SUMMARY PRACTICE

VJC PRELIMS 2009

In all of these films we see the world in transition as we are living it. All have managed to
break the cycle of remakes in which Hollywood has been stuck by telling new stories -something American filmmakers, who have prided themselves on their imagination and
originality, once excelled at. Meanwhile, with ever fewer exceptions, American filmmakers too
often grind out formulaic, shock and awe blockbusters with the inevitable gratuitous violence,
sex and special effects that may be winning the battle of Monday morning grosses, but are
losing the war for hearts and minds. For all their brawn, American filmmakers, like the
generals in Iraq, are in danger of losing the battle of ideas.
In this sense, Hollywood's "Mission Impossible III" has a lot more in common with George
Bush's "mission accomplished" than we might have suspected. Despite America's continuing,
but diminishing, dominance, its ability to win hearts and minds is draining away. In cinema, as
in politics during the information age, it is all about whose story wins. Just as America's image
has fallen in world opinion because of the Iraq war, audience trends for American
blockbusters are beginning to show a decline as well, both at home and abroad. For years, the
big blockbusters have grossed more abroad than at home, where infatuation with contrived
spectacle has waned. But something out there is stirring. Even long-time American cultural
colonies like Japan and Germany are beginning to turn to the home screen. For the first time
in decades more than half of cinema admissions went to local films in Japan during 2006 while
German admissions for domestic films hit a post-war high of nearly 25 per cent. This suggests
they are headed to where TV viewers have long been.
The heat is on in Hollywood due to this change in climate, adding further woe to the digital
-distribution- "You Tube" -nightmares of the studios. What's happening is that globalization
accompanied by technological change is hitting Tinsel Town just like every other industry. Just
as the post-World War II American order that defeated communism paved the way for new
economic and political competitors from Asia to Europe to Brazil, so too American-led postCold War globalization -- and its backlash -- has led to cultural competition. This suggests that
we may be seeing the beginning of the end of the century-long honeymoon of Hollywood, at
least in its American incarnation, with the world.
Now that globalization has moved us all into the same neighbourhood, more and more people
out there on the former periphery want to see their own stories on the screen, to see what is
in their imagination and culture, at least as much as they might enjoy the latest offerings
from LucasFilm or Pixar. Filmmaker Gonzalez Inarritu best captures what's happening. "The
world is changing," he says. "The film community is now a global film community. Its not
anymore about cultural barriers or language barriers. Its about emotion and humanity. We
are using the power of cinema to cross borders. We understand that now there's a connection
that needs to happen." In our global age movies must expose "the point of view of others, of
those on the other side," he says. And it must be done with dignity, not portraying Third World
faces as mere victims nor Japanese as cartoon caricatures.
Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise the authors argument that Hollywood
blockbusters have declined. Using your own words as far as possible, write your answer
in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below.
[7]
One reason for the decline of the Hollywood blockbusters is

VJC Prelims 2009: Student Copy

1.
2.

3.

From the passage

the cycle of remakes in which
Hollywood has been stuck (line 8)
American filmmakers, who have
prided themselves on their
imagination and originality, once
excelled at [telling new stories] (line
9)
American filmmakers too often grind
out formulaic, shock and awe
blockbusters...(line 10-11)

4.

...with the inevitable gratuitous

violence, sex and special effects
(line 11)

5.

[The blockbusters] may be winning

the battle of Monday morning
grosses, but are losing the war
for hearts and mindlines. For all
their brawn, American filmmakers,
like the generals in Iraq, are in
danger of losing the battle of
ideas. (line 12-4)
At home, [...] infatuation with
contrived spectacle has waned.
(line 21-22)

6.

7.

8.

Even long-time American cultural

colonies like Japan and Germany are
beginning to turn to the home
screen. (line 22-23)
the digital -distribution- "You Tube"
-nightmares of the studios (line 2728)

9.

[The backlash against] American-led

post- Cold War globalization [...] has
led to cultural competition. (line
30)

10.

Peoplewant to see their own

stories on the screen, to see what is
in their imagination and culture
(line 36-37)

11.

Its about humanityAnd it must be

done with dignity, not portraying
Third World faces as mere victims nor
Japanese as cartoon caricatures
(line 39, 43-44)

Paraphrase

VJC Prelims 2009

Answer Scheme
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

6.
7.

8.
9.

10.

11.

From the passage

the cycle of remakes in which
Hollywood has been stuck (line 8)
American filmmakers, who have
prided themselves on their
imagination and originality, once
excelled at [telling new stories]
(line 9)
American filmmakers too often grind
out formulaic, shock and awe
blockbusters...(line 10-11)
...with the inevitable gratuitous
violence, sex and special effects
(line 11)
[The blockbusters] may be winning
the battle of Monday morning
grosses, but are losing the war
for hearts and mindlines. For all
their brawn, American filmmakers,
like the generals in Iraq, are in
danger of losing the battle of
ideas. (line 12-4)
At home, [...] infatuation with
contrived spectacle has waned.
(line 21-22)
Even long-time American
cultural colonies like Japan and
Germany are beginning to turn to
the home screen. (line 22-23)
the digital -distribution- "You
Tube" -nightmares of the studios
(line 27-28)
[The backlash against] Americanled post- Cold War globalization [...]
has led to cultural competition.
(line 30)
Peoplewant to see their own
stories on the screen, to see what is
in their imagination and culture
(line 36-37)
Its about humanityAnd it must be
done with dignity, not portraying
Third World faces as mere victims
nor Japanese as cartoon caricatures
(line 39, 43-44)

Paraphrase
They are trapped in the pattern of
making new versions of old movies.
American filmmakers have lost their
ingenuity/ability to come up with fresh
ideas and stories/losing creativity
They produce in large numbers/churn out
(1/2) movies that conform to a template
(1/2)
... of mindless/pointless/superfluous/
unnecessary (1/2) brutality, titillation
and technical displays. (any 2 for )
These movies have high box office
takings but are unable to engage the
audience emotionally, intellectually and
artistically/showing creativity

the popularity/craze for such stilted

extravagance has diminished.
Countries that used to have great
demand for/embraced American media
(1/2) have abandoned them for their own
products.
Internet piracy has significantly reduced
the blockbusters profits
Rejection of American ideological
hegemony has led to audiences
favouring movies from other countries.
Due to the global aspect of the movies,
people now want to see their way of
life/local issues/local concerns rather
than those presented by Hollywood
Hollywood depiction of other cultures
was inaccurate/stereotypical/inaccurate
(1/2) and not disrespectful (1/2)

SUMMARY PRACTICE
ACJC PRELIMS 2009
It certainly seems that ever-larger portions of the globe are under active reconstruction:
being rebuilt by a parallel government made up of a familiar cast of for-profit consulting
firms, engineering companies, mega-NGOs, government and UN aid agencies and
international financial institutions. And from the people living in these reconstruction sites
Iraq to Aceh, Afghanistan to Haiti a similar chorus of complaints can be heard. The work is
far too slow, if it is happening at all. Foreign consultants live high on cost-plus expense
accounts and thousand-dollar-a-day salaries, while locals are shut out of much-needed jobs,
training and decision-making. The funds received for the benefit of the victims are directed
to the benefit of the privileged few, not to the real victims. Expert "democracy builders"
lecture governments on the importance of transparency and "good governance," yet most
contractors and NGOs refuse to open their books to those same governments, let alone give
them control over how their aid money is spent.
But if the reconstruction industry is stunningly inept at rebuilding, that may be because
rebuilding is not its primary purpose. According to Guttal, "It's not reconstruction at all it's
about reshaping everything." If anything, the stories of corruption and incompetence serve
to mask this deeper scandal: the rise of a predatory form of disaster capitalism that uses the
desperation and fear created by catastrophe to engage in radical social and economic
engineering. And on this front, the reconstruction industry works so quickly and efficiently
that the privatisations and land grabs are usually locked in before the local population knows
what hit them.
Rapid response to wars and natural disasters has traditionally been the domain of United
Nations agencies, which worked with NGOs to provide emergency aid, build temporary
housing and the like. But now reconstruction work has been revealed as a tremendously
lucrative industry, too important to be left to the do-gooders at the UN. So today it is the
World Bank, already devoted to the principle of poverty-alleviation through profit-making,
that leads the charge. And there is no doubt that there are profits to be made in the
reconstruction business.
But shattered countries are attractive to the World Bank for another reason: they take orders
well. After a cataclysmic event, governments will usually do whatever it takes to get aid
dollars even if it means racking up huge debts and agreeing to sweeping policy reforms.
And with the local population struggling to find shelter and food, political organising against
privatisation can seem like an unimaginable luxury. Even better from the bank's perspective,
many war-ravaged countries are in states of "limited sovereignty": they are considered too
unstable and unskilled to manage the aid money pouring in, so it is often put in a trust fund
managed by the World Bank.
Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise the various ways in which aid
organisations and related agencies take advantage of disaster-hit countries and victims to
benefit themselves, and the reasons why it is easy for them to do so. [8]
Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words printed
below. Use your own words as far as possible.
Aid organizations and related agencies.

ACJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY

Lifted phrases
1

Paraphrased

Foreign consultants live high on costplus

expense
accounts
and
thousand-dollar-a-day
salaries
(lines 9-10)
locals are shut out of much-needed
jobs, training and decision-making
((line 11)

The funds received for the benefit of

the victims are directed to the benefit
of the privileged few, not the real
victims ((lines 11-12)

most contractors and NGOs refuse to

open their books to those same
governments, let alone give them
control over how their aid money
is spent.( (lines 14-15)

uses the desperation and

created ((lines 19-20)

fear

Engage in radical social and

economic engineering (line 20) OR
Its not reconstruction at allits about
reshaping everything ((lines 17-18)
6

privatisations and land grabs are

usually locked in . (lines 20-22)

And on this front, the reconstruction

industry works so quickly and
efficiently
before the local population
knows what hit them. (line 22)

reconstruction work has been revealed

as
a
tremendously
lucrative
industry (line 25)
And there is no doubt that there are
profits
to
be
made
in
the
reconstruction business. (lines 27-28)
familiar cast of for-profit consulting
firms((line 6)

But shattered countries are attractive

to the World Bank for another reason:
they take orders well. ((line 29)

OR

1
0
1
1

After
a
cataclysmic
event,
governments
will
usually
do
whatever it takes to get aid dollars even if it means racking up huge
debts and agreeing to sweeping policy
reforms. (lines 30 -31)
And
with
the
local
population
struggling to find shelter and
food, political organizing against
privatization can seem like an
unimaginable luxury((lines 31-33)
they are considered too unstable
and unskilled to manage the aid
money pouring in, so it is often put
in a trust fund managed by the World
Bank. (lines 33-35)

ACJC PRELIMS 2009

ANSWER SCHEME

Lifted phrases

Paraphrased

Foreign consultants live high on

cost-plus
expense
accounts
and
thousand-dollar-a-day
salaries (lines 9-10)

Various ways aid organisations and

agencies take advantage:
Aid organisations and related agencies

related

make disaster-hit countries hire experts from other

countries who enjoy very high pay (as well as good
perks). (1m)
2

locals are shut out of muchneeded

jobs,
training
and
decision-making ((line 11)
The funds received for the benefit
of the victims are directed to the
benefit of the privileged few,
not the real victims ((lines 11-12)
most contractors and NGOs refuse
to open their books to those
same governments, let alone give
them control over how their aid
money is spent.( (lines 14-15)
uses the desperation and fear
created ((lines 19-20)

Local people are deprived of/ excluded from

employment/ skills development opportunities(
m), and they have no autonomy. ( m)
Aid money meant for those affected by disasters is
lavished on the elite few. (1m)

Engage in radical social and

economic engineering (line 20)
OR
Its not reconstruction at allits
about
reshaping
everything
((lines 17-18)

.to bring about drastic changes in the country.

( m) OR
to bring about full transformation rather than
merely rebuilding the country. ( m)

privatisations and land grabs

are usually locked in . (lines
20-22)

that many government agencies become privately

owned/ corporatised and property contracts are
signed ( 1m)

And
on
this
front,
the
reconstruction industry works so
quickly and efficiently

The changes or reforms are implemented so fast

and effectively.
( m)

before the local population

knows what hit them. (line 22)
8

reconstruction work has been

revealed
as
a
tremendously
lucrative industry (line 25)
And there is no doubt that there
are profits to be made in the
reconstruction business. (lines 2728)
familiar
cast
of
for-profit
consulting firms((line 6)

Most aid related organisations deny local

governments access to information/transparency
(on how funds are being used), ( m)
and deny them the power to manage these funds/
decide how these funds are used. ( m)
Organisations exploit the helplessness and the
prevalent anxiety/ apprehension to ( m)

such that the people are completely taken by

surprise/ do not understand what has happened.
( m)
The reconstruction industry takes the opportunity to
make lots of money out of the re-building efforts.
(1m)

But
shattered
countries
are
attractive to the World Bank for
another reason: they take orders
well. ((line 29)
OR

1
0

1
1

After
a
cataclysmic
event,
governments will usually do
whatever it takes to get aid
dollars - even if it means racking
up huge debts and agreeing to
sweeping policy reforms. (lines 30
-31)
And with the local population
struggling to find shelter and
food,
political
organizing
against privatization can seem like
an unimaginable luxury((lines
31-33)
they
are
considered
too
unstable
and
unskilled
to
manage the aid money pouring
in, so it is often put in a trust fund
managed by the World Bank. (lines
33-35)

Reasons why it is easy for aid organisations to take

advantage of disaster-hit countries:
Disaster-hit
countries
comply
willingly
with
instructions and conditions set in order to secure
funds. (1m)
OR
Disaster-hit countries are willing to do anything to
secure the funds/donations. (1m)
Disaster victims are too preoccupied/ grappling with
securing basic necessities, which makes protesting
against corporatisation simply inconceivable. (1m)

Disaster-hit countries are perceived to be politically

chaotic and incompetent in dealing with relief funds
thus this responsibility is given to aid organisations.
(1m)

SUMMARY PRACTICE
MJC PRELIMS 2009
Love and status matter to us in part because they offer us protection - way beyond that
offered by sturdy walls, food and warmth. We are frail creatures unable to survive on our own
against the challenges of nature and the aggressions of social life. Without allies on whom we
can depend, there will be no one who will defend us against our enemies and shelter us in
our crises. Having status could be viewed as a sign that we will have access to such allies and that we are as a result less likely to meet with an ugly and premature end. It follows that
our sadness at the disapproval or neglect of others (and hence our anxiety about low status)
is a natural response to a potential increase in danger.
To be ignored is not only unpleasant, it is also, from an evolutionary perspective, unsafe. We
are programmed to sense how a community perceives us in order for our continued survival
as a species. We are the descendants of people who kept a close eye on what others thought
of them. As William James said, "I should not be alive now had I not become sensitive to
looks of approval or disapproval on the faces among which my life is cast."
There is perhaps a psychological reason why we require the love of those around us: how we
feel about ourselves depends to an awkwardly large degree on how others feel about us. The
world's approval promotes self-acceptance, its condemnation self-hatred. We need others to
like us in order that we may like ourselves. Being an object of concern reaffirms our
existence, and further helps us to see the positive selves within us, while sidelining our
negativities. Such malleability seems a strange, regrettable quirk of our make-up. Ideally,
what someone thought of me would not affect what I thought of me. That is, if I were
someone who did not need to belong, nor be respected.

Using material from paragraphs 5-7, summarise the authors justifications for why love and
status matter to us. [7]
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.
Love and status matter to us because

MJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY

Love and status matter to us
because
1. they offer us protection

2. against the challenges of nature

and the aggressions of social life
(l. 39).
3. Love gives us allies on whom we
can depend (l. 40);

4. Status could be viewed as a sign

that we will have access to such
allies. (l. 42)
5. We are less likely to meet with an
ugly and premature end and
(l. 42-43)
6. we have been genetically
conditioned / programmed.
(generalised from para. 6)
Phrases that lead to this
generalisation:
- an evolutionary perspective' (l. 46)
- programmed to sense (l. 47)
- descendants of people (l. 48)
7. Love and status affect how we feel
about ourselves. (l. 53) and
promote self-acceptance. (l. 58)
8. Being an object of concern
reaffirms our existence (l. 55-56)

9. and helps us to see the positive

selves within us, while sidelining
our negativities (l. 56-57)
10. We fundamentally need to belong
and be respected. (l. 59)

Answer

MJC PRELIMS 2009

ANSWER SCHEME
Love and status matter to us
because
1. they offer us protection
2. against the challenges of nature
and the aggressions of social life (l.
39).
3. Love gives us allies on whom we
can depend (l. 40);

4. Status could be viewed as a sign that

we will have access to such allies. (l.
42)
5. We are less likely to meet with an
ugly and premature end and
(l. 42-43)

6. we have been genetically

conditioned / programmed.
(generalised from para. 6)
Phrases that lead to this
generalisation:
- an evolutionary perspective' (l. 46)
- programmed to sense (l. 47)
- descendants of people (l. 48)
7. Love and status affect how we feel
about ourselves. (l. 53) and promote
self-acceptance. (l. 58)

8. Being an object of concern reaffirms

our existence (l. 55-56)

9. and helps us to see the positive

selves within us, while sidelining
our negativities (l. 56-57)

10. We fundamentally need to belong

and be respected. (l. 59)

Answer
they keep us safe / gives us security
from the demands / threats from our
environment and ulterior motives of
fellow men / people around us.
Love provides us with comrades / friends
whom we can trust,
Critical element: on whom we can
depend
and status tells us that we can / gives us
the ability to call upon them.
There are fewer chances of us suffering
terrible consequences earlier than
expected / dying earlier / meeting our
demise too early. / There are higher
chances of survival / surviving adversity.
Learning point: Dying is not a good
paraphrase.
We have been genetically conditioned /
made through long periods of time to
recognise its importance for our
continued existence / in keeping us alive /
innate need to survive based on love.
(generalised from para. 7)
Exercise markers discretion.

It determines how we see ourselves /

determines our levels of self-esteem /
helps us increase our satisfaction with
ourselves / be happy with who we are /
accept ourselves for who we are.
Having others care about us validates and
confirms why we matter / reminds us of
why we matter
(1/2) for paraphrasing existence as
presence.
and shows us our strengths and pushes
our weaknesses into the background /
focuses on our strengths while hiding our
weaknesses / helps us be optimistic
towards ourselves.
We need to be accepted by a group
around us and be given due recognition /
accorded dignity.

1 mark per point to a maximum of 7 marks.

mark for incomplete points as long as phrase makes sense.

Exercise markers discretion.

SUMMARY PRACTICE: IJC PRELIMS 2009

HAPPINESS
Having a sense of mission has served me extremely well and bound myself to purpose rather
than its by-product. I have taken a lot of happiness from a sense - often grandiose and
sometimes illusory - that I am, by my various actions, helping to create a future that will be more
free, more tolerant, more open, and more just.
Which brings me to another solace cheaply available to all. Consider the joys of service. As a few
leaders, ranging from Jimmy Carter to the Dalai Lama, demonstrate with their lives, we can
become happy through the exercise of compassion. I think the problem is that we tend to
approach service the same way we approach exercise programmes, in lunges and spasms of
temporary idealism. There are few things that make me happier than successfully resisting the
impulse to snarl at some idle transgressor and elevating myself into an actively benign stance.
Such opportunities arise almost hourly. The habit of small kindnesses is immensely rewarding.
Which brings me to another under-appreciated fountain of happiness: the common little joys the
universe leaves lying around for the truly casual observer. Kafka - that noted happiness-hound wrote: "It is not necessary that you leave the house. Remain at your table and listen. Do not
even listen, only wait. Do not even wait, be wholly still and alone. The world will present itself to
you for its unmasking, it can do no other, in ecstasy it will writhe at your feet." He is not talking
about the pursuit of happiness. He's not even talking, as one might easily and incorrectly
conclude, about lying in wait for happiness. He's talking about making oneself genuinely
available to it. He is talking about opening one's senses to the little delights of life and the
granular texture of unsolicited joy. There have been many hard times in my life - including the
present - when I took refuge in reduced focus, comforting myself with the glorious filigree of
immediate existence. Even a man facing a firing squad can appreciate the dawn that also arrays
itself before him.
Finally, and always, there is love. By this, I don't mean that economic bargain that often passes
for love these days. I don't mean that I will love you if you get good grades, or that I will love you
if you'll sleep with me, or that I will love you if anything. I mean what I mean when I say, "I love
you." Period. Without expectation, condition, term limit, or obligation. To say that - and to mean
it in that way - makes me happy. What makes me happiest of all is when someone says "I love
you" to me - meaning it as unconditionally as I intend to mean it - and I simply accept it. When I
love without goal and accept love without doubt, I am happy. In this, I am not pursuing
happiness. I am becoming it.
John Perry Barlow mentions some qualities that have enabled him to achieve happiness.
Using material from paragraphs 8 -11, summarise these qualities and how he believes they
add to his happiness.
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.
The first of these qualities is

IJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY

Lifted
Description of quality:
Having a sense of mission has served
me extremely well and bound myself to
purpose rather than its by-product.
Add to happiness by:
I have taken a lot of happiness from a
sense
often
grandiose
and
sometimes illusory - that I am, by my
various actions,
helping to create a future that will be
more free, more tolerant, more open,
and more just.
Description of quality:
Consider the joys of service.
OR
we can become happy through the
exercise of compassion
Add to happiness by:
There are few things that make me
happier than successfully resisting the
impulse to snarl at some idle
transgressor
and elevating myself into an actively
benign stance.

Description of quality:
He is talking about opening one's
senses to the little delights of life

and the granular texture of unsolicited

joy, the common little joys the universe
leaves lying around for the truly
casual observer.
Add to happiness by:
There have been many hard times in
my life - including the present - when I
took refuge in reduced focus,
comforting myself with the glorious
filigree of immediate existence.
Description of qualities:

Paraphrased

Finally, and always, there is love.

Without expectation, condition, term
limit, or obligation.
Add to happiness by:
When I love without goal and accept love
without doubt, I am happy.

IJC PRELIMS 2009: ANSWER SCHEME

Lifted
Description of quality:
Having a sense of mission has served me
extremely well and bound myself to
purpose rather than its by-product.
Add to happiness by:
I have taken a lot of happiness from a sense
- often grandiose and sometimes illusory
- that I am, by my various actions,
helping to create a future that will be
more free, more tolerant, more open,
and more just.

Paraphrased
to focus on the objective/aim/ideal regardless
of the results,

although he may be overly extravagant and

deluded in thinking that
he contributed to making a more liberal and
fairer world.
N.B. Students must paraphrase (free, tolerant
and open) as one idea, (just) as another idea.
Paraphrasing only either idea or paraphrasing
vaguely (e.g. better world), award 1/2m.

Description of quality:
Consider the joys of service.
OR
we can become happy through the exercise
of compassion

Secondly, he helps others

OR
he shows kindness towards others

Add to happiness by:

There are few things that make me happier
than successfully resisting the impulse to
snarl at some idle transgressor

He feels joy restraining himself from reacting

angrily / the urge to lash out

and elevating myself into an actively

benign stance.

and instead responds with benevolence /

forgiveness.

Description of quality:
He is talking about opening one's senses
to the little delights of life

Thirdly, he appreciates / is more conscious of

the simple pleasures / small blessings

and the granular texture of unsolicited joy,

the common little joys the universe leaves
lying around for the truly casual
observer.
Add to happiness by:
There have been many hard times in my
life - including the present - when I took
refuge in reduced focus, comforting
myself with the glorious filigree of
immediate existence.
Description of qualities:
Finally, and always, there is love.
Without expectation,
limit, or obligation.

condition,

that are everywhere and which need not be

actively sought.

He concentrates on the joy of living in the

moment, which takes his mind off difficult
situations.

Lastly, there is affection / adoration / ardour

with nothing attached
term

N.B. Accept any logical / sensible answer for

expectation, condition, term limit, or
obligation

Add to happiness by:

When I love without goal and accept love
without doubt, I am happy.

he is happy when he is assured of the sincerity

of the love he gives and receives.

ACJC Prelim 2008

American Politics in the Age of Celebrity
But a system based on celebrityhood raises a host of problems. Our fascination with
celebrities raises the risk that there will be more superficiality and less substance in
our political process. Celebrities have contributed to the circus atmosphere that has
arisen in American politics; increasingly, politics has become a matter of public
performance. Politicians get judged more by their ability to deliver crisp sound bytes
than by their substantive knowledge. With journalists interested in celebrity quotes and
good copy, experts with detailed knowledge about public policy are more likely to
become marginalised. It is easier to go to the famous and get their opinion than to
seek out voices of less prominent people who may actually know more.
Both democracy and culture depend on deliberation, participation, and engagement.
But what we have now is a system where star power is weighted more heavily than
traditional political skills, such as bargaining, compromise, and experience.
Conventional politicians are being replaced by famous, media-savvy fund-raisers. The
quality of civic deliberation is becoming trivialised. The gossip quotient has increased,
and politics has become a 24-hour entertainment spectacle. With attention spans for
important stories dropping precipitously, the system rewards celebrity politicians with
famous names. Unless these individuals provide citizens with proper information, it
short-circuits our system of governance. Without quality information, voters cannot
make informed choices about their futures.
American politics has never placed a strong emphasis on substance. Compared to
other Western democracies, fewer people vote at election time, and many appear not
to be very informed about their decisions. As celebrity politics takes root, there is the
long-term danger that citizens will become even less knowledgeable about policy
choices, and they may become content to watch and be entertained. But elections are
a key device by which representative democracy takes place. Citizens must feel
engaged in the process, must be able to think about their options, and must feel they
have a stake in the important decisions that get made. Without serious deliberation
and discourse, politics becomes mere entertainment. Without experience and
knowledge, society may lose its ability to confront pressing problems and resolve social
conflict.

20

25

30

35

40

Using material from paragraphs 3 to 5 of Passage 2, summarise the problems associated with
celebrity politics in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are
printed below. Use your own words as far as possible.
Celebrity politics cause

ACJC PRELIMS 2008: STUDENT COPY

1.

Lift from the passage

there will be more superficiality (lines
17)
OR
and less substance in our political
process. (lines 17 -18)
OR
than by their substantive knowledge.
(line 21)

3.

Celebrities have contributed to the

circus atmosphere that has arisen in
American politics; (lines 18 19)
OR
increasingly, politics has become a
matter of public performance. (lines
19)
OR
politics has become a 24-hour
entertainment spectacle. (lines 29
30)
OR
politics becomes mere
entertainment. (lines 41 42)
Politicians get judged more by their
ability to deliver crisp sound bytes
(than by their substantive knowledge.)
(lines 20 21)

4.

experts with detailed knowledge

about public policy are more likely to
become marginalized. (lines 21 22)

5.

With journalists interested in

celebrity quotes and good copy (line
21)

6.

But what we have now is a system

where star power is weighted more
heavily than traditional political skills,
such as bargaining, compromise and
experience. (lines 25 26)/
the system rewards celebrity
politicians with famous names (line 31)
OR
Conventional politicians are being
replaced by famous, media-savvy
fund-raisers. (lines 27 28)

Paraphrase

7.

8.

The quality of civic deliberation is

becoming trivialised. (lines 28 29)
OR
Without serious deliberation and
discourse, (line 41)
The gossip quotient has increased
(line 29)
Without quality information, (lines 32
33)
it short-circuits our system of
governance.
(line 32)
OR

9.

voters cannot make informed

choices about their futures. (lines 32
33)
As celebrity politics takes root, there is
the long-term danger that citizens will
become even less knowledgeable
about policy choices, (lines 36 37)
and they may become content to
watch and be entertained. (lines 37
38)

10.

But elections are a key device by which

representative democracy takes place.
Citizens must feel engaged in the
process, (lines 38 39)
OR
must feel they have a stake in the
important decisions that get made.
(lines 38 41)

11.

society may lose its ability to

confront pressing problems and
resolve social conflict. (lines 42 43)

ACJC PRELIMS 2008: ANSWER SCHEME

1.

Lift from the passage

there will be more superficiality (lines 17)
OR
and less substance in our political
process. (lines 17 -18)
OR
than by their substantive knowledge. (line
21)

Paraphrase
Celebrity politics causes political
discussion to become more shallow/ to
lack a deep understanding of
political issues/ to lack adequate
political knowledge. (1m)

Celebrities have contributed to the circus

atmosphere that has arisen in American
politics; (lines 18 19)
OR
increasingly, politics has become a matter of
public performance. (lines 19)
OR
politics has become a 24-hour
entertainment spectacle. (lines 29 30)
OR
politics becomes mere entertainment.
(lines 41 42)
Politicians get judged more by their
ability to deliver crisp sound bytes
(than by their substantive knowledge.) (lines
20 21)

It reduces political discourse to a mere

show/tomfoolery/non-serious
discourse. (1m)

4.

experts with detailed knowledge

about public policy are more likely to
become marginalized. (lines 21 22)

Politicians/ political
academics/scholars with a deep
understanding of political issues/
may be
sidelined/ignored/overlooked/not
covered (by journalists). (1m)

5.

With journalists interested in celebrity

quotes and good copy (line 21)

The media prefers to focus more on

what celebrities say. (1m)

6.

But what we have now is a system where

star power is weighted more heavily
than traditional political skills, such as
bargaining, compromise and experience.
(lines 25 26)/
the system rewards celebrity politicians
with famous names (line 31)

Celebrity politics creates a culture in

which celebrity popularity is valued
more than time-honoured political
abilities/tools/skills. (1m)

3.

OR
Conventional politicians are being replaced
by famous, media-savvy fund-raisers.
(lines 27 28)

Politicians are assessed for their

ability to speak well/ suave
presentation skills/ability to capture
attention. (1m)

OR
Conservative politicians are being
undermined/substituted by the
ability to manipulate the media/
well-known celebrities who know
how to manipulate the media. (1m)

7.

8.

The quality of civic deliberation is

becoming trivialised. (lines 28 29)
OR
Without serious deliberation and
discourse, (line 41)

The depth of political discourse/

discussion has become devalued/less
important
OR
Citizens do not
consider/contemplate/ are
unreflective about their political
choices (1/2m)

The gossip quotient has increased (line

29)

and trivial bantering about the lives of

celebrities has become more
prevalent/ frequent in political issues/
discussion. (1/2m)
When the public does not have
good/sufficient/adequate/substantial
knowledge,
(*note: no mark for the above, as it is a
repeat of answer point #1)
democracy cannot function
properly/ the country cannot be run
properly (1m)
OR
citizens cannot make sound decisions
when voting/selecting their political
leaders. (1m)
In the long run, people may become less
aware/informed about civic/political
issues (1/2m)

Without quality information, (lines 32 33)

it short-circuits our system of

governance.
(line 32)
OR

9.

voters cannot make informed choices

about their futures. (lines 32 33)
As celebrity politics takes root, there is the
long-term danger that citizens will become
even less knowledgeable about policy
choices, (lines 36 37)
and they may become content to watch
and be entertained. (lines 37 38)

10.

But elections are a key device by which

representative democracy takes place.
Citizens must feel engaged in the process,
(lines 38 39)
OR
must feel they have a stake in the
important decisions that get made. (lines 38
41)

11.

society may lose its ability to confront

pressing problems and resolve social
conflict. (lines 42 43)

and they may be satisfied to observe

political proceedings/be amused by
political proceedings. (1/2m)
Celebrity politics causes citizens to feel
that they are not involved in the
political process,
OR
to feel that they do not have a role to
play in political decisions. (1m)

Celebrity politics causes society to be

unable to tackle/ handle urgent
crises/ solve societal problems. (1m)

SUMMARY PRACTICE: MJC PRELIMS 2007

Survey of Talent
Moreover, some problems could prove self-correcting. Many talented people not only create
jobs and wealth, they turn their hands to philanthropy, as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have
done. The growing returns to education create incentives for people to get themselves
educated, producing a better-trained workforce as well as upward mobility. In China, families
spend more on education than on anything else, despite the one-child policy. Multinational
companies routinely promote local talent in the developing world, putting an ever more multiethnic face on the global talent elite. Overheated talent markets prompt companies to move
production elsewhere to Mysore rather than Bangalore, say, or Austin, Texas, rather than
Silicone Valley.
Above all, there is something appealing about the meritocratic ideal: most people are willing
to accept wide inequalities if they are coupled with equality of opportunity. In America, where
two-thirds of the population believe that everyone has an equal chance to get ahead, far
fewer people favour income redistribution than in Europe.
Growing wealth also means that society can reward a wider range of talents. These days,
sports stars and entertainers can make millions. There are also ample rewards for all sorts of
specialised talents, from the gift of bringing history to life (all those well-paid TV historians) to
the ability to produce a perfect souffl (the best-paid chef in America, Wolfgang Puck, earned
$16m last year). It sometimes seems that there is no talent so recondite that you cannot
make a living out of it. Takeru Tsunami Kobayashi earns more than $200,000 a year as the
worlds hotdog eating champion: he can eat more than 50 in 12 minutes.
The rise of a global meritocracy offers all sorts of benefits, from higher growth in productivity
to faster scientific progress. It can boost social mobility and allow all sorts of weird and
wonderful talents to bloom. The talent wars may be a source of unhappiness for companies
and countries. But they should also be a cause for celebration.
In line 17, The Economist claims that things are worse than they were due to growing
inequalities as a result of meritocracy.
Using material from Paragraphs 7 to 10, as well as 13, summarise the arguments made by
The Economist to counter this claim.
Write your summary in no more than 140 words, not including the opening words which are
printed below. Use your own words as far as possible.
[8]
The practice of meritocracy can help move a country or society in various ways.

MJC PRELIMS 2007: STUDENT COPY

N
o

LIFT

The number of winners is now

larger than it was in 1958. (lines 4748)

America and Europe have created a

mass higher education system (l 4950)

and developing countries are

determined to follow suit (l 5051)

3a

Similar to 3
When Young was writing, China and
India were trapped in poverty.
Today they are growing so fast that
they, too, are suffering from talent
shortage. (l 51-52)

Many talented people not only

create jobs and wealth (l 53-54)

they turn their hands to

philanthropy (l 54)

incentives for people to get

themselves educated (l 55-56)

producing a better-trained
workforce (l 56)

as well as upward mobility (l 56)

OR
It can boost social mobility (l 86)

10

Multinational companies routinely

promote local talent in the
developing world (l 57-58)

ACCEPTED ANSWERS
Underlined phrases denote key idea(s) that
must be reflected in the answers.

11

putting an ever more multi-ethnic

face on the global talent elite (l 5859)
Paraphrase:
Talents are now racially diverse,
whereas they were mostly
Caucasians/ whites in the past.

12

Overheated talent markets prompt

companies to move production
elsewhereto Mysore rather than
Bangalore, say, or Austin, Texas,
rather than Silicone Valley. (l 59-61)

13

most people are willing to accept

wide inequalities if they are
coupled with equality of
opportunity (l 62-63)

14

Growing wealth also means that

society can reward a wider range
of talents (l 66)
OR
allow all sorts of weird and
wonderful talents to bloom (l 8687)

15

offers all sorts of benefits, from

higher growth in productivity (l
85)

16

to faster scientific progress (l 86)

MJC PRELIMS 2007: ANSWER SCHEME

N
o

LIFT

ACCEPTED ANSWERS
Underlined phrases denote key idea(s)
that must be reflected in the answers.
There are more successful people now.

MAR
K

The number of winners is now

larger than it was in 1958. (lines 4748)

America and Europe have created a

mass higher education system (l 4950)
and developing countries are
determined to follow suit (l 5051)

The West has expanded opportunities for

tertiary/ higher education.

There is a spill over effect to less

industrialised nations, which are taking steps
in a similar direction.

3a

Similar to 3
When Young was writing, China and
India were trapped in poverty.
Today they are growing so fast that
they, too, are suffering from talent
shortage. (l 51-52)

Similar to 3
(inferred) Some undeveloped/ third world
countries are now growing rapidly/
experiencing an economic boom (partly as a
result of the mass higher education
system (l 49-50).

Many talented people not only

create jobs and wealth (l 53-54)

Many talented people generate

employment
affluence

they turn their hands to

philanthropy (l 54)

They participate in community work / donate

to charity

incentives for people to get

themselves educated (l 55-56)

Now, people are motivated to go to school

(due to the rewards that education can
bring)

producing a better-trained
workforce (l 56)

resulting in more skilled employees

as well as upward mobility (l 56)

OR
It can boost social mobility (l 86)

and a greater likelihood for them to achieve

greater wealth / higher status / social rank

10

Multinational companies routinely

promote local talent in the
developing world (l 57-58)

Multinational firms regularly give

opportunities to indigenous talents in less
industrialised countries.

11

putting an ever more multi-ethnic

face on the global talent elite (l 5859)

(inferred)
Racially diverse talents allow for social
stability.
OR
Meritocracy allows for talents, regardless of
race or religion, to advance.

(inferred) Due to saturated talent markets,

businesses relocate their factories to less

Paraphrase:
Talents are now racially diverse,
whereas they were mostly
Caucasians/ whites in the past.
12

Overheated talent markets prompt

companies to move production

1/2
1/2

13

14

15
16

elsewhereto Mysore rather than

Bangalore, say, or Austin, Texas,
rather than Silicone Valley. (l 59-61)

developed / industrialised areas, thus

generating employment (in such areas).

most people are willing to accept

wide inequalities if they are
coupled with equality of
opportunity (l 62-63)
Growing wealth also means that
society can reward a wider range
of talents (l 66)
OR
allow all sorts of weird and
wonderful talents to bloom (l 8687)

Most people do not mind stark differences in

status / wealth as long as they get the same
number of chances (to get high-paying jobs).

Increasing affluence also implies that many

diverse talents can stand to gain / benefit.

offers all sorts of benefits, from

higher growth in productivity (l
85)
to faster scientific progress (l 86)

Other advantages include an increase in the

efficiency of the workforce / work efficiency.

more rapid scientific / technological

developments.

OR
It enables many diverse talents to thrive.