Examiner Report
General Paper 8004, June 2004, Question 9
Are mobile phones more of a nuisance than a benefit?
This was one of the most popular questions on the paper this year, touching on youth culture in a direct way.
Almost universally candidates attempted to provide balance, which was pleasing, looking at both the
nuisance and benefit aspects.
One area of superfluous information was the provenance of the mobile phone. Many went back to smoke
signals and drums, extending the scope of the historical perspective beyond credulity.
There were two possible avenues of discussion that did not merit much attention apparently in the minds of
the candidates, cost and health implications. The latter has received a lot of media attention, yet this
potentially controversial aspect was often missing.
The remainder, features, status and emergency use were contrasted with noise pollution and interruption of
meetings, the school day and even funerals. Some went on to consider the crime potential too.
Almost all candidates sitting General Paper own a mobile phone it would appear, yet despite the declared
necessity of these devices to everyday life many of the answers were formulaic and lacked dynamism.
Almost without exception a decision was made.
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