Conquer 2023 General Paper (GP) A Levels Essay Questions

GP Essay Questions from 2023 A Levels

1. How realistic is it for countries to implement a national minimum wage for all their workers?

2. ‘Fossil fuels should no longer have a part in the production of energy.’ Discuss.

3. Consider the view that spending money on space travel cannot be justified in today’s world.

4. Consider the argument that there should be no censorship of the arts in modern society.

5. ‘People who undertake voluntary work do so more for their own benefit rather than for the benefit of others.’ Discuss.

6. Assess the extent to which all people in your society have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

7. The quality of human interaction is diminished by modern communication devices.’ How far do you agree?

8. To what extent are the festivals and national holidays effective in promoting unity in your society?

9. ‘Regret for past actions is vital for progress.’ What is your view?

10. Evaluate the claim that sports personalities make good role models for young people.

11. Assess the view that accurate translation between languages is always necessary.

12. ‘Young people want to change the world because they do not know it is impossible.’ How far do you agree?

 

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General Insights:

Why do A Levels Essay Questions always seem so much more difficult that Practice/Prelim ones? Is it true that they are more difficult? The good news is they are actually easy if we analyse them and think about the strategies!

Strategies = Content + Skills. This two-pronged is exactly what we focus on at ZAscension, helping students acquiring specific Thematic knowledge while developing extensive skills that will greatly enhance the quality of essays.

Here is the spread of 2023 questions according to Themes:

Arts (2): Q4, Q8*

Individual & Values (5): Q5, Q6, Q9*, Q10*, Q12

Politics (1): Q9*

Sci & Tech (1): Q3

Environment (1): Q2

Media (1): Q7*

General (2): Q1, Q11

* = Partially related to the Theme, but not a complete fit (requires additional knowledge apart from the standard arguments and examples we learn for that Theme)

Studying for GP Content through Major Themes is highly recommended

I have always been sharing with students that my approach in Content Knowledge for GP resides in preparing for major themes. It gives us a systematic method of acquiring knowledge that we would need and ensures that our knowledge can directly be applied to questions. The 2023 GP A Levels has confirmed, once again, the importance of these major themes. The themes stated above are precisely the ones I have identified all along, and you can see that’s how we organise all the past year Prelim and A Level questions too.

For easy access, here are the links to other past year questions organised based on Themes: 2022 A Levels, 2021 A Levels, 2020 A Levels, 2019 A Levels, 2023 Prelims, 2022 Prelims, 2021 Prelims, 2020 Prelims, Prelims Compilation from different years

Back to 2023 A Levels, out of the 12 questions, 10 of them belong to the major themes. This is why it is important to be strategic and focus on these major themes instead of working on other niche topics. Niche topics that I often tell students to avoid include: poverty, education, family, crime, business/economy, religion. Out of the 2 General questions: 1 on economy , 1 on language. These 2 questions are very niche topics that cannot be considered Themes because their scope is small and barely come out for the A Levels (looking at statistics from the past 10 years). Excluding this year, 2 economy questions (2014, 2019) and 2 language questions (2014, 2019) – these are out of 11 years, whereas other major themes can easily have more than 15 questions.

The insight from here is that the dominant GP strategy is to take a focused approach in developing a critical understanding of these Themes and the associated issues found in them. Students who have specialised and comprehensive knowledge about a specific theme are always rewarded with questions that directly apply their knowledge.

Embracing less popular Themes and preparing for several key Themes

This year’s questions are more challenging for most students because the trend is that students love doing questions for Sci & Tech and Media. However, the main Sci & Tech question this year is difficult (space exploration is very niche and would require specific examples, preventing students from using their extensive knowledge about other forms of science and technology, more details below). The other question is an overlap between Media and Sci & Tech (more towards Media), but it is also relatively challenging (‘quality of human interaction’ is often difficult to explain and prove, and is much more specific than any general impact, so careful consideration has to be given to link back to the question’s claim). There is a tendency for students to only focus on these Themes because that is also what their school focuses on. However, I would recommend to also look into other Themes because Sci & Tech and Media are often difficult to answer. 

In contrast, themes that are less popular with students (but what I always tell my students to focus on) – Arts, Individuals & Values! Arts question about censorship is an incredibly standard question that almost all my students attempted because we discussed the arguments and examples for this particular question in-depth in class. How did I know it was coming out? I have analysed 1000+ questions from Prelims and A Levels to be able to understand common questions that commonly feature in the exams 🙂 This is why I am extremely confident in my teaching approach for GP because content I share is always applicable to specific essay questions, and not just general knowledge about random things in the world.

Additionally, Individuals & Values is a Theme I (Mr Zach) created upon analysing question trends, and it is not something that schools typically cover. I created this Theme when I saw huge similarities in questions that can be categorised under here, and it is also something I cover extensively in my yearly Essay Content Crash Course (find out more here). Indv & Values is a great theme to look into because of how frequently it comes out and how simple it is to learn this Theme. For more information, please refer to the past year questions (links provided both in the above paragraph, and all the way below this article). In fact, there are actually 5 questions from this Theme this year (the most ever)! 2023 questions from this Theme focus on charity, success, leadership, activism (detailed analysis below). Specifically, Success is a topic under the larger theme of Indv & Values is an areas I keep reminding students to focus on given its recurring importance (9 times in 12 years so far! And yes I am a very dedicated analyst of past-year questions and trends, haha my students would know!)

This tells us that occasionally (and increasingly), the A Levels would purposely make popular themes like Sci & Tech and Media harder, so as to differentiate students. Conversely, they would set questions from other less popular themes to encourage a shift into focusing on these. This would mean that it is important to also look into Themes other than just Sci & Tech and Media. Future students who are looking back at learning points for this year – please do try and attempt other Themes too, at least as backup, because this same problem also existed in 2022.

Environment has also returned for another year after 3 years of having 0 questions in the A Levels (2018, 2019, 2021). 2022 had 2 questions and 2023 has 1. I was considering removing this as a major theme because of how it seldom comes out but perhaps this is an indication that environmental issues are once again becoming a priority in the A Levels. I think it is a very clear signal that the A Levels are highly unpredictable. What is common in one year could easily be uncommon the next year. This speaks volumes about the need to study for several major themes so that we can be more prepared for such tricky situations.

Skills are important to help us address varied questions requirements

Question requirements are often complex with modifiers (additional requirements) and there could even be more than one modifier. 

Interestingly, ALL questions this year have at least 1 modifier, and several questions even have multiple variables (something that was not really seen in the previous years). This demonstrates the importance of properly analysing questions such that we sufficiently address all the additional requirements 🙂

Q1: Absolute (all workers) | Q2: Context (no longer = past vs present) | Q3: Context (today’s world), Absolute (cannot) | Q4: Context (modern society), Absolute (no censorship) | Q5: Variables (benefit for self vs others) | Q6: Context (in your society), Absolute (all), Extent | Q7: Context (modern communication devices), Extent | Q8: Context (in your society), Variables (festivals and national holidays), Extent | Q9: None | Q10: None | Q11: Absolute (always necessary) | 12: Variables (activism, ignorance), Absolute (impossible)

Context: Q2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 | Absolute: Q1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12 | Variables: Q5, 8, 12| Extent: Q6, 7, 8

Here is a quick summary of the skills needed (CAVE):

Context = Examples and arguments need to reflect the context/condition and not just ignore it. This includes ‘in your society’ questions because they are only looking at the specific context of Singapore. Other common contexts include ideas about today’s world (Q3) and modern society (Q4), both of which require us to consider what are some characteristics that would define today’s context, especially pertaining to the specific issue given in the question. In other words, how does today’s world and its trends or concerns affect issues like spending money on space travel or censoring the arts? Comparing between past and present (Q2) is also common and would require us to consider what has changed and again, what unique characteristics define today’s world as compared to the past.

Absolute = One view needs to express the absolute. The other view questions the absolute by looking at its limitations or by considering other alternatives to it. For example, for Q4, Agree =  no censorship at all, Disagree = some censorship. Take note only 1 view has the absolute, not both views. With reference to Q4 again, we would not say Disagree = censorship for everything; the absolute is only found in the Agree view. 2023 has many absolute questions; when explaining the viewpoint that agrees with an absolute, we must pay extra attention to using language that matches that degree. 

Variables = Both variables always have to be addressed together, in each argument/example. This is one of the most challenging modifiers to address because a lot more need to be explained. We have to remember to always keep a vigilant lookout for the existence of such additional requirements, instead of eagerly jumping into thinking of points! Look at the following section for more details.

Extent = Need to show how both views could be valid to a degree. Avoid phrases like ‘I agree to a small/large/certain extent’ because they are too vague. Instead, give the specific extent of why you have chosen one view over the other. For example in Q7, a possible stand would be: ‘While the authenticity of human interaction has been undermined in some interactions, it is still important to acknowledge that modern communication devices have generally enhanced the quality and richness of connections’. This would signal that the dominant view is ‘Disagree’ (= disagree to a large extent, but phrased in a much more evaluative and specific manner).

Questions with multiple variables are common curve balls

Q5: Benefit for self, benefit for others

Q8: Festivals and national holidays

Q12: Activism (change the world) and ignorance (do not know impossibility)

The key to addressing such questions is to understand that the Scope of our essay has expanded into additional areas of concern. For instance, in Q8, examples discussed in the entire essay would need to include both festivals and national holidays, not just either one.  

Another type of Variable question is the given variable which is found in Q12. Agreeing = Activism because of ignorance, Disagreeing = Activism not because of ignorance.

Multiple variables questions are harder because we have additional requirements to consider. Note that every single body paragraph (BP) needs to address both variables and compare them. The common mistake is to separately discuss them across different paragraphs; it is problematic because the arguments would lack the comparative element.

 

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Specific Analysis:

I will be analysing each question for their unique requirements, highlighting some pertinent issues, and sharing possible arguments. Disclaimer: these would of course not be the only points that are accepted. If you thought of a different point, it might be a strong argument too, don’t worry just because it is not found here. I just wanted to share some points to open up perspectives on how we can approach these different 2023 questions.

I have also included a part of ‘why does this question exist’. Cogitating on this question allows us to more critically examine the issue to consider the tensions that exist within and identify the central concerns. This year, I am also adding a new section for ‘Rating’ to discuss how challenging a question is. For simplicity, I will also have 2 categories of either ‘difficult’ or ‘standard’.

1. How realistic is it for countries to implement a national minimum wage for all their workers? |  Rating: Difficult

• Why it exists: Minimum wage has been a classic economic debate. On the one hand, it ensures the welfare of workers and contribute economic equity. On the other hand, it would increase the costs of businesses and potentially affect global competitiveness.
• This is difficult because it is one of the two general questions in 2023 that does not relate to major themes that students typically prepare for. Hence, even coming up with arguments can be tough under exam conditions if we have never thought about this issue before.
• Also, this is difficult because realistic = feasibility (can or cannot), not about pros-cons (should or should not). Many who attempt this question would probably not have fully ATQ.
• Agree (Realistic for all workers) = 1. Existing precedents and benefits – Countries have already been implementing a blanket minimum wage for all (absolute) workers in a bid to improve social justice and reduce income inequality, as well as protect the rights of workers. The fact that it has been tried and tested suggests that it is a feasible goal | 2. Public and political support – In countries where there is significant national support for a policy of minimum wage, this can be considered feasible. Strong labour movements and rights steer the country towards initiating necessary legislative changes for minimum wage across all sectors (absolute)
• Disagree (Unrealistic for some) = 1. Economic constraints – For countries experiencing steep economic constraints and budgetary limitations, implementing a minimum wage for all workers (absolute) would entail a substantial financial burden on governments that need to subsidise businesses and on businesses themsevels. The cost of reducing economic competitiveness would also make it an impractical goal.  | 2. Difficulty of enforcement and regulation – The diverse nature of the labour market (absolute) which includes the prevalence of informal employment heightens the difficulty of enforcing minimum wage for all workers. Ensuring compliance across different industries and even geographic regions require a robust regulatory framework which may prove intractable.

2. ‘Fossil fuels should no longer have a part in the production of energy.’ Discuss. |  Rating: Standard

• Why it exists: Fossil fuels are the biggest cause of environmental degradation due to carbon emissions contributing to global warming and also the pollution that results from them. The world has been striving to move towards alternative energy sources that are much more sustainable. However, the key pushback is the entrenched global dependence on fossil fuels due to how convenient and cheap it is. In short, a big tension is between economy and environment.
• This is a standard question that examines the feasibility of solutions and challenges for environmental problems
• Think about characteristics of the modern world, compare it to the past and relate that to all the arguments (see below)
• Stronger scripts would actively compare fossil fuels with other energy sources; they would realise that the question has implicit comparison that is required. This would offer a much more compelling argument 
• Agree (No longer) = 1. Urgency of environmental degradation – Fossil fuels have been major contributors to climate change, with their combustion releasing harmful greenhouse gases that significantly contribute to global warming. The world today is at an ecological tipping point (context) and no longer continue on the detrimental trajectory of relying on fossil fuels to fuel unhinged economic development. | 2. Technological capabilities – Recent innovations (context) in renewable energy technologies have substantially enhanced their efficiency and accessibility. The feasibility of transitioning away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy production methods diminishes the need for fossil fuels.
• Disagree (Still relevant) = 1. Economic considerations – Fossil fuels remain a crucial tenet (context) of global energy production especially given how it has been so entrenched over the years. The excessive reliance on fossil fuels renders it too challenging and disruptive to completely phase out fossil fuels without affecting the global supply chain. | 2. Limitations of alternative energy sources – Despite the growth of renewable energy sources, the current global energy demand surpasses the capacity of existing renewable technologies (context). Renewable energy sources are also often much more costly and may not be affordable for every country.
• Note that it is necessary to discuss alternative energy sources because that is the obvious alternative and the discussion of whether fossil fuels remain relevant needs to consider what we can transition to

3. Consider the view that spending money on space travel cannot be justified in today’s world. |  Rating: Difficult

• Why it exists: Space exploration is one of the most futuristic and newest advancements that humanity is still pursuing, alongside other technologies like artificial intelligence or gene editing. However, space exploration is also often very costly given that it is an ambitious endeavour and since resources are limited, this is often hard to justify. Interestingly, this also relates to the previous question because space travel and the fuel it consumes is also a significant detriment to the environment.
• Think about characteristics of today’s world and relate that to all the arguments (see below)
• This question is difficult simply because of its very specific scope of space travel. Usually, students would prepare a diverse range of examples from different fields of scientific and technological innovations. For this question, all other types cannot be discussed, and we would need 6-8 examples all about space travel. That being said, the arguments are actually fairly similar to other standard questions (and are not that difficult to think of).
• Agree (Cannot be justified) = 1. Pressing global problems – Given the urgent challenges (context) that beleaguer the world, and the significant resources and attention which are required to mitigate these issues, it is hard to justify spending on space travel instead. Space exploration is a costly pursuit that needs extensive investment and allocating funds to it is a misplaced priority. (Can discuss examples like climate change and COVID, and specifically for climate change we can also highlight that space exploration directly exacerbates environmental degradation because of its immense consumption of fossil fuels | note we should not let the whole BP be about climate change because that would cause the scope to be too narrow and make the argument feel example-driven) | 2. Lack of immediate benefits – Apart from ongoing crises, funds should also be invested in improving the general quality of life that are immediately tangible on earth. Space exploration at its current state (context), despite years of investment, does not yield tangible benefits that directly relate to the needs of humanity; its abstract nature renders this pursuit an extraneous ideal.
• Disagree (Can be justified) = 1. Technological advancement – The benefit of space travel is not always immediately obvious. However, it has historically and consistently (context) been a significant driving force behind technological breakthroughs that have widespread applications on Earth. Technologies that are developed to overcome the challenges of space missions foster the development of new technologies. | 2. Curiosity and knowledge – Space missions have a profound impact on human inspiration and scientific discovery. A main impetus for scientific research has invariably been curiosity (context) and a desire to explore the unknown, rather than a solely utilitarian approach. The pursuit of knowledge about the universe and the fundamental questions about our existence expands the frontiers of human understanding and knowledge. Today’s age of information and knowledge (context) has further enhanced the relevance of this goal.

4. Consider the argument that there should be no censorship of the arts in modern society. |  Rating: Standard

• Why it exists: The arts prize freedom and creativity of expression, to be able to discuss any issues and in any format that aligns with the artist’s vision. However, just like any other type of expression, there is always a concern for what the boundaries and limits should be because of how it can be potentially offensive or frivolous. 
• This is a very standard question that many of my students have attempted because I covered the exact question in weekly lessons and also in the Content Crash Course (if you are reading this and preparing for A Levels in 2024/25, you should consider joining us to enjoy such effective and targeted approach at mastering GP Content) 😊
• Agree (No censorship) = 1. Artistic integrity and impact – The arts often serve as a commentary that evinces social truths and should be allowed to explore diverse and even controversial themes (absolute) to engender meaningful social discourse and individual reflection. Offence and shock can be essential tools to use emotional reactions as a conduit to fully deliver the artist’s intended message, and censorship prevents that flexibility in creating impactful messages | 2. Subjective and experimental nature – The arts have the potential to spark different reactions and can be interpreted in varied ways, depending on the individual’s subjective experiences. Every artwork, no matter how seemingly pointless (absolute), can be a valuable personal encounter for someone. The evolution of contemporary art to embrace the postmodernist Avant-garde also emphasises the importance of letting the arts enjoy the freedom of being experimental. Censorship goes against the very nature of the arts.
  
• Disagree (Some censorship) = 1. Protecting social cohesion and values – Critics of the arts would assert that certain artworks are intentionally offensive and have a malicious and inflammatory intent. This exploitation of art to spew hate speech can induce a furore and violent backlash that tears social fabrics asunder, and erode cherished ideas of morality and ethics. Censorship becomes an aegis to prevent that. | 2. Frivolity and exploitation of creativity – There are also infamous examples of certain artworks that deviate from their purpose of capturing beauty or something meaningful. Instead, they exploit the facade of creativity and create frivolous and preposterous content that only serve to undermine the reputation of the arts as a whole. Some form of censorship ensure that the arts maintain a respectable standard.

5. ‘People who undertake voluntary work do so more for their own benefit rather than for the benefit of others.’ Discuss. |  Rating: Standard

• Why it exists: For any kind of altruism that exists (could be humanitarian aid, activism, charity works, volunteering etc.), there is always an interest in how much of that stems from a genuine willingness to want to help others, and how much of that is but a facade to further one’s own interest 
• This is a standard question for Individuals & Values that looks at concept of selflessness, kindness and empathy. Usually, we can also bring in examples of countries and organisations. However, the specific term ‘people’ means that we may only focus on individuals or small communities
• Agree (Selfish) = 1. Image and competition – Cynics would contend that true altruism, even for voluntary work, is a lofty ideal that does not align with today’s realities of a competitive environment. Individuals who engage in such work may be doing it because actively contributing to the wider community is an appealing way to differentiate themselves from others in applying for academic and work opportunities. However, their true objective lies more (variable comparison) with their image rather than the substance of their actions. | 2. Personal development – A key driver of voluntary work is also the benefits that it presents for individuals, with regard to developing their personal qualities and providing a profound sense of fulfilment and purpose. While it is a fair motivation, it is undeniable that this still focuses more on the self rather than (variable comparison) on the welfare of beneficiaries.
• Disagree (Altruistic) = 1. Embracing risks and dangers – Many kinds of voluntary work, including activism for particular causes and participating in humanitarian efforts, come with significant risks to personal safety. Despite that, individuals whole-heartedly continue to engage in such works even when their own well-being may be compromised in precarious situations, suggesting a priority (variable comparison) of others over self. | 2. Evident impact, equal focus: The measurable and tangible impact of voluntary work on communities and individuals often serves as a strong testament to the genuine commitment of volunteers. The substantial improvements and changes illuminate the quality of voluntary work. Even if there are self-serving intentions, the benefit of others are not compromised; there is minimally an equal focus (variable comparison) on both goals.

6. ‘Assess the extent to which all people in your society have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. | Rating: Standard

• Why it exists: In an ideal scenario, everyone in Singapore would have opportunities to find success in some form. However, there may be significant barriers to prevent individuals from achieving their potential.
• This is another standard question for Individuals & Values that examines what contributes to success and whether that is available for all. To answer it, we would need to consider the drivers of success and the challenges that prevent success. Potential and success can be used interchangeably
• Take note that this is a ‘in your society’ question (there are always 2 every year). Think about characteristics of Singapore and relate that to all the arguments (see below)
• Agree (Opportunity for all) = 1. Education and meritocracy – The Singaporean government has made significant investments in the education system (context), providing quality schooling and various skill development programs to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and expertise to pursue their aspirations. The emphasis on meritocracy (context) has created a level playing field for all Singaporeans (absolute), allowing them to compete based on their abilities and talents. | 2. Social and economic support – Singapore boasts a robust social support system (context) that includes healthcare, housing, and employment assistance. Various subsidies and schemes are in place to aid individuals in need, ensuring that basic needs are met and that everyone (absolute) has a fair chance to pursue their goals and aspirations, even those who are financially encumbered
• Disagree (Not opportunity for all) = 1. Income disparity and systemic challenges – The high cost of living and increasing income disparities (context) in Singapore have led to challenges for lower-income individuals and families, making it difficult for them to access the same opportunities as those from more affluent backgrounds. Limited access to resources and opportunities has created barriers for some individuals to achieve their full potential, perpetuating social stratification. | 2. Pressure and competition – The competitive and fast-paced nature of Singapore’s society (context), while driving excellence in many areas, has also created an environment of immense pressure, particularly in the academic and professional spheres. This intense competition can be a significant source of stress, especially for young Singaporeans, potentially stifling their creativity and hindering their ability to explore alternative paths to success beyond conventional academic achievements.

7. The quality of human interaction is diminished by modern communication devices.’ How far do you agree? | Rating: Difficult

• Why it exists: Modern communication devices, like any modern technology, is certainly a valuable advancement that opens up myriad possibilities for humanity. At the same time, they could also present challenges in how they fundamentally alter the way we interact with one another
• The key to figuring out this question is to first consider what types of modern communication devices exist and what defines the interaction present in these devices
• This question is challenging since it is very specific. Firstly, ‘modern communication devices’ is broader than just social media. Secondly, impact on ‘quality of human interaction’ is also a very specific impact and other impacts cannot be discussed. Finally, the common pitfall is for students to give trivial generalisations (e.g. diminish quality because we lose the richness of face-to-face communication), without providing any concrete case studies as examples
• However, we can actually tweak our standard points to fit that into the logic of this question. Tweaking is a very important skill that I always emphasise to students (this is more for the future batches of students who are reading this to gain some insights into GP 🤩)
• Interestingly, there are a lot of overlaps with ideas of activism that we usually discuss under Individuals & Values. Activism is a form of global interaction between many individuals from all walks of life
• Agree (Diminished) = 1. Anonymity (point tweaked from usual arguments about online activism and social media) –  The anonymity provided by modern communication devices (context) enables individuals to engage in harmful behaviors such as cyberbullying and participating in cancel culture, often leading to a lack of accountability for one’s actions and a disrespect for others. Online discussions can often be polarising and heated, with a severe lack of empathy | 2. Superficiality –  The ease of access to various online platforms (context) can foster a superficial form of interaction that focuses more on shallow and fleeting connections. The priority has shifted away from rich and meaningful face-to-face interactions to interactions that lack emotional depth and a holistic appreciation of deeper personalities and attributes. 
• Disagree (Not diminished) = 1. Global movements (another point tweaked from activism) – Modern communication devices facilitate connections and collaborations across geographical boundaries (context), allowing individuals to participate in global movements and initiatives that promote solidarity and meaningful collective action. It helps individuals connect with like-minded individuals who may be experiencing the same struggles | 2. Vibrant communities and diversity – Online interactions and relationships have the potential to foster vibrant and inclusive online communities (context) that encourage the exchange of diverse perspectives and the cultivation of cross-cultural understanding, thereby enhancing the overall quality of human interaction and engagement. It gives the invaluable possibility of enlarging our social connections beyond our immediate physical social group
  

8. To what extent are the festivals and national holidays effective in promoting unity in your society? | Rating: Slightly Difficult

• Why it exists: Festivals and national holidays are usually tied to different people from different ethnicities and religions; celebrating them would be a meaningful way to celebrate their identities and also provides opportunities for an appreciation of these cultures. However, in reality, they may be more symbolic and outward, and have a limited impact on actual social cohesion.
• If you are wondering why this links to the arts, it is because heritage is inextricably intertwined with the arts in how they are usually expressed and preserved through various artforms (dance, music, handicrafts, literature etc.). However, it is slightly difficult because it niche and we would need all our examples from festivals and holidays (and we do not even have that many holidays lol)
• There are two variables (festivals and national holidays), but we can actually combine them because they are similar. There are many overlaps between festivals and holidays.
• Take note that this is a ‘in your society’ question (there are always 2 every year). Think about characteristics of Singapore and relate that to all the arguments (see below)
• Agree (Effective) = 1. Shared celebrations – Festivals and holidays are joyous occasions that serve as a platform to connect people from diverse backgrounds, allowing them to come together. This is especially important in Singapore given that it is a multicultural and cosmopolitan society (context). Shared celebrations are inclusive opportunities for unity between different communities (possible examples are national day and Chingay) | 2. Cultural understanding – Singapore’s multicultural society also entails diverse cultural festivals (context). These are helpful for people from various ethnic groups to gain insight into different cultural traditions, customs, and values. Participating in the festivities allows individuals to develop a deeper appreciation for the cultural heritage of others, thereby strengthening social bonds and intercultural harmony within the society.
• Disagree (Ineffective) = 1. Limited integration – While Singapore celebrates a variety of festivals, some of these events are specific to particular ethnic or religious groups (context), leading to limited cross-cultural engagement and integration. Although the festivals may showcase the richness of individual cultural practices, they might not fully encourage extensive interaction or mutual participation among various communities. This limited integration could paradoxically reinforce cultural boundaries rather than promote broader social cohesion. | 2. Superficiality – Despite the vibrant and inclusive nature of the celebrations, it is crucial to recognise that societal divisions in Singapore (context) can persist beneath the surface, and these divisions might not be effectively addressed solely through the observance of festivals and national holidays. Genuine unity requires ongoing efforts to bridge cultural divides, promote dialogue, and establish shared values that extend beyond celebratory events.

9. ‘Regret for past actions is vital for progress.’ What is your view? | Rating: Standard

• Why it exists: Regret means acknowledging wrongdoings and reflecting on past mistakes. These are very human traits that are necessary for learning and having healthy relationships with others. However, regret can also mean dwelling excessively on the past, and not focusing enough on what the future holds
• First of all, this is an Individuals & Values question that borrows from various core issues in this Theme. We will be discussing these ideas: reflection, learning, embracing new opportunities. All of these closely intertwine with standard arguments we use for Individuals & Values. If you are interested in learning these arguments and examples to be fully prepared for the A Levels, consider joining our lessons and you will also feel as confident as our students 😊 (P.s. these will not be discussed in schools at all since I created this theme)
• This is also related to politics because the question did not specify that the actions are only for individuals. It can also pertain to countries and in the field of international relations, there are often lots of past grievances and conflicts and the question is whether regret for those would be helpful (e.g. wars, genocides, colonialism and other forms of exploitation)
• Agree (Vital) = 1. Catalyst for change – Regret often serves as a powerful catalyst for change, both on an individual and societal level. Acknowledging past mistakes allows for introspection and the opportunity to learn from these experiences, leading to personal growth and the implementation of better practices and decisions in the future. | 2. Reconciliation – Regret is the first step in acknowledging past wrongdoings, thereby opening up the possibilities of reconciliation especially for past transgressions that are severe. This allows for the progressive mending of strained relationships, through sincere apologies and reparations. It also enhances empathy and compassion for others.
• Disagree (Not vital) = 1. Debilitating – Regret can mean being fixated on the past which can evoke a lot of negative emotions and ends up being psychologically crippling. Rather than facilitating growth, regret can create a vicious cycle of self-blame and resentment, preventing the capacity for positive change | 2. Fear of mistakes – There may even be a reluctance to take healthy risks and embrace the unknown, in order to avoid mistakes. Excessive emphasis on regret discourages experimentation and innovation where transformative ideas are eschewed due to the fear of failure and subsequent regret.

10. Evaluate the claim that sports personalities make good role models for young people. | Rating: Standard

• Why it exists: This is a classic question (and also widely predicted 2023 prelim question) that evaluates whether public figures are good role models. Of course, this question is a more specific version that only cares about sports. One perspective is that these individuals embody inspirational traits and exhibit positive behaviour, while the other perspective examines the failings of these individuals
• This is slightly difficult since the scope is only for sports personalities and athletes, which would significantly limit the possible examples. However, the arguments for whether a public figure is a good role model is still very standard (lots of overlaps with standard Individuals & Values questions, you may even realise they reiterate some ideas from other questions from above)
• The good thing about this question is that there are no modifiers which means fewer requirements that we need to address 😊
• Agree (Good role models) = 1. Positive qualities – Sports personalities often embody qualities such as discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, which are essential for success not only in sports but also in various aspects of life. Their dedication to training and their ability to handle both victories and defeats with grace can serve as valuable lessons for young individuals navigating their own challenges and aspirations. | 2. Advocacy (yes another point tweaked from activism, which really shows the value of studying content in a targeted manner so that it can be applied to many questions!) – Many sports figures use their public platforms to advocate for important social causes, promoting awareness and instigating positive change in society. Their efforts to support charitable initiatives and raise awareness for pressing issues can inspire young people to emulate the behaviour to actively engage in social responsibility and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
• Disagree (Poor role models) = 1. Controversies – Some sports personalities, when faced with immense pressure and competition, have been embroiled in controversies, exhibiting behavior that contradicts the values of sportsmanship and fair play. Instances of cheating, doping, or unethical conduct among famous athletes can potentially send the wrong message to young individuals, leading to disillusionment and scepticism regarding the integrity of sports as well as the notion of role models in general. | 2. Personal struggles – Athletes are still undoubtedly humans who can have personal struggles and flaws like any others. When these are exposed, they can easily overshadow other achievements and undermine the credibility of these individuals as role models.

11. Assess the view that accurate translation between languages is always necessary. | Rating: Difficult (should avoid!)

• Why it exists: Accurate translation ensures that meaning is captured properly especially given the nuanced differences in languages (Sapir–Whorf hypothesis). However, there are times when we simply cannot translate all the nuances. A rough translation could be good enough to convey the general idea for a pragmatic communicative purpose, rather than anything deeper
• This is probably the least popular question and rightfully so because it is way too specific, and it has few similarities with past question trends which means that there is also little value in learning this question. Furthermore, we would need knowledge about different languages and even specific phrases from there to be able to give a compelling argument. However, for the sake of students who are still curious, I will briefly analyse it
• Agree (Always necessary) = 1. Avoid misunderstanding – Precise translation in capturing a nuanced understanding of cultural contexts and linguistic nuances always enables accurate interpretations of ideas (absolute), thereby preventing misunderstandings and conflicts that may arise due to language barriers. | 2. Effective communication and collaboration – In a globalised world with an increasing interconnectivity of countries and economies, accurate translation is indispensable for promoting international cooperation in various forms (absolute), scientific research, and academic collaborations. Accurate translations directly contributes to the effectiveness of knowledge, contributing to the advancement of innovation across borders.
• Disagree (Not always necessary) = 1. Nuances are too unique – Trying to always force an accurate translation may result in the distortion of intended meanings, due to the unique nuances and subtleties of different languages and even cultures. Emphasising accuracy can cause misinterpretations and confusion rather than fostering clarity and understanding. This is especially the case for linguistic works where trying to translate accurately ends up diluting the original essence of a piece| 2. Technological advancement – Automatic translation technologies have advanced significantly in recent years, making accurate translation less essential for basic communication. While these tools may not capture all cultural nuances perfectly, they often provide sufficient understanding for everyday conversations and practical purposes, reducing the absolute necessity for highly accurate human translation in certain context

12. ‘Young people want to change the world because they do not know it is impossible.’ How far do you agree? | Rating: Standard

• Why it exists: Some adults may be cynical and are critical of youths who engage in activism, claiming that they are just too idealistic and ignorant of how their efforts are futile. However, another perspective considers how youths may actually be aware of the difficulties and yet persist in their efforts to press for change because they believe in it (for various reasons)
• Take note that the focus is on the second part (ignorance). Wrong answers would be discussing ‘young people do not want to change the world’ because that is already a given assumption and we are only interested in whether this is motivated by ignorance, or not
• Stronger scripts would also discuss concrete case studies of significant social and political change (rather than trivial ideas of change)
• I have always predicted questions of activism because this is an immensely popular issue and also one that has a lot of overlaps with other themes like Media (online activism), Politics (democracy and influencing governments), Arts (a form of expression calling for change), Environment (one specific area of activism)
• The only tricky part about this question is in engaging with the variable of ignorance. A common mistake would be to ignore that and only discuss various other reasons why young people want to change the world. This can be avoided by doing a thorough question analysis and clearly stating what the 2 views are:
• Agree (Change because ignorant) = 1. Limited exposure and idealism – Young people’s limited exposure to the complexities of the world and policymaking often cultivates a sense of idealism and a belief in their ability to effect meaningful change. Their lack of comprehensive understanding of practical constraints and historical limitations fuels their aspirations for transformation, leading them to challenge the status quo and envision a more progressive future. 
• Disagree (Change not because ignorant) = 1. Progressive change and small steps – The persistence of young individuals in striving for change often stems from their recognition of the significance of incremental progress. While they might be aware (given variable) of the challenges and limitations, they believe that consistent efforts, even on a small scale, can contribute to larger, transformative shifts over time. This acknowledgment of the gradual nature of societal change emphasizes the importance of sustained advocacy and activism, promoting a continuous drive toward improvement. | 2. Passion and emotional commitment – Youths could be cognisant (given variable) of limitations but remain admirably persistent because they feel a genuine and heartfelt emotional investment in issues, and are viscerally affected. These emotions and profound capacity for empahty galvanises their determination to call out current failures and injustices | 3. Optimism and hope – Young individuals often view their actions as a beacon of hope, regardless of the immediate results (given variable), demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the ideals of progress and social change. This persistent hope motivates them to fight for change even when it proves to be a Sisyphean task

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Yay, congratulations to the J2s of 2023, because you have completed an important milestone. Good job on putting in your best effort for GP. Now it is time to take a short break and refocus your efforts on the remaining papers. Stay motivated and stay confident 😄!!

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