wait for the industry to take steps to help manage the obesity problem.
Arguments from Passage 1 :
 “The question on food is where to intervene” (line 21)
 “Of course the government does not want to venture down the ‘or else’ route” (line 11)
 “After all, how often has it (the government) been accused of running a nanny state” (line 12)
Illustration from personal experience :
 Trim and Fit Club, regulating diets in school tuckshops, less sweet drinks in vending machines, selling less fried food and gassy drinks, health education programmes, various campaigns launched by the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board, e.g., “Ask for More Vegetables”, The Great Singapore Workout
Evaluation :
The extent of government control in Singapore is limited by the following issues:
 There is the issue of control beyond the school and the question of what happens at home. Parents and grandparents who are unaware of the importance of good dietary habits fail to control their children’s diets and persist in feeding them unhealthy food.
 Culturally, there is also the issue of how eating is viewed by the various races. There is the traditional mindset that a rejection or reduction of food is a sign of poverty. Hence, the penchant for big meals, feasting and even overfeeding.
 In Singapore, the government does not want to be perceived as being over-controlling in what the people are eating. This is because of a strong ‘eating culture’ in Singapore. Controlling the sale of unhealthy foods would be seen as an intrusion into the live of the individual and an infringement of his right to the little ‘pleasures’ in life.
 There is also the issue of eating to relieve stress. Many Singaporeans view eating as a good way to cope and deal with a stressful lifestyle. This is a psychological factor and the proverbial “what you eat is what you are” holds true for many.
 Food is also a revenue generating agent. It is a selling point and is a strong arm of the tourism industry. The government, with the Singapore Tourism Board, uses food as a selling point, e.g., Gluttons Corner and the various food festivals.
Orbach’s Arguments
 The thrust of Orbach’s government is the need to question the real dangers and issues associated with being overweight. She argues for a need to examine the ‘panic’ from a broader perspective – to examine the economic, social and psychological aspects of the problem.
Arguments from Passage 2
 “the well-trumpeted dangers associated with being overweight need to be questioned” (line 18)
 “there is considerable evidence that there is serious money to be made from a condition in search of treatment, and the categorization of fat may fit this bill perfectly” (line 19)
 “whose interests are served by the introduction of hysteria around obesity; particularly who profits and who hurts” (line 25)
 “other players responsible for driving the obesity panic” (line 29)
 “recognized that fat is also an economic and psychological issue requiring innovative measures” (line 48)
 “fitness and not fat that determines our mortality and the hidden psychological effects of this attack on our body size are enormous” (line 50)
Illustration from personal experience:
 Various slimming centres like Jean Yip, Adonis, and Marie France Slimline
 Weight-loss advertisements on television
 Glossy fashion and lifestyle magazines, e.g., Men’s Health, FHM, Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Vogue
 Films like Supersize Me
 Eating disorders, e.g., Bullimia, Anorexia
 Atkins and Cambridge Diet
 Low-carbohydrate/high protein diets

Evaluation
 Our society has a strong visual culture – a culture of excellence that extends to a need to be well groomed, and a pressure to look good. This image-conscious culture is exploited by the numerous grooming and slimming centres which have sprung up in the country.
 The weight-loss industry perpetrates the unrealistic ideal that thin is good and fat is bad. Similarly, slimming programmes and success weight-loss stories are celebrated and endorsed.
 The other player – the media (television/film/fashion/magazines) - promotes a certain image to the exclusion of everything that deems fat as ugly.
 The film ‘Supersize Me’ contributes to the hysteria over the consumption of fast food but is an extreme example exploited by the media. Generally, common sense and moderation will allow most people to enjoy fast food on an occasional basis.
 People have different body shapes and different lifestyles. Many who play sports require a certain physical presence and stature, e.g. rugby and wrestling. The BMI index, in this case, is not a good reflection of their fitness.
 Youth may lack the self esteem and confidence necessary to the formation of a strong sense of self identity. Acceptance is often (mistakenly) tied to what people think of them and what is presented in the media.
 Many resort to drastic measures to conform to unrealistic standards. Hence the rise in eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.
 Self perception is driven by societal standards and not self-acceptance and people need to understand this. Tangible initiatives need to used with education and an atmosphere of discernment needs to be cultivated.

Other General Weaknesses
• Too many ideas mentioned superficially (all in a single paragraph).
• Too much repetition.
• Some students summarised the passages
• Stating the obvious. Many answers had arguments that did not go on to say much beyond the fact that obesity was bad and exercise was good.
Common grammatical errors
• ‘Necessary’ was used when ‘necessarily’ was more appropriate.
• It is ‘Ironic’ and not ‘ironical’
• I ‘Agree with’ the writer’s stand and not ‘agree to’
• “Like what Passage B said”—should simply be ‘Passage B states’
• Food ‘is’ not ‘are’
A good paragraph
Ridell mentions in Passage 1 that ‘the food industry must volunteer to be more responsible’. I strongly agree with this measure and this is evident in Singapore where healthy food is indicated by labels that inform the public of that product’s contents. Food/stall vendors also offer customers the option of having more vegetables or less oil in their food. This is indeed commendable and significantly promotes healthy eating.
An excerpt from Kok Shee Mun 32/04

Prepared by Mr Rajesh Krishnam
uti & Mr Dustin Chin

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