Ms Goh's GP blog

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.



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.




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.

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