Candidates Name:

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Candidates Civics Class: __________________________

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Paper 2 (50 marks)

(Note that 15 marks out of 50 will be awarded for your use of language)
Note: When a question asks for an answer IN YOUR OWN WORDS AS FAR AS
POSSIBLE and you select the appropriate material from the passage for your answer,
you must still use your own words to express it. Little credit can be given to answers
which only copy words or phrases from the passage.
From Passage 1
1.

Why does the author use the word surrender (line 2)?

[1]

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2.

From paragraph 2, according to the author, what is the critics greatest fear
regarding the impact of blockbusters?
Use your own words as far as
possible.
[2]
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VJC / General Paper / Preliminary Examination / Paper 2 / 2009

3.

Explain why highbrows dismiss movie blockbusters (line 23) Use your own
words as far as possible.
[3]
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4.

From paragraph 5, identify the similarity and the difference between blockbusters
in the past and in the present. Use your own words as far as possible. [2]
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5.

From paragraph 7, how have movies responded to being under siege (lines 46
-47)? Use your own words as far as possible.
[3]
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VJC / General Paper / Preliminary Examination / Paper 2 / 2009

From Passage 2
6.

Explain the climate change (line 2) that is taking place in Hollywood. Use your
own words as far as possible.
[2]
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7.

Using material from paragraphs 2 to 5, summarise the authors argument that

Hollywood blockbusters have declined. Using your own words as far as
possible, write your answer in no more than 120 words, not counting the
opening words which are printed below.
[7]
One reason for the decline of the Hollywood blockbusters is ________________
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VJC / General Paper / Preliminary Examination / Paper 2 / 2009

8.

From paragraph 6, explain fully why the authors compare blockbusters with
aircraft carriers. Use your own words as far as possible.

[2]

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From both passages
9.

Give the meaning of the following words as they are used in the passages. You
may write your answer in one word or a short phrase.
[5]
a) interminable (Passage 1, line 2): ____________________________________
b) ineffably (Passage 1, line 20): ______________________________________
c) bent (Passage 1, line 38): __________________________________________
d) jarring (Passage 2, line 1): _________________________________________
e) captures (Passage 2, line 38): ______________________________________

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VJC / General Paper / Preliminary Examination / Paper 2 / 2009

10.

Dargis writes about the enduring characteristics of American blockbuster movies

while Gardels and Medavoy write about the diminishing impact of such movies.
To what extent do the ideas in the passages reflect the way American
blockbuster movies are perceived in your society?
[8]
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VJC / General Paper / Preliminary Examination / Paper 2 / 2009

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End of Paper
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VJC / General Paper / Preliminary Examination / Paper 2 / 2009