GCE a Level Essay Questions by Year(1995-2006)

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 2006 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length

1. Is there there still still a place place for charity charity in today’ today’s s world? world? 2. ‘A picture picture is always always more more powerful powerful than than mere words.’ words.’ What What is your view? view? 3. Does modern modern technolo technology gy always always improve improve the quality quality of people’s people’s lives? lives? 4. ‘National ‘National boundarie boundaries s make little geograph geographical ical or economic economic sense sense nowadays.’ nowadays.’ Discuss. 5. Should Should crimes crimes that were commi committed tted many years years ago simply simply be forgotte forgotten? n? 6. How far far is your your country country prepared prepared for for future future crisis? crisis? 7. ‘The ‘The world would would be a better better place place if every everyone one spoke spoke the same langua language. ge.’’ Discuss. 8. To what extent do young people people in your society take an interest in politics? 9. ‘Entre ‘Entrepre preneu neursh rship ip is just just anothe anotherr name name for person personal al greed.’ greed.’ How far do you you agree with this statement? 10.Do myths and legends still have a role to play in Singapore? 11. ‘Women will never enjoy the same rights as men.’ Do 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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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 2005 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length

1. Is effectiv effective e farming farming possible possible without without scienc science? e? 2. ‘There ‘There is no such thing thing as luck. luck. People People determine determine their own lives. lives.’’ Do you agree? 3.

To what extent should the State involve itself in the world of business?

4. Do the arts, arts, such such as music music and literatu literature, re, really really play a signifi significant cant part part in the Singaporean society? 5. ‘Medial ‘Medial science science has been been so successfu successfull that people people now expect expect too much much of  it.’ Do you agree? 6. ‘Hosting ‘Hosting major major sporting sporting events creates creates more problems problems than than benefits.’ benefits.’ Do you you agree? 7. Examine Examine the claim that the world is is too depen dependent dent on on oil. 8. ‘The tourist tourist does not not see the country country the inhabit inhabitants ants know know.’ .’ How far far is this true of Singapore? 9.

‘Instead of speeding up the pace of life, we should be slowing it down.’ What do you think?

10. Consider the view that the study of mathematics is intellectually satisfying, but of little practical use. 11. ‘Too ‘Too much attention is given to criminals; not enough to their victims.’ Is this true? 12. How far do magazines or television programmes aimed at young people people in Singapore have a positive effect?

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 2004 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

To wha whatt exte extent nt are are the the youn young g in Sing Singap apor ore e favo favour ured ed at the the expe expens nse e of the the elderly?

2.

Are Are the the poor poor an inev inevit itab able le feat featur ure e of any any soci societ ety y?

3.

Do the the pas pastt and and pres presen entt of offer fer any any guid guidan ance ce for for the the fut futur ure? e?

4.

'How 'How inve invent ntio ions ns and and dis disco cove veri ries es are are use used d is is not not the the con conce cern rn of the the scientist.' Do you agree?

5.

'Peo 'Peopl ple, e, not not the the gove govern rnme ment, nt, shou should ld dec decid ide e how how to to orga organi nise se thei theirr lives lives.' .' Is Is this a fair comment?

6.

How How far far is recy recycl clin ing g the the answ answer er to the the pro probl blem em of wast waste? e?

7.

Can Can sma small ll coun countr tries ies have have a sig signi nifi fica cant nt voic voice e in in wor world ld affa affair irs? s?

8.

Adve Advert rtis isin ing g enco encour urag ages es a des desire ire for for prod produc ucts ts whi which ch peop people le do do not not actu actual ally ly need. Discuss.

9.

Have Have mult multii-na natio tiona nall busi busine ness sses es had had a posi positi tive ve or or nega negati tive ve imp impac actt on your  your  society?

10. 10.

Disc Discus uss s the the appe appeal al and and val value ue of of fant fantas asy y sto storie ries s and and film films. s.

11.

Disc Discus uss s the the impo import rtan ance ce of reli religi gion on toda today y.

12.

'Far 'Far too too much much attent attention ion is give given n to beauty beauty produc products ts and and treatm treatment ents.' s.' Do Do you agree?

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 2003 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

To wha whatt ext exten entt are are smal smalll bus busin ines esse ses s pre prefe fera rabl ble e to to lar large ge ones ones? ?

2.

'A good good lea leade derr must must alwa always ys look look beyon beyond d the the need needs s of of his his or her her coun country try.' .' Do you agree?

3.

Does the the book still have a future?

4.

Is Hist Histor ory y any anythin thing g mor more e tha than n the the stud study y of warfa arfare re? ?

5.

Shou Should ld medic edical al scie scienc nce e alw alway ays s see seek k to to pro prolo long ng life life? ?

6.

'The 'The only only wor worthw thwhi hile le form form of dis disci cipl plin ine e is is self self-d -dis isci cipl plin ine. e.'' Dis Discu cuss ss..

7.

How How far far can can the the need needs s of mino minorit ritie ies s be be met met in mode modern rn Sing Singap apor ore? e?

8.

Can Can the the medi media a eve everr be be rel relie ied d upo upon n to to con conve vey y the the trut truth? h?

9.

Was life life for for you young ng peo peopl ple e in Sing Singap apor ore e bet bette terr in the the pas pastt than than it is is today today? ?

10.

'Stati 'Statisti stics cs measu measure re everyth everything ing but prove prove nothin nothing.' g.' Discus Discuss. s.

11.

Does Does the the moder modern n worl world d place place too much much relian reliance ce on techno technolog logy? y?

12.

'The 'The family family has suffer suffered ed at at the expen expense se of of career career in in Singap Singapore orean an soci society ety.' .' Is this a fair comment?

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 2002 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

Is ther there e a cas case for for keep keepin ing g ani anima mals ls in zoos? oos?

2.

'Con 'Confo form rmity ity shou should ld be the the mai main n aim aim of all all sch schoo ools ls.' .' How How far far is this this true? true?

3.

Can Can th the tra trade de in weap weapon ons s eve ever be be jus justi tifi fied ed? ?

4.

'If 'If peo peopl ple e bec becom ome e ill it is larg largely ely thei theirr own own faul fault.' t.' How How far far do do you you agre agree? e?

5.

Does Does a stu study dy of of hist history ory make make you you opt optim imis istic tic or pes pessi simi mist stic ic abo about ut the the futu future re of  of  the human race?

6.

'Sci 'Scien ence ce and and reli religi gion on will will alwa alway ys conf confli lict ct.' .' Disc Discus uss. s.

7.

Shou Should ld the the pol polic ice e hav have e unl unlim imit ited ed powe powers rs when when deal dealin ing g wit with h cri crime me? ?

8.

'The 'The pros prospe pect ct of a Thir Third d Wor World ld War is now now unt unthi hink nkab able le.' .' Do you you agr agree ee? ?

9.

Do you you agr agree ee that that city city life life is is bec becom omin ing g inc incre reas asin ingly gly unat unattr trac activ tive? e?

10.

'Air 'Air trav travel el create creates s more more prob problem lems s than than benefi benefits. ts.'' Is this this a fair fair comm comment ent? ?

11.

Is frie friend ndly ly riva rivalr lry y ever ever poss possib ible le? ?

12.

'A work work of art can never never be value valued d just just in financ financial ial terms. terms.'' Discu Discuss. ss.

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 2001 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

Is spor sportt too too clos closel ely y link linked ed to mone money y thes these e day days?

2.

Disc Discus uss s the the ext exten entt to whic which h glo globa ball and and natio nationa nall inte intere rest sts s can can be bala balanc nced ed..

3.

'Computers and mobile phones have made us all worse at talking to one another, another, not better!' What do you think?

4.

In wha whatt way ways s does does a coun country try both both ben benef efit it and and suff suffer er fro from m whe where re itit is situ situat ated ed? ?

5.

'The 'The most most worth worthwh while ile jobs jobs are are tho those se with with the the leas leastt fin finan anci cial al gain gain.' .' Do you you agree?

6.

Exa Examine mine the the imp impli lica cati tion ons s of of clo cloni ning ng for for the the hum human an race race..

7.

'History can never be anything more than an intelligent guess at what the past was like. The The reality is inevitably lost lost for ever.' ever.' Do you agree?

8.

Shou hould adve advert rtis isin ing g be be re restri strict cted ed in any way? ay?

9.

' A film film has has one one purp purpos ose e - to to ent enter erta tain in.' .' Usin Using g exa examp mple les, s, con consi side derr this this view view..

10.

Discus Discuss s the the appea appeal, l, and and the the dange dangers, rs, of of attem attemptin pting g to pred predict ict the futu future. re.

11.

Is the idea idea of of havin having g one one partne partnerr for for life life still still a reali realisti stic c one? one?

12. 12.

Do you you thin think k that that life life today today offe offers rs us us too too many many choi choice ces? s?

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 2000 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

A lif life of of to total tal lu luxury xury - dre dream am or nigh nightm tmar are e?

2.

'I am am a Mill Millio iona nair ire. e. That That is my relig religio ion. n.'' To wha whatt exte extent nt has has the the purs pursui uitt of  wealth become the modem goal?

3.

Is a pre preoc occu cupa patio tion n wit with h the the past past mere merely ly an esca escape pe from from the the pres presen ent? t?

4.

'Ide 'Ideal alis ism m brin brings gs disi disill llus usio ionm nmen ent; t; real realis ism m brin brings gs resu result. lt.'' Disc Discus uss. s.

5.

Is it alway lways s importa rtant to succeed?

6.

'Science never provides provides solutions - it only only poses more questions.' Is this a fair  comment?

7.

To what what exte extent nt shou should ld rich richer er nati nation ons s help help the the poo poore rerr ones ones? ?

8.

'Pub 'Publi lic c mon money ey sho shoul uld d not not be be wast wasted ed on on sup suppo port rtin ing g the the Arts Arts;; they they sho shoul uld d support themselves.' Discuss.

9.

How How far far do you you agr agree ee tha thatt heal health th is is the the resp respon onsi sibi bili lity ty of of the the Stat State, e, not not of of the the individual?

10. 10.

'Pet 'Pets s nee need d us us mor more e tha than n we we nee need d the them. m.'' What What do you you thi think nk? ?

11.

Is it tru true e tha thatt the the old old mus mustt now now lear learn n from from the the you young ng? ?

12.

'In the modern modern world, image image is everything.' everything.' Discuss.

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 1999 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

Do arguments ever settl ttle anyt nything?

2.

'A bene benevo vole lent nt dic dicta tato tors rshi hip p is is the the mos mostt eff effec ectiv tive e for form m of of gov gover ernm nmen ent.' t.' How How far  far  would you agree?

3.

Eval Evalua uate te the the prob proble lems ms,, and and ben benef efit its, s, of of the the var vario ious us way ways s in whic which h soci society ety deals with waste materials.

4.

'The 'The secr secret et of a happy happy life life is mode modera rati tion on in all all thin things gs.' .' Disc Discus uss. s.

5.

Does Does prid pride e in in one one's 's coun country try stil stilll hav have e a plac place e in in the the mode modern rn worl world? d?

6.

Can Can the the tran transp spla lant ntin ing g of anim animal al org organ ans s into into hum human an bei being ngs s ever ever be be just justif ifie ied? d?

7.

Is a sound knowledge of science and technology essential for a well-educated person in today's world?

8.

'Bei 'Being ng in in fash fashio ion n mak makes es a pers person on popu popula lar; r; bei being ng diff differ eren entt make makes s a per perso son n special.' Discuss.

9.

'A preo preocc ccup upat atio ion n with with physi physica call fit fitne ness ss is the the cur curse se of mode modern rn life. life.'' Do you you agree?

10.

In a world without books books or music, what would be missing? missing? Discuss with reference to specific examples.

11.

'The 'The worl world d of of the the futu future re will will be be a woman' woman's s worl world.' d.' What What are your your views? views?

12.

Consid Consider er the the critici criticism sm leve levelle lled d at youn young g people people that that their their only only value values s are selfselfcentred ones.

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 1998 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

'Fre 'Freed edom om of spe speec ech h is a bas basic ic rig right ht - as lon long g as the the spe speak aker ers s do do not not abu abuse se it. it.'' Discuss.

2.

'To 'To ensure peace, It is vital to prepare or war.’ To what extent is such a viewpoint justifiable?

3.

Disc Discus uss s the the view view that that chi child ldre ren n alw alway ays s suf suffe ferr when when both both par paren ents ts wor work. k.

4.

'Hum 'Human an bein beings gs have have unli unlimi mite ted d des desir ires es,, but but lim limite ited d res resou ourc rces es.' .' Is it pos possi sibl ble e to to reconcile the two?

5.

'Where business and industry are concerned, the profit motive must always be the main priority.' priority.' Is this attitude acceptable?

6.

Is a wor world ld domi domina nate ted d by by scie scienc nce e a dre dream am or a nig night htma mare re for for fut futur ure e generations?

7.

'Education does not develop individuality but conformity.' Is such a statement always valid?

8.

Cons Consid ider er whet whethe herr noi noise se is a pro probl blem em in moder odern n soc socie iety ty..

9.

'The 'The only only futu future re for for the the car car is is its its elim elimin inat atio ion. n.'' Disc Discus uss. s.

10.

'The first duty of a doctor has always been 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, society, traditional values always remain the best?

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 1997 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

To wha whatt ext exten entt is is a stab stable le fami family ly vita vitall for for a suc succe cess ssfu full soc socie iety ty? ?

2.

Disc Discus uss s the the adva advant ntag ages es and and dis disad adva vant ntag ages es of bein being g edu educa cate ted d abr abroa oad. d.

3.

Is itit ever ever rig right ht for for one one cou count ntry ry to to bec becom ome e invo involv lved ed in the the int inter erna nall affa affair irs s of  another?

4.

'Fil 'Films ms whic which h have have the the grea greate test st app appea eall are are usu usual ally ly tho those se whi which ch hav have e the the leas leastt value.' By reference to specific examples, consider how far this is a fair  assessment?

5.

Cons Consid ider er the the arg argum umen ents ts for for and and aga again inst st the the use use of of the the deat death h pen penal alty ty in in a modern society.

6.

'In 'In today today's 's worl world, d, pow power er is is dete determ rmin ined ed by eco econo nomi mic c suc succe cess ss,, not not milit military ary might.' Discuss.

7.

How How far far can can we sati satisfy sfy the the wor world ldwi wide de dema demand nd for for food food and and stil stilll pro prote tect ct the the environment?

8.

Comp Compar are e the the eff effec ectiv tiven enes ess s of of any any two two of of the the fol follow lowin ing g as as a mean means s of of new news s coverage: the radio, television, newspapers.

9.

Discuss the benefits and disadvantages which technological development is likely to have upon education in the near future.

10.

Examin Examine e some some form forms s of prejud prejudice ice in the the world world and and cons conside iderr the the ways ways in which which they might be tackled.

11.

'What 'What is import important ant is is not not winnin winning, g, but but taking taking part. part.'' How realis realistic tic is is this this attitu attitude de in the world of sport today

12.

Should Should human human bein beings gs look look forward forward to the the next next cent century ury more more with with opti optimis mism m than pessimism?

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 1996 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

Is grea greate terr lif life e exp expe ecta ctancy ncy alw alway ays s des desir ira able? ble?

2.

'Goo 'Good d gov gover ernm nmen entt requ requir ires es the the cou coura rage ge to make make unpo unpopu pula larr deci decisi sion ons' s'.. Discuss this statement with examples to support your answers.

3.

Can Can anyt anythi hing ng wor worth thwh whil ile e be gain gained ed fro from m con conti tinu nued ed res resea earc rch h into into his histo toric rical al events?

4.

Is perso ersona nall mor mora ality lity the the con conce cern rn of the the sta state te? ?

5.

Why, Why, in a scientific age, are people still interested in - or afraid of - the supernatural?

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 'The best best tes testt of a civi civili lise sed d soc socie iety ty is is the the way way in in whic which h it trea treats ts its its wea weake kest st members'. Discuss.

8.

Consider th the va value in in pl planning.

9.

'The 'The med media ia can can lar large gely ly be be blam blamed ed for for the the wor world ld-w -wid ide e incr increa ease se in in viol violen ence ce.' .' To To what extent do you agree?

10.

'One's 'One's firs firstt duty is to one's one's natio nation, n, only only afterw afterward ards s to one onesel selff and one’s one’s fam family ily'. '. Discuss.

11.

Should Should any limits limits be placed placed upon upon scient scientific ific devel developm opment ents? s?

12.

To what what exten extentt can intern internati ationa onall aid be really really effec effectiv tive? e? Refe Referr to speci specific fic examples to support your answer. answer.

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GCE 'A' LEVEL GENERAL PAPER NOVEMBER 1995 PAPER 1

 Answer one question from this Paper.  Answers should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

1.

"A life without challenge and risk is not worth living". How far would you agree with this view?

2.

Should pr promises alw alwa ays be be ke kept?

3.

The The dec decis isive ive use use of of forc force e is the the only only prac practic tical al mea means ns to res resol olve ve ter terri rito tori rial al conflicts. Discuss.

4.

How How far far woul would d a unive univers rsal al lang langua uage ge be valu valuab able le and and prac practi tica cal? l?

5.

Do anim animal als s hav have e rig right hts s and and,, if if so, so, shou should ld they they be prac practi tise sed? d?

6.

For For par paren ents ts to cho choos ose e the the sex of thei theirr unbo unborn rn chi child ld is neit neithe herr nat natur ural al or  or  desirable. Discuss.

7.

To wha whatt exte extent nt is is con contin tinue ued d rese resear arch ch into into nuc nucle lear ar pow power er jus justif tifia iabl ble? e?

8.

How How import porta ant is dis discipl ciplin ine e in socie ociety ty? ?

9.

Comp Comput uter er gam games es have have gre great at app appea eall but but litt little le val value ue.. Is this this a fair fair com comme ment nt? ?

10. 10.

Shou Should ld marri marriag age e be a life life-lo -long ng comm commitm itmen ent? t?

11.

'It is is impos impossib sible le to prove prove tha thatt one one art art form form is superi superior or to anothe anotherr.' Do you agree? Refer to specific examples from painting, music or literature to support your answer.

12.

To what what exten extentt should should the the priv private ate live lives s of publ public ic figur figures es be be the the subje subject ct of  media coverage?

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