Ri Paper For Internal Circulation Only Raffles Institution 2012 Essay

expiration 1 1. What is the generator hoping to emphasise by italicising does non and can non in line 6? 1 raise Just beca persona space does not bribe felicity does not mean m 1y cannot buy gaiety, says Elizabeth Dunn, a loving psychologist and assistant professor at the University of British Columbia. Paraphrased The author hopes to emphasise (the bloodline / difference between) what m wizy oftentimes fails to do notwithstanding actu all in ally has the potential difference to achieve. MUST attempt to apologise does not and cannot. Merely saying that in that respect is a difference/contrast is stating the obvious. E.g. Does not is different from cannot. = 0m. 12. employ your own members as farther near as possible, explain how we use coin pricely (line 8). 2 Lifted a. we execute to pry GOODS oer views, b. OURSELVES over others, Paraphrased a. People tend to think that commodities/things moldiness be tangible be to a corkinger extent important than experi ences,b. People value themselves over others/self-centred OR spend on themselves rather than others,c. THINGS over raft.c. People prefer disburse custodyt on objects rather than masses. d. Inferred We argon spend on temporary pursuits and cravings that tend to disappear over time. MUST reserve the comparison (the reason it is wrong is because the preference is wrong). Need not follow the sequence in the dissolving agent scheme. 3-4 points 2 gradings 1-2 points 1 markd. the consumption that substantiates us happy, it turns out, is often spending where the bullion vanishes and leaves something INEFFABLE in its place.1For inner Circulation entirely 3. Using your own words as far as possible,explain three reasons why experiences argon inherently more(prenominal) sociable (line 28) 3 Lifted As experiences ar inherently more favorable when we vacation or eat out or go to the movies it is usually with other bulk, we argon liable in addition to RELIVE the experience wh en we perceive those large number again. And knightly experiences can work as a crystalize of social glutinous take down with people who did not PARTICIPATE with us, providing stories and conversational fodder in a expression that a new repute or speedboat seldom can.In addition, experiences do not usually trigger the same form of PERNICIOUS comparisons that visible possessions do (lines 2835) Paraphrased a. Inferred Experiences naturally involve interaction with people and 1b. We be desirely to recall / revisit / reminisce / telephone the experience when we meet those people again. c. People can too sting 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 each 3 of the above points. Maximum 3m.4. wherefore does the writer use app bent in the phrase up to now for seeming essentials like cars, houses and, clothes (line 41)? Use your own words as far as possible. 1 Lifted Paraphrased Much of the impetus for a. Such needs are (could be) perceived to be crucial for discretionary spending everyday career even though they are not. OR even for seeming essentials like cars, b. Suggests that the author has un veritabletys just to the highest degree whether houses, and clothes these objects are crucial. OR OR We talent MISTAKE that c.Thewriter feels that it is wrong to associate mirth with material/ luxury goods. motivation for happiness, or for having a better feel, provided it is driven by something else, a human tell MUST include the idea of doubt and the need to compete or to fit explanation. in. Denied sarcasm, cynicism, mockery Accepted quizzical/scepticism (on its own), sceptical about this. 12For Internal Circulation barely 5. let off what the writer means by Talking about property and happiness in the same breath, it turns out, is not necessarily a decline 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 to deliverher b. is in reality not always giving in to OR a submission to OR being a victim of c. a vulgar desire for material goods. OR excessive/ shoal desire for luxury goods. 3 points 2 attach 1-2 points 1 mark.Passage 2 6. If you are a single male driving roughly in the Ferrari with nil next to you, it is a glaring scorn. (lines 14-15) a) Why does the writer refer to the Ferrari in line 15? 1 Pt Lift (not possible) early(a) trophies simply do not learn the payoff one expects. Says Loewenstein, If you are a single male driving around in the Ferrari with nada next to you, it is a glaring omission. Inference a. A Ferrari is an example of a tro phy. b. A Ferrari is a well- fill outn example of a passing desired product. c. A Ferrari signifies high status / wealth in auberge. whatsoever of the above tether be payed.13For Internal Circulation yet b) What does glaring omission (line 15) imply here? Pt Lift (not possible) other(a) 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. put rephrase of the quote is not acceptable.117. A feel that was cease littlely happy was not a good animation (lines 30-31). Explain why this is a paradox. 2 Pt Li ft Part of the meaning of life is to charter highs and lows. A life that was constantly happy was not a good life. Inference Must capture the clash. a. We aim/wish/expect for supreme/optimum happiness in our lives all the time AND any of the undermentioned 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 electropositive experiences OR d. Yet, it is not just happiness that is good but the bad (of lows) is as well as seen to be good The key idea here is to question the value of constant as a good thing. Answers will sign up any 2 marks or 0 mark.114For Internal Circulation Only8. Summary Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, tell what Matthew Herper has to say about why wealth does not bring a constant sense of contentment,why happiness is over strided, and the relationship between money and happiness. Wealth does not bring a constant sens e 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 money, (lines 6-7) OR Main idea of a wish of knowledge people are incompetent when it comes to understanding how to use money about how to manage money. People broadly 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) different 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 commutation problem is that the human Next, our promontory is accustomed to brain becomes CONDITIONED to winsome/happy/joyful experiences as positive experiences. (lines 15-16) OR You can get utilize to anything, be it hanging by your toenails or making millions of dollars a day. (lines 19-20) Getting a chunk of un evaluate money registers as a good thing, but as time passes, the response WEARS off. (lines 16-18) Mood may be set more by heredity (line 20)h.with time, their mental picture on us weakens/dies off/subsides.i.Lastly, our happiness level may depend on our genes5For Internal Circulation Only j. k. than by anything else (line 20) But this raises another question. How most-valuable is happiness anyway? (line 23) People with chronic illnesses describe themselves as happy, but they would still 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) almost 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 forever 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 supposedly happy people play happiness insufficient Inferred as they are willing to pay to visit certain privileges OR health.l.m.n. o. p. q. r. s.Besides, some of the most gratifying/rewarding experiences do not make us happy. A meaningful life should also have its joyous and sad moments. A life that is always / continuously happy is not fulfilling.t.u.Do not award for point s in the absence of point r. However, in that respect may be at least one Yet, at that place carcass a significant tie-up IMPORTANT relationship between between money and happiness in that money and happ iness (lines 31-32) happy people tend to have higher(prenominal)(prenominal) happy people earn more. incomes later(prenominal) on in their lives. (lines 3334) ORSo, while money may not facilitate make people happy, being happy may help them make money. (lines 34-35) Total 21 points, 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 imperishable 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 hear happiness insufficient l and are willing to pay to watch their health m. Besides, some of the most gratifyi ng 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) language 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 scam 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 well-being Answer should capture Does not achieve purposeOR wants meaning blackball 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 arouse Intensity 1 mark Hopelessness inutility Lack of purpose or meaning Efforts are in profitless Accepted Ineffectiveness Meaningless Pointlessness 0 marks Wastage exe crable venture Failure Improbable Inability Foolishness Ability to budge intense curiosity Fascinating Deeply/very kindle woo strongly To captivate Very interesting and unexpected Very interesting and surprising Capture interest Arouse curiosity Extremely interesting Thoughtprovoking Interesting indication of intensity is not very apparent provoke 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 appetency Stimulus Boost Accepted Catalyst Thrus t Spur liberation Trigger Incentive 0 marks Impulsive Penchant hot Attack Assail Reason Subdue Suppress Quiet fill up / Quench Satisfy Appease Fulfil (incidental / part / whole) Allay quiet Assuage Vanquish / Defeat wrong context Stop / keep / Cease Remove Overthrow / Overcome Repress Oppress allay 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 a good deal Almost 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 Her per argues that money does not lead to happiness. Which writers views do you find more persuasive? argue the relevance of the arguments presented in both passages to you and your own society. 8 Answers that refer to wholly material from one passage would not be awarded more than 3 marks Explanation/evaluation should not just be a paraphrase of authors opinions practical points From Passage 1 Bennett 1 Extract For deep-seated mental 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 surp reverse. 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 sheer narcissistic manipulation is validated by commercial as well as soci al media.Examples 2011 SMU study Sporean women are significantly more materialistic than their American counterseparate. Relevance of 5 C cash, credit card, car, condo, country club notations despite more than a decade of use not so germane(predicate) at that place is a rising trend of Sporeans spending on people rather than objects in 2007, Finance Minister Tharman had indicated clear tax concessions for generosity spending and to focus capital of Singapore as a philanthropy hub. more than people, not just the rich, are donating generous sums to their alumni schools, religious charities and other organizations cater tospecific demographics such(prenominal) as the elderly, physically disabled, terminally ill and so forth in that respect is also increase in philanthropy through CSR, whether by global MNCs or Spore GLCs. Of course, the real intention fag end the generosity is debatable but as corporations form a firm percentage in a small workforce, the evidence is mathemati cally there that we, the management/employees of company X, Y, Z are altruistic and caring. thither is a rising trend of social entrepreneurs opening restaurants to help the less fortunate and former prisoners.9For Internal Circulation Only 2 higher prosocial spending gifts for others and donations to charity was indeed correlated with higher selfreported happiness. (lines 18-20) germane(predicate) well-known(a) 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 indicate to say so on newspaper interviews. Hong Kong billionaire cacoethess to donate to Singapore, especially for procreation charity, for the same purported reason.The education system also introduces students to prosocial spending. The persistence of students in doing sympathetic acts also suggests happiness and satisfaction obtained. Not so germane(predicate) This is not a technical schoolnical disagreement. While the actual amount on pro-social spending could be higher, it is usually by a small group of uber-rich AND fourth-year persons. The volume of Singaporeans, especially youth, have gone on record in many academic surveys that high levels of nuanced selfish material consumption is more rewarding 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 then(prenominal) lead to social happiness by the envy/admiration they protract 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 shaverren and obtain great satisfaction. 3 money spent on experiences vacations or theatre rags or meals out makes you happier than money spent on material goo ds. (lines 21-23) RelevantPoints to fight back this willbe relatively difficult based on accessible 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 qualified evidence is welcome to support agreement all the same 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, depression 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 networking heritage and memorabilia gatherings are on the rise with10For Internal Circulation Only when we see those people again. And past experiences can work 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 give birth to crass materialism it can also be a pass 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 john these projects. Various hobby groups would also be relevant such as cycling clubs, dragon boating groups or cospla y 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 interpret a sense of nostalgia.Relevant SMU Board chairman Ho Kwon criticize and wife Claire Chiang regularlypromote pro-social spending and business they are seen as new-age positive materialists and intellectuals. Christina Ong, boss of homegrown Club 21, is known for widespread charity outreach and festering 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 & Spor e context Relevant Just the consumer electronics industry here can attest 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 overappraisal 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 introductory level of income is necessary in Singapore to live a well-fixed life. With a median household income of S$6000, anyone earning less would be unassailable pressed to live comfortably. In wired Singapore, hav ing electronic goods is a necessity and can help attain more happiness in call 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 money registers as a good thing, but as time passes, the response wears off. An expected paycheck does not bring any bombination 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 alert of societies which are not as fortunate as Singapore.Relevant top a family is universally seen as rewarding the Government keeps promoting nestlingbearing until now almost the first t wenty years of a local child causes much stress for parents working develops 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. on that point is growing feeling that work-life balance is impossible and people 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 genteelness 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 peopl e 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 pursue 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 ranks high in benchmarks of physical comforts healthiest country in the being, 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 overlook 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 information 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 over the short term (lines 26-28)12