SUMMARY PRACTICE

VJC PRELIMS 2009

In all of these films we see the world in transition as we are living it. All have managed to break the cycle of remakes
in which Hollywood has been stuck by telling new stories -- something American filmmakers, who have prided
themselves on their imagination and originality, once excelled at. Meanwhile, with ever fewer exceptions, American
filmmakers too often grind out formulaic, shock and awe blockbusters with the inevitable gratuitous violence, sex
and special effects that may be winning the battle of Monday morning grosses, but are losing the war for hearts and
minds. For all their brawn, American filmmakers, like the generals in Iraq, are in danger of losing the battle of ideas.
In this sense, Hollywood's "Mission Impossible III" has a lot more in common with George Bush's "mission
accomplished" than we might have suspected. Despite America's continuing, but diminishing, dominance, its ability
to win hearts and minds is draining away. In cinema, as in politics during the information age, it is all about whose
story wins. Just as America's image has fallen in world opinion because of the Iraq war, audience trends for
American blockbusters are beginning to show a decline as well, both at home and abroad. For years, the big
blockbusters have grossed more abroad than at home, where infatuation with contrived spectacle has waned. But
something out there is stirring. Even long-time American cultural colonies like Japan and Germany are beginning to
turn to the home screen. For the first time in decades more than half of cinema admissions went to local films in
Japan during 2006 while German admissions for domestic films hit a post-war high of nearly 25 per cent. This
suggests they are headed to where TV viewers have long been.
The heat is on in Hollywood due to this change in climate, adding further woe to the digital -distribution- "You Tube"
-nightmares of the studios. What's happening is that globalization accompanied by technological change is hitting
Tinsel Town just like every other industry. Just as the post-World War II American order that defeated communism
paved the way for new economic and political competitors from Asia to Europe to Brazil, so too American-led postCold War globalization -- and its backlash -- has led to cultural competition. This suggests that we may be seeing the
beginning of the end of the century-long honeymoon of Hollywood, at least in its American incarnation, with the
world.
Now that globalization has moved us all into the same neighbourhood, more and more people out there on the
former periphery want to see their own stories on the screen, to see what is in their imagination and culture, at least
as much as they might enjoy the latest offerings from LucasFilm or Pixar. Filmmaker Gonzalez Inarritu best captures
what's happening. "The world is changing," he says. "The film community is now a global film community. Its not
anymore about cultural barriers or language barriers. Its about emotion and humanity. We are using the power of
cinema to cross borders. We understand that now there's a connection that needs to happen." In our global age
movies must expose "the point of view of others, of those on the other side," he says. And it must be done with
dignity, not portraying Third World faces as mere victims nor Japanese as cartoon caricatures.
Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise the authors argument that Hollywood blockbusters have
declined. Using your own words as far as possible, write your answer in no more than 120 words, not counting the
opening words which are printed below.
[7]
One reason for the decline of the Hollywood blockbusters is

VJC Prelims 2009: Student Copy

1.
2.

3.

From the passage

the cycle of remakes in which Hollywood
has been stuck (line 8)
American filmmakers, who have prided
themselves on their imagination and
originality, once excelled at [telling new
stories] (line 9)
American filmmakers too often grind out
formulaic, shock and awe
blockbusters...(line 10-11)

4.

...with the inevitable gratuitous violence,

sex and special effects (line 11)

5.

[The blockbusters] may be winning the

battle of Monday morning grosses, but are
losing the war for hearts and mindlines. For
all their brawn, American filmmakers, like
the generals in Iraq, are in danger of losing
the battle of ideas. (line 12-4)
At home, [...] infatuation with contrived
spectacle has waned. (line 21-22)

6.

7.

Even long-time American cultural colonies

like Japan and Germany are beginning to
turn to the home screen. (line 22-23)

8.

the digital -distribution- "You Tube" nightmares of the studios (line 27-28)

9.

[The backlash against] American-led postCold War globalization [...] has led to cultural
competition. (line 30)

10.

Peoplewant to see their own stories on the

screen, to see what is in their imagination
and culture (line 36-37)

11.

Its about humanityAnd it must be done

with dignity, not portraying Third World
faces as mere victims nor Japanese as
cartoon caricatures (line 39, 43-44)

Paraphrase

VJC Prelims 2009

Answer Scheme
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

11.

From the passage

the cycle of remakes in which Hollywood
has been stuck (line 8)
American filmmakers, who have prided
themselves on their imagination and
originality, once excelled at [telling new
stories] (line 9)
American filmmakers too often grind out
formulaic, shock and awe
blockbusters...(line 10-11)
...with the inevitable gratuitous violence,
sex and special effects (line 11)
[The blockbusters] may be winning the
battle of Monday morning grosses, but are
losing the war for hearts and mindlines.
For all their brawn, American filmmakers,
like the generals in Iraq, are in danger of
losing the battle of ideas. (line 12-4)
At home, [...] infatuation with contrived
spectacle has waned. (line 21-22)
Even long-time American cultural colonies
like Japan and Germany are beginning to
turn to the home screen. (line 22-23)
the digital -distribution- "You Tube" nightmares of the studios (line 27-28)
[The backlash against] American-led postCold War globalization [...] has led to
cultural competition. (line 30)
Peoplewant to see their own stories on
the screen, to see what is in their
imagination and culture (line 36-37)
Its about humanityAnd it must be done
with dignity, not portraying Third World
faces as mere victims nor Japanese as
cartoon caricatures (line 39, 43-44)

Paraphrase
They are trapped in the pattern of making new
versions of old movies.
American filmmakers have lost their
ingenuity/ability to come up with fresh ideas and
stories/losing creativity
They produce in large numbers/churn out (1/2)
movies that conform to a template (1/2)
... of mindless/pointless/superfluous/
unnecessary (1/2) brutality, titillation and
technical displays. (any 2 for )
These movies have high box office takings but are
unable to engage the audience emotionally,
intellectually and artistically/showing creativity

the popularity/craze for such stilted extravagance

has diminished.
Countries that used to have great demand
for/embraced American media (1/2) have
abandoned them for their own products.
Internet piracy has significantly reduced the
blockbusters profits
Rejection of American ideological hegemony has
led to audiences favouring movies from other
countries.
Due to the global aspect of the movies, people
now want to see their way of life/local
issues/local concerns rather than those
presented by Hollywood
Hollywood depiction of other cultures was
inaccurate/stereotypical/inaccurate (1/2) and not
disrespectful (1/2)

SUMMARY PRACTICE
ACJC PRELIMS 2009
It certainly seems that ever-larger portions of the globe are under active reconstruction: being rebuilt by a parallel
government made up of a familiar cast of for-profit consulting firms, engineering companies, mega-NGOs,
government and UN aid agencies and international financial institutions. And from the people living in these
reconstruction sites Iraq to Aceh, Afghanistan to Haiti a similar chorus of complaints can be heard. The work is
far too slow, if it is happening at all. Foreign consultants live high on cost-plus expense accounts and thousanddollar-a-day salaries, while locals are shut out of much-needed jobs, training and decision-making. The funds
received for the benefit of the victims are directed to the benefit of the privileged few, not to the real victims.
Expert "democracy builders" lecture governments on the importance of transparency and "good governance," yet
most contractors and NGOs refuse to open their books to those same governments, let alone give them control
over how their aid money is spent.
But if the reconstruction industry is stunningly inept at rebuilding, that may be because rebuilding is not its
primary purpose. According to Guttal, "It's not reconstruction at all it's about reshaping everything." If anything,
the stories of corruption and incompetence serve to mask this deeper scandal: the rise of a predatory form of
disaster capitalism that uses the desperation and fear created by catastrophe to engage in radical social and
economic engineering. And on this front, the reconstruction industry works so quickly and efficiently that the
privatisations and land grabs are usually locked in before the local population knows what hit them.
Rapid response to wars and natural disasters has traditionally been the domain of United Nations agencies, which
worked with NGOs to provide emergency aid, build temporary housing and the like. But now reconstruction work
has been revealed as a tremendously lucrative industry, too important to be left to the do-gooders at the UN. So
today it is the World Bank, already devoted to the principle of poverty-alleviation through profit-making, that leads
the charge. And there is no doubt that there are profits to be made in the reconstruction business.
But shattered countries are attractive to the World Bank for another reason: they take orders well. After a
cataclysmic event, governments will usually do whatever it takes to get aid dollars even if it means racking up
huge debts and agreeing to sweeping policy reforms. And with the local population struggling to find shelter and
food, political organising against privatisation can seem like an unimaginable luxury. Even better from the bank's
perspective, many war-ravaged countries are in states of "limited sovereignty": they are considered too unstable
and unskilled to manage the aid money pouring in, so it is often put in a trust fund managed by the World Bank.

Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise the various ways in which aid organisations and related agencies
take advantage of disaster-hit countries and victims to benefit themselves, and the reasons why it is easy for them
to do so. [8]
Write your summary in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening words printed below. Use your own
words as far as possible.
Aid organizations and related agencies.

ACJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY

Lifted phrases
1

Foreign consultants live high on cost-plus

expense accounts and thousand-dollar-a-day
salaries (lines 9-10)

locals are shut out of much-needed jobs,

training and decision-making ((line 11)

The funds received for the benefit of the victims

are directed to the benefit of the privileged
few, not the real victims ((lines 11-12)

most contractors and NGOs refuse to open

their books to those same governments, let
alone give them control over how their aid
money is spent.( (lines 14-15)

uses the desperation and fear created ((lines

19-20)
Engage in radical social and economic
engineering (line 20) OR
Its not reconstruction at allits about
reshaping everything ((lines 17-18)

privatisations and land grabs are usually

locked in . (lines 20-22)

And on this front, the reconstruction industry

works so quickly and efficiently
before the local population knows what hit
them. (line 22)

reconstruction work has been revealed as a

tremendously lucrative industry (line 25)
And there is no doubt that there are profits to
be made in the reconstruction business. (lines
27-28)
familiar cast of for-profit consulting firms((line
6)

Paraphrased

But shattered countries are attractive to the

World Bank for another reason: they take
orders well. ((line 29)

OR

1
0
1

After a cataclysmic event, governments will

usually do whatever it takes to get aid dollars even if it means racking up huge debts and
agreeing to sweeping policy reforms. (lines 30 31)
And with the local population struggling to find
shelter and food, political organizing against
privatization can seem like an unimaginable
luxury((lines 31-33)
they are considered too unstable and unskilled
to manage the aid money pouring in, so it is
often put in a trust fund managed by the World
Bank. (lines 33-35)

ACJC PRELIMS 2009

ANSWER SCHEME

Lifted phrases

Paraphrased

Foreign consultants live high on cost-plus

expense accounts and thousand-dollar-aday salaries (lines 9-10)

Various ways aid organisations and related agencies take

advantage:
Aid organisations and related agencies
make disaster-hit countries hire experts from other countries
who enjoy very high pay (as well as good perks). (1m)

locals are shut out of much-needed jobs,

training and decision-making ((line 11)

The funds received for the benefit of the

victims are directed to the benefit of the
privileged few, not the real victims ((lines
11-12)
most contractors and NGOs refuse to open
their books to those same governments, let
alone give them control over how their aid
money is spent.( (lines 14-15)

uses the desperation and fear created

((lines 19-20)

Local people are deprived of/ excluded from employment/ skills

development opportunities( m), and they have no autonomy.
( m)
Aid money meant for those affected by disasters is lavished on
the elite few. (1m)
Most aid related organisations deny local governments access
to information/transparency (on how funds are being used), (
m)
and deny them the power to manage these funds/ decide how
these funds are used. ( m)
Organisations exploit the helplessness and the prevalent
anxiety/ apprehension to ( m)

Engage in radical social and economic

engineering (line 20) OR
Its not reconstruction at allits about
reshaping everything ((lines 17-18)

.to bring about drastic changes in the country.

( m) OR
to bring about full transformation rather than merely
rebuilding the country. ( m)

privatisations and land grabs are usually

locked in . (lines 20-22)

that many government agencies become privately owned/

corporatised and property contracts are signed ( 1m)

And on this front, the reconstruction

industry works so quickly and efficiently

The changes or reforms are implemented so fast and effectively.

( m)

before the local population knows what

hit them. (line 22)

such that the people are completely taken by surprise/ do not

understand what has happened. ( m)

reconstruction work has been revealed as a

tremendously lucrative industry (line 25)
And there is no doubt that there are profits
to be made in the reconstruction business.
(lines 27-28)

The reconstruction industry takes the opportunity to make lots

of money out of the re-building efforts. (1m)

familiar cast
firms((line 6)

of

for-profit

consulting

But shattered countries are attractive to the

World Bank for another reason: they take
orders well. ((line 29)
OR

1
0
1

After a cataclysmic event, governments will

usually do whatever it takes to get aid
dollars - even if it means racking up huge
debts and agreeing to sweeping policy
reforms. (lines 30 -31)
And with the local population struggling to
find shelter and food, political organizing
against privatization can seem like an
unimaginable luxury((lines 31-33)
they are considered too unstable and
unskilled to manage the aid money
pouring in, so it is often put in a trust fund
managed by the World Bank. (lines 33-35)

Reasons why it is easy for aid organisations to take advantage of

disaster-hit countries:
Disaster-hit countries comply willingly with instructions and
conditions set in order to secure funds. (1m)
OR
Disaster-hit countries are willing to do anything to secure the
funds/donations. (1m)
Disaster victims are too preoccupied/ grappling with securing
basic necessities, which makes protesting against
corporatisation simply inconceivable. (1m)
Disaster-hit countries are perceived to be politically chaotic and
incompetent in dealing with relief funds thus this responsibility
is given to aid organisations. (1m)

SUMMARY PRACTICE
MJC PRELIMS 2009
Love and status matter to us in part because they offer us protection - way beyond that offered by sturdy walls,
food and warmth. We are frail creatures unable to survive on our own against the challenges of nature and the
aggressions of social life. Without allies on whom we can depend, there will be no one who will defend us against
our enemies and shelter us in our crises. Having status could be viewed as a sign that we will have access to such
allies - and that we are as a result less likely to meet with an ugly and premature end. It follows that our sadness at
the disapproval or neglect of others (and hence our anxiety about low status) is a natural response to a potential
increase in danger.
To be ignored is not only unpleasant, it is also, from an evolutionary perspective, unsafe. We are programmed to
sense how a community perceives us in order for our continued survival as a species. We are the descendants of
people who kept a close eye on what others thought of them. As William James said, "I should not be alive now had
I not become sensitive to looks of approval or disapproval on the faces among which my life is cast."
There is perhaps a psychological reason why we require the love of those around us: how we feel about ourselves
depends to an awkwardly large degree on how others feel about us. The world's approval promotes selfacceptance, its condemnation self-hatred. We need others to like us in order that we may like ourselves. Being an
object of concern reaffirms our existence, and further helps us to see the positive selves within us, while sidelining
our negativities. Such malleability seems a strange, regrettable quirk of our make-up. Ideally, what someone
thought of me would not affect what I thought of me. That is, if I were someone who did not need to belong, nor be
respected.

Using material from paragraphs 5-7, summarise the authors justifications for why love and status matter to us. [7]
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.
Love and status matter to us because

MJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY

Love and status matter to us because
1. they offer us protection

2. against the challenges of nature and the

aggressions of social life (l. 39).

3. Love gives us allies on whom we can

depend (l. 40);

4. Status could be viewed as a sign that we will

have access to such allies. (l. 42)

5. We are less likely to meet with an ugly and

premature end and
(l. 42-43)
6. we have been genetically conditioned /
programmed. (generalised from para. 6)
Phrases that lead to this generalisation:
- an evolutionary perspective' (l. 46)
- programmed to sense (l. 47)
- descendants of people (l. 48)
7. Love and status affect how we feel about
ourselves. (l. 53) and promote selfacceptance. (l. 58)
8. Being an object of concern reaffirms our
existence (l. 55-56)

9. and helps us to see the positive selves within

us, while sidelining our negativities (l. 56-57)
10. We fundamentally need to belong and be
respected. (l. 59)

Answer

MJC PRELIMS 2009

ANSWER SCHEME
Answer

Love and status matter to us because

1. they offer us protection

they keep us safe / gives us security

2. against the challenges of nature and the

aggressions of social life (l. 39).

from the demands / threats from our environment

and ulterior motives of fellow men / people around
us.

3. Love gives us allies on whom we can depend

(l. 40);

Love provides us with comrades / friends whom we

can trust,
Critical element: on whom we can depend

4. Status could be viewed as a sign that we will

have access to such allies. (l. 42)

and status tells us that we can / gives us the ability

to call upon them.

5. We are less likely to meet with an ugly and

premature end and
(l. 42-43)

There are fewer chances of us suffering terrible

consequences earlier than expected / dying earlier /
meeting our demise too early. / There are higher
chances of survival / surviving adversity.
Learning point: Dying is not a good paraphrase.

6. we have been genetically conditioned /

programmed. (generalised from para. 6)

We have been genetically conditioned / made

through long periods of time to recognise its
importance for our continued existence / in keeping
us alive / innate need to survive based on love.
(generalised from para. 7)
Exercise markers discretion.

Phrases that lead to this generalisation:

- an evolutionary perspective' (l. 46)
- programmed to sense (l. 47)
- descendants of people (l. 48)
7. Love and status affect how we feel about
ourselves. (l. 53) and promote selfacceptance. (l. 58)

It determines how we see ourselves / determines

our levels of self-esteem / helps us increase our
satisfaction with ourselves / be happy with who we
are / accept ourselves for who we are.

8. Being an object of concern reaffirms our

existence (l. 55-56)

Having others care about us validates and confirms

why we matter / reminds us of why we matter
(1/2) for paraphrasing existence as presence.

9. and helps us to see the positive selves within

us, while sidelining our negativities (l. 56-57)

and shows us our strengths and pushes our

weaknesses into the background / focuses on our
strengths while hiding our weaknesses / helps us be
optimistic towards ourselves.

10. We fundamentally need to belong and be

respected. (l. 59)

We need to be accepted by a group around us and

be given due recognition / accorded dignity.

1 mark per point to a maximum of 7 marks.

mark for incomplete points as long as phrase makes sense.
Exercise markers discretion.

SUMMARY PRACTICE: IJC PRELIMS 2009

HAPPINESS
Having a sense of mission has served me extremely well and bound myself to purpose rather than its by-product. I have
taken a lot of happiness from a sense - often grandiose and sometimes illusory - that I am, by my various actions,
helping to create a future that will be more free, more tolerant, more open, and more just.
Which brings me to another solace cheaply available to all. Consider the joys of service. As a few leaders, ranging from
Jimmy Carter to the Dalai Lama, demonstrate with their lives, we can become happy through the exercise of
compassion. I think the problem is that we tend to approach service the same way we approach exercise programmes,
in lunges and spasms of temporary idealism. There are few things that make me happier than successfully resisting the
impulse to snarl at some idle transgressor and elevating myself into an actively benign stance. Such opportunities arise
almost hourly. The habit of small kindnesses is immensely rewarding.
Which brings me to another under-appreciated fountain of happiness: the common little joys the universe leaves lying
around for the truly casual observer. Kafka - that noted happiness-hound - wrote: "It is not necessary that you leave the
house. Remain at your table and listen. Do not even listen, only wait. Do not even wait, be wholly still and alone. The
world will present itself to you for its unmasking, it can do no other, in ecstasy it will writhe at your feet." He is not
talking about the pursuit of happiness. He's not even talking, as one might easily and incorrectly conclude, about lying in
wait for happiness. He's talking about making oneself genuinely available to it. He is talking about opening one's senses
to the little delights of life and the granular texture of unsolicited joy. There have been many hard times in my life including the present - when I took refuge in reduced focus, comforting myself with the glorious filigree of immediate
existence. Even a man facing a firing squad can appreciate the dawn that also arrays itself before him.
Finally, and always, there is love. By this, I don't mean that economic bargain that often passes for love these days. I
don't mean that I will love you if you get good grades, or that I will love you if you'll sleep with me, or that I will love you
if anything. I mean what I mean when I say, "I love you." Period. Without expectation, condition, term limit, or
obligation. To say that - and to mean it in that way - makes me happy. What makes me happiest of all is when someone
says "I love you" to me - meaning it as unconditionally as I intend to mean it - and I simply accept it. When I love without
goal and accept love without doubt, I am happy. In this, I am not pursuing happiness. I am becoming it.
John Perry Barlow mentions some qualities that have enabled him to achieve happiness.
Using material from paragraphs 8 -11, summarise these qualities and how he believes they add to his happiness.
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.
The first of these qualities is

IJC PRELIMS 2009: STUDENT COPY

Lifted
Description of quality:
Having a sense of mission has served me
extremely well and bound myself to purpose
rather than its by-product.
Add to happiness by:
I have taken a lot of happiness from a sense - often
grandiose and sometimes illusory - that I am, by
my various actions,
helping to create a future that will be more free,
more tolerant, more open, and more just.

Description of quality:
Consider the joys of service.
OR
we can become happy through the exercise of
compassion
Add to happiness by:
There are few things that make me happier than
successfully resisting the impulse to snarl at some
idle transgressor
and elevating myself into an actively benign
stance.

Description of quality:
He is talking about opening one's senses to the
little delights of life

and the granular texture of unsolicited joy, the

common little joys the universe leaves lying
around for the truly casual observer.

Add to happiness by:

There have been many hard times in my life including the present - when I took refuge in
reduced focus, comforting myself with the
glorious filigree of immediate existence.

Paraphrased

Description of qualities:
Finally, and always, there is love.
Without expectation, condition, term limit, or
obligation.
Add to happiness by:
When I love without goal and accept love without
doubt, I am happy.

IJC PRELIMS 2009: ANSWER SCHEME

Lifted
Description of quality:
Having a sense of mission has served me extremely
well and bound myself to purpose rather than its byproduct.

Paraphrased
to focus on the objective/aim/ideal regardless of the
results,

Add to happiness by:

I have taken a lot of happiness from a sense - often although he may be overly extravagant and deluded in
grandiose and sometimes illusory - that I am, by my thinking that
various actions,
helping to create a future that will be more free, more he contributed to making a more liberal and fairer world.
tolerant, more open, and more just.
N.B. Students must paraphrase (free, tolerant and open)
as one idea, (just) as another idea. Paraphrasing only
either idea or paraphrasing vaguely (e.g. better world),
award 1/2m.
Description of quality:
Consider the joys of service.
Secondly, he helps others
OR
OR
we can become happy through the exercise of
he shows kindness towards others
compassion
Add to happiness by:
There are few things that make me happier than
successfully resisting the impulse to snarl at some idle
transgressor

He feels joy restraining himself from reacting angrily / the

urge to lash out

and elevating myself into an actively benign stance.

and instead responds with benevolence / forgiveness.

Description of quality:
He is talking about opening one's senses to the little
delights of life

Thirdly, he appreciates / is more conscious of the simple

pleasures / small blessings

and the granular texture of unsolicited joy, the

common little joys the universe leaves lying around
for the truly casual observer.
Add to happiness by:
There have been many hard times in my life - including
the present - when I took refuge in reduced focus,
comforting myself with the glorious filigree of
immediate existence.
Description of qualities:
Finally, and always, there is love.

that are everywhere and which need not be actively

sought.

He concentrates on the joy of living in the moment, which

takes his mind off difficult situations.

Lastly, there is affection / adoration / ardour with nothing

attached

Without expectation, condition, term limit, or N.B. Accept any logical / sensible answer for
expectation, condition, term limit, or obligation
obligation.

Add to happiness by:

When I love without goal and accept love without
doubt, I am happy.

he is happy when he is assured of the sincerity of the love

he gives and receives.

ACJC Prelim 2008

American Politics in the Age of Celebrity
But a system based on celebrityhood raises a host of problems. Our fascination with celebrities raises the
risk that there will be more superficiality and less substance in our political process. Celebrities have
contributed to the circus atmosphere that has arisen in American politics; increasingly, politics has become a
matter of public performance. Politicians get judged more by their ability to deliver crisp sound bytes than
by their substantive knowledge. With journalists interested in celebrity quotes and good copy, experts with 20
detailed knowledge about public policy are more likely to become marginalised. It is easier to go to the
famous and get their opinion than to seek out voices of less prominent people who may actually know
more.
Both democracy and culture depend on deliberation, participation, and engagement. But what we have now 25
is a system where star power is weighted more heavily than traditional political skills, such as bargaining,
compromise, and experience. Conventional politicians are being replaced by famous, media-savvy fundraisers. The quality of civic deliberation is becoming trivialised. The gossip quotient has increased, and
politics has become a 24-hour entertainment spectacle. With attention spans for important stories dropping
precipitously, the system rewards celebrity politicians with famous names. Unless these individuals provide 30
citizens with proper information, it short-circuits our system of governance. Without quality information,
voters cannot make informed choices about their futures.
American politics has never placed a strong emphasis on substance. Compared to other Western
democracies, fewer people vote at election time, and many appear not to be very informed about their 35
decisions. As celebrity politics takes root, there is the long-term danger that citizens will become even less
knowledgeable about policy choices, and they may become content to watch and be entertained. But
elections are a key device by which representative democracy takes place. Citizens must feel engaged in the
process, must be able to think about their options, and must feel they have a stake in the important
decisions that get made. Without serious deliberation and discourse, politics becomes mere entertainment. 40
Without experience and knowledge, society may lose its ability to confront pressing problems and resolve
social conflict.
Using material from paragraphs 3 to 5 of Passage 2, summarise the problems associated with celebrity politics in no
more than 120 words, not counting the opening words which are printed below. Use your own words as far as
possible.
Celebrity politics cause

ACJC PRELIMS 2008: STUDENT COPY

1.

Lift from the passage

there will be more superficiality (lines 17)
OR
and less substance in our political process. (lines
17 -18)
OR
than by their substantive knowledge. (line 21)

3.

Celebrities have contributed to the circus

atmosphere that has arisen in American politics;
(lines 18 19)
OR
increasingly, politics has become a matter of
public performance. (lines 19)
OR
politics has become a 24-hour entertainment
spectacle. (lines 29 30)
OR
politics becomes mere entertainment. (lines 41
42)
Politicians get judged more by their ability to
deliver crisp sound bytes (than by their
substantive knowledge.) (lines 20 21)

4.

experts with detailed knowledge about public

policy are more likely to become marginalized.
(lines 21 22)

5.

With journalists interested in celebrity quotes

and good copy (line 21)

6.

But what we have now is a system where star

power is weighted more heavily than traditional
political skills, such as bargaining, compromise
and experience. (lines 25 26)/
the system rewards celebrity politicians with
famous names (line 31)
OR
Conventional politicians are being replaced by
famous, media-savvy fund-raisers. (lines 27 28)

7.

The quality of civic deliberation is becoming

trivialised. (lines 28 29)
OR
Without serious deliberation and discourse,
(line 41)
The gossip quotient has increased (line 29)

Paraphrase

8.

Without quality information, (lines 32 33)

it short-circuits our system of governance.
(line 32)
OR

9.

voters cannot make informed choices about

their futures. (lines 32 33)
As celebrity politics takes root, there is the longterm danger that citizens will become even less
knowledgeable about policy choices, (lines 36
37)
and they may become content to watch and be
entertained. (lines 37 38)

10.

But elections are a key device by which

representative democracy takes place. Citizens
must feel engaged in the process, (lines 38 39)
OR
must feel they have a stake in the important
decisions that get made. (lines 38 41)

11.

society may lose its ability to confront pressing

problems and resolve social conflict. (lines 42
43)

ACJC PRELIMS 2008: ANSWER SCHEME

1.

Lift from the passage

there will be more superficiality (lines 17)
OR
and less substance in our political process. (lines 17 18)
OR
than by their substantive knowledge. (line 21)

Paraphrase
Celebrity politics causes political discussion to
become more shallow/ to lack a deep
understanding of political issues/ to lack
adequate political knowledge. (1m)

Celebrities have contributed to the circus atmosphere

that has arisen in American politics; (lines 18 19)
OR
increasingly, politics has become a matter of public
performance. (lines 19)
OR
politics has become a 24-hour entertainment
spectacle. (lines 29 30)
OR
politics becomes mere entertainment. (lines 41 42)
Politicians get judged more by their ability to deliver
crisp sound bytes (than by their substantive
knowledge.) (lines 20 21)

It reduces political discourse to a mere

show/tomfoolery/non-serious discourse. (1m)

4.

experts with detailed knowledge about public policy

are more likely to become marginalized. (lines 21 22)

Politicians/ political academics/scholars with a

deep understanding of political issues/ may be
sidelined/ignored/overlooked/not covered (by
journalists). (1m)

5.

With journalists interested in celebrity quotes and

good copy (line 21)

The media prefers to focus more on what

celebrities say. (1m)

6.

But what we have now is a system where star power is

weighted more heavily than traditional political skills,
such as bargaining, compromise and experience. (lines
25 26)/
the system rewards celebrity politicians with famous
names (line 31)

Celebrity politics creates a culture in which

celebrity popularity is valued more than timehonoured political abilities/tools/skills. (1m)

3.

OR
Conventional politicians are being replaced by famous,
media-savvy fund-raisers. (lines 27 28)
7.

The quality of civic deliberation is becoming

trivialised. (lines 28 29)
OR
Without serious deliberation and discourse, (line 41)

Politicians are assessed for their ability to speak

well/ suave presentation skills/ability to capture
attention. (1m)

OR
Conservative politicians are being
undermined/substituted by the ability to
manipulate the media/ well-known celebrities
who know how to manipulate the media. (1m)
The depth of political discourse/ discussion has
become devalued/less important
OR
Citizens do not consider/contemplate/ are
unreflective about their political choices (1/2m)
and trivial bantering about the lives of celebrities
has become more prevalent/ frequent in political

8.

The gossip quotient has increased (line 29)

issues/ discussion. (1/2m)

Without quality information, (lines 32 33)

When the public does not have

good/sufficient/adequate/substantial knowledge,
(*note: no mark for the above, as it is a repeat of
answer point #1)
democracy cannot function properly/ the country
cannot be run properly (1m)
OR
citizens cannot make sound decisions when
voting/selecting their political leaders. (1m)

it short-circuits our system of governance.

(line 32)
OR

9.

voters cannot make informed choices about their

futures. (lines 32 33)
As celebrity politics takes root, there is the long-term
danger that citizens will become even less
knowledgeable about policy choices, (lines 36 37)
and they may become content to watch and be
entertained. (lines 37 38)

10.

But elections are a key device by which representative

democracy takes place. Citizens must feel engaged in
the process, (lines 38 39)
OR
must feel they have a stake in the important decisions
that get made. (lines 38 41)

11.

society may lose its ability to confront pressing

problems and resolve social conflict. (lines 42 43)

In the long run, people may become less

aware/informed about civic/political issues
(1/2m)
and they may be satisfied to observe political
proceedings/be amused by political proceedings.
(1/2m)
Celebrity politics causes citizens to feel that they
are not involved in the political process,
OR
to feel that they do not have a role to play in
political decisions. (1m)

Celebrity politics causes society to be unable to

tackle/ handle urgent crises/ solve societal
problems. (1m)

SUMMARY PRACTICE: MJC PRELIMS 2007

Survey of Talent
Moreover, some problems could prove self-correcting. Many talented people not only create jobs and wealth, they
turn their hands to philanthropy, as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet have done. The growing returns to education
create incentives for people to get themselves educated, producing a better-trained workforce as well as upward
mobility. In China, families spend more on education than on anything else, despite the one-child policy.
Multinational companies routinely promote local talent in the developing world, putting an ever more multi-ethnic
face on the global talent elite. Overheated talent markets prompt companies to move production elsewhere to
Mysore rather than Bangalore, say, or Austin, Texas, rather than Silicone Valley.
Above all, there is something appealing about the meritocratic ideal: most people are willing to accept wide
inequalities if they are coupled with equality of opportunity. In America, where two-thirds of the population believe
that everyone has an equal chance to get ahead, far fewer people favour income redistribution than in Europe.
Growing wealth also means that society can reward a wider range of talents. These days, sports stars and
entertainers can make millions. There are also ample rewards for all sorts of specialised talents, from the gift of
bringing history to life (all those well-paid TV historians) to the ability to produce a perfect souffl (the best-paid
chef in America, Wolfgang Puck, earned $16m last year). It sometimes seems that there is no talent so recondite
that you cannot make a living out of it. Takeru Tsunami Kobayashi earns more than $200,000 a year as the worlds
hotdog eating champion: he can eat more than 50 in 12 minutes.
The rise of a global meritocracy offers all sorts of benefits, from higher growth in productivity to faster scientific
progress. It can boost social mobility and allow all sorts of weird and wonderful talents to bloom. The talent wars
may be a source of unhappiness for companies and countries. But they should also be a cause for celebration.
In line 17, The Economist claims that things are worse than they were due to growing inequalities as a result of
meritocracy.
Using material from Paragraphs 7 to 10, as well as 13, summarise the arguments made by The Economist to counter
this claim.
Write your summary in no more than 140 words, not including the opening words which are printed below. Use
your own words as far as possible.
[8]
The practice of meritocracy can help move a country or society in various ways.

MJC PRELIMS 2007: STUDENT COPY

No

LIFT

The number of winners is now larger than it

was in 1958. (lines 47-48)

America and Europe have created a mass

higher education system (l 49-50)

and developing countries are determined to

follow suit (l 50-51)

3a

Similar to 3
When Young was writing, China and India
were trapped in poverty. Today they are
growing so fast that they, too, are suffering
from talent shortage. (l 51-52)

Many talented people not only create jobs

and wealth (l 53-54)

they turn their hands to philanthropy (l 54)

incentives for people to get themselves

educated (l 55-56)

producing a better-trained workforce (l 56)

as well as upward mobility (l 56)

OR
It can boost social mobility (l 86)

10

Multinational companies routinely promote

local talent in the developing world (l 57-58)

ACCEPTED ANSWERS
Underlined phrases denote key idea(s) that must be reflected
in the answers.

11

putting an ever more multi-ethnic face on

the global talent elite (l 58-59)
Paraphrase:
Talents are now racially diverse, whereas
they were mostly Caucasians/ whites in the
past.

12

Overheated talent markets prompt

companies to move production
elsewhereto Mysore rather than Bangalore,
say, or Austin, Texas, rather than Silicone
Valley. (l 59-61)

13

most people are willing to accept wide

inequalities if they are coupled with equality
of opportunity (l 62-63)

14

Growing wealth also means that society can

reward a wider range of talents (l 66)
OR
allow all sorts of weird and wonderful talents
to bloom (l 86-87)

15

offers all sorts of benefits, from higher

growth in productivity (l 85)

16

to faster scientific progress (l 86)

MJC PRELIMS 2007: ANSWER SCHEME

No

LIFT

ACCEPTED ANSWERS
Underlined phrases denote key idea(s) that must be
reflected in the answers.
There are more successful people now.

MARK

The number of winners is now larger than it

was in 1958. (lines 47-48)

America and Europe have created a mass

higher education system (l 49-50)

The West has expanded opportunities for tertiary/

higher education.

and developing countries are determined to

follow suit (l 50-51)

There is a spill over effect to less industrialised nations,

which are taking steps in a similar direction.

3a

Similar to 3
When Young was writing, China and India
were trapped in poverty. Today they are
growing so fast that they, too, are suffering
from talent shortage. (l 51-52)

Similar to 3
(inferred) Some undeveloped/ third world countries
are now growing rapidly/ experiencing an economic
boom (partly as a result of the mass higher education
system (l 49-50).

Many talented people not only create jobs

and wealth (l 53-54)

Many talented people generate

employment
affluence

1/2
1/2

they turn their hands to philanthropy (l 54)

They participate in community work / donate to charity

incentives for people to get themselves

educated (l 55-56)

Now, people are motivated to go to school (due to the

rewards that education can bring)

producing a better-trained workforce (l 56)

resulting in more skilled employees

as well as upward mobility (l 56)

OR
It can boost social mobility (l 86)

and a greater likelihood for them to achieve greater

wealth / higher status / social rank

10

Multinational companies routinely promote

local talent in the developing world (l 57-58)

Multinational firms regularly give opportunities to

indigenous talents in less industrialised countries.

11

putting an ever more multi-ethnic face on

the global talent elite (l 58-59)

(inferred)
Racially diverse talents allow for social stability.
OR
Meritocracy allows for talents, regardless of race or
religion, to advance.

Paraphrase:
Talents are now racially diverse, whereas
they were mostly Caucasians/ whites in the
past.

12

Overheated talent markets prompt

companies to move production
elsewhereto Mysore rather than Bangalore,
say, or Austin, Texas, rather than Silicone
Valley. (l 59-61)

(inferred) Due to saturated talent markets, businesses

relocate their factories to less developed /
industrialised areas, thus generating employment (in
such areas).

13

most people are willing to accept wide

Most people do not mind stark differences in status /

inequalities if they are coupled with equality

of opportunity (l 62-63)

wealth as long as they get the same number of chances

(to get high-paying jobs).

Growing wealth also means that society can

reward a wider range of talents (l 66)
OR
allow all sorts of weird and wonderful talents
to bloom (l 86-87)

Increasing affluence also implies that many diverse

talents can stand to gain / benefit.

15

offers all sorts of benefits, from higher

growth in productivity (l 85)

Other advantages include an increase in the efficiency

of the workforce / work efficiency.

16

to faster scientific progress (l 86)

more rapid scientific / technological developments.

14

OR
It enables many diverse talents to thrive.