History :

Anybody who ignores history is foolish. How far would you agree ?
History is no more than a study of human folly. Is this a fair comment.
Explaining the past should be left to historians. Discuss.
Historic buildings are interesting but useless relics of the past. Discuss.
Is it important to preserve old buildings or encourage new forms of architecture ?
How far are ordinary people important in the history of a country ?
Immigration :
How far should immigration be encouraged or discouraged ?
How far do you believe immigration to be a blessing to your country ?
Government :
Should the key industries of a country be controlled by the State ?
To what extent would you agree that your country has the government it deserves ?
To what extent do you consider politicians to dishonest ?
Politicians do not control events; they merely react to them. Do you agree ?
Totalitarianism and religion share one important feature : indoctrination. To what extent would
you agree ?
Can democracy be imposed or must it grow naturally ?
It is not acceptable that multinational companies often exercise more power than national
governments. How far do you agree or disagree ?
The Environment :
How effectively engaged are young people in environmentally friendly projects in your
region ?
To what extent should young people worry about climate change and global warming ?
To what extent should developing countries be expected to limit their industrial output to
suit current environmental concerns ?
Carbon emission controls hamper the progress of developing countries. How far do you agree ?
Population growth is the primary source of environmental damage. Is this the whole
truth ?
How far do you agree that developing countries have far more urgent priorities than
environmental protection ?
Problems faced by the country / society :
Do national boundaries serve any purpose in an increasingly globalised world ?
To what extent was your country affected by the recent global financial crisis ?
Personal income should be sufficient to cover decent shelter,clothing and food. How well
are these basics fulfilled in your society ?
How far is public transport reliable and affordable in your country ?

To what extent has your country protected itself against recent pandemics ?
How far can countries be prepared for a serious outbreak of disease ?
To what extent can the impact of natural disasters be lessened ?
Famine is a global issue, not just a local one. Discuss.
To what extent can small businesses survive in the modern economic climate ?
In your opinion, are there any justifiable reasons for some countries to put pressure on
other countries to suspend their nuclear programmes ?
Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of globalization for your country and its
citizens.
Social Issues :
Is the institution of marriage under threat in your society ?
How far is it true to say that leisure interests in your country have changed in recent
years ?
Civilisation is essentially an attitude of equal respect for all people. Discuss.
How far is it possible for societies to provide equal opportunities for all its citizens ?
How far are minority groups treated fairly in your society ?
To be different is to be condemned by society. Is this a fair statement ?
In your society how far can people look forward with confidence to growing old ?
The most effective effective learning takes place away from school. How far do you agree ?
Is it always best to tell the truth ?
The Media (general) :
To what extent has television had a negative impact on live entertainment ?
How good is the quality of television programmes in your country ore region ?
To what extent has television broadened the horizons of the people ?
Explain the international appeal of films made in your country.
Today, news can be transmitted by anybody who has access to technology. Assess the
implications of this change.
What is the role of libraries in todays world ?
Advertisements always promise far more than they deliver.Discuss.
In what ways can advertising be useful and entertaining ?
The media focuses too much on opinion, rather than on fact. How far do you agree ?
The Media (computers) :
Discuss the view that the internet can be more harmful than helpful.
How far do you agree with the suggestion for paying to access content on the internet ?
How much of a social problem is internet gambling ?
In a world of instant communication, is travel for business purposes of any real use ?
Account for the popularity of social networking sites like Facebook and Bebo.
Account for the popularity of consoles and computer games.

To what extent does video conferencing make international travel unnecessary ?

How far do you agree that cyber crime is an ever increasing danger ?
Culture :
Explain and evaluate the appeal of those artistic forms of expression which are important
to your society.
Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. How far do you agree ?
A work of art can only be measured in monetary terms. Assess this view.
To what degree have local languages influenced spoken and/or written English in your country ?
To what extent is learning a foreign language important in your society ?
Do minority languages have a place in a world of mass communication ?
Is learning a foreign language worth the time and effort ?
Would you consider your society to be too fashion conscious ?
The way we dress reveals who we are. How true is this ?
How effectively are traditional crafts maintained and supported in your society ?
To what extent is the current celebrity culture harmful or beneficial ?
Consider the artistic and social value of cartoons and/or animated films.
Assess the role that music plays in your own life.
Health :
How effective are diets in helping people to lose weight and become fit ?
How far do you agree that we should eat to live and not eat to live ?
Why is fast food popular when it is considered to be unhealthy ?
Consider the view that the key to good health is not medicine, but lifestyle.
What more should be done to discourage people from damaging their own health ?
Science :
The benefits of technology are mostly enjoyed by the rich. Do you agree ?
How far can poorer countries benefit from scientific developments ?
Discuss the view that only rich countries benefit from recent developments in technology.
Technology is more of a curse than a blessing in the workplace. Do you agree ?
Technology gives us the ability to control our own lives. How far do you agree or disagree ?
Can the world sustain our dependency on electricity ?
Can scientists ever justify the development of ever more sophisticated weaponry ?
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power generation.
Assess the suitability of solar power for generating sufficient electricity.
How valuable is the knowledge being gained from observatories and space telescopes ?
Parents should not be allowed to select their childs gender. To what extent do you agree ?
The donation of healthy body parts after death should be made compulsory. Do you agree ?
Do you think there is a conflict between science and religion ?
Mathematics :

Assess the importance of mathematics compared with other curricular subjects.

How far would you agree that mathematics is the real universal language ?
Which mathematicians do you consider have greatly influenced the modern world ? Justify your
choices.
What can be done to make more people aware of the importance of mathematics ?
Sport :
Money is ruining sport. To what extent do you agree ?
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of hosting international sporting events.
Sport is a greatly overrated activity. How far do you agree ?
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 todays 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 mans 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 its 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 ones character is far more important than the
development of ones 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

In spite of more information, man is not more informed. Comment

People should be free to say and do as they wish. Discuss.
Do you agree that we live in a dangerous world?
Do you think we are obsessed with progress today?
There is no such thing as privacy today. Comment.
Addiction is the bane of the modern world. Discuss.
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 countrys 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 todays 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 ones 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 nations 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.
2.
3.
4.

Can the use of surveillance technology ever be justified?

It is not the business of science to deal with ethical issues. Discuss.
As Science progresses, mankind regresses. Comment.
Technological advancement has worsened the problem of poverty. Do you
agree?
5. Todays 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
lifes 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.