Past Years General Paper Questions based on Categories

* Some of the essay questions can fall under more than one category.

ARTS

1. ‘Only the rich can afford works of art.’ How far is this true? (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. ‘All works of art belong in their country of origin.’ Discuss. (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
3. Is the study of the art of ancient civilizations of any relevance today? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
4. Can offensive language ever be acceptable in music or film? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
5. Can comedy really be taken seriously? (8001/01/O/N/2006)
6. Should far greater emphasis be placed on arts subjects (e.g. art, drama, literature, music) in the school curriculum? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
7. ‘Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.’ How far do you agree? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
8. What, in your opinion, makes a work of art worth a huge amount of money? Give reasons and support your argument with examples. (8001/12/O/N/2010)
9. How effectively are traditional crafts maintained and supported in your society? (8001/13/O/N/2010)
10. Should the state subsidise such arts as opera, ballet and theatre? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
11. How far would you agree that art is ‘anything you can get away with’? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
12. ‘Live performances of music and drama still have a role in the modern world.’ How far do you agree? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
13. What is more important in a painting – the subject or the way it is painted? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
14. Do handicrafts still have any value? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
15. How do you account for the appeal of musicals in the cinema? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
16. How important are local artists, such as painters, writers and musicians in your society? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
17. Do photographers have the right to capture anyone or anything on camera? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
18. Consider the claim of the cinema to be the highest art form. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
19. Do objects from ancient societies, such as pottery and paintings, have any value? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
20. ‘Since the arrival of photography, painting has lost its purpose.’ Discuss. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

ARCHITECTURE

1. Is it more important to preserve old buildings or to encourage new forms of architecture? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
2. ‘Modern buildings are ugly; historic buildings are beautiful.’ To what extent would you agree? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
3. ‘Old buildings must always be sacrificed to progress.’ Discuss. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)

BUSINESS

1. Assess the qualities to be found in a good advertisement. (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. Do small firms have a role in modern business? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
3. ‘Advertising is a modern art form.’ Do you agree? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
4. Can modern design be concerned with beauty in an age of mass production? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
5. ‘Advertisements always promise far more than they deliver.’ Discuss. (8001/01/O/N/2006)
6. In what ways can advertising be useful and entertaining? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
7. How far would you classify advertising as an art form? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
8. In a world of instant communication, is travel for business purposes of any real use? (8001/13/O/N/2010)
9. How far has confidence in financial institutions been undermined in your country since 2008? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
10. How much importance should governments place on raising consumer awareness? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
11. How far would you agree that most people today are too smart to be manipulated by advertising? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
12. How far is it possible for corporations to combine profit-making with ethical business practices? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
13. What kind of advertising do you find ineffective and unconvincing? Give resaons for your choices. (8001/12/O/N/2013)
14. Should quality and durability be essential features of consumer goods? (8001/13/O/N/2013)
15. How far can a company afford to take the health and safety of its workers into consideration? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

COUNTRY

1. What makes your country different from other countries? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
2. ‘Natural disasters bring out the best in a nation’s people.’ How far is this true? (8001/13/O/N/2013)
3. Can international agreements be really effective? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
4. How far can international agreements be effective in solving international concerns? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)
5. Is your country losing its identity because of globalization? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

CRIME & PUNISHMENT

6. Should parents be held responsible when young people commit crimes? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
7. How effective are the police in tackling crime where you live? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
8. ‘If you are convicted of a crime, yous should lose your rights as a citizen.’ Consider this view. (8001/11/O/N/2013)
9. ‘The war against drug trafficking is a worldwide failure.’ Discuss. (8001/11/O/N/2013)
10. ‘Prisons make people worse rather than better.’ What is your view? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
11. What options, other than imprisonment, would you think appropriate for the punishment of criminals? Justify your suggestions. (8001/13/O/N/2013)
12. Assess the alternatives to prison in dealing with offenders. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
13. ‘Crime affects the whole of society, not just the immediate victims.’ Discuss. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
14. Can breaking the law ever be justified? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)

CULTURE

1. Which foreign culture appeals most to you? Give reasons for your choice. (8001/11/O/N/2012)
2. To what extent do traditional values influence your country’s progress? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
3. Assess the value of reading books from cultures other than your own. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)

ECONOMY

1. Do economic sanctions serve any useful purpose? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
2. Explain the main causes, in your opinion, of the recent global financial crises. (8001/11/O/N/2010)
3. Explain the lessons which can be learnt from recent global financial crises regarding personal, corporate and government debt. (8001/13/O/N/2010)
4. ‘Carbon emission controls hamper the progress of developing countries.’ How far do you agree? (8001/13/O/N/2010)
5. How far has your country recovered from the global financial crises? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
6. How effective, so far, are the measures your country has taken to counteract the global financial crises? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
7. How important is the buying power of the over-60s to your country’s economy? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
8. How much is there in the old joke that ‘economists have predicted ten of the last five recessions’? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
9. How far do receiving countries really benefit from developmental aid? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
10. How far is poverty still a problem in your country? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
11. ‘Foreign aid should be the responsibility of private individuals and established charities, not governments.’ How far do you agree? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
12. Assess the effect of financial organisations on the developing world. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)

EDUCATION

1. ‘Education divides, rather than unites, society.’ Discuss. (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. To what extent is formal education effective? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
3. Is it preferrable for education to be run by private organisations rather than the State? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
4. ‘The most effective larning takes place away from school.’ How far do you agree? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
5. ‘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? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
6. Consider the relative merits of state schools and private schools in your (8001/12/O/N/2013)
7. ‘Short-term aid hinders long-term development.’ Do you agree? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
8. Are single-sex schools preferable to mixed ones? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
9. ‘There is no place for the uneducated in today’s workforce.’ Discuss. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)
10. Is a knowledge of music essential for a well-rounded education? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

ENTERTAINMENT

1. Assess the value of young people’s magazine today. (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
2. Consider the artistic and social value of cartoons and/or animated films. (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
3. To what extent is the present celebrity culture harmful or beneficial? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
4. How good is the quality of television programmes in your country or region? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
5. Explain the international appeal of films made in your (8001/13/O/N/2010)
6. Account for the ever increasing popularity of celebrity culture. (8001/11/O/N/2011)
7. Account for the popularity of console and computer games. (8001/12/O/N/2011)
8. To what extent has television had a negative impact on ‘live’ entertainment? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
9. ‘Television is a weapon of mass distraction.’ How far would you agree? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
10. ‘Modern toys fail to stimulate a child’s creativity and imagination.’ In your experience. how far is this true? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
11. ‘Too many video games promote aggression and violence.’ How far do you agree? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
12. How far would you consider that royal and/or celebrity weddings merit the attention they receive worldwide? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
13. Is television anything more than an escape from reality? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
14. ‘Films should entertain – not cause controversy.’ What is your view? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

ENVIRONMENT

1. Assess the view that global warming is inevitable no matter what we do. (8001/01/O/N/2009)
2. ‘Population growth is the primary source of environment damage.’ Is this the whole truth? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
3. To what extent should developing countries be expected to limit their industrial output to suit current environmental concerns? (8001/12/O/N/2010)
4. To what extent can the impact of natural disasters be lessened? (8001/12/O/N/2010)
5. To what extent would you agree with Al Gore that ‘the science is settled’ with regard to global warming? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
6. To what extent is ‘green technology’ affordable? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
7. ‘Developing countries cannot afford ‘green’ technology because they have more urgent priorities.’ What is your view? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
8. ‘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? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
9. Can the needs of industry and the environment ever be balanced? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
10. How far can poor countries afford to shoe concetrn for the environment? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
11. Discuss the view that most ‘natural’ disasters are caused by human activity. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

FAMILY

1. Do parents have the right to use any form of discipline they use? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
2. How helpful has parental advice been in your life so far? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
3. ‘Parents should not be allowed to select their child’s gender.’ To what extent would you agree? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
4. Assess the advantages of living in an extended family. (8001/12/O/N/2011)
5. Does everyone have the right to be a parent? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
6. Assess the impact of television upon the family. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
7. Does the traditional family have a future? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

GEOGRAPHY

1. Is there ant point in predicting the weather when we have no control over it? (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. How important is the conservation of the sea’s resources? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
3. ‘Famine is a global issue, not just a local one.’ Discuss. (8001/01/O/N/2006)
4. Can the world sustain our increasing dependence on electricity? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
5. Consider the view that water is more important than oil. (8001/01/O/N/2009)
6. Assess the suitability of solar power for generating sufficient electricity. (8001/11/O/N/2011)
7. Assess the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power generation. (8001/12/O/N/2011)
8. ‘Organic farming can never solve the world’s food probelms.’ Discuss. (8001/13/O/N/2012)
9. Consider the arguments for and against using the resources of the Polar regions. (8001/13/O/N/2013)
10. Can renewable resources ever meet all our energy needs? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
11. How important is it to explore alternative forms of energy? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

GOVERNMENT

1. Assess the most important areas for govenment spending. (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. Is the money spent on museums well spent? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
3. Should the key industries of a country be controlled by the State? (8001/01/O/N/2006)
4. How far can countries be prepared for a serious outbreak of disease? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
5. To what degree do you think your government makes good use of tax revenue? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
6. ‘For the sake of efficiency, public transport should be privately owned.’ Do you agree? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
7. Can democracy be imposed or must it grow naturally? (8001/12/O/N/2010)
8. To what extent would you consider politicians to be dishonest? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
9. To what extent would you agree that your country has the government it deserves? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
10. ‘Social security and welfare payments are essential in any modern society.’ How far do you agree? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
11. How far would you agree that there is no real difference between government and opposition in most democracies? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
12. How far should the state interfere with an individual’s right to smoke and drink alchohol? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
13. What is currently the most important poliical challenge being faced by your country and to what extent is it being tackled? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
14. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of coalition governments. (8001/13/O/N/2013)
15. Should a country allow all its citizens to possess guns? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)

HEALTH & MEDICINE

1. Which should be medicine’s main priority – the quality or the length of life? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
2. Examine the role of natural remedies in the treatment of illness. (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
3. ‘The donation of healthy body parts or organs after death should be compulsory.’ Do you agree? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
4. Consider the view that the key to good health is not medicine, but lifestyle. (8001/01/O/N/2006)
5. What more should be done to discourage people from damaging their own health? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
6. What do you understand by ‘alternative’ medicine and what is your view about its role in society? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
7. ‘No more can be done, nationally and internationally, to control pandemics.’ To what extent do you agree? (8001/13/O/N/2010)
8. To what extent has your country protected itself against recent pandemics? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
9. ‘No limits whatsoever should be placed on medical research.’ Discuss. (8001/12/O/N/2012)
10. ‘Disease is not just an individual concern, but a global one.’ What is your view? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

HISTORY

1. How far do you agree that people from history considered ‘great’ rarely deserve the title? (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. ‘History repeats itself.’ Do you agree? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
3. ‘The only victims of war are the poor or the innocent.’ Discuss. (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
4. ‘A country with no written records has no history.’ Is this true? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
5. ‘History is no more than a study of human folly.’ Is this a fair comment? (8001/01/O/N/2006)
6. How far are ‘ordinary’ people important in the history of a country? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
7. What makes some forms of historical evidence more reliable than others? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
8. Is history the study of progress? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
9. Is there any value in studying the history of other countries? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
10. How far do history books provide reliable evidence about the past? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
11. ‘The only worthwhile historical evidence is what is written or printed.’ Discuss. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

INTERNET

1. Discuss the view that the internet can be more harmful tha helpful. (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
2. How for do you agree that cyber crime is an ever-increasing danger? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
3. Account for the popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo. (8001/13/O/N/2010)
4. How much of a social problem is internet gambling? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
5. How for do you agree with the suggestion for paying to access content on the internet? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
6. To what extent do you consider the increasing popularity of internet-based friendships and relationships to be desirable? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
7. Consider how far web services such as Twitter and Facebook are a force for harmony or discord. (8001/12/O/N/2012)
8. To what extent can an individual in a developed country function effectively without the internet? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
9. How rewarding do you find social networking sites? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
10. What advantages and disadvantages do you see in studying for a qualification online? (8001/13/O/N/2013)
11. To what extent are social networking sites a dannger to privacy? (8001/13/O/N/2013)
12. Would you agree that the Internet undermines personal thought and imagination? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)

LANGUAGE

1. Do languages spoken by relatively few people have a place in the modern world? (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. Is learning a foreign language worth the time and effort? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
3. Do minority languages have a place in a world of mass communication? (8001/01/O/N/2006)
4. How far does a society benefit from using more than one language? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
5. To what extent is accurate grammar important in speech and in the written word? (8001/12/O/N/2010)
6. Explain and evaluate the appeal of those artistic forms of expression which are important toyour (8001/13/O/N/2010)
7. To what extent is learning a foreign language important in your society? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
8. To what degree have local languages influenced spoken and/or written English in yourcountry? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
9. As long as we communicate, does it matter if we are grammatically inaccurate? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
10. Which novels have you least enjoyed studying at school? Give reasons for your choice. (8001/13/O/N/2012)

LAW

1. ‘Laws are made by the powerful to protect their own interests.’ Examine this statement. (8001/01/O/N/2006)

LITERATURE

1. Why write, or read, poetry? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
2. What is the role of libraries in today’s world? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
3. ‘Great writers explore ideas of universal significance.’ Show how this applies to a writer or writers from your (8001/11/O/N/2012)
4. You are designing a literature syllabus for post-16 students in your Indicate which local writers you would include and why. (8001/13/O/N/2013)
5. Consider the value of reading about the lives of others. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
6. ‘A day spent without reading is a day wasted.’ What is your view? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

MATHEMATICS

1. Can mathematics be made fun, interesting and worthwhile? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
2. What can be done to make young people more aware of the importance of mathematics as a subject? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
3. How far would you agree that mathematics is the real universal language? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
4. What mathematicians do you consider have greatly influenced the modern world? Justify your choices. (8001/12/O/N/2010)
5. Assess the importance of mathematics compared with other curricular subjects. (8001/13/O/N/2010)
6. What are the ‘delights’ of studying mathematics? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
7. How important is numeracy in today’s society? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
8. ‘Mathematics is a challenging subject, but of little practical use.’ Discuss. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
9. ‘Mathematics possesses not only truth but supreme beauty.’ What is your view? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
10. ‘An education is incomplete without an understanding of mathematical principles.’ Do you agree? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

MEDIA

1. How far should the media of any society reflect the views of its leaders? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
2. Assess the claim that an uncensored press is dangerous. (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
3. ‘The media focuses too much on opinion, rather than on fact.’ How far do you agree? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
4. ‘The media pay far too much attention to people who do not deserve it.’ How far do you agree? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
5. ‘Journalists often intrude too far into private lives.’ Discuss. (8001/11/O/N/2013)
6. How far do the media have the right to probe into a person’s private life? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)
7. ‘All publicity is good publicity.’ Do you agree? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)
8. ‘Young people’s magazines do not deal with things that matter.’ Discuss. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

MUSIC

1. Can music contribute to anything of worth? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
2. ‘Music without words is meaningless.’ Is it true? (8001/01/O/N/2006)
3. Assess the role that music plays in your own life. (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
4. What music appeals to you and why? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
5. Who is your favourite composer of music? Give reasons and examples for your choice. (8001/11/O/N/2010)
6. What kind of music do you find most appealing? Give reasons and examples for your choice. (8001/12/O/N/2010)
7. What kind of music do you dislike? Give reasons and examples. (8001/13/O/N/2010)
8. Would you consider rap to be a ‘chant’ or a ‘rant’ or, indeed, something else? (8001/13/O/N/2013)
9. ‘Music is meant for relaxation, nothing more.’ Do you agree? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)

POLITICS

1. Do politicians have any influence? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
2. ‘Politics has no appeal to the younger generation since it has no impact on their lives.’ Discuss. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
3. ‘The world would be a better place if more politicians were female.’ Do you agree? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)
4. Can politicians have any real influence in improving people’s lives? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

POPULATION

1. Assess the factors which affect the distribution of population in your country. (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
2. Consider the view that too many people are trying to inhabit too little land. (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
3. How far do you believe immigration to be a blessing to your country? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
4. How far should immigration be encouraged or discouraged? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
5. What do you understand by ‘sustainable development’? How far has it progressed in yourregion? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
6. ‘A census is no more than a headcount.’ How far would you agree with this statement? (8001/12/O/N/2013)
7. ‘Migration is always a consequence of human conflict.’ Discuss.

RELIGION

1. Do you think there is a conflict between science and religion? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
2. ‘Faith consists in believing what is beyond the power of reason to believe.’ How far would you agree? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
3. How far would you agree with the accusation that religion is the ‘opium of the people’? (8001/12/O/N/2010)
4. ‘Totalitarianism and religion share one important feature: indoctrination.’ To what extent would you agree? (8001/13/O/N/2010)
5. ‘People who ignore religion reject vital aspects of their culture and life.’ Do you agree? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. Can scientists ever justify being involved in weapon research? (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. ‘Children should be the product of nature, not science.’ Do you agree? (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
3. Can the use of nuclear energy be justified? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
4. Which should be medicine’s main priority – the quality or the length of life? (8001/01,02/O/N/2003)
5. Should every country have the right to possess weapons of war? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
6. ‘Science will soon create the perfect human being.’ Discuss. (8001/01/O/N/2006)
7. In your opinion, are there any justifiable reasons for some countries to put pressure on other countries to suspend their nuclear programmes? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
8. What do you find the most exciting new developmnet in science or technology or medicine, and why do you find it exciting? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
9. How valuable is the knowledge being gained from observatories and space telescope? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
10. ‘We are lucky to live in an age in which we are still making scientific discoveries.’ Discuss. (8001/11/O/N/2013)
11. Several countries that pioneered and developed wind power technology are less enthusiastic about it now. Is their lack of enthusiasm justified? (8001/13/O/N/2013)
12. ‘Science will always appeal more to males.’ Discuss. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
13. ‘Space research is carried out more for political than scientific purposes.’ Is this a fair comment? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
14. Are there any circumstances in which it would be acceptable to use animals for scientific research? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)
15. Is longer life expectancy always desirable? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)
16. Should science be used to choose the characteristics of an unborn child? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

SPORTS

1. ‘Sport is a greatly overrated activity.’ How far do you agree? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
2. ‘Money is ruining sport.’ To what extent do you agree? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
3. ‘There are few remaining sports where players abide strictly by the rules.’ How far do you agree? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
4. ‘It is essential to maintain the integrity of sport.’ Discuss this statement in the light of recent scandals in various sports. (8001/12/O/N/2012)
5. ‘International sporting success is not necessarily dependent on a large population.’ Discuss. (8001/13/O/N/2012)
6. ‘Sport makes a significant contribution to society.’ How far do you agree with this claim? (8001/13/O/N/2013)

 SOCIETY

1. ‘To be different is to be condemned by society.’ Is this a fair statement? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
2. In your society how far can people look forward with confidence to growing old? (8001/01/O/N/2006)
3. How far is it possible for societies to provide equal opportunities for all their citizens? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
4. How far are minority groups treated fairly in your society? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
5. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of globalization for your country and its citizens. (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
6. How far is it true to say that leisure interests in your country have changed in recent years? (8001/01/O/N/2009)
7. ‘Civilization is essentially an attitude of equal respect for all people.’ Discuss. (8001/12/O/N/2010)
8. To what extent do women enjoy equal rights in your society? (8001/13/O/N/2010)
9. Account for the strong preference for male babies in some societies. (8001/12/O/N/2011)
10. ‘Personal income should be sufficient to cover decent shelter, clothing and food.’ How well are these ‘basics’ fulfilled in your society? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
11. Would you consider your society to be too fashion conscious? (8001/12/O/N/2011)
12. ‘Modern society is too reliant on “pill-popping”.’ Assess this opinion. (8001/11/O/N/2012)
13. To what extent are the elderly revered or ignored in your society? (8001/13/O/N/2012)
14. What the greatest social challenge currently being faced by your country and how is it being met? (8001/13/O/N/2013)
15. Consider the problem of noise in society and ways to reduce it. (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
16. How effectively are the needs of the handicapped met in your society? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
17. ‘Society needs internet cafes more than museums.’ Is this true? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)

 TECHNOLOGY

1. Assess the impact of technology on the environment. (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
2. ‘The benefits of technology are mostly enjoyed by the rich.’ Do you agree? (8001/01/O/N/2005)
3. ‘Technology is more of a curse than a blessing than a blessing in the workplace.’ Do you agree? (8001/01/O/N/2006)
4. Discuss the view that only rich countries benefit from recent developments in technology. (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
5. Account for the ever increasing popularity of digital photography. (8001/11/O/N/2010)
6. Today, news can be transmitted by anybody with access to technology. Assess the implications of this change. (8001/12/O/N/2010)
7. ‘ I still value reading books but the e-reader is simply more convenient.’ What is your view? (8001/11/O/N/2013)
8. In what ways can the use of modern technology improve learning? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2003)
9. Are mobile phones more of a nuisance than a benefit? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
10. ‘The young embrace modern technology; the old feel threatened by it.’ Is this true? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)
11. ‘Technology does more to increase crime than slove it.’ Is this true? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)
12. Can art forms, such as painting and sculpture, survive as computer technology becomes more widespread? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

 TRAVEL & TOURISM

1. Discuss the significance of tourism for your (8001/11/O/N/2010)
2. To what extent does video conferencing make international travel unnecessary? (8001/11/O/N/2010)
3. How far has eco-tourism been developed in your country? (8001/12/O/N/2010)
4. How far is tourism in Space viable? (8001/11/O/N/2012)
5. How efficient is the transport infrastructure in your country? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
6. Which foreign country would you most like to visit? Give reasons for your choice. (8001/12/O/N/2012)

OTHER

1. ‘Not too much, nor too little.’ To what extent is this the basis for a fulfilled life? (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
2. ‘There are more advantages to living in the countryside than in the town’. Discuss. (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
3. ‘Fiction has nothing to do with real life.’ Discuss. (8001/1,2 O/N/2002)
4. ‘Beauty contests are degrading and should be banned.’ Is this a fair comment? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
5. ‘People should have less freedom, not more.’ Do you agree? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
6. Why is it more acceptable to say ‘I am no good at sums’ than ‘I cannot read’? (8001/01,02 O/N/2004)
7. ‘The way we speak reveals who we are.’ Is this true? (8001/01,02/O/N/2007)
8. Is it always best to tell the truth? (8001/01,02/O/N/2008)
9. ‘The way we dress reveals who we are.’ How true is this? (8001/11/O/N/2011)
10. ‘Tyranny is always better organised than freedom.’ How far would you agree? (8001/12/O/N/2012)
11. Assess the benefits and drawbacks of cosmetic surgery. (8001/13/O/N/2012)
12. ‘Happiness is not the absence of problems but the abilitiy to deal with them.’ Discuss. (8001/12/O/N/2013)
13. ‘When considering a career the most important issue is money.’ Do you agree? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
14. Does effective communication require the written or spoken word? (8004/01/02/03/M/J/2004)
15. ‘Cosmetic surgery is mere vanity.’ Discuss. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2005)
16. ‘Fast food should not be criticised; it suits the pace of life today.’ Discuss. (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)
17. ‘People always responds to a crisis when its too late.’ To what extent is this a fair comment? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2006)
18. Success is due to luck – not ability or talent. Do you agree? (8004/01,02,03 M/J/2007)

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)