Name: _________________________ Date: ____________

CG: ______________

Comprehension: Application Question

Many students fear the Application Question, but sensible preparation is the best
way to deal with this.

Let us look on the plus side. To start with, this question allows you to write freely,
whereas all the other comprehension questions require you to be constantly
rephrasing the passage.

Secondly, you get to have your say. The other questions - especially the
summary question - require you to repeat precisely what someone else has said.
In those questions, your own knowledge of the topic concerned can sometimes
hinder you; you can unwittingly include your own viewpoints in your answer. The
Application Question, on the contrary, asks for your own knowledge and awards
marks for such knowledge.

A third plus is that the question provides a framework for the answer. Simply
following the structure you have been given will allow you to pick up passable
marks, and it should give you the confidence to go out and earn the rest of the
marks.

Preparation

Admittedly, it is not easy. You may never have given the topic of the question any
thought before. Your teacher will ensure that your class work and discussion
cover a range of topics. Pay attention in class, especially during class discussion.
Some students think that information that is not written on the board (for them to
copy) cannot be important. This is definitely not the case in GP. Pay attention to
the points of view expressed by others - especially instances when you do not
understand or agree. Ask for clarification. That will help your classmates and
yourself.

A second requirement - linked with that past point - is for you to record your
own views on issues and topics that you have come across, whether in GP
class, in the news or during general reading and listening. It does not have to be
a long two-page essay each time (though sometimes it might be), just three or
four lines to express your view. The important thing is to acquire the habit.

Many students either do not have a point of view about an issue or are afraid to
express it. A habit of jotting down your view will build up your ability to form an
opinion - and it will do wonders for your confidence. Keeping a journal of your

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views is something every GP student should do - especially for those of you
who are afraid to speak up in class discussion. Start one today.

Also, remember that the time available to you for tackling this question is limited.
The examination format and rubrics provide a huge advantage to those who can
think quickly and broadly but not in great depth.

Another step would be to consider not just the topic as a whole but the
strength - or otherwise - of specific arguments. Is the argument:

 balanced or limited / skewed / unbalanced?

 logical or faulty in logic in any way?
 rational/objective or emotional/subjective (or even prejudiced)?

While there are other questions you could ask of arguments, these three will
suffice (partly because of the time limit). Practise using these questions to test
arguments you encounter. Be aware that all arguments deal with opinions as well
as facts. If you feet uneasy about giving and exchanging opinions, you need to
face up to it now. You cannot hide in the world of facts forever! Much though it
may disturb you, there is more to life than facts!

Analysing the Application Question

The Application Question is a long one. What's more, you are only going to reach
it towards the end of the paper (do not even think of doing it earlier! The earlier
questions build up your understanding of the passage, and guide you towards
this question). Thus, you need a clear strategy for tackling the question to ensure
that you meet its requirements. This in itself - even without any clever comments
on your part - will probably enable you to reach a passable mark.

Let's explore the structure and requirements of the application question.

Passage A discusses land restraints in Singapore and how they affect public
expectations. Passage B explores some of the problems of providing leisure resources
and facilities in the United States.

What arguments concerning leisure facilities in the United States are relevant to Passage
A’s discussion of land constraints in Singapore? You should refer to at least two
arguments.

How do the arguments you identify help you to understand the problems of
providing leisure facilities in Singapore? Support your point of view with reference to
your own experience and knowledge. (8 marks)

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Annotate the question. It will contain several parts.

First, there is the lead-in to the question. This is usually in the first part of the
question. You are given a one-sentence summary of each passage to focus your
attention:

Passage A discusses land restraints in Singapore and how they affect public
expectations.
Passage B explores some of the problems of providing leisure resources and facilities in
the United States.

TIP: The lead-in in the application question is a good starting point when you
start on Paper 2!

Next comes the actual question:

What arguments concerning leisure facilities in the United States are relevant to Passage
A's discussion of land constraints in Singapore?

followed by a second part (do not miss this -label them 1 and 2):

How do the arguments you identify help you to understand the problems of providing
leisure facilities in Singapore?

Make sure you answer both parts of the question!

Note: The application question may very well require that you relate the issue at
hand to your country. Thus, when you are doing research on any topic,
remember to get the Singapore perspective. This knowledge is also helpful for
Paper 1 's essay.

Further requirements follow. Highlight or underline each one, and cross it out
when it's completed. In this question, we have:

You should refer to at least two arguments found in the passages.

and

Support your point of view with reference to your own experience and knowledge.

You can expect to see this second requirement with every application question.

If you have a system of annotating the question, you will help yourself
considerably. Give yourself a headstart by getting the basics right!

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Answering The Application Question

A simple rule but all-important: think before you answer the question.

As this section tests your thinking skills, there is no one formula that will help you
answer every single question. Some questions ask you to focus on specific
arguments in the passages. Others ask you to apply those arguments to a
different context. Still others may not refer to specific arguments but to the issue
as a whole. You have to learn to think in the examination room.

Here is a methodical approach that you can adapt according to the requirements
of the question:

1. Base your answer on the question. Use phrases from the question as
lead-ins to your comments. Do not be afraid to re-use phrases from the
question. This is strongly recommended because it keeps your answer
focused and relevant. Paraphrasing points can sometimes lead you away
from the topic or issue at hand.

2. Make sure you cover all parts of the question; have a specific strategy
to ensure this. This is so simple - anyone can do it - but only the best
students achieve it.

3. Refer to the arguments in the passage consciously - show that you

are attempting to address and answer the question - and in enough detail
to show that you have understood the passage completely. Remember
that this is one element that the marker is looking for. Either quote briefly
or refer to the line numbers where the argument you are paraphrasing can
be found. However, try to keep each reference to one sentence.

4. Assess and evaluate arguments. Clarify, explain and give reasons for
your opinions; neither paraphrasing nor storytelling is going to help you.

5. Go for qualified statements rather than extremist statements. If you

really do feel strongly about an issue and have plenty of supporting
evidence, you can probably afford to couch your arguments in rather
extremist language. However, most students do not have enough
supporting evidence for the extreme positions that they espouse in their
essays. Remember that it is more difficult to argue an extreme case than it
is to argue a qualified one.

For example, All pets take more from humans than they give would be a
proposition rather hard to support because it is such an extreme view. It
would be much easier to argue that Pets often take more from humans than

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 they give. It would be even easier to support Pets sometimes take more from
humans than they give.

6. Use specific examples to support your points. Try to keep each within
one sentence. Explain how your example is relevant. Explain, explain,
explain!

7. Try to use one sentence for each point given. This is because of the time
constraints that you are working under: the examination is nearly finished
by the time you get to the application question, so those who write
concisely are at an advantage. So here is another item to put on your "To
do" list: learn to write concisely!

Practice

Read through the passage below.

When one considers all the negative factors of living in a city - such as pollution,
dirt, crowding, noise, stress and crime - it is tempting to ask how anyone can
survive in the cities these days. That, though, would be to consider only the
depressing effects and not resent a rounded view of the situation. There are
good reasons why the vast majority of city-dwellers are able to retain their sanity.

For a start, they learn to cope with the multiple problems in a city environment,
which re not as bad as the detractors would make them out to be, even if they
present a complex situation. One effect of living in a big city is that people learn
to insulate themselves psychologically. They sift out things that do not concern
them.

Mental illness is not caused by the kind of environmental problems associated

with a city - the loud noises, noxious odours, density of population and high
levels of activity. Rather, mental illness is a result of complex human and social
problems. Interpersonal relationships, genetic defects, the stresses of coping
with one's life - all of these are resent wherever you live. Moving from a city to a
village would not change them. Of course, the stresses of city life can pose a
problem, and may even appear to be the source of stress, but they rarely pose
the long-term problem.

Cities are even organised to provide ties that help people cope - and may well do
this letter than villages. The difference appears to rest in the support systems
that influence people's perception of stress. Urban families usually have closer
connections with their social environment. While they may not match their rural
cousins for the depth of close kinship or friendship, they more than make up for
this with a wide-ranging network of secondary relationships which offer informal
support and exchange of services. By contrast, rural families have support

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networks that are much more restricted - usually just a few close ties. This
means that urban families have more outlets to diffuse stress.

Now answer the following Application Question. Spend about 20 - 25 minutes

only and then compare your answer with that provided in the Answer section.

What is your opinion of the arguments presented by the writer to explain why the
vast majority of city-dwellers retaining their sanity despite the problems of the city
environment? Do you agree that environmental matters do not cause serious
mental stress? Refer to two or more arguments used by the writer and support
your view with reference to your own knowledge and experience.

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