2

Answer one question from this Paper.

Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1. Has global interconnectedness made the world a better place?

2. How far does the state have the right to restrict the freedom of the individual?

3. ‘Far too much attention is given to image in today’s world.’ Do you agree?

4. Is an ageing population necessarily a ticking time bomb?

5. ‘Contrary to popular belief, artificial intelligence will not improve our lives.’
What is your view?

6. ‘For the majority of people, the Arts are a waste of time.’ How true is this of
your society?

7. Examine the claim that work and happiness do not mix.

8. Has the commercialisation of sport done more harm than good?

9. How effective are prisons in addressing the problem of crime?

10. Is there truth to the claim that inequality is the greatest threat to your society
today?

11. ‘Less is more.’ Is this sound advice?

12. Assess the view that pop music today is frivolous.

 Content /35

Language /15
Candidate’s Name:
Total /50
Candidate’s Civics Class:

Paper 2 (50 marks)

Read the passages in the insert and then answer all the questions which follow. Note that up
to fifteen marks will be given for the quality and accuracy of your use of English throughout this
Paper.

Note: When a question asks for an answer IN YOUR OWN WORDS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE
and you select the appropriate material from the passages for your answer, you must
still use your own words to express it. Little credit can be given to answers which only
copy words or phrases from the passages.

From Passage 1

1 In lines 5-6, what parallel does the author draw between the movie ‘A Quiet Place’ and
certain fairy tales and fables? Use your own words as far as possible.

[2]

2 Using your own words as far as possible, explain why the author claims that the problem
of noise ‘got exponentially worse’ (lines 9-10).

[2]

4
3 From lines 11-13, explain how and why people in the past thought noise affected ‘thinkers’
and ‘stupid people’ differently. Use your own words as far as possible.

[2]

4 Explain the author’s use of the word ‘cocoons’ in line 44. Use your own words as far as
possible.

[2]

5 In what two ways is the final sentence an effective conclusion to the author’s argument?

[2]

5
6 Using material from paragraphs 3-5, summarise the efforts and measures taken to control
noise and the challenges faced in doing so.

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.

In the endless war on noisy people and things…

[8]

6
From Passage 2

7 In what ways are cities ‘filthy’ (line 1)? Use your own words as far as possible.

[1]

8 What does the word ‘deluge’ (line 4) tell us about noise and what does the author think is
its consequence? Use your words as far as possible.

[2]

9 Explain why the author thinks that noise is ‘ugly’ (line 25).

[1]

10 Why has the author placed brackets around the comment in lines 26-27?

[2]

11 What contrast is found in the arguments put forth by critics and the author in lines 33-36?
Use your own words as far as possible.

[1]

7
12 Matthew Jordan details the war against noise and believes that the fight has gone too far.
On the other hand, Neel Patel believes that the concern over noise is a legitimate one. How
serious is the problem of noise for you and your society, and how far would you agree or
disagree with the views expressed in both passages?

8
 [10]

End of Paper

9
Passage 1. Mathew Jordan writes about the war against noise.

1 The new film “A Quiet Place” is an edge-of-your-seat tale about a family struggling to
avoid being heard by monsters with hypersensitive ears. Conditioned by fear, they knew
the slightest noise would provoke a violent response – and almost certain death.
Audiences have come out in droves to dip their toes into its quiet terror, and they are
loving it: the film has raked in over US$100 million at the box office. Like fairy tales and 5
fables that dramatise cultural phobias or anxieties, the movie may be resonating with
audiences. For hundreds of years, Western culture has been fanatically at war with noise.

2 As long as people have lived in close quarters, they have been complaining about the
noises other people make and yearning for quiet. But in the 19th century, the problem got
exponentially worse. During the Industrial Revolution, people swarmed to cities roaring 10
with factory furnaces and shrieking with train whistles. The cacophony was seen as a
torture for intellectual people, and thinkers argued that they needed quietness to do good
work. Only stupid people, it seemed, could tolerate noise.

3 By the 20th century, governments all over the world were engaged in an endless war on
noisy people and things. Anti-noise organisations sprang up around the globe in order to 15
combat what the activists considered to be “one of the greatest banes of city life”. These
groups, counting governors among their members, used their political clout to get “quiet
zones” established around hospitals and schools. Violating a quiet zone was punishable
by fine, imprisonment or both. After World War I, with ears across Europe still ringing
from explosions, the transnational war against noise really took off. 20

4 Cities all over the world targeted noise technologies, like the Klaxon automobile horn,
which was banned in London, Paris and Chicago in the 1920s. In the 1930s, the New
York mayor launched a “noiseless nights” campaign aided by sensitive noise-measuring
devices stationed throughout the city. Planes were forced to fly higher and slower around
populated areas, while factories were required to mitigate the noise they produced. 25

5 Yet, legislating against noisemakers rarely satisfied people’s growing demand for
quietness, so products and technologies emerged to meet the demands of increasingly
noise-sensitive consumers. In the early 20th century, sound-muffling curtains, softer floor
materials, room dividers and ventilators kept the noise from coming in, while preventing
sounds from bothering neighbours or the police. However, no matter how thoughtful the 30
design, unwanted sound continued to be part of everyday life. Unable to suppress noise,
disquieted consumers started trying to mask it with wanted sound, buying gadgets like
the Sleepmate white noise machine or by playing recorded sounds of nature, from
breaking waves to rustling forests, on their stereos. Today, the quietness industry is a
booming international market. There are hundreds of digital apps and technologies 35
created by psychoacoustic engineers for consumers, including noise cancellation
products with adaptive algorithms that detect outside sounds and produce anti-phase
sonic waves, rendering them inaudible. Headphones like Beats by Dr. Dre promise a life
“Above the Noise”.

6 The marketing efforts of these products aim to convince us that noise is intolerable and 40
the only way to be happy is to shut out other people and their unwanted sounds. In a
Sony advertisement for their noise cancelling headphones, the company depicts a world
in which the consumer exists in a sonic bubble in an eerily empty cityscape. Content as
some may feel in their ready-made acoustic cocoons, the more people accustom
themselves to life without unwanted sounds from others, the more they become like the 45
family in “A Quiet Place”. To hypersensitive ears, the world becomes unbearably noisy
and hostile.

7 Perhaps, it is this intolerant quietism that is the real monster.

2
Passage 2. Neel Patel writes about noise as the next great public health crisis.

1 Cities do not just get filthy in the visual sense – urban spaces can often be a raging
mess of sound. The blaring car horns, the police sirens screaming through the usual
waves of traffic, the clatter of passing trains, the constant cacophony of voices rising
and falling as a strange melody – this deluge of noise can be devastating to the human
psyche. As a society, we are becoming much more aware of the noise around us, how 5
excessive noise has detrimental effects on us, and realising how those effects add up.

2 By 2100, 84 percent of the world’s estimated 10.8 billion people will likely live in cities.
That means noise pollution will escalate in those areas and beyond, in surrounding
suburbs and rural spaces. It is impossible to overstate how much noise pollution can
wreak havoc on human health and safety. High noise levels can exacerbate 10
hypertension, cause insomnia or sleep disturbances, result in hearing loss, and worsen
a plethora of other medical conditions. All of these problems can aggravate other health
issues by inducing higher levels of stress, which can cascade into worsened immune
systems, heart problems, increased anxiety and depression … These health effects, in
turn, can lead to social handicap, reduced productivity, decreased performance in 15
learning, absenteeism in the workplace and school, increased drug use, and accidents.
There is enough literature for everyone to agree that noise pollution is a public health
hazard.

3 Where is most of this noise coming from? Traffic is the biggest contributor to noise
pollution. A diesel truck at 50 feet away, for instance, generates up to 90 decibels of 20
noise. Generally speaking, prolonged exposure to anything over 85 decibels puts
someone at risk for temporary or permanent hearing loss.

4 But noise pollution is more than just automobiles. Increased development – in the big
city or in a quaint suburb – means construction sites, where heavy machinery creates a
fitful, ugly noise that can echo into the placid surrounding areas. People living close to 25
train tracks or airports are bludgeoned with noise (and usually accompanying vibrations
and shakes) at all hours. Air traffic can be a major headache. All these factors are
exacerbated by poor city planning and community zoning, which fail to mitigate noise
for residents.

5 We need to do much more to keep future society from turning into a deaf, noise-addled 30
dystopia. More than just awareness, cities need a responsible combination of
technological innovations and more radical policy measures, as the problem is bound to
get worse. Critics may decry all this spending and attention as premature, particularly on
an issue that does not seem immediately hazardous. But solving noise pollution is a pre-
emptive measure that can forestall bigger physiological and learning issues people may 35
develop much later. No one who wants to fight the war against noise should be called
intolerant.

3
 VJC 2018 Prelim GP Paper 2 Answers

From Passage 1

1. In lines 5-6, what parallel does the author draw between the movie ‘A Quiet Place’ and certain
fairy tales and fables? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

From the Text Possible paraphrase

Like fairy tales and fables that Both blow up/ exaggerate [1] fears/ worries/ insecurities.
dramatise cultural phobias or [1]
anxieties...
Note: ‘Show’, ‘portray’, ‘depict’ were not accepted as
these words are too neutral. Students who mentioned
that these worries were put into a ‘plot’, ‘narrative’ or
‘story’ were given the mark for the first point.

2. Using your own words as far as possible, explain why the author claims that the problem of
noise ‘got exponentially worse’ (line 10). [2]

From the Text Possible paraphrase and inference

During the Industrial Revolution, people The large influx of people into densely-packed cities/
swarmed to cities… people flocked to cities in droves. [1]

…roaring with factory furnaces and Cities house transportation networks and industries
shrieking with train whistles which produce a lot of noise. [1]

Note: Students who wrote that people ‘migrate’ or ‘move

to cities’ were not given the mark as the quantity of
people is important in this context. In the second part of
the answer, students were not expected to paraphrase
‘factory’ and ‘train’. However, they should make some
reference to these noise sources in their answer.

3. From lines 11-13, explain how and why people in the past thought noise affected ‘thinkers’ and
‘stupid people’ differently. Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

From the Text Possible paraphrase and inference

The cacophony was seen as a torture Noise was unbearable to the ‘thinkers’ but did not
for intellectual people… bother ‘stupid people’ [1]

…and thinkers argued that they needed because ‘thinkers’ needed silence to be able to
quietness to do good work. concentrate and work effectively whereas ‘stupid
people’ did not need this since they do not use their
brains. [1]

Note: Students need to capture the pair of ideas under

the sections on ‘how’ and ‘why’ to get 1 mark. In the first

1
 part of the answer, ‘negative effects’, ‘punished’ and
‘affected’ were not accepted as paraphrases for
‘torture’. Those who mentioned that stupid people did
manual work in noisy industries were also not credited
because they were reading too much into the author’s
point.

4. Explain the author’s use of the word ‘cocoons’ in line 44. Use your own words as far as
possible. [2]

From the Text Possible inference

Content as some may feel in their Just like how a caterpillar uses a cocoon to protect itself
ready-made acoustic cocoons, the while it morphs into a butterfly [1], these products help to
more people accustom themselves to protect/ shield us from /block out noise from our
life without unwanted sounds from surroundings [1].
others…
Note: ‘Isolated’ and ‘entrapped’ were not accepted and
many missed out the reference to the caterpillar.
Students should also not use other metaphors (e.g.
bubbles or capsules) to unpack this one.

5. In what two ways is the final sentence an effective conclusion to the author’s argument? [2]

From the Text Possible inference

The author ties back to the example of the monster

referenced at the start of the passage. [1]

He conveys his disapproval of the people who are now

overly sensitive towards noise. [1]

He provides a neat summary of his stand that the fight

against noise has gone too far OR the growing culture
that only accepts silence should be antagonised and not
noise itself. [1]

Note: Any 2 out of 3 for 2 marks. Students should look

at the whole sentence and not just the specific word
‘perhaps’. Some students misinterpreted ‘quietism’ as
‘quietness’.

2
6. Using material from paragraphs 3-5, summarise the efforts and measures taken to control noise
and the challenges faced in doing so.

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]

In the endless war on noisy people and things…

From the text Possible paraphrase
a Anti-noise organisations Anti-noise institutions/ associations
b sprang up around the globe emerged worldwide/ across countries.
Note: International organisations not accepted.
c …used their political clout Politicians/ governors used their influence/ authority
d to get ‘quiet zones’ established to create noise-free areas/ demarcations
e around hospitals and schools. around educational and healthcare institutions.
f Violating a quiet zone, was punishable Violators faced a monetary/ financial penalty
by fine
g imprisonment or both. or incarceration/ were jailed/ put behind bars
h Cities all over the world targeted noise Governments focussed/ zeroed-in on noise
technologies technologies
i … which was banned outlawing them/ making them illegal/ prohibited/
disallowed.
j launched a ‘noiseless nights’ campaign They also started a ‘noiseless nights’ drive/
movement
k aided by sensitive noise-measuring assisted by precise noise-measuring gadgets/
devices technology
l stationed throughout the city. placed everywhere/ across urban areas.
m Planes were forced… Planes had to comply with/ were made to/
…factories were required mandated to
n to fly higher and slower fly at greater altitudes and lower their speeds
o around populated areas around crowded areas/ living settlements
Note: ‘Cities’, ‘urban areas’ not accepted
p while factories were required to while industries had to reduce noise.
mitigate the noise they produced. Note: ‘Regulate’, ‘managed’ not accepted.
q Yet, legislating against noisemakers However, punishing noisemakers according to the
law
r rarely satisfied hardly/ barely/ seldom appeased
Note: ‘Never’, ‘could not’, ‘discontented’ not
accepted.
s people’s growing demand for people’s expanding appetite/ need/ requirement
quietness… for less noise OR their rising aversion to noise.
OR …to meet the demand of
increasingly noise-sensitive
consumers.
t so products and technologies So modern gadgets and software were created
emerged…
OR There are hundreds of digital apps
and technologies created…
u In the early 20th century, sound-muffling on top of home furnishings that already existed to
curtains, softer floor materials, room
dividers and ventilators
v kept the noise from coming in stop/ block noise from entering the house
w while preventing sounds from or going out/ disturbing others outside.
bothering neighbours or the police.
x No matter how thoughtful the design Even with highly intuitive/ user-centric designs,

3
y unwanted sound continued to be part noise was still/ persistently present/ could not be
of everyday life. eradicated/ snuffed out.
OR Unable to suppress noise…
z disquieted consumers started trying to Unsettled consumers covered noise with pleasant/
mask it with wanted sound desired sounds OR used products that mute
OR …noise cancellation products… external noise.
rendering outside sounds inaudible. Note: ‘Replace’, ‘substitute’ not accepted for ‘mask’

No. of points Marks allocated

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

From Passage 2

7. In what ways are cities ‘filthy’ (line 1)? Use your own words as far as possible. [1]

From the Text Possible paraphrase

Cities do not just get filthy in the visual They look/ appear untidy/ disorganised/ are filled with
sense - urban spaces can often be a rubbish and are noisy.
raging mess of sound.
Note: Many students missed out the ‘visual’ aspect of
filth.

8. What does the word ‘deluge’ (line 4) tell us about noise and what does the author think is its
consequence? Use your own words as far as possible. [2]

From the Text Possible paraphrase and inference

It tells us that there is an excessive/ overwhelming

amount of noise [1]

…can be devastating to the human and that it is very damaging/ disastrous/ creates serious
psyche. problems for the mind/ mental well-being. [1]

Note: In the first part of the answer, students needed to

show that noise is present in excessive quantities. It is
not enough to say that noise is present in ‘great
quantities’ or that it is ‘widespread’ and ‘common’. For
the second part of the answer, ‘negative’ and
‘detrimental’ did not accurately capture the intensity of
the word ‘devastating’.

4
9. Explain why the author thinks that noise is ‘ugly’ (line 25). [1]

From the Text Possible inference and paraphrase

…means construction sites, where It tells us that the noise is detested/ perceived as
heavy machinery creates a fitful, ugly unpleasant/ unwanted as it disrupts the peace/
noise that can echo into the placid tranquillity of a place.
surrounding areas.
Note: Both parts required for 1 mark.

10. Why has the author placed brackets around the comment in lines 26-27? [2]

From the Text Possible inference

It is to comment that noise is not the only problem

caused by train tracks and airports, but ground
movements as well. [1] This is not central to his point on
noise and serves as an additional comment. [1]

Note: Many students lost the first mark because they

did not specifically refer to ‘vibrations and shakes’.
Some also misinterpreted these ground movements to
be the source of noise.

11. What contrast is found in the arguments put forth by critics and the author in lines 33-36? Use
your own words as far as possible. [1]

From the Text Possible paraphrase and inference

Critics may decry all this spending and The critics look at the present or short term situation
attention as premature… But solving while the author is concerned with the long term/future
noise pollution is a pre-emptive impact of noise pollution OR
measure OR
Critics think it is too soon/ early to put money and effort
particularly on an issue that does not into tackling noise but the author wants to take a
seem immediately hazardous… that preventive approach.
can forestall bigger physiological and
learning issues people may develop
much later.

5
12. Matthew Jordan details the war against noise and believes that the fight has gone too far. On the
other hand, Neel Patel believes that the concern over noise is a legitimate one. How serious is the
problem of noise for you and your society, and how far would you agree or disagree with the views
expressed in both passages? [10]

Mark Range Descriptor

Band 1 REQUIREMENTS
1. Students must make systematic reference to the requirements of the
8-10 question, with evidence of a balanced treatment.
2. Students must also refer to the ideas from both passages:

Points from Passage 1

● Anti-noise organisations sprang up to combat get ‘quiet zones’

established around hospitals and schools. Planes were forced to fly
higher and slower around populated areas, while factories were required
to mitigate the noise they produced. Cities all over the world targeted
noise technologies and launched ‘noiseless nights’ campaigns. Home
furnishings dampened external noise and prevented sound from
escaping the house.
● Products and technologies emerged to meet the demands of increasingly
noise-sensitive consumers. Unable to suppress noise, disquieted
consumers started trying to mask it with wanted sound or use technology
to rendering external noise inaudible.
● The more people accustom themselves to life without unwanted sounds
from others, the more they become like the family in ‘A Quiet Place.’ To
hypersensitive ears, the world becomes unbearably noisy and hostile.

Points from Passage 2

● Noise pollution can wreak havoc on human health and safety. High
noise levels can worsen a plethora of other medical conditions and
aggravate other health issues.
● These health effects, in turn, can lead to social handicap, reduced
productivity, decreased performance in learning, absenteeism in the
workplace and school, increased drug use, and accidents.
● Solving noise pollution is a pre-emptive measure that can forestall
bigger physiological and learning issues people may develop much
later.

EXPLANATION
Shows a good or very good understanding of the terms and issues in both
passages.

EVALUATION
Students makes very convincing evaluation by making judgements and
decisions and by developing arguments to logical conclusions, and includes
elaboration and support through personal insight and apt illustration of
Singapore.

COHERENCE
Very clear shape and paragraph organisation and cogent argument.

6
 Band 2 REQUIREMENTS
1. Students cover requirements of the question adequately but not
4-7 necessarily a balanced treatment.
2. They identify ideas from the passage, possibly with minor
misrepresentation of the points.
3. They raise issues, but discussion is limited or superficial.

EVALUATION
Student attempts to evaluate the extent to which the ideas are an accurate
reflection of the situation in Singapore, but the evaluation is always convincing,
and tends to be superficial with limited development of ideas, and is not as
thorough in support.

EXPLANATION
Shows adequate level of understanding of terms and issues raised in the
passage (which may include minor distortion).

COHERENCE
1. Paragraphing is sometimes helpful.
2. There is a recognizable overall shape to the answer.
3. Arguments are generally cogent.

Main Arguments & Evidence / Examples

Explanations

From Passage 1

Anti-noise organisations Agree to a large extent

sprang up to combat get
‘quiet zones’ established In densely populated Singapore, common amenities like shopping
around hospitals and malls, hawker centres and playgrounds all contribute to community
schools. Planes were forced noise, on top of that created by traffic. To try to mitigate against
to fly higher and slower noise pollution, the Government has put in place several measures.
around populated areas,
while factories were required NEA regulates noise levels from construction sites and industrial
to mitigate the noise they operations based on a set of permissible noise limits. NEA has also
produced. Cities all over the implemented rules which prohibit work on Sundays and public
world targeted noise holidays for construction sites located within 150m of residential
technologies and launched premises and noise-sensitive premises. The Quieter Construction
‘noiseless nights’ Fund, a $10 million co-funding scheme, allows construction firms to
campaigns. Home be reimbursed for up to half of the cost of purchasing or leasing
furnishings dampened quieter construction equipment, noise control equipment and other
external noise and innovative noise-reduction solutions not yet readily adopted by the
prevented sound from industry.
escaping the house.
Noise emission standards for vehicles have also been set. The LTA
clamps down on vehicles with illegal modifications, which include
modified exhausts. It is also looking at ways to use a material on
roads that can reduce the noise generated from the friction between
surfaces and vehicle tyres.

7
 At MRT tracks, around 10km of noise barriers have been put up at
16 locations - including Admiralty, Marsiling, Sembawang, Ang Mo
Kio, Pioneer and Yew Tee. Trains are fitted with noise-dampening
wheels.

Household appliances (e.g. washing machines and vacuum

cleaners) are marketed based on the use of quiet technology.

But some are concerned that these measures may not be able to
keep pace with a growing nation. While there are no comparative
studies, anecdotally, the city has become noisier over the years as
it continues to develop - with more expressways, longer MRT lines
and the cycle of construction and demolition playing out over and
over again. The spate of en-bloc sale of private property has
resulted in my construction noise as older properties are torn down
and new condominiums are being constructed. The construction of
numerous BTO projects around the island to cater to the housing
needs of the growing population also add to urban noise.

Due to limited land space in Singapore, the measures to combat in

Singapore often involve the need to balance various trade offs and
needs. For example, the Air Force has to repeatedly explain the
need for it to train to ensure its operational readiness, while
ensuring that the noise coming from its fighter planes do not affect
the lives of those living in the North East and Western areas
excessively. This involves aligning the flight training schedules with
schedules such as the exam schedules of schools in the areas. In
recent years, other mitigating efforts include the relocation of Paya
Lebar Air Base and the commissioning of a noise study by the
National Environment Agency (NEA) to guide the planning of new
residential developments around the expanded Tengah Air Base.

Products and technologies Agree to a large extent

emerged to meet the
demands of increasingly Dropnoise, which produces noise reports for residents and
noise-sensitive consumers. condominium managements, has seen business boom since it
Unable to suppress noise, started the monitoring service last year. Its reports can be used in
disquieted consumers court action against noisy neighbours, or submitted to regulatory
started trying to mask it bodies as proof of noise pollution. It also specialises in the sale of
with wanted sound or use numerous noise conditioning products that moderate the noise
technology to render level in an environment.
external noise inaudible.
According to Channel News Asia, a new noise cancelling device is
being developed by researchers from Nanyang Technological
University (NTU). When mounted onto window grilles, the device
can reduce up to 50 per cent of noise from the surrounding
environment - even when the windows are wide open. This is
particularly helpful in Singapore where population density is so high
and it is inevitable that one finds himself or herself in the vicinity of
construction works which are necessary as the city seeks to ensure
it stays relevant and revitalise its infrastructure.

8
The more people accustom Agree to a large extent
themselves to life without
unwanted sounds from As privacy becomes increasingly important to people as our city
others, the more they gets increasingly dense, it is likely that people are increasingly
become like the family in ‘A becoming hypersensitive to noise and finding ways to insulate
Quiet Place.’ To themselves from the noise. But these efforts usually come at a
hypersensitive ears, the premium. For example, houses in tranquil areas tend to be more
world becomes unbearably expensive, while houses located near MRT tracks are less
noisy and hostile. appealing and priced lower.

Agree to a small extent

Singaporeans are not hypersensitive to noise and there are good

reasons why more needs to be done fight noise pollution. A new
study from the National University of Singapore (NUS) found that
Singapore's average outdoor sound level throughout the day is
69.4 decibels, which is equivalent to the noise made by a vacuum
cleaner. This exceeds the National Environmental Agency's
recommendation of no more than 67 decibels averaged over an
hour, and is a whisker shy of the World Health Organisation
threshold of 70 decibels a day.

Given our high population density, it is a necessity to accustom

ourselves to some levels of noise instead of being hypersensitive
to noise. Moreover, as Singapore is a multi-racial country,
management of noise from cultural activities has to take into
consideration cultural sensitivities. Failure to do will cause
unnecessary social tension. For example, the Police acted swiftly
to clarify why events like Lion Dance and Malay weddings do not
need to be licensed.

Main Arguments & Evidence / Examples

Explanations
From Passage 2

Noise pollution can wreak Agree to a large extent

havoc on human health and
safety. High noise levels can Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower recognises the health impact of
worsen a plethora of other noise pollution in the workplace and has put in place the
medical conditions and Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) Regulation to protect
aggravate other health workers exposed to excessive noise from hearing loss. One
issues. example is the mandatory use of ear plugs and ear muffs in work
such as air traffic control.

Doctors in Singapore have also said residents should be more

aware of ways to protect their hearing. These include the use of
hearing protection, such as ear plugs and ear muffs, as a
temporary solution, said the head of Singapore General Hospital's
(SGH's) otolaryngology department, Dr Barrie Tan.

Agree to a small extent

9
 Interestingly, many Singaporean youth enjoy listen to music at
very high volume and tend to ignore the health warning on
possible hearing loss, thinking it would not happen to them. A
study conducted by biomedical engineering students in Temasek
Polytechnic found that 1 in 6 young people are at risk of suffering
from noise-induced hearing loss due to their use of personal
music players.

These health effects, in turn, Agree to a large extent

can lead to social handicap,
reduced productivity, Noisy environments are not conducive for studies and many
decreased performance in students choose to do their homework and revision in the quiet
learning, absenteeism in the public libraries, especially approaching exam season. Students
workplace and school, from low-income families often lack quiet study areas at home and
increased drug use, and this can affect their studies. Schools near expressways or major
accidents. roads find that LTA’s efforts to change the materials used on
roads to reduce noise pollution has had little effect on mitigating
noise pollution from the roads.

Psychologist Nishta Geetha Thevaraja from the SGH department

of psychiatry said personal and work relationships can be affected
by irritability and anger issues brought about by noise pollution.

All these factors Agree to a small extent

(automobiles, increased
development, train and air In land scarce Singapore, there is only so much the government
traffic noise) are can do. The government has done much, for instance, by shifting
exacerbated by poor city the airport from Paya Lebar to Changi in the 1990s and situating
planning and community heavy vehicle parks away from residential areas.
zoning

Comments: Stronger candidates were able to consider the trade-offs when it came to the issue of
noise, arguing that in multi-cultural and religious Singapore, tolerance and acceptance of some
noise (related to festivities or traditional practices) is necessary to preserve harmony in society
OR/AND that to progress holistically as a nation, noise is inevitable. On the other hand, the
responses from weaker candidates contained a mix of these problems:

1. Picking ideas to evaluate that do not relate to the overarching argument of the author (i.e.
that the fight has gone too far and that noise is a legitimate problem)
2. Evaluating the author’s overarching argument and not the reasons that lead up to the
author’s conclusion
3. Evaluating ideas that were clearly not made by the author (e.g. the point on intellectuals and
stupid people, and marketing efforts in Passage 1)
4. Lack of evaluation of the effectiveness of measures taken to mitigate noise in Singapore OR
lack of evaluation of how serious the problem is
5. No reference to personal experience

10