East Spring Secondary School

Towards Excellence and Success

Humanities Department

Name: ___________________________ (

) Class: _______ Date: _____________

Chapter 5: Bonding Singapore

We will be covering the following:
Challenges to Singapore as a multi ethnic society
Measures to manage Singapore as a multi ethnic
society
Importance of Singapore as a multi ethnic society
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For each of the SEQ, identify the given factor(s) and focus. Answer the questions below in the space provided.
1 Below are three challenges
of a multi-ethnic society:
a)
Managing
perceptions of
different racial
groups
b)
Managing
perceptions of
different religious
groups
c)
Threats from
external forces
Which do you think is the
greatest challenge facing
Singapore? EYA.

Based on your understanding of the challenges that Singapores multi-ethnic society face,
what are some keywords / phrases that help you explain what will happen to our multiethnic society if we fail to manage these challenges.

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MdmWaniAhmad&MrEvanLau~SocialStudies2011

East Spring Secondary School

Towards Excellence and Success
Humanities Department

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2 To what extent is building a

national identity the most
effective way to manage
ethnic diversity in
Singapore? EYA.

Based on your understanding of an ideal multi ethnic society, what are some possible
keywords / phrases to explain how can these measures help Singapore to be an ideal
multi ethnic society?

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MdmWaniAhmad&MrEvanLau~SocialStudies2011

East Spring Secondary School

Towards Excellence and Success
Humanities Department

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3 Which is a more important
reason to manage ethnic
diversity: Security and
peace or Economic
progress? EYA.

Based on your understanding of an ideal multi ethnic society, what are some possible
keywords / phrases to explain why is it important for Singapore to manage ethnic
diversity?

__________________________________________________
_____________
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MdmWaniAhmad&MrEvanLau~SocialStudies2011

East Spring Secondary School

Towards Excellence and Success
Humanities Department

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Suggested Answer Scheme
1 Below are three challenges
of a multi-ethnic society:

Based on your understanding of the challenges that Singapores multi-ethnic society face,
what are some keywords / phrases that help you explain what will happen to our multi-

MdmWaniAhmad&MrEvanLau~SocialStudies2011

East Spring Secondary School

Towards Excellence and Success
Humanities Department

d)

Managing
perceptions of
different racial
groups
e)
Managing
perceptions of
different religious
groups
f)
Threats from
external forces
Which do you think is the
greatest challenge facing
Singapore? EYA.
2 To what extent is Building a
national identity the most
effective way to manage
ethnic diversity in
Singapore? EYA.

ethnic society if we fail to manage these challenges.

If we fail to manage these challenges, there will be:
Hostility / harbour ill feelings / conflict among the different ethnic groups
Distrust as one group blames another / mutual suspicion of one another
Create unwanted tension
One group might take action on the negativity and resort to violence / Riots may occur
Negatively affect the social cohesion of the nation (tearing the social fabric)
Weaken the peace and harmony / Cause disunity within society/nation
Groups will have difficulty working / getting along / coming to a mutual understanding
with one another
Divided nation unable to achieve common goals for the development of the country
Based on your understanding of an ideal multi ethnic society, what are some possible
keywords / phrases to explain how can these measures help Singapore to be an ideal
multi ethnic society?
With these measures in place, Singapore can achieve the following:
Develop a strong sense of loyalty / belonging / togetherness to the country
Reduces the possibilities of miscommunication and misunderstanding among the
different ethnic groups
Be a cohesive nation, one that works together to attain a common goal
Focus less on their differences, instead, making compromises etc
Safeguarding the interest of minority groups
Strengthening the social relationships between different ethnic groups
Balanced integration among all races (no specific focus on only one group)

MdmWaniAhmad&MrEvanLau~SocialStudies2011

East Spring Secondary School

Towards Excellence and Success
Humanities Department

3 Which is a more important

reason to manage ethnic
diversity: Security and
peace or Economic
progress? EYA.

Based on your understanding of an ideal multi ethnic society, what are some possible
keywords / phrases to explain why is it important for Singapore to manage ethnic
diversity?
If we manage ethnic diversity, we will be able to:
Live harmoniously with one another / minimize conflicts with one another
Feel more secured about the development of the country as all the groups share a
common goal
Have a motivated working population who pushes the economy forward
Promote more interaction among the different ethnic groups
Create a better living environment in the country (one that focuses on a sense of
togetherness)
Create a good image / reputation for Singapore as other countries view Singaporeans as
one united nation

MdmWaniAhmad&MrEvanLau~SocialStudies2011