what are they looking for in the aq now
TRANSCRIPT
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These will help the overall grade :
(1) ATTENTION GRABBING INTRODUCTION
(2) VARIED DISCOURSE MARKERS
(3) SUCCINCT CONCLUSION
(4) LESS MECHANISTIC APPROACH
Sample Writing (based on Examiners Report for 2012 A-Levels) :
If music be the food of love, then play on, wrote Shakespeare. In
Singapore, music is not just the food for love, but it carries out other functions,
many of which have been raised by the writer. Yet, the development of local music
has not taken off with astounding success. As such, while I agree with most of the
writers views, there are a few that do not reflect my observations of Singapore
society.
The writers citing of music as a means of healing is evident in my society.
Music is fantastic way to put a person in a good mood to start the day, or unwind
and drown out stress at the end of the day. Hence, unsurprisingly, many people
out their headphones on to listen to music while on the train on bus, and many
drivers turn the car stereo on while on the road. More specifically music and
movement as a therapy approach is established for people with disabilities. In
Singapore, the schools for the intellectually disabled or severely autistic children
help tediously prepare their young charges for dance or singing performances.
These items could seem simple for the layman, but are essential for such childrento stretch their potential and achieve a new milestone that is part of the healing
process for both the children and their family of caregivers.
Beyond specific categories of people, the writer puts forth that even the
nation can benefit from music that promotes patriotism. This view does not apply
to everyone for all occasions. The quality of the music and the context in which it
is played also have an impact on whether music can nurture patriotism. I do not
think the daily singing of the anthem by bleary-eyed students can hardly
contribute to patriotism as much as the anthem sung on very special occasions
such National Day celebrations or military National Service ceremonies. It has evenbeen sung with conviction during anti-government demonstrations (twice in 2013
at Hong Lim Park protests).
Another point of the writer that I find contentious is his claim that musicians
today are affluent and respected. What he describes seems to be the reality of the
music industry in other countries, but not in Singapore. We seem to have more
Mozarts here plying their trade with cover versions of Western songs in night
clubs than accomplished megastars for several reasons. One being that the
market is too small, hence even Singapores few best talents have had to leave the
country to seek their fortunes in bigger markets. Kit Chan, JJ Lin and Stephanie Sun
are Singapores regional successes who braved the fiercely competitive Taiwanese
and Chinese markets. The next reason is that young people (and their parents)
have generally not embraced music as a sustainable career, many choosing to
play or sing casually instead because it does not connote the same social or
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economic status as traditional professions in medicine, law, business or
engineering.
Yet, all things considered, the potential of music in my society is still
immense. As society evolves and becomes more open to ideas, the benefits of
music could be even more significant than ever.