1

Answers
Section A [5 marks]
Text 1
Refer to the webpage extract (Text 1) on page 2 of the Insert for Questions 1-4.
1. The text states that the Singapore Story is enriched by each and every one of us
and our unique experiences. What effect is this intended to have on the readers?
Ans:
It is intended to create a sense of belonging/commitment [a] to the Singapore
Memory Project and encourage the reader to get involved in it.[b]
[1]
a to make the reader feel personally involved
b participate in the project
c to create a sense of belonging/commitment/feel connected/share unique
experiences.
a+b= 1m
a+c=1m
b+c=1m
2. Refer to the section under the heading Capturing Memories. What do the write ups
next to the Duck Race and Bookworm series tell you about the possible type of
memories that could be captured?
Ans:
The memories could be about events/initiatives [a] that have touched the lives of
many Singaporeans/ that many people have participated in Or have shared
experiences in .[b]
[1]
It could be a small or big event, both recent or old as the 80s could be captured as
it is acceptable as long as it involves Singapore events.
a+b= 1m
3. Look at the information given under the heading, The Singapore Memory Kit.
Identify two ways in which the Memory Kit will be helpful to first time memory makers.
Ans:
- Firstly, the kit is a step-by-step illustrated guide that first timers will find useful to
start out.
[1]
- Secondly, the Memory kit also provides various formats, thus giving first timers a
choice of how to go about capturing their memory/experience of the past.
[1]
4. Quote the expression which highlights the main purpose of irememberSG.
Ans:
irememberSG hopes to share these stories

[1]

Section B [20 marks]

Refer to Text 2 on pages 3 and 4 of the Insert for Questions 5-14.
5. At the beginning of this text, the writer and Enzo did not have a pleasant time when
the train stopped at the rebel camp. Explain how the language used in paragraph
one reinforces their sense of discomfort and unease.
Support your ideas with three details from paragraph one.
[3]
Ans : Accept any three
i. lying stock still and silent [a] suggests that the men had to lie motionlessly and
quietly[b] and this caused them to feel tensed. [c] a+b=1m
ii. pressed ourselves ever deeper into its stinking folds [c] suggests that the men
had to endure the foul smell as they lay in close contact with smelly tarpaulin. [d]
iii. the stench of alcohol and urine [e] suggests that the men had to endure the foul
smell of alcohol and urine from the teenage boy rebels. [f]
iv. we could smell their cigarettes [g] suggests that they have to endure the foul
smell from the cigarettes.[h]
v. we could smell their cigarettes [i]suggests that the men were uneasy because
they were too close to the armed teenagers for comfort.[j]
a+b=1m
c+d= 1m
e+f = 1m
g+h = 1m
i+j = 1m
6. In paragraph 2, pick out the phrase which conveys the idea that the writer and his
companion had not anticipated to encounter the situation they were in.
[1]
Ans:
but not like this
7. The writer describes the rain to be as relentless as a burst dam (line 14).
(i)

What does this simile suggest about the rain?

[1]

Ans:
The rain was unyielding /did not stop/fell on and on/continuously.
Or Pouring out in torrents which was so heavy it seemed never-ending
Deny: continuously and violent/vigorous/strongly/harsh
(ii)
Ans:

Pick out another phrase which conveys the same idea about the rain.
gushing endlessly[1]

Deny: relentless/relentlessly

[1]

8. What does the phrase greasy looking man (line 20) suggest about the writers
perception of the person who offered the writer a lift?
Ans:
Appearance

Nature

He was dirty looking [literal -1m]

Alternative: dirty and unkempt
Deny: unkempt/not wel-groomed/messy/untidy/ oily
He looked sly/ untrustworthy [figurative -1m]
Alternative: cunning
Deny: suspicious, malicious, bad intention

9. Pick out another phrase from the same paragraph that is congruent with the writers
impression of the man being greasy-looking.
[1]
Ans:
who we knew was probably bad news
[accept: was probably bad news/ probably bad news / bad news]
10. The writer uses expressions like silence of those last twenty yards was eerie and
threatening (line 26) and bush closing in on us from all sides (lines 27-28). What do
these expressions suggest about his view of the journey?
Ans:
Expression
silence of those last twenty
yards was eerie and
threatening

Writers view of his journey

He found the journey dangerous/menacing/
perilous
Options: uncanny/in his view, the journey was
filled with a sense of danger and foreboding
Reject : scary / frightening

bush closing in on us from

all sides

The writer viewed the journey as one that created a

sense of entrapment.
Alternative: felt he was cornered, suffocated, no
escape, no way out
Deny: isolated, due to lack of space
[2]

11. The other two did not seem to be putting too much into the pushing (lines 31-32).
Is the writers view accurate? Give evidence to support your answer.
[1]
Ans:
Yes. They knew [a] that they didnt really have to push the vehicle [b] as they had
actually planned to attack and rob the boys [c]. Excess denied

a+b+c= 1m
Deny if Yes is missing
12. The beating and kicking went on for a while; all we did was curl up and cover our
heads as best we could with our hands. (lines 36-37)
(i) What was unusual about the reaction of the two men?

[1]

Ans:
It was unusual as normally a person who is being assaulted would fight back [a]
but in this case, the men did not try to retaliate/defend themselves.[b]
Alternative:
normally a person who is being assaulted would fight back/run away
a+b = 1m

(ii) What does their reaction suggest about the plight of the two men?

[1]

Ans:
They were too powerless/helpless to fight back.
Alternative: defenceless/too weak
13. In Paragraph 5, Soon the car roared off into the night with no difficulty getting started,
leaving us lying bloodied and sore (lines 37-38).
Identify the word(s) or phrases in the given sentence which suggest
Ans:
(i) A very loud sound roared
[1]
(ii) A violent outcome

[us lying] bloodied and sore

[1]

14. The structure of the text captures the different stages of the travellers journey.
Complete the flow chart by choosing a phrase from the box to summarise the main
focus of each stage of the journey described in each part of the text. There are some
extra phrases in the box you do not need to use.
Stages of journey
surrounded by enemies,
stranded in the wilderness,
escaping from the rebels,

facing assault,

trudging on,

camouflaging from armed danger,

travelling into the unknown

Flow Chart
[4]

Ans:
Paragraph 1: camouflaging from armed danger
Clue: Enzo and I lying stock still and silent on a huge, bunched-up tarpaulin, pressed
ourselves ever deeper into its stinking folds while teenage boys with guns patrolled
the length of the track
Paragraph 4: facing assault
Clue: in no time me and Enzo were on the ground, knees instinctively pulled up to
our chins, and the weight of six fists and six boots slamming into us all over.
Paragraph 5: stranded in the wilderness
Clue: we hadnt a clue where we were or how far we were from a town or a village.
Paragraph 6: trudging on
Clue: We walked for hours, the forest closing in on us from either side of the narrow
road with all the potential in the world for leopards and forty foot pythons, and it was
well into the morning before we limped into town

Section C [25 marks]

Refer to Text 3 on pages 5 and 6 of the Insert for Questions 15-22.
15. What evidence is there to support Northups claim that the account of [his] life and
fortunes would not be uninteresting to the public (lines 4-5)?
[1]
Ans:
The film version [a]of his experience was garlanded with awards. [b]
a+b= 1m
16. The writer refers to human misery mined in the name of profit (line 24). What does
the word mined suggest about the way slaves are treated in the modern context? [1]
Ans:
It emphasises the fact that slaves are fully exploited [a] and reduced to a state of
wretchedness/despair/ great sorrow [b] just to generate great wealth
[c=optional] for the organisations that use them.
a+b+ c(optional) = 1m
17. Despite the high number of child trafficking that was reported, only 0.6% of those
reports led to convictions (line 26-27). What does this suggest about the Indian
government?
[1]
Ans:
They were not effective in enforcing the law / The Indian government is unwilling
to enforce the law, or to ensure that those who profit from it are punished.
Alternative: inefficient/incompetent and most likely corrupt

18. How does a person end up becoming a bonded labourer?

[1]

Ans:
A person becomes a bonded labourer when their labour is demanded as a means
of repayment [a] for a loan that they took.[b]
a+b= 1m
Alternative: a person who has to pay off the debt owing to the contractors can
end up becoming a bonded labourer

19. Apart from, earning a measly salary, identify one other challenge the bonded
labourers face. You must answer in your own words.
[1]
Ans:
They had to live in a shabby / poor condition. [1]
OR
In addition, the work was risky/dangerous as they could lose their lives. [1]
Ban : badly housed, death rate rises

20. Here is a conversation between Kelly and Theo, two students who have read the
article.
Slavery
should be a
thing of the
past as it can
be abolished
easily.

Kelly
(i)

No, slavery is
very much
alive in these
modern times.

Theo
How would Kelly explain her position with reference to paragraph 4?

[1]

Ans:
Slavery can be eliminated with greater mobility, transparency and international
institutions who could work in unison. [1]
(ii)

With reference to paragraph 5, identify two examples that Theo can use to
support his view.
[2]

Ans:
Twenty-first century slaves work in garment factories/sweat shops making cheap
clothes. [1]
Twenty-first century slaves are put to work by toiling in the lucrative chocolate
industry. [1]

21. At this rate, it might well be another 150 years before the scale of the horrors visited
on so many to force them into labour is properly apparent (lines 39-41). With
reference to the italicised expression, explain what is the writers attitude towards the
present attempt to track down illegal slavery?
[1]
Ans :
critical, cynical, pessimistic
alternative: skeptical
22. In your own words, explain how the laws against slavery can be made more
effective?
[1]
Ans:
Merge/Combine/join up [a] and streamline [b] the slavery and trafficking
crimes/wrongdoings.[c]
a+b= 1m
Alternative: consolidate and make less complicated
Ban : consolidate and simplify existing slavery and trafficking offences

23. Using your own words as far as possible, summarise the reasons why modern
slavery persists and what steps need to be taken to control it.
Use only information from paragraphs 3 to 6.
Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note-form). It must not be
longer than 80 words (not counting the words given to help you begin).
Modern day slavery continues to entrap millions of people because .

1.

2.
3.

From the passage

Own Words
Between 2008 and 2012, Only 0.6% of In places such as India, low
those reports led to convictions
conviction rates against child
traffickers
452,679 cases of child trafficking for results
in
rampant
child
domestic labour were reported in India.
trafficking
Slavery today comes in a number of Slaves are employed as
forms. It includes domestic servitude and domestic
workers
or
"bonded labour"
labourers.

4.

Alternative:
Slavery/Bonded
labour
still
survives
in
different forms
labourers are trapped, even as their Labourers and factory workers
death rate rises,
from Nepal and Vietnam endure
exploitation and even risk
death

5.

Alternative: Modern slaves are

forced to work to/trapped
by the "debt" they owe to contractors to pay off transportation cost
who ferried them from countries such as debts
Nepal.
Bonded labour also exists in the UK.
Vietnamese people, for example, are
brought to cannabis factories, forced
to work to pay off impossibly huge
transportation fees that brought them to
this country in the first place.

6.

it remains a crime largely hidden from Slavery remains undetected

view.

7.

But with greater mobility, transparency because International bodies

and .that international institutions do not collaborate to fight it.
who could work in unison, it is
unforgivable

8.

There is a need for a much greater

campaign of awareness to highlight
how the denial of freedom for children
and adults often supports our way of
life.

9.

Laws against modern day slavery need Besides enforcing tougher

to be toughened.
laws against offenders,

To abolish slavery, campaigns

to raise awareness of the
publics role/responsibility in
perpetuating slavery are vital.

10. These laws should consolidate and the laws should also be
simplify
existing
slavery
and consolidated and simplified.
trafficking offences.
11. If modern-day slavery is to end, we Ultimately everyone needs to
cannot look away. We all have a role to play a role to fight against
play.
slavery
Possible answer

Modern day slavery continues to entrap millions of people because

In places such as India, low conviction rates against child traffickers results in rampant child
trafficking. Slaves are employed as domestic workers or labourers. Labourers and factory
workers from Nepal and Vietnam endure exploitation to pay off transportation debts. Slavery
remains undetected because International bodies do not collaborate to fight it. To abolish
slavery, campaigns to raise awareness of the publics role in perpetuating slavery, enforcing
tougher laws against offenders and encouraging individual action are vital. [76 words]