Oct 2002, Paper 1
1 How far do you agree that people from history considered ‘great’ rarely deserve the title?
2 ‘Not too much, nor too little.’ To what extent is this the basis for a fulfilled life?
3 Assess the most important areas for government spending.
4 ‘Education divides, rather than unites, society.’ Discuss.
5 Can scientists ever justify being involved in weapon research?
6 Is there any point in predicting the weather when we have no control over it?
7 ‘There are more advantages to living in the countryside than in the town.’ Discuss.
8 ‘Children should be the product of nature, not of science.’ Do you agree?
9 Do languages spoken by relatively few people have a place in the modern world?
10 ‘Only the rich can afford works of art.’ How far is this true?
11 ‘Fiction has nothing to do with real life.’ Discuss.
12 Assess the qualities to be found in a good advertisement.
Oct 2003, Paper 1
1 Do small firms have a role in modern business?
2 ‘History repeats itself.’ Do you agree?
3 To what extent is formal education effective?
4 ‘The only victims of war are the poor or the innocent.’ Discuss.
5 Can the use of nuclear energy be justified?
6 Assess the factors which affect the distribution of population in your country.
7 Can mathematics be made fun, interesting and worthwhile?
8 Which should be medicine’s main priority – the quality or the length of life?
9 Assess the value of young people’s magazines today.
10 How far should the media of any society reflect the views of its leaders?
11 ‘All works of art belong in their country of origin.’ Discuss.
12 Is the money spent on museums well spent?
Oct 2004, Paper 1
1 ‘Beauty contests are degrading and should be banned.’ Is this a fair comment?
2 Should parents be held responsible when young people commit crimes?
3 ‘People should have less freedom, not more.’ Do you agree?
4 Is it preferable for education to be run by private organisations rather than the State?
5 Why is it more acceptable to say ‘I am no good at sums’ than ‘I cannot read’?
6 Consider the view that too many people are trying to inhabit too little land.
7 Examine the role of natural remedies in the treatment of illness.
8 Assess the impact of technology on the environment.
9 Assess the claim that an uncensored press is dangerous.
10 Why write, or read, poetry?
11 Can music contribute anything of worth?
12 Is the study of the art of ancient civilizations of any relevance today?
Oct 2005, Paper 1
1 Do economic sanctions serve any useful purpose?
2 ‘A country with no written records has no history.’ Is this true?
3 ‘To be different is to be condemned by society.’ Is this a fair statement?
4 Do parents have the right to use any form of discipline they choose?
5 Should every country have the right to possess weapons of war?
6 ‘The donation of healthy body parts or organs after death should be compulsory.’ Do you agree?
7 How important is the conservation of the sea’s resources?
8 ‘The benefits of technology are mostly enjoyed by the rich.’ Do you agree?
9 Can offensive language ever be acceptable in music or film?
10 ‘Advertising is a modern art form.’ Do you agree?
11 Is learning a foreign language worth the time and effort?
12 Can modern design be concerned with beauty in an age of mass production?
Oct 2006, Paper 1
1 ‘Laws are made by the powerful to protect their own interests.’ Examine this statement.
2 In your society how far can people look forward with confidence to growing old?
3 ‘History is no more than a study of human folly.’ Is this a fair comment?
4 Should the key industries of a country be controlled by the State?
5 ‘Science will soon create the perfect human being.’ Discuss.
6 Consider the view that the key to good health is not medicine, but lifestyle.
7 ‘Technology is more of a curse than a blessing in the workplace.’ Do you agree?
8 ‘Famine is a global issue, not just a local one.’ Discuss.
9 ‘Music without words is meaningless.’ Is this true?
10 Do minority languages have a place in a world of mass communication?
11 ‘Advertisements always promise far more than they deliver.’ Discuss.
12 Can comedy really be taken seriously?
Oct 2007, Paper 1
1 How far are ‘ordinary’ people important in the history of a country?
2 ‘Sport is a greatly overrated activity.’ How far do you agree?
3 How far is it possible for societies to provide equal opportunities for all their citizens?
4 ‘The most effective learning takes place away from school.’ How far do you agree?
5 Discuss the view that the internet can be more harmful than helpful.
6 Do you think there is a conflict between science and religion?
7 What can be done to make young people more aware of the importance of mathematics as a
subject?
8 How far can countries be prepared for a serious outbreak of disease?
9 In what ways can advertising be useful and entertaining?
10 ‘The media focuses too much on opinion, rather than on fact.’ How far do you agree?
11 ‘The way we speak reveals who we are.’ Is this true?
12 Is it more important to preserve old buildings or to encourage new forms of architecture?
Oct 2008, Paper 1
1 How far are minority groups treated fairly in your society?
2 In your opinion, are there any justifiable reasons for some countries to put pressure on other
countries to suspend their nuclear programmes?
3 Is it always best to tell the truth?
4 Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of globalization for your country and its citizens.
5 What more should be done to discourage people from damaging their own health?
6 Can the world sustain our increasing dependence on electricity?
7 Discuss the view that only rich countries benefit from recent developments in technology.
8 What do you find the most exciting new development in science or technology or medicine, and
why do you find it exciting?
9 Assess the role that music plays in your own life.
10 How far does a society benefit from using more than one language?
11 Should far greater emphasis be placed on arts subjects (e.g. art, drama, literature, music) in the
school curriculum?
12 Consider the artistic and social value of cartoons and/or animated films.
Oct 2009, Paper 1
1 How far is it true to say that leisure interests in your country have changed in recent years?
2 What makes some forms of historical evidence more reliable than others?
3 To what degree do you think your government makes good use of tax revenue?
4 ‘Money is ruining sport.’ To what extent do you agree?
5 What do you understand by ‘alternative’ medicine and what is your view about its role in society?
6 How far do you agree that cyber crime is an ever-increasing danger?
7 Consider the view that water is more important than oil.
8 Assess the view that global warming is inevitable no matter what we do.
9 To what extent is the present celebrity culture harmful or beneficial?
10 What is the role of libraries in today’s world?
11 What music appeals to you and why?
12 ‘Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.’ How far do you agree?
Oct 2010, Paper 11
1 Explain the main causes, in your opinion, of the recent global financial crises.
2 Discuss the significance of tourism for your country.
3 ‘Faith consists in believing what is beyond the power of reason to believe.’ How far would you
agree?
4 ‘For the sake of efficiency, public transport should be privately owned.’ Do you agree?
5 ‘Population growth is the primary source of environmental damage.’ Is this the whole truth?
6 How far would you agree that mathematics is the real universal language?
7 To what extent does video conferencing make international travel unnecessary?
8 How valuable is the knowledge being gained from observatories and space telescopes?
9 How good is the quality of television programmes in your country or region?
10 How far would you classify advertising as an art form?
11 Who is your favourite composer of music? Give reasons and examples for your choice.
12 Account for the ever increasing popularity of digital photography.
Oct 2010, Paper 12
1 How far has eco-tourism been developed in your country?
2 How far would you agree with the accusation that religion is the ‘opium of the people’?
3 ‘Civilisation is essentially an attitude of equal respect for all people.’ Discuss.
4 Can democracy be imposed or must it grow naturally?
5 To what extent should developing countries be expected to limit their industrial output to suit current environmental concerns?
6 Which mathematicians do you consider have greatly influenced the modern world? Justify your
choices.
7 Today, news can be transmitted by anybody with access to technology. Assess the implications of
this change.
8 To what extent can the impact of natural disasters be lessened?
9 To what extent is accurate grammar important in speech and in the written word?
10 What, in your opinion, makes a work of art worth a huge amount of money? Give reasons and
support your argument with examples.
11 What kind of music do you find most appealing? Give reasons and examples for your choice.
12 How effectively are traditional crafts maintained and supported in your society?
Oct 2010, Paper 13
1 Explain the lessons which can be learnt from recent global financial crises regarding personal,
corporate and government debt.
2 ‘Totalitarianism and religion share one important feature: indoctrination.’ To what extent would you agree?
3 To what extent do women enjoy equal rights in your society?
4 How far is public transport reliable and affordable in your country?
5 ‘Carbon emission controls hamper the progress of developing countries.’ How far do you agree?
6 Assess the importance of mathematics compared with other curricular subjects.
7 In a world of instant communication, is travel for business purposes of any real use?
8 ‘No more can be done, nationally and internationally, to control pandemics.’ To what extent would
you agree?
9 Explain and evaluate the appeal of those artistic forms of expression which are important to your
society.
10 Explain the international appeal of films made in your country.
11 What kind of music do you dislike? Give reasons and examples.
12 Account for the popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo.
Oct 2011, Paper 11
1 How far has your country recovered from the global financial crises?
2 To what extent would you consider politicians to be dishonest?
3 How far do you believe immigration to be a blessing to your country?
4 How helpful has parental advice been in your life so far?
5 ‘Parents should not be allowed to select their child’s gender.’ To what extent would you agree?
6 Assess the suitability of solar power for generating sufficient electricity.
7 How much of a social problem is internet gambling?
8 To what extent has your country protected itself against recent pandemics?
9 Should the state subsidise such arts as opera, ballet and theatre?
10 ‘The way we dress reveals who we are.’ How true is this?
11 Account for the ever increasing popularity of celebrity culture.
12 To what extent is learning a foreign language important in your society?
Oct 2011, Paper 12
1 How effective, so far, are the measures your country has taken to counteract the global financial
crises?
2 To what extent would you agree that your country has the government it deserves?
3 How far should immigration be encouraged or discouraged?
4 Assess the advantages of living in an extended family.
5 Account for the strong preference for male babies in some societies.
6 Assess the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power generation.
7 Account for the popularity of console and computer games.
8 ‘Personal income should be sufficient to cover decent shelter, clothing and food.’ How well are
these ‘basics’ fulfilled in your society?
9 To what extent has television had a negative impact on ‘live’ entertainment?
10 To what degree have local languages influenced spoken and/or written English in your country?
11 Would you consider your society to be too fashion conscious?
12 How far do you agree with the suggestion for paying to access content on the internet?
Oct 2012, Paper 11
1 How effective are the police in tackling crime where you live?
2 How important is the buying power of the over-60s to your country’s economy?
3 ‘Social security and welfare payments are essential in any modern society.’ How far do you agree?
4 ‘There are few remaining sports where players abide strictly by the rules.’ How far do you agree?
5 To what extent would you agree with Al Gore that ‘the science is settled’ with regard to global
warming?
6 ‘Modern society is too reliant on “pill-popping”.’ Assess this opinion.
7 To what extent do you consider the increasing popularity of internet-based friendships and
relationships to be desirable?
8 How far is tourism in Space viable?
9 ‘Television is a weapon of mass distraction.’ How far would you agree?
10 Which foreign culture appeals most to you? Give reasons for your choice.
11 ‘Great writers explore ideas of universal significance.’ Show how this applies to a writer or writers
from your region.
12 How far would you agree that art is ‘anything you can get away with’?
Oct 2012, Paper 12
1 How far has confidence in financial institutions been undermined in your country since 2008?
2 How much importance should governments place on raising consumer awareness?
3 ‘Tyranny is always better organised than freedom.’ How far would you agree?
4 ‘It is essential to maintain the integrity of sport.’ Discuss this statement in the light of recent
scandals in various sports.
5 ‘No limits whatsoever should be placed on medical research.’ Discuss.
6 How efficient is the transport infrastructure in your country?
7 Consider how far web services such as Twitter and Facebook are a force for harmony or discord.
8 What do you understand by ‘sustainable development’? How far has it progressed in your region?
9 ‘Modern toys fail to stimulate a child’s creativity and imagination.’ In your experience, how far is
this true?
10 Which foreign country would you most like to visit? Give reasons for your choice.
11 ‘The media pay far too much attention to people who do not deserve it.’ How far do you agree?
12 ‘Modern buildings are ugly; historic buildings are beautiful.’ To what extent would you agree?
Oct 2012, Paper 13
1 How much truth is there in the old joke that ‘economists have predicted ten of the last five
recessions’?
2 How far would you agree that there is no real difference between government and opposition in
most democracies?
3 ‘International sporting success is not necessarily dependent on a large population.’ Discuss.
4 To what extent are the elderly revered or ignored in your society?
5 Assess the benefits and drawbacks of cosmetic surgery.
6 How far should the state interfere with an individual’s right to smoke and drink alcohol?
7 To what extent can an individual in a developed country function effectively without the internet?
8 ‘Organic farming can never solve the world’s food problems.’ Discuss.
9 ‘Too many video games promote aggression and violence.’ How far do you agree?
10 As long as we communicate, does it matter if we are grammatically inaccurate?
11 ‘It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.’ How far
would you agree with this view?
12 Which novels have you least enjoyed studying at school? Give reasons for your choices.
Oct 2013, Paper 11
1 What is currently the most important political challenge being faced by your country and to what
extent is it being tackled?
2 How far do receiving countries really benefit from development aid?
3 How far is poverty still a problem in your country?
4 ‘If you are convicted of a crime, you should lose your rights as a citizen.’ Consider this view.
5 To what extent is ‘green’ technology affordable?
6 What are the ‘delights’ of studying mathematics?
7 ‘The war against drug trafficking is a worldwide failure.’ Discuss.
8 ‘We are lucky to live in an age in which we are still making scientific discoveries.’ Discuss.
9 ‘Journalists often intrude too far into private lives.’ Discuss.
10 ‘I still value reading books but the e-reader is simply more convenient.’ What is your view?
11 How far would you agree that most people today are too smart to be manipulated by advertising?
12 How far would you consider that royal and/or celebrity weddings merit the attention they receive
worldwide?
Oct 2013, Paper 12
1 How far is it possible for corporations to combine profit-making with ethical business practices?
2 Consider the relative merits of state schools and private schools in your country.
3 ‘Foreign aid should be the responsibility of private individuals and established charities, not
governments.’ How far do you agree?
4 ‘Prisons make people worse rather than better.’ What is your view?
5 ‘Developing countries cannot afford ‘green’ technology because they have more urgent priorities.’
What is your view?
6 ‘The majority of the world population believe our climate is changing, but only a minority believe
this change is caused by man.’ What is your opinion?
7 To what extent do traditional values influence your country’s progress?
8 ‘A census is no more than a headcount.’ How far would you agree with this statement?
9 What kind of advertising do you find ineffective and unconvincing? Give reasons for your choices.
10 ‘Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.’ Discuss.
11 How useful and rewarding do you find social networking sites?
12 What makes your country different from other countries?
Oct 2013, Paper 13
1 What is the greatest social challenge currently being faced by your country and how is it being
met?
2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of coalition governments.
3 What options, other than imprisonment, would you think appropriate for the punishment of
criminals? Justify your suggestions.
4 Should quality and durability be essential features of consumer goods?
5 Several countries that pioneered and developed wind power technology are less enthusiastic
about it now. Is their lack of enthusiasm justified?
6 What advantages and disadvantages do you see in studying for a qualification online?
7 Consider the arguments for and against using the resources of the Polar regions.
8 ‘Natural disasters bring out the best in a nation’s people.’ How far is this true?
9 ‘Sport makes a significant contribution to society.’ How far do you agree with this claim?
10 To what extent are social networking sites a danger to privacy?
11 You are designing a literature syllabus for post-16 students in your country. Indicate which local
writers you would include and why.
12 Would you consider rap to be a ‘chant’ or a ‘rant’ or, indeed, something else?
Prof Ben
Master of Social Sciences (National University of Singaproe, Singapore), Bachelor of Arts with Honours. (National University of Singapore, Singapore), Bachelor of Arts (National University of Singapore, Singapore), Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Nanyang Technological University\National Institute of Education, Singapore) Certified Professional Trainer (Institute of Professional Managers Association, United Kingdom), Cooperative Learning Trainer (United States of America), Competent Leader (Toastmasters, United States of America), Advanced Communicator Bronze (Toastmasters, United States of America), Kyokushinkai Karate-do Black Belt, Pencak Silat Gayong Instructor, Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, Kitagaryu Ninja-do Black Belt, Wing Chun Chuen practitioner, Dragon Kung Fu practitioner
Cooperative Learning Trainer: Training of Teachers and Heads of Department at BINUS International School Serpong
Committee Member for the Association of Professional Trainers (Singapore)
Conference Presentation on "Librarians as Leaders in Educational Resource Management: A Perspective from the Ground" at the Asia-Pacific Conference on Library & Information Education & Practice 2006 (A-LIEP 2006)
