Ms Goh's GP blog

TEMASEK JUNIOR COLLEGE
YEAR 1 JUNE COMMON TEST 2002
PAPER 2 MARKERS’ REPORT

From paragraph 1
1) What is the author’s purpose in mentioning the nine-year old girl? [2]

Text Rephrase
(inferred) as proof / to cite an example / as evidence (½)
people all over the world rely on nature (ll. 1 – 2) that herbal remedies has global appeal OR is
widely accepted (½)
(inferred from rest of the para.) and is effective even against terminal illnesses like cancer (1)

Comments:
• Many students merely stated the plight of the nine-year old girl. The question is not concerned with who the nine-year old girl is but rather what purpose she serves as part of the writer’s message in the paragraph. (See example) Students must infer from what is written. A sensitivity to text structure (which can be honed through regular reading or writing) will be useful in answering this question.

Example:
“The nine-year-old girl completely recovered from leukaemia with the help of a drug made from periwinkle. She underwent two years of chemotherapy with the help from the plant as a chemotherapeutic drug.”


From paragraph 3
2) Give three reasons why there is little development in drugs from plants. Number your reasons 1,2 and 3. Use your own words as far as possible. [3]

Text Rephrase
1. costs as much as 500 million U.S. dollars (l. 24) 1. It is extremely expensive to develop new drugs from plants which are sanctioned by the FDA (1)
2. manufacturers found route from plant to safe, reliable pill is difficult and unpredictable (l. 25) 2. The development process is too tedious (½) and there is no guarantee that it will be successful (½)
3. And even in industrialized countries where scientifically formulated drugs are readily available – Americans spend 103 billion dollars on retail prescription drugs (ll.28-30) 3. Majority of people in industrialized countries (which have the funds to develop herbal drugs) prefer to buy prescription drugs (1)
(inferred reasons) There is little profit to be made from developing herbal medicine as compared to scientifically formulated drugs (1)

Comments:
• Students are generally able to provide at least 2 reasons for this question. The third reason requires a bit more inference and many do not bother to think further but merely paraphrased “limited incentive to base drug development on plants” (l. 26) This answer simply begs the question. We advise students to base their answers on the paragraph stated although in this case, we did give credit to students who mentioned that a possible reason could also be due to FDA’s strict requirements on sanctioning herbal medicine although some might argue that this came at the end of paragraph 2.


Mark Scheme : (Q1) 2 + (Q2) 3 + 2 (lang)= 7 marks
Marker : Mr Tony Tan







From paragraph 3
3a) According to the writer, why do people in developing countries turn to herbal medicine? [2]

Text Rephrase
rely on the healing power (l.27) They believe that herbal medicine is effective (½ )
nothing else affordable (l.28) Herbal medicine is cheap as compared to formulated drugs (½)
or available (l. 28) They can access / obtain these herbal drugs easily (½ )
(inferred) These people have a long tradition of seeking herbal remedies for their illnesses (½ )


3b) Suggest one possible reason why people in developed countries spend so much on
prescription drugs. Use your own words as far as possible. [1]

Text Rephrase



Inferred
They have faith in scientifically-proven medicine (½)
They are affluent and are willing to spend or pay high prices for these drugs (½)
These drugs are found in many places in developed countries and this contributes to its overall sales (½)
They have developed a reliance on these drugs due to their stressful lifestyle (½)

Comments:
• The entire question 3 is a straightforward question. Therefore, any answer using the words “available” and “ affordable” will not obtain any marks. How far should you paraphrase? (See example) Most students are able to get at least 2 of the points in the answer unless they lifted directly from the text. Quite alarmingly, there were also quite a number of students who actually thought scientifically-proven drugs and prescription drugs are 2 entirely different types of drugs.

Example:
“…the plants used for healing are ubiquitous”

Mark Scheme: (Q3a) 2 + (Q 3b) 1(content) + 2 (lang)= 5 marks
Marker : Mr Tony Tan


From paragraph 4
4) In the context, how apt is the writer’s analogy of the radio? [1]

Text Rephrase

ll. 36 – 40 The analogy is apt because isolating the compound in the plant responsible for producing a cure is as difficult as trying to disassemble a radio and identifying the part of the radio that is producing the sound. (1)

Comments:
• As this is a figurative language question, students would be expected to know what an analogy was – a linguistic device that makes use of another similar but simpler, more accessible object/process/idea to explain a complex one – and at least make reference to both objects/processes/ideas. This was not seen as quite a number of students happily just describe the radio and its parts etc.

• Time management as reflected in the length of the answer appeared to be a problem as some students insisted on writing a lot, even beyond the stipulated length.

• There was some leeway in accepting or rejecting the radio analogy.
It is very apt as attempting to determine which chemical or chemicals are responsible for the plant’s healing effects are as difficult and tedious as disassembling an entire radio to search for the part that produces the sound.
(Timothy Lin Xianyang, 10/02)

I think the analogy is not very apt because a plant’s medicinal effect is a result of more complex bio-chemical processes than the mechanical functioning of sound-production in a radio.
(Kharkar Prajakta Prashani, 08/02)



From paragraph 5
5) What does the writer mean by “placebo effect”? [1]

Text Rephrase
they take them and feel better whether or not the substance had any effect l.45,46 They believe that traditional medicines would make them feel better even though the medicine may not really have any impact. (1)

Comments:
• Heavy lifting, even to the extent of copying out in entirety lines 44-46. Students should realize that copying is a job best left to photocopiers and that in GP, they are expected to show command of language (and, less applicable for Paper 2, other than the application question, an awareness of the world around them). Compared to answers like the one that follows, those that made no or minimal attempt to paraphrase were heavily penalized.

The writer means that a psychological effect exists that helps people who consume such medicine feel better solely because they believe it would make them feel better and not because of any healing property of the medicine itself.
(Timothy Lin Xianyang, 10/02)



From paragraphs 6 and 7
6) What two things about herbal remedies are recognised by the medical community? [1]

Text Rephrase
many plant-derived materials… have been proved to have important biological effects l.53,54 - many plants are of use/helpful to the body in many significant ways (½ )
not be in fundamental conflict with mainstream medicine l.52-3 - works in tandem with conventional medicine (½ )
OR
insists on scientific testing … before (believing) in an herbal remedy l.55,56 - Although their efficacy must first be proven scientifically / clinically before their use can be accepted (½ )
people use hundreds of plants, not all of which have been tested by science l.56-7 - it must be conceded that many people still and will continue to use herbs even though most are not scientifically proven (½ )

Comments:
• Lifting of key words and even almost entire sentences was quite widespread. In addition, some students insisted on labeling their answers (1) and (2) as per Q 2. At the other extreme, there were also a number of students who did not attempt this question for various reasons.

Mark Scheme : (Q4) 1 + (Q5) 1 + (Q 6) 1(content) + 2 (lang) = 5 marks
Marker : Mr Peck Chee Siong






Read Passage B in the separate insert and then answer the questions below.
From paragraphs 1 and 2
7a) Using your own words, say what the two paragraphs reveal about the shoppers. [2]

Text Rephrase
Enticing l.1 - easily tempted
watch cellulite melt away l.3 - gullible
- look for quick answers
you’ve seen it on Dateline … l.5,6 - easily influenced by media
- uncritical, unthinking, credulous
- curious
Desperate shoppers practically rioted l.8 - beauty / image-conscious
- influenced by herd instinct
- suffered from low self-esteem
sales reached $5m l.11 - willing to spend
(Award ½ mk for any point or bullet up to a maximum of 4 points.)

7b) What do the paragraphs reveal about the nature of advertising? [1]
Advertising is:
A - powerful
B - effective, persuasive
C - exploitative of the insecurities of consumers
D - deceptive / misleading
E - unscrupulous in the way that it makes bold claims and promises to sell products and services
(Award ½ mk for any point up to a maximum of 2 points.)

Comments:
• The main problem was repetition of answer as well as unnecessary details like the “rioting” and names of shows mentioned.
• Slavish lifting for such short questions did not help matters.

Mark Scheme : (Q7a) 2 + (Q 7b) 1(content) + 2 (lang)= 5 marks
Marker : Mr Peck Chee Siong


8) Give the meaning of each of the following words as they are used in the passage. You may write the answer in a word or a short phrase. [5]


9) According to the writer, why is it important to regulate the sale and use of herbal remedies? Using materials from paragraphs 2 – 9, write your answer in no more than 150 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

Mark Scheme: 8 (content) + 3 (lang) = 11 marks
Marker: Mrs Bernice Yong

Comments
1) Too much lifting!
2) Repetition of ideas occurred. ( “herbs were poisonous” / “might have dangerous effects on people’s health” / “might compromise people’s health” all mean the same thing )
3) ‘Padding’, which does not garner one mark, was often used. Eg. ‘It is extremely important to regulate the sale and use of herbal remedies because...'
4) There were problems with using the wrong word-form. Eg. ‘proof’ (noun) vs ‘prove’ (verb), ‘belief’ (noun) vs ‘believe’ (verb)
5) The subject of the sentence was not consistently used. Eg. ‘Manufacturers advertise without proof to substantiate its claim.’
6) Students could summarise long titles. Eg. ‘The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994 was passed…’ could become ‘A law was passed…’.
7) Students need to read the question carefully. The issue was about ‘herbal remedies’ in general, but specific drugs like Cellasene or Osteo Bi-Flex were cited. Learn to extract information to address the question properly.
8) Misrepresentation of facts. ‘track potential illnesses’ was paraphrased as ‘detect possible diseases.’
9) Inaccuracy of phrasing. Eg. The phrase ‘studies of small size’ was paraphrased as ‘minute analysis’ (detailed analysis).

Text Paraphrase
-More than a third of the population now relies on herbs to treat everything… [ A ] -many people are using herbs as cures for diseases. (1)
-audacious marketing strategies… aggressive tactics… sales reaches $5mil
[ B1 ]
-engaged in deceptive advertising…misled consumers… endorsed the unproven dietary supplement [ B2 ]
-despite unproven benefits and potential for harm… attracted many customers with promise [ B3 ] -the sale of herbal remedies can be increased through forceful advertising (1/2)
-advertisers have been known to use untruthful / false sales gimmicks (1/2)


-consumers are easily persuaded / influenced / gullible / curious by persuasive advertisements (1/2)
-no published researched support
-extraordinary claims [ C1 ]
-only three studies… none published in peer-reviewed journal [ C2 ]
-only a mere 75 patients raises questions regarding product’s efficacy [ C3 ]
-some data made available to press by manufacturer [ C4 ] -there is no concrete evidence to support cures or remedies advertised. (1)
-scientific evidence is minimal / not endorsed by fellow practitioners (1/2)
-limited study / sample size (1/2)

-information is released selectively to the media to mislead them (1/2)
-safety concerns arisen…multiple complications… insomnia and menstrual irregularity [ D1 ] -if unchecked, the herbal medicine may endanger the users’ health (1)
-if firms make dramatic, unsubstantiated claims… with impunity they have enormous power to generate demand for their products [ E1 ] -firms may become emboldened to perpetuate their deception if their unscrupulous practices are allowed to continue unchecked (1)
-Congress (allows) companies to peddle products… as long as they do not claim they treat a specific disease [ F1 ]
-many food ingredients are closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but food supplements – such as herbal remedies, botanical extracts and amino acids – are not. [ F2 ] -loopholes in the law allow companies to sell products as long as they do not profess to cure a particular ailment (1)
-as food is strictly regulated by the authorities, herbs, which are similar to it, should be too / should be similar standards for food and herbs (1/2)
-freeing manufacturers from any obligation to document safety or efficacy of products… (and) any responsibility to track potentially life-threatening side effects [ G1 ] -as producers are not legally bound to monitor the safety and potency of the herbal medicine, those which are poisonous continue to be used. (1)

Modified answer:
Without regulation, brazen advertisement is allowed success as people choose ignorance. Fantastic claims can be largely unfounded, while research that has been done by the company can have little scientific acclaim. The drug’s validity is thus in doubt. In fact, well-founded research often disproves such research. The drugs are even possibly damaging to the human body. However, people may still purchase them, due only to strong advertising. Advertisements may even be trickery; this is exponentially harmful in societies dependent in large numbers on herbal treatment. A Congress ruling in 1994 further allowed food supplements to pass uninspected, and released firms from the need to record adverse side-effects. This could have many undesirable consequences. Some of these herbs may even be disguised poisons.
(Andy Huang, 35/02)

10) Passages A and B describe the attitude of the public towards herbal remedies. If the herbal remedy market is well-established in your country, will the people there react in the same manner?

Draw appropriate information from the passages. However, you should rely largely on your own relevant ideas and experience in order to justify your answer.

Mark Scheme: 8 (content) + 3 (lang) = 11 marks
Marker: Ms Norsheha

Comments:
1. Failure to address the requirements of the question.
The Question is NOT
• What will the people's reaction be if the herbal remedy market is well-established?
• What will the people's reaction be if the herbal remedy market is well-established in your country?
• What will the people's reaction be to aggressive advertising?
• What will the people's reaction be to slimming products?

Thus, to get beyond 2 marks for content, students should:
• identify “your country” and bring in the unique characteristics or psyche of the local people as well as add examples to give that local flavour;
• identify the various reactions raised in the passage and make an attempt to show whether the local people react in a similar or different manner.
• focus on the reaction to “herbal products” and not advertisements or slimming pills in general.

2. Students should not confine their response to one point only (e.g. reaction to slimming pills).

3. Responses should be balanced and show some evaluation.

4. Students should not waste time and effort developing and narrating an example at great length (e.g a whole paragraph or even two, on the whole Andrea de Cruz and Pierre Png love story). They should avoid unnecessary details that are not relevant to the central argument (e.g. “Pierre Png’s donating half his liver was a romantic gesture; the Indian lady was 40 years old…).

5. Students should get their facts straight (e.g. ‘Slim 10’ caused liver failure, not liver cancer, heart failure, kidney failure …; so far only 1 person has died, not several; the person who died was an Indian lady, not a Malay girl …).

6. The Singaporean students’ lack of knowledge about their own country is really appalling. For example, many students assumed that only the Chinese have their own herbal remedies. A couple of students even went so far to state that “today the Chinese are slowly influencing the other races to try out herbal remedies.” Obviously, National Education has not really worked!

7. It would be great to see students qualifying their ideas and not making sweeping generalizations such as “all women are vain” (surely not all women? and men are not?), “slimming pills will appeal to ignorant housewives” (why should housewives be ignorant? surely slimming pills appeal to all sectors of society, too?); “the uneducated and the illiterate are of course swayed by aggressive advertisements” (and the highly educated professionals are not?)

8. Students must organise their points as if they are writing an essay. Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence/ main idea, followed by explanation and supporting evidence. Students should make use of linkers to ensure cogency. They should not be throwing in ideas haphazardly.

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