AJC Prelim 2005

1. AJC Prelim 2005

2. Agree: Logical Realistic Justified Fair Objective Disagree Overgeneralisation Sweeping statement Biased Subjective Oversimplified Which of the two authors do you agree with more?

3. Passage 1 – Point 1 • Without the moorings of social connectedness to political and religious institutions and neighbourhoods, we have no reality check on our fears (para 4)

4. Passage 1 – Point 1 Agree • Fair observation • Globalised world, breakdown of traditional institutions of family and religion – people do not have strong links & ties to their families • Logical to conclude that people have relatively little support in times of crisis, increasing their fears • E.g. post-911, many more people turned back to religion, hoping to find answers and support

5. Passage 1 – Point 1 Disagree • Sweeping statement • Despite the globalised world, technology has allowed many people keep in touch with family and friends who provide moral support during crises • Ethnic community groups are relatively strong as people join such groups when they are in foreign lands -> these help to keep fears in check • E.g. post-911, many claim to have found answers and support by turning back to religion

6. Passage 1 – Point 1 Not relevant to Singapore • As we are still very much an Asian society, family & community ties are still relatively strong • Most people still turn to such groups for emotional support • Of course there are some who become paranoid and turn to superstitions, but most are still rational and logical • E.g. During SARS, although some turn to unsupported psuedo-scientific cures, many religious/community groups helped assuage fears through prayer sessions / workshops

7. Passage 1 – Point 3 Agree • Despite being educated, human nature causes us to point our fingers at others when things go wrong • Many countries are still unable to accept the rapid influx of migrants in the globalised world and believe that these are the natural ‘perpetrators’ • Paranoia played up by stereotypes perpetuated in the media causes people to ‘fantasise enemies’ • E.g. burning of shops owned by Muslims after the London bombing

8. Passage 1 - Point 3 Disagree • Exaggerated claim • Many of us are still sensitive to our surroundings and the multicultural environment • Many are educated and rational, and are able to discern who the real ‘enemies’ are • Although there have been cases of blanket attacks of certain communities, these are the minorities • Furthermore, the enemies are often real, rather than imagined. People are merely being cautious • E.g. Many people protested against the human rights problems at Guantanamo Bay and are against detaining them without trial

9. Passage 1 – Point 3 Relevant to Singapore • Singapore society, despite having always been a multicultural one, is still a young and rather immature one • The presence of a majority Chinese race has created racial tension at times • E.g. when news of Yishun MRT bombing plan was released, tensions between races were high and the government had to arrange focus groups to diffuse tension

10. Passage 2 - Point 2 • Sadly, many metropolitan leaders seem less prepared to meet today’s current terrorist threat head-on, in part due to the trendy multiculturalism that characterizes so many Western cities. (para 2)

11. Passage 2 – Point 2 • Agree • Globalisation and a the need for economic competitiveness have led to influx of cultures into countries • Positive discrimination and attempts to remain politically correct have led to discontent amongst citizens. Lack of understanding of cultural differences also led to suspicions between races

12. Passage 2 – Point 2 • Hence, because of the ineffectiveness of ‘softer’ measures such as dialogue and education to maintain peace, harsher measures need to be implemented to reduce fear and ensure security

13. Passage 2 – Point 2 • E.g. In Australia, the govt was at a loss when opposition leader Pauline Hanson gained support when she blamed migrants for the social/economic problems that Australia was facing.

14. Passage 2 – Point 2 • Disagree • With increased education and technology, people have greater knowledge of different cultures and more accepting of differences. • Although there have been some discontent, most people are rational and understand the need to welcome migrants

15. Passage 2 Point 2 • Most governments are stringent in screening the migrants and find means to assimilate them into society -> harsh measures will merely perpetuate stereotypes that these migrants create problems

16. Passage 2 Point 2 Not relevant to Singapore • Singapore has always been a multicultural society built on values of tolerance and understanding - strategies to increase dialogue and interaction between races • We have strict background checks for migrants • E.g. interfaith dialogues, racial harmony day in schools, religious tensions after 911 did not break out into riots

17. Passage 2 Point 3 Agree • Reasonable advice • In a technologically advanced world where terrorists have the means to get past security systems, we have to step up our measures • There are bound to be inconveniences but if we don’t use harsh measures, our freedom will be further diminished because we will always be fearful

18. Passage 2 Point 3 • But Kotkin’s warning should be heeded and governments have to use these with caution • These should still go hand-in-hand with education and public awareness programmes (Suggest alternatives) • E.g. many EU leaders protested against full-body airport scanner because of unnecessary invasion of privacy

19. Short Questions

20. Question 2 • What is the writer’s intention in mentioning the cities of antiquity (line 6)? [1] • Skill – Look at the e.g. and link it back to the main idea of the passage. Use the word ‘emphasise’ • Answer – He wants to emphasise that these cities ceased to exist because of security reasons, which reinforces his argument

21. Question 3 • Explain what the writer means by‘there is no reason why the juggernaut of the West should be so preoccupied by the flea Al-Qaeda’ (lines 13-14). [2] • Skill – ‘explain what the writer means’ = paraphrase the quote in context • Answer -The West is a large and powerful force, so there is no cause for their obsession with Al-Qaeda, which is insignificant in comparison.

22. Question 4 • What does the word ‘actually’ (line 17) suggest about the writer’s attitude towards the Mayor’s action? • Skill – possible words: supportive, skeptical, critical • Answer - He is disapproving of/ is critical of the mayor’s action (He has a negative attitude - 0 mark)

23. Question 1 According to paragraph 2, what is ironic about life in the West today? Use your own words as far as possible. Skill: explain what is expected and the reality, joined by the word ‘yet’/ ‘however’ Answer: • With life in the West being safer today, people should feel less fearful/more protected, yet they are feeling more threatened.

24. Question 5 Suggest how the ‘peddling of fear’ (line 36) specifically benefits the following groups of people: • security consultants • academics

25. Question 5 Examples of acceptable answers • a) security consultants: more clients will engage their services to beef up security in their homes and this will bring them more business  • b) Academics will get more opportunities to air their ideas as more people will ask them to analyse the security situation