NJC GENERAL PAPER COMMON TEST TERM 3 2009

PROPOSED ANSWER SCHEME (Updated 1 JULY 2009)

From Passage 1
Paragraph 1
1. What is implied about American children in lines 1-5 of paragraph 1?

[2]

Lifts
1) It is impossible to be an American parent in
Tokyo without feeling a mix of curiosity and
envy at the improbably angelic tots who
inhabit kindergartens in Japan,

Transposition
1) It is implied that American children are
incorrigible and are the very opposite of
Japanese children [1]

2) who sit in restaurants without trying to

unscrew the salt shakers,

2) as they are ill disciplined/ not well-behaved/

disobedient/ mischievous/ not well-controlled.
[1]
Hyperactive [0]

3) who walk by ice cream stands on a hot

summer's day without citing an
inalienable right to a cone.

3) They are also willful spolit brats who must

have their way/ demanding. [1]

NOTE: Any 2 out of 3 points. Max 2 marks. Pls

indicate 2 (max) if students score 3 marks.

Paragraph 3
2. Explain the metaphor in the following sentence: The striking thing about the angelic qualities of
Japanese children is how well the halo survives into adulthood these days (lines 14-15). [2]
Lifts
The striking thing about the angelic qualities of
Japanese children is how well the halo survives
into adulthood these days.

Transposition
1) Just as a halo is a circle of light that is above
the head of a saint/ holy person/angel,
representing his good/ virtuous qualities [1],
2) so the Japanese children are able to sustain
such admirable/ immaculate qualities when
they become grown-ups/ even after many
years. [1]
OR

NOTE:
Angel has a halo. [0]
Metaphor is halo, not angel.

1) A halo represents a circle of light symbolizing

how saintly/ good/ virtuous a person is. [1]
2) In the same way, the Japanese children are
able to retain all the good values/ virtues that
they have learnt from a young age even
when they become older/ even after many
years. [1]

Adult Lift = 0
BUT
grow up to have such good qualities even as
adults give credit because of the transposition
grow up

OR
1) The words angel & halo connote saintly/
virtuous qualities. [1]
2) Therefore, the writer means that the
Japanese children are able to retain all the
virtues/ good values they have learnt from a
young age even when they become older/
even after many years. [1]

Paragraph 4
3. What does the sentence As a result of such pressures, Japan has a very low murder rate but a
fairly high suicide rate (lines 2325) suggest about the culture of shame in Japan?
[2]
Lifts
1) As a result of such pressures

Transposition
1) Because of the stress/ need to follow the
conventions of society/ wanting to adhere to
norm/ conforming to what is deemed right or
wrong [1],
NOTE:
Social pressures [0] Lift
The culture of shame in Japan is so deeply
ingrained/ taken very seriously. [0]

2) Japan has a very low murder rate but a

fairly high suicide rate.

2) most Japanese choose

a) to hurt themselves [1/2] rather than
b) harm others [1/2].
OR
2) When the Japanese are ashamed of what
they have done, they might
a) take drastic/ extreme steps [1/2] to deal with
it to the extent of
b) killing themselves/ find death more bearable
than shame. [1/2]

Paragraph 5
4. What is the point that the writer wants to make in describing the procedure that the policeman
went through?
[1]
Lifts
A cynic might call this kind of procedure a
colossal waste, particularly since parents
sometimes bring in children with smaller coins,
sometimes even a one-yen coin, worth less than a
penny. But the Japanese see it as an
investment in honesty. As I walked out of the
police station with a beaming Gregory I was
convinced that it was a brilliant idea (lines 40
45).

Transposition
1) The writer wants to show/ illustrate how
impressed he is that the Japanese people
value honesty [1/2]

2) so much so that they go through a tedious

process/ go to great lengths/ take great
pains even for something that is seemingly
insignificant/ trivial/ over a 100-yen coin [1/2].

From Passage 2
From Paragraphs 2 3
5. Using information from Paragraphs 2 3, summarize in no more than 120 words, the reasons
for an absence of a culture of shame in the American society.
[8]
There is an absence of a culture of shame in the American society because
Lifts
1. many Americans and their leaders will acknowledge
neither the signs nor the extent of their affliction. (lines 8
10)

Transposition
Americans are blind to/ do not admit the negative effects/
consequences that have resulted from a lack of shame. [1]

2.

They do not think deeply about/ are not concerned about their
principles/values/ do not engage in self-reflection [1/2] because
such introspection is unfamiliar with people who are distant/
detached from religious convictions [1/2].

To do so would require the kind of stern moral selfexamination that is now largely alien to our secular ways
and selves. (lines 11 12)
It would require, too, the kind of reflectiveness that a
Behemoth* society would have no understanding of or
patience with, (lines 12 13)

OR
or for undertaking spiritual soul-searching. (lines 17 18)
3.

as we press on with our attempts to create a new heaven

and new earth here and now. (lines 14 - 15)

(This is because) Americans are preoccupied/ more resolute about

improving the material/ physical aspect of life. [1]

OR

NOTE: addictions [0]

We are so governed by our temporal absorptions and
adventurisms that we ignore moral and spiritual
considerations. We think of shame no more than we think of
sin. (lines 18 21)

4.

To feel shame is something that hardly crosses the minds of

Americans or that discomfits their conscience. (lines 15
16)

Americans do not allow shame/ rarely think about shame/ ignore

shame [1/2] to make them feel guilty/ remorseful about their
actions/ behaviour. [1]

5.

We are, very simply, unprepared for dealing with pangs of

shame (lines 17 18)

They do not seem to be in the position to cope with shame in their

lives. [1]

6.

Shame is a word that has no active place in our

vocabulary (line 22)

Americans shun the use of the word shame/ do not often use the
word in conversation/ to communicate [1]

7.

and when it is occasionally invoked, it has no real meaning

for us. (line 23)

and when the word comes/ crops up at times, it has no

significance/shame serves no purpose/ shame has little influence
on people . [1]
NOTE: This is not about decision-making no influence on
making decisions/ choices [0]

8.

If anything it is a word that is perceived as restricting our

expansive sentiments, our rights and ambitions; [that
implies or is antecedent to self-restraint], conduces the
recognition of self-limitation. (lines 24 27)

(This is because) they see shame as a word that curbs their desires
and free expression of their feelings/ emotions, and makes them
feel controlled/ limited [1].
Lift: Restriction [0]

9.

Indeed, shame is one emotion that is not valued in

contemporary life (lines 28 29)

Shame is not appreciated by the Americans today/ has little

significance in society/ is not welcomed by Americans [1]
NOTE: This point is different from Point 7 because this is about the
impact of shame on society.

10. since it is commonly seen as something that thwarts selfexpression and self-indulgence. (lines 29 30)

as it is something that stifles creativity/ innovation/ prevents them

from behaving freely. [1/2] and prevents them from satisfying/
fulfilling their lavish desires/ serving their own needs/ enjoying
themselves/ pampering themselves. [1/2]

NOTE: Any 8 out of 10 points. Indicate 8 (Max) if students answer has more than 8 points. Any
lifting of key terms = 0 marks

SAMPLE PARAGRAPH
Americans are blind to the negative effects that have resulted from a lack of shame. They are not
concerned about their values because such introspection is unfamiliar with people who are detached
from religious convictions. Americans are preoccupied with improving the material aspect of life. They
do not allow shame to make them feel guilty about their behaviour. They shun the use of the word
shame during conversations. When the word comes up at times, it has no significance. This is
because they see shame as a word that curbs their desires and makes them feel controlled. Shame
is not appreciated by the Americans today as it is something that stifles creativity and prevents them
from fulfilling their lavish desires. (120 words)

Paragraph 4
6. What is the writers attitude towards preachers of sexual utopianism?
[1]
Lifts
Preachers of sexual utopianism in particular view
shame as a fraudulent emotion, and today their
view has been carried to fantastic extremes in all
areas of a secular society, in which the pursuit of
what is shameless is often equated with creative
freedom (lines 40 43).

Transposition
The author is disapproving/ shows disdain/ is
skeptical. [1]
Note:
Negative [1/2]
Condemn/ disgusted [0] Too strong
Thinks they are irresponsible [0]
Disagrees/ Agrees [0] question is not about
stand
Against [0]
Cannot accept their views [0]

Paragraph 5
7. What is the importance that the writer places on language? Use your own words as far as possible.
[3]
Lifts
1) We cannot allow language, which serves as
a medium of rational thought, to surrender
unconditionally to ideology and dogmata

Transposition
1) The writer believes that language is required
for logical thinking/ reasoning [1]

2) and thus to be stripped of content and

meaning

2) Language enables us to understand

information/ ideas. [1]

3) of reality itself.
3) Language gives us the truth/ an
understanding of what the world is truly like/
the actual world. [1]
NOTE: Real world [0] Lift

(lines 52 54)

4) Shame is a heart-word that belongs to the

legacy of Greece, Rome, and Israel, and to
Western civilization throughout the last 2,000
years, and must be preserved and
transmitted at all costs (lines 45 48)

4) Language allows for values/ beliefs/ culture to

be
a) kept/ retained (NOTE: idea of
preservation)
b) communicated/ passed on (NOTE: idea of
transmission)

NOTE: Any 3 out of 4 points. Max 3 marks. Pls

indicate 3 (max) if students score 3 marks.

NOTE: Point 4 is about culture/ values/ beliefs

while Point 2 is about content/ meaning. They are

not the same.

Paragraph 6
8. Explain what the writer means when he says that, The decay of words, it can be said, is
symptomatic of moral and intellectual decline (lines 58 59).
[2]
Lifts
1) The decay of words, it can be said,

Transposition
1) The author means that if people fail to see
the significance/ full meaning of words, [1/2]
NOTE:
Erosion of language [0]
Place less importance on words [0]

2) is symptomatic of

2) It is a sign/ signals/symbolizes/is indicative of/

reflects/ marks [1/2] that

3) moral

3) we have degenerated in our values/ ethics

[1/2]

4) and intellectual decline (lines 58 59).

4) and in our cognitive abilities/ depth of
thinking/ rationality. [1/2]

NOTE:
Intelligence [0]
Do not credit knowledge unless it is properly
explained.
e.g. knowledge has depreciated [0]

9. Explain the meaning of the following words as they are used in the passage. You may write the
answer in one word or a short phrase.
[5]

A. imbues (Passage 1, line 25)

1 MARK
Inculcates;
instills

MARK

0 MARK
Plants

B. sagely (Passage 1, line 32)

Wisely;
in a wise manner/
way

Knowingly
Understandingly

Acknowledgingly
Seriously
Solemnly
Gravely

C. fraudulent (Passage 2, line 41)

Deceptive;
Misleading

Cheating

False
Untrue
Fake
Inane
Faultful
Rendundant

D. imperative (Passage 2, line 44)

Critical;
Crucial;
Of utmost
importance;
very important;
Pressing;
Vital;
Urgent;
Needed;
Necessary;
Essential

Important

E. ferocious (Passage 2, line 50)

Intense;
Very strong;
Passionate;

Aggressive

Fierce (root word)

Savage