2009 JC2 Preliminary Examination

Comprehension Marking Scheme

From Passage 1
1. Why does the author use the word surrender (line 2) (1)
From the passage Paraphrase
(inferred) The adults are overwhelmed by/ give in to the
inevitability of/must accept as inevitable/with
resignation/that they could do nothing
about/forced to give up (1/2)
force/movement/phenomenon/occurrence
(1/2)

NB: the first part is necessary for the second

part to be awarded

2. From paragraph 2, according to the author, what is the critics greatest fear regarding the
impact of blockbuster? Use your own words as far as possible. (2)
From the passage Paraphrase
(at its most reductive)they signal the death Blockbusters foreshadow/point to/indicate/
of cinema art and mark the triumph of the represent (1/2) the end/demise/loss (1/2) of
corporate bottom line, of marketing critically-acclaimed film/good movies/film-making
strategies, product placements and opening- as a work of creation requiring a high level of skill
weekend returns. and experience; (1/2)
NB: decline/diminish; signifies (0)

Instead, box office takings/profit-making (1/2)

emerges as the dominant force/main aim/success
(1/2) in filmmaking/the business world
NB: victory/win (0)

3. Explain why highbrows dismiss movie blockbusters (line 23). Use your own words as far
as possible. (3)
From the passage Paraphrase
they are often based in fantasy rather than Blockbusters are magical/supernatural/not true to
reality, (which is generally a bad thing unless life/out of this world. Imaginary is acceptable but
the fantasy comes with a literary pedigree like faulted under language. (1/2); this is bad unless
The Lord of the Rings.) the fantasy is a work of art/ has literary
merit/artistic value (1/2)
NB: fiction/not factual; imagination (0)
tend to be made for adolescents instead of Blockbusters are for young people rather than
adults (which is also a bad thing because more mature adults and youth cannot be
youngsters are untrustworthy cultural depended/unreliable (1/2) on to know good taste
consumers) good/high/correct (1/2) tastes.
anything that appeals to a wide audience is Lastly, anything popular with the masses/draws a
inherently suspect large following (1/2) is naturally/automatically
assumed to be bad/questionable (1/2)

4. From Paragraph 5, identify the similarity and the difference between blockbusters in the past
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 and in the present. Use your own words as far as possible. (2)
Similarity - Used spectacle to sell those Relied on impressive and dramatic
big stories [line 33] effects/scenes/mega productions (1/2) to promote
them/attract the audience (1/2)
Difference largely computer generated Box office hits use mainly animation/digital effects/
cast of literally thousands and extreme state of the art technology (12) while in the past,
actions in the form of a chariot race. they relied on real actors/stunts (1/2)

5. From Paragraph 7, how have movies responded to being under siege (line 46-7)? Use
your own words as far as possible. (3)
brilliant adaptorsmutate and shift/stretch successful/skilful/very good at/excellent/
and adjust exceptional (1/2)
Morph/change/evolve or extend into new/more
exciting forms (1/2)
NB: better (0)
Neutralize those threats.. by assimilating Preventing/countering/make ineffective/rendering
them impotent/overcome/no longer important/
incapacitate (1/2) the threat/damage by
incorporating/merging/integrating[1/2] them
NB: absorb (0)
Doing the very thing we say we want from Pander to the desires of/giving in to the
the movies/giving us a reason to watch demands/expectations of the cinema-goers

From Passage 2
6. Explain the climate change (line 2) that is taking place in Hollywood. Use your own
words as far as possible. (2)
Films by foreigners making little box office Unknown and unprofitable movies by non American
are winning top awards film directors are gaining the highest
accolades/recognition/critically acclaimed (1/2)
Big Hollywood blockbusters which made all Mega box office hits which are so financially
the money much of it abroad, are virtually rewarding overseas are totally being sidelined/not
ignored given any recognition (1/2)
NB: popularity (0)
Thats topsy-turvy, like the weather It goes against convention/expectations/norms/
historical trend/is unprecedented
unusual (1)/weird (1/2)

7. 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
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 answer in no more than 120 words, not counting the opening word which are printed below.
(7)

One reason for the decline of the Hollywood blockbusters is...

From the passage
a. the cycle of remakes in which
Hollywood has been stuck (line 8)
b. American filmmakers, who have prided
themselves on their imagination and
originality, once excelled at [telling new
stories] (line 9)
c. American filmmakers too often grind out
formulaic, shock and awe blockbusters... movies that conform to a template (1/2)
(line 10-11)
d. ...with the inevitable gratuitous violence,
sex and special effects (line 11)
e. [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)
f. At home, [...] infatuation with contrived
spectacle has waned. (line 21-22)
g. Even long-time American cultural
colonies like Japan and Germany are
beginning to turn to the home screen.
(line 22-23)
h. the digital -distribution- "You Tube"
-nightmares of the studios (line 27-28)
i. [The backlash against] American-led post-
Cold War globalization [...] has led to
cultural competition. (line 30)
j Peoplewant to see their own stories on
the screen, to see what is in their
imagination and culture (line 36-37)
k 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)
... 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)

11 points, 10 marks maximum

8. From paragraph 6, explain fully why the authors compare blockbusters with aircraft carriers.
Use your own words as far as possible. (2)
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From the text
there will always be a role for blockbusters
just as there will be for aircraft carriersBut, in
this new global order.its about hearts and
minds, not shock and awe (line 45,-47)
Possible Paraphrase
Both still have the effect/serve the
purpose/perform the function of spreading the
dominance/influence of America in the world
OR
There is always a place for big movie
productions because they do impress. The
idea of blockbusters and aircraft carriers as
inspiring wonder and admiration. (1)
The authors are suggesting that this is
insufficient in the contemporary world/current
state of affairs and what is needed now is
conviction which is emotionally and
intellectually based (1)

9. Vocabulary.
Word 1m 1/2m 0m
It is our season of unending, unceasing, long, unstoppable
stupidity, summertime, endless, perpetual, extremely long, continuous
that interminable never ending, draggy
stretch (line 2) continuous without
pause,
long and draggy
a balance between indescribably, cannot
the spectacular and be expressed
the ineffably human
(line 20)
partly due to the inclination, tendency preference influence, liking, view,
literary bent of a lot of bias, slant, orientation, interest, take, focus,
critics (line 38) leaning nature, twist
predisposition
As if it were not discordant, disturbing unsettling (lift)
jarring enough that. disconcerting discomfiting unpleasant,
(line 1) painfully incongruent shocking
grating showing conflict
contrasting
Gonzalez Inarritu best encapsulates depicts surmises
captures whats describes in a nutshell portrays grasps
happening. (line 38) summarizes describes interprets
epitomises expresses shows, encompasses
explains

10. Dargis writes about the enduring characteristics of American blockbuster movies while
Gardels and Medavoy write about the diminishing impact of such movies. To what extent
do the ideas in the passages reflect the way American blockbuster movies are perceived in
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 your society?
Dargis ideas
A good blockbuster takes you places you
might never otherwise go and show you things
you could never do
It takes hold of your body, making you quiver
with anxiety, joy, laughter, relief.
They usher you into a realm of communal
pleasure.
In a culture of entertainment niches, they
remind of what going to the movies can still
be like
They remind you that without the human factor
a blockbuster is nothing but a big empty box
Blockbusters strike a balance between the
spectacular and the ineffably human
Blockbusters have maintained appeal but
adapting well to the changing technological
threats and the various alternative
entertainment forms, by incorporating them
Gardels and Medavoy write.
Hollywood is stuck in a cycle of remakes
(8)
Singaporeans still enjoy blockbuster movies
because of the imagination and the fantastic,
eg. Transformers. Yet, even they tend to be
critical of its lack of plot and coherence.
They enjoy the cathartic effect of blockbusters
and are absorbed in the gamut of emotions
evoked. On the other hand, such could be
provided by smaller productions or foreign
ones. Eg. Departures, Slum Dog Millionaires.
There is a social aspect to going to the
Blockbusters that is appealing. It also
provides common topic of discussion and
excitement.
It still maintains its attractiveness and has a
sound place in the minds and hearts of the
local people.
The blockbusters do deal with emotional ideas
and movie goers expect more that mere
entertainment and special effects. However,
such explorations seem to be trivial or lost in
the special effects, eg The Phantom Menace.
This is true with increasing use of music and
computer technology. Increasing integration of
the different entertainment media, however,
tends to only exist superficially. The
blockbuster has not truly changed it recipe.
Note: Should the student use the criticism of
Dargis without realizing that he is ultimately
not in sympathy with these views should be
penalized for misreading.
The more inspirational and interesting movies are
remakes. One could, however, point out more original
and innovative movies, eg Revolution Road or The
5

It once excelled at telling new stories, taking
pride in their imagination and originality
It often grind out fomulaic, shock and awe
blockbusters with inevitable gratuitous
violence, sex and special effects
It is losing the battle for hearts and minds as
well as in the battle of ideas
American blockbusters lose appeal when
American loses political support
Even long-time American cultural colonies
are beginning to turn to the home screen
The digital distribution poses a threat
There is greater exposure of cultural
competition beyond the shores of the other
countries
The film community is now a global
community..not anymore about language
barriersabout emotion and humanity;
The demand of movies goers have changed
to watching movies which involves them and
a balanced portrayal of events and
characters
Band Descriptors
Band A (6 8)
Requirements
Students must:
Reader.
While there are sequels and re-makes that seem to
indicate the Blockbusters are lacking in originality, not
all Blockbusters are uncreative, eg Up. On the other
hand, this may not be anything new as many
Blockbusters are based on books.
This is true to a large extent and, in fact, the movie
public is attracted to these aspects. While the
Blockbusters can be criticized for it, it also serves to
deliver what the audience wants, eg. Final Destination
4 and the horrendous spoofs, Transformers 2
Perhaps not so true in Singapore in which the
audiences still has a major admiration of Hollywood.
There is a growing disenchantment but not among the
majority of the audience
Not so evident in Singapore. There is little
association that supporting movies is supporting
American political ideas. There is hardly any boycott
of movies, or avoidance of such movies because of
disagreement with the USA.
Singapore still has great interest in American
blockbuster movies. Home grown productions do not
measure up them well, in its opinion, eg 12 Lotus,
Leap Year.
While the digital age has affected movie going, this
pastime is too much entrenched in Singaporeans.
Few people are willing to wait for the dvd to come out.
There are a lot of alternatives to Hollywood but, again,
the influence seems to be minimal and not in
opposition to it.
Not so obvious in Singapore. People still go for
movies that do not strike an emotional core in them.
Entertainment that is sought seems less discerning
and superficial.
While there is growing maturity expecting the
depiction of characters to be genuine and real, there
is more expectation that stereotypes will be played
out, especially in terms of heroes and villains, eg
Dragonball or The Proposal.
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 1. Take a stand about the extent the ideas in the passages reflect how American blockbusters are viewed
in Singapore
2. Make explicit and specific reference to both of the authors ideas.
3. Present a balanced and evaluated argument supporting his/her stand.
4. Provide justification in the form of substantive evidence drawn from his/her own experience
Evaluation
Students must select at least 3 issues raised in the passage, consider alternative views on these issues, and
articulate and justify their judgement on these issues.
Explanation
Students must extend the authors discussion of each of the issues that they selected by including relevant
examples from their own experience
Coherence
1. Responses are well organised, clearly written and free from internal contradictions.
2. Connectors are used effectively to enhance to logical flow of the arguments.

Band B (3 5)
Requirement
1. Students refer to the passage, at least in passing.
2. They identify ideas from the passage, possibly with minor misrepresentation of the points.
3. Ideas are discussed, but the discussion is limited or superficial and the treatment not necessarily
balanced.
Evaluation
Students attempt to evaluate the extent to which the authors views are convincing, and the effectiveness of
various methods in dealing with organ shortage but are not fully informed or persuasive in their response.
Explanation
Shows adequate knowledge pertaining to the issues raised in passage.
Coherence
1. Shows a fair degree of organisation
2. Uses connectors which may not always be appropriate
3. Some minor logical gaps that do not lead to contradiction in the arguments

Band C (1 2)
Requirement
1. Fails to address the specified requirements of the question
2. Fails to refer to ideas from the passages
3. Fails to relate evaluation to actual societal phenomena
Evaluation
The response tends to be a mere summary or restatement of the text, rather than an evaluation of them.
Explanation
The response shows very limited knowledge pertaining to the issues, a higher incidence of misinterpretation,
and very thin support.
Coherence
Poorly organised, lacking in clarity. Inconsistent in argument the points contradict the stand indicated.