GCE ‘A’LEVEL 2002

ANSWER GUIDE
GCE ‘A’LEVEL 2002

1. ‘…the less educated … will suffer economically and socially’ (lines 24 – 26). What two
kinds of handicap is Mr Lee thinking of here? [ 2 marks ]

He means that the less educated ……………………………………………………………

Lift Answer ( to show understanding of the
consequences)
will suffer economically will be worse off financially/ will be confined
to certain low-profile jobs (1)
and socially will be limited in the places/ occasions
where they feel accepted (1)

2. Professor Komaran’s students’ seem to have little interest in the art of communication;
they are only interested in content’ (lines 30 – 31).
Explain what this means. [ 2 marks ]

The students ……………………………………………………………………………….

Lift Paraphrase
little interest in the art of communication Had no real concern/ motivation/ keenness
in what is written and read (1/2) and how it
is expressed (1/2)
Only interested in content Their main concern is in the subject
matter/ topic area (1)

3. From lines 59 to 68 (It is not, after all … sense of rootedness.’) explain, in your own
words as far as possible, the three distinct arguments used to defend Singlish. Explain
each argument in no more than 10 words. [ 3 marks ]

The three distinct arguments used defend Singlish :

Lift Paraphrase
It is not, after all, confined to Chinese (i) Singlish promotes racial harmony. (1)
Singaporeans but can be heard being
spoken by those of other ethnic origins,
especially the younger ones. (lines 59 –
61)
It would hard to imagine speaking polished (ii) Singlish is more informal/ friendly and
English to our buddies … seems to exude encourages group bonding. (1)
a greater sense of camaraderie …(lines
61- 63)
I need Singlish to express Singaporean (iii) Singlish gives people a sense of being
feeling. If I’m speaking with my Singaporean/ a sense of belonging to a
Singaporean friends … I’d feel so false. national culture. (1)
(lines 64 – 65)
…some expressions are best made in OR Certain ideas and feelings can only be
Singlish or they lose their meaning and expressed in Singlish. (1)
flavour. (lines 66 – 67)
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4. From the seventh paragraph, beginning in line 69, state in your own words as far as
possible: [ 2 marks ]

(i) the principal argument in favour of books, films or plays in Singlish :

Lift Paraphrase
… is written almost totally in Singlish, which They represent the essence or culture of
undoubtedly adds to its authenticity. (lines Singapore. (1)
73 – 74) OR
They capture the real essence or culture of
Singapore. (1)

(ii) the principal argument against books, films or plays in Singlish :

Lift Paraphrase
However, books films or plays which are They cannot be easily sold (1/2) or
mainly in Singlish do not cross international understood (1/2) abroad.
boundaries easily.(lines 76 - 77)

5. From the eighth paragraph, beginning at line 82, explain in your own words as far as
possible why the heartlanders ‘wonder what all the fuss is about’. [ 2 marks ]

Lift Paraphrase
… this talk of becoming a world-class (a) Heartlanders have no interest in
economy cuts no ice with the provision Singapore’s international status. (1)
shop owner …(lines 83 – 84)
… more likely to get across to their (b) Heartlanders found Singlish useful in
customers better if they speak in Singlish. their customer relations. (1)
(lines 86 – 87)

6. ‘ … the playing field for young Singaporeans would not be level if they did not or could
not learn to code-switch’ (lines 90 – 92).
Explain, in your own words as far as possible, what the writer is saying here.
[ 2 marks ]

Lift Paraphrased point

… the playing field for young Singaporeans Young Singaporeans would not have equal
would not be level chances at academic and social success
(1)
if they did not (code-switch) If they did not learn when it is appropriate
to switch between English and Singlish /
did not learn to use English and Singlish
appropriately (1/2)
could not learn to code-switch If they are deprived of the opportunity to
learn to appropriately use English and
Singlish.(1/2)
 GCE ‘A’LEVEL 2002

7. Now you have studied the whole article carefully, look again at the opening headline.
Explain what is ironic or contradictory about the headline NO SINGLISH PLEASE, WE
ARE SINGAPOREAN. [ 1 mark ]

The Irony – The headline is a request for the abolition of Singlish. (1/2)
It contradicts the rest of the article which advocates the value of Singlish as
a vehicle for promoting national identity. (1/2)

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

WORD 1 mark ½ mark 0 mark

peculiarly (line 4) uniquely Odd/ curious/
differently strange

intensity (line 50) strength/ fervour

image (line 51) the way people think Portrayal/ picture/

of it/ people’s idea
perception
finely balanced (line kept in equal
69) strength to each
other
consensus (line 88) General agreement
in opinion

9. Using only the arguments and facts from line 1 to 48 of the article, summarise the case for
believing that the increased use of Singlish and the declining standards of English are harmful
to the interests of Singapore as a whole and to some of its citizens in particular.

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. [ 8 marks ]

The growing popularity of Singlish in Singapore is a harmful development because …….

Lift Paraphrase
In trying to imitate life, Phua Chu Kang has 1. Encouraging the incorrect use of English,
made the teaching of proper English difficult. makes the teaching of English more difficult.
(lines 17 – 18)
…but more often they produce a language 2. It alienates foreigners.
which no-one outside Singapore would
understand. (lines 10 – 11)

‘Singlish is a handicap we must not wish on 3. It disadvantages people both in their

Singaporeans … they will suffer economically everyday lives and in their economic
 GCE ‘A’LEVEL 2002
and socially.’ (lines 21 – 26) circumstances.

‘ seem to have little interest in the art of Points concerning STUDENTS :

communication … He fears that their
standard of English is not good enough for 4. Poor English will mean that students will
them to comprehend fully important articles or not fully understand what they read.
reports. (lines 30 – 33)

Keeping up to date with new developments in 5. Students will not be able to keep up to date
their various fields will be that much harder. with the latest ideas in their subjects.
(lines 33 – 34)

Two thirds of candidates who fail the 6. Students will not get into higher education.
qualifying tests for degree course do so
because of poor English. (lines 36 - 37)

Points on the EFFECT ON SINGAPORE’S

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY :

This would make it harder for Singapore to go 7. It would be difficult for Singapore to trade
global. (lines 39 – 40) internationally.

Companies would lose their competitive edge 8. Businesses will lose out to those which
to those with a better grasp of English. (lines speak better English.
40 – 41)

As the world becomes increasingly 9. Without English you cannot be successful

interdependent, those with a mastery of the or survive in hard times, for it is essential for
international language of English will cut trade with the enormous numbers of English-
more deals and weather more storms… gives speaking countries in the world .
its users access to this(1000 million people
who speak English) … the world’s biggest
market…
(lines 41 – 44)

…and the biggest pool of talent, as well as to 10. Without English you cannot access all
the greatest number of information sources available sources of information and the
… Singapore’s drive towards a knowledge- widest possible field of skilled personnel.
based economy underscores the need to (Conditions essential for an economy
have the linguistic skills to access this large dependent on information.)
body of knowledge. (lines 44 – 48)

[ 1 mark for each point to a maximum of 8 marks]

 GCE ‘A’LEVEL 2002

10. The attempt to discourage Singlish raises two issues :

how far such an attempt is practical and likely to be successful and to what extent it is to be
welcomed.

Give your views on these two issues, illustrating your arguments by referring both to what you
have read in the article and to your own experiences. [8 marks]

Mark Range Grade Descriptors

6–8 A Makes very convincing EVALUATION by making judgements and
decisions, and by developing ideas to logical conclusions.
Systematic reference to the given REQUIREMENTS of the question
with evidence of a balanced treatment.
EXPLANATION shows a good or very good understanding of terms and
issues, and includes elaboration and support through personal insight
and apt illustration.
Show high degree of COHERENCE and organization.

3–5 B EVALUATION is attempted but it is not always convincing and tends to

be superficial with limited development of ideas.
Covers given REQUIREMENTS of the question but not necessarily a
balanced treatment given.
EXPLANATION shows an adequate level of understanding of terms
and issues (which may include minor misinterpretation) and is not
thorough in support and illustration.
COHERENCE and organization are not as sharp or systematic as the
top band.
1–2 C Tends to be mere summary or restatement of the text rather than an
EVALUATION of it.
Largely fails to address the given REQUIREMENTS of the question.
EXPLANATION shows very limited levels of understanding and a
higher incidence of misinterpretation with very thin support.
Inconsistency in the argument is evident. COHERENCE is in question.

Criteria
Requirements Candidates must address the 2 issues ,
(i) showing clearly to what extent the attempt is practical (not
to be misunderstood for desirable) and likely to be
successful.
(ii) Showing clearly the extent it is to be welcomed.
Candidates must refer to points in the passage given and to their own
relevant experiences.
Explanation This second criterion is the understanding shown of the factual material
in the passage relevant to the question.

Relevant material :
Awareness of the mixed language backgrounds of the population
Influence of PCK and similar Singlish sitcoms
All pervading influence of Singlish in the streets and media
Arguments that can be useful :
Singlish in the arts (pros and cons for argument)
 GCE ‘A’LEVEL 2002
Singlish as an identified cohesive force
Singlish as the nations unique contribution to world culture
Arguments on the need and desirability of code-switching
Singlish as an expression of national identity
Negative arguments in the summary ( all 10 of them)

Candidates should use the material and not merely reproduce it, or
their answer will become little more than a summary or re-hash of the
passage. References to the material or arguments in the passage
should always be accompanied by comment, illustration from the
candidates own experience, an extension or modification of the oint as
made in the passage.

Evaluation This third criterion is identified as the most important criterion.

Candidates are expected to offer their own views and to exercise
judgement in the arguments they use, and to support them with
evidence from their own experiences.

Some possible experiences:

Borders Bookshop requiring its workers to speak English
Experience of Singlish in family surroundings and among peers
Success of campaigns such as Speak Mandarin, Speak Good English
Experiences of candidates who recently arrived from other cultures
Analogies drawn with other English variations such as cockney, Welsh
or Bronx-American
Evidence of heartlanders who have managed perfectly well without
English

Coherence Good answers would be well constructed, with arresting openings,

clearly defined and linked paragraphs developing a logical argument
leading to a strong and justified conclusion.
Weak answers would show haphazard and disjointed paragraphing,
and endings that are hurried or abrupt.