Cambridge A Level Thinking Skills 9694 — 2015 May/June Paper 2 · Variant 1

This document consists of 6 printed pages, 2 blank pages and 1 insert. IB15 06_9694_21/3RP © UCLES 2015 [Turn over *1718242628* Cambridge International Examinations Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level THINKING SKILLS 9694/21 Paper 2 Critical Thinking May/June 2015 1 hour 45 minutes No Additional Materials are required. READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST An answer booklet is provided inside this question paper. You should follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet. Answer all the questions. The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question.

2 © UCLES 2015 9694/21/M/J/15 1 Study the evidence and answer the questions that follow. Source A News report from Eastland Gazette Several international newspapers have published documents which are evidence of widespread corruption within the government of the Democratic Republic of Marinia. John Obanji, a senior civil servant, has fled the country. He is widely believed to have been the source of the leaks. Mr Obanji has been accused of treason, which carries the death penalty. He has applied for asylum in Eastland. Source B Extradition request To: Eastland Ministry of Justice We have received credible reports that John Obanji, a Marinian citizen suspected of very serious criminal offences, is being sheltered in your country. On behalf of my government I protest against hospitality being given to a terrorist. Under the extradition treaty between our two countries, I require you to deliver him to our police force so that he can face these charges. (signed) Marinian Minister of Justice Source C Reply to Extradition Request To: Marinian Minister of Justice We have carefully considered your request for the extradition of your citizen John Obanji. It is clear that the charges against him are political in nature and are therefore not covered by the extradition treaty, which refers to criminal offences only. We have granted him asylum and must refuse your request for his extradition. (signed) Eastland Minister of Justice Source D Evidence to Examining Magistrate My name is Henry Hole. I am a member of the Marinian security services. I quite often visit Palacetown, in the neighbouring country of Kaldovia, when I am off duty. I was there last week, when I heard a burglar alarm go off. I saw a man running from the National Bank. I was not close enough to be able to stop him, but I could see his face clearly. The police subsequently showed me a photograph of John Obanji and I identified him as the man I had seen running from the bank.

3 © UCLES 2015 9694/21/M/J/15 [Turn over Source E Statement from John Obanji’s lawyer The government of Kaldovia has announced that John Obanji has been accused of armed robbery in Palacetown and has asked for him to be extradited for questioning. My client absolutely denies this ridiculous charge. He believes that if he is sent to Palacetown, he will be extradited or even kidnapped and taken to Marinia. In that country, he will be in danger of being assassinated or executed in revenge for having revealed the corruption in the government. On my client’s behalf, I urge the Eastland government to refuse to send him to Kaldovia. (a) How significant is Source C in explaining why John Obanji has been accused of armed robbery? [3] (b) On the basis of the information in Source D, suggest one factor which may make the evidence of Henry Hole unreliable. [2] (c) Marinia and Kaldovia are close allies. Suggest two ways in which this information is significant in relation to the evidence given in Source D and/or Source E. [4] (d) In your opinion, why has John Obanji been accused of armed robbery? Write a short, reasoned argument to support your conclusion, with critical reference to the evidence provided and considering a plausible alternative conclusion. [6]

4 © UCLES 2015 9694/21/M/J/15 2 Study the evidence and answer the questions that follow. Source A News report Early morning exercise can be bad for your health, according to researchers. They have discovered that the body’s immune system cannot cope with intense exercise first thing in the morning. Their research suggests that evening is the best time to exercise. The researchers, at the Sports Science Department at Brunel University in West London, examined the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can suppress the immune system, in fourteen British competition swimmers with an average age of 18. The swimmers performed their practice routines at 6 am and 6 pm on different days. Tests revealed cortisol levels were lower (that is, better) in the evenings. In addition, levels of antibodies in the blood that help fight off infection were down sharply in the morning, causing swimmers to be at greater risk of picking up infections. Source B News report The afternoon is the best time to exercise if you want to avoid injuries. Body temperature is at its highest between 4 and 5 pm, which makes muscles warm and flexible and therefore less likely to be hurt. Strength output is 5% higher at around mid-day than at other times of day. Anaerobic performance, such as sprinting, improves by 5% in the late afternoon, while endurance is approximately 4% higher in the afternoon. However, although afternoon exercise is best from a physiological standpoint, research also shows that people who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick to it than those who take their exercise later in the day. Source C News report Exercising before breakfast is better for you than exercising afterwards, according to new research by scientists at the University of Glasgow. The research was based on a sample of ten overweight men who did not normally undertake any exercise. The experiment had three stages. First, the men performed no exercise then ate breakfast; a week or two later, they walked briskly for 60 minutes before eating breakfast; in the third stage, they did the same walk after breakfast. On average, exercising before breakfast used up 298 kcal more energy (and so the men lost more fat) than the day without exercise, compared with only 216 kcal if the exercise took place after breakfast.

5 © UCLES 2015 9694/21/M/J/15 [Turn over Source D News report Many trainers advise that you should eat something before engaging in heavy exercise, but researchers in Belgium have now discovered that exercising before eating is better, especially if you are trying to lose weight. For six weeks, 27 healthy young men ate a diet high in sugar, fat and calories. A third of the men ate the unhealthy diet and did no exercise. The other two-thirds used exactly the same exercise routine, but half of them exercised before breakfast and the other half exercised after breakfast. In addition, those who exercised before breakfast drank only water during their exercise, but the group which exercised after breakfast consumed energy drinks while exercising. 6 pounds 3 pounds 0 pounds Average weight gain a
er 6 weeks No exercise Exercise a
er breakfast Exercise before breakfast (a) Suggest two reasons why the findings from Source A may not apply to everyone. [3] (b) Source A recommends exercising in the evening, whereas Source B says the afternoon is the best time. Give two reasons why these research results do not contradict one another. [3] (c) Suggest two weaknesses in the support given in Source D for its claim that “exercising before eating is better, especially if you are trying to lose weight”. [3] (d) ‘The best time to exercise is the time most convenient to yourself.’ To what extent do you agree with this claim? Write a short, reasoned argument to support your conclusion, using and evaluating the information provided in Sources A–D. [6]

6 © UCLES 2015 9694/21/M/J/15 3 Read the passage and answer the questions below. 1 Colour television has been available in many parts of the world since the late 1960s. No one ever complained about the reliability of the signal or the quality of the picture and sound. Then somebody decided that the existing system was out of date and needed to be replaced by ‘digital’ television. This was described as an ‘improvement’. Eventually, broadcasters stopped transmitting in the old system, which meant everyone had to buy new televisions. The quality of picture and sound are no better now than they used to be, while the reliability of the signal is worse. This example shows that improvements are always worse than what they replace. 2 Something very similar is true about reforms. In the past, people who campaigned against injustice succeeded in bringing about important political and social changes, which were known as ‘reforms’. In those days, reforms were good, but governments now use the word ‘reform’ to signify making people work longer for less money and reducing the quality of services by employing fewer people. Anything which is described as a reform should be opposed. It is certain to be a change for the worse. 3 There are always good reasons for the arrangements which exist. They have evolved gradually in response to the demands of the situation. Any difficulties have already been identified and resolved. No change can have such strong support, because it cannot have stood the test of time. 4 Making changes involves considerable waste of time and effort. It would be more cost-effective to devote that time and effort to making the current system work as well as possible. 5 Admittedly, some changes do eventually turn out to have been for the better, but the difficulty is that we cannot tell in advance which ones they will be. It is always more likely that any particular proposal will lead to disaster than that it will result in an improvement. So the best policy is to be safe, by opposing all change. (a) Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify the main conclusion. [2] (b) Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify three reasons which directly support the main conclusion. [3] (c) Evaluate the strength of the reasoning in the argument. In your answer you should consider any flaws, unstated assumptions and other weaknesses. [5] (d) ‘New technology has improved the quality of our lives.’ Write your own short argument to support or challenge this claim. The conclusion of your argument must be stated. Credit will not be given for repeating ideas from the passage. [5]

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® IGCSE is the registered trademark of Cambridge International Examinations. CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS Cambridge International Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced Level MARK SCHEME for the May/June 2015 series 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 should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2015 series for most Cambridge IGCSE®, Cambridge International A and AS Level components and some Cambridge O Level components.

Page 2 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 1 (a) How significant is Source C in explaining why John Obanji has been accused of armed robbery? [3] Significant [1]. Because Eastland will not extradite John Obanji to answer political charges [1], the only way to have him sent into the grasp of the Marinian security services would be if he were charged with a criminal offence [1]. This makes it likely that the accusation of armed robbery is a trumped-up charge [1]. (b) On the basis of the information in Source D, suggest one factor which may make the evidence of Henry Hole unreliable. [2] As a member of the Marinian security service, Henry Hole may well be under orders (have a vested interest) to lie about John Obanji [1], in order to support his government’s attempt to extradite him to Kaldovia [1]. There is no obvious reason for the police to have shown Mr Hole a photograph of John Obanji [1], which makes it more likely that the evidence and the charge have been fabricated [1]. Do not allow answers which are not based on information given in Source D, e.g. speculation that Henry Hole may have been bribed to give false evidence. (c) Marinia and Kaldovia are close allies. Suggest two ways in which this information is significant in relation to the evidence given in Source D and/or E. [4] 2 marks each for up to 2 of the following. 1 mark for vague, incomplete or marginal answer. • It would suggest some collusion between Marinia and Kaldovia in relation to the arrest of John Obanji. • Henry Hole’s visit to Palacetown is plausible. • The security service agent could have been on duty/has a vested interest to do what is best for his country. • It is unlikely that John Obanji would have risked travelling to an ally of the country from which he was fleeing, which reduces the plausibility of the allegation about the bank robbery. • The fears that Obanji will be handed over to Marinia are justified. • The charge is probably trumped up in order to get round the extradition restrictions.

Page 3 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 (d) In your opinion, why has John Obanji been accused of armed robbery? Write a short, reasoned argument to support your conclusion, with critical reference to the evidence provided and considering a plausible alternative conclusion. [6] Level 3 5–6 marks A strong answer, which provides a reasoned argument including thorough evaluation of all or most of the evidence to support an acceptable conclusion in terms of probability and evaluates the plausibility of at least one alternative conclusion. Level 2 3–4 marks An answer which evaluates some of the evidence, draws an acceptable conclusion in terms of probability and may mention the plausibility of at least one alternative conclusion. Level 1 1–2 marks A weak answer, which refers to some of the evidence, possibly including a simple evaluative comment. The conclusion may be unstated or over-stated. Level 0 0 marks No credit-worthy material. Indicative content In descending order of plausibility, the possible conclusions are: • The Kaldovian authorities have falsely accused him at the request of the Marinian government, so that he can be extradited, kidnapped or assassinated. • The Marinian authorities have produced false evidence which has convinced the Kaldovian authorities that Obanji is guilty. • The accusation against Obanji is a genuine error / based on mistaken identity. • Obanji is guilty of armed robbery. Perhaps he needed to raise funds in order to support a coup d’état.

Page 4 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 2 (a) Suggest two reasons why the findings from Source A may not apply to everyone. [3] 3 marks 2 reasons, at least one of which is developed 2 marks 1 developed reason or 2 undeveloped reasons 1 mark 1 undeveloped reason 0 marks No credit-worthy material. • The subjects were aged 18 and so the results may not apply to older adults or younger children. • The subjects were all competition swimmers. The results may not apply to people who exercise less strenuously or are less fit. • Swimmers are immersed in water and therefore may be more susceptible to infection than other people who engage in exercise. • Other forms of exercise may affect the body in different ways. (b) Source A recommends exercising in the evening, whereas Source B says the afternoon is the best time. Give two reasons why these research results do not contradict one another. [3] 3 marks 2 reasons, at least one of which is developed 2 marks 1 developed reason or 2 undeveloped reasons 1 mark 1 undeveloped reason 0 marks No credit-worthy material. • The Brunel research compared only two times of day, not an intermediate time. They might have favoured the afternoon if they had considered it. • There is not much difference between “late afternoon” (e.g. 4–5 pm) and “evening” (6 pm). • “undeveloped” only: The documents agree on exercising later/not in the morning. • The research projects were looking at the question from two different angles. The Brunel research focused on avoiding infection, whereas Source B considers risk of injury and optimal performance. • The Brunel research is about swimmers only; the conclusions may not apply to all exercise as dealt with in Source B.

Page 5 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 (c) Suggest two weaknesses in the support given in Source D for its claim that “exercising before eating is better, especially if you are trying to lose weight”. [3] 3 marks 2 reasons, at least one of which is developed 2 marks 1 developed reason or 2 undeveloped reasons 1 mark 1 undeveloped reason 0 marks No credit-worthy material. • The research concerns weight gain, not weight loss. Reducing weight gain is not the same as losing weight. • Those who exercised after breakfast also consumed energy drinks while exercising, which may be the main cause of their weight gain / The control of the experiment is wrecked by altering more than one variable at a time. • The conclusion “exercising before eating is better” is too broad to be inferred from research referring only to breakfast. • The participants were “healthy young men”. The results might have been different for unhealthy/older/women, which is significant because many people trying to lose weight are unhealthy/because it is harder to lose weight when you are older/because women’s physiology may be different from men’s.

Page 6 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 (d) ‘The best time to exercise is the time most convenient to yourself.’ To what extent do you agree with this claim? 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 reasoned argument, which uses and evaluates all or most of the evidence provided. Level 2 3–4 marks A simple argument, which uses and/or evaluates evidence. Level 1 1–2 marks A weak answer, which makes some correct 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. Indicative content • The sources (especially Source B) provide research-based advice on the best time of day in which to exercise in various respects. • But the various pieces of advice are not compatible with each other. • For example, Source A advises people not to exercise before breakfast, • whereas Sources C and D give the opposite advice. • Probably the most important factor is that mentioned in the last sentence of Source B, namely the importance of choosing a time when you will “stick to it”. • So the claim is generally true. The benefits of choosing a time when you will actually be able to exercise is more important than the specific benefits of various times of day. • Another approach is that the best time to exercise depends on your reasons for exercising, • e.g. to lose weight (Sources C and D) • or to train for competitive sport (Sources A and B).

Page 7 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 3 (a) Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify the main conclusion. [2] 2 marks: (So) the best policy is to be safe, by opposing all change. 1 mark: Part of the above / paraphrase of the above / including previous sentence. (b) Using the exact words from the passage as far as possible, identify three reasons which directly support the main conclusion. [3] 1 mark for each of the following, to a maximum of 3 marks: • (This example shows that) improvements are always worse than what they replace. • Anything which is described as a reform should be opposed. • No change can have such strong support [as the arrangements which exist]. • It would be more cost-effective to devote that time and effort to making the current system work as well as possible. • It is always more likely that any particular proposal will lead to disaster than that it will result in an improvement.

Page 8 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 (c) Evaluate the strength of the reasoning in the argument. In your answer you should consider any flaws, unstated assumptions and other weaknesses. [5] Marks for each evaluative point as follows, up to a maximum of 5 marks: 2 marks: Valid evaluative point, clearly expressed. 1 mark: Weak attempt at a valid evaluative point. Paragraph 1 • The second sentence is presumably exaggerated, but in itself this does not weaken the argument much. • Exaggeration: most people chose to buy new TVs before the old system ended. • The conclusion relies on generalising from a single example. The intermediate conclusion is therefore overstated. Paragraph 2 • To some extent changes the subject, to focus on the misuse of a word. So it provides only weak support for the main conclusion. • Even if there is some truth in the argument, the intermediate conclusion is exaggerated. • Accept: The description of the Government’s use of the word “reform” is a straw man. Paragraph 3 • The argument is self-contradictory, because the processes described in the second and third sentences consist of making changes. • There is an assumption that the demands of the situation will not change and no new difficulties will arise. • Assumption: that for situations to be good, they must have stood the test of time. Paragraph 4 • The use of the word “waste” begs the question. • The argument presents a false dichotomy, because “making the current system work as well as possible” presumably involves making changes. Paragraph 5 • The admission that “some changes do turn out for the better” is inconsistent with the claim in para 1 that “improvements are always worse than what they replace.” • The second sentence restricts the options, but this does not greatly weaken the argument. • The use of the word “improvement” is inconsistent with the argument in para 1, which claims that “improvements are always worse than what they replace”. • The argument relies on the assumption that the potential gains from a beneficial change will not outweigh the adverse consequences of bad changes.

Page 9 Mark Scheme Syllabus Paper Cambridge International AS/A Level – May/June 2015 9694 21 © Cambridge International Examinations 2015 (d) ‘New technology has improved the quality of our lives.’ Write your own short argument to support or challenge this claim. The conclusion of your argument must be stated. Credit will not be given for repeating ideas from the passage. [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 etc. – 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 for wrong conclusion or if conclusion is implied but not stated. No credit for material merely reproduced from the passage. Specimen level 3 answers Support (109 words) A hundred years ago, being a housewife was a full-time job in most families, but since then, such items of technology as refrigerators, freezers and washing machines have given women far more choice over how they spend their time. The lives of children and teenagers have been transformed by advances in entertainment and information technology. Most children now have more technology in their bedroom than a medium-sized business had a generation ago. They use that technology to keep in touch with their friends, to inform themselves about the world and to develop their skills. In these and many other ways, new technology has improved the quality of our lives. Challenge (130 words) When our grandparents were young, families used to find their entertainment together, friends enjoyed each other’s company and people read books for information and for pleasure. The development of laptop computers and mobile phones has destroyed that world and led to an unhealthy culture of individualism and voyeurism. People have become incapable of appreciating the simple pleasures of nature, imagination and relationships, because whatever is not on a screen does not exist for them. The rapid development of technology has also created a culture of competitive consumerism, in which people feel they have failed if they do not own the latest version of every device. This attitude leads to constant dissatisfaction and an inability to enjoy what one has. So new technology has not improved the quality of our lives.