Ri Paper For Internal Circulation Only Raffles Institution 2012 Essay

Passage 1 1. What is the author hoping to emphasise by italicising does non and sightnot in line 6? 1 move Just because specie does not buy gladness does not mean m superstary cannot buy happiness, says Elizabeth Dunn, a well-disposed psychologist and helper professor at the University of British Columbia. Paraphrased The author hopes to emphasise (the contrast / difference between) what notes very(prenominal) much fails to do but actu each(prenominal)y has the potential to achieve. MUST undertake to explain does not and cannot. Merely saying that there is a difference/contrast is stating the obvious. E.g. Does not is different from cannot. = 0m. 12. Using your own words as far as possible, explain how we use gold wrongly (line 8). 2 Lifted a. we tend to observe GOODS over experiences, b. OURSELVES over others, Paraphrased a. good deal tend to think that commodities/things mustiness be tangible ar much important than experiences,b. People value themselves over othe rs/self-centred OR slide by on themselves rather than others,c. THINGS over passel.c. People prefer pass on objects rather than people. d. Inferred We atomic number 18 spending on temporary pursuits and cravings that tend to disappear over time. MUST capture the comparison (the evidence it is wrong is because the preference is wrong). Need not follow the sequence in the answer scheme. 3-4 points 2 starts 1-2 points 1 markd. the spending that makes us happy, it turns out(a), is often spending where the funds vanishes and leaves something INEFFABLE in its place.1For inhering Circulation Only 3. Using your own words as far as possible,explain tether primings why experiences are inherently more than social (line 28) 3 Lifted As experiences are inherently more social when we vacation or eat out or go to the movies it is unremarkably with other people, we are liable as well as to RELIVE the experience when we see those people again. And past experiences can work as a s ort of social agglutinate even with people who did not PARTICIPATE with us, providing stories and conversational fodder in a way that a peeled watch or speedboat rarely can.In addition, experiences do not usu everyy trigger the same sort of PERNICIOUS comparisons that material possessions do (lines 2835) Paraphrased a. Inferred Experiences naturally fit interaction with people and 1b. We are likely to recall / revisit / reminisce / recollect the experience when we meet those people again. c. People can too bond with people who were not present / strangers / others (through the sharing of anecdotes/conversational material).11d. Experiences do not cause hurtful comparisons OR experiences do not make people envious/jealous/ inferred dangerous.1MUST capture negative connotation.1m per point for any 3 of the above points. Maximum 3m.4. Why does the writer use seeming in the phrase even for seeming essentials like cars, houses and, clothes (line 41)? Use your own words as far as pos sible. 1 Lifted Paraphrased Much of the impetus for a. Such enquires are (could be) perceived to be crucial for discretional spending everyday life even though they are not. OR even for seeming essentials like cars, b. Suggests that the author has uncertainnesss about whether houses, and clothes these objects are crucial. OR OR We might MISTAKE that c.Thewriter feels that it is wrong to confrere happiness with material/luxury goods. motivation for happiness, or for having a better life, but it is driven by something else, a human Answer MUST hold the conception of doubt and the need to compete or to fit explanation. in. Denied sarcasm, cynicism, mockery Accepted sceptical/scepticism (on its own), sceptical about this. 12For Internal Circulation Only 5. Explain what the writer means by Talking about money and happiness in the same breath, it turns out, is not necessarily a cease to crass materialism. (lines 47-48) 2 Lifted Talking about money and happiness in the SAME BREATH, it turns out, is not necessarily a SURRENDER to CRASS materialism Paraphrased a. Connecting / Linking money and happiness OR Talking about / discussing money and happiness together b. is in reality not forever and a day giving in to OR a submission to OR being a victim of c. a vulgar desire for material goods. OR excessive/shallow desire for luxury goods. 3 points 2 marks 1-2 points 1 mark.Passage 2 6. If you are a single male driving around in the Ferrari with nobody next to you, it is a glaring omission. (lines 14-15) a) Why does the writer refer to the Ferrari in line 15? 1 Pt Lift (not possible) Other trophies solely do not playact the consequence one expects. Says Loewenstein, If you are a single male driving around in the Ferrari with nobody next to you, it is a glaring omission. Inference a. A Ferrari is an cause of a trophy. b. A Ferrari is a well-known example of a bluely desired product. c. A Ferrari signifies high status / wealth in society. some(prenominal) o f the above will be recognised.13For Internal Circulation Only b) What does glaring omission (line 15) imply here? Pt Lift (not possible) Other trophies simply do not bring thepayoff one expects. Says Loewenstein, If you are a single male driving around in the Ferrari with nobody next to you, it is a glaring omission. 2Inference Inferred from glaring a. It is strongly believed/popularly accepted that/very obvious Emphasise and highlight are not accepted because the question is not asking for the writers intention. Inferred from omission, reinforcing stereotypes. b. that driving a Ferrari/luxury sports car will attract women / ladies / females / companions / partners. Direct paraphrase of the quote is not acceptable.117. A life that was constantly happy was not a good life (lines 30-31). Explain why this is a paradox. 2 Pt Lift divulge of the meaning of life is to have highs and lows. A life that was constantly happy was not a good life. Inference Must capture the clash. a. We aim/w ish/expect for maximum/optimum happiness in our lives all the time AND any of the following Must capture what good life entails. b. Yet, a good life is one that has ups and downs, not just ups OR c. Yet, a good life is one with adequate/comparable negative experiences, not just exacting experiences OR d. Yet, it is not just happiness that is good but the bad (of lows) is besides seen to be good The key idea here is to question the value of constant as a good thing. Answers will get either 2 marks or 0 mark.114For Internal Circulation Only8. digest Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise what Matthew Herper has to say about why wealth does not bring a constant sense of pleasance,why happiness is over markd, and the relationship between money and happiness. Wealth does not bring a constant sense of joy asPt a.Lift Re-phrase Part of the reason is that people are not people do not know how to use their money very good at FIGURING out what to do to get happiness with the mon ey, (lines 6-7) OR Main idea of a lack of knowledge people are incompetent when it comes to understanding how to use money about how to manage money. People generally OVERESTIMATE (line they have unrealistic expectations of the 8) Students must capture the idea that it is off the mark. the amount of long-term PLEASURE they will get from a given object. (lines 89) The way people spend money can make them less happy. (lines 9-10) Other trophies simply do not bring the (line 14)b.c.d. e.(Enduring) joy / happiness / positive outcomes that they can derive from something/object. The way people spend money can make them less happy. Other possessions also may not deliverf. g.Do not accept prizes / plaques / rewards PAYOFF one expects. (line 14) the rewards / utility / happiness we hope / wish to have. The central problem is that the human Next, our superstar is given to brain becomes CONDITIONED to pleasant/happy/joyful experiences as positive experiences. (lines 15-16) OR You can get us ed to anything, be it hanging by your toenails or making millions of dollars a day. (lines 19-20) Getting a chunk of unexpected money registers as a good thing, but as time passes, the response WEARS off. (lines 16-18) way may be set more by heredity (line 20)h.with time, their effect on us weakens/dies off/subsides.i.Lastly, our happiness direct may depend on our genes5For Internal Circulation Only j. k. than by anything else (line 20) But this raises another question. How IMPORTANT is happiness anyway? (line 23) People with chronic illnesses describe themselves as happy, but they would thus far pay large sums for better health. And although healthy individuals are not much happier than quadriplegics, they would pay large sums of money to keep the use of their limbs. (lines 23-26) Some of lifes most SATISFYING experiences (line 26) do not bring happiness. (line 27) Part of the meaning of life is to have highs (line 30) and lows (line 30)A life that was CONSTANTLY happy (line 30) was not a GOOD life. (lines 30-31) more than other factors. OR predominantly / mostly Inferred However, the significance / necessity / crucial nature of happiness is still in doubt. Inferred Even purportedly happy people find happiness insufficient Inferred as they are willing to pay to ensure certain privileges OR health.l.m.n. o. p. q. r. s.Besides, some of the most scented/ reward experiences do not make us happy. A meaningful life should also have its joyous and sad moments. A life that is always / perpetually happy is not fulfilling.t.u.Do not award for point s in the absence of point r. However, there may be at least one Yet, there remains a significant link IMPORTANT relationship between between money and happiness in that money and happiness (lines 31-32) happy people tend to have higher happy people catch more. incomes later on in their lives. (lines 3334) ORSo, while money may not help make people happy, being happy may help them make money. (lines 34-35) Total 21 poi nts, 11 words that cannot be lifted Points 14 12 13 10 11 89 7 56 34 12 Marks 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 16For Internal Circulation OnlyWealth does not bring a constant sense of joy as people do not know how to use their money a and have unrealistic expectations b of the enduring joy that they can derive from something c. Other prized possessions e also may not deliver the rewards we wish to have f. Next, our brain is trained to be accustomed to pleasant experiences g as with time, their effect on us subsides h. However, the significance of happiness is still in doubt k. Even supposedly happy people find happiness insufficient l and are willing to pay to ensure their health m. Besides, some of the most gratifying experiences n do not make us happy o. A life that is always happy r is also not fulfilling s.Yet, there remains a significant link t between money and happiness happy people earn more u. (16 points, 116 words) Vocabulary 9. 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. Passage 1 Futility (line 3) noun Philosophers and gurus, holy books and self-help manuals have all warned of the futility of equating material gain with true eudaimonia Answer should capture Does not achieve purposeOR lacks meaning Negative connotation Intriguing (line 8) adj The intriguing explanation for the poor wealth-to-happiness exchange rate is that the problem is not money, it is us. Answer should capture Arousing intense curiosity OR very interesting Intensity 1 mark Hopelessness Uselessness pretermit of purpose or meaning Efforts are in vain Accepted Ineffectiveness Meaningless Pointlessness 0 marks Wastage Worthless venture hardship Improbable Inability Foolishness Ability to arouse intense curiosity Fascinating Deeply/very interesting Appeal strongly To captivate genuinely interesting and unexpected Very interesting and surprising Capture interest Arouse curiosity Extremely in teresting Thoughtprovoking Interesting indication of intensity is not very apparent Exciting Puzzling Ignorance Surprising Curious Intellectually stimulating7For Internal Circulation Only impetus (line 40) noun Much of the impetus for discretionary spending even for seeming essentials like cars, houses, and clothes comes from a desire to send certain signals about our buying power and our tastes. Answer should capture The idea of a push or drive.Quell (line 45) verb And $5,000 worth of new stuff, or even $500,000 worth, is unlikely to permanently quell that need. Answer should capture Suppressing. 1 mark (Sustained) drive Push Motivation A moving force Impulse Stimulus Boost Accepted Catalyst Thrust Spur Spark explode Incentive 0 marks Impulsive Penchant Impetuous Attack Assail Reason Subdue Suppress Quiet Satiate / Quench action Appease Fulfil (incidental / part / whole) Allay Pacify Assuage Vanquish / Defeat wrong context Stop / Halt / Ce ase Remove corrupt / Overcome Repress Oppress Extinguish Destroy / Annihilate Kill Dispel Diminish Literally Figuratively Approximately the idea of estimation, not accepted Ostensibly Actually Effectually BasicallyPassage 2 Virtually (line 1) adverb Surveys have found virtually the same level of happiness between the very rich individuals on the Forbes 400 and the Maasai herdsmen of East Africa. Answer should capture For the most part. Nearly Practically to the highest degree completely Almost wholly Almost entirely For the most part Just about Almost Effectively Essentially 8For Internal Circulation Only 10. Application Question Drake Bennett talks about how pro-social spending can lead to happiness while Matthew Herper argues that money does not lead to happiness. Which writers views do you find more persuasive? Discuss the relevancy of the arguments presented in both passages to you and your own society. 8 Answers that refer to only material from one passage would not be awarded more than 3 marks Explanation/ rating should not just be a paraphrase of authors opinionsPossible points From Passage 1 Bennett 1 Extract For deep-seated psychological reasons, when it comes to spending money, we tend to value goods over experiences, ourselves over others, things over people. (lines 9-11) Possible explanations & Spore context relevant In a society that is economically driven more than anything else, this is not a surprise. This drive, whether marked by early economic migration, post-war rebuilding, separation from Malaysia or simply Government push, remains sustained, if not stronger. Material success is celebrated and untainted narcissistic consumption is validated by commercial as well as social media.Examples 2011 SMU study Sporean women are significantly more secular than their American counterparts. Relevance of 5 C cash, credit card, car, condo, country club notations despite more than a decade of use Not so relevant at that place is a ris ing trend of Sporeans spending on people rather than objects in 2007, Finance Minister Tharman had indicated clear tax concessions for charity spending and to focus capital of Singapore as a philanthropy hub. More people, not just the rich, are donating generous sums to their alumni tames, religious charities and other organizations catering tospecific demographics much(prenominal) as the elderly, physically disabled, terminally ill etc.thither is also increase in charity through CSR, whether by global MNCs or Spore GLCs. Of course, the real intention behind the generosity is debatable but as corporations form a substantial percentage in a elflike workforce, the evidence is mathematically there that we, the management/employees of company X, Y, Z are altruistic and caring. at that place is a rising trend of social entrepreneurs origin restaurants to help the less fortunate and former prisoners.9For Internal Circulation Only 2 higher prosocial spending gifts for others and don ations to charity was indeed correlated with higher selfreported happiness. (lines 18-20) Relevant well-known philanthropists such as popiah king Sam Goi, Elim Chew of 77th Street, remisier Peter Lim, Chinese Chamber of Commerce ex-president Chua Thian Poh, Mustaq Ahmad of Mustafa Centre etc have gone on get down to say so on newspaper interviews. Hong Kong billionaire loves to donate to Singapore, especially for educational activity charity, for the same purported reason.The education system also introduces students to prosocial spending. The persistence of students in doing charitable acts also suggests happiness and satisfaction obtained. Not so relevant This is not a technical disagreement. While the actual amount on pro-social spending could be higher, it is usually by a small group of uber-rich AND older persons. The majority of Singaporeans, especially youth, have gone on record in many academic surveys that high levels of nuanced selfish material consumption is more rewa rding than engaging in others welfare.The intense hours and anxiety spent on studying/work necessarily need to see material purchases as a direct reward. Perhaps this material reward can past lead to social happiness by the resent/admiration they evoke e.g. for a Prada handbag, for the possession of a prized virtual weapon for a Diablo 3 PC online game character. This could be an unintended consequence of a meritocratic society. Most parents would also largely spend on their children and obtain great satisfaction. 3 money spent on experiences vacations or theatre tickets or meals out makes you happier than money spent on material goods. (lines 21-23) RelevantPoints to support this willbe relatively difficult based on available Singapore studies. Typically, Singaporeans vacationing will covet purchases from overseas theatre ticket purchases locally may indicate a need to belong to a certain materially privileged crowd rather than the sheer love of the arts. Nevertheless, any qua lified evidence is welcome to support agreement however the difficulty is in establishing the level of happiness obtained. Not so relevant Typical youth population notes that playing World Of Warcraft or getting a new iPhone 4S is far more meaningful middle-aged men and their toy figure collections ladies of all ages on record saying that splurging on themselves, expensive cosmetic treatment more rewarding than anything else refer to any Friday URBAN section of The Straits Times.As mentioned in earlier point, first the money has to be spent on material goods and THEN the experience related or shared can increase your happiness as a corollary. 4 As experiences are inherently more social we are liable also to relive the experience Relevant the rise of alumni associations locally, aided by social media, have greatly increased net working heritage and memorabilia gatherings are on the rise with10For Internal Circulation Only when we see those people again. And past experiences can wo rk as a sort of social adhesive even with people who did not participate with us, providing stories and conversational fodder in a way that a new watch or speedboat rarely can 5 (lines 28-32)Talking about money and happiness in the same breath, it turns out, is not necessarily a surrender to crass materialism it can also be a route to a new and more humane way to think about vitally important things like consumption, satisfaction, investment, and value. (lines 47-50) rich persons being key drivers behind these projects. Various hobby groups would also be relevant such as cycling clubs, dragon boating groups or cosplay groups. Not so relevant There are hobby groups based on material goods such as car clubs or clubs for owners of toys. Material goods can also knuckle under a sense of nostalgia.Relevant SMU Board chairman Ho Kwon Ping and wife Claire Chiang regularlypromote pro-social spending and business they are seen as new-age positive materialists and intellectuals. Christina On g, boss of homegrown Club 21, is known for widespread charity outreach and growing her business, with equal pleasure. Not so relevant For the majority of Singaporeans who lack such education or reflective practices, blatant monetary and property acquisition is the norm and only leads to a vicious cycle of debt, miscalculated risk-taking in investment etcFrom Passage 2 1 Extract People generally overestimate the amount of long-term pleasure they will get from a given object. Sometimes, Loewenstein notes, the way people spend their money can actually make them less happy. (lines 8-10) Possible explanations & Spore context Relevant Just the consumer electronics industry here can licence to this spending on upgrading of Apple smartphones from 3Gs to 4 to 4S disposing of existing LCD for widescreen and 3D monitors, graphics cards in favour of new ones even though all are fully functional rising number of secondhand computer parts shops is evidence of increasing technology shopping, which ultimately leaves one unhappy and insecure in the face of inability to keep up with the latest.While the tech spending may supposedly be mostly for males, the females display this overestimation of long-term pleasure in copious fashion couture purchases and cosmetics.The increase in level of credit card debt is also an indication of less happiness as a result of overspending. Not to relevant A basic level of income is necessary in Singapore to live a comfortable life. With a median star sign income of S$6000, anyone earning less would be hard pressed to live comfortably. In wired Singapore, having electronic goods is a necessity and can help attain more happiness in terms of education and interacting with peers. 2 The central problem is that the human brain becomes Relevant Just looking at government financial decisions which affect the majority of the population after a while,11For Internal Circulation Only conditioned to positive experiences. Getting a chunk of unexpected mone y registers as a good thing, but as time passes, the response wears off. An expected paycheck does not bring any buzz at all and does not contribute to overall happiness. (lines 15-19) Not so relevant Since the Singapore population composition keeps changing with addition of foreigners, for the majority of the new citizens, this buzz is sustained. As Singaporeans also travel more, they might be more aware of societies which are not as fortunate as Singapore.Relevant raising a family is universally seen as rewarding the Government keeps promoting childbearing YET almost the first twenty years of a local child causes much stress for parents working mothers post-maternity leave and the perennial maid/mother/mother-in-law management young couples griping about childcare and choice primary schools until the child is in a choice pri school and moving on to a premier sec sch, the parents put themselves under great duress. There is growing feeling that work-life balance is impossible and p eople are focusing more on their careers.Not so relevant Hard to convince for majority local context but there is evidence that a positive change in attitudes to raising children is present, thanks to religious organizations, pro-family policies, national movements e.g. DadsForLife. There are people who are giving up their careers for the sake of their children. There is also a push for women to return to the workforce after raising their children initially. 4 happy people tend to have higher incomes later on in their lives. So, while money may not help make people happy, being happy may help them make money. (lines 33-35) RelevantThere are professional who have given up their careers to take up their passions such as opening restaurants and bakeries, and they are doing well. There is an increasing number of entrepreneurs who keep abreast their passions. The main issue here is that happiness is independent of money and they do not have any links. Not so relevant In 2012, Spore ran ks high in benchmarks of physical comforts healthiest country in the world, richest country in the world BUT ranks 90th in Happiness Index.Almost the entire local labour force can be on record for having technically higher incomes through their lives but the cost of living never lets up. Singaporeans are not happy or not happy enough but they keep making money anyway. the public becomes numb to the governments welltimed monetary handouts and utility bill/town council fee reductions the public expects more consultative engagement for sustained happiness. Recent feedback from the public seems to suggest that people pretermit what is good in Singapore and focus on only the negative in terms of healthcare,transportation, housing, and standards of living. Possible reasons could be a lack of sufficient education about life in other societies and countries.3Some of lifes most satisfying experiences do not bring happiness. For instance, having children actually makes people less happy ov er the short term (lines 26-28)12