General Paper (November 2004) Marks in bold indicate marks obtained. 1.

My answer: The writer was trying to make a contrast between the freedom in their current lives and the restricted and unchanging lives lived by their forefathers. It is contradictory as the writer was implying how freedom was the new restriction in our lives. Past lifestyles were restrictive and monotonous while the present one where variety is the norm. The contradiction arises in the oxymoron diversity is the new conformity as diversity and conformity convey opposite meanings to each other. [3] [1]

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[Conformity: Compliance, obedience] 2. 3. The author wants me to know that the cycle repeats itself. My answer: The author suggests that the shifting of governments from communism to democracy is linked to the increased economic wealth among more countries across the globe. The word arguably implies that her suggestion is not definitely correct. The shift towards democracy is linked to the words burgeoning wealth. Arguably implies that this link is inconclusive. Animals and inanimate objects have to comply with their senses or the acts of nature respectively, whereas humans can decide whatever they want to do. Human have the ability to act with free will and make autonomous decisions while animals merely respond to their innate impulses and nonliving things are at the mercy of the surroundings. We are disadvantaged as we have no one to blame and blame ourselves when we make incorrect decisions, whereas in other societies where choices are made for them, they have a better reason for succumbing to their destiny as they do not have a choice. The Greeks and class bound societies can attribute the ills of their lives to the fixed conditions they find themselves in. We do not have the luxury of such a convenient scrape goat. (1) In an authoritarian religion, people have to follow to strict rules of attitude and beliefs and they have no freedom to express themselves. (2) In the military people can only adhere to their seniors choices, hence they do not need to worry about making decisions themselves. (3) In a commitment to a cause people will only choose to do actions that will fulfills the purpose, hence limiting their freedom of choice. Authoritarian religions enforce strict restrictions on conduct and subscribe to religion doctrines, hence eliminating the need to choose. Military life entails complying to orders from those of higher rank. There is thus no need to make any choice. When one pledges himself to a particular movement, he blindly subscribes to its ideology and thus no longer needs to make any choices. The author meant that the only person that can control our destiny is ourselves, yet we do not realize it all this time. Our destiny is a reflection of our volatile (ever changing) selves. [5] My answer Leads to, starts Unbelievable Improve Forced Shocking Correct ans Instigates, prompts, triggers Incomprehensible, unimaginable Improves, increases, heightens Required, compelled, obligated Puzzling, confusing, prelexing [3] [1] [0] [3] [2] [2] [1] [2] [1] Correct ans: [1] [2] [2]

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4.

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6.

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7.

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8.

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Correct ans: 9.

Vocabulary Question.

Stimulates Inconceivable Enhances Obliged Bewildering