Literal/ Quote
Q6. From Paragraph 4, quote a word that has the same meaning as ‘unavoidable’?
The word is ‘inevitable’. [1]
Q7. With reference to Paragraph 4, what leads to a Great Regression?
It happens when youth and young adults of a hyper-connected post-industrial society lose faith in the future. [1]
Q8. What is the writer’s attitude towards critics who ‘see the adoption of childish sensibilities among adults as a kind of social disease’ (lines 29-30)?
The writer is doubtful/unbelieving/ skeptical/ unconvinced (of their overly pessimistic view of the phenomenon).
Q2. From Paragraph 1, state two ways in which the ‘return to childhood’ (line 6) is manifested.
ANY TWO
It is manifested in the things we consume [1], in how we spend our time [1] and in the ways our societies are governed [1].
AA: Living with parents longer
Escaping into the childish comforts of colouring books
Escaping into the fairytale fantasies of corporate theme parks and video games
Q5. Why do you think it is important for people to be self-sufficient in ‘agrarian and industrial eras’ (line 18)?
These eras were labour intensive / OR there was no outside/external help given/available OR it was embarrassing to depend on others [1] therefore people needed to pull their weight/contribute to work [1].
Q4. In your own words, what is Western societies’ reaction to ‘the idea of infantilisation’ (line 15)?
From the passage: pure contempt
Paraphrase: They treat the idea with unreserved / unalloyed / sheer / total / complete [1] disdain / condescension / derisive / mockery [1].
Q9. In Paragraph 5, the writer states that the regression can develop ‘essential tools’ (line 34) for navigating life. State two of these tools.
They are the skills of experimentation [1] and skills of creative play [1] and new ways of thinking [1] and new ways of living [1].
ANY TWO
Q1. In Paragraph 1, the writer states that people are ‘escaping into the childish comforts of colouring books’ (lines 2-3). Explain fully why people do that.
The environment is unpredictable/harsh OR these are trying times OR people are working harder and earning less OR people are buffeted by terrifying headlines and grime predictions [1]
hence people turn to innocent pleasure/child-like activities to get away/hide from these difficult times. [1]
Q3. From Paragraph 2, why is the Great Regression different from the ‘usual intergenerational grumbling’ (line 8)? Answer in your own words.
From the passage: It cuts across generational lines and national borders
Paraphrased: It affects people of all/different ages [1] worldwide/different countries [1].
Q10. The writer states that the ‘investment world has been hijacked by NFT cartoons’ (lines 43-44).
i) What does the word ‘hijack’ suggest about the way NFT cartoons have taken over the investment world?
It suggests that NFT cartoons have unexpectedly/forcefully/completely/violently/ aggressively/ assertively/ suddenly totally taken over/ seized control the investment world.
Q11. From Paragraph 8, state the difference between nourishing and destructive forms of regression.
‘nourishing’ (line 55) Delights in transgressing boundaries through play OR playfulness, creativity and diversity of childhood
‘destructive’ (line 57) Policies boundaries through hate and violence OR Blind rage
Q10. The writer states that the ‘investment world has been hijacked by NFT cartoons’ (lines 43-44).
ii) Explain the irony in the NFT cartoons having taken over the investment world.
It is unlikely/unusual for cartoons to be associated with the investment world since the investment world is usually one that deals with money which is serious/formal [1] but the NFT cartoons are light-hearted/childish. [1]