2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)
ACJC 2022 Prelim
Using material from paragraphs 3−5 only, summarise the factors affecting today’s parenting style and how this
parenting style gives rise to anxiety in children. [8]
One factor affecting today’s parenting style is…
From the passage S/N
…treated parents as rational actors, however
extreme some of our actions might be (lines 15-16)
…in reaction to the surrounding conditions… (line
17)
…hover over our children… (line 16)
…too hyper and too vigilant… (line 20)
…helicopter parenting… (line 21)
…adults are always on high alert (line 23)
…more overprotected (lines 21-22)
…more leery of adulthood (line 22)
…looking fearfully at the world around them…
become anxious adults… (lines 25-26)
…more in need of therapy (line 22)
...school and family systems both have a baseline
level of stress – when adults are always on high
alert (lines 22-23)
[when adults are always on high alert] kids do not
get a chance to rebound (lines 23-24)
…and so they resist taking on the sorts of natural
and healthy risks that will help them grow (lines 24-
25)
…[children] do benefit greatly from parents who can
serve as a non-anxious presence (line 27)
If the instinct to protect a child leads many of us
into the trap of overparenting (lines 30-31)
…time pressure keeps us there (line 31)
time pressure can be compounded by guilt… the
guilt that, as a working parent, I missed X, Y, Z
(lines 32-33)
harder to follow through with an unpleasant
behavioural intervention (lines 33-34)
Paraphrased
1 (inferred) that they are mistaken/ misperceived as being
logical/ sensible/ sound
2 Parents are responding to worrying/ threatening
circumstances/ situation (Note: must reflect negative
connotation)
3 Parents are constantly/ perpetually surrounding/
monitoring/ checking on their children
OR
Parents are excessively/ overly involved in their children’s
life
4 Children become more mollycoddled/ over-shielded/ over-
sheltered
5 more doubtful/ wary/ suspicious of growing up
(allow for lift of ‘adulthood’)
OR
being apprehensive/ frightful/ uneasy of their surrounding
6 and have a greater demand for/ are more likely to require
professional help/ medical treatment
7 (inferred) Schools and families perpetually/ perennially/
constantly contribute to parents experiencing pressure/
tension
8 Children are denied an opportunity to get back on their feet
after a disappointment OR Children are denied the
prospect of picking themselves up after failure
9 and hence they are hesitant/ refuse to engage in/ put
themselves through common/ regular/ expected/
wholesome/ beneficial/ benign challenges/ obstacles/ trials
(Note: either ‘natural’ or ‘healthy’)
10 (inferred) Parents themselves are distressed/ fearful/
worried
11 The predisposition/ natural inclination/ innate desire to
protect a child ensnares/ tempts/ lures parents into
overdoing it.
12 Overparenting continues/ persists due to time constraints/
restrictions/ limits (allow for lift of ‘time’)
13 exacerbated by a sense of reproach/ remorse in working
parents/ parents who missed important milestones in their
children’s life
(Note: must have the correct subject or context)
14 making it more challenging/ difficult to discipline their
children/ correct their children’s misconduct
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

[enduring discomfort now can] make you more
resilient later (line 36)
many of our parenting strategies trade short-term
gain…for long-term pain (lines 39-40)
…cut corners… (line 41)
(that we would cut corners in this way) inevitable
(line 41)
15 (inferred) and so children become weak-willed/ feeble-
minded/ helpless.
16 Many parenting strategies prioritise/ give precedence to
immediate/ fleeting/ temporary benefits while incurring
enduring/ extended/ protracted suffering
17 given how parents have no other choice/ given how
unavoidable it is for parents.

…in a country that lacks adequate parental leave
(lines 41-42)
[lacks] quality, affordable childcare (line 42)
…school and employment schedules are
misaligned
(lines 42-43)
…work culture expects employees to always be
on
(line 43)
a permissive streak in American child-rearing, one
that has simultaneously indulged children (line 44)
Parents are actually doing more for their kids and
many kids are doing less for themselves (lines 46-
47)
18 There is a shortage of / are insufficient/ not enough
provisions for parents to be excused/ relieved from/ take
time off from work
(allow for lift of ‘parental’)
19 or of childcare which is cheap/ inexpensive/ reasonably
priced and excellent/ of good calibre (allow for lift of
‘childcare’)
20 Parents and children have incompatible/ mismatched/
differing/ conflicting timings (allow for lift of ‘school and
employment’)
21 Employers demand/ require/ compel employees to be
perpetually/ constantly contactable/ working
22 There is a systemic problem/ recurrent issue of parents
being
overly obliging/ too accommodating/ excessively lenient
(Note: must capture the negative connotation)
23 (inferred) Parents are in fact preventing children from being
independent/ autonomous/ managing their own lives.

Mark allocation:
No. of 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 10-11 12-13 14 &
Points
Marks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 above
8
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)
DHS 2022 Prelim
Using material from Paragraphs 3 and 4 in Passage 2, summarise what the author has to say about the advantages of
mass surveillance.
[Note: The bolded words make up the overall idea. Underlined words are the specific words that must be captured and paraphrased.]
From the passage
From paragraph 3
a The first, and most obvious, advantage of mass
surveillance is a drastic reduction in crime
b If calibrated properly, total surveillance can eradicate
certain types of crime.
c Few would commit common crimes such as assault or
burglary if it means being apprehended within minutes.
d Enhanced surveillance algorithms are able to alert the
police in real time, while the crime is ongoing.
(c) Prompt police responses
[Repeat of (c)]
e would create near-perfect deterrence,
f and violent crime would be reduced to a few remaining
incidents of overwhelming passion or extreme irrationality.
g With reduced crime, these powers will likewise be
curtailed.
h With expanded surveillance, guilt or innocence would be
obvious,
i thus reducing human error and wrongful arrests.
From paragraph 4
j Of course, these considerations pale when compared with
the potential for another form of mass surveillance to help
prevent global catastrophes.
k Mass surveillance helps greatly by detecting diseases in
their earliest stages.
l It enables the deployment of medicines and doctors to
exactly the right places,
m and quarantines are instituted with precision.
n Most importantly, those infected are rapidly informed of
their condition, allowing them to seek prompt treatment.
o Tracking the movements and actions of infected individuals
makes it much easier to research the causes and
trajectory of diseases.
p Indeed, there are whole new bodies of research that
could emerge from the data provided by mass
surveillance.
q Instead of relying on guesswork
r and recruiting an unwilling group for testing,
s researchers could use surveillance data to test their
ideas.
t And they could do so even from their own houses,
Paraphrased
… fall / drop / plummeting law-breaking,
(Don’t accept: ‘decline’/’lowered’ - too gradual, unless an
intensifier like ‘sharp’ is added)
and the disappearance of some offences.
One would be arrested quickly.
Cops can be called / react immediately,
[Repeat of (c)]
effectively
discouraging criminals / preventing crimes.
Aggressive offences would be rare/decreasing.
Cops’ authority/influence/control will be curbed/minimised.
Responsibility for wrongdoing would be clear,
[Don’t accept ‘feelings’ of wrongdoing]
cutting out mistakes/blunders / misinformed policing.
We can avoid worldwide
disasters/dangers/calamities/crises/threats,
discover
viruses/outbreaks/illnesses/sicknesses
quickly/at their onset [don’t accept ‘immediately’ – too
extreme],
[accept ‘preempting for ‘detecting in earliest stages’]
Allocate/send/deliver health/medical assistance accurately /
where it is needed / to correct locations,
and impose
isolation orders / restrictions accurately.
Patients / Sick people are quickly
notified about their status
and receive medical assistance / are attended to.
There is less difficulty investigating the
development/progression/path of illnesses.
Novel investigations can come about.
It avoids dependence on speculation/conjecture/
OR
depends on proven/concrete data
avoids reluctant experimental subjects.
Scientists can assess/examine their theories/concepts [cannot
lift ‘hypotheses’ from alternative (s)]
OR
carry out experiments
can do so remotely / from home / anywhere / with
convenience.
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

u and have access to the world’s entire population. with access to a very large sample size / using information
about the whole globe / everyone.
(s) Hypotheses could be confirmed or discarded, with Theories/concepts [can’t lift ‘ideas’ from earlier (s)]
great benefit to society. could be supported or rejected.
[Repeat of (s)] [Repeat of (s)]

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

Marks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

NJC 2022 Prelim

Using materials from paragraphs 6 - 8 only, summarise what the author has to say about how technological
advancement has affected the way we view strangers.

From the passage Suggested answers

1 In some ways, our recent aversion to strangers
is a by-product of technological evolution
2 Sure, newspapers and magazines, cassette
players and televisions were all potential
distractions, but none of them fully normalised
ignoring other people in the way that
smartphones have
3 The smartphone all-too-easily allows us to flit
from one function to the next,
Technological advancement has made us avoid/ dislike
strangers nowadays
made it acceptable to intentionally disregard /
not acknowledge others
New technology… is filled with distractions/ has many
features/ lets us switch from one application to
another
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)
4 consuming attention that could otherwise be
opened up to others.
5 E-commerce sites and third-party restaurant
delivery apps incentivise us against entering
stores and restaurants filled with strangers.
6 Some digital technology goes further, like the
Uber feature that allows you to pre-emptively mute
a driver’s attempt at friendly conversation.
7 Then came the pandemic…We sought refuge
8 that in the distance digital technology allowed us,
watching movies, attending exercise classes and
having meetings–all without entering a theatre,
gym or office.
9 The longer we hid inside,
10 the fewer strangers we encountered.
11 Our world grew inward and suspicious,
12 our fears exacerbated by the latest news about
fresh variants and rising crime rates not seen in
decades. “Stranger danger,” that discredited
catchphrase printed on milk-cartons in our
unmarked-van kidnapping past, seemed to creep
back into our present.
13 Even when they are not physically threatening,
14 interactions with strangers are fraught with
social risk: you could end up embarrassed or
misunderstood. Digital technology promises to
fill those silences with more hardware and
software
15 to insulate us from those we do not know
16 But a future where coffee is served by robots is
not an improvement on the coffee shop. It ignores
a central purpose of the neighbourhood cafe,
17 a place for hot drinks and human interaction.
taking/ diverting/ drawing our attention/focus away
from (interacting with) people/ from relating to people //
takes up the time and energy that could have been
used to interact with strangers.
*Accept lift of ‘attention’ as long as the idea of
‘consuming’ has been captured.
To be awarded this point, student may EITHER
1. reflect the degree/ intensity of meaning OR
2.reflect the opportunity cost that is conveyed in
the word ‘otherwise’
Teaching point: in this context, ‘consuming’ does not
necessarily reflect degree of meaning
(technology) us for avoiding strangers / makes avoiding
strangers encourages/rewards more convenient
[inferred]
EITHER the key idea of “go[ing] further” and can even
make us anti-social / and this trend is getting more
extreme
OR to understand the essence of the EG and makes it
possible to avoid engaging with others when interaction
is unavoidable
We look for comfort/ safety
in technology's ability to give/ afford us more personal
space / privacy / isolation in our daily activities /
whether at work or leisure
but the more we shy away / avoid society at large
we stop meeting / interacting with strangers
causing feelings of anxiety / distrust / wary
made worse/ aggravated by news and advertisements.
*allow lift of “news” or “advertisements”, but subject is
needed
Even if strangers do no actual harm
interactions with them are filled with potential
awkwardness
OR
there is always the possibility of humiliation /conflict.
Context of strangers should be present for point13 and
14, but do not double-penalise
Technology protects / shields us from strangers.
Context of strangers should be present for point 13 and
14, but do not double-penalise
[inferred]
but at the expense of a key function/ core
fundamentals of our businesses and nstitutions –
[inferred]
 2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

socialisation / communication/ human engagement

18 A robot-barista might always operate at peak Even though technology may achieve optimum
efficiency productivity
Reflect degree of meaning
19 and might even remember every component of [inferred]
your last drink, And even seem to be able to personalise optimum
productivity its responses / meet preferences
20 but it can never care about you or your order – [inferred]
you might end up with a hot drink in hand yet walk In truth, it is not really concerned about you / does not
away feeling cold. take care of your emotional needs

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

Marks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

NYJC 2022 Prelim

Using material from paragraphs 3-5 of Passage 2, summarise what the author has to say about why people
break rules.

From the Passage Paraphrase

1 A cheater’s high comes first.(line 13) it gives them a sense of euphoria/an adrenaline
rush/extremely great about themselves at the start
(intensity)

*many students paraphrased ‘it is rewarding in two

ways’ (not needed)
2 Often, cheaters and rule-breakers do not feel and for most of the time, they are not conscience-
guilty stricken/they do not feel that they have done
something wrong/they feel that their actions are
acceptable/correct
 2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

*This point is about feeling that what they’ve done is

wrong

3 and remorseful (line 14) and ashamed/regretful/sorry/penitent/repentent

4 Rather, rule-breakers feel smarter (line 15)
5 and more capable (line 15)
6 along with being in an unexpectedly good mood
after breaking a rule (line 15-16)
Instead, people who break rules
believe/think/consider/fancy themselves to be more
intelligent/cleverer/wiser (comparative element has to
be present)
and more competent/accomplished/adept at some
things (comparative element has to be present, at
least in 4)
Additionally, they would be unusually
happy/delighted/pleased after breaking rules.

*surprise must be present to get the Point.

*’mood’ can be lifted
7 They feel a sense of having circumvented some They would feel as if they had
tedious law (line 16) avoided/evaded/sidestepped/bypassed some
annoying/banal/dreary/burdensome/tiresome
requirement/regulation

3 parts:
i) act of defiance
ii) ref to nature of law
iii) paraphrase ‘law’ (optional but must be ‘correct’
in meaning)
So (i) and (ii) must be correct to be even
considered for credit

*’law’ can be accepted

8 that the middling or mediocre follow by some that the common/ordinary folk/people adhere
unthinking, sheep-like instinct. (line 16) to/observe mindlessly/in a compliant manner

(i) type of people

(ii) the idea that they follow
(iii) the manner in which they do so - mindless
*’follow’ can be lifted
*’instinct’ can be lifted
9 rule-breakers feel a sense of freedom (lines 17-18) People who break rules feel
unconstrained/liberated/unrestricted/do not feel
like they are bound by anything
10 appealing, particularly, to those suffering This is especially attractive/tempting/enticing to
constricting circumstances (lines 18-19) people who have to endure/get
through/experience/live in/go through
inhibiting/limiting/suffocating situations

(i) appealing
(ii) particularly
(iii) suffering (optional)
(iv) constricting circumstances

*’circumstances’ can be lifted.

*either (i) or (ii) must be present, together with (iv) to
be considered for credit; because the sentence which
 2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)
11 [Point inferred from example]
..in a bid to throw off the shackles of enforced
orderliness (lines 20-21)
12 Often…rule-breaking also has less to do with
people’s characters (line 22)
13 and more the situations people find themselves in
(lines 22-23)
14 not a lot of conscious awareness goes into
when or how far we push ethical boundaries
(line 23-24)
15 many a time, rule-breaking occurs in an instant
of self-protection, (line 24)
16 laziness (line 25)
17 or impulse (line 25)
18 We might break the rules under some conditions
but not in others. (line 25)
19 Rule-breaking is also often associated with
perceptions of power. (line 27)
20 [Point inferred from example]
On seeing this, the respondents thought the
second person had either an influential position
(lines 30-31)
21 or was from a family of privilege (line 31)
is (9) and (10) is that rule-breakers feel free, especially
those (implicit is that they like the idea of freedom) who
live in limiting situations.
And they do so to attempt/try to
liberate/emancipate/release themselves from
obligatory/mandatory/involuntary
discipline/appropriate good
manners/behaviour/etiquette
(i) in a bid (optional)
(ii) throw off shackles
(iii) enforced orderliness (about social
behaviour/etiquette)
*(ii) and (iii) necessary to be considered for credit
Frequently, breaking rules is not so much about the
nature/personality of the person
*’often’ is optional to be paraphrased
but the plight/circumstances he is in.
we are not fully mindful of when and the extent we
act morally/honourably
*idea of ‘ethics’ or moral yardstick must be present;
cannot simply be summed as ‘we are not mindful about
breaking rules’
Usually, we break rules to safeguard/secure our
well-being,
*’self’ can be lifted
due to indolence/unwillingness to work
or a sudden inclination/urge.
*sense is one that is lack of control coupled with
lack of thought
We break rules only during certain situations.
*’some’ can be lifted
Breaking rules is linked to ideas/notions/beliefs
about authority/superiority
(i) associated
(ii) perceptions (essential to this point; it is a viewpoint
rather than a fact)
(iii) power
and is thought to be done by someone who has
considerable clout/power/status/authority
*focus is on the person himself
or who comes from an advantaged
background/origin
 2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

*focus is on the person’s background

22 those who violated norms of civilized behaviour
are assumed to have the capacity to act as they
please (lines 31-32)
*’family’ can be lifted as long as there is a ‘privileged’
characteristic attached to it.
People who do not act in accordance with society’s
expectations are believed to be able to do whatever
they want.

(i) violated norms of civilised behaviour (this is a

specific kind of rules - ‘social rules’)
(ii) assumed
(iii) have the capacity to act as they please

*All three parts need to be represented.

23 (Rule-breaking may have another ‘positive’ Breaking rules also (seems to?) bring(s) about
association —) that of solidarity (line 33) unity/teamwork/togetherness

24 Some break rules for the sake of supporting some people do so to aid/assist/stand by their/show
their own tribe (lines 34-35) encouragement to the group/circle they belong
to/friends and family.

*’tribe’ cannot be lifted.

25 even if the rule-breaking comes at the expense Even though it may be detrimental to an entire
of society as a whole. (lines 34-35) community when rules are broken,

*(25) can only be awarded if (24) is present.

*writer is pointing out that (25) is additional information
supporting (24).

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

Marks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

RVHS 2022 Prelim

Using material from paragraphs 3–5 only (Passage 2), summarise what the author has to say about the negative
effects of forced cheerfulness, and why we should pursue honesty instead.

One negative effect of forced cheerfulness is …

From passage Paraphrased / To be inferred

Negative effects of forced cheerfulness

A …forcing yourself to smile when you do not feel like it putting up appearances / pretending that one is happy
amounts to lying to the people around you / are dishonest
Or
Deceitful…..
 2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

B ‘Fake it till you make it’ has... (Context)

to pretend we are emotionally stable despite
difficulties / how dire a situation leads to…

C brutal consequences when applied to emotions… harmful / destructive / damaging outcomes…

OR (undesirable = 0)
It becomes a form of ‘toxic’ positivity’...

D – both oppressive [and deceitful] in equal measure. which are repressive / harsh.
(suppressive = BOD)

E Cheerfulness in this form is far from a virtue; it is a Cheerfulness is then evil / a wrongdoing / immoral /
vice dishonourable act.
(bad/ negative / sin = 0)

F Forced cheerfulness is a denial of life It is a rejection of human existence / reality / hope /

possibility.

G We might want to lock out certain people from our We block

fragile hearts people from discovering our delicate / frail selves /
weaknesses…

H but it also keeps our loved ones out of reach and end up distancing / alienating people dear to us.
helping = 0

I Whoever gets our cheery selves does not get our Those who see our forced cheerfulness do not
true selves understand / know who we really are / our genuine
identity.

J Cheerfulness also unwittingly cancels out trust It also undermines our faith in people

OR
OR
It says: you cannot handle the expression of my
feelings, and is therefore built on the certainty that (Inferred)
others will disappoint We anticipate that others may let us down

K When we share about … we ironically have to steel Sharing our source of unhappiness may require us to be
ourselves for even more hurt prepared against more pain that comes from
Harden = 0

L from the bland responses of others that we must …weak / meaningless / clichéd / banal / uninspired
endure reactions that we must put up with / tolerate.
OR
for what do people offer but feeble platitudes

Why we should pursue honesty instead

M Instead of a smile, we would do better to wear our Honesty is better because it allows us to be true to
natural expression ourselves

N It would be a sign that we are saying yes instead of And embrace undesirable feelings (accept = ok)
no to life’s … among other so-called ‘negative’
emotions
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

O These affirmations of life’s bitterness might just make Which become less challenging / simpler to express /
frowning – or crying – easier accept unhappiness / anger / frustration / despair

P In turn, these newly sanctioned expressions of and facilitate more truthful / sincere conversations
negativity might make it easier to honestly discuss about our sufferings
hardships

Q Our newly vulnerable selves would get to see the
corresponding vulnerabilities of our neighbours
OR
This exchange of fragility …
In exposing our weaknesses, we become more
sensitive to the weaknesses of others / we foster
mutual understanding / we commiserate with each
other
(focus: interacting with others)

R And just sit with us offer comfort through their presence

OR (focus: just being around)
as sometimes all we want is for someone to
acknowledge how awful a situation is

S If we agreed to stop wasting emotional energy If we cease to pretend we are alright / hiding our
masking our disappointments with cheer despondence… / spend less effort pretending we are
alright…

T …could possibly be the key to empathy …we could express compassion for others’
OR unhappiness.
then we would be free to cue into other people’s (focus: being active)
sadness

U Expressions of pain exchanged between two people Honesty can reduce power struggles among people /
can be the great equaliser of humankind shows people they have much in common

V Deeper connections could be made in wreckage and help build more meaningful relationships through
than prosperity suffering more than during good times.
(Long-lasting / enduring = 0)

1 pt 2-3 pts 4-5 pts 6-7 pts 8-10 pts 11-13 pts 14-16 pts ≥17 pts

1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5 marks 6 marks 7 marks 8 marks

TJC 2022 Prelim

Using material from paragraphs 3–5, summarise what the author has to say about why the elderly are not well-
taken care of.

The elderly are not well-taken care of because …

From the passage Suggested rephrase

● we put them in conditions that leave many A1 ● we place them in unstimulating
of them bored (l.16–17) environments/ environments that cause them
to be become jaded/ uninterested,

● lonely (l.17) A2 ● isolated/ alienated/ alone and

● poorly fed (l.17) A3 ● under-nourished.

● One underlying cause could be deeply A4 ● Strongly held/ Long-held discriminatory

entrenched ageism (l.18) beliefs/ attitudes against the elderly
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

From the passage Suggested rephrase

● the language we use (l.19) … we diminish A5 ● cause people to speak to/ about the elderly
our regard for the senior members of our disparagingly/ disrespectfully.
society verbally (l.20–21)

● we frame policy – removing their dignity and A6 ● We implement policies which take away the
(l.22) self-respect/ self-esteem and

● sense of agency (l.22–23) A7 ● independence/ control/ individuality/ freedom

of the elderly.

● ‘The’ implies a homogenous group when A8 ● We think that the elderly are all the same/ we
nothing could be further from the case. do not see the elderly as individuals.
(l.20)

● condescending generalisations (l.23) A9 ● These disrespectful labels/ stereotypes of the

elderly

● that assume vulnerability (l.23) A10 ● focus on their helplessness/

defencelessness

● and dependence (l.23) A11 ● and reliance on others/ neediness,

● instead of resilience (l. 24) A12 ● rather than their grit/ tenacity/ perseverance/
ability to bounce back from setbacks

● and independence (l.24) A13 ● and their self-reliance/ self-sufficiency/

agency.

● …but with ageism, we have internalised it. A14 ● We have accepted/ acknowledged ageism/
(l.24–25) made ageism part of our mindset.

● One of the reasons ageism is so embedded B1 ● Ageism is firmly entrenched/ ingrained in our
in our culture (l.27) way of life/ lifestyles/ social norms

● and hard to eradicate (l. 27) B2 ● and is difficult to eliminate/ completely do

away with

● may be because it expresses … deep-seated B3 ● as it reflects/ is a manifestation of the deep-

fear (l.28) rooted/ profound/ entrenched fear

● decades of accumulated (l.28) B4 ● built up over the years/ time.

● Consumerism urges us all to ‘fight’ ageing B5 ● We are pressured/ forced/ pushed/

as if it were a battle we could win (l.28–29) encouraged to resist looking/ growing old

● even though we know in our hearts that is a B6 ● despite being unable to do so/ even though
lie. (l.29–30) growing old is inescapable/ inevitable/
unpreventable.
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

From the passage Suggested rephrase

● Mantras … emphasise the need to be B7 ● Society also stresses the importance of being
vigorous and vital for as long as possible, energetic/ dynamic/ vibrant/ active,
(l.30–31)

● yet offer no alternative scenarios for those B8 ● and does not make provision for the elderly
with degenerative diseases, loss of with old age/ age-related problems/ illnesses.
cognition or suffering from loneliness.
(l.31–32)

● where well-groomed residents play bridge and B9 ● The elderly poor are marginalised/ not
endless rounds of golf with new chums. But accepted/ rejected/ disregarded by society/
we want those who cannot afford it parked excluded from community life/ ignored/
out of sight. (l. 34–35) brushed aside.

● We further disassociate ourselves from their C1 ● We distance ourselves from providing for the
needs, (l.38–39) elderly

● delegating their fate to aged care workers C2 ● and leave them in the care of others/ third
and nursing homes (l.39) parties

● We reset our expectations of what C3 ● We lower our standards of what a fulfilling

constitutes meaningful living (l.36) existence is made up of and

● satisfied with the thought that their basic
needs for safety and personal hygiene are
being met (l.36–37)
C4 ● reassure/ convince ourselves it is sufficient/
enough/ all right to provide the elderly with
the bare minimum/ the essentials // to not
cater to their higher-order needs/ intangible
needs.

● We try not to think too long or hard about C5 ● We avoid acknowledging that they are
how they spend their days. (l. 37–38) leading unfulfilling lives/ a lesser life.

Mark scheme
1 point 1 mark 5–6 points 4 marks 11–12 points 7 marks
2 points 2 marks 7–8 points 5 marks ≥ 13 points 8 marks
3–4 points 3 marks 9–10 points 6 marks
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)
VJC 2022 Prelim
Using material from paragraphs 4-6 only, summarise the author’s views on why happiness is difficult to
achieve. [8]
Happiness is difficult to achieve because…..
From the passage
a When we get an emotional shock—good or
bad—
b our brain wants to re-equilibrate,
c making it hard to stay on the high or low for
very long.
d This is especially true when it comes to
positive emotions.
e It is why, when we achieve conventional,
acquisitive success, we can never get enough.
f If we only measure our happiness based on
success—money, power, prestige—
g we will run from victory to victory,
h initially to keep feeling good,
i and then to avoid feeling awful.
j Scholars argue over whether our happiness has
an immutable set point,
k or if it might move around a little over the
course of our life due to general circumstances.
l But no one has ever found that immediate bliss
from a major victory or achievement will endure.
m As for money, more of it helps up to a point—it
can buy things and services that relieve the
problems of poverty,
n which make us less unhappy.
o But forever chasing money/
OR treadmill…
p enduring satisfaction simply does not work.
q to seek new levels of stimulation
r merely to maintain old levels of subjective
pleasure.
s Yet even if we recognize all this, getting off the
treadmill is hard.
t It feels dangerous and we feel like we are
lagging behind.
u Our urge for more is quite powerful,
Possible paraphrase
When we receive an emotional jolt,
our brain wants to regain stability/ balance
Making it difficult to maintain any intense
feeling/sentiment for very long.
This is particularly so for favorable feelings.
(Context needed but egs of positive emotions
acceptable)
Hence, when we achieve the
usual/mainstream/traditional material success, we
can never get enough.
If our happiness is benchmarked based on material
triumph,
we will endlessly chase accolades
first to keep feeling joyful.
and then to avoid feeling despair.
There is no consensus / Intellectuals debate over
whether happiness has a fixed and immovable
target/goal
Or whether it might shift during our existence as
our situation changes
No one has ever found that the present
elation/happiness from a major victory will persist
More money will work up to a certain level,
it can purchase items and utilities that offset the pain
of being poor, which reduces the levels of our
sadness
But endlessly pursuing money as a means
of long-lasting happiness is not viable.
We search for greater heights/ peaks of sensation
purely to retain previous amounts of impressionistic
enjoyment.
Even if we realise this situation, breaking out of the
cycle is difficult
It feels risky and we feel like we are not keeping up
Our desire for more is rather strong
2023 GP Workbook (TMJC General Paper Department)

v but stronger still is our resistance to less. but even greater is our aversion to less.

w The wealthy keep accumulating far beyond
anything they could possibly spend,
x and sometimes more than they want to
bequeath to their children.
24 possible points for the summary.
Rich people hoard more money/possessions than
they could ever use
And even greater amounts than they wish to leave
as an inheritance to their descendants

1-2pts: 1m, 3-4pts:2m, 5-6pts:3m, 7-8pts:4m, 9-10pts:5m, 11-12pts: 6m, 13 pts: 7m, 14pts and above:
8m