Name:………………………………………….

Read Text A and Text B in the insert and then answer Section A, Question 1 on this question
paper.

Text A

FUR and Against

In the epic tale of human survival, imagine our forebears gracefully navigating the Ice Age draped
in cozy hand-me-downs—yes, fur. Picture us, dear reader, as naked apes, not because we've
embraced minimalism, but simply because our body-hair is not strong enough. We lack the fur,
fluff, or feathers needed to ward off even the mildest drizzle. Turns out, we traded that in for
looking more stylish in suede than cows ever could.

Our journey from sporting lush body hair to flaunting our naked vulnerability was apparently an
evolutionary upgrade. We decided to let go of our thick, short, and curly locks in favour of what
makes us uniquely human: taste and vanity. And here we are, with a closet full of choices and not
a furry coat in sight.

Now, let's unravel the curious tale of fur—a once practical and chic companion for over 100,000
years that somehow ended up as the pariah of the fashion world in the last decade. There have
always been a few quirky folks funny about their animal connections, like vegetarians or those
who'd clear a path for a flightless fly. But recently, the anti-fur fervour has reached new heights,
making it harder for the rest of us to casually rock fur without attracting the wrath of self-righteous
groups.

The argument against fur seems to be less about animals and more about class and money. Fur,
once a symbol of wealth, is now teetering on the edge of prohibitive expense. But wait, a rebellion
is afoot! Furriers from the practical corners of Scandinavia, Greenland, Russia, and Iceland are
staging a comeback, advocating for the morality of skin.

In Denmark, mink farming is practically an art form, with minks living a life that most Danish pigs
would envy. Enter Eggert Johannsson, a furrier in Reykjavik championing "ethical fur," sourced
responsibly and humanely culled. And what about those seals? In Greenland, hunting them isn't
a sport; it's a way of life. A lifeline in a land where growing cut flowers isn't exactly a viable career
change.

Now, the anti-fur squad argues we don't need fur anymore; we have technology. Yet, before you
applaud the rise of synthetic fabrics, consider the less glamorous side of polymers—fossil fuels,
polluting processes, and toxic chemicals. It turns out, the environmental toll of a fur coat might
be more appealing than you think.

The heart of the matter, though, isn't just where fur comes from or who wore it first. It's about how
it looks and feels. A fur coat, beyond being a fashion statement, is a connection to our heritage, a
story spanning 100,000 years. So, go ahead, try on a fur coat and feel the ancient vibes. And as
you snuggle into your pillows, home to bird fur and feathers, ponder the irony of condemning fur
while resting on its avian cousin. Sweet dreams and may the echoes of millennia wrap you in
warmth.
Text B

Fur FAQs (PETA)*

1. Aren't there laws to protect animals on fur farms?

Currently, federal laws fail to safeguard millions of animals on fur farms, including chinchillas,
foxes, minks, and raccoons. The self-regulated fur industry confines animals in crowded,
unsanitary wire cages, leading to sickness, injury, and cruel killing methods.

2. Isn't animal fur more environmentally friendly than synthetic fur?

Contrary to claims, fur is far from eco-friendly. Laden with chemicals to resist decomposition,
fur production pollutes the environment and consumes excessive resources. Producing a fur
coat from ranch-raised animals demands over 15 times the energy needed for faux fur, while fur
farm waste contaminates waterways.

3. Animals in cages on fur farms don't suffer that much because they've never known
anything else, right?

Wrong. Confined animals, even those born in captivity, suffer from thwarted instincts, leading to
boredom and severe neurotic behaviors. Pacing, self-mutilation, and cannibalism are common
manifestations of their distress.

4. Aren't animals better off on fur farms than in the wild?

Comparing animals on fur farms to slaves on plantations, the argument is flawed. Animals
suffer immensely on fur farms, and the wild is their natural habitat. Confinement doesn't justify
their suffering.

5. Is the fur industry as cruel as people make it out to be?

PETA's investigations reveal even more cruelty than publicized. Animals endure anal
electrocution, untreated injuries, and painful deaths on fur farms, while those trapped in steel-
jaw leghold traps chew off limbs or suffer for days before being killed.

6. Is it true that some companies use dog and cat fur in their products?

Regrettably, yes. A thriving dog and cat fur industry in Asia mislabels products as 'rabbit fur' or
omits labels altogether. Without costly DNA tests, consumers can't ascertain the source,
prompting ethical concerns.

7. Why should animals have rights?

Supporters of animal rights believe in the inherent worth of all creatures, advocating for a life
free from pain and suffering, independent of their utility to humans.

*PETA-People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

*adapted from www.furisdead.com

Read Text A and Text B in the insert and then answer Section A, Question 1 on this question
paper.

Section A: Directed Writing Question 1

Write a magazine article for young people about the trend of wearing fur.

In your article you should:

• evaluate the ideas about wearing fur given in both texts.

• explain, based on what you read, to what extent you think wearing fur is ethical.

Base your article on what you have read in both texts, but be careful to use your own
words. Address both of the bullet points. Write about 250 to 350 words.

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 25 marks for the

quality of your writing.

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Mark Scheme:

Text A -

• Humans have evolved but fur was always a necessity.

• Fur is perceived to be stylish

• Criticism against fur-users seems to be stemming from an unreasonable moral stance.

• Biases against class and money seem to be driving the anti-fur campaign.

• The demand for fur provides people with livelihoods.

• There is an environmental cost associated with artificial fur.

• Fur is associated with heritage.

Text B -

• Self-regulated fur industry pays little heed to animal physical welfare.

• Natural fur too has an environmental cost.

• Psychological distress amongst animals bred for fur.

• Unnatural for animals to live in confinement.

• Lack of transparency and unfair trade practices are rampant in the fur industry.

Ideas that could be evaluated:

For Fur

1. Fur as connection to Heritage and Tradition

(fur is more than just a fashion statement; it is a connection to human heritage that spans over
100,000 years. The argument here is that wearing fur represents a link to our ancestors who
used fur for practical reasons during the Ice Age. This idea taps into the sentimental value of fur
and challenges the notion that fur is solely about fashion or wealth. It emphasizes the cultural
and historical significance of fur.)

Against Fur

2. Ethical Fur Farming practices

(fur can be sourced responsibly and humanely culled, presenting fur as a sustainable and
morally acceptable option. This idea challenges the negative perception of fur by highlighting
efforts to improve farming practices, especially in regions where fur farming is deeply rooted in
their way of life.)

3. Environmental impact of fur vs. synthetic fur

(environmental toll of synthetic fabrics used as alternatives to fur, such as fossil fuels, polluting
processes, and toxic chemicals, might be more significant than initially perceived. This idea
challenges the notion that synthetic materials are inherently more environmentally friendly than
fur. It prompts readers to consider the hidden environmental costs of non-fur alternatives.)