Answering Source- Based Questions2006 ‘N’ Level Paper

Skim through paper (5min) Issue question – gives an overview of the issue

presented in the sources Answer the question Does foreign talent benefit Singapore?This means that some sources will sayYes, foreign talent does benefit Singapore.OrNo, foreign talent does not benefit Singapore.OrYes and No, foreign talent does benefit Singapore.to some extent.

Skim through paper (5min)

Study Background What does it say? It usually gives you the reason

behind the issueIn this case, why foreign talent?

Skim through paper (5min) Study the sources and answer the issue

questionDoes foreign talent benefit Singapore?Which sources will say?Yes, foreign talent does benefit Singapore.OrNo, foreign talent does not benefit Singapore.OrYes and No, foreign talent does benefit Singapore.to some extent.

Skim through paper (5min) Study the sources and answer the issue

questionDoes foreign talent benefit Singapore?Which sources will say?Yes, foreign talent does benefit Singapore. Sources B, EOrNo, foreign talent does not benefit Singapore. Sources A, COrYes and No, foreign talent does benefit Singapore.to some extent. D

Skim through paper (5min) Study the source-based questions What type of questions are these? (a) What does the source tell you about

the issue of using foreign talent? (b) Why do you think the NTUC Chief

said this? (c) How similar are these two sources? (d) Does this source prove that using

foreign talent is a good idea?

Skim through paper (5min) Study the source-based questions What type of questions are these? (a) What does the source tell you about the issue of using foreign

talent? Infer, I need to guess what the source is saying

(b) Why do you think the NTUC Chief said this? Infer, I need to guess his intent/ purpose

(c) How similar are these two sources? Comparison, I need to compare and contrast to decide whether there more similarities or more differences

(d) Does this source prove that using foreign talent is a good idea? Evaluate reliability, I need to compare what this source says with other sources in order to say whether this source proves or/and does not prove

Let’s try Qn (a) (10 min)

(a) What does the source tell you about the issue of using foreign talent?

I can tell……..

Answer I can tell that the source is not in favour of using foreign

talent. He is saying foreigners are taking away jobs meant for Singaporeans. As mentioned ‘ Even new university graduates have trouble finding jobs and Singaporeans should have first place’.

I can also tell that the policy of using foreign talent also has its disadvantages because foreigners may not fit in here. As mentioned, ‘why bring in foreign talent who are not used to our society and may take time to adapt.

Let’s try Qn (b) (10 min) (b) Why do you think the NTUC Chief

said this? ? I think he said this ……. In this case I must give Purpose Use P, TA, I

Let’s try Qn ( b) (10 min) Provenance (P) NTUC Chief Interviewed by newspaper reporters

Let’s try Qn (b) (10 min) Target Audience (TA) Singaporeans

Let’s try Qn ( b) (10 min) Impact (I)/ Goal (G) To convince, promote ‘If Singapore does not welcome foreign talent,

businesses can move elsewhere’ What can you infer from this? ‘Singapore still belongs to Singaporeans, and

all Singaporeans have a part in its future’ What can you infer from this?

AnswerI think he said this because he is the NTUC chief and he is using the opportunity in a newspaper interview to convince Singaporeans to support the foreign talent policy. He is trying to say that Singaporeans would lose out valuable job opportunities in the long run if they do not accept foreign talent. As mentioned ‘If Singapore does not welcome foreign talent, businesses can move elsewhere’

L3/5

He also said this to assure Singaporeans that they are the rightful citizens of the country and that they will never be discriminated in favour of foreign talent. ‘As mentioned ‘Singapore still belongs to Singaporeans, and all Singaporeans have a part in its future’

L4/6

Let’s try Qn (c) (10 min) (c) How similar are these two sources? Similar because…………………………..(do they

both agree that foreign talent benefits Singapore/ disagree?

Different because ……………………..(what does one source say about foreign talent that the other disagrees to?)

Similar/ Different based on purpose/tone

Let’s try Qn (c) (10 min) (c) How similar are these two sources? Similar because…………………………..(do they both agree that

foreign talent benefits Singapore/ disagree? Source C ‘What do you think our nation feels about finally winning

a gold medal at the commonwealth games…with the help of foreign talent…oh, most Singaporeans are okay with that.’

Source D ‘Singapore won six out of seven gold medals for table tennis…almost all members of the Singapore team were foreign talent from China.’

Explain in your words why the two sources are similar. Use a common criteria.

Both sources are similar in saying that foreign talent has benefited Singapore as they have helped Singapore win sporting competitions.

Let’s try Qn (c) (10 min) (c) How similar are these two sources? Different because ……………………..(what does one source say

about foreign talent that the other disagrees to?) Source C ‘Since young, they have grown up with the notion

that it is okay to accept other people’s glory as their own.’ Source D ‘the policy goes against the spirit of the SEA

games. The purpose of the games is not just for winning but the bigger aim is to help the region’s best players to become the world’s best.’

Explain in your words why the two sources are different. Use a common criteria.

Different because Source C showcase the attitude of Singaporeans towards foreign talent, willing to accept the foreigners achievements as their own while source D showcase the attitude of the government, desiring to win at all cost even at the expense of developing local talent.

Let’s try Qn (c) (10 min) (c) How similar are these two sources? Similar/ Different based on purpose/tone Source C P – local cartoonist, local newspaper TA – Singaporeans I – ‘we have finished doing your project, you are sure to get an A in class this

time’ In your own words – source C mocks fellow Singaporeans for wanting to win all

the time, resulting in an over-dependent society willing to accept other people’s glory instead of putting in effort to succeed on their own merit

Source D P – head of Malaysian team TA –Govt I – ‘what is a gold medal worth when you haven’t developed your own players

and made them into world champions’ In your own words – source D mocks government for their shameless win, taking

other people’s glory through their foreign talent policy instead of grooming their own citizens.

AnswerBoth sources are similar in saying that foreign talent has benefited Singapore as they have helped Singapore win sporting competitions. Source C mentions, ‘What do you think our nation feels about finally winning a gold medal at the commonwealth games…with the help of foreign talent…oh, most Singaporeans are okay with that’ and similarly Source D mentions ‘Singapore won six out of seven gold medals for table tennis…almost all members of the Singapore team were foreign talent from China.’ L3/5

The sources are also different. Source C seems to showcase the attitude of Singaporeans towards foreign talent that is their willingness to accept the foreigners achievements as their own while source D showcase the attitude of the government, desiring to win at all cost even at the expense of developing local talent. While Source C mentions ‘Since young, they have grown up with the notion that it is okay to accept other people’s glory as their own,’ Source D mentions that ‘the policy goes against the spirit of the SEA games. The purpose of the games is not just for winning but the bigger aim is to help the region’s best players to become the world’s best. L4/6

AnswerIn conclusion, both sources are similar in that they are mocking the Singapore society for being obsessed with winning and using foreign talent to achieve their win in sports. In Source C, the local cartoonist mocks fellow Singaporeans for wanting to win all the time, resulting in an over-dependent society willing to accept other people’s glory instead of putting in effort to succeed on their own merit. Similarly, in Source D the head of the Malaysian team mocks the government for their shameless win, taking other people’s glory through their foreign talent policy instead of grooming their own citizens. L4/7

Let’s try Qn (d) (10 min) (d) Does this source prove that using foreign

talent is a good idea? Yes prove because…………………………..(the

source agree that using foreign talent benefits Singapore, therefore a good idea?)

Supported by another source which says something similar

No, does not prove because ………(what the source say about using foreign talent) is Opposed by another source which says something different

Decide prove/does not prove based on purpose (P, TA, I)

Let’s try Qn (d) (10 min) (d) Does this source prove that using foreign talent is a

good idea? Yes prove because…………………………..(the source

agree that using foreign talent benefits Singapore, therefore a good idea?)

What does the source say about using foreign talent that agrees it is a good idea?

‘ Singapore needs foreigners to help develop its own pool of talent and expertise.’

Explain in your own words. Yes, Source E does prove that using foreign talent is a

good idea because it says that these foreign talent can benefit Singapore as they have the expertise we need to help us develop our own local talent.

Let’s try Qn (d) (10 min) (d) Does this source prove that using foreign talent is a

good idea? Cross –reference (similar): Which source supports

the fact that using foreign talent is a good idea ? Source B ‘ If Singapore does not welcome foreign talent,

businesses can be easily moved elsewhere’ Explain in your own words. Similarly, Source B agrees that using foreign talent is a

good idea and says that we need the foreign talent to retain (keep) businesses here so that there are sufficient jobs in the country.

Let’s try Qn (d) (10 min) (d) Does this source prove that using foreign talent

is a good idea? Cross –reference (different): Which source

says the opposite, that is using foreign talent is a bad idea?

Source A ‘Even university graduates have trouble finding

jobs.’ Explain in your own words. No, does not prove because Source A disagrees

that using foreign talent is a good idea and says that their presence have increased job competition and made it difficult for local talent to find employment/work.

Let’s try Qn (d) (10 min) (d) Does this source prove that using foreign talent is a good idea? Prove or does not prove based on purpose/tone Provenance (P) Comment by Australian film producer working in Singapore Target Audience (TA) locals Impact/Goal (I) ‘Eventually, these foreigners are going to leave Singapore, so

Singaporeans won’t lose out in the end.’ Explain in your own words He is a foreign talent himself and is trying to assure Singaporeans

that they have nothing to worry about as the foreigners are in Singapore for a short time and have no intention of making this their permanent home. Instead, Singaporeans should use the opportunity to learn from the foreign talent while they are here to develop their skills – Since, he sound genuine/sincere this proves using foreign talent is a good idea

Let’s try Qn (d) (10 min) (d) Does this source prove that using foreign talent is a good idea? Prove or does not prove based on purpose/tone Provenance (P) Comment by Australian film producer working in Singapore Target Audience (TA) locals Impact/Goal (I) ‘Instead of resenting foreigners, Singaporeans should take

advantage of their expertise and learn from them’ Explain in your own words He is a foreign talent himself and seems to be criticising

Singaporeans for not accepting foreign talent. He seems to say that Singaporeans are foolish for not wanting to learn from the foreigners when they Singaporeans don’t have the relevant skills/ expertise– Since, he sounds defensive/ condescending (patronising, arrogant) this does not prove that using foreign talent is a good idea.

Answer

Yes, Source E prove that using foreign talent is a good idea because it says that these foreign talent can benefit Singapore as they have the expertise we need to help us develop our own local talent. As mentioned ‘Singapore needs foreigners to help develop its own pool of talent and expertise.’ Similarly, Source B agrees that using foreign talent is a good idea and says that we need the foreign talent to retain (keep) businesses here so that there are sufficient jobs in the country. As mentioned, ‘If Singapore does not welcome foreign talent, businesses can be easily moved elsewhere’ L4/5

But source E may not prove because Source A disagrees that using foreign talent is a good idea and says that their presence have increased job competition and made it difficult for local talent to find employment/work. As mentioned ‘Even university graduates have trouble finding jobs.’ So, no it is not true that using foreign talent is a good idea. L4 /6

Answer

In conclusion, I think the source does prove that using foreign talent is a good idea. The Australian film producer is a foreign talent himself and is trying to assure Singaporeans that they have nothing to worry about as the foreigners are in Singapore for a short time and have no intention of making this their permanent home. As mentioned, ‘Eventually, these foreigners are going to leave Singapore, so Singaporeans won’t lose out in the end.’ Instead, he feels Singaporeans should use the opportunity to learn from the foreign talent while they are here to develop their skills. Since, he sound genuine/sincere this proves using foreign talent is a good idea L4/7OrIn conclusion, I think the source does not really prove that using foreign talent is a good idea. The Australian film producer is a foreign talent himself and seems to be criticising Singaporeans for not accepting foreign talent. He seems to say that Singaporeans are foolish for not wanting to learn from the foreigners when they Singaporeans don’t have the relevant skills/ expertise. Since, he sounds defensive/ condescending (patronising, arrogant) this does not prove that using foreign talent is a good idea. L4/7

Answer

Yes, Source E useful that using foreign talent is a good idea because it says that these foreign talent can benefit Singapore as they have the expertise we need to help us develop our own local talent. As mentioned ‘Singapore needs foreigners to help develop its own pool of talent and expertise.’ Similarly, Source B agrees that using foreign talent is a good idea and says that we need the foreign talent to retain (keep) businesses here so that there are sufficient jobs in the country. As mentioned, ‘If Singapore does not welcome foreign talent, businesses can be easily moved elsewhere’ L4/5

But source E may not be totally useful because Source A disagrees that using foreign talent is a good idea and says that their presence have increased job competition and made it difficult for local talent to find employment/work. As mentioned ‘Even university graduates have trouble finding jobs.’ So, no it is not useful that using foreign talent is a good idea. L4 /6

Answer

In conclusion, I think the source is very useful that using foreign talent is a good idea. The Australian film producer is a foreign talent himself and is trying to assure Singaporeans that they have nothing to worry about as the foreigners are in Singapore for a short time and have no intention of making this their permanent home. As mentioned, ‘Eventually, these foreigners are going to leave Singapore, so Singaporeans won’t lose out in the end.’ Instead, he feels Singaporeans should use the opportunity to learn from the foreign talent while they are here to develop their skills. Since, he sound genuine/sincere this proves using foreign talent is a good idea L4/7OrIn conclusion, I think the source is not really useful that using foreign talent is a good idea. The Australian film producer is a foreign talent himself and seems to be criticising Singaporeans for not accepting foreign talent. He seems to say that Singaporeans are foolish for not wanting to learn from the foreigners when they Singaporeans don’t have the relevant skills/ expertise. Since, he sounds defensive/ condescending (patronising, arrogant) this does not prove that using foreign talent is a good idea. L4/7

Let’s try Qn (e, f) (10 min)(e) Study Source E.

How useful is the source as evidence that using foreign talent is a good idea?

(f) Study Source E.How reliable is the source as evidence that using foreign talent is a good idea?