Paper 1 Review Lecture

JC2 Mid-Year Exam 2019

Overview of Lecture
Review of the four most popular
essay questions attempted –
• Analysis of question
• Markers’ comments
 Topic: Institutions which
disseminate knowledge and Of importance
skills deemed to be and worth
necessary to students

Continue to have value.

Note the assumption here:
schools had value in the past

in the modern society; based

on current trends
Markers’ Feedback

• Students demonstrated
knowledge of current
trends in society and
how they affect the
value of schools.
Markers’ Feedback
• Too much focus on the ‘your
society’ aspect.
• A number of essays started
right off with Singapore as
the context in the
introduction and points were
Singapore-specific.
Markers’ Feedback
• The key word ‘still’ was ignored or
glossed over.

An example of a common argument:

Schools have value because they teach
students knowledge that will be useful in
the working world.

Taking into account ‘still’:

Schools still have value today as they
continually make refinements in their
design of comprehensive learning
experiences that are relevant to the needs
of the working world.
Markers’ Feedback
• points were mainly about the holistic
education schools provide in general -
schools have value because they
provide physical education, teach
content knowledge, values, etc.,
without showing awareness of the
effect of current trends in society
• Essays went off on a tangent by focusing
on the things that are taught in schools
rather than on the value schools have in
teaching them
• Opposing viewpoints and rebuttals
were brief and not well developed
School helps to encourage communication and Do schools still have
build bonds among students. As students attend value today?
school, they are able to meet other students as
well as form bonds with one another as they
understand the similar situations they are in as
students. This builds up their communication
and confidence which enable students to put in
more effort in their learning and in teaching
their peers when they are able to, allowing them
to fortify their concepts and hone their
knowledge. Such communication may also help
build lifelong friendships for students that can
allow them to have more pillars of support in life
that they can depend on in difficult situations.
Not only that, they can get better jobs in the
future as they are more confident and are able
to get what they want, say in job interviews,
earning them a spot in the office.
School helps to encourage communication and Do schools still have
build bonds among students. As students attend value today?
school, they are able to meet other students as
well as form bonds with one another as they One aspect of
understand the similar situations they are in as learning schools
students. This builds up their communication and bring about and the
confidence which enable students to put in more benefits
effort in their learning and in teaching their
peers when they are able to, allowing them to
fortify their concepts and hone their knowledge.
Such communication may also help build lifelong
friendships for students that can allow them to
have more pillars of support in life that they can
depend on in difficult situations. Not only that,
they can get better jobs in the future as they are
more confident and are able to get what they
want, say in job interviews, earning them a spot
in the office.
School helps to encourage communication and Do schools still have
build bonds among students. As students attend value today?
school, they are able to meet other students as
well as form bonds with one another as they One aspect of
understand the similar situations they are in as learning schools
students. This builds up their communication and bring about and the
confidence which enable students to put in more benefits in general
effort in their learning and in teaching their peers Begging the
when they are able to, allowing them to fortify question:
their concepts and hone their knowledge. Such (a) How do schools
communication may also help build lifelong bring about these
friendships for students that can allow them to benefits?
have more pillars of support in life that they can (b) In the light of
depend on in difficult situations. Not only that, societal trends
they can get better jobs in the future as they are today, is this aspect
more confident and are able to get what they of learning in
want, say in job interviews, earning them a spot schools still
in the office. valuable and why?
However, others might disagree and say that Do schools still have
technology can help to provide platforms for value today?
online communication and online friendships
such as Facebook, Instagram, and even online
job resumes for job interviews such as LinkedIn
which does not require interviewing for some.
However, the majority of online friendships are
fragile and can be broken easily, not creating
lasting friendships and this in turn harms and
deteriorates their confidence and
communication with others and job interviews
still have to interview them to see if they are
reliable before accepting them. Hence, this adds
value to school today as it helps to build lasting
pillars of support, builds confidence and better
communication which are all lasting and
beneficial in future years after attending school
as students.
However, others might disagree and say that Do schools still have
technology can help to provide platforms for value today?
online communication and online friendships
such as Facebook, Instagram, and even online job Opposing Viewpoint
resumes for job interviews such as LinkedIn and Rebuttal about
which does not require interviewing for some. technology and
However, the majority of online friendships are communication
fragile and can be broken easily, not creating Vague EV - How
lasting friendships and this in turn harms and does technology
deteriorates their confidence and bring about
communication with others and job interviews communication and
still have to interview them to see if they are friendships and why
reliable before accepting them. Hence, this adds is this not lasting ?
value to school today as it helps to build lasting
pillars of support, builds confidence and better Not addressing the
communication which are all lasting and question - So, do
beneficial in future years after attending school schools still have
as students. value today?
Markers’ Feedback
• Scope of points is limited. A number
of essays are reduced to a mere
comparison between learning in
school and online learning
• The comparison was also not well
done, with the focus on online
learning rather than on the value of
schools.

For example: Online learning does not

have teachers to clarify doubts.
Examples of the diversity of courses available to help
students find their passion…
The extent to which you agree: Referring to ongoing
Are there more positive effects development to
compared to dangers? higher stages

Artificial Intelligence is an ability to design smart

machines or to develop self-learning software
applications that imitate the traits of the human mind
like reasoning, problem-solving, planning, optimal
decision making, sensory perceptions etc.
Markers’ Feedback

• Better essays were able to

discuss the features of
artificial intelligence present
today and relate them to the
impact on society.
Markers’ Feedback

• Better essays provided a

range of examples covering
various domains such as
social, education, economic
(namely productivity,
efficiency, precision) and
medical.
Markers’ Feedback

• Many students confused

artificial intelligence with
machinery and automation,
leading to essays that lost
focus on the topic.
 AI in security cameras

• Telling the difference • Facial Recognition and

between pet and human Object tracking
 AI in car manufacturing
• Wearable robots help protect workers knees, back,
and neck
• Give mobility and strength to perform tenuous jobs.
 AI in car manufacturing

• Used to move materials without human intervention.

• Identify objects in their paths, and adjust their route
accordingly.
 Me:

Me:

AI in phones:
Google Me:

Assistant, Siri
Me:
etc.
Markers’ Feedback

• Most students provided

cursory statements of the
benefits and harms without
explicitly explaining how
these are the result of AI.
Advancements in AI have enabled it to trawl
through massive amounts of healthcare data in
record time which then accelerates the diagnostic
process, making it more beneficial than harmful. It
goes without saying that in medicine, the quicker
and more accurate the diagnosis, the higher the
likelihood of success. Developments in AI have
indeed brought about significant benefits to the
healthcare industry. They make it possible to scan
copious amounts of existing research as well as
information specific to a particular illness quickly.
The data resulting from this has proven to be
invaluable to doctors and researchers as it has
enabled them to pinpoint specific areas of focus to
create breakthrough solutions to existing medical
problems.
Advancements in AI have enabled it to trawl
through massive amounts of healthcare data in
record time which then accelerates the diagnostic
process, making it more beneficial than harmful. How is AI
[TOPIC SENTENCE] It goes without saying that in beneficial?
medicine, the quicker and more accurate the
diagnosis, the higher the likelihood of success.
Developments in AI have indeed brought about What is
significant benefits to the healthcare industry. They
AI’s
make it possible to scan copious amounts of
existing research as well as information specific to a benefit?
particular illness quickly. The data resulting from
this has proven to be invaluable to doctors and
researchers as it has enabled them to pinpoint
specific areas of focus to create breakthrough
solutions to existing medical problems.
Advancements in AI have enabled it to trawl
through massive amounts of healthcare data in
record time which then accelerates the diagnostic
process, making it more beneficial than harmful. How is AI
[TOPIC SENTENCE] It goes without saying that in beneficial?
medicine, the quicker and more accurate the
diagnosis, the higher the likelihood of success.
Developments in AI have indeed brought about What is
significant benefits to the healthcare industry. They
AI’s
make it possible to scan copious amounts of
existing research as well as information specific to a benefit?
particular illness quickly. The data resulting from
this has proven to be invaluable to doctors and
researchers as it has enabled them to pinpoint
specific areas of focus to create breakthrough
solutions to existing medical problems.
Advancements in AI have enabled it to trawl
through massive amounts of healthcare data in
record time which then accelerates the diagnostic
process, making it more beneficial than harmful. How is AI
[TOPIC SENTENCE] It goes without saying that in beneficial?
medicine, the quicker and more accurate the
diagnosis, the higher the likelihood of success.
Developments in AI have indeed brought about What is
significant benefits to the healthcare industry. They
AI’s
make it possible to scan copious amounts of
existing research as well as information specific to benefit?
a particular illness quickly. The data resulting from
this has proven to be invaluable to doctors and
researchers as it has enabled them to pinpoint
specific areas of focus to create breakthrough
solutions to existing medical problems.
Advancements in AI have enabled it to trawl
through massive amounts of healthcare data in
record time which then accelerates the diagnostic
process, making it more beneficial than harmful. How is AI
[TOPIC SENTENCE] It goes without saying that in beneficial?
medicine, the quicker and more accurate the
diagnosis, the higher the likelihood of success.
Developments in AI have indeed brought about What is
significant benefits to the healthcare industry. They
AI’s
make it possible to scan copious amounts of
existing research as well as information specific to benefit?
a particular illness quickly. The data resulting from
this has proven to be invaluable to doctors and
researchers as it has enabled them to pinpoint
specific areas of focus to create breakthrough
solutions to existing medical problems.
Question 11: Consider the view that all countries
have an equal responsibility to manage climate
change.
Key Terms Clarification

all countries every single country, regardless of its economic, social, political and
geographical attributes

have an equal
responsibility
possess the same obligation and duty

to manage to control and/or to address (the problem of)

climate change refers to a broad global phenomena created

range of
predominantly by burning fossil fuels, which add heat-
trapping gases to Earth’s atmosphere; these phenomena include
the increased temperature trends described by global warming; it also
encompasses changes such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events
Examiners’ comments
Common misunderstanding/weak analysis
• presenting the arguments that compare between developed and
developing countries, highlighting which groups of countries hold
more responsibility, without considering the word ‘all’.

• explaining what should be done, rather than addressing the key

terms in the question.
E.g. All countries need to work together to mitigate the effects of
climate change. This can be seen in the Paris Agreement signed by
many countries.

• explaining the contribution by different sectors towards climate

change with no link to the word ‘responsibility’.
Allocating responsibility

In assessing the cause of climate change in the first

instance, are some countries more blameworthy
than others, in bearing this responsibility to manage
its present (and future) effects?
If so,
Developed countries have a greater responsibility to manage climate change
than developing and under-developed countries as developed countries are
largely to be blamed for climate change, given that climate change has not
occurred overnight. It is the result of years of unregulated carbon dioxide
emissions that dates back to the first Industrial Revolution that propelled
developed countries to greatness.
The Industrial Revolution: The precursor of
climate change
Allocating responsibility

• In assessing the consequences of climate change,

are some countries more affected, as compared to
others, and therefore need to manage climate
change with greater conviction?
If so,
Not all countries have equal responsibility to manage climate change as not
all countries will be equally impacted by it. It is an unfortunate truth that
some countries (by virtue of their geographical attributes) will be affected
by climate change more than others. Those affected more by it will have a
greater responsibility to manage it.
The Maldives: Another Atlantis in the
making?
Allocating responsibility

In assessing the extent of climate change, are some

countries more able than others in managing this
responsibility, and to do it better than countries with
less resources?

If so,
Countries with the resources to manage climate change have a greater
responsibility to manage it. Managing climate change is neither easy nor
inexpensive. While it does affect every county in the world today (though in
varying degrees), countries without the necessary resources to address
climate change cannot be faulted for doing less than those who do.
Which country has comparatively less resources in
managing climate change?
A more systematic way to think about
equality: Causes, Consequences, Extent
• MYE 2019: Consider the view that all countries have an equal
responsibility to manage climate change.

• A level 2018: Discuss the view that all countries have an equal
opportunity to counter terrorism.
• Do certain countries have a greater opportunity at countering terrorism
because it gives them a chance to correct (the causes of) what they
misjudged previously?
• Do certain countries have a greater opportunity at countering terrorism
because it is in their own backyard/territory and (the consequences are)
threatening their interests?
• Do certain countries have a greater opportunity at countering terrorism
because of their comparatively better (extent of) preparation and resources?
Question 4: How effectively has your society
managed inequality?
Key Terms Clarification
effectively measure of success
your context: Singapore (Non-Singaporeans can choose to base their discussion
society on their home society)

managed dealt or engaged with, with the intention to make it better and improve
(not necessarily solve, could also be mitigate or lessen)

inequality unfairness in society, where some people have more than

others. Can be further scoped into types of inequality: economic
inequality, where there is a difference in income or economic status; racial
inequality can refer to the differences in the way different races are
treated.
Examiners’ comments
Common misunderstanding/weak analysis
• Students generally have a poor understanding of inequality
and conflate it with conflict and/or discrimination.
For example, they see the HDB racial quota and racial
harmony as promoting racial inequality, when in fact they are
measures to promote racial harmony.

• Students do not engage with the keyword 'effectively'. Most

describe the policies in place and then conclude by saying
that 'therefore inequality has been managed effectively'
without making any evaluation of the policies showing how
they are effective.
Managing Inequality

In assessing the effectiveness of managing a

particular situation, what criterion can we use to see
if it is successful?
Can we try to assess its comprehensiveness?

If so,
Income inequality in Singapore has not been effectively managed as it is
seen to be an inevitable outcome of competition. Our pursuit of a globalized
economy and free market has left many outside the scope of social services.
Managing Inequality
Managing Inequality

In assessing the effectiveness of managing a

particular situation, what criterion can we use to see
if it is successful?
Can we try to assess the nature/type of
challenges/limitations?

If so,
Managing gender inequality has been largely ineffective because of gender
biases that continue to persist in Singapore’s largely conservative society.
Managing Inequality
Managing Inequality

In assessing the effectiveness of managing a

particular situation, what criterion can we use to see
if it is successful?
Can we try to assess its actual implementation?

If so,
While policies and schemes have been formulated by various ministries to
minimize racial inequality, there is real difficulty in implementing these
schemes. This renders the management on a whole rather ineffective.
Managing Inequality
A more systematic way to think about
effectiveness: Comprehensiveness, Challenges,
Actual Implementation

• MYE 2019: How effectively has your society managed inequality?

• A Level 2010: How effective are international efforts to ease

the problem of global hunger?
• A level 2015: How effectively is public health promoted and
managed in your society?
• A level 2016: ‘Any adaptation of a novel for film, television or
the theatre is never as effective as the original.’ Discuss.
• A level 2017: Assess the view that attempts to control
climate change can never be truly effective.