SAMPLE Question and Answer

SRQ7: Textbook question type (8 marks)

Living in a Diverse Society Issue 2

Study the extract carefully, and then answer the questions.

Extract 2
As society becomes more diverse, it also brings cultural diversity. The exchange and
appreciation of culture is a positive experience of living in a diverse society.

Extract 3
The exchange of skills and knowledge is a form of positive experience of living in a diverse
society. If we treasure and seize the opportunity to promote such exchanges, society will
benefit.

7. Extracts 2 and 3 show how the exchange and appreciation of culture and the exchange
of skills and knowledge are beneficial to Singapore’s diverse society.

Explain how the exchange and appreciation of culture has a more positive impact than the
exchange of skills and knowledge. [8]

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How to answer?
Step 1 Breakdown the question.
Identify the societal issue
Identify the question focus
Identify the two given
points
Step 2 Write your paragraph.
Point
 Repeat the first given
point and answer the
question directly.
Explanation
 What?: Give a
description about what
your factor means.
 Why?: Explain why do
you say so.
Example
 Using 5W1H as far as
possible.
 Who was involved?
 What happened?
 When/why/how did it
happen?
Link
 Explain the
impact/consequence of
the point in relation to
the question focus.
 Issue 2: Living in a diverse society
 Recall what you have learned in Chapters 4-7
 Which has a more positive impact?
 Exchange and appreciation of culture
 Exchange of skills and knowledge
The exchange and appreciation of culture has a
positive impact on society.
As Singapore is home to people from a wide range of
different nationalities and ethnic groups, there are
many opportunities for us to interact and learn from
those who come from different countries and cultures.
This can result in a fusion between local cultures and
foreign ideas, and can result in interesting outcomes.
For example, influenced by European cuisine, chef
Willin Low has created a numerous fusion dishes
blending Singaporean and modern European dining,
such as soft shell chili crab with squid ink mantou and
laksa pesto linguini. His approach to fusion cooking
has won awards and accolades from international
papers such as The New York Times and the
Financial Times.
Hence, by creating new and unique products, the
exchange and appreciation of culture can help
Singapore to become a more vibrant society to live
in and even gain greater recognition and fame
internationally. Fusion culture also helps
Singaporeans to expand their range of cultural
experiences beyond that of Singapore, allowing
us to better understand and respect foreign
cultures which can reduce cultural prejudices.
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Step 3 Write your second paragraph.
Point
 Repeat the given point
and answer the question
directly.
Explanation
 What?: Give a
description about what
your factor means.
 Why?: Explain why do
you say so.
Example
 Using 5W1H as far as
possible.
 Who was involved?
 What happened?
 When/why/how did it
happen?
Link
 Explain the
impact/consequence of
the point, which has
resulted the
issue/situation.
Step 4 Write a conclusion/overall stand.
Use one of the weighing
criteria.
The exchange of skills and knowledge has a positive
impact on society.
Through collaboration, foreign scientists can share
their knowledge and expertise with Singaporeans to
strengthen our capabilities in research.
For example, the Biomedical Research Council
(BMRC), of the Agency for Science, Technology and
Research (A*STAR), funds and supports public
research initiatives in Singapore. With the BMRC’s
support, internationally renowned scientists with the
expertise and knowledge to jump-start the country’s
biomedical sciences, such as the 2002 Nobel Prize
winner Dr Sydney Brenner, have moved to Singapore.
They provided leadership to local research institutes
and mentored young local scientists. Such
collaboration has boosted the quality of the research
and work carried out by Singapore’s biomedical
industry, and has led to significant discoveries, such
as the H1N1 flu vaccine.
Hence, the exchange of skills and knowledge has
improved Singapore’s capability to innovate and led
to outcomes that benefit the research and
development and human health. By helping to
develop new industries, such exchange also help
to create jobs and generate economic growth,
thus benefitting Singapore.
Criteria: Dependency
The exchange and appreciation of culture has a more
positive impact than exchange of expertise on a
diverse Singapore. This is because it is only with the
exchange of knowledge and skills that there is a large
number of foreigners coming to Singapore. This in
turn leads to the foreigners bringing in their culture
and sharing it. Hence, the exchange of knowledge
and skill leads the way to the exchange of culture,
showing that it has a more positive impact.
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