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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 still a place for charity in today’s world?

2. ‘A picture is always more powerful than mere words.’ What is your view?

3. Does modern technology always improve the quality of people’s lives?

4. ‘National boundaries make little geographical or economic sense nowadays.’


Discuss.

5. Should crimes that were committed many years ago simply be forgotten?

6. How far is your country prepared for future crisis?

7. ‘The world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.’
Discuss.

8. To what extent do young people in your society take an interest in politics?

9. ‘Entrepreneurship is just another name for personal greed.’ How far do 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 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 effective farming possible without science?

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?

7. Examine the claim that the world is too dependent on oil.

8. ‘The tourist does not see the country the inhabitants know.’ How 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 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 in


Singapore have a positive effect?

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An Open Source Education Project

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 what extent are the young in Singapore favoured at the expense of the
elderly?

2. Are the poor an inevitable feature of any society?

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?

6. How far is recycling the answer to the problem of waste?

7. Can small countries have a significant voice in world affairs?

8. Advertising encourages a desire for products which people do not actually


need. Discuss.

9. Have multi-national businesses had a positive or negative impact on your


society?

10. Discuss the appeal and value of fantasy stories and films.

11. Discuss the importance of religion today.

12. 'Far too much attention is given to beauty products and treatments.' Do
you agree?

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An Open Source Education Project

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 what extent are small businesses preferable to large ones?

2. 'A good leader must always look beyond the needs of his or her country.'
Do you agree?

3. Does the book still have a future?

4. Is History anything more than the study of warfare?

5. Should medical science always seek to prolong life?

6. 'The only worthwhile form of discipline is self-discipline.' Discuss.

7. How far can the needs of minorities be met in modern Singapore?

8. Can the media ever be relied upon to convey the truth?

9. Was life for young people in Singapore better in the past than it is today?

10. 'Statistics measure everything but prove nothing.' Discuss.

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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An Open Source Education Project

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 there a case for keeping animals in zoos?

2. 'Conformity should be the main aim of all schools.' How far is this true?

3. Can the trade in weapons ever be justified?

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?

6. 'Science and religion will always conflict.' Discuss.

7. Should the police have unlimited powers when dealing with crime?

8. 'The prospect of a Third World War is now unthinkable.' Do you agree?

9. Do you agree that city life is becoming increasingly unattractive?

10. 'Air travel creates more problems than benefits.' Is this a fair comment?

11. Is friendly rivalry ever possible?

12. 'A work of art can never be valued just in financial terms.' Discuss.

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An Open Source Education Project

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 sport too closely linked to money these days?

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?

6. Examine the implications of cloning for the human race.

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?

8. Should advertising be restricted in any way?

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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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 life of total luxury - dream or nightmare?

2. 'I am a Millionaire. That is my religion.' To what extent has the pursuit of


wealth become the modem goal?

3. Is a preoccupation with the past merely an escape from the present?

4. 'Idealism brings disillusionment; realism brings result.' Discuss.

5. Is it always important to succeed?

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

7. To what extent should richer nations help the poorer ones?

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?

12. 'In the modern world, image is 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 settle anything?

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.

4. 'The secret of a happy life is moderation in all things.' Discuss.

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?

7. Is a sound knowledge of science and technology essential for a well-educated


person in today's world?

8. 'Being in fashion makes a person popular; being different makes a person


special.' Discuss.

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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An Open Source Education Project

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. 'Freedom of speech is a basic right - as long as the speakers do not abuse it.'
Discuss.

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


viewpoint justifiable?

3. Discuss the view that children always suffer when both parents work.

4. 'Human beings have unlimited desires, but limited resources.' Is it possible to


reconcile the two?

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

6. Is a world dominated by science a dream or a nightmare for future


generations?

7. 'Education does not develop individuality but conformity.' Is such a statement


always valid?

8. Consider whether noise is a problem in modern society.

9. 'The only future for the car is its elimination.' Discuss.

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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An Open Source Education Project

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 what extent is a stable family vital for a successful society?

2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being educated abroad.

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.

6. 'In today's world, power is determined by economic success, not military


might.' Discuss.

7. How far can we satisfy the worldwide demand for food and still protect the
environment?

8. Compare the effectiveness of any two of the following as a means of news


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. 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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An Open Source Education Project

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 greater life expectancy always desirable?

2. 'Good government requires the courage to make unpopular decisions'.


Discuss this statement with examples to support your answers.

3. Can anything worthwhile be gained from continued research into historical


events?

4. Is personal morality the concern of the state?

5. 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 best test of a civilised society is the way in which it treats its weakest
members'. Discuss.

8. Consider the value in planning.

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.

11. Should any limits be placed upon scientific developments?

12. To what extent can international aid be really effective? Refer to specific
examples to support your answer.

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An Open Source Education Project

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 promises always be kept?

3. The decisive use of force is the only practical means to resolve territorial
conflicts. Discuss.

4. How far would a universal language be valuable and practical?

5. Do animals have rights and, if so, should they be practised?

6. For parents to choose the sex of their unborn child is neither natural or
desirable. Discuss.

7. To what extent is continued research into nuclear power justifiable?

8. How important is discipline in society?

9. Computer games have great appeal but little value. Is this a fair comment?

10. Should marriage be a life-long commitment?

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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