Cambridge 2015 – P2 Suggested Answers

1. Give two differences between play and sport that the author suggests in lines 1-3. Use
your own words as far as possible. [2]

Lift Suggested Paraphrase

a. “spontaneous” (line 1) vs While play is unplanned/spur-of-the-
“codified” (l.2) moment/instinctive/done on impulse, sport
requires conscious planning/ organisation/
has a system of rules to follow. 1m
b. “unconstrained by time” While play is not restricted by time/fixed each;
(l.1) vs “of an agreed duration, sporting activities take place within a 2m for
duration” (l.3) set/determined period. any 2
c. “[unconstrained by] While play can happen anywhere/is not points
location” (l.2) vs “in a restricted to just one venue, sporting activities
designated setting” (l.3) require/are restricted to/can only happen in
specific/allocated venues.
NOTE: Students should state clear comparisons, not just state what sport requires “unlike
play”. Points should be reorganized clearly to show direct comparison between play and
sport.

2. Explain how the development of women’s sport can be hindered by the actions of television
schedulers and sponsors (lines 30-31). Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Lift Suggested Paraphrase

a. “television schedulers… The development of women’s sport can be
marginalising it” (l.30) hindered by television schedulers who leave out
/ minimize/sideline coverage of women’s sports,
thus limiting its viewership/audience awareness/
popularity
1
Do not accept: “ban / demote / disregard” nor
“relegate (unless context of “privileging men’s
sport coverage” is clear)
Any sensible inference for the reason
(underlined) is accepted.
b. “tournament sponsors …and by tournament sponsors who give prizes
discriminating against of lower value to sportswomen/are prejudiced in
women in the rewards they awarding prizes to women/favour men when it
offer” (l.30-31) comes to the prizes awarded, such that women
shy away/are discouraged from pursuing sports
professionally as compared with men.
1
Do not accept: “They are sexist / stingy” – must
get comparison to men (“discriminating” being
the key idea)
Any sensible inference for the reason
(underlined) is accepted.

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016

3. In paragraph 5, the author describes the difficulties sportswomen face as “cultural” and
“practical”. Give one example of each difficulty that the author provides to explain how it
would hinder a sportswoman’s career. Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Lift Suggested Paraphrase

a. “cultural” One cultural difficulty that can hinder a
sportswoman’s career is…
i. “observe a code of …being expected to dress in a
modesty” (l.35) reserved/conservative/demure fashion may
mean that sportswomen struggle to find
appropriate athletic clothing for their sport
OR:
That their movements in playing sports are
restricted by conservative clothing/expected
demure/ladylike behaviour such that they cannot
play their sports well
ii. “live a life of …being expected to be a homemaker/that life
domesticity” (l.35) revolves around the home/to take care of the 1m
family/home such that there is no time to pursue for
a career in sports any
OR pt
That they will face societal/familial
pressure/disapproval for not being homemakers
iii. “live in a body- …being expected to have a
obsessed culture, slim/slender/svelte/willowy figure actually runs
where media present counter to the muscular/well-built/brawny/athletic
thinness as preferable physique that is ideal for sports
to muscle” (l.35-36)
NOTE: Comparison must be captured, but allow
“muscular” as a lift (key is to get preferred body
shape)
b. “practical” One practical difficulty that can hinder a
sportswoman’s career is…
i. “less leisure time than …that they do not have as much
men” (l.37) free/spare/relaxation time as men do, thus there
1m
is less time that can be devoted for
for
practice/training
any
ii. “more likely to suffer a …that they are more susceptible to bone injuries,
pt
stress fracture” (l.38) which prematurely end sporting careers

4. What is the author suggesting by writing “such advances may seep rather than cascade
down” (line 42)? [1]

Lift Inference
“such advances may seep rather The author is suggesting that the transfer of sporting
than cascade down” innovations to non-sport/external/everyday applications
occur gradually/over a period of time/slowly, rather than
rapidly/swiftly/at a very fast pace.

NOTE: Sensitivity to the “water” metaphor – specifically, the different rates at which it can
fall/flow – is critical to understanding the author’s implication.

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016

5. Using materials from paragraphs 2-4 only (lines 7-28), summarise what the author has to
say about the benefits sport brings to the individual and to society.

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. [8]

Firstly, playing sport benefits us because…

From the passage Suggested response

a. it improves our coordination, balance and It helps us to enhance/hone/develop our physical
flexibility (l. 7) dexterity/prowess
b. combating obesity (l. 8) Prevents us from becoming overweight/ Keeps us
trim/in shape
c. develops important character traits (l. 8) Nurtures vital/crucial personal qualities/attitudes
d. our self-esteem is increased (l. 9) Our sense of worth/self-regard/self-
respect/confidence grows
e. when we rise to challenges (l. 10) …when we successfully overcome trials/
struggles/obstacles
f. and achieve goals (l. 10) …and meet/fulfil/attain/accomplish targets
/aims/objectives/aspirations
g. offers us a retreat (l. 10) Sport gives us escape/reprieve/diversion
h. from the stresses of modern life (l.11) ...from the pressures / difficulties / anxieties of
contemporary living
i. The social interaction it entails provides The social/communal connection/relationships that
an antidote to isolation (l. 11-12) comes with sport is a panacea/heals/cures
loneliness/solitude
j. in team sports we work towards a In team sports, we strive towards a shared
common goal (l.12) objective/aim/target
k. acquire leadership skills (l.13) …helping us to learn how to guide / manage others
l. and a sense of responsibility towards …and giving us a sense of duty / accountability to
others (l.13) others
m. Competitive sport develops modesty in Competitive sport builds humility when we win
victory (l.14)
n. and resilience in defeat (l14-15) …and the ability to recover/bounce back when we
lose
o. We learn to lose at something that is We learn to accept defeat in something not so
relatively trivial (l.15) significant/is petty/is small
p. To prepare ourselves for the setbacks in …so that we are ready to deal with larger / more
life that really matter (l.15-16) important/more critical/more serious
problems/obstacles/stumbling blocks/difficulties
q. Staging…international competition brings Hosting international sports events brings
prestige to the host nation (l.17) honour/respect/increases the stature/standing of a
nation
r. is lucrative (l.18) …and brings in lots of money/profit/wealth
s. It also offers a benign outlet for patriotic Sport also provides a non-threatening/ non-
passions (l.18) intimidating/non-aggressive/safe/ harmless
avenue for showing patriotism

[NOT: caring/compassionate/benevolent]

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016

 t. platform for displays of national solidarity …and a stage for expressing unity/
in the face of disaster (l.20) harmony/cohesion/togetherness as a nation in the
aftermath of tragedy/crisis
u. sport also provides us with…aesthetic Sport can be a wonderful/beautiful spectacle
pleasure (on par with other forms of
performance) (l. 22)

moments of transcendent beauty (l 24)

v. Spectators witness a dramatic clash of Spectators get to watch/experience/see the
wills (l. 23) excitement/exhilaration /intensity/tension of
competition
w. The very best performers…set new Top sportspersons encourage future generations
benchmarks for succeeding generations to aspire to ever greater achievements
to improve upon (l.25-26)
x. exhibit the highest standards of behaviour … and model the way for us to follow / behave
which…others may emulate (l.26-28)
Note: words in bold are to be paraphrased. Words underlined—the right degree of
meaning/completion of the sentence needs to be in place for mark to be awarded.

24 points in total.

Points 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 >15

Marks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Sample summary
Firstly, playing sport benefits us because it improves physical dexteritya, keeps us trimb, hones
vital personality traitsc, and boosts self-worthd when we overcome trialse and fulfil objectivesf.
Sport provides reprieveg from life’s pressuresh, giving us communal relationships that cure
lonelinessi. In team sports, we strive towards shared objectivesj, learning how to managek and
be accountable to othersl. Competitive sport builds humility in triumphm and the ability to
bounce back from lossn. Hosting sporting events brings nations honourq, moneyr and provide
harmless avenues for patriotisms and expressing unity in the aftermath of tragediest. Sport is
a beautiful spectacleu in which we experience the exhilaration of competitionv. Top
sportspersons encourage future generations to aspire to ever greater achievementsw,
modeling the way for us to followx.
[117 words; 22 points]

6. What is the author implying about the reaction to the survey by his use of the word
“resignation” in line 7? [1]

Passage Suggested Inference

Just as revealing as the result itself is
that the response of the wider sporting
community was resignation: a
metaphorical shrug of the shoulders as
if to say the result was no surprise at all.
He is implying that people expected and accepted
the results even if they did not like it/were reluctant
to do so/as they knew that there was little that
could be done about it.

7. In paragraph 2, how does the author support his idea that the Faust myth “does not seem
outdated” (line 14)? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016

 Lift Suggested paraphrase
a. When athletes in the survey were The author supported his idea by referring to the
further asked if they would take an survey which showed that more than half of
imaginary drug guaranteeing them athletes would take a drug that ensured/assured
victory in every competition for consecutive wins/triumphs for years even at the
five years, knowing that they would price of death, [1]
then die from its side-effects,
over 50% said that they
would….(l.10-11)

b. Faust myth…in return for a set just as Faust was willing to surrender his
period of uninterrupted success soul/accept spiritual damnation for a fixed duration
he will give up his soul (l.12-13) of continuous/constant triumphs. [1]

Note: the similarities—of consecutive/uninterrupted successes at the price of

death/damnation—need to be clearly brought out.

8. Why has the author written “performance-enhancing substances” in inverted commas (line
17)? [1]

Passage Suggested response

Greek athletes in the original Olympic The author uses inverted commas to highlight his
Games used stimulants –what we disapproval/disagreement (function) with the
today euphemistically call euphemism, as it is just a polite name for drugs
“performance-enhancing substances”. used in cheating (context).

9. What distinction is the author making when he refers to “confessions and revelations of
drug-taking” (lines 19-20)? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Lift Suggested paraphrase

…the reputation of professional sport is
regularly besmirched by confessions
and revelations of drug-taking
The author is making the distinction between
those who
a) Voluntarily admit/own up/acknowledge their
usage of drugs/reveal the truth about drug
usage themselves

b) Versus those who are exposed/

involuntarily/against their desire/will/ revealed
by others
All or nothing question – 0m or 2m. The contrast between confession and revelation should
be made clear.

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016

10. In paragraph 4, what differences does the author see between successful athletes in the
nineteenth century and those of today? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Lift Suggested paraphrase

a 19th century: Its heroes were the Athletes in the past succeeded due to their
naturally talented….(l.25) innate/inborn gifts/abilities whereas athletes
nowadays succeed only with the help/aid of other
Today: supported by whole professionals/specialists
teams of nutritionists, sports
scientists and psychologists
(l.29)
b 19th century: The amateurs who In the past athletes engaged in sports for pure
performed for the sheer fun of entertainment/enjoyment/pleasure whereas
it…(l.25) nowadays they do so as a career/for a living

Today:…professional
champions (l.26)
c 19th century:…whose victories Moreover, the former won in a way that seemed
seemed effortless (l.26) easy/without any strain, whereas the latter
succeed only with strenuous/exhausting/ gruelling
Today:…punishing training practice/programmes/routines
regimes…. (l.27)
Any two points for 2m. The contrast between each pair should be clear in order for marks
to be awarded.

11. In the final sentence of paragraph 5, what contrast does the author make between what
sport should be and what it often is? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

Passage Suggested response

…sport, far from featuring the best of The author contrasts between how sport is
human athletic endeavours, often supposed to showcase the finest/most
encourages much that is worst in exemplary/greatest of our sporting pursuits/
human nature (l.38-39) efforts/undertakings/deeds/ accomplishments,

Yet it often instead brings out the basest/lowest

of human nature instead.
All or nothing: 0m or 2m. Contrast between ‘best’ and ‘worst’ to be made clear.

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016

12. Application Question

From both passages

One writer thinks sport has considerable value, while the other questions this view. How
important is sport for you and your society, and how far would you agree or disagree with the
opinions expressed in these two passages?

Note: to state overall stand at least once: be it at the start or end of your AQ. Ensure both
passages are referred to in your response.

Some possible points to raise Agree/disagree + brief elaboration

(note: list is not exhaustive)
Passage 1:
• Para 2: When we play sport it
improves our coordination,
balance and flexibility, at the
same time combating
obesity.
• It also develops important
character traits… acquire
leadership skills and a sense
of responsibility towards
others
• Agree. Allows locals to develop both physical skills and soft
skills: of confidence, interaction with others, responsibility
etc. Particularly in Singapore’s context of increasing
obesity rates and sedentary lifestyles, sport offers an
important way of combating obesity here.
• In the school context as well, it offers invaluable trial
chances for leadership and teamwork at a young age
without much cost, which may eventually translate into
useful traits for working life in future. sports thus as a safe
bubble in which to prepare for real life and real obstacles.

• Para 2: Sports offer a retreat •

Agree in local context—highly stressed society in which
from the stresses of modern there are few other leisure options available. Many sports
living….antidote to isolation
with friends offer cheap/free outlets to relieve stresses—
variety of park spaces and open communal spaces, such
as basketball courts, available in HDB estates etc. The
bonding especially in team games—such as soccer and
basketball—helps people feel less lonely due to the
camaraderie formed.
• Para 3: Prestige to host Agree:
nation and is lucrative • F1 Grand Prix in particular highlights Singapore as it is the
only night race in the global F1 circuit. Brings a lot of
tourists in as well; pride to the country. Lucrative for the
businesses in the area due to the influx of tourists at that
point in time.

OR: Disagree:
• Can be seen as a vainglorious pursuit—highly costly
events which eventually benefit at best the businesses in
the area, yet which bring about a lot of inconveniences to
many other locals due to road rerouting, massive traffic
jams etc.
• Para 3: benign outlet for Agree:
patriotic passions • Locals tend to cheer loudest when it is Singapore vs other
nations –sports as a way of bringing out patriotism –be it in
international events or bilateral/regional games, since it is
in facing others that ‘us’ is defined.

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016

• Para 4: highest standards of Agree:
behaviour in victory and • The media regularly highlights positive behaviour of
defeat…Grace under sportsmen, who are held up as examples—from
pressure…which hopefully schoolboys to past SEA Games medal winners etc.
others may emulate Demonstration of worthy qualities particularly in defeat
brings respect in the local community as it shows in
concrete action that the value (respect for fellow
competitors, honesty) is regarded as higher than the overt
prize won: such laudable qualities indeed show the highest
standards which we can aspire towards.
Passage 2
• Para 1 & 2: (central idea of) • Disagree. Not quite possible in SG due to strict drug laws.
drug-taking for the sake of Cultural stigma against drug takers as well, for whatever
victory purpose.
• Para 4: …further corruption • Agree to the financial aspect: this is more in the context of
which financial reward can international rather than local sports, which are not
encourage—bribery and the lucrative enough to invite bribery and match fixing. In
fixing of results—which leads particular, international soccer tends to lure bookies, with
us to wonder how much of Singapore being the epicenter due to its high inter-
what we witness is down to connectivity with the world and huge wealth/gambling
genuine talent and how much appetites of the locals. Local book-makers such as Dan
to chemical enhancement or Tan and Wilson Raj Perumal are notorious globally for
financial skulduggery being leaders in a global match-fixing syndicate, alleged to
have fixed over 150 matches in 4 continents over the past
few years.
• Para 5: When winning is • Disagree. Not true in the local context: a lot of contempt for
everything, ruthlessness, cheaters here (see final point of Passage 1 above—Note:
disdain for one’s opponents this point can be used in direct comparison with that, thus
and gloating in victory are referencing both points in one paragraph. I.e., “…As such,
celebrated; finer feelings, I agree with Robb that the display of positive values in sport
such as compassion…are is highly lauded by society as it demonstrates the best of
considered weaknesses who we can be, and thus, disagree with Benjamin about
virtues being seen as weaknesses in my society”

END

Copyright: Raffles Institution, Knowledge Skills Dept, General Paper, 2016