The problem of staying single in Singapore

1. The problem of staying single in Singapore • What kind of problems could there be with being single in Singapore?

2. The problem of staying single in Singapore

3. In this article, ..., Dora Cheok, discusses a campaign by the Singapore government, assisted by the (49) …

4. Paragraph 1. “It’s about how the government has long been trying to pair singles together, and how the private sector is now getting involved in matchmaking as well.” Who is helping the government in this campaign? (49) private sector In this article, ..., Dora Cheok, discusses a campaign by the Singapore government, assisted by the (49) …

5. …which aims to persuade people, especially women, to (50) and (51) earlier.

6. Paragraph 1 “… the government has long been trying to pair singles together …” Actually, the whole passage is about this. (50) marry Paragraph 3 “They’re not having children on time”. Again, most of the passage is about this. “to” tells us we need the bare infinitive. (51) have children …which aims to persuade people, especially women, to (50) and (51) earlier.

7. This campaign seems to be in response to concerns of the Singapore government about (52) growth.

8. Paragraph 5 “Governments like Singapore’s are worried about low population growth and are doing their best to encourage women to get married and …” What is the Singapore government concerned about? (52) low population This campaign seems to be in response to concerns of the Singapore government about (52) growth.

9. Cheok comments that it is common for the government to try (53) the behaviour of its citizens, referring to past campaigns promoting courtesy and (54) spitting as examples.

10. Para. 2: “I’m Singaporean and campaigns of all kinds are the norm where I grew up: courtesy campaigns, no-spitting campaigns, and even let’s-get-married campaigns.” What is the gvt. trying to do to the behaviour of its citizens? (53) to change/ to modify promoting courtesy and _____ spitting (54) not Cheok comments that it is common for the government to try (53) the behaviour of its citizens, referring to past campaigns promoting courtesy and (54) spitting as examples.

11. The current trend is for Asian women, especially those with (55) levels, to remain single longer ...

12. Paragraph 5 “There’s no denying that singles in Asia (women to be precise), particularly those with higher education, are opting to get married later, …” What kind of women remain single longer? (55) higher education The current trend is for Asian women, especially those with (55) levels, to remain single longer ...

13. The Singapore government has responded by introducing (56): financial incentives to encourage parenthood.

14. Paragraph 5 “(They) are doing their best to encourage women to get married and have more babies by offering a whole range of incentives, known as baby bonuses.” Version 2 gives us the name of the incentives and then explains what they are. Version 1 explains that the government is giving incentives and then tells us what they’re called. (56) baby bonuses The Singapore government has responded by introducing (56): financial incentives to encourage parenthood.

15. Cheok approves of this move because it (57) the sacrifices women make when they have children.

16. The reference to “this move” allows us to assume that the answer is close to the previous one. Paragraph 6. “It’s very encouraging to see an Asian government acknowledging the fact that women must make big sacrifices in order to start a family.” “because it acknowledging” is grammatically impossible. Present tense. (57) acknowledges Cheok approves of this move because it (57) the sacrifices women make when they have children.

17. Her own experience is that (58) members also frequently put (59) on her to find a mate.

18. Paragraph 4 I have been … the recipient of well meaning concern from my formidable family.” Who wants her to find a mate? (58) family Her family is concerned but you can’t “put concern on”. What word fits into this structure and keeps the overall meaning? (59) pressure Her own experience is that (58) members also frequently put (59) on her to find a mate.

19. Cheok herself has strong reservations about young people rushing into early (60) and parenthood.

20. Paragraph 6 “What troubles me (is) … the idea that having children early in life is sound reason for getting married.” Parenthood = having children getting married = ? Rush into something. Early is an adjective so (60) is a noun. (60) marriage Cheok herself has strong reservations about young people rushing into early (60) and parenthood.

21. She cites the rising (61) across Asia, the high financial costs of raising children, and the stress of combining a (62) with parenthood ...

22. Paragraph 7 “ You need only look at increasing divorce rates throughout Asia to know …” What is rising? (61) divorce rates Paragraph 8 “… you need a double-income … This means working parents have the added stress of two demanding careers within a family.” (62) career She cites the rising (61) across Asia, the high financial costs of raising children, and the stress of combining a (62) with parenthood ...

23. She notes that single-parent households, not an (63) for children, are increasing.

24. Paragraph 7 “There’s a corresponding increase in the number of single-parent households - not the ideal environment for raising your child.” This is easy if you know where to look. (63) ideal environment She notes that single-parent households, not an (63) for children, are increasing.

25. She claims that other factors such as (64) and (65) are still of fundamental importance in modern-day Asian marriage decisions.

26. Paragraph 9 “Let’s face it: most marriages in Asia aren’t about love; they’re about duty, obligation, and the meeting of expectations.” What are the two factors mentioned? (64) duty (65) obligation She claims that other factors such as (64) and (65) are still of fundamental importance in modern-day Asian marriage decisions.

27. Cheok recognises that there is a strong biological argument to have children early, since (66) decreases with age, and the chance of producing a child with (67) increases.

28. Paragraph 11 “As women approach their mid-30s, they face reduced fertility and the possibility of having a baby with a chromosome abnormality or other health problems.” What decreases with age? (66) fertility There is no article in front of (67). (67) health problems/ chromosome abnormalities Cheok recognises that there is a strong biological argument to have children early, since (66) decreases with age, and the chance of producing a child with (67) increases.

29. On balance, however, she feels that important (68) about having a family should be made carefully, when the time and the person are “right”. • You do not need to refer to the passage. • She is talking about choosing the right time and person. • We know that we are looking for a noun because of “important”. • We’re speaking generally, so we need the plural form. • We are looking for a noun that can be used with the verb “make” in the passive voice. • (68) choices/decisions

30. A practical question for her is the practical one of whether the marriage (69).

31. Paragraph 11 “Would that sort of marriage last?” (69) would last A practical question for her is the practical one of whether the marriage (69).