GP Tuition Singapore - General Paper Essay Qns

General Paper essay questions come under a wide range of topics. Here are some essay questions from past exams for an understanding of what to expect for Paper 1. The essays are categorised under 12 broad topics.
 

CRIME & PUNISHMENT

1. Society is mostly to blame for the crimes of its youth.  To what extent is this true?    
2. Are harsh punishments the best answer to rising crime?   
3. Greed is largely to blame for the rise in crimes today.’ How true is this?   
4. ‘Be gentle with the young.’ To what extent is this an effective way to deal with a rise in juvenile crimes?   
5. Crime is an inevitable feature in a society. Do you agree? 

EDUCATION

1. ‘Education has never been more essential in the world today’. Do you agree?   
2. ‘Education is the only effective instrument in bringing about changes in society.’ Is this true?   
3. To what extent can education bridge the income gap in your society?   
4. He who opens a school door, closes a prison." Is education a sufficient safeguard against crime?   
5. “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Should your society adopt this view in educating the young?   

ENVIRONMENT

1. Do you agree that environmental protection is a luxury of the rich?   
2. Can we rely on science and technology to solve our environmental problems?    
3. Too little, too late.’ Is this reflective of our efforts to protect the environment?    
4. “The threat of global warming is exaggerated.” Is this a fair comment?   
5. 'The environment must be sacrificed for economic development.'  Do you agree?   
6. Do you agree that environmental protection is a luxury of the rich?   
7. Discuss the important steps that must be taken to protect our environment.   
8. “What lessons can we learn from today’s environmental crisis?   
9. Is concern for the environment just a trend?   
10. Discuss the important steps that must be taken to protect our environment   
11. We cannot reasonably expect governments to be concerned for the environment.’ Comment   
12. How far do you agree that our current environmental woes are of our making?   
13. To what extent is sport an environmentally-unfriendly endeavour?  
14. A clean and green modern world is an unattainable goal.  Do you agree?   

GENDER & FAMILY ISSUES

1. ‘Too much importance is placed on achieving equality between men and women.’ Do you agree?   
2. Is gender equality a problem or a solution?   
3. ‘Too much importance is placed on achieving equality between men and women.’ Do you agree?   
4. Today, more than ever, it is increasingly difficult to maintain a happy and stable family life.”  Do you agree?   
5. “Singlehood is a regrettable state.”  Is this true?   
6. The quality of family life has deteriorated in today's world. Discuss this in relation to your country.   
7. A man’s only priority should be the home.  Comment   
8. Is there a necessity for marriage in this time and age?     
9. “Grey is the new gold.”  To what extent is this true of the aged in Singapore?   

GENERAL (PHILOSOPHY)

1. ‘Fear is a sign of weakness.’ Discuss   
2. It is the Arts, not the sciences that will make us a better person. Do you agree?   
3. It is more important to forget than forgive. Do you agree?   
4. ‘Winning is not the most important thing in life – it’s everything.’ Do you agree?   
5. ‘Just do it!’ Is this good advice?    
6. Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it’. What are your views?   
7. Can the use of surveillance technology ever be justified?   
8. Freedom and responsibility are inseparable. Discuss   
9. What defines a successful person?   
10. Consider the value of choices   
11. Development of one’s character is far more important than the development of one’s intellect. What are your views?   
12. ‘Happiness is just a choice away.’  Comment.   
13. ‘Change should always be embraced.’ Comment.    
14. Does the state always act in the interest of the individual?   
15. Choice is overrated. Discuss Does the state always act in the interest of the individual?   
16. ‘The key to changing the world lies in changing oneself.’ Comment   

GENERAL (SOCIAL)

1. ‘In spite of more information, man is not more informed.’  Comment   
2. ‘People should be free to say and do as they wish.’ Discuss.   
3. Do you agree that we live in a dangerous world?   
4. Do you think we are obsessed with progress today?   
5. There is no such thing as privacy today.  Comment.    
6. ‘Addiction is the bane of the modern world.’    Discuss.   
7. Without our past, our future would be a tortuous path leading to nowhere.’ Do you agree?   
8. Account for the increasing fascination with celebrities in modern society.  Do   you think   
9. this is a cause for concern?   
10. “Increasingly, money is the prime motivator for many people in the world today.”  Discuss.   
11. Stress is healthy. Discuss   
12. ‘Inspite of more information, man is not more informed.’  Comment   
13. ‘There is nothing wrong with being individualistic'. What is your view on this?   
14. ‘More must be done to protect the rights of children.’  Discuss.   
15. Foreign talents are detrimental to a country’s social cohesion. What are your views?   
16. Travel is the best form of leisure. How valid is this statement?   
17. Apart from making money, why work?   
18. ‘The future of our world looks bleak.’ Do you agree with this statement?   
19. We live in a world of excesses. Discuss   
20. “Equality is still a myth.” Discuss   
21. Is there anything a country can do to keep its most talented people?   
22. Discuss the value of a vibrant arts scene to a world class city.    

POLITICS /GOVERNMENT/TERRORISM

1. Our personal lifestyles should not be the concern of the government. Discuss   
2. National identity is of little relevance in today’s world. Do you agree?   
3. Violence to end violence’. Is this the solution to terrorism?   
4. Do political leaders in the world today meet the mark?   
5. Our personal lifestyles should not be the concern of the government. Discuss.   
6. Does pride in one’s country still matter today?   
7. “The cure for terrorism is democracy.”  Do you agree?   
8. Sports and politics should never be mixed.’ Do you agree?.   
9. “A nation’s economic competitiveness is largely determined by the quality of its people.”  Do you agree?   
10. Governments should take steps to keep their threatened languages alive. Do you agree?   
11. Propaganda is the purest form of art. Discuss.   
12. The study of history will enable Man to be wiser.  Comment.   
13. ‘Never think that war, no matter how necessary nor justified, is not a crime.’  Do you agree?  
14. ‘National pride is an outdated notion.’ Discuss.   

POVERTY

1. Technological advancement has worsened the problem of poverty. Do you agree?

2. The end of poverty will always remain just an ideal. Discuss.

3. Should rich nations stop giving aid to poorer nations?

4. How concerned should we be about world poverty?

5. "Out of sight, out of mind." Is this the way people deal with the problem of poverty?

6. Should developed countries be responsible for the plight of developing ones?

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. Can the use of surveillance technology ever be justified?   
2. It is not the business of science to deal with ethical issues.’ Discuss.   
3. As Science progresses, mankind regresses’. Comment.   
4. Technological advancement has worsened the problem of poverty. Do you agree?   
5. Today’s technology is dividing us as much as uniting us.’  Comment   
6. Should scientific research be restricted in any way?   
7. "Modern technology always improves the quality of people's lives." How true is this?   
8. Can we rely on science and technology to solve our environmental problems?   
9. Have the issues faced by scientists become more complicated in recent times? Comment.   
10. Science solves physical problems but religion remains the best answer to life’s challenges.  Discuss.   
11. Science and ethics should be kept separate.’ Is this wise advice?    
12. How important is it to be at the cutting edge of technology?   
13. Should ethical concerns be second to pragmatism in Science?   

SINGAPORE ISSUES

1. How ready are the young in your country for the real world?   
2. Singapore needs scientists more than artists. Do you agree?   
3. To what extent should the Singapore government involve itself in family matters?   
4. Young people today are so fortunate.’ Is this true of young people in your country?   
5. Can women ever gain equality in Singaporean society?   
6. ‘For a small country, cooperation and not competition is the best way to survive.’ How true is this of Singapore?   
7. To what extent are the values of teenagers in Singapore today shaped by the mass media?   
8. Has competition resulted in a less compassionate and caring society? Discuss this with reference to your country.    
9. To what extent has your society pursued economic progress at the expense of morality today?   
10. Examine the impact that foreigners have on your country.   
11. Singapore is working towards a more open and liberal society.  Discuss the implications.   
12. What are the hallmarks of a gracious society? Suggest ways by which Singapore can become one.   
13. ‘Singapore is a family- friendly country.’ To what extent do you agree with this?   
14. Can Singapore’s education system succeed in ‘moulding the future of the nation’?   
15. Not enough attention is given to the promotion of sports in Singapore.” Discuss.  
16. ‘Young people in Singapore are simply not interested with politics.’ Do you agree?  
17. Should Singapore allocate more resources to improving the standard of living or quality of life?  
18. To what extent do the young people in your country take an interest in the arts?  
19. The problem with Singapore today is that she lacks a soul.’ Discuss.  
20. It is necessary to give up personal freedom for a more cohesive society. To what extent is this true in your country?  
21. Are Singaporeans guilty of complacency?  
22. Foreign is always better than local.” To what extent does this reflect the attitude of Singaporeans?  
23. Is the future for the youths of Singapore exciting and inspiring?  
24. Singapore’s future depends on her ability to reinvent herself. Comment.  
25. ‘‘All civilised societies should abolish the death penalty.’ Discuss this view with regards to your country.  
26. Television shapes our mindsets. How true is this of the Singaporean society?  
27. Can women ever gain equality in Singaporean society?   

RELIGION
 

1. ‘Religion is incompatible with modern life.’  What is your view?   
2. ‘Religion is meant for the weak.”  Is this a fair statement?   
3. ‘Religion has lost its significance in today’s world.’. Discuss   
4. To what extent should we limit the influence of religion on politics?   
5. ‘Religion is incompatible with modern life.’  What is your view?   
6. Religion is nothing more than an escape from reality. How true is this?    

MEDIA
 

1. ‘Cyberspace is a powerful cultural force.’ Discuss   
2. To what extent are our perceptions manipulated by the media?   
3. Have the new media changed our lives for the better? To what extent are the values of teenagers in Singapore today shaped by the mass media?   
4. “Citizen journalism is more about ego than it is about impact.”  Discuss.   
5. "Censorship has no place in modern society." Do you agree?   
6. Do you think the media should be held responsible for the growing violence and crime in society today?   
7. Do you think the media should be held responsible for the growing violence and crime in society today?   
8. ‘The new media is a mixed blessing.’ Discuss   
9. With the rise of new media, censorship is needed now more than ever.  Do you agree?   
10. The media is the main cause of unhealthy eating habits. Do you agree?   
11. The media can never be relied upon to tell the truth. Is this a fair comment?   
12. Is the mass media creating a truly informed world?   
13. Cyberspace is the most natural medium for developing and monitoring political power.  Comment.   
14. Is censorship still of value in this digital age?   
15. The age of media freedom has arrived.’ Discuss.  
16. A country’s press is the voice of its people. What do you think?