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Past Years' Essay Questions from Other Colleges (1995 - 2005)

Arts and Culture

Students should know the difference between ‘art’ (i.e. painting) and ‘the arts’ (i.e.
literature, music, sculpture etc.)

1. The arts exist for the sole purpose of keeping us entertained. Do you agree?
2. The arts are created only for our leisure; society has no real need for them.
Comment.
3. Faced with a choice, would you build a museum or theatre?
4. The Arts is no longer important in a society that values economic success. Discuss
this with reference to your country.
5. Is there a place for the arts in this technological age?
6. The pursuit of the arts is not an option but an integral part of the growth of a people.
Discuss.
7. Modern movies have become more entertaining but less meaningful. Do you agree?
8. For the arts to flourish, there must be complete freedom of expression. Discuss.
9. Discuss the conditions in society which might enable the arts to flourish.
10. Music is the one true universal language. Discuss.
11. Fine arts is not for the masses. Is this true?
12. The artist's only responsibility is to his art. Do you agree?
13. Most modern architecture is ugly and impractical. Do you agree?
14. Assess the factors which have promoted and hindered cultural development in your
country.
15. Can photography be considered an art form?
16. Can a country preserve its culture nowadays in the face of increasing globalisation?
17. Why are people still concerned about customs and traditions?
18. Have rituals, customs and ceremonies become less important in people's lives?
19. One language, one culture. Would you like to see this on a global scale?
20. Language serves as an essential tool in eradicating racial conflicts. Comment.
21. Art is inaccessible to the common man.’ Discuss.
22. “The arts are just a luxury for the rich.” Do you agree?
23. The sole purpose of the Arts is to entertain. Discuss.
24. Are the Arts still relevant in this age of modern technology?
25. Artistic expression should never be restricted. Discuss.
26. ‘Above all, the arts teach us to be human.’ Do you agree?
27. ‘The arts liberate; science enslaves.’ Discuss.
28. ‘The arts of not a frill… a society without the arts would no longer be what we now
recognise as human.’ Discuss the value of the arts in your society.

Language and Literature

1. Language is more than a tool of communication. Discuss.

2. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Do you agree?
3. Young people do not read enough. What consequences could this have for your
country?
4. Reading fiction may be entertaining but otherwise it has little real value. Do you
agree?
5. Why study another language when English is so widely used today?
6. ‘There is no future for literature and the arts.’ Discuss this statement with reference to
your society.

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Economics and Business

This is the topic area in which the use of Economic jargon disadvantages most
candidates. They tend to rely on unexplained and regurgitated terms and phrases as if
they are simply producing a set of note from a textbook. Essays on these questions
must still have the writer’s own personal ‘voice’.

1. We are moving towards a virtually cashless society. What are the implications of this
for your country?
2. Should a nation's key public services be privatised?
3. Do multi-national companies encourage or retard progress in developing countries?
4. How important is transport to the development of a nation?
5. Aid to developing countries should be linked to their human rights record. Discuss.
6. Globalisation has little or nothing to offer developing countries. To what extent do you
agree with the statement?
7. To what extent can we eradicate poverty in the world today?
8. Why should we be concerned about the rich-poor gap in the world today?
9. It is becoming increasingly difficult for any nation to live in economic and political
isolation. Do you agree?
10. Should a movie star be paid more than a teacher?
11. Should a sports person be paid more than a teacher?
12. The most worthwhile jobs are usually those with the least financial gain. Do you
agree?
13. ‘The affluent world should be ashamed that poverty still exists.’ Discuss.
14. ‘You cannot stop globalisation, it is something that happens.’ (U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright) Should globalisation be resisted?
15. ‘Globalisation has created two worlds, not one.’ To what extent is this true?

Education (Social Issues)

1. Censorship is a hindrance to education. Discuss.

2. Everything, everyone around you is a teacher. Discuss.
3. Can education solve all problems?
4. Education can be both a cause of, and an answer to the social and economic
problems in a country. Do you agree?
5. It would be a mistake for education in the technological age to ignore the Humanities.
Discuss.
6. Should the study of Literature or History be made compulsory in schools?
7. Real education is more than just obtaining paper qualifications. It is the key to
achieving individual freedom. Discuss.
8. The main aim of education should not be knowledge of facts but knowledge of values.
Do you agree?
9. Education should be concerned with development rather than achievement. Do you
agree?
10. Teachers will have a less critical role in the school of the future. Do you agree?
11. Discuss the possibility and consequences of the computer replacing the teacher in
the future.
12. Is formal education over valued?
13. Parents are more important than teachers to a child's education. Do you agree?
14. Any change in society begins in school. Discuss.
15. Education does not necessarily promote equality in society. Discuss.
16. Is there a case for the abolition of examinations in a modern education system?
17. “Education kills curiosity.” How far do you agree with this statement?

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18. Paper qualifications have little value in today’s world.” Do you agree?
19. “Schools teach too much that is unnecessary and too little of what is interesting.”
Discuss.
20. ‘Enabling the individual to cope with failure should be the main aim of education.’ Do
you agree?
21. “The most important challenge facing education is to develop a love for learning and
questioning.” Do you agree?
22. How far would an education system that is flexible and varied contribute to an
education worth having?
23. To what extent is the education system in your country churning our efficient but
mindless clones?
24. ‘Only the educated are free.’ Discuss.

Environment and Geography

1. Is man fighting a losing battle against environmental degradation?

2. Capitalism and conservation do not mix. Do you agree?
3. It is meaningless to talk about saving the environment when millions of people are
starving to death. How far do you agree?
4. Soon we shall have no air to breathe, no water to drink and no food to eat. How
seriously should we heed this warning?
5. Nuclear energy is a mixed blessing. Comment.
6. What can be done to achieve a balance between tourism and protection of the
environment?
7. Are wild animals necessary?
8. On what grounds could the killing of animals be justified?
9. Why should we be concerned about marine life?
10. Is the world drowning in its own garbage?
11. The most challenging crisis of the 21st century is the shortage and contamination of
water. Discuss.
12. The loss of biodiversity is the worst disaster facing the planet. Do you agree?
13. How can we balance the demand for food and conservation of the environment?
14. We need to encourage not curb population growth. Do you agree?
15. Do you think environmental conservation should be made mandatory?
16. A Street is more important than a Meadow. Discuss.
17. Is it ever possible to meet the demands of the consumer class without incurring great
environmental costs?
18. ‘Man does not sufficiently appreciate the gifts of nature.’ Discuss with reference to
our use of natural resources.
19. ‘Modern technology owes ecology an apology.’ How far do you agree?
20. How far do you agree that despite Man’s attempt to control Nature, Nature has
instead been more successful in controlling Man?

General/Philosophy
By their nature, these topics are likely to be quite abstract and demanding, but they can
produce very effective responses when carefully planned and effectively illustrated
by means of pertinent examples.

1. Consider the importance of beauty.

2. Consider the importance of image.
3. Winning is not the most important thing in life – it is everything. Do you agree?
4. Can discipline be taught to an individual?

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5. Religion has lost its ability to provide moral guidance. Discuss.

6. Religion divide rather than unite, destroy rather than save. Do you agree?
7. Too liberty brings stagnation; too much brings chaos. How true is this statement in
the world today?
8. Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains. (Rousseau) Comment.
9. Freedom and slavery are mental states. (Mahatma Gandhi) Critically examine this
statement.
10. Every day, in every way, we are getting better. Comment.
11. Is longevity a blessing in today’s world?
12. Is honesty still the best policy?
13. Sometimes it is necessary to commit a small evil for a greater good. Do you agree?
14. The only permanent thing is change.
15. It matters not how a person dies, but how he lives. How can one make his life
meaningful?
16. Consider the importance of toys.
17. The greatest pleasures of life are often the simplest. To what extent is this statement
true?
18. Should we always show compassion?
19. Is it always good to obey the law?
20. How important is loyalty in today’s society?
21. To succeed in life, we need to take risks. Do you agree?
22. Consider the importance of ambition.
23. Ours is a world of relative values. There is no absolute right or wrong anymore.
Discuss.
24. Are the best things in life free any longer?
25. Mammon (the god of riches) dictate our values and beliefs now. Comment.
26. Just do it. How far should one follow this advice?
27. How important is it to have choices?
28. How important is reputation in the world today?
29. “The poor can help themselves.” To what extent is this statement true?

History

1. Knowledge of the past can do more harm than good. Do you agree?
2. That men do not learn very much from the lessons of History is the most important of
all lessons that History has to teach. (Aldous Huxley) Discuss.
3. To what extent is it necessary for the common man to have a knowledge of history?
4. ‘History is the unfolding of miscalculations.’ Is this a fair comment?
5. ‘We learn from history that we learn nothing form history.’ (George Bernard Shaw)
Discuss.

Mass Media
The traditional view is that the word ‘media’ should be treated as a plural noun in all its
senses in English, and can be used as a plural rather than singular verb: The media
have not followed the reports. In practice, it behaves as a collective noun which means it
is now acceptable in standard English for it to take either a singular or a plural verb. For
the purpose of exams, consistency is the key.

1. Are entertainment celebrities worthy idols or a bad influence?

2. The mass media has robbed the individual of his privacy. Discuss.
3. Television does not mould social values, it merely mirrors them. Discuss.

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4. The evils of the media have been grossly exaggerated. To what extent do you
agree?
5. The media deceives more than it reveals. Do you agree?
6. Are cartoons only for entertainment?
7. A country is only as free as its press. Do you agree?
8. Self-censorship is the best censorship. To what extent is this true in your country?
9. Every society has a right to prohibit the propagation of opinions which has a
dangerous tendency. Is censorship justifiable?
10. The media divides the young from the old. Do you agree?
11. Movies and television can never replace books. Discuss.
12. ‘Buyer beware!’ To what extent should we pay heed to this advice?
13. Advertisers create demand for things we do not need. Discuss.
14. ‘Popular films only serve to entertain the masses.’ Assess the validity of the
statement.
15. ‘The public has an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth
knowing.’ Is this a valid statement?
16. “You deserve the media you get.” How true is this statement?
17. “The young are victims of today’s multi-channelled and Internet-linked world”.
18. ‘Television is a necessary evil.’ Comment.
19. Does TV viewing erode a person’s ability to think about complex issues?
20. Is the television a lens of is it a mirror?
21. ‘Advertisements are merely reflections of a society’s ideals.’ How far is this true?

Politics and Government

1. The cure for terrorism is democracy. Do you agree?

2. Global peace is an illusion. Do you agree?
3. Global peace is an impossible dream as lone as human rights are violated.
Comment.
4. Discuss the view that more rights and freedom should be given to women in the
Third World.
5. A good country needs to be run like a good business.
6. Power is no longer in the hands of the government. Discuss.
7. Do you agree that the form of a government is less important than the quality of its
members?
8. Political ideologies are fast dying in a world dominated by economic interests.
9. How far, if at all, should the government intervene in family matters?
10. To what extent should the movement of people across borders be restricted?
11. In international relations, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.
Discuss.
12. We do not need great leaders, only pragmatic politicians. Discuss.
13. Patriotism is no longer relevant in an increasingly borderless world. Do you agree?
14. ‘There never was a good war or bad peace.’ (Benjamin Franklin) Do you agree?
15. The pen is mightier than the sword. Discuss.
16. It is ideas not force that changes the world. Discuss.
17. Leaders are born, not made. Discuss.
18. Democracy is nothing but the tyranny of the majority. Discuss.
19. Is communism dead?
20. The United Nations serves no real purpose in international affairs today. To what
extent is this a fair statement?
21. All war is nothing more than ‘an organised crime’. Do you agree?
22. Is a world without conflicts possible?

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23. “Politicians build walls, businessmen build bridges.” Do you agree?

24. Is there a case for patriotism in today’s world?
25. "Despite all of man’s efforts, we still live in a divided world.” Consider this statement
using illustrations from recent world events.
26. ‘Government no longer determines the fate of its people.’ Discuss.
27. ‘To be a leader of men, one must turn one’s back on men.’ Discuss.
28. Does the State have a right to influence an individual’s choices in life?
29. Is there a case for patriotism in today’s world?
30. What influence can the smallest countries in the world have on the largest nations?
31. Should all governments work towards homogeneity among their people?
32. ‘One should have the freedom of choice as long as it harms no one else.’ Do you
agree that this should be the basis of law?
33. ‘It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is
the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error.’ Do you
agree?

Science, Technology and Medicine

1. Is Science our master or servant?

2. Is the possibility of controlling our children’s genes a good or bad thing?
3. In this scientific age, is the world still a place of wonder?
4. The advancements of Science and Technology have both empowered and
weakened Man. Discuss.
5. Has man gained anything from space exploration?
6. The scientist should enjoy total freedom in research for science to advance. Do you
agree?
7. Too much knowledge is a dangerous thing. Is this applicable to the world of science
today?
8. How far should we depend on Science to solve the world’s problems?
9. Discuss the view that science is now Man’s religion.
10. Too much faith is placed in Science. Discuss.
11. The application of knowledge gained by research is something beyond our control.
Do you agree?
12. The best way to assess a country’s progress is through its scientific
accomplishments. Do you agree?
13. Can the transplanting of animal organs into human being ever be justified?
14. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of satellite technology.
15. Science should always seek to prolong life. Discuss.
16. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Discuss with reference to scientific
development.
17. ‘It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.’
How far would you agree with this view?
18. Would you agree that the only importance and value of science lies in its power to
improve and save lives?
19. ‘Science generates irresponsible dreams.’ Is this statement valid?
20. ‘Along with great power comes great responsibility.’ Discuss the relevance of this
observation to the roles of and responsibilities of scientists today.
21. As science advances, man regresses. Do you agree?
22. Has Science become a new religion?

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Mathematics

1. Mathematics is the perfect language. Do you agree?

2. To what extent is the use of measurement accurate and necessary for the
assessment of our schools today?
3. To what extent is the use of measurement accurate and necessary for the
assessment in our schools today?
4. Why should Mathematics be a compulsory subject?
5. Mathematics is an impractical subject. Do you agree?
6. It is not what statistics reveal that matters; it’s what they do not. Discuss.

Social Issues (Sports)

1. Discuss the importance of sports.

2. Does sports always contribute to international harmony and understanding?
3. Sports merely diverts people from what really matters in life. Discuss.
4. Sports is all about talent exploiting Science. Do you agree?
5. Do you agree that international sports has made sports fans victims of global
business ventures?
6. Competitive sports brings out the best and worst in people. Do you agree?

Social Issues (Others)

1. Does the concept of gender should have any relevance in today’s society?
2. Have modern women paid too high a price for equality?
3. How far do you agree that the values of the youth are in conflict with the values of
society?
4. Affluence brings about as many problems as poverty. Discuss.
5. How far should a criminal’s age influence the nature of his punishment?
6. Today’s crimes reflect a world that is rapidly losing its values. Comment.
7. ‘Our mercy is become our crime.’ (John Dryden) Are harsher punishments the
answer to curbing crime today?
8. Do you think parents should be punished for the crimes that their teenage children
commit?
9. Society prepares the crime; the criminal commits it. Is it justified to blame the society
for its crimes?
10. How valid is the claim that, for most people, work today is less satisfying and more
time-consuming than before?
11. Do you think modern life has become unnecessarily complex?
12. Most criminals need help rather than punishment. To what extent do you agree?
13. In trying to provide the best for their children, parents have deprived them of what is
really important in life. Discuss.
14. Is the role of the family still as important as it used to be?
15. It is up to the individual whether to smoke or not; it is not the proper concern of the
government. How far would you agree with this statement?
16. To what extent should a government be responsible for the needs of the elderly and
disabled?
17. To reduce divorce rates, couples should cohabit before marriage. Discuss.
18. The test of a civilised society is in the way it treats its children. To what extent do you
agree?
19. ‘How man treats animals is a reflection of how civilised he is.’ Comment.
20. Is the term ‘spoilt generation’ a fair description of today’s youth?

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21. Do you agree that the youths of today subscribe only to values that suit them?
22. Do you think that the institution of the family may be in for a radical revision in the
future?
23. How far would you agree that immigrants are necessary for a society to be
successful today?
24. Discrimination is not always bad. Do you agree?
25. ‘Juvenile delinquents are not criminals – they are simply misunderstood teenagers.’
How far do you agree?
26. Feminism should be as liberating to men as it is to women. Comment.
27. “Women are edging men out from their comfortable niches.” Comment.
28. Having children is increasingly seen as a chore and not a blessing. What impact
would this have on the institution of family?
29. “Women make better leaders than men.” Discuss.
30. The youths of today have an opinion on everything but a heart for none. Is this a fair
assessment of young people in your country?
31. Discrimination is not always bad. Do you agree?
32. Women now have equality and freedom in everything. Do you agree?
33. Is the growing acceptance of singlehood a blessing or a curse?
34. 'Infidelity is the greatest threat to the well-being of the family today.' Do you agree
with this claim?
35. ‘The golden years’. Is this an accurate description of old age in your society?
36. Should divorce be banned?
37. ‘A house needs a man more than it needs a woman.’ Discuss
38. ‘We have become a society of excesses.’ Discuss.
39. Singlehood is becoming increasingly attractive today. Comment.
40. Do you agree that Singaporeans are victims of trends?

Final Note: There will be about 2 – 3 Singapore-based questions based on any of the
above, though more likely to confined to social issues, culture, media and education.
Know thy country!

All the best and keep writing!