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GCE A Level Essay Questions by Year (1995-2006)
GCE A Level Essay Questions by Year (1995-2006)
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PAPER 1
2. ‘A picture is always more powerful than mere words.’ What is your view?
5. Should crimes that were committed many years ago simply be forgotten?
7. ‘The world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.’
Discuss.
9. ‘Entrepreneurship is just another name for personal greed.’ How far do you
agree with this statement?
11. ‘Women will never enjoy the same rights as men.’ Do you agree?
12. To what extent do the newspapers and magazines that you read deal with
what is trivial, rather than what is important?
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PAPER 1
2. ‘There is no such thing as luck. People determine their own lives.’ Do you
agree?
3. To what extent should the State involve itself in the world of business?
4. Do the arts, such as music and literature, really play a significant part in the
Singaporean society?
5. ‘Medial science has been so successful that people now expect too much of
it.’ Do you agree?
6. ‘Hosting major sporting events creates more problems than benefits.’ Do you
agree?
8. ‘The tourist does not see the country the inhabitants know.’ How far is this true
of Singapore?
10. Consider the view that the study of mathematics is intellectually satisfying,
but of little practical use.
11. ‘Too much attention is given to criminals; not enough to their victims.’ Is this
true?
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PAPER 1
1. To what extent are the young in Singapore favoured at the expense of the
elderly?
3. Do the past and present offer any guidance for the future?
4. 'How inventions and discoveries are used is not the concern of the
scientist.' Do you agree?
5. 'People, not the government, should decide how to organise their lives.' Is
this a fair comment?
10. Discuss the appeal and value of fantasy stories and films.
12. 'Far too much attention is given to beauty products and treatments.' Do
you agree?
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PAPER 1
2. 'A good leader must always look beyond the needs of his or her country.'
Do you agree?
9. Was life for young people in Singapore better in the past than it is today?
11. Does the modern world place too much reliance on technology?
12. 'The family has suffered at the expense of career in Singaporean society.'
Is this a fair comment?
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PAPER 1
2. 'Conformity should be the main aim of all schools.' How far is this true?
4. 'If people become ill it is largely their own fault.' How far do you agree?
5. Does a study of history make you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of
the human race?
7. Should the police have unlimited powers when dealing with crime?
10. 'Air travel creates more problems than benefits.' Is this a fair comment?
12. 'A work of art can never be valued just in financial terms.' Discuss.
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PAPER 1
2. Discuss the extent to which global and national interests can be balanced.
3. 'Computers and mobile phones have made us all worse at talking to one
another, not better!' What do you think?
4. In what ways does a country both benefit and suffer from where it is situated?
5. 'The most worthwhile jobs are those with the least financial gain.' Do you
agree?
7. 'History can never be anything more than an intelligent guess at what the past
was like. The reality is inevitably lost for ever.' Do you agree?
9. ' A film has one purpose - to entertain.' Using examples, consider this view.
10. Discuss the appeal, and the dangers, of attempting to predict the future.
11. Is the idea of having one partner for life still a realistic one?
12. Do you think that life today offers us too many choices?
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6. 'Science never provides solutions - it only poses more questions.' Is this a fair
comment?
8. 'Public money should not be wasted on supporting the Arts; they should
support themselves.' Discuss.
9. How far do you agree that health is the responsibility of the State, not of the
individual?
10. 'Pets need us more than we need them.' What do you think?
11. Is it true that the old must now learn from the young?
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PAPER 1
2. 'A benevolent dictatorship is the most effective form of government.' How far
would you agree?
3. Evaluate the problems, and benefits, of the various ways in which society
deals with waste materials.
5. Does pride in one's country still have a place in the modern world?
6. Can the transplanting of animal organs into human beings ever be justified?
9. 'A preoccupation with physical fitness is the curse of modern life.' Do you
agree?
10. In a world without books or music, what would be missing? Discuss with
reference to specific examples.
11. 'The world of the future will be a woman's world.' What are your views?
12. Consider the criticism levelled at young people that their only values are self-
centred ones.
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1. 'Freedom of speech is a basic right - as long as the speakers do not abuse it.'
Discuss.
3. Discuss the view that children always suffer when both parents work.
5. 'Where business and industry are concerned, the profit motive must always be
the main priority.' Is this attitude acceptable?
10. 'The first duty of a doctor has always been to preserve Iife.’ How far can this
principle still be maintained?
11. 'Enjoyable, but ultimately of little practical use.' Consider the value of music or
art or literature in the light of this comment.
12. How far do we agree that, in spite of all the changes in society, traditional
values always remain the best?
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PAPER 1
3. Is it ever right for one country to become involved in the internal affairs of
another?
4. 'Films which have the greatest appeal are usually those which have the least
value.' By reference to specific examples, consider how far this is a fair
assessment?
5. Consider the arguments for and against the use of the death penalty in a
modern society.
7. How far can we satisfy the worldwide demand for food and still protect the
environment?
10. Examine some forms of prejudice in the world and consider the ways in which
they might be tackled.
11. 'What is important is not winning, but taking part.' How realistic is this attitude
in the world of sport today
12. Should human beings look forward to the next century more with optimism
than pessimism?
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PAPER 1
6. 'Sports which contain the risk of serious physical injury or death should be
banned.' How far would you agree with this view?
7. 'The best test of a civilised society is the way in which it treats its weakest
members'. Discuss.
9. 'The media can largely be blamed for the world-wide increase in violence.' To
what extent do you agree?
10. 'One's first duty is to one's nation, only afterwards to oneself and one’s family'.
Discuss.
12. To what extent can international aid be really effective? Refer to specific
examples to support your answer.
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1. "A life without challenge and risk is not worth living". How far would you agree
with this view?
3. The decisive use of force is the only practical means to resolve territorial
conflicts. Discuss.
6. For parents to choose the sex of their unborn child is neither natural or
desirable. Discuss.
9. Computer games have great appeal but little value. Is this a fair comment?
11. 'It is impossible to prove that one art form is superior to another.' Do you
agree? Refer to specific examples from painting, music or literature to support
your answer.
12. To what extent should the private lives of public figures be the subject of
media coverage?
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