SUMMARY PRACTICE VJC PRELIMS 2009 In all of these films we see the world in transition as we are living it.

All have managed to break the cycle of remakes in which Hollywood has been stuck by telling new stories -something American filmmakers, who have prided themselves on their imagination and originality, once excelled at. Meanwhile, with ever fewer exceptions, American filmmakers too often grind out formulaic, shock and awe blockbusters with the inevitable gratuitous violence, sex and special effects that may be winning the battle of Monday morning grosses, but are losing the war for hearts and minds. For all their brawn, American filmmakers, like the generals in Iraq, are in danger of losing the battle of ideas. In this sense, Hollywood's "Mission Impossible III" has a lot more in common with George Bush's "mission accomplished" than we might have suspected. Despite America's continuing, but diminishing, dominance, its ability to win hearts and minds is draining away. In cinema, as in politics during the information age, it is all about whose story wins. Just as America's image has fallen in world opinion because of the Iraq war, audience trends for American blockbusters are beginning to show a decline as well, both at home and abroad. For years, the big blockbusters have grossed more abroad than at home, where infatuation with contrived spectacle has waned. But something out there is stirring. Even long-time American cultural colonies like Japan and Germany are beginning to turn to the home screen. For the first time in decades more than half of cinema admissions went to local films in Japan during 2006 while German admissions for domestic films hit a post-war high of nearly 25 per cent. This suggests they are headed to where TV viewers have long been. The heat is on in Hollywood due to this change in climate, adding further woe to the digital -distribution- "You Tube" -nightmares of the studios. What's happening is that globalization accompanied by technological change is hitting Tinsel Town just like every other industry. Just as the post-World War II American order that defeated communism paved the way for new economic and political competitors from Asia to Europe to Brazil, so too American-led postCold War globalization -- and its backlash -- has led to cultural competition. This suggests that we may be seeing the beginning of the end of the century-long honeymoon of Hollywood, at least in its American incarnation, with the world. Now that globalization has moved us all into the same neighbourhood, more and more people out there on the former periphery want to see their own stories on the screen, to see what is in their imagination and culture, at least as much as they might enjoy the latest offerings from LucasFilm or Pixar. Filmmaker Gonzalez Inarritu best captures what's happening. "The world is changing," he says. "The film community is now a global film community. Its not anymore about cultural barriers or language barriers. Its about emotion and humanity. We are using the power of cinema to cross borders. We understand that now there's a connection that needs to happen." In our global age movies must expose "the point of view of others, of those on the other side," he says. And it must be done with dignity, not portraying Third World faces as mere victims nor Japanese as cartoon caricatures. Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise the authors argument that Hollywood blockbusters have declined. Using your own words as far as possible, write your answer in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below. [7] One reason for the decline of the Hollywood blockbusters is

VJC Prelims 2009: Student Copy 1. 2. From the passage the cycle of remakes in which Hollywood has been stuck (line 8) American filmmakers, who have prided themselves on their imagination and originality, once excelled at [telling new stories] (line 9) American filmmakers too often grind out formulaic, shock and awe blockbusters...(line 10-11) ...with the inevitable gratuitous violence, sex and special effects (line 11) [The blockbusters] may be winning the battle of Monday morning grosses, but are losing the war for hearts and mindlines. For all their brawn, American filmmakers, like the generals in Iraq, are in danger of losing the battle of ideas. (line 12-4) At home, [...] infatuation with contrived spectacle has waned. (line 21-22) Even long-time American cultural colonies like Japan and Germany are beginning to turn to the home screen. (line 22-23) the digital -distribution- "You Tube" -nightmares of the studios (line 27-28) [The backlash against] American-led post- Cold War globalization [...] has led to cultural competition. (line 30) Peoplewant to see their own stories on the screen, to see what is in their imagination and culture (line 36-37) Its about humanityAnd it must be done with dignity, not portraying Third World faces as mere victims nor Japanese as cartoon caricatures (line 39, 43-44) Paraphrase

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

VJC Prelims 2009 Answer Scheme 1. 2. From the passage the cycle of remakes in which Hollywood has been stuck (line 8) American filmmakers, who have prided themselves on their imagination and originality, once excelled at [telling new stories] (line 9) American filmmakers too often grind out formulaic, shock and awe blockbusters...(line 10-11) ...with the inevitable gratuitous violence, sex and special effects (line 11) [The blockbusters] may be winning the battle of Monday morning grosses, but are losing the war for hearts and mindlines. For all their brawn, American filmmakers, like the generals in Iraq, are in danger of losing the battle of ideas. (line 12-4) At home, [...] infatuation with contrived spectacle has waned. (line 21-22) Even long-time American cultural colonies like Japan and Germany are beginning to turn to the home screen. (line 22-23) the digital -distribution- "You Tube" -nightmares of the studios (line 27-28) [The backlash against] Americanled post- Cold War globalization [...] has led to cultural competition. (line 30) Peoplewant to see their own stories on the screen, to see what is in their imagination and culture (line 36-37) Its about humanityAnd it must be done with dignity, not portraying Third World faces as mere victims nor Japanese as cartoon caricatures (line 39, 43-44) Paraphrase They are trapped in the pattern of making new versions of old movies. American filmmakers have lost their ingenuity/ability to come up with fresh ideas and stories/losing creativity They produce in large numbers/churn out (1/2) movies that conform to a template (1/2) ... of mindless/pointless/superfluous/ unnecessary (1/2) brutality, titillation and technical displays. (any 2 for ) These movies have high box office takings but are unable to engage the audience emotionally, intellectually and artistically/showing creativity

3. 4. 5.

6. 7.

the popularity/craze for such stilted extravagance has diminished. Countries that used to have great demand for/embraced American media (1/2) have abandoned them for their own products. Internet piracy has significantly reduced the blockbusters profits Rejection of American ideological hegemony has led to audiences favouring movies from other countries. Due to the global aspect of the movies, people now want to see their way of life/local issues/local concerns rather than those presented by Hollywood Hollywood depiction of other cultures was inaccurate/stereotypical/inaccurate (1/2) and not disrespectful (1/2)

8. 9.

10.

11.

SUMMARY PRACTICE ACJC PRELIMS 2009 It certainly seems that ever-larger portions of the globe are under active reconstruction: being rebuilt by a parallel government made up of a familiar cast of for-profit consulting firms, engineering companies, mega-NGOs, government and UN aid agencies and international financial institutions. And from the people living in these reconstruction sites Iraq to Aceh, Afghanistan to Haiti a similar chorus of complaints can be heard. The work is far too slow, if it is happening at all. Foreign consultants live high on cost-plus expense accounts and thousand-dollar-a-day salaries, while locals are shut out of much-needed jobs, training and decision-making. The funds received for the benefit of the victims are directed to the benefit of the privileged few, not to the real victims. Expert "democracy builders" lecture governments on the importance of transparency and "good governance," yet most contractors and NGOs refuse to open their books to those same governments, let alone give them control over how their aid money is spent. But if the reconstruction industry is stunningly inept at rebuilding, that may be because rebuilding is not its primary purpose. According to Guttal, "It's not reconstruction at all it's about reshaping everything." If anything, the stories of corruption and incompetence serve to mask this deeper scandal: the rise of a predatory form of disaster capitalism that uses the desperation and fear created by catastrophe to engage in radical social and economic engineering. And on this front, the reconstruction industry works so quickly and efficiently that the privatisations and land grabs are usually locked in before the local population knows what hit them. Rapid response to wars and natural disasters has traditionally been the domain of United Nations agencies, which worked with NGOs to provide emergency aid, build temporary housing and the like. But now reconstruction work has been revealed as a tremendously lucrative industry, too important to be left to the do-gooders at the UN. So today it is the World Bank, already devoted to the principle of poverty-alleviation through profit-making, that leads the charge. And there is no doubt that there are profits to be made in the reconstruction business. But shattered countries are attractive to the World Bank for another reason: they take orders well. After a cataclysmic event, governments will usually do whatever it takes to get aid dollars even if it means racking up huge debts and agreeing to sweeping policy reforms. And with the local population struggling to find shelter and food, political organising against privatisation can seem like an unimaginable luxury. Even better from the bank's perspective, many war-ravaged countries are in states of "limited sovereignty": they are considered too unstable and unskilled to manage the aid money pouring in, so it is often put in a trust fund managed by the World Bank. Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise the various ways in which aid organisations and related agencies take advantage of disaster-hit countries and victims to benefit themselves, and the reasons why it is easy for them to do so. [8] Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. Aid organizations and related agencies.

ACJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY Lifted phrases 1 Foreign consultants live high on costplus expense accounts and thousand-dollar-a-day salaries (lines 9-10) locals are shut out of much-needed jobs, training and decision-making ((line 11) The funds received for the benefit of the victims are directed to the benefit of the privileged few, not the real victims ((lines 11-12) most contractors and NGOs refuse to open their books to those same governments, let alone give them control over how their aid money is spent.( (lines 14-15) uses the desperation and created ((lines 19-20) fear Paraphrased

Engage in radical social and economic engineering (line 20) OR Its not reconstruction at allits about reshaping everything ((lines 17-18) 6 privatisations and land grabs are usually locked in . (lines 20-22)

And on this front, the reconstruction industry works so quickly and efficiently before the local population knows what hit them. (line 22)

reconstruction work has been revealed as a tremendously lucrative industry (line 25) And there is no doubt that there are profits to be made in the reconstruction business. (lines 27-28) familiar cast of for-profit consulting firms((line 6)

But shattered countries are attractive to the World Bank for another reason: they take orders well. ((line 29) OR After a cataclysmic event, governments will usually do whatever it takes to get aid dollars even if it means racking up huge debts and agreeing to sweeping policy reforms. (lines 30 -31) And with the local population struggling to find shelter and food, political organizing against privatization can seem like an unimaginable luxury((lines 31-33) they are considered too unstable and unskilled to manage the aid money pouring in, so it is often put in a trust fund managed by the World Bank. (lines 33-35)

1 0 1 1

ACJC PRELIMS 2009 ANSWER SCHEME Lifted phrases 1 Foreign consultants live high on cost-plus expense accounts and thousand-dollar-a-day salaries (lines 9-10) Paraphrased Various ways aid organisations and agencies take advantage: Aid organisations and related agencies related

make disaster-hit countries hire experts from other countries who enjoy very high pay (as well as good perks). (1m) 2 3 locals are shut out of muchneeded jobs, training and decision-making ((line 11) The funds received for the benefit of the victims are directed to the benefit of the privileged few, not the real victims ((lines 11-12) most contractors and NGOs refuse to open their books to those same governments, let alone give them control over how their aid money is spent.( (lines 14-15) uses the desperation and fear created ((lines 19-20) Engage in radical social and economic engineering (line 20) OR Its not reconstruction at allits about reshaping everything ((lines 17-18) 6 privatisations and land grabs are usually locked in . (lines 20-22) And on this front, the reconstruction industry works so quickly and efficiently before the local population knows what hit them. (line 22) 8 reconstruction work has been revealed as a tremendously lucrative industry (line 25) And there is no doubt that there are profits to be made in the reconstruction business. (lines 2728) familiar cast of for-profit consulting firms((line 6) Local people are deprived of/ excluded from employment/ skills development opportunities( m), and they have no autonomy. ( m) Aid money meant for those affected by disasters is lavished on the elite few. (1m) Most aid related organisations deny local governments access to information/transparency (on how funds are being used), ( m) and deny them the power to manage these funds/ decide how these funds are used. ( m) Organisations exploit the helplessness and the prevalent anxiety/ apprehension to ( m) .to bring about drastic changes in the country. ( m) OR to bring about full transformation rather than merely rebuilding the country. ( m)

that many government agencies become privately owned/ corporatised and property contracts are signed ( 1m) The changes or reforms are implemented so fast and effectively. ( m) such that the people are completely taken by surprise/ do not understand what has happened. ( m) The reconstruction industry takes the opportunity to make lots of money out of the re-building efforts. (1m)

But shattered countries are attractive to the World Bank for another reason: they take orders well. ((line 29) OR After a cataclysmic event, governments will usually do whatever it takes to get aid dollars - even if it means racking up huge debts and agreeing to sweeping policy reforms. (lines 30 -31) And with the local population struggling to find shelter and food, political organizing against privatization can seem like an unimaginable luxury((lines 31-33) they are considered too unstable and unskilled to manage the aid money pouring in, so it is often put in a trust fund managed by the World Bank. (lines 33-35)

Reasons why it is easy for aid organisations to take advantage of disaster-hit countries: Disaster-hit countries comply willingly with instructions and conditions set in order to secure funds. (1m) OR Disaster-hit countries are willing to do anything to secure the funds/donations. (1m) Disaster victims are too preoccupied/ grappling with securing basic necessities, which makes protesting against corporatisation simply inconceivable. (1m)

1 0

1 1

Disaster-hit countries are perceived to be politically chaotic and incompetent in dealing with relief funds thus this responsibility is given to aid organisations. (1m)

SUMMARY PRACTICE MJC PRELIMS 2009 Love and status matter to us in part because they offer us protection - way beyond that offered by sturdy walls, food and warmth. We are frail creatures unable to survive on our own against the challenges of nature and the aggressions of social life. Without allies on whom we can depend, there will be no one who will defend us against our enemies and shelter us in our crises. Having status could be viewed as a sign that we will have access to such allies - and that we are as a result less likely to meet with an ugly and premature end. It follows that our sadness at the disapproval or neglect of others (and hence our anxiety about low status) is a natural response to a potential increase in danger. To be ignored is not only unpleasant, it is also, from an evolutionary perspective, unsafe. We are programmed to sense how a community perceives us in order for our continued survival as a species. We are the descendants of people who kept a close eye on what others thought of them. As William James said, "I should not be alive now had I not become sensitive to looks of approval or disapproval on the faces among which my life is cast." There is perhaps a psychological reason why we require the love of those around us: how we feel about ourselves depends to an awkwardly large degree on how others feel about us. The world's approval promotes self-acceptance, its condemnation self-hatred. We need others to like us in order that we may like ourselves. Being an object of concern reaffirms our existence, and further helps us to see the positive selves within us, while sidelining our negativities. Such malleability seems a strange, regrettable quirk of our make-up. Ideally, what someone thought of me would not affect what I thought of me. That is, if I were someone who did not need to belong, nor be respected.

Using material from paragraphs 5-7, summarise the authors justifications for why love and status matter to us. [7] Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. Love and status matter to us because

MJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY Love and status matter to us because Answer

1. they offer us protection

2. against the challenges of nature

and the aggressions of social life (l. 39).

3. Love gives us allies on whom we

can depend (l. 40);

4. Status could be viewed as a sign

that we will have access to such allies. (l. 42)

5. We are less likely to meet with an

ugly and premature end and (l. 42-43)

6. we have been genetically

conditioned / programmed. (generalised from para. 6) Phrases that lead to this generalisation: - an evolutionary perspective' (l. 46) - programmed to sense (l. 47) - descendants of people (l. 48) 7. Love and status affect how we feel about ourselves. (l. 53) and promote self-acceptance. (l. 58)

8. Being an object of concern

reaffirms our existence (l. 55-56)

9. and helps us to see the positive

selves within us, while sidelining our negativities (l. 56-57)

10. We fundamentally need to belong

and be respected. (l. 59)

MJC PRELIMS 2009 ANSWER SCHEME Love and status matter to us because Answer they keep us safe / gives us security from the demands / threats from our environment and ulterior motives of fellow men / people around us. Love provides us with comrades / friends whom we can trust, Critical element: on whom we can depend and status tells us that we can / gives us the ability to call upon them. There are fewer chances of us suffering terrible consequences earlier than expected / dying earlier / meeting our demise too early. / There are higher chances of survival / surviving adversity. Learning point: Dying is not a good paraphrase. We have been genetically conditioned / made through long periods of time to recognise its importance for our continued existence / in keeping us alive / innate need to survive based on love. (generalised from para. 7) Exercise markers discretion.

1. they offer us protection 2. against the challenges of nature

and the aggressions of social life (l. 39).

3. Love gives us allies on whom we

can depend (l. 40);

4. Status could be viewed as a sign that

we will have access to such allies. (l. 42)

5. We are less likely to meet with an

ugly and premature end and (l. 42-43)

6. we have been genetically

conditioned / programmed. (generalised from para. 6) Phrases that lead to this generalisation: - an evolutionary perspective' (l. 46) - programmed to sense (l. 47) - descendants of people (l. 48) 7. Love and status affect how we feel about ourselves. (l. 53) and promote self-acceptance. (l. 58)

8. Being an object of concern reaffirms

our existence (l. 55-56)

9. and helps us to see the positive

selves within us, while sidelining our negativities (l. 56-57)

10. We fundamentally need to belong

and be respected. (l. 59)

It determines how we see ourselves / determines our levels of self-esteem / helps us increase our satisfaction with ourselves / be happy with who we are / accept ourselves for who we are. Having others care about us validates and confirms why we matter / reminds us of why we matter (1/2) for paraphrasing existence as presence. and shows us our strengths and pushes our weaknesses into the background / focuses on our strengths while hiding our weaknesses / helps us be optimistic towards ourselves. We need to be accepted by a group around us and be given due recognition / accorded dignity.

1 mark per point to a maximum of 7 marks. mark for incomplete points as long as phrase makes sense.

Exercise markers discretion.

SUMMARY PRACTICE: IJC PRELIMS 2009 HAPPINESS Having a sense of mission has served me extremely well and bound myself to purpose rather than its by-product. I have taken a lot of happiness from a sense - often grandiose and sometimes illusory - that I am, by my various actions, helping to create a future that will be more free, more tolerant, more open, and more just. Which brings me to another solace cheaply available to all. Consider the joys of service. As a few leaders, ranging from Jimmy Carter to the Dalai Lama, demonstrate with their lives, we can become happy through the exercise of compassion. I think the problem is that we tend to approach service the same way we approach exercise programmes, in lunges and spasms of temporary idealism. There are few things that make me happier than successfully resisting the impulse to snarl at some idle transgressor and elevating myself into an actively benign stance. Such opportunities arise almost hourly. The habit of small kindnesses is immensely rewarding. Which brings me to another under-appreciated fountain of happiness: the common little joys the universe leaves lying around for the truly casual observer. Kafka - that noted happiness-hound wrote: "It is not necessary that you leave the house. Remain at your table and listen. Do not even listen, only wait. Do not even wait, be wholly still and alone. The world will present itself to you for its unmasking, it can do no other, in ecstasy it will writhe at your feet." He is not talking about the pursuit of happiness. He's not even talking, as one might easily and incorrectly conclude, about lying in wait for happiness. He's talking about making oneself genuinely available to it. He is talking about opening one's senses to the little delights of life and the granular texture of unsolicited joy. There have been many hard times in my life - including the present - when I took refuge in reduced focus, comforting myself with the glorious filigree of immediate existence. Even a man facing a firing squad can appreciate the dawn that also arrays itself before him. Finally, and always, there is love. By this, I don't mean that economic bargain that often passes for love these days. I don't mean that I will love you if you get good grades, or that I will love you if you'll sleep with me, or that I will love you if anything. I mean what I mean when I say, "I love you." Period. Without expectation, condition, term limit, or obligation. To say that - and to mean it in that way - makes me happy. What makes me happiest of all is when someone says "I love you" to me - meaning it as unconditionally as I intend to mean it - and I simply accept it. When I love without goal and accept love without doubt, I am happy. In this, I am not pursuing happiness. I am becoming it. John Perry Barlow mentions some qualities that have enabled him to achieve happiness. Using material from paragraphs 8 -11, summarise these qualities and how he believes they add to his happiness. Write your summary in no more than 120 words not counting the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. The first of these qualities is

IJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY Lifted Description of quality: Having a sense of mission has served me extremely well and bound myself to purpose rather than its by-product. Add to happiness by: I have taken a lot of happiness from a sense often grandiose and sometimes illusory - that I am, by my various actions, helping to create a future that will be more free, more tolerant, more open, and more just. Description of quality: Consider the joys of service. OR we can become happy through the exercise of compassion Add to happiness by: There are few things that make me happier than successfully resisting the impulse to snarl at some idle transgressor and elevating myself into an actively benign stance. Paraphrased

Description of quality: He is talking about opening one's senses to the little delights of life

and the granular texture of unsolicited joy, the common little joys the universe leaves lying around for the truly casual observer. Add to happiness by: There have been many hard times in my life - including the present - when I took refuge in reduced focus, comforting myself with the glorious filigree of immediate existence. Description of qualities:

Finally, and always, there is love. Without expectation, condition, term limit, or obligation. Add to happiness by: When I love without goal and accept love without doubt, I am happy.

IJC PRELIMS 2009: ANSWER SCHEME Lifted Description of quality: Having a sense of mission has served me extremely well and bound myself to purpose rather than its by-product. Paraphrased to focus on the objective/aim/ideal regardless of the results,

Add to happiness by: I have taken a lot of happiness from a sense although he may be overly extravagant and - often grandiose and sometimes illusory deluded in thinking that - that I am, by my various actions, helping to create a future that will be he contributed to making a more liberal and more free, more tolerant, more open, fairer world. and more just. N.B. Students must paraphrase (free, tolerant and open) as one idea, (just) as another idea. Paraphrasing only either idea or paraphrasing vaguely (e.g. better world), award 1/2m. Description of quality: Consider the joys of service. Secondly, he helps others OR OR we can become happy through the exercise he shows kindness towards others of compassion Add to happiness by: There are few things that make me happier than successfully resisting the impulse to snarl at some idle transgressor and elevating myself into an actively benign stance. Description of quality: He is talking about opening one's senses to the little delights of life and the granular texture of unsolicited joy, the common little joys the universe leaves lying around for the truly casual observer. Add to happiness by: There have been many hard times in my life - including the present - when I took refuge in reduced focus, comforting myself with the glorious filigree of immediate existence. Description of qualities: Finally, and always, there is love. Without expectation, limit, or obligation. condition, He feels joy restraining himself from reacting angrily / the urge to lash out and instead responds with benevolence / forgiveness. Thirdly, he appreciates / is more conscious of the simple pleasures / small blessings that are everywhere and which need not be actively sought.

He concentrates on the joy of living in the moment, which takes his mind off difficult situations.

Lastly, there is affection / adoration / ardour with nothing attached term N.B. Accept any logical / sensible answer for expectation, condition, term limit, or obligation

Add to happiness by: When I love without goal and accept love without doubt, I am happy.

he is happy when he is assured of the sincerity of the love he gives and receives.

ACJC Prelim 2008 American Politics in the Age of Celebrity But a system based on celebrityhood raises a host of problems. Our fascination with celebrities raises the risk that there will be more superficiality and less substance in our political process. Celebrities have contributed to the circus atmosphere that has arisen in American politics; increasingly, politics has become a matter of public performance. Politicians get judged more by their ability to deliver crisp sound bytes 20 than by their substantive knowledge. With journalists interested in celebrity quotes and good copy, experts with detailed knowledge about public policy are more likely to become marginalised. It is easier to go to the famous and get their opinion than to seek out voices of less prominent people who may actually know more. Both democracy and culture depend on deliberation, participation, and engagement. 25 But what we have now is a system where star power is weighted more heavily than traditional political skills, such as bargaining, compromise, and experience. Conventional politicians are being replaced by famous, media-savvy fund-raisers. The quality of civic deliberation is becoming trivialised. The gossip quotient has increased, and politics has become a 24-hour entertainment spectacle. With attention spans for 30 important stories dropping precipitously, the system rewards celebrity politicians with famous names. Unless these individuals provide citizens with proper information, it short-circuits our system of governance. Without quality information, voters cannot make informed choices about their futures. American politics has never placed a strong emphasis on substance. Compared to other Western democracies, fewer people vote at election time, and many appear not 35 to be very informed about their decisions. As celebrity politics takes root, there is the long-term danger that citizens will become even less knowledgeable about policy choices, and they may become content to watch and be entertained. But elections are a key device by which representative democracy takes place. Citizens must feel engaged in the process, must be able to think about their options, and must feel they 40 have a stake in the important decisions that get made. Without serious deliberation and discourse, politics becomes mere entertainment. Without experience and knowledge, society may lose its ability to confront pressing problems and resolve social conflict. Using material from paragraphs 3 to 5 of Passage 2, summarise the problems associated with celebrity politics in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. Celebrity politics cause

ACJC PRELIMS 2008: STUDENT COPY 1. Lift from the passage there will be more superficiality (lines 17) OR and less substance in our political process. (lines 17 -18) OR than by their substantive knowledge. (line 21) 2 Celebrities have contributed to the circus atmosphere that has arisen in American politics; (lines 18 19) OR increasingly, politics has become a matter of public performance. (lines 19) OR politics has become a 24-hour entertainment spectacle. (lines 29 30) OR politics becomes mere entertainment. (lines 41 42) Politicians get judged more by their ability to deliver crisp sound bytes (than by their substantive knowledge.) (lines 20 21) experts with detailed knowledge about public policy are more likely to become marginalized. (lines 21 22) With journalists interested in celebrity quotes and good copy (line 21) But what we have now is a system where star power is weighted more heavily than traditional political skills, such as bargaining, compromise and experience. (lines 25 26)/ the system rewards celebrity politicians with famous names (line 31) OR Conventional politicians are being replaced by famous, media-savvy fund-raisers. (lines 27 28) Paraphrase

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

The quality of civic deliberation is becoming trivialised. (lines 28 29) OR Without serious deliberation and discourse, (line 41) The gossip quotient has increased (line 29) Without quality information, (lines 32 33) it short-circuits our system of governance. (line 32) OR voters cannot make informed choices about their futures. (lines 32 33) As celebrity politics takes root, there is the long-term danger that citizens will become even less knowledgeable about policy choices, (lines 36 37) and they may become content to watch and be entertained. (lines 37 38)

8.

9.

10.

But elections are a key device by which representative democracy takes place. Citizens must feel engaged in the process, (lines 38 39) OR must feel they have a stake in the important decisions that get made. (lines 38 41) society may lose its ability to confront pressing problems and resolve social conflict. (lines 42 43)

11.

ACJC PRELIMS 2008: ANSWER SCHEME 1. Lift from the passage there will be more superficiality (lines 17) OR and less substance in our political process. (lines 17 -18) OR than by their substantive knowledge. (line 21) 2 Celebrities have contributed to the circus atmosphere that has arisen in American politics; (lines 18 19) OR increasingly, politics has become a matter of public performance. (lines 19) OR politics has become a 24-hour entertainment spectacle. (lines 29 30) OR politics becomes mere entertainment. (lines 41 42) Politicians get judged more by their ability to deliver crisp sound bytes (than by their substantive knowledge.) (lines 20 21) experts with detailed knowledge about public policy are more likely to become marginalized. (lines 21 22) Paraphrase Celebrity politics causes political discussion to become more shallow/ to lack a deep understanding of political issues/ to lack adequate political knowledge. (1m)

It reduces political discourse to a mere show/tomfoolery/non-serious discourse. (1m)

3.

Politicians are assessed for their ability to speak well/ suave presentation skills/ability to capture attention. (1m) Politicians/ political academics/scholars with a deep understanding of political issues/ may be sidelined/ignored/overlooked/not covered (by journalists). (1m) The media prefers to focus more on what celebrities say. (1m) Celebrity politics creates a culture in which celebrity popularity is valued more than time-honoured political abilities/tools/skills. (1m)

4.

5.

With journalists interested in celebrity quotes and good copy (line 21) But what we have now is a system where star power is weighted more heavily than traditional political skills, such as bargaining, compromise and experience. (lines 25 26)/ the system rewards celebrity politicians with famous names (line 31) OR Conventional politicians are being replaced by famous, media-savvy fund-raisers. (lines 27 28)

6.

OR Conservative politicians are being undermined/substituted by the ability to manipulate the media/ well-known celebrities who know how to manipulate the media. (1m)

7.

The quality of civic deliberation is becoming trivialised. (lines 28 29) OR Without serious deliberation and discourse, (line 41)

The depth of political discourse/ discussion has become devalued/less important OR Citizens do not consider/contemplate/ are unreflective about their political choices (1/2m) and trivial bantering about the lives of celebrities has become more prevalent/ frequent in political issues/ discussion. (1/2m) When the public does not have good/sufficient/adequate/substantial knowledge, (*note: no mark for the above, as it is a repeat of answer point #1) democracy cannot function properly/ the country cannot be run properly (1m) OR citizens cannot make sound decisions when voting/selecting their political leaders. (1m) In the long run, people may become less aware/informed about civic/political issues (1/2m) and they may be satisfied to observe political proceedings/be amused by political proceedings. (1/2m) Celebrity politics causes citizens to feel that they are not involved in the political process, OR to feel that they do not have a role to play in political decisions. (1m)

The gossip quotient has increased (line 29) 8. Without quality information, (lines 32 33)

it short-circuits our system of governance. (line 32) OR voters cannot make informed choices about their futures. (lines 32 33) As celebrity politics takes root, there is the long-term danger that citizens will become even less knowledgeable about policy choices, (lines 36 37) and they may become content to watch and be entertained. (lines 37 38) 10. But elections are a key device by which representative democracy takes place. Citizens must feel engaged in the process, (lines 38 39) OR must feel they have a stake in the important decisions that get made. (lines 38 41) society may lose its ability to confront pressing problems and resolve social conflict. (lines 42 43)

9.

11.

Celebrity politics causes society to be unable to tackle/ handle urgent crises/ solve societal problems. (1m)

SUMMARY PRACTICE: MJC PRELIMS 2007 Survey of Talent Moreover, some problems could prove self-correcting. Many talented people not only create jobs and wealth, they turn their hands to philanthropy, as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have done. The growing returns to education create incentives for people to get themselves educated, producing a better-trained workforce as well as upward mobility. In China, families spend more on education than on anything else, despite the one-child policy. Multinational companies routinely promote local talent in the developing world, putting an ever more multiethnic face on the global talent elite. Overheated talent markets prompt companies to move production elsewhere to Mysore rather than Bangalore, say, or Austin, Texas, rather than Silicone Valley. Above all, there is something appealing about the meritocratic ideal: most people are willing to accept wide inequalities if they are coupled with equality of opportunity. In America, where two-thirds of the population believe that everyone has an equal chance to get ahead, far fewer people favour income redistribution than in Europe. Growing wealth also means that society can reward a wider range of talents. These days, sports stars and entertainers can make millions. There are also ample rewards for all sorts of specialised talents, from the gift of bringing history to life (all those well-paid TV historians) to the ability to produce a perfect souffl (the best-paid chef in America, Wolfgang Puck, earned $16m last year). It sometimes seems that there is no talent so recondite that you cannot make a living out of it. Takeru Tsunami Kobayashi earns more than $200,000 a year as the worlds hotdog eating champion: he can eat more than 50 in 12 minutes. The rise of a global meritocracy offers all sorts of benefits, from higher growth in productivity to faster scientific progress. It can boost social mobility and allow all sorts of weird and wonderful talents to bloom. The talent wars may be a source of unhappiness for companies and countries. But they should also be a cause for celebration. In line 17, The Economist claims that things are worse than they were due to growing inequalities as a result of meritocracy. Using material from Paragraphs 7 to 10, as well as 13, summarise the arguments made by The Economist to counter this claim. Write your summary in no more than 140 words, not including the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as possible. [8] The practice of meritocracy can help move a country or society in various ways.

MJC PRELIMS 2007: STUDENT COPY N o 1 LIFT The number of winners is now larger than it was in 1958. (lines 4748) America and Europe have created a mass higher education system (l 4950) and developing countries are determined to follow suit (l 5051) Similar to 3 When Young was writing, China and India were trapped in poverty. Today they are growing so fast that they, too, are suffering from talent shortage. (l 51-52) Many talented people not only create jobs and wealth (l 53-54) ACCEPTED ANSWERS Underlined phrases denote key idea(s) that must be reflected in the answers.

3a

they turn their hands to philanthropy (l 54)

incentives for people to get themselves educated (l 55-56)

producing a better-trained workforce (l 56)

as well as upward mobility (l 56) OR It can boost social mobility (l 86)

10

Multinational companies routinely promote local talent in the developing world (l 57-58)

11

putting an ever more multi-ethnic face on the global talent elite (l 5859) Paraphrase: Talents are now racially diverse, whereas they were mostly Caucasians/ whites in the past.

12

Overheated talent markets prompt companies to move production elsewhereto Mysore rather than Bangalore, say, or Austin, Texas, rather than Silicone Valley. (l 59-61) most people are willing to accept wide inequalities if they are coupled with equality of opportunity (l 62-63)

13

14

Growing wealth also means that society can reward a wider range of talents (l 66) OR allow all sorts of weird and wonderful talents to bloom (l 8687) offers all sorts of benefits, from higher growth in productivity (l 85)

15

16

to faster scientific progress (l 86)

MJC PRELIMS 2007: ANSWER SCHEME N o 1 LIFT The number of winners is now larger than it was in 1958. (lines 4748) America and Europe have created a mass higher education system (l 4950) and developing countries are determined to follow suit (l 5051) Similar to 3 When Young was writing, China and India were trapped in poverty. Today they are growing so fast that they, too, are suffering from talent shortage. (l 51-52) Many talented people not only create jobs and wealth (l 53-54) ACCEPTED ANSWERS Underlined phrases denote key idea(s) that must be reflected in the answers. There are more successful people now. MAR K 1

2 3

The West has expanded opportunities for tertiary/ higher education. There is a spill over effect to less industrialised nations, which are taking steps in a similar direction. Similar to 3 (inferred) Some undeveloped/ third world countries are now growing rapidly/ experiencing an economic boom (partly as a result of the mass higher education system (l 49-50). Many talented people generate employment affluence They participate in community work / donate to charity Now, people are motivated to go to school (due to the rewards that education can bring) resulting in more skilled employees and a greater likelihood for them to achieve greater wealth / higher status / social rank Multinational firms regularly give opportunities to indigenous talents in less industrialised countries. (inferred) Racially diverse talents allow for social stability. OR Meritocracy allows for talents, regardless of race or religion, to advance.

1 1

3a

1/2 1/2 1 1

6 7

they turn their hands to philanthropy (l 54) incentives for people to get themselves educated (l 55-56) producing a better-trained workforce (l 56) as well as upward mobility (l 56) OR It can boost social mobility (l 86) Multinational companies routinely promote local talent in the developing world (l 57-58) putting an ever more multi-ethnic face on the global talent elite (l 5859) Paraphrase: Talents are now racially diverse, whereas they were mostly Caucasians/ whites in the past.

8 9

1 1

10

11

12

Overheated talent markets prompt companies to move production

(inferred) Due to saturated talent markets, businesses relocate their factories to less

elsewhereto Mysore rather than Bangalore, say, or Austin, Texas, rather than Silicone Valley. (l 59-61) 13 most people are willing to accept wide inequalities if they are coupled with equality of opportunity (l 62-63) Growing wealth also means that society can reward a wider range of talents (l 66) OR allow all sorts of weird and wonderful talents to bloom (l 8687) offers all sorts of benefits, from higher growth in productivity (l 85) to faster scientific progress (l 86)

developed / industrialised areas, thus generating employment (in such areas). Most people do not mind stark differences in status / wealth as long as they get the same number of chances (to get high-paying jobs). Increasing affluence also implies that many diverse talents can stand to gain / benefit. OR It enables many diverse talents to thrive. 1

14

15 16

Other advantages include an increase in the efficiency of the workforce / work efficiency. more rapid scientific / technological developments.

1 1