Last year's O Level Combined Humanities Answers

Model Answer Key

GCE O Level Exam 2007

Combined Humanities

1(a) Source A shows the uneasy relationship between India and Pakistan over their respective nuclear programs. The picture shows both players hard in concentration as they wait for the other party to move. Any false move could result in a nuclear war. The intent of this cartoon is likely to show the tense relationship between India and Pakistan due to the nuclear tests. 

The cartoonist likens the relationship between India and Pakistan to a game of chess. Their moves are highly dependent on the other party’s moves. With each move of a chess piece, it is tantamount of launching a nuclear missile. The chess game also represents the strategy that each party is undertaking to counter the other.

1(b) Source B is not very useful as evidence about reactions to Indian nuclear test. While Source B shows that the particular individual is very proud of India’s nuclear position, the other sources show how the nuclear tests are negative to Indian security in the long run. Source B tells me that “I am sure that every Indian is proud at the moment.” However, this view is not supported by every Indian, as Source C shows how the tests will heighten tension in between India and Pakistan, and might even lead to an arms race very quickly. Indeed, Source C tells me that “the test will worsen the tension in the South Asian region, triggering a nuclear arms race.”

It would appear that the purpose of Source B is useful as it increases the nationalistic fervor among Indians to make them feel extremely proud and well-protected from external threats. Indeed, being able to join the nuclear club puts India a cut above the rest and the article serves to play up this sentiment. As Source B says “We are going to be world players.”

1(c) The Indian Scientists in Source C would have to a rather large extent, though not entirely, agreed with Pakistani President Nawaz Sharif. Both sources agree on the fact that the tests would heighten tensions in the region. As Source C shows, “The tests will worsen tension in the South Asian region, triggering a nuclear arms race.”, and source D shows “India’s tests added to the already tense environment in South Asia.”

Both sources agree that the initial nuclear tests conducted by India was not entirely necessary as there was no real threat to India’s security. Indeed, as Source C shows, “there is no immediate threat to our nuclear security.”, and Source D shows that “India was motivated only by a desire for power.”

Sources C and D are different in the sense that the scientists and President Sharif disagreed in their views over having nuclear weapons. As Source C shows, “Can we really feel happy and secure in a world in which every country feels proud of its nuclear weapons and believes that they are necessary as deterrence. Whereas, Source D shows “nuclear deterrence is a vital part of our (Pakistan) security policy.”

1(d) Source E does not prove that all Indians are supportive of the testing of nuclear weapons. Source E shows a person holding u a sign which reads “No Water, No Electricity, No Jobs, No Problem. We have the Bomb”. Based on Source C, which says “people’s needs in terms of education and health are more urgent.”, it is rather obvious that the picture is one of sarcasm towards the Indian government. 

I think Source E must be taken with a pinch of salt and not literally as it is sending a political message to the Indian government that without water, electricity and jobs, it is pointless having the bomb in the first place. Hence, the picture is saying that rather than spending money in research on the bomb, it is far more worthwhile to ensure that the standard of living is met and there is sufficient employment. This is the best way to ensure security.