MODIFIED GCE ‘A’ Levels 2004 Paper 2

Answer Scheme

From Passage 1
1. In paragraph 2, explain why the author thinks we are disadvantaged when compared
with the ancient Greeks or class-bound societies. Use your own words as far as
possible. (3m)

Lifts Suggested Answer Remarks

‘In some societies, people have had Whereas the ancient Greeks and
much clearer reasons for class-bound societies could explain Award 3m for
accepting their fate as inevitable.’ their misfortunes as the result of any 3 pts.
(lines 20-21) unavoidable destiny, (1m)

‘For example, the edict of a divine in the form of a supernatural

oracle,’ (line 22) prediction / vision / prognostication
/ revelation, (1m)

‘the unquestioned authority of a or the degree of social scale /

class or caste system …’ (lines position one was born into, (1m)
23-24)

(Inferred) ‘Whom shall we blame if we have no such excuse, having no

things go wrong?’ (lines 16-17) one to fault but ourselves. (1m)

‘… this is merely a poor and Even attempts to condemn ‘society’

questionable attempt to find an or our upbringing are lame
external excuse or reason for one’s justifications. (1m)
actions.’ (lines 19-20)

From Passage 2
2. Explain why the author believes that ‘What we wear and what we choose to do in our
leisure time play a large part in defining us’ (lines 15-16). (1m)

Lifts Suggested Answer

‘…as it helps us to identify with
like-minded people so that our social
lives are enriched.’ (lines 16-17)
This is because it connects us / allows us to
find / bond with individuals of similar
personalities. This helps us to increase /
broaden / widen our friendship circle / the
company we keep. (1m)
 3. In paragraph 4, explain how animals and inanimate objects differ from humans. Use
your own words as far as possible. (2m)

Lifts Suggested Answer

‘… choice is fundamental in making us Unlike men who have the ability/autonomy to
different from animals who must obey make their own decisions, animals have to act
their instincts …’ (lines 31-32) as their nature directs them. (1m)

‘inanimate objects […] are entirely Inanimate objects must submit/be subservient
subject to the natural forces upon to whatever their environmental
them.’ (lines 32-33) stimuli/surroundings do to them. (1m)

From all the passages

4. Passage 2 states that ‘These choices have liberated them from the narrow uniform lives
of their ancestors’ (lines 2-3).
Identify one specific idea from passage 3 which can be used to undermine this
statement. Justify your answer. (2m)

Relationship Passage 2 Passage 3

between ideas
Paraphrase: ‘These choices have liberated
them from the narrow uniform
lives of their ancestors.’ (lines 2-3)
[Quote 1] ‘… do not help when
you are standing before a towering
aisle of bottles of water in a
supermarket, paralysed and
increasingly dehydrated, unable
to choose.’ (lines 3-5)

[Suggested paraphrase]
Having increased options affects
our psyche and prevents /
impedes us from making our
desired choices. (1m) OR

[Quote 2] ‘… a seeming increase in

choice masks the fact that you are
paying more for the same stuff
you had before.’ (lines 14-16)

[Suggested paraphrase]
Having increased choice hides /
creates the façade / conceals the
reality that we are forking out
more cash / money for similar /
comparable products / items.
(1m)
Justification: The increase of choice has accorded us freedom to decide how we choose
to lead our lives. However, Passage 3 shows that a lot of options could
adversely impact / render us incapable of making our desired choice /
causing us to spend more on comparable products. (1m)

Note: Accept other wording as long as the justification is valid in

relation to the correctly identified specific point.

5. Passage 1 states that ‘And if we have to decide things for ourselves, whom shall we
blame if things go wrong?’ (lines 16-17).
Identify one specific idea from Passage 3 which can be used to support this statement.
Justify your answer. (2m)

Relationship Passage 1 Passage 3

between ideas
Paraphrase: ‘And if we have to decide things
for ourselves, whom shall we
blame if things go wrong?’ (lines
16-17)
[Quote] ‘Having made a decision,
we do not want to hear that we
have gotten our choice wrong.’
(lines 12-13)

[Suggested paraphrase]
After we have finalised our
thoughts / derived a conclusion,
we do not wish to be told
otherwise / informed that we have
made a flawed decision. (1m)
Justification: Humans tend to consult / seek clarity from /default to others when making
decisions. This puts the responsibility on them to make the right choices.
OR
Man wishes to shirk responsibility whenever they have made the wrong
decision.
Likewise, Passage 3 shows that we do not wish for our actions to be
perceived as erroneous, after we have made our choice / come to a
decision. (1m)

Note: Accept other wording as long as the justification is valid in

relation to the correctly identified specific point.