Serangoon Junior College

JC1 General Paper 2010 P2

1. In paragraph 1, does the writer share the view that social networking is a waste of
time? How does the first paragraph illustrate this? [2m]

Lifted Paraphrased
The entire first paragraph. The writer does not feel that social networking is a
waste of time (1) as he used words like claim/ he
thinks that a shocking amount of time is spent
investigating /amount of time being wasted being
repeated /assumes or the entire line (any one will
get 1 mark).

(If student does not get the 1st mark, he cannot get
the 2nd mark)

If the justification of the answer contradicts the first

part on whether the writer shares the view or not, the
answer is wrong.

2. In paragraph 2, the writer compares the use of social networks at work to water
coolers in companies. Why does he do so? [2m]

Lifted
Inference
If answer talks about necessity = 0m
take time away from work (for
socialising) = 1m
If student writes that social networking
sites and water coolers are both time
wasters = 1m
If student writes that social networking
sites are a distraction and water coolers
are a waste of time = 1m
Paraphrased
Social networking sites are considered a distraction
(must point out the socialising aspect of social
networking) from doing actual work. (1) Similarly,
water coolers are places where people gather to
gossip instead of doing legitimate work. (1)
Water coolers encourage socialising (1), in the same
way social networks encourage people to interact.
(1)

3. Which word in paragraph 2 suggests that the writer is doubtful about the
"innocent nature of Microsoft Excel? [1m]

Lifted Paraphrased
Even a seemingly innocent application The word is seemingly. (1m)
such as Microsofts Excel spreadsheet was Accept scepticism.
greeted with much scepticism...

1
4. In paragraph 2, how does the example of Microsofts Excel illustrate the writers
point about social networks? [2m]

Lifted
... because managers assumed workers
would use it to make lists of their fantasy
football teams or their weekend
shoppingwhich is exactly what they did
and still do. But along the way, Excel has
also become an invaluable business tool.
Paraphrased
By using the Microsoft Excel example, the writer is
trying to tell us that as with any novel technology, it is
initially perceived as affecting worker productivity
negatively and hence there is usually a strong
negative reaction by superiors before it is regarded
as mainstream and embraced by the corporate world
(1). This was exactly what happened when MS Excel
was first launched when it was perceived as
something for workers personal enjoyment, when in
reality it enhanced workers productivity as well (1).

Managers thought that Microsoft Excel would be

misused by employees for trivial and frivolous
(technology and corporate are purposes but in the end, it also became essential to
acceptable lifts.) If answer states, Just like business operations. (1) It thus illustrates how people
Excel... = 1m (rationale: student did not are being over-worried/too paranoid about the ill
adequately show understanding of writers effects of social networking to the workplace and that
point about social networks) after some time people will come to embrace new
inventions.(1)

5. In paragraph 3, what are the disadvantages brought about by the rise of corporate
empires? Use your own words as far as possible. [2m]

Lifted
And the rise of vast, globe-spanning
corporate empires has resulted in efforts
being duplicated and valuable information
being hoarded, not shared.
Paraphrased
The rise of corporate empires has caused resources
to be unnecessarily wasted / redundant / done more
than once / repeat the same thing already done by
others (1) and important/relevant data not exchanged
/ kept to themselves.(1)

(For duplication, do not accept copied or

For Question 5, we will not accept "lost replication, unless it is couple with explanation that
profits" or "lost lives" as they are not leads to wastage/redundancy.)
disadvantages as according to our office
'survey results'. let slip = 0m (lifting information is acceptable)

6. What does one-way streets (line 31) imply about the intelligence community?
[1m]

Lifted Paraphrased
Inference. It implies that the exchange of information in the
Communication channels in the intelligence community was not interactive and thus
intelligence community were one-way access to information was limited, difficult and slow
streets. among the security/intelligent agencies. (1m)

Or

Dissemination of information was not an interactive

process and they did not practice two-way
communication. (1 m)

2
7. What do you understand by companies baring all to such a wide public (line 36)? [1m

Lifted Paraphrased
Inference Revealing to outsiders / people who do not belong to
the firms (1/2), restricted/classified data / information
which was formerly privy to only the employees /
members of that firm. (1/2)

It means that companies are disclosing information

with no restrictions to outsiders or people not in the
company or everyone / are more open / are not
hiding anything. (1)

8. From lines 36 to 38, what are two worries that companies have of sharing
information about their operations with the public? Use your own words as far as
possible. [1m]

Lifted
... they fret that employees might let slip
confidential data[1], that competitors will
be alerted to forthcoming innovations[1]
and that the public networks will be hard
to integrate with their internal IT
systems[1].
Paraphrased
They fear their workers exposing classified
information (1/2) and worry that their rivals will find
out about new, upcoming products and inventions.
(1/2) (3rd reason paraphrase: They are also worried
about hardware compatibility issues. (1/2))
Companies worry that workers might accidentally
disclose information which should have been kept
secret [1/2],

Any two for 1m. AND /OR Other companies in the same field might
Acceptable paraphrase for systems = get to know of inventions which they plan to make
devices, equipment, systems public soon [1/2]
(acceptable lift)
If public networks and internal IT AND/OR There would be difficulty combining
systems are both lifted, no marks for systems for general usage by all people with the
the answer. companys own system [1/2]

9. Why does the writer use quotation marks around Facebooks (line 47)? [1m]

Inference
These applications are not actual Facebook accounts but they mimic / are similar to the functions
of the popular social networking service. (1)
OR
The writer wants to show that while customised IT tools function like / have the characteristics of
Facebook, they are not actually Facebooks. (1)

10. What does the phrase must clear several hurdles (line 56-57) imply about the
course social networking has to take? [1m]

Inference
It suggests that the course social networking has to take is rather difficult and holds obstacles
along the way which must be resolved, in order for it to be successfully integrated. (1)
OR It implies that the course is a difficult / challenging one. (1)

3
11. Summarise the concerns and benefits of social networking in businesses.
CONCERNS
1 The first of these is the lingering doubt about
networks ability to deliver genuine benefits
2 staff might use it to broadcast politically
incorrect comments.
3 because all comments can be traced to their
authors, people are very careful about what
they post.
4 informal groups of workers to spring up
that managers cannot control.
5 data could also be used to make judgments
about candidates for a promotion
BENEFITS
6 By using social networks to find data faster,
7 employees can free up a chunk of that time
for other things
8 New ideas and insights
9 as well as warnings about potential threats
10 create a more open workplace by letting
people see what others are working on
11 and encouraging sharing
12 that let managers track information such as
which people are regularly in contact with one
another and what subjects they are discussing
13 identify people for a project team based on
their expertise
14 and their links to others
15 whose support will be needed to make the
project a success.
Employers question if networks are really
useful.
Employees might publicly spread /
disseminate inappropriate / offensive
information / badmouth their companies
As there is no anonymity / writers can be
easily identified, people are cautious about
their remarks / comments.
Cliques of employees that bosses cannot
regular / manage appear.
Information could be used to assess /
evaluate potential employees for senior
positions.
It allows us to search for information more
quickly
And save time / be more productive / allow
us to complete other tasks
Fresh / novel suggestions
Caution about possible dangers / problems
Improve transparency in the office
Facilitates / promotes collaboration
Monitoring communication / conversations
Select / shortlist candidates for tasks based
on ability / capabilities / skills
And their ties to others / connections /
relationships
Whose backing / help / endorsement will
ensure a satisfactory outcome.
4
12. Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the passage. You may write your
answer in one word or a short phrase. [5m]

1 mark 0 marks
Savvy Competent; proficient; well-versed; Gifted
skilled Talented
Capable Smart
Having expertise in; expert Familiar
Knowledgeable Aware
Well-informed Informed
Professional
Specialized

Backlash Must have the inflection of strong & Reaction; repulsion;

negative counter-act;; rejection;
protest; resistance; outcry unwillingness to accept;
strong negative response/reaction objection
strong opposition Reaction
barrage/waves of criticism Undesirable response
retaliation Criticism
Fiery opposition Retaliation
Uproar
violent reaction

Collaborative cooperative; state of working together; Amalgamative; sharing;

(requires the idea of work) team-work oriented bringing together
joint effort able to/willing to work
joining effort with/together
join forces Collusive
working hand in hand Cohesive
conducive to teamwork Conducive

Automatically mechanically Instantaneously;

(requires both immediacy
and without thought)
Do without being told immediacy;
Without prompting without giving thought
Without being told without much thought,
on its own accord instinctively
without cue spontaneously,

Tweaked made minor adjustments/changes, modified, adjusted;

(requires minor in the calibrated, fine-tuned, altered; changed; shaped
meaning amended
edited
adapted

5
13. The Economist discusses the effects of social networking in the workplace and its impact on
businesses.

How applicable are these views to work and other aspects of life in your society? (8)

Some notes for AQ marking:

To pass, must deal with at least 2 arguments.

If there is an attempt to link to Singapore in their EX, and it is based on a relevant
argument from the text together with proper explanation, then the AQ answer must be
given at least 2 marks.
Some types of annotation you might wish to use:
o No link to Singapore
o What is your point? or Provide reasons
o Elaborate more here
o Balance missing

Possible references from the passage

Reference Answers

As people become In schools, social networking sites have often been utilised to
increasingly used to sharing facilitate group work. (EV) Given that project work is an integral
and collaborating outside part of the A level curriculum and the International Baccalaurate,
the workplace, they are students have to devote a huge amount of time to meeting and
coming to expect firms to be discussing their projects. (EV-EX) However, the time-pressed
more open and students often find it hard to meet up and instead tap into their
collaborative places too. savvy in using social networking sites to their advantage. Many of
them frequently turn to MSN Messenger for conferencing from the
Paragraph 3 comforts of their homes. Hence, social networking sites do indeed
enhance collaboration and productivity amongst youths in
Singapore. (EX)

But most companies are
deeply uncomfortable with
the notion of baring all to
such a wide public.
Paragraph 4
Singaporeans are comfortable with putting their data online and
very often with the information made searchable by search
engines. (EV) Professional networking websites like Linkedin are
popular amongst upwardly mobile white-collar workers who are
likely to publishing their career accomplishments online in order to
network and gain more career offers. (EV-EX)

Besides professional advancement, Singaporeans turn to online

dating websites as another alternative to find love. (EX) They are
not shy about baring their soul to a wider public, even though their
profiles can be accessed by the general public. For some sites,
users are granted some privacy, where only registered users can
access their profiles. No matter, there are always willing users
who do not fret about having such confidential information about
themselves being accessed by all and sundry. To them, the gain
is greater than the risk. Being able to find ones soul mate is more
important than fretting over concerns about breach of privacy.
(EX)

Companies like Cisco or others dealing with sensitive information

regarding security or private data might not be willing to adopt
such an open stance towards sharing information. (EV-EX)
Singapore security is crucial to the country and her citizens

6
 Reference Answers

welfare so the authors point is applicable to these industries. (EV)

Yet even if they can make a
good business case for a
network, some managers
hesitate to introduce one
because they fear that staff
might use it to broadcast
politically incorrect
comments.
Paragraph 8
Pastor Rony Tan and his video online and remarks on Buddhists
and Taoists and the public backlash.(EX) It was a case of concern
for Singapore as it could threaten the social fabric and though he
apologised, it was a case that shows how this point is applicable
to Singapore. (EV-EX)
Some examples include Abdul Malik Ghazali, who was arrested
for threatening to burn a MP on his Facebook and the cases of
the Singapore bloggers who were arrested for posting racist
remarks. (EX)

However, there seems to be a moral censor by the general

all comments can be traced public themselves as racially or religiously inappropriate
back to their authors, comments in these sites are reported/flagged and the Singapore
people are very careful authorities take serious action against these offenders.(EV-EX)
about what they should Thus, in Singapore only an ignorant handful would misuse these
post. sites as there is an awareness of their supposed anonymity is
non-existent after all. If they are found guilty for comments that
Paragraph 8 may threaten the safety of Singapore in any way, they are liable to
be punished. (EX)

informal groups of workers to Other organisations (demonstration groups, protest groups) also
spring up that managers use the internet to band together. E.g. the proposition 377a,
cannot control. Pinkdot and AWARE saga. (Ex)

This may be a seen as a form of retaliation against the standard

protocol and the Singapore government is usually against such
group efforts to fight for certain rights as they feel it might
escalate out of control leading to social chaos and rioting. Such a
situation would not be ideal hence the government in Singapore
usually try to appease and manage these new groups by
monitoring their moves and solving the issues they have in a
rather dictatorial manner constantly emphasizing the need to
social cohesion. (Ev)

It can also encourage and nurture an open society and

Paragraph 9
identify people for a project
team based on their expertise
and their links to others
whose support will be needed
to make the project a
success.
Paragraph 10
new ideas and insights as
discussion and allow people of similar interests to find others that
share their likes or for collaboration (like musical bands, or dance
troupes) (Ex)
In the past, people relied much on word of mouth but right now
these networks serve as a platform for connecting groups or
individuals that may be useful for a project. These networks
provide information that others can use to determine if their
service is what is essential for the projects needs. What's more
these networks allow for huge coverage as it is not merely a
website but most of the time they are advertisements on for
example facebook that will lead to their website if an interested
party finds the advertisement pertinent to their needs. Thus, the
ease of the linking is definitely a boon to connecting people with
different service and needs together. (Ev)
Informal groups for professionals can foster discussion and

7
 Reference
well as warnings about
potential threats come from
informal contacts rather than
from formal meetings.
Paragraph 9
.what subjects they are
discussing. This 'social
business intelligence' can
then be used to, for
example, identify people for
a project team based on
their links to others whose
support will be needed to
make the project a success.
Paragraph 10
But the data collected could
also be used to make
judgements about
candidates for a promotion
or to spy on colleagues. All
this makes people queasy
Paragraph 10
Answers
sharing of work experiences and tips. (Ex)
Students and even executives can, at the comfort of their homes
and at any time can update their friends or workmates through
social networking as ideas can come at any moment and this can
help streamline the discussion and work process. (Ex)
This is rampant in Singapore due to the the reliance we have on
the Internet. Most people have I-phones and the like which allows
easy accessibility to these networks 24/7. As Singaporeans are
constantly on the go, it makes the disemination of information so
much easier as well by merely uploading it to the website such as
Twitter or Facebook rather than organising a meeting and
gathering everyone together as it might be costly administratively
and it will be a challenge to accommodate everyone's schedule.
In fact, even in schools, students are expected to check their
school internal network for any updates on homework or school
related material in order to facilitate the transmission of
information. (Ev)
It is true that in Singapore, Facebook functions as the fastest way
to spread information and to gather information. Numerous
interest groups often advertise their latest events there and
individuals either ask to be part of these groups or they are
extended an invitation by these groups because of the
interest/hobby/ that indicates that they are an ideal candidate for
the group. For example, Environmentalist of a tiny red dot:
Singapore is a group that caters to the various activities and
events that fellow save the earth Facebook members can
participate in. (Ex)
Not only that, Facebook also takes on the role of a talent/job
recruiter as various job advertisements such as researchers, test
subjects for experiments, actors for plays or advertisements are
quite the norm.
Thus this is true in Singapore as Facebook serves as a platform
that unites people of similar interest together.(Ex)
The broadcast of insensitive comments is a cause for concern in
Singapore. Recently, The Straits Times published a commentary
about a spurned lover who sought vengeance by putting up his
ex-lover details which included her full name, address, office
address and intimate details of their time together on multiple
Singapore forums. Giving rise to grave concern is the fact that
Singapore does not have privacy laws to protect peoples whose
details have been deliberately and maliciously leaked online.
Instead of using forums as suitable places to network and trade
ideas, people used it as a platform for personal vendetta. (Ex)
Stomp a popular online portal which encourages Singaporeans
to upload videos, photographs and comments in a bid to
empower citizens to contribute to the news scene has proven to
be a double-edged sword. While much news has been
uncovered, even more nasty and unwarranted posts have been
released on the forums, not for their news worthy content but for
personal vengeance. Whipping out the handphone to record
others on the public transport, streets and malls have become
8
Reference
informal groups of workers
to spring up that managers
cannot control.
Paragraph 9
identify people for a project
team based on their
expertise and their links to
others whose support will
be needed to make the
project a success.
Paragraph 10
new ideas and insights as
well as warnings about
potential threats come from
informal contacts rather
than from formal meetings.
Paragraph 9
.what subjects they are
discussing. This 'social
business intelligence' can
then be used to, for
example, identify people for
a project team based on
their links to others whose
support will be needed to
make the project a events that fellow save the earth Facebook members can
success.
Paragraph 10
But the data collected
could also be used to make
judgements about
candidates for a promotion
Answers
second nature to some teenagers. (Ex)
The aim by many has been to take the moral high ground and
castigate people for not giving up seats, eating on the trains and
picking at their noses. Certainly, these are not acts that should be
encouraged, but they do not warrant such harsh public censure
either. Few paused to think about the repercussions that the
victim has to face when the post is made online and ridiculed by
many. (Ev)
Also accept points on rumours and slanders about politicians or
celebrities (public figures) as remarks that affect or judge
people.
Other organisations (demonstration groups, protest groups) also
use the internet to band together. E.g. the proposition 377a,
Pinkdot and AWARE saga.
It can also encourage and nurture an open society and discussion
and allow people of similar interests to find others that share their
likes or for collaboration (like musical bands, or dance troupes).
Informal groups for professionals can foster discussion and
sharing of work experiences and tips.
Students and even executives can, at the comfort of their homes
and at any time can update their friends or workmates through
social networking as ideas can come at any moment and this can
help streamline the discussion and work process.
It is true that in Singapore, Facebook functions as the fastest way
to spread information and to gather information. Numerous
interest groups often advertise their latest events there and
individuals either ask to be part of these groups or they are
extended an invitation by these groups because of the
interest/hobby/ that indicates that they are an ideal candidate for
the group. For example, Environmentalist of a tiny red dot:
Singapore is a group that caters to the various activities and
participate in.
Not only that, Facebook also takes on the role of a talent/job
recruiter as various job advertisements such as researchers, test
subjects for experiments, actors for plays or advertisements are
quite the norm.
Thus this is true in Singapore as Facebook serves as a platform
that unites people of similar interest together.
The broadcast of insensitive comments is a cause for concern in
Singapore. Recently, The Straits Times published a commentary
about a spurned lover who sought vengeance by putting up his
ex-lover details which included her full name, address, office
9
Reference
or to spy on colleagues. All
this makes people queasy
Paragraph 10
Answers
address and intimate details of their time together on multiple
Singapore forums. Giving rise to grave concern is the fact that
Singapore does not have privacy laws to protect peoples whose
details have been deliberately and maliciously leaked online.
Instead of using forums as suitable places to network and trade
ideas, people used it as a platform for personal vendetta.
Stomp a popular online portal which encourages Singaporeans
to upload videos, photographs and comments in a bid to empower
citizens to contribute to the news scene has proven to be a
double-edged sword. While much news has been uncovered,
even more nasty and unwarranted posts have been released on
the forums, not for their news worthy content but for personal
vengeance. Whipping out the handphone to record others on the
public transport, streets and malls have become second nature to
some teenagers. The aim by many has been to take the moral
high ground and castigate people for not giving up seats, eating
on the trains and picking at their noses. Certainly, these are not
acts that should be encouraged, but they do not warrant such
harsh public censure either. Few paused to think about the
repercussions that the victim has to face when the post is made
online and ridiculed by many.
Also accept points on rumours and slanders about politicians or
celebrities (public figures) as remarks that affect or judge people.
10