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Name ___________________________________________ No. _______ Class: _________ Date ___________

INSIGHTS FROM SINGAPORE

There are lots of things to like about living in
Singapore. As a tropical, multicultural metropolis with a
high standard of living, Singapore is comfortable and full
of interesting people. For people who love summer, the
5 weather is perfect for going to the beach, though very
humid. Singapore is a tiny nation with a booming
economy, so it’s easily policed and one of the safest
places in the world. The government is interested in the
welfare of its residents and the quality of education and
10 healthcare is of a high standard. As a nation with four
official languages, communication can be a fascinating
blend of sounds, words and phrases.
Singapore is not only a multicultural city but has four official cultural groups. Just
walking down the streets, you can see the variety of faces, dress and speech which reveals
15 the depth of Singapore’s multiculturalism. Many signs and announcements come in
multiple languages, with the majority of Singaporeans speaking more than one language.
There are so many restaurants representing food from so many Asian cuisines, not to
mention all the fusion. Mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples, churches and synagogues
can be found sometimes within the same block. Holidays are also divided amongst
20 Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu special days.
Multiculturalism has always been right in front of my face. It’s been impressed on me
since I was young that culture is an important part of identity and that we must strive to
recognise and respect that value as much for others as we feel it for ourselves. Respecting
cultural values is one of the most important values in building a cohesive society,
25 particularly as the world grows more connected day by day. But I have also seen the
incongruous moments when this is not as easy as it sounds and have recognised the effects
of dominant cultures on minority cultures. I’ve learned that, just like relationships between
individual personalities, relationships between cultures can be a bumpy road, but there will
always be more benefit in unity than in separation. I’ve also seen that culture is constantly
30 evolving and mixing and that, like individuals, culture needs the opportunity to grow.
While multiculturalism has ideas of collaboration and respect at its core, as a rigid
policy it can also be harmful, particularly to individuals who often struggle with plans
meant to benefit groups on a larger scale. Cultural conflicts can also affect relationships as
the closer people get, the more some may expect those close to them to adopt the same
35 values. People who don’t fit neatly into traditional categories may have special advantages
or may also be rejected by groups who define themselves by distinction from other groups,
rather than by seeing themselves as a contributing factor to a larger, varied but unified
culture: that of Singapore as unified culture itself.
The pure joy of meeting people who are different from myself is the main benefit of
40 multiculturalism in my life. Experiencing new ways of thinking and using new
perspectives to re-examine my own is a continual inspiration and motivation. Language is
often the key as connecting with others in their first language can be a more personal and
emotional experience. As a food-lover, the continual mixing and creativity created by
cultures combining and sharing will always produce results I can appreciate daily! Finally,
45 the understanding of the things that connect us, often unexpectedly, helps to make me a
more empathic and supportive member of my community at a local, civic, national and
global level. Being a more supportive member of my community means more friends,
more work, more opportunities and more growth. As they say: if you want to go fast, travel
alone; if you want to go far, travel together.
https://www.inlingua.com/multiculti-singapore/ (abridged and adapted; accessed in October 2021)

38 Editable and photocopiable © Texto | MySelfie 11

1. In which paragraphs can you find the following topics?

a. Positive aspects of living in a multicultural environment Paragraph _____

b. Singapore’s characteristics Paragraph _____
c. Downsides of multiculturalism Paragraph _____
d. Manifestations of multiculturalism in everyday life Paragraph _____
e. Living in a multicultural city shapes your way of thinking Paragraph _____

2. Go to paragraph 1 and find synonyms for the following words.

a. megacity _______________________
b. flourishing _____________________
c. administrated ___________________
d. combination____________________

3. Go to paragraph 4 and find opposites for the following words.

a. flexible ________________________
b. beneficial ______________________
c. drawbacks _____________________
d. divided ________________________

4. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) and quote from the
text to support your answer (paragraphs 3, 4 and 5).

a. It’s people’s duty to work hard to acknowledge and consider culture as a vital T F
part of identity.
____________________________________________________________________

b. Although interactions with diverse cultures may be regular, a divided T F

culture is always more beneficial.

____________________________________________________________________

c. Cooperation and consideration are the key to multiculturalism. T F

____________________________________________________________________

d. The more I get involved in my community, the more benefits I get. T F

____________________________________________________________________

Editable and photocopiable © Texto | MySelfie 11 39