1. PRACTICE PAPER
Model Answers

2. Pictorial Analysis Table (P.A.T)
Characters What are they doing?
1. German delegates Have been invited to a meeting to
negotiate the end of the war. But there is
no “food” (benefits) given to them.
Support: empty platters.
Have no opportunity to discuss or
negotiate the treaty terms. They have to
accept the terms/ they are forced to
accept the terms,
2. Big Three (Britain, France and US) Are bringing out platters that are empty
– suggesting that they are not prepared
to offer any benefits to the Germans.
Are also seen to be insincere in inviting
the Germans to the peace table but not
wanting them to be treated fairly.

3. Source Based Question
• Inference 1:
• Delegates welcomed to the peace conference but not offered any
beneficial terms for Germany.
• Support: empty platters are being served to the delegates
• Explain: This shows me that the Big Three powers were not sincere
in wanting peace with Germany. They were more interested in
punishing Germany for starting WW1.

4. Source-Based Question
• Inference 2:
• The delegates are being forced to accept whatever the terms of the
treaty has stipulated and that the treaty is not open for discussion.
• Support: Chairs are lined with nails so that delegates cannot sit to
discuss terms properly. There are also handcuffs visible…this
means that they are not allowed to leave the negotiations.
• Explanation: This shows me that the Big Three Nations were so
powerful that they were able to manipulate the conference so as to
force whatever outcome they desired on Germany. It also shows
the weakness of Germany after the war.

5. Structured Essay Question - History
“Britain and France were responsible for the failure of the
League of Nations to keep the peace in Europe in the
1920’s. How far do you agree? Explain your answer. [10m]

6. Introduction
• Even though Britain and France were the leaders of the
League of Nations, which was set up to keep the peace in
Europe in the 1920s, their half-hearted attitude and lack of
cooperation made them responsible for the failure of the
League in the 1920’s.
• However, the structural weaknesses of the league and the
absence of major powers also led to the failure of the
League.

7. First Paragraph – The Given Factor
• Britain and France were the major powers and leaders in the League of
Nations, but their half-hearted attitude contributed to the failure of the League.
(F)
• Most of the member countries were devastated by WW1 and were war weary
(tired of war). Despite their losses, Britain’s Royal Navy and the French Army
would have been strong enough to deal with military threats. However both
were unwilling to impose economic sanctions and be involved in military
conflicts.
• For example: When Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935, instead of resolving the
conflict through the LON, Britain and France sought to strike a secret bargain
to give Mussolini two-thirds of Abyssinia to end the conflict. They did so in
order not to offend Mussolini as Britain and France were allies with Italy.
• Thus Britain and France’s half-hearted attitude towards the LON as well as
their self-interests made them responsible for its failure in resolving conflict in
the 1920’s.

8. Second Paragraph – Other factor
• On the other hand, Britain and France were also not totally responsible for the
failure of the LON. It was also hampered by structural weaknesses such as
the lack of authority.
• The Secretariat was understaffed and disorganized. The roles of the
Assembly and the Council were not clearly defined. Any action required
unanimous votes by the Council and majority vote in the Assembly.
• The need for unanimous decision meant members of the council had veto
powers. Once decisions were vetoed, actions could not be taken. Some
decisions required the consent of the entire Assembly. Hence, the League
found itself unable to come to an agreement on how to resolve conflicts that
arose.
• This made the League look incompetent and slow in decision-making, thus
destroying its credibility in resolving conflicts in the 1920’s

9. Third Paragraph – Other Factor
• The League of Nations was also hindered by the limited membership of the
League.
• The American President Woodrow Wilson had pushed for the formation of the
League of Nations. However, the US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of
Versailles, as it was unwilling to be involved in the affairs in Europe.
• Thus, although the USA was the world’s largest economy at the time and a
military power, it did not join the League. This was a setback, as the League
lacked the necessary economic and military support of the US to enforce its
decisions. Moreover, countries such as the Soviet Union were not allowed to
join the League until 1934 because of the fear of the spread of Communism.
• The absence of these major powers negatively affected the League’s efforts
to maintain and enforce peace in Europe as it needed strong countries to
enforce sanctions effectively.

10. Conclusion – Weigh and Link
• In conclusion, the attitudes of Britain and France were a major reason for the
failure of the league.
• Even though the League had structural weaknesses, Britain and France as
leading members of the League could have led member-states to cooperate
in making decisions instead of vetoing (disapproving) resolutions.
• Even if powerful countries like the US and Soviet Union joined the
League, the League would still have failed if the members adopted half-
hearted attitudes like Britain and France. Hence the post-World War 1
attitudes of Britain and France were a key factor in leading to the failure of the
league to keep peace in Europe in the 1920s.

11. Structured Essay Question
• Introduction
• An increasingly ageing society is one of the challenges that
Singapore is facing. To meet these challenges the government has
adopted a many-helping hands approach. Three of these
approaches are: Individual efforts, family approaches and
Government policies.

12. Structured-Essay Question
• First Given Factor: Individual Efforts
• One approach to meeting the challenges of an ageing society is
through encouraging senior citizens to make individual efforts to
prepare for old age.
• The government encourages citizens to live a healthy lifestyle by
eating healthy food and exercising regularly. This would help them
remain in good health and therefore not require medical help in the
later years.
• Besides this, the government also encourages citizens to plan early for
their retirement. This means that they should have enough savings to
cater for their needs as they age. By being financially independent,
senior citizens would not be a burden to their families and to the state.
• Hence, individual efforts are a good way of meeting the challenges of
an ageing society.

13. Structured Essay Questions
• Second Given Factor – Family Support
• Another way citizens can meet the challenges of an ageing society is
through the consistent support of their family members.
• As citizens grow older, they may have to endure the loss of loved ones
and friends through death and illness. They may become lonely and
depressed. In this state they may be susceptible to illness and may not
be able to enjoy a good quality of life.
• Family support is vital during this period as by including senior citizens
in family activities and recognizing their contributions, they give them a
sense of purpose and value.
• Therefore, through family support and encouragement the elderly may
improve the quality of their lives. In this way they feel welcomed and
acknowledged in society. This will in turn help them overcome the
challenges of ageing.

14. Structured Essay Question
• Third Given Factor: Government policies
• Yet another approach to meeting the challenges of an ageing society is
through the role of government policies.
• The government has developed policies to care for the elderly. To
encourage families to look after their elderly family members, tax relief is
given to families looking after elderly members. This reduces the cost
burden of looking after elderly members. The CPF scheme helps citizens
save money for their future retirement years. This encourages citizens to
be financially independent and be self-reliant later in life.
• For those senior citizens who are not financially independent, the
government has set up a Tribunal for the maintenance of parents. This
organization, reviews and makes decisions on the regular maintenance of
these people either by seeking the assistance of their children or through
referral to community organizations.
• Thus Government policies are also a good way of ensuring that even the
more dependent seniors are being cared for.

15. Structured Essay Question
• Weigh and Link:
• As can be seen, all these approaches work together in helping
senior citizens and their families meet the challenges of an ageing
society.
• While individuals and their families should strive for greater self-
reliance, they should also make use of the various schemes and
policies that the government has set in place to improve the quality
of life in their later years.