Appreciating Essay Requirements : Understanding Little Words

A) Inferring tone, attitude, assumptions and implications in essay

questions

i) Absolute Terms

Always

Technological advancements always bring about social equality. What is your

view?

Only

Is violence the only way to end terrorism?

No longer

There is no longer a clear cultural distinction between the East and the West.
Do you agree?

Nothing but

“The mass media is nothing but a profit-making machine.” Evaluate this

claim.

Never

‘It never pays to be nice.’ Discuss.

Truly/Purely/All

Is education truly rewarding?

ii) Adverbs

Too/So

We are too pragmatic for our own good. Is this true of young people in your
society?

‘Our health is so important, yet we pay so little attention to it.’

Do you agree?

Still

Do traditions still have a place in modern Singapore?

Far too much

‘Far too much attention is given to young people and not enough to
the elderly.’ To what extent is this statement reflective of the situation
in your society?
Ever

Can war ever be a good thing?

Really
 Modern society is still intolerant of the different. Is this really the case?

iii) Modals

Should

‘Politics should stay out of the world of sports.’ Is that possible?

Can

Can war ever be a good thing?

iv) Adjectives

Mere

Is the idea of keeping our environment for posterity a mere dream?

B) Understanding Nebulous Words :

Providing more than 1 interpretation to words, defining its meaning and
identifying its connotation to expand the scope of discussion.

Good/Bad, Better/Worse, Greatest/Worst

We are too pragmatic for our own good. Is this true of young people in your
society?

Mind your own business. Is this good advice?

Place

Do traditions still have a place in modern Singapore?

Realistic

Is sustainable development a realistic aim in today’s world?

Idealistic

‘Yes, We Can.’ (Barack Obama) Is such optimism too idealistic in today’s

world?

Worthwhile

How worthwhile is it to fund scientific research when not everyone will

benefit?

Solution/Answer

To what extent is education the solution to social ills today?

Effective
 Discuss the effectiveness of technology as a means of tackling social
problems

Obstacle

Would you agree that apathy is the greatest obstacle to alleviating

environmental problems?

Any differently

Should we treat our celebrities any differently from any other person?

Justified

Are the concerns about international migration justified?

Success

How successful has your country been in promoting the arts?

Over-rated

‘The benefits of migration are over-rated.’ Do you agree?

Sustained

Can lifelong marriages still be sustained in your society today?

Reliance

Does the modern world place too much reliance on technology?

Dominated

Is a world dominated by science a dream or nightmare for future generations

Implications

Examine the implications of cloning for the human race?

Preoccupation

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

Desirable

Is greater life expectancy always desirable?

C) Understanding Important Concepts

Sustainable development

Is sustainable development a realistic aim in today’s world?

Standard of Living vs Quality of Life

‘A life spent primarily on the pursuit of material things is a wasted

life.’ To what extent do you agree? - ACJC 2010
 Does modern technology always improve the quality of people’s
lives? GCE 2006

‘As the world progresses, the quality of life declines.’ To what extent do you
agree? – DHS 2010

Consumerism

How far is modern consumerism a threat to the environment? – RI 2010

Social institutions

How far is society responsible for the crimes of its people? CJC 2010

“The world will be a better place without religion.” Discuss. CJC 2010

How far does a State have the right to intervene in the decisions people
make about their lives? – MI 2010

“The family has suffered at the expense of career in Singapore society.” Is

this a fair comment? - GEC 2003

Commercialised

The arts today have been exploited for commercial ends. Discuss.

Education

Investing in education has never been as important as it is now. Do you

agree?

Scapegoat

‘The pursuit of wealth is the scapegoat for social problems.’ Is this true in
your society?