Cambridge A Level Thinking Skills 9694 — 2011 May/June Paper 2 · Variant 1

This document consists of 6 printed pages and 2 blank pages. IB11 06_9694_21/3RP © UCLES 2011 [Turn over *0205606761* UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary Level and Advanced Level THINKING SKILLS 9694/21 Paper 2 Critical Thinking May/June 2011 1 hour 45 minutes Additional Materials: Answer Booklet/Paper READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST If you have been given an Answer Booklet, follow the instructions on the front cover of the booklet. Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid. DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES. Answer all the questions. Start each question on a new answer sheet. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question.

2 © UCLES 2011 9694/21/M/J/11 1 Study the evidence and answer the questions that follow. A road accident occurred at the junction of Wordsworth Road and Shelley Road (see plan). A white car hit a red car. Because roadworks were taking place on Wordsworth Road, traffic was reduced to one lane, controlled by temporary traffic lights. Shelley Road Wordsworth Road temporary traffic lights blue car red car Alice / Ben white car Dennis motorbike Colin road works Source A Statement by Alice, the driver of the red car I waited at the temporary traffic lights on Wordsworth Road in order to turn left into Shelley Road as soon as they changed to green. A blue car was waiting immediately behind me. As soon as a line of three cars had made their way through the road works, I checked that there was no more traffic coming towards me and then turned left, but a white car appeared out of nowhere and hit the side of my car. I am sure I would not have moved off until the traffic lights showed green. Source B Statement by Ben, passenger in the red car The accident occurred when my mother was driving me to school. I was not watching the traffic lights, because I was deep in conversation with my mother, but I am sure it showed green when she moved off. I did not see the white car until a split second before it hit us. Source C Statement by Colin, rider of the motor-cycle I waited at the end of Shelley Road, intending to turn left into Wordsworth Road as soon as the lights had changed and both the red car and the blue car had gone. I could not see the temporary traffic lights from my position. I did not see the white car until a moment before it hit the red car, but I don’t think it could have been speeding, because it would have been impossible to drive fast through the roadworks. I do not know either of the drivers.

3 © UCLES 2011 9694/21/M/J/11 [Turn over Source D Statement by Dennis, the driver of the white car As I approached the roadworks, the temporary traffic lights showed green. So I did not need to stop. I noticed the lights turn to red as I passed them. As I came out of the roadworks, a red car suddenly turned in front of me. Although I was travelling quite slowly, it was impossible to avoid a collision. A motorcyclist who had witnessed the accident immediately offered to give evidence on my behalf, because he thought the driver of the other vehicle was at fault. Source E Letter from Alice’s insurer We have agreed with the insurer of the other driver to treat both drivers as equally responsible for the accident. Each company will bear the cost of the repairs to their client’s vehicle. Both drivers will have to pay more for their insurance in future. (a) If the driver of the blue car can be found, how significant will his/her evidence be? [3] (b) Whose evidence is more reliable, Ben’s (Source B) or Colin’s (Source C)? Explain your answer. [3] (c) How useful is the letter from the insurance company (Source E) in deciding who was responsible for the accident? Explain your answer. [3] (d) Who do you think was responsible for the accident at the junction of Shelley Road and Wordsworth Road? Write a short, reasoned argument to support your conclusion, with critical reference to the evidence provided and considering plausible alternative scenarios. [6]

4 © UCLES 2011 9694/21/M/J/11 2 Study the evidence and answer the questions that follow. Source A Homoeopathy is a form of alternative medicine which treats patients with medicines which are prepared by repeatedly diluting a substance until only a very small amount – if any – of the original substance remains. Supporters of homoeopathy claim that after this repeated dilution the water retains a ‘memory’ of the substance. Critics argue that homoeopathy should not be accepted as a valid medical treatment because the theory fails to meet scientific criteria. Source B Extracts from online chatroom Dr Asif As a doctor for more than forty years and a homoeopath for the last twenty, I know that homoeopathy is a most valuable tool and nine times out of ten my treatment of choice. One only has to see its dramatic effect in treatment of fevers, depression, anxiety, pain, to become a convert. It does work! Furthermore, no homoeopathic remedy has ever been withdrawn or banned because it was dangerous. Dr Branchflower The danger with homoeopathic treatments is not that anyone will fall ill from taking them – since they basically only contain water or sugar, that is highly unlikely. They are dangerous because people may take them for serious illness instead of a proven treatment, and may die or suffer as a result. Mrs Courtney My daughter was diagnosed with a thyroid complaint that would have meant a lifetime on medicine, with all sorts of possible side-effects and at goodness knows what expense. This medicine would never have been a cure – it would just have made her less ill. After 6 months of homoeopathic treatment, her blood tests were completely normal and she was bouncing around like she never had before. Hers is not an isolated case, and certainly not due to the placebo* effect, since she was dragged most unwillingly to see the homoeopath, and proclaimed that she didn’t believe in any of it! Dr Branchflower Unfortunately you don’t say what the condition was, nor who made the diagnosis, nor what other medication was being taken, nor what other medical conditions had been diagnosed... and a whole host of other important complicating factors. Not all thyroid ‘complaints’ require lifetime treatments. Many illnesses eventually come to a natural end without being treated, and this was probably one of them. It is certain that the homoeopathic treatment did absolutely nothing, since it contained no active medical ingredient. * The placebo effect refers to the fact that medical conditions sometimes improve because patients believe they are receiving an effective treatment, even if they are not.

5 © UCLES 2011 9694/21/M/J/11 [Turn over Source C Some data on Homoeopathy From pro-homoeopathic web pages • In France, homoeopathic medicine is the most popular treatment for colds and flu. • In Germany, some of the most popular remedies for hayfever, colds, sore throats and circulatory problems are homoeopathic. • In the early 1980s a survey revealed that 80% of newly-qualified doctors in the UK were interested in training in homoeopathy, hypnosis, or acupuncture. • The chart below shows how 593 patients responded to the question, “Have you seen any improvement in your general health in the year following your homoeopathic treatment?” 72.6 % moderate or marked 27.4 % little or none Source D Doctors have warned that tourists are risking their lives by relying on homoeopathy to protect them against malaria. This warning follows an undercover investigation which revealed that alternative medicine clinics willingly sell travellers homoeopathic protection against malaria despite official advice that there is no evidence that these treatments work. It also comes after a study published in a medical journal claimed that, in some clinical trials, homoeopathic remedies performed no better than sugar pills. (a) ‘Homoeopathy should be used for all patients.’ Can this be reliably concluded from Dr Asif’s statement (Source B)? Explain your answer. [3] (b) How effectively does Dr Branchflower reply to Mrs Courtney’s claims (Source B)? Explain your answer. [3] (c) According to Source D, recent scientific research has suggested that homoeopathy is ineffective as a medical treatment. Can we reliably conclude that people will cease to use homoeopathic treatment as a result of this research? [3] (d) Should homoeopathy be recognised as a valid form of medical treatment? Write a short, reasoned argument to support your conclusion, using and evaluating the information provided in Sources A – D. [6]

6 © UCLES 2011 9694/21/M/J/11 3 Read the passage and answer the questions below. 1 Almost everyone admires people who consistently behave unselfishly, putting the welfare of others before their own. This admiration is, however, misplaced, because there is actually no such thing as unselfishness. 2 Since acting for the benefit of others does not contribute to the survival of the individual, those who behave unselfishly are disadvantaged in the struggle of life and fail to pass on their genes, with the result that the trait of unselfishness inevitably disappears. Beginning from this conviction, philosophers and evolutionary psychologists have argued that even those actions which appear to be unselfish must really be selfishness in disguise. 3 Many of the people who behave in apparently unselfish ways are motivated by religion. Most religions teach that unselfish acts will be rewarded in an after-life, either by enjoying bliss in heaven or by being reincarnated into a superior mode of being. But the simple fact that people expect to be rewarded for their actions means that those actions are not unselfish at all, since they are acting for what they believe to be their own long-term benefit. 4 People who are not motivated by religion are also acting selfishly, even when they seem to be putting the needs of other people before their own. They are doing it because they enjoy being thanked and praised for their generosity. It is pleasant to be well regarded by others and to know that they are grateful. There can also be practical benefits in behaving generously towards others, because a situation may arise in the future when the favour can be repaid. 5 An obvious objection to this argument is that some people act in secret, but even anonymous actions are actually motivated by self-interest. The reward in such cases lies not in other people’s expressions of gratitude but in our own inner sense of self-satisfaction at having done the right thing. (a) Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify the main conclusion. [2] (b) “…there is actually no such thing as unselfishness.” Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify three reasons used to support this claim. [3] (c) Evaluate the reasoning in the argument. In your answer you should consider any strengths, weaknesses, flaws and unstated assumptions. [5] (d) ‘Selfishness is the best policy.’ Write your own short argument to support or challenge this claim. [5]

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UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level and GCE Advanced Level MARK SCHEME for the May/June 2011 question paper for the guidance of teachers 9694 THINKING SKILLS 9694/21 Paper 2 (Critical Thinking), maximum raw mark 45 This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes must be read in conjunction with the question papers and the report on the examination. • Cambridge will not enter into discussions or correspondence in connection with these mark schemes. Cambridge is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2011 question papers for most IGCSE, GCE Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level syllabuses and some Ordinary Level syllabuses.

Page 2 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2011 9694 21 © University of Cambridge International Examinations 2011 1 (a) If the driver of the blue car can be found, how significant will his/her evidence be? Explain your answer. [3] Very significant [1] if he/she remembers whether the traffic light turned to green before the red car started moving/turned left [1]. Or, if they had important information about the behaviour of the white car driver [1]. Of very little significance otherwise [1]. Significant because he/she is an eye-witness/can confirm the colour of the traffic light [1]. (b) Whose evidence is more reliable, Ben’s or Colin’s? Explain your answer. [3] Credit up to three of the following points: Colin’s evidence is more reliable [1]. He has no vested interest to misrepresent the truth [1], because he does not know either driver and was not personally involved in the accident [1]. Although Colin admits that he could not see the temporary traffic light (ability to see) [1], he carefully differentiates between what he did and did not see [1]. Ben has strong vested interest to misrepresent the truth in favour of his mother [1]. Although he claims to be sure that the light was green when the car moved off, and he was in a position potentially to see it [1], he has also admitted that he was not paying attention (poor ability to see) [1]. Maximum 2 if only one side considered. Maximum 2 if no explicit judgment. (c) How useful is the letter from the insurance company in deciding who was responsible for the accident? Explain your answer. [3] Of little or no use [1], because the insurance company has no independent ability to see what happened [1] but has strong vested interest to interpret events in its own favour [1]. The letter produces no evidence about culpability [1] and does not attempt to assign blame [1]. (d) Who do you think was responsible for the accident at the junction of Shelley Road and Wordsworth Road? Write a short, reasoned argument to support your conclusion, with critical reference to the evidence provided and considering plausible alternative scenarios. [6] Level 3 5–6 marks A strong answer, which provides a reasoned argument including thorough evaluation of the evidence to support an acceptable conclusion and evaluates the plausibility of at least one different possible course of events. Level 2 3–4 marks A reasonable answer, which evaluates the evidence, draws an acceptable conclusion and may mention the plausibility of at least one different course of events. Level 1 1–2 marks A weak answer, which refers to the evidence, possibly including a simple evaluative comment. The conclusion may be unstated or over-stated. Level 0 0 marks No credit-worthy material.

Page 3 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2011 9694 21 © University of Cambridge International Examinations 2011 Indicative content Alice was [mainly] responsible for the accident, because drivers should always check before turning left that there is no traffic coming towards them. The evidence that the traffic light had turned green before Alice moved off is weak (vested interest), but no other evidence directly contradicts it. Dennis may have been partly to blame, if he drove through the temporary traffic lights as they turned red or shortly after, and if he failed to slow down (although, according to Colin, it would have been impossible for him to drive really fast under the conditions of the road). Several points of evidence suggest that this may have happened, but none states it directly. It is possible that the traffic lights were faulty or badly adjusted, so that one side turned green before traffic from the other direction had time to pass through the roadworks. 2 (a) ‘Homoeopathy should be used for all patients.’ Can this be reliably concluded from Dr Asif’s statement (Source B)? Explain your answer. [3] Credit up to three of the following points: No/This statement is too strong to be concluded from Dr Asif’s statement [1]. Dr Asif admits that he chooses it in only 9 cases out of 10 [1], which means he does not use it for all patients [1], and the list of conditions for which he claims it has a “dramatic effect” is limited [1], which means it is less effective for some conditions/patients [1]. (b) How effectively does Dr Branchflower reply to Mrs Courtney’s claims (Source B)? Explain your answer. [3] Credit up to three of the following points: Dr Branchflower answers Mrs Courtney’s arguments well [1], by pointing out the important information missing from her account of her daughter’s illness [1] and by suggesting alternative explanations for the improvement in her daughter’s condition [1], but he is unlikely to persuade her [1], because he is unable to prove that the improvement did not happen as a result of homoeopathy [1]. Maximum 2 if no judgment. (c) According to Source D, recent scientific research has suggested that homoeopathy is ineffective as a medical treatment. Can we reliably conclude that people will cease to use homoeopathic treatment as a result of this research? [3] Credit up to three of the following points: No/Some people may cease to use it, but others will continue [1]. Since the claim refers only to “some” clinical trials, it is possible that other research has come to different conclusions [1]. Doctors and patients who believe that the results of scientific research are reliable will be influenced against the use of homoeopathic medicine [1], but people (especially of less education [1]) who are more influenced by personal experience and testimony will be swayed by comments such as those by Dr Asif and Mrs Courtney [1]. People who are desperate because orthodox medicine has failed to cure their illness may try homoeopathic medicine as a last resort [1].

Page 4 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2011 9694 21 © University of Cambridge International Examinations 2011 (d) Should homoeopathy be recognised as a valid form of medical treatment? Write a short, reasoned argument to support your conclusion, using and evaluating the information provided in Sources A–D. [6] Level 3 5–6 marks A strong, reasoned argument, which uses and evaluates all or most of the evidence provided. Level 2 3–4 marks A reasonable, simple argument, which uses and/or evaluates evidence. Level 1 1–2 marks A weak answer, which makes some reference to evidence but consists of opinion and/or assertion rather than argument or a weak argument, which makes no reference to evidence. Level 0 0 marks No credit-worthy material. Maximum 3 marks if conclusion is implied but not stated. Indicative content Scientific research generally does not support the claims of homoeopathy, and it seems impossible that such heavily diluted materials could have any effect whatever. Dr Branchflower is right to point out that illnesses often improve spontaneously. The apparent effectiveness of homoeopathy is also often attributed to the placebo effect. Even allowing for bias or vested interest on the part of Dr Asif and Mrs Courtney’s lack of expertise, their evidence strongly suggest that homoeopathic medicine can help at least some illnesses. The positive reports from patients recorded in Source C (fourth bullet-point) are unreliable for various reasons, but they give at least some support to these claims. Combined with the data about the popularity of homoeopathic remedies in Source C, it seems likely that homoeopathic remedies give some relief from conditions like colds, influenza and anxiety. Even if they are alleviating symptoms rather than curing the underlying condition, that is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when orthodox medicine is unable to offer a cure. Despite the clear vested interest of the websites to select data to support their own position, the statistics in Source C reveal an increasing willingness amongst medical professionals and the lay public to recognise that various kinds of alternative medicine may have some value. Since it seems highly unlikely that homoeopathic medicine could harm anyone, it would probably be unreasonable to prevent patients from having access to the materials and to the advice of a homoeopathic practitioner if they wish to have recourse to them at their own expense. However, countries which have a National Health Service could reasonably refuse to supply such remedies, and insurance companies could reasonably decline to pay for them, on the grounds that they lack scientific credibility.

Page 5 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2011 9694 21 © University of Cambridge International Examinations 2011 3 (a) Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify the main conclusion. [2] 2 marks: This admiration/admiration of people who behave unselfishly is [however] misplaced. 1 mark: This admiration is, however, misplaced, because there is no such thing as unselfishness. (b) “…there is actually no such thing as unselfishness.” Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify three reasons used to support this claim. [3] • Even those actions which appear to be unselfish must really be selfishness in disguise. • The simple fact that someone expects to be rewarded for their actions means that those actions are not unselfish at all. • People who are not motivated by religion are also acting selfishly even when they seem to be putting the needs of other people before their own. • Even anonymous actions are actually motivated by self-interest. (c) Evaluate the reasoning in the argument. In your reasoning you should consider any strengths, weaknesses, flaws and unstated assumptions. [5] Level 3 4–5 marks Evaluation of strength of argument with critical reference to strength/weakness, including some of: flaws, support given by reasons to intermediate conclusions, use of evidence, inconsistency, analogies, assumptions. Level 2 2–3 marks Relevant extended counter-argument (3 marks). Specific counter-assertions/agreements (2 marks). Single point of evaluation only (2 or 3 marks). Level 1 1 mark Discussion of the topic without specific reference to the passage or general counter-assertion/agreement or weak attempt at evaluation. Level 0 0 marks No relevant comments. Summary/paraphrase of passage. Indicative content • The argument reported in paragraph 2 begs the question/is circular, since it begins by assuming the conclusion. • The argument in paragraph 2 depends on the assumption that the theory of evolution is true. • Dubious/unknown whether ‘unselfishness’ has a genuine genetic basis. • The appeal to authority in paragraph 2 is partly legitimate, since the reasoning used by the philosophers and psychologists is stated, but the reference to the academic sources is also intended to influence the reader in favour of their claims. • All of the main points in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 consist of rash generalization, requiring the controversial assumption that there are no exceptions. • This argument succeeds in showing how all apparently unselfish behaviour could be based on selfish motives, but it does not show that it always is (confusion of purpose and consequence). • The whole argument is non-falsifiable and therefore arguably vacuous.

Page 6 Mark Scheme: Teachers’ version Syllabus Paper GCE AS/A LEVEL – May/June 2011 9694 21 © University of Cambridge International Examinations 2011 (d) “Selfishness is the best policy.” Write your own argument to support or challenge this claim. [5] Level 3 4–5 marks Developed, coherent argument. Reasons strongly support conclusion. Development may include intermediate conclusion or apt examples. Simply structured argument 4 marks. Effective use of IC 5 marks. Level 2 2–3 marks A simple argument. One reason + conclusion 2 marks. Two or more separate reasons + conclusion 3 marks. Level 1 1 mark Some relevant comment. Level 0 0 marks No relevant comment. Maximum 3 marks if conclusion is implied but not stated. No credit for material merely reproduced from the passage. Indicative Content (specimen 5-mark answers) Support Behaving unselfishly is an inefficient basis for community life, because we may often misjudge what other people would like. It would be much simpler if everyone did what they wanted, because no one knows what will please and benefit individuals better than they do themselves. We are also likely to be more committed to projects which are intended to benefit ourselves than to the good of others. So more good will be done overall. If everyone acted in their own interests, then overall this would achieve the greatest good of the greatest number. So even though selfishness may seem to be immoral, it would actually produce the most moral results. Selfishness is the best policy, because it is the most efficient way of maximizing benefits. Challenge We enter life with unequal talents, privileges and opportunities. If everyone looked after their own interests, without being concerned for the welfare of anyone else, those inequalities would increase, which would lead to a great deal of unhappiness. A mark of a humane and civilised society, by contrast, is that people look out for one another, and the more favoured help those less fortunate than themselves. That is the kind of community in which we would all like to live. Not only do all religions exhort their followers to put the needs of others before their own, but all secular moral teaching does the same. There were good reasons why the ideal of unselfishness was set before us all at school. We all know that selfishness produces much less desirable consequences than unselfishness. So selfishness is not the best policy.