2017 Promotional Examination (Paper 2)

1. Why is Nathan an unlikely “candidate for sympathy” (line 1)? Use your own words as far as possible.
[2]
Lifted Suggested answer

(a) His life is good,
(b) he is thriving in his career/
successful lawyer and
(c) he has acquired a deluxe
apartment.
(lines 1 - 2)
a) Things are going well for him,
Note: Lift of “life” will not be credited. An attempt
must be made.
b) he is doing well / excelling / accomplished at his
workplace/job

c) he has purchased / obtained a luxurious / posh /

1-2 points 1m exclusive / expensive home / housing unit
3 points 2m
Note: not about size but about luxury

2. Suggest why Nathan "hastily adds" (line 6) that he does not believe being a woman is easy. [1]
Lifted Suggested answer

This is not to say that being a
woman is easy, Nathan hastily
adds.
(line 6)
He does not want people to jump into conclusions that he is
misogynist / prejudiced against women/anti-feminist.
OR
He does not want to offend the reader who could be a female.
[general public that believes in the popular opinion]

OR

He does not want to be criticised for making a statement which

goes against commonly held perceptions/beliefs about women.

Note: Answer must reflect that Nathan is anticipating a negative

response against him. Context must include something about
women.

3. How is being a man "burdensome" (line 9)? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]
Lifted Suggested answer

“As the man, I’m going to be
(a) the earner and
(b) the person who kills bugs and
(c) fixes things around the house.
(d) At the same time, I’m going to be responsive
to feelings and
(e) helpful with the children.”
Being a man is burdensome because he has to
a) be the breadwinner
b) exterminate / get rid of insects / deal with the
unpleasant tasks and
c) mend broken equipment at home / household
 (lines 9 - 11)
4. In paragraph 3, what distinctions does the author draw between men and women? Use your own words
as far as possible. [3]
Lifted
(a) Women graduate from college at
higher rates than men
(b) [Women have] Yet to achieve similar
success in careers.
(c) Although men in rich countries spend far
more time cooking, cleaning and child-
rearing than ever before, their efforts
continue to be dwarfed by those of women
[lines 16-19]
items / furniture at home / attend to the physically
demanding tasks at home
Note: Context of ‘home’ must be captured
somewhere to be awarded (b) and (c).
d) he has to be sensitive to the emotional needs
(of his family members)
e) and aid them when they require assistance /
take care of them
Note: Allow lift of children
2-3 points - 1 m
4-5 points - 2 m
Suggested answer
(a) More women completing their university
degree / higher studies / higher education than
men,
Note: Answer must capture the idea of college
education
(b) they are not getting the same level of
recognition / acknowledgement / achievement
at work compared to men.
(c) Women shoulder much more responsibility /
put in much more effort in doing household
chores and taking care of their kids than men
OR
Men’s efforts in helping out with household
chores and taking of children are much less /
insignificant / pale in comparison compared to /
overshadowed by that of women
1 point - 1m
Note: Accept lift of “child”.
Both elements of “households” and “raising
child” must be present.
Dwarfed - intensity / degree must be captured.
5. Explain what the author means by "still stuck with the lion’s share of unpaid labour" (line 21)? [2]
Lifted Suggested answer

(a) Mothers who worked full time (a) Mothers who work full time / Working
were (b) still stuck with (c) the women / Employed mothers
lion's share of (d) unpaid labour (compulsory subject)

(d) Suggestion: the household Note: Context of females must be attempted

chores/work and/or to be credited other points.
raising/bringing up a child/children
(b) Remain as the ones who do / continue to
be the ones who do / even now are doing

(c) most of / the bulk of / majority of the /

larger share / biggest / bigger proportion

Note: must capture the comparative element

(d) the household chores/work that is not

rewarded/remunerated/recognised for its
economic value

Note: Accept either ‘child-rearing’ or

‘household chores’ for unpaid labor.
Context of household must be captured.

(a) is compulsory
2-3 points=1m
4 points=2m

6. Explain the metaphor 'on the treadmill' in line 66. [2]

Lifted Suggested answer

...he admits he feels a bit “stuck”. “No one tells you
how these things work out in real life. Then you
suddenly find yourself on the treadmill and you just
gotta keep going. (lines 65 - 66)
Version 1:
(a1) (Literal) Treadmill is the exercise machine
which forces the user to keep running.
(a2) (Contextual) In this context, the husband has
to continue to work to provide for the family without
stopping.

Version 2:
(b1) (Literal)Treadmill is a machine that makes the
user run on the same spot.

(b2) (Contextual) In this context, the husband

continues to work with no hope of reaching his
goal/achieving his goal/making any progress.

Note: a2/b2 - must make reference to Eric or

man’s work/responsibilities
7. What does 'rightly' (line 68) imply about women's complaints? [1]
Lifted Suggested answer

Women rightly complain that they are
often shunted onto a mommy track with
lower wages fewer promotions and less
prestige. (lines 68-69),
It suggests that women’s complaints are
justified .
OR
They have good reasons to complain
OR
They have legitimate/valid reasons to complain

There is basis/grounds for their complaints

There’s some truth to the complaints

The complaints are based on some truth / some

facts.

There is some element of truth to the

complaints.

8. Explain the irony in line 75. Use your own words as far as possible. [2]
Lifted Suggested answer

“My wife says it’s actually more stressful when I’m
back because she has her routine,” says Eric.
“Sometimes you feel like a visitor in your own
house.” (lines 74-75)
It is expected that when he is at home (x), a
husband would be a source of comfort to his wife /
family members (y).
However, in reality, when he is home (x), the
husband brings anxiety/tension/burden to his wife /
family members (z).

OR

One would expect that at home (x), a husband

would feel at ease / comfortable / free to do
whatever we want (y).

However, in reality, at home (x), he actually feels

that he does not belong / is merely like a guest / is
an outsider (z).

OR

It is expected that at home(x), the husband feels

that he has to fulfil important duties/responsibilities
(y)

However, in reality, at home (x), the husband feels

that he does not play an important part in the
family. (z)

Must reflected expected vs reality to get 2 marks.

(x) must be present for any marks to be given.

9. What does the author mean by "their gripes are often eclipsed by those of women" (line 80)?
Lifted Suggested answer

However, the pressures faced by (a) Men's / Fathers’ (compulsory subject)

fathers are a less familiar topic. Indeed, most men
are wary of discussing these things (b) grievances / laments / complaints / grumbles
publicly. This is partly because they know (a) their are
(b) gripes are (c) often (d) eclipsed by those of
women. (c) usually

(d) overshadowed / obscured by the females'

(lines 78-80) complaints/grievances.

Note: (a) is compulsory; 2-3 points=1m; 4

points=2m

10. Using material from paragraphs 5 to 7, summarise what the writer has to say about how not
conforming to gender stereotypes affects males and females.

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.

Not conforming to gender stereotypes has …………………………………………………………….….

Lifted Text Suggested Paraphrase

a1 There are far more incentives for women There are much/significantly perks
to act masculine. /advantages for women to behave like men/
take on manly traits

Note: Intensity of comparison must be

shown.

b1 Women who behave like their male At the workplace, (Women) who act
colleagues masculine/like their male co-workers

b2 be disliked for being “pushy” or “bitchy” may not be welcome/socially accepted OR

(line 33-34) be disapproved of being

for being overbearing/snarky/having very

Note: either ‘pushy’ or ‘bitchy’ must be unpleasant attitude/
paraphrased to be credited hostile/unkind/aggressive

Note: Context of work must be present.

Penalize once only.

c1 but these penalties are offset by However, the punishment or censure from
the community is negated/ worth it because

Note: Context of work must be present.

Penalize once only.

c2 the fact that they are also likely to enjoy (women) have a greater possibility of being
more power given the opportunity to be in a position of
 importance

Note: Context of work must be present.

Penalize once only.

c3 greater financial rewards get higher remuneration/ salary

Note: Context of work must be present.

Penalize once only.

d1 When men adopt the jobs and when males enter occupations and have
behaviours associated with women personalities that are deemed feminine
(link to women)
Example of an attempt:
● When males do not conform to gender
stereotypes

d2 they typically experience a loss of status Instead, (men) tend to face more disrespect/
reputation worsens

Note: d1 must be attempted.

Penalize once when d1 is not attempted

d3 with fewer perks and less benefits

Note: d1 must be attempted.

Penalize once when d1 is not attempted

d4 and more social sanctions And greater communal disapproval

Note: d1 must be attempted.

Penalize once when d1 is not attempted

d5 especially from other men. Particularly from other males

Note: d4 must be attempted.

e1 Young girls who eschew dolls and dresses A female child who prefer boyish past-
to play sport and build things times/manly activities

Either ‘play sport’ or ‘build things’ has to be Example of an attempt: Tomboy,

paraphrased Girls/females who do something boyish,

e2 are praised Are commended/ complimented

Note: e1 must be attempted.

Penalize once when e1 is not attempted

e3 and viewed as charming and seen as/ perceived to be

precocious or delightful/attractive

Note: e1 must be attempted.

Penalize once when e1 is not attempted

e4 as if they are already learning how to As if they have already shown traits of being
assert their authority at the playground. able to stand up for themselves/ be firm
towards others even at play

Note: e1 must be attempted.

Penalize once when e1 is not attempted
f1 when their young boys want to trade a
football for a tutu
f2 and they typically get bullied or abused.
Either “bullied” or “abused” to be
paraphrased
g Anyone who presumes that grown
men get to leave these schoolyard taunts
behind did not pay enough attention to
America’s recent presidential election.
h most men assume that even gender-
neutral flexibility policies are meant for
women,
i and that if they take advantage of them,
j they will incur their colleagues’ disdain.
k they are often seen as lesser men.
l uncertainty over how other men will view
them
m makes men themselves less likely to take
advantage of child-friendly policies,
n far more resistant to becoming stay-at-
home parents themselves.
When a male child participates / prefers/
pursue /chooses feminine pastimes/ hobbies
/ activities,
Example of an attempt: When boys/males
are girly
they often face taunting or harassment from
their peers /being pushed around or
tormented
Note: f1 must be attempted
They will still suffer the same fate when they
grow up.
Most male working adults perceive that
human resource schemes to promote other
types of working arrangements, that seem to
be open either sex/ ,that schemes that are
not specific to male or female
are still designed for women are in
fact/actually really intended for female
colleagues
And that if men made use of them/signed up
for them
Example of an attempt: Taking parental
leave, Family-friendly schemes
Men would receive censure/disrespect /
despised by their peers/ fellow workers.
Note: i must be attempted
their identity as a man is questioned /
perceived worth as a male decreases /
manhood is in doubt /
Perceived as being inferior
Note: i must be attempted
Penalize once only
Unsure about how their peers would perceive
them
Hence, male workers rarely make use of/ find
it harder to make use of pro-family schemes
And feel greater reluctance to becoming
homemakers or full time care-givers to their
children/ house husband and father.