Sec 3e 3n Term 1 Practice Paper (sbq_ir) (student Copy).docx

YISHUN TOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL SEC 3 SOCIAL STUDIES SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS PRACTICE Name: _____________________ ( Class: ________

)

Date: Term 1 Holidays Duration: 1hr

Due: Term 2 Week 1 You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources you were told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources. 1

(a)

Study Source A. What is the message of the cartoon? Explain your answer with reference to source details. [5]

(b)

Study Source B. Is the author supportive of the Integrated Resorts? Explain your answer.

[6]

(c)

Study Source C. Why did the Prime Minister make this speech? Explain your answer. [6]

(d)

Study Sources D and E. How far do the sources disagree? Explain your answer.

[7]

Does the Integrated Resorts provide more benefits or harm to the society?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions. In 2005, the Singapore government made a decision to build two casino-based resorts. These Integrated Resorts (IRs) would have world-class amenities such as hotels, restaurants, shopping, convention centres and theme parks. The decision was made after six-months of public debate during which several Singaporeans openly shared their unhappiness with the casino proposal. Many Singaporeans were against the Integrated Resorts as they argued that the casinos in the resorts will encourage more Singaporeans to gamble and contribute to a rise of social ills associated with gambling. Study the sources to find out more if the Integrated Resort provides more benefits or harm to the society?

1

Source A:

Source B:

A cartoon published on an online forum

A view expressed by a Singaporean working in a government linked company, April 2005.

The two integrated resorts would bring in US$3.6 billion in annual revenue. Many jobs will also be created to boost Singapore’s economy. Nevertheless, I am aware of the terrible consequences casinos in integrated resorts have. But I am also keenly aware that whether casinos are allowed in Singapore, gambling as a problem will still prevail. I know of youths who struggle with the problem even now. If it is not 4-D or Toto, it would be betting on football, legally or otherwise. Many factors contribute to a person becoming a gambler. A person can be exposed to the temptation of making a quick buck in many ways. It doesn’t have to be a casino. I believe that Singapore can manage the social costs of casinos. We have to trust the judgment of our government and the strength of Singaporeans.

2

Source C:

Adapted from a speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during parliamentary debate on 18 April 2005

We are losing ground in tourism. Our market share is declining and tourists are spending less time in Singapore. The feedback we have been getting is that Singapore is seen as unexciting. We have not been investing in tourism infrastructure projects that are crowd pullers while our neighbours are building Integrated Resorts. The question we have to consider is: will Singapore be part of this new world, or will we be bypassed and left behind? We cannot stand still. We are facing stiffer competition from other countries which are building Integrated Resorts. If we do not change, where will we be in 20 years’ time? Losing our appeal to tourists will result in many good jobs being lost, and all Singaporeans will suffer. We cannot afford that.

Source D:

Speech by Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong, a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, during a parliament debate on the proposal to develop the Integrated Resorts in Singapore.

Now that casinos are going to be introduced, the people have every right to question how effective the additional measures and safeguards announced by the Government to prevent gambling addiction will be. More importantly, we want to be assured that none of our loved ones will ever become addicted to gambling, resulting in bankruptcy, crimes and/or even suicide Consider that, even without a casino, the police are already having real big problems dealing with illegal loan-sharks syndicates. With a casino, it will only get from bad to worse

Source E:

An extract of a report in an American Health Journal on the Singapore Model, May 2008

The government wants a holiday resort that is modelled after Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It will go towards making a vibrant Singapore that is attractive to Singaporeans and draw skilled foreign talent to settle here. To succeed, tourism has to contribute with a quantum leap. The aim is to double the number of foreign visitors. The government has proposed several safeguards which will include a daily fee of $100 or an annual fee of $2000 for Singapore residents to enter the casino. There is also a ban on advertising the casino in local media and the extension of credit to Singaporeans who want to gamble. This should be enough to curb the possibility of growing addiction to gambling among local Singaporeans as they will be turned off by the high entrance fee.

3