-=:1

Raffles Institution
2014 Post-Prelim Guided Essay Approach

Adapted and edited from Kristabel Low- 10S06L

"Technology provides assurance in a world of fraught with uncertainty and insecurity." Do

you agree?

. [Asfounder of Mircosoft, Bill Gates once said "Never before in history has innovation offered

1 promise of so much to so many." tr~~ ~<:!\:.e!l~~f !eE~o)~gy_ has_~eJi~}~e!l_l!l~r!!<il!d_

~d_ it_~~~
dwells in every aspect of life. [In a world faced with a multitude of challenges- technology can
be construed as a saving grave. When utilised with wisdom and caution, technology morphs
Comment [B1]: A pertinent quote can help
prcvlde an insight to your thesis. It also showcases
your vast knowledge on the subject matter.

into a mechanism which serves to provide assurance to humanity rather than the grim
alternative. ~Jlil~ _Ol1~
,!1lay_argu_e_tb"t_a5~UJ·'I}'l.C~
_aff9~d~4_byJ~cJ1.!1QI.9~
is_l}Oj:
_al?~oll!.t~,ltJlY
-< ~ ~ Comment [82]: Introduction of your essavs
thesis statement
advantage is preferred to none at all and by and large, the sense of certainty it nurtures '"
Comment [83]: It is equally important to

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heavily outweighs any luncertaint~ '~I~d_i~~e~~rit2' Jt_J~i1S!l~
~r~~d..: _

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mention the limitation of your thesis (anti-thesis)

Comment [84]: By re-using the key words in the

~ome conservative factions kr2!:le that technology may'provoke uncertaint)' and insecurity. question; I am making a direct reference to the aatl-

trhe vast amount of informatio~ that t;c~~l~gy g~~erat~s~~~d p~o~de~ -a~~e~; t~may -b~---", thesis.

overwhelming, poorly-grounded or unverifiable. k\~.!J~~t~0:i~!l1j~t _c~l!s~_c~~:f!1.:>i.9~;_

'!:.t_v:O!~t_ Comment [B5]: Rather than falling into the trap
of generalising people, state specific characteristics
the multitude of information can be paralyzing leading to unsound decisions. ~ example of ", which best describe them. (Conservatives, liberals
etc.)
this manifests as "Cyberchondria" which is the unfounded escalation of concerns about -,
, Comment [86]: Within a few sentences you
common symptoms based on review of online literature. [t j~'! tr~l!d_'!ID~ng~t)!g_e!l1_e! tg _
!:l~e~s_

1
should elucidate the key point as to WHY
anonymously ask "Dr. Google" for answers pertaining to one's health before latching on to \ technology does not provide assurance in a world of
fraught with uncertainty and insecurity. This must
the worst possible diagnosis. IInstead of the assurance of quick access, to information, \ be- dearly explained so the examiner can
\
comprehend your point. The point I try to raise is
individuals are more likely to become anxious at the partial knowledge they have access to, \ the lack of clarity arising from the heaps of
leading to increased insecurity and anxiety. [\y!!-D~~l!.c!!-
_0!1!~~in!~r~a!i~~ P~~~~ep.}~~c!.e9- _ \ \
information available.
\
for its immediacy and transparency, it simultaneously has been denounced for its lack of \ Comment [87]: Pick an example which is
relevant to the point you are raising. The relevance
ethics, quality and frequently sensationalist treatments which have led to landmark legal law \ of your examples will affect the grade of your script.
. \

1 SUitS.

Iliowever, this argument is untenable as it over simplifies the role which society plays i!!
Comment [B8]: Explain the rationale
choice in your example and how it re-supports
of your

point (in this case; how the quick access to the vast
amount of info causes one to lack assurance)
your

tandem with technology to provide assurance in a world stricken with uncertainty. L __ Comment [99]: There should be an immediate
Technology has facilitated the exponential growth of online formal and informal journalism rebuttal against the thesis. State the problem with
your anti-thesis (it could be an over-generalisation
sites. The creation of new technologies including blog sites, social networks, and the use of or simplification of the broader issue at hand)

smart phones with cameras, allows individuals to publish their own point of view with regard
to an array of issues. Contributors to such sites may include individuals without any
journalistic training ~et the information they provide is may be undeniably crucial in
Comment [Bl0]: Within a few sentences you
substantiating and legitimising mainstream media reports. JEQ.r_ ~J<;a}lll?J~,_
D'l_aDY
_sj:Q.rie5
_ ~~/ should elucidate the key point as to WHY
technology does provide assurance.

1
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examguru 1
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 regarding the Arab Spring were covered by citizen journalists when mainstream media were
unable to reach areas of conflict due to media blackout in various regions. Further, many
smaller media publications depend on the incoming stream of online information by citizen
journalists for the latest updates, due to their low staff count. ~ndoubtedly, an individual's
capability to benefit from the proliferation of information in the media derives from their
ability to discern the obvious truth from falsitY.IB.9~~yeJ'-~h~_cyg~_c.1l1tl,lT~,-
Ls_o_n~
Y,"here_by - Comment [811]: Since this is a rebuttal-it isn't
without its own fault. Its is important to raise this
people through a comparison of numerous sources, can verify and establish an overarching fault as well.
sense of certainty with regards to most queries. L _ Comment [B12]: However, to prevent any form
of self-contradiction, you have to ultimately raise a
rebuttal for the aforementioned rebuttal so as to
[Iechnclogy has cultivated an envirorunent of certainty through its ability to ensure the
reinforce your thesis instead of your anti-thesis. (In
provision of food. [Q~spil~.!l.!e_1l¥~'!.t_~tfo_o~_ ~c~l::.city
_~n9-_ '!c!.v~l::.s~
_~IL~a.!i~_c..o..I1~LtLo!1~,l this case technology provides assurance in a world
stricken with uncertainty)
agricultural productivity has arguably stabilised- some may even argue boomed- to a large \~ ,
Comment [B13]: New point, supporting the
degree under the utilisation of various technological inputs. It is widely accepted that '. thesis. In this case we refer to technology's role in
technology has revolutionised the agricultural scene. More farm equipment today is being \\
provision of food.

outfitted with smart sensors that can accurately gauge the requirements of a plant. For Comment [814]: This statement reveals why
the world is fraught with uncertainty and insecurity.
example, soil and crop sensors measure almost all traits of plant health from water needs to Note: this is not an implied point, you have to
quantify why the world is fraught with uncertainty
nitrogen levels in the soil. The newest area of sensor use is in irrigation where the sensors and to what extent.
measure water needs and thus optimise water use decreasing yield loss. In fact the social
stigma once engulfing agricultural cultivation as an economically unviable sector- due to the
unpredictability in crop yield -is surely but steadily being debunked by technology itself trJ1~ - Comment [B15]: By discussing a social stigma
we invariably tackle the root of the question; the
~ncreasing economic viability of such technology permits globall~>_s!a.9il~J:ill f02g'p!~d_us:~s_ world is fraught with uncertainty and insecurity.

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as the veil uncertainty in the agricultural scene has been dispelled by the precision of Comment [B16]: Provision of foodand linking it
up to the economic argument further reinforces
machinery.
why tech provides assurance.

[reclmology has provided immense assurance to society through its development of complex
and reliable security infrastructure.jl'echnology .!J~~ i~ ~h_e
~~e.!1_d_ep~oi~<! )leJ<!s_<2.( ~a~i~~,!l__ _ Comment [B17]: New point, supporting the
thesis. In this case we refer to technology's role in
security and defence. The Singapore Army is currently undergoing a transformation into a defence.

3rd Generation fighting force. This essentially means the improvement of the army through
leveraging on technology and weapon systems. As of 2013, the Singapore military was
apportioned a whopping 12.3 Billion Singapore dollars out of its annual budget. Heavy
investments in recent years, such as the signing of contracts by the Singaporean Military to
purchase: F-15 fighter jets from Boeing, 110 Leopard-2 battle tanks from Germany, and six
missile frigates from France [paytestament to the army's unwavering goal of keeping up with
worldwide technological advances whilst maintaining national security. ~es:tr!.ol~gy)!.a~.?Ls.9 - Comment [B18]: Rememberto link your
example to your raised point.
been specifically deployed in the field of counter-terrorism. After the infamous "9-11"
terrorist attacks in America, many countries have heightened their airport security through
numerous technological advances aimed at apprehending individuals who try to smuggle
unauthorised items on board aircrafts. Till today, measures are constantly being altered and
upgraded to improve the efficiency of airport security. According to President Obama, in
2014 there will be the deployment of body-imaging scanners in American airports. [Ihese
measures will undoubtedly provide assurance for passengers as they need not be so overtly L _- Comment [B19]: Remember to link your
example to your raised poi nt,
worried about the threat of terrorism. Through the aforementioned argument, it is clear that
technology does not only provide safety to people but also safeguards a country's
sovereignty.

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[Iechnology has also provided greft assurance within the fields of health care. tIe_clu1~IQgy_l.!a.§- Comment [820]: New point, supporting the

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thesis. In this case we refer to technology's role in
deepened our understanding of the human body and consequently aided in the process of heelthcere.
treatment for diseases and ailments. With an abundance of information on the human body
I
in tandem with advanced medical technology, humans can make more informed decisions
with regards to their healthcare. Precision medicine is a fairly new multi-faceted approach to
medicine that integrates molecular and clinical research with patient data and outcomes and
places the patient at the centre ofbll elements. Genomic, epigenetic, and environmental data
are studied together with patienjl information behaviour to understand individual disease
patterns and to design preventiv , diagnostic, and therapeutic solutions. [This process has
increased the capability of delive ing accurate diagnosis and the more apt administration of
drugs to suitably tackle most mefical conditions. ~itJ.1_a!l)~~r~'!.s~<!~~c_U!"'!.cy
)!l_di'!.@Q~i~,__ .:>
Comment [821]: Remember to link your

-] individuals are less inclined to turn a blind eye from seeking medical attention, even if it
means having to incur medical expenses, ~s it would in many instances enhance the
example to your raised point.

possibility of recovery substantially, - Comment [B22]: By mentioning the prospect of

recovery we remind the examiner subtly about how
even In the medical field technology serves to
iAll in all, the notion that technology does not provide assurance in this world fraught with provide assurance to mankind.

insecurity and uncertainty is a mY9pic view at the very best. tIe~tr!~lQgy_1!.a§_aJ~,!n]J!lQt!J.

!Ql~ _ Comment [823]: Reinstate your thesis at the
end of your essay so your examiner is reminded of
to play in ameliorating many o~ the world's problems today encompassing the fields of your point of view (POV)
~edia, food, defence and health are!-_ ell_of _~hj~h_~r_e
_2.iD~r§_e§~e!l~i1!l_
(o~Jf~~tl1 )!.l_apy _
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society. As so eloquently stated ~y Arthur C. Clarke r'Any sufficiently advanced technology
Comment [824]: These are a summarised
version of the 4 paras which support your thesis, it
neatly doses the essay and reminds the examiner of
is indistinguishable from magic'~ _alrpQ~_c!~a.!i.!1g_a_§l!.~e_al.!fiU}qujI]i!y
!>~~a.!l~e_Q[ §Qcj£!.l_ the content raised previously.

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stability in society. I Comment [B25]: For a finishing touch you may
choose to end off on a relevant quote or clever
anecdote so the examiner has a favourable and
lasting impression of your script.

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examguru 3
 Adapted nd edited from Tan Heng Yeng- 13A03A

Discuss the advantages nd disadvantages of banning smoking in public places?

Loni Andreson 0 tee said "You're always better off if you quit smoking; it's never too
late." Her opinion has ligned itself nicely with most governments in the world today who
want to quip the S 111.0 kin culture for the sake of its populace. Medical studies further suggest
y

that smoking can lead t9 serious health problems for both the person smoking and the person
sitting next to him. Thi~ is done to the dismay of those for whom a cigarette is a permanent
9 extension of the lips. ~ence, it has often been postulated that banning smoking in public
places is a great way t eradicate the smoking culture and by enlarge I do agree that the
advantages heavily out eigh the disadvantages of smoking in public places.

Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide, a gas which - if inhaled - can severely
reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. It does so by combining with the blood
pigment haemoglobin id preventing it from carrying the oxygen it was supposed to.

This action of carbon monoxide displays one great advantage of the ban on smoking
in public places. peoPle standing next to the smoker will, against their wishes, be inhaling the

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tobacco smoke emanatir g from the tip of the cigar or cigarette as well as that exhaled by the
smoker. Thus, large q~antities of carbon monoxide will be entering the "victim's" blood
stream, wreaking havod with his red blood cells. Tobacco smoke has also been shown to
contain certain carcinogenic compounds which have the ability to mutate the DNA of anyone

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who inhales them, leadrg to probable cancers of the lungs, mouth and throats, and also
secondary cancers at otl~er sites in the body. These effects present another case in favour of
the ban on smoking in public. Un-enlightened people standing next to the smoker will be
increasing their risk of g tting cancer tenfold.

Tobacco smoke flsO contains nicotine, a chemical which produces the same effects as
adrenaline in the body.~icotine increases the breathing rate, heart beat and blood pressure of
the person who consumrs it. Increased blood pressure may lead to hardening ofthe arteries, a
condition called artherol sclerosis. Thus another advantage of the ban comes to light. Non-
smokers who unwittinfy inhale "second-hand" smoke are exposed to nicotine and its
harmful effects. I

Apart from the lvident medical and health advantages of the ban on. smoking in the
public, certain social ~fvantages also come to mind. Youth are very impressionable and
emulate almost everytlr'ng they see their elders doing. It is no wonder why numerous
countries like Singapor . have donned heavy censorship laws which restrict the screening of
advertisements that Pl'Olf ote the smoking culture. The ban on public smoking would further
act as an impetus to p event children from becoming smokers themselves. Coupled with
education from school or counsellors, students can be taught of the harm that smoking brings.
This would have positiie future repercussions as it likely that educated youth are likely to
veer from smoking themselves as first, it is not as accessible and they have also been taught
not to do so; hence reins ating the need for the ban on public smoking areas.

Countries which provide free medical aid for their citizens have an added advantage, a
monetary one. Respira ory illnesses caused by inhaling tobacco smoke are on the rise,
resulting in an increase in the amount of money spent on medical care by these countries.

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examguru 4
 Most of the people suffering from these illnesses are non-smokers exposed to 'second-hand'
smoke. By banning the !smoking of any form of tobacco in public, the incidence of these
illnesses is greatly decrrased' thus saving millions which may be directed towards other

- projects.

However, the dir ctive to ban smoking in public places acts as a clamp preventing a
smoker from exercising ~is freedom as a democratic citizen. It is certainly an infringement on
the rights of the smoker] rights which are guaranteed to any and all citizens of a democratic
country. Initially when t~le govemment in Singapore, began their efforts to restrict smoking
outdoors in 2009 with measures such as yellow box smoking comers in public areas such as
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hawker and shopping centres, there was an resounding shrill of anger from the smoking
community as they hadl felt disenfranchised as above the already high taxes charged on
l smoking, they were no,~ literally being boxed in and their avenues for smoking were being
1 r
restricted. The unsettlin cry of such individuals may have negative repercussion on the
legitimacy of the goveninent as well. However, if we were to re-consider things fr.om a point
of governance, it woul be myopic to preserve the rights of so few and compromise the
health of the majority.

All in all, the ban on srm king in public is a step in the right direction, towards a better future
for us and the generatioi s to come. All steps possible should be taken to discourage tobacco
smoking, a potentially h. zardous habit which may lead to death. We owe it to ourselves to do
so.

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examguru 5
 -e-,
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Adapted and edited from Rae-Anne Tan - 13S03H

Do you agree that no artistic valui exists in contemporary music?

\A timeless tradition persists in s ,iety 'where the elderly often shake their heads in dismay at
the music youth listen to. "This is so distasteful. such rubbish, nothing like the music we had
Comment [WU1]: Usage of an anecdote, can
in our day" they often profess. ~hile some contemporary music ,- think of the strident, ~ ~~
-T---------- -- ------------------------- help distinguish your essay. In this case, where
such sayings are actually relatable. it gives your
violent messages of gangsta rap 011 the screeching and screaming of heavy metal- may be work a personal flair which is admirable.
loud and disconcerting, ~hey do not make up the whole of contemporary music, nor do they
Comment [WU2]: Debunk the belief that the
necessarily lack artistic value.I~J~~ ~jlrt71 !?~lLey~iU§. :'\l'!Y_12.eX~o!l:'\I_h_u!lljll'1_e?'I2'~~si~n_
t1'1:'\t
__ ~ »>
question comes from. This is essentially a

is original, creative and meaningfJl.lrbGJ·~ is}l}t!c11_1l}l!si~Qejl!lLlJl~QeJ.9Q~Jb~th_a!i~U11le!i~_ misconception and by debunking it, shows a
higher level of thinking.
qualities. Hence it is very unfair to say that contemporary music has no artistic value. Comment [WU3]: A personal definition is
highly useful so that you can mould your essay

-1 The music oftod a y is not on ly ,~ut

commercial, trashy pop.jfhere
loud, screaming singer and electric

ar~lalso a significant number of musicians who are artists in

gu itars 0' ahout
in a manner in a way that is uniously yours. This
adds onto the aforementioned personal voice
and helps distinguish your work further,

the truest sense of the word - Rachael Yamagata, Nerina Pallot and Angie Mattson, to name
Comment [WU4]: When tackling essays on
just three. tD2~it:.12'1~1~i~
ls_o.x~ln_al~l:!(L~r~'!.tLv~,-- ~eY91!<! Dl~~,~1~eir_t~ll~e_s
~i.!l!~u.! g<2l~l1l._ _a~lQ ~ -- art it is highly pertinent to use exampl es that are
relevant as specified by the examiner's report,
lyrics are so touching and meaningful that they can reach the deepest core of your being, the Using Yamagata. Pallot and Mattson. is a
valiant starting point but dedicating more time to

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way that a poem by John Donne OIl a painting by Vincent van Gogh couldl Not only does each of them is necessary in order to score

:i~~~
well.
such musicians' work have artistic value, they possess it in abundance]
Comment [WU5j: Here we go about restating
our point so as to re-highlight our thesis. Look at

-1 Take for instance, Nerina Pal lot's song 'Idaho'. Its beautiful, haunting :e~-a~n-:<;~d~~i~- -- -- pg 89 of the lecture notes XII which show
further methods to subtly restate your stand
.without sounding too repetitive.
features lyrics that are highly poetic as well. r'ln the back of a car on a road in the dark/ in the
stilJicide, silently falling snow/ l'vb packed everything that I own in a bag! And I'm driving, / Comment [WU6]: The accurate quotation is
highly crucial. Do not try to quote inaccurate

J1
I'm driving to Idaho". ~12e_l~o.! r121t _c!:aJteg_aQ~y~c.?~i Yt:.. ~e!tlr~tL3:!lg.?-'<2':.e!YJ!1Jl..l1~,--1!.u_t
created a new word of her own, "stillicide", which is highly original and open to artistic
~y~n__ / / / lyrics; it would come off as a hinderance to the
flow of your essay.

Comment [WU7]: By explaining the exact

artistic value, you elucidate to the examiner
interpretation.lI~o~'i~iQlyjt ~OJll~il]~bh~ ~Ql:91'~'~tilLn~~s~'llD<! ~JlOl1!i~i9~'~~l!ggs:~ttngJb~lJl}e_ ..: / / your point of view and thereby highlight how
there is artistic value in contemporary music. It
protagonist in the song finds the sHeer stillness in the lonely, snowy scene so unbearable that
is important to restate this.
she feels she could die from iLlln this song. Idaho is not only a place - it stands for a state of Comment [WU8]: By explaining the exact
artistic value, you elucidate to the examiner
mind, of being. It represents the elusive meaning in life which most of us search for.1 //// your point of view and thereby highlight how
I . ------- there is artistic value in contemporary music. I!
is important to restate this. ( same pt)

jRachael Yamagata's music featurer the finest use of modem technology married with / Comment [WU9j: Here the point being made
is akin to the aforementioned one- beauty is
traditional instruments to create a whole new emotional and even spiritual experience. trll~ /// subtly implied in the work but now we make a
different point by discussing the psychological
song '~unday Aftemoon' b12eJl§~jt!J_a!l_eles!rQrli~ hlJp _tba.t5\..a!1§§1.9~yly_,_a_nslJlle.n_h~liI9~ , state of mind one experiences.

with gradually growing intensity and vibration. It evokes in the listener the image of a Comment [WU10]: The deployment of a
specific example is pertinent in order to score
shimmering light on the distant bOTzon that grows and grow~. Then the electronic really well. This is especially the case for

-i instruments are joined by a rich, soulful acoustic guitar. The song is a dark reflection on
troubled love, something that man people can relate to and find solace in·l J / /
essays on the arts.

Comment [WUllj: To be able to paint a clear

picture of solace. the juxtaposition of the
instruments is crudal in the case of Sunday
Afternoons.

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 iwhat, then, of the mainstream "commercial" artistes who dominate the airwaves and the pop
~
...,;.;1 h
carts. ? .
Sure Iy t Itese are more profment and pro 11 itab I'e 111 contemporary music. to day. I ~~ ~-{Comment [WU12]; Pg 67 lectnotesXII J
:3
11"[ow, ever," I·con teen d tlia t" COmmel]Cla > ln
ial" ancI at'tiIS·t·IC may no t bemu t U3 IIy exc I"US!\ Ie·l.!.Je ~/ ~ Comment [WU13]: Thisis exactlythelevelof
higher
level weareencouraging. Thespheres
incredibly popular Lady Gaza is a:case in point Her hit 'Bad Romance' beains with "l want arenotmutuallyexclusive.Theliterarymeanng
. c c» • I" e» - Intheworksdoexst andpossess an artistic
your ugly/ I want your disease/ I fant your everything! as long as it's free/ I want your love/ '-v-=a-=lu-=e-=as"--w-=-el_I. .::»

love love love I want your love". It is creative and original in that it uses "ugly" as a noun.
Also, the "ugly" she refers to can be fairly interpreted on many levels, just like any work of
I
311. Perhaps it refers to ugliness 01the heart, ugliness of the face, ugliness of the soul, or even
the ugliness of one's past. The song is an imaginative, sexy exploration of the dark. self-
destructive romance and attractiol~S that most of us go through at some point in our lives.
Like many other works of art, it drives us to ponder the mystery and fallibility within OLlr
very nature. It is deeply meaningfr in an artistic way.

jAJi also frequently takes up a cause as artists seek to make the world a better place.] ~~~ Comment [WU14]; Introduction
ofa thesis
again but it is important to ensure that the points

Contemporary music is no exception in this regard. The Irndonesian trip-hop band Everybody donotoverlap.Manystudentsareguiltyof
doingthis!Leasetakenote!
Loves Irene has a profoundly thO~ght-P),ovoking song titled 'The Big Bang Prophecy' h\jli01__~_- Comment [WU15]: Showing a variedrangeof
examples will push your essay into a higher
makes the radical suggestion that since human beings refuse to stop destroying their band range. Focusing too much on the western
scene may offer a myopic pov and raise the
environment and all our efforts to rotect Mother Earth are doomed, we should obliterate the question if other cultures have been considered.

human race with nuclear weapons to save the Earth. Of course

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we need not take their
message at face value, but the pro ocative approach taken by the band makes the song not
only meaningful, but impactful as ell.

To be sure, there are some pop an rock songs that are very lacking in meaning. Some of
Britney Spears' or the Pussycat Dolls' songs, for instance, have little substance or meaning.
Some of their songs are meant onlt to entertain or titillate, Ifo)'example the Pussycat Dolls'
Comment [WU16]: Here weexposethe
song 'Buttons' which is focused o~bundressing your lover.I.J3_u~ !o_~ayjJ}aj ~IJ S:QI1J~IDQQr~ly ~~~ fallacy which plagues the commercial scene

music is like that would be like saying that all newspapers are like The SIIIl. andtackletheissuewhichmakescurrentmusic
"appea r" valueless.

Comment [WU17]; Donotforgettorestate

[nlerefore it is very unfair to say that contemporary music has no artistic value. 1 ~ ~ ~ yourthesisso bytheendofyouressay,the
Contemporary human beings are npt so different from people of the past. Some of us just original argument is not lost.

want to be entertained by mUSlC. 9thers want music to make a connection with our heart and
soul, to take us to a higher realm of feeling, of existence. In contemporary music, there is a
song - or a few hundred songs - to suit every taste and sensibility.

examguru 7
 Adapte and edited from Wen Xingyue-14S06Q

Is capital punishment jUltifiable? Discuss.

Capital punishment is based upon the philosophy of "an eye for an eye". As noted by
one of the greatest poli~ical figure from India, Mahatma Gandhi "An eye for an eye ends up
making the whole worlh blind". Moreover, capital punishment is an inhumane act which is
only meant to wreak vergeance. Killing a murderer is not a justice; in fact it is tantamount to
committing a new crime. Although criminals cannot be forgiven for their heinous crimes,
capital punishment is b~ no means justifiable.

Society has always used punishment to discourage would-be criminals from unlawful action.
Since society has the hi hest interest in preventing murder, it should use the strongest
punishment available toldeter murder, and that is the death penalty. Ifmurderers are
sentenced to death and executed, potential murderers will think twice before killing for fear
oflosing their own life. For years, criminologists analyzed murder rates to see ifthey
fluctuated with the likeljhood of convicted murderers being executed, but the results were
inconclusive. Then in 1r3 Isaac Ehrlich employed a new kind of analysis which produced
results showing that for every inmate who was executed, 7 lives were spared because others
were deterred from combtting murder.

Those who believe that ~eterrence justifies the execution of certain offenders bear the burden
of proving that the deatH penalty is a deterrent. The overwhelming conclusion from years of
deterrence studies is tha~ the death penalty is, at best, no more of a deterrent than a sentence

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oflife in prison. The EW.lich studies have been widely discredited. In fact, some
I
criminologists, such as William Bowers of Northeastern University, maintain that the death
penalty has the OPPositejeffect: that is, society is brutalized by the use of the death penalty,
and this increases the likFlihood of more murder. Even most supporters of the death penalty
now place little or no weight on deterrence as a serious justification for its continued use.
States in the United Stat~1s that do not employ the death penalty generally have lower murder
rates than states that do. he same is true when the U.S. is compared to countries similar to it.
The U.S., with the death penalty, has a higher murder rate than the countries of Europe or
Canada, which do not uSFthe death penalty. The death penalty is not a deterrent because most
people who commit murders either do not expect to be caught or do not carefully weigh the
differences between a P9ssible execution and life in prison before they act. Frequently,
murders are committed ill moments of passion or anger,or by criminals who are substance
abusers and acted impulsively. As someone who presided over many of Texas's executions,
former Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox has remarked, "It is my own experience that
those executed in Texas krere not deterred by the existence of the deathpenalty law. I think in
most cases you'll fmd th~t the murder was committed under severe drug and alcohol abuse."
There is no conclusive p~oofthat the death penalty acts as a better deterrent than the threat of
life imprisonment. A survey of the former and present presidents of the country's top
academic criminologicalisocieties found that 84% of these experts rejected the notion that
research had demonstrated any deterrent effect from the death penalty. Once in prison, those
serving life sentences oftrn settle into a routine and are less of a threat to commit violence
than other prisoners. Moreover, most states now have a sentence of life without parole.
Prisoners who are given this sentence will never be released. Thus, the safety of society
can be assured without u I ing capital punishment.
'1

examguru 8
 Moreover, many innocent people are sentenced to death because of human errors and
legal discrepancies. Execution is finalized from the trial, examination of evidences, and so on
which allows room for Human errors. For instance, in the USA 130 people sentenced to death
have been found innocer!t since 1973 and are released from death row after they received the
irrevocable punishment. Many people have been scapegoats in other countries as well. What
about the value of life Jf such victims? The mental distress caused to the innocent's family
and friends can be immense. Isn't it beyond tenet to kill somebody for the crime that they
have not committed?

As moral creat,es, humans deserve praise for good deeds, and punishment for bad
ones. Punishment may rlange from a slap on the wrist to death, but the punishment must fit
the crime, This is kn0rn as lex talionis, or in common jargon, "an eye for an eye."
Abolitionists often insist that if one were to argue for lex talion justice we must be prepared
to rape rapists, beat sadi~ts, and bum down the houses of arsonists. Certainly, this argument is

those punishments, but re

myopic at best and reall~ only the case if we take the lex talion literally. Criminals do deserve
needn't take it literally. The ancient for example, did not; They
allowed for monetary cOFpensation for physical or property damage. Morally, it is wrong to
simply incarcerate somrone for murder. A sentence of life in an air-conditioned, cable-
equipped prison where ~ person gets free meals three times a day, personal recreation time,
and regular visits with firiends and family is a slap in the face of morality. Naysayers will
deny that not all prisons are like the one cited. That argument is yet again myopic as
regardless of the accol! odation standard, the loss of freedom cannot compare to a loss of
life.

sgexamguru.com
Abolitionists claim that the death penalty is a means of revenge. It is not. If the
purpose of the state in efecuting murderers was retribution or revenge, then criminals would
be executed in the same fay they that murdered their victims. The point ofthe death penalty,
however, is not to see how much pain can be unleashed on the murderer but to bring him to
justice. In reality, the mhrderer actually gets off easy when he is sentenced to death in the
United States. There are rve methods of execution used in the United States: lethal injection,
electrocution, lethal gas, Ihanging, and firing squad. The most commonly used methods today
are lethal injection and the electric chair. If a person is lethally injected, he is first put to sleep
with thiopental sodium, I and then he is administered potassium chloride that will stop his
heart. The criminal dies !from aesthetic overdose and respiratory and cardiac arrest while he
or she is unconscious. Ais for the electric chair, there is an initial jolt of 2,300 volts which
lasts for eight seconds, followed by a low-voltage jolt of 1,000 volts for 20 seconds and
fmally a jolt of 2,300 Ivolts for eight seconds. The murderer is rendered unconscious
immediately, or within tlie first eight seconds at most, as the initial high-voltage jolt kills the
brain. The subsequent jolts stop the heart in case it is still beating. The precision and care for
the criminal's fmal eX9ision reduces their overall pain in their fmal moments. When
compared to the nature ef some heinous crimes of murders and rapists, who torture their
victims over a prolonged period of time, it almost seems like a laughable sentiment for
abolitionists to postulate jhe further removal ofthe death sentence as more fair.

However, while the aforementioned two points are valid, they fail to account for the
fallible nature of an induvial. Human beings are fallible. They often make mistakes. Some
-] flaws may be too se~ere to tolerate. Thus, criminals should be given punishment
undoubtedly. Imprisonment and other forms of punishment provide them a chance to repent
-I
I

-jexamguru 9
-J

~.-
"";'' 'J
and change. The movi9 Shawshank redemption through the eyes of a character named Red

~l highlights how being institutionalised, gives one an opportunity to repent and allow for the
change one's perspective. Further, many prisoners, have found therapy groups, albeit mostly
religious, have given them a chance to reconcile with their wrong doings and crave for an
-!
l opportunity to turn ove~ a new leaf The annual Yellow Ribbon Prison Run held in Singapore
pays testament to this point, as Singaporeans from all was of life come to run alongside ex-
convicts to show them rlhat we are all in the same race of life and ever can be given a second
chance to re-join societt as long as they make a change for the better. Capital punishment n
the other hand denies a ~elon the chance to improve even if they have repented, their apology
will hold no value in light of the death penalty.

On the whole capital punishment is not a demand of people today. Many countries are
on the verge to abolish death penalty because human beings are sacrosanct and such
punishment is against rrlany religions. Although criminals are guilty they should be given an
opportunity to realize the mistake they have committed. Therefore, I contend that death
penalty is an evil of21s~ century.

-~ sgexamguru.com
i~
-~
~

f21

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~
examguru 10
~
--:J

-1
Adapted and edited from Pang Teng Sheng Kelvin- 14S03G

-J To what degree has technology possessed a negative impact on the skill levels of people?

IHumans. with their awe inspiring ingenuity, have for centuries conceived, invented and
_ Comment [WU1]: It is important that the first
designed machines to satisfy their desires and make their lives easier. !~..?<::I:!.iQ<:'s_
~cJ:_'l..:" .s >
statement you make, addresses the key issue of the
question. In this scenario, we choose to take a
multipliers of human ability that allow people to accomplish more in life. lIt is ironic, historic route.
however, that in creating machines that are ever more useful, Man has made himself ever less
Comment [WU2]: Begin to state the thesis of
useful.l~/ta~l.!.i!:lr:.s)!.ayr:.
2.n39~!1,:!1.!.1~1.!.!?t:iQgSJ~~l.!:ll.sl~l~t_jQ
.!1~.!:1J' li9~~ ~f_v:~rLa..!l,9
_e'y~l~~v!lC::l:.e_,'- the essay which is that tech has made the need for
man increasingly redundant, therefore, it has a
humans are still needed in the production of goods and delivery of services, their levels of paralysing impact on their skill level.
skill have largely declined. ~t may be true that more advanced technology has created a need
for new, high-tech skills which have replaced many of the old skills. However, it is this
writer's contention that the new skills pale in comparison with the old skills in terms of the
Comment [WU3]: Stating the limitation of your
level of intricacy and finesse.II!-I~~~e_ !h~!.
I..l?eJi~~e_ }!.a~.9~<!il_n~gaAv~j121P~CJ:
!.e<::l:t.l!.ol~gy _O!!_, --
thesis is highly useful as it elucidates an element of
balance in your work. (i.e your anti-thesis)
the skill levels of people to a large extentl _
Comment [WU4]: The ultimatum and
concluding to your intro, should leave your examiner
being fully aware of your stand. If you need to repeat
~JQy,rla,9_~r.
IThe automation process bas come at the cost of our professional skills] !,--~~o~~ it for the sake of clarification, do so!
industries, the role of human beings has been rninirnised as machines take over a myriad of Comment [WUS]: Thesis statement should be
brought about in a concise manner. The explanation

sgexamguru.com
functions. ~n manufacturing, processes from the slicing of potatoes to the soldering of
-~ computer chips have been automated. In the aviation sector, today's pilots rarely fly their
can be longer but do not ramble on pointlessly when
trying to make your point.

aircraft manually, but rather through a highly sophisticated 'fly-by-wire' system which uses
an electronic interface; flight control computers determine how to control the actuators to
Comment [WU6]: It would be prudent not to
provide the desired response. tC!.I~II'~I:!.d..:~_
~'QI~l_tb~_C91'p-p~t~~~_ il'!P_U! ~i\J19,=!~~~ .>:
'!!'~_e'y~l'!. make sweeping statements when talking about
industries. A specification such as the manufacturing
pilot's knowledge. !with autopilot systems, pilots are often actively involved only in the process of cars: utilisation of Fordism, can also be
consider as an alternative.
takeoff and landing phases of flight. While a pilot's skill is called upon in a crisis situation or
when the avionics fail, these are only exceptional situations - the level of skill required of the
Comment [WU7]: At the end of your point (not
pilot is considerably lower than before] ' »>
necessarily the paragraph) you must restate your

-1 I[n the arena of sports, our skills have also largely declined as a result of technological
thesis- skills being lowered.

advancement. trll~_J?1:.olifeX'ltioll__of _lJe_v.~_and__ey~r_J120J'~ _ 'ld_\1l1J~e9_ fQrD-15 _ .pi _i!lQQQ1' __ ' -

Comment [WU8]: Thesis statement should be
brought about in a concise manner; here we focus on

-j entertainment has enticed us to carry out more and more of our recreational activities in the
comfort of our homes. In the past, children typically went outdoors to have a good time. They
the impact of sports. Make sure in your planning that
your points do not overlap; this is called repetition
and forfeits credit from an examiner's pov.

played football and other sports and swam in rivers. ]while sports are still popular with the
Yilllth-,--,-many
have become addicted to electronic games played 011 their tablet computers and
video game consoles like the PlayStation. QQ ~~e~·~g,e:.
Comment [WU9]: Identifying a pertinent trend
~11.e)'
.::~2~1,9
_si.~1.ljlc.?~~y
~e.?~~]~1~ !1~a~l_,,' such as the aforementioned without considering that
SpOIlS are still popular is not wise. Sports are still
before playing sports. English football manager HalTY Redknapp has bemoaned the

-~
popular hence the method used here where we
debunk the trend is better to elucidate your
'Playxtation culture' which is making it increasingly difficult to find promising young knowledge or this phenomena.
j

English footballers.

examguru 11
 Iro be sure, playing video games takes skill too. However, these skills have little value or ~ Comment [WU10]: Here we are rebutting the
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - anti-thesis that video games have decreased skins as
substance in the real world .IBeing able to mo~e your fingers dexterously -is fa1' less llseful in- a whole. By rebutting this, and then shutting down
the argument thereafter we bring an element of
real life than the ability to mov
feeling of physical confidence
r your whole body cexterously,
which can then translate
as the latter gives
into greater overall confidence
you a
and ~~
========:
~b=al=an=ce=to=t=he=e=ssa=y=.

1Comment [WUll]: Shutting down of the

It::- I- - - ~ argwnent to re-propagate the thesIs.
self-esteem as a person.Furthermore, the latter can save your life in a dangerous situation]

Perhaps the most deleterious deterioration in human skills is in the area of interpersonal
skills. Information technology I (IT) as well as mobile communications technology
undoubtedly enhanced the speed and efficiency of communication by leaps and bounds.
However, the obsession with speed and efficiency in communication has made people very
reluctant to spend time to express themselves thoughtfully, articulately and beautifully in
language. [lhe art of communicatifn - a time-honoured skill- has been sacrificed on the altar
Comment [WU12]: Repetition of the thesis to
of speed and efficiency. hY11~t~e
_O.!lS~l)~~J~ ~_o~tLd_~~~<! JQ.v,jI!g)y ~..ri!t1g_aJ~!.l~r_ t9 _ ~ ~ ~
b2l.!,t"!? ensure immense focus.
their friends and loved ones sharing their deepest thoughts and feelings, today they spend five
~~----~------------~
seconds posting a picture or brief comment on the otber person's Facebook page, and do not
even bother to type their words in full. trhey use "n" for "and" and "LOL" for "laugh out
loud", and emoji become a con~enient substitute for a thoughtfully crafted expression of
Comment [WU13]: The example used here is
_oj _C9~lp~t~t:.S-'.
one's feelings. ~~~kJl:!&~o_l"!lSl~~~t_t11~J)Li!:l(!i!?g.?l2e_e~ p~ojJle_t:.09~Y.~1.?21'!.cl<
_ .> ideal as this is a contemporary trend and e.x aminers
like when such cases are used appropriately in your
the patience and the attention span to listen carefully to what others say and to ponder it. Of

sgexamguru.com
work.
course, listening well is just as central to good communication as speaking or writing well.
There is a tendency today to rurh to judgement, as evidenced by the flood of visceral,
frequently hare-brained comments on the online social network Twitter. Many people have
Comment [WU14]: Good way to end the
experienced a severe degradation of their communication skills] ~~~ paragraph as we re-use the words in the question
hence elucidating the question's focus.

Ilnterpersonal skills, however, go well beyond communication skills. [~<!. _o!l:,e!y~~Ci<!.l1.:'

_~- ~ Comment [WU1S]: When you choose to discuss
interpersonal skills since it is akin to communication,
one must make sure it doesn't overlap. Refer to
capabilities sacrificed on the altar of technology are empathy and social skills. II consider
content package pg 63 for a more in depth look.
empathy to be a skill, not just a qllality. because it can be improved with practice. ~~I~e~1_
o]~ - Comment [WU16]: Personal opinions are
allowed for, but must be justified and Dot too heavily
spends countless hours engaging in battles in a virtual fantasy world or staring at pictures on peppered around your essay.

lnstagram rather than engaging in the more holistic verbal and nonverbal communication
face-to-face with others. it becoires more difficult to put oneself in a real person's shoes.
Psychological research has shown that young people who spend a lot of time playing online
games have lower levels of empathy than their peers.

~ome may argue that people have more than replaced their old skills with very sophisticated
Comment [WU17]: The anti-thesis can be
.IT skills.llndeed, it is easy to form this impression when one sees the female executive in her ~ ~ ~ brought at the end of your essay, but it is important
-------------------------------------------------------
to ensure it does not contradict any point you have
chic office outfit sliding her fingers on her smartphone or tablet and running application after previously raised.
application. However, the truth is that the gadgets of today are extremely user-friendly,
almost idiot-proof. rrhe skill levels needed to operate today's computers cannot hold a candle
to the finesse that our ancestors in the days of yore needed to carry out such intricate tasks as

-J

examguru 12
 ""-J

stitching a garment by hand. hunting with a bow and alTOW, and performing surgery without
,-.-...
..
'.~~
.
advanced tools.L L ~~~ Comment [WU18]: Yet by the ending, we still
get the sense that the thesis is more valid and that
overall tone must constantly be achieved should one
want to achieve the best grades possible.
[In summation. I strongly concur lith the sentiment that technology has had a negative impact
Comment [WU19): Restating your POY is
on the skill levels of peopl~.J:ile_gail!.s)!1_s~UL '!.r~_u!1'!.~~!O_~01}~e!1~a..t~fo..r_v~~i!alll~~l?~e!l_~ ~~ highly important for yourself and the examiner t

show you have not detracted from your original

lost. While the progress of technology is inexorable, we should be watchful tbat it does not argument.

bring about the regression of the human species. A little reflection is in order: we should once
I
in a while take a step back from automation and practise our good, old-fashioned skills so
that we retain our wonderful hum~n keenness and competitivenesa One can buy a manual car
instead of an automatic one; perform mental calculations rather than use a calculator; and
write a long, heartfelt letter to our dear friend instead of a ten-word tweet. The machines may
Comment [WU20): Use of pertinent anecdote
be impressive, but let's not forget who designed them] ~~~ is possible.

sgexamguru.com
~
~

~ ..-
. "

.-,.;;-
~
--

~ examguru
.. 13
1
 Adapted and dited from Michelle Kwok Pei Chin - 105048

Is it possible to protect tie environment when many countries require increasing amounts of
energy to progress?

In today's world where world population, industrial production and economic

growth are surging at breakneck pace, energy consumption is expanding and mankind's
insatiable desire for ener~y, arable land and natural resources are both depleting natural
resources and damaging ~he environment. I believe that economic progress today necessitates
mankind's utilisation of the Earth's resources and damage ofthe environment. However, I
believe that it is possiblel to both enjoy economic progress and protect the environment at the
same time, especially with advances in alternative energy technology and a greater
involvement ofthe public, government and public firms in the protection ofthe environment.

There is, largely, a false dichotomy between economic progress and protecting the
environment. This is because, among other reasons, of the availability of alternative sources
of energy - not that of cfde oil or coal- which can power industries and drive economic
progress while protecting or doing only minimal damage to the environment. Such
technology includes nuc,ear energy, which use does not emit carbon and where by-products
can be stored undergroufd without damage to the environment. Other forms of alternative
energy also include that of wind and solar energy, where although some might seem
prohibitive and capable ~fproviding only small amounts of energy, may actually allow entire
towns to be powered if~arnessed and distributed efficiently. This is the case of Saint Daid's,

sgexamguru.com
a town in Southern Wales, which successfully leveraged on such technology to reduce its
household carbon footprint to almost zero - a testament to how technology can allow an
economy to function an~ progress while protecting the environment at the same time.
However, despite the ef~cacy of such technology, I conceded that alternative energy sources
are no panacea for todayrs trade-off between progress and the environment as yet and this is
why the world still consumes 85 million barrels of dirty-burning crude oil today. This is
'~
because alternative energy sources are still, in general, not as cheap as drilling for oil and
hence are not widely ad1pted. However, I believe that in the near future, with today's pace in
•
.

~.!~ .. J.

the advancement of alternative energy technology and in order to circumvent the predicted
-' disaster of oil running oJt by 2050, alternative energy will become cheaper and widely used
to the point that it drivesleconornic progress while protecting the environment at the same
time - a very possible eientual outcome.

Another reason 1hy I believe that protecting the environment and economic progress
..q~..
.
is possible and become ever less mutually exclusive is the increase in environmental
awareness and desire to protect the environment, whether for altruistic reasons or for self-
interest. Today, 30 percent of paper and plastic waste in the United States of America (USA),
as stated by the U.S. En+ronmental Agency, is recycled. This is despite the fact that
recycling is often a low ~rofIt margin business that requires government subsidies to operate.
A 30 percent recycling rate is an achievement that shows how a government can push for
-I both progress and environmental protection at the same time with enough political will. Also,
:J
air travel, the bloodlines ofthe world economic machine, is beginning to become cleaner with
the foray of firms such as France's Climat Mundi, which encourages air travelers and gives
them a medium to comPfnsate for the carbon they had caused to be emitted during their
flights. This is done by paying an extra but small sum over the air ticket's price, which then

examguru 14
 9
goes to fund tree-planting events and to replace the dirty-burning wood stoves of poor Sub-
...•--
:.~---
_-
I

Saharan Africans with c~eaner electric or petroleum stoves. Of course, dissenters would say
that such schemes only apply to altruistic people and governments which are few and far
I
between. However, Ibelieve that such choices are increasingly becoming ones that are made
based on self-interest as people are feeling the negative effects of environmental damage. For
instance, in October 2°98, well after the Olympic and Paralympic Games concluded, Beijing
re-imposed car quotas because it was in its interest to reduce pollution levels to protect
people's health and to a~tract tourists and investors. Thus, Ibelieve that self-interest and
altruism are, more than 6ver, leading to "green" decisions being made which protect the
environment while not dr insignificantly inhibiting economic progress.

The final reasonthy I believe progress and environmental protection may go hand-
in-hand is that of the sY9tem of Capitalism and the desire ofbusinesses to maximize profits.
The increase in environmental consciousness and the desire of consumers to purchase
"green" products and cleaner cars have led to a paradigm shift in markets where companies
are now incentivized to produce green products or to sponsor green movements. Companies
such as Toyota and Honda have taken advantage of such a change in drivers' preferences by
creating smaller, c1eane Icars and hydroelectric cards, leading them to "progress" and turn
profits while protecting he environment at the same time, unlike Ford and General Motors,
J
which gas-guzzling cars have led them into business losses in the order ofbillions of U.S.
dollars in 2008. Appearing green is also a trend for companies which are in the service sector.
Wall Street research firm Standard and Poors has concluded in 2008 that "green" corporate
citizenship adds profits to a company's balance sheet. This could explain why highly
respected Wall Street fIffs Goldman Sachs and the Bank of America have been sponsoring

sgexamguru.com
environmental reform p~ojects in China, ensuring that they do not provide loans to illegal
loggers and promoting themselves as "green banks". Thus, it is seen that capitalism and
businesses' inherent desire for profits can and is increasingly leading to frrms both
progressing and protecting the environment at the same time. The environmentally
sustainable growth of businesses could quite possibly be the wave of the near future.

I believe that it iJ possible to protect the environment while striving for economic
progress, notwithstanding the latter requiring increasingly more energy to accomplish. This,
though, is contingent on the fact that the development of alternative energy sources and the
increase in environmental consciousness among people, governments and businesses are
sustained at the current pace. To do this, I would suggest that more weight be placed on the
advice given by the United Nations (UN) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) to include the developing nations in Annex I of the Kyoto Protocol and for
more countries to adopt the European Climate Exchange'S system ofpollution permit trading.
With that, the possibility, of economic progress and environmental protection will be
increasingly close to being realized.

examguru 15
 Adapted and edited from Wan Poh Ling- 14S03G

"Some of the most important ,,,'t,g in life ar ~"'m"w' y from school'." !:" ~'"1s" .>
Comment [WU1]: Do NOT make the common
mistake of dedicating paragraphs discussing
what happens in school. This is a comparative
essay. Discuss things that happen outside
school,
~Vhile it may be true that school does equip us with useful knowledge and skills, the
experiences of humankind througrout history make it eminently clear that learning
transcends any single building or rstitutionLH_e.!1"!.T!.c!lJ-lell~e_ ~l.s:c:§~i<:!Jl(t!J.t:: ~.9g111~~l1asl / //
Comment [WU2]: Discuss the the key issue
in the question; here it would be that learning

been obliged to learn Latin, they iou1d never have found time to conquer the world." llw~ _ transcends the institutional arena of a school.

Comment [WU3]: If you want to quote ensure

learn from the playgrounds; we learn from factories. We learn from the tough streets; we that the quote is relevant like this one and
supports the argument you are going to make.
learn from the football field. Indeed. far from the four walls of school. the world is vast and Do not force a quote.

lives offers us an opportunity to t

offers us a limitless scope for lea+ing.I.?~,:ry
something.
.?~~a.!i.9£1,-
<:.v~ry_Fl}~c_e,-
~1~d_e_v~I)'_
Cll~12t~l~
q(o..\-t.!:
__ / - Comment [WU4]: By elucidating the myriad
of environments where one can learn briefly you
show the scope and depth of your analysis;
illustrating that you have accounted for
numerous arenas.

IUnlike school, the world is often realistically depicted as a dangerous place where one ought
Comment [WU5]: The opening statement of
to look out for their safety. tI~i~ ish~rQQaJJ.ry_
t.!J~le-,'i!,oJl_tll~tJ"QQS! ~lJ!1Y !!~lld...A
§t~12<!S_0.!,t! // this paragraph; is your thesis which supports
the idea that there are lessons learnt outside
few years ago, a student from Raf?es institution, the top secondary school in Singapore. was school.
stabbed by a group of gangsters a~ter he allegedly stared at them in a public place.
Fortunately, he survived and recovered from his injuries. but I remember thinking that this

when encountering sgexamguru.com

boy was perhaps the epitome of a book-smart, street-foolish youth. One has to be careful
strangers in o,e's everyday life. Strangers are an unknown quantity. One
should not stare at them and try n1t to offend a stranger, especially one who appears to be
comment [WU6]: This is a form of analysis-
potentially aggressive. ~t0J1~_~a~ ~~e!l_\~J:,s~q
~1_-'~<;lr~~t:.c~1
Lt~r_e~,_os _oHh_e_s!J~t!t,-'!__~/ /
Jh_e_\~,!y-"<; where you explain the given example. This is
necessary in
mere observance of the outward drmanour of people, would be enough to sniff out potential
trouble.1w ithin the controlled envjronrnent of a school, where a code of conduct presides
Comment [WU7j: It is important to make a
heavily, it is very difficult to learn suchlessonsj / ~/ constant comparison back to schools; since this
is a comparative essay

IEven though students are still minors

I
and naturally dependent on their parents to some extent,
Comment [WU8j: The focus here; is the
J believe it is most beneficial for siudents to take tip a part-time job or temporary job to earn /1 concept of job experience. Make sure your
points do not sound repetitive.
at least part of their own keerrlll! 3Q.i!]g'§Q, Jlley _~~ig~n_t..h~~·J:tQlj~0112,_b_einKe,2{pQ.S5g
JQ.§; ..//
Comment [WU9]: You should often provide
wider cross-section of society -- ~eople of different age groups and socia I backgrounds. 1 / .» / analysis like this where you go into a deeper
analysiS of your thesis. Students often forget
They learn that no matter how difficult their own lives are. there are others with bigger that the more analysis provided, the more
coherent the argument develops to be.
problems and heavier burdens to carr)'. \rhis helps to put one's problems in perspective: a
Comment [WU10]: This is the idea of
I
student might go to work feeling Ite her life is the worst as the boy she likes has not I
comparative scope; Looking beyond the self at
the trends of the world. This is a good point to
reciprocated her affections. but discover a colleague of the same age who has to care for her / mention as even if you were to meet someone
like this in school; you don't actively work
wheelchair-bound mother stricken IWith a heart problem and kidney failur~.Il p~r§q,n_a!ly / alongside hence empathy for their situation
would hardly exist.
learned empathy and compassion from my temporary work during my schooldays, to stop Comment [WUllj: The usage of a personal
feeling SalTYfor myself and reach out to others more in need l ,// example like this is NOT encouraged in GP.
You can use it for time to time when you feel a
real life example is not suitable or you prefer to
add a personal lair to your essay.
~, i
J

examguru 16
 '1
-ij

-1
IFurther" the exposure to working r0rld also enlightens a young person on the value of

-~ money.l\~l~e!l_ ~n~!,!e!'~ly ~211<:.c!~:tR.o~~<:.t !1~!e.!.l~h.t"oJl.:!i!lb:l1!a!

!~O~l~y fJ:9~n_~n~>JJ..a!:e_n!s-,
money comes easily - perhaps that it even grows on trees. After a nine-hour shift at
///
Comment [WU12]: As it is another paragraph
on work, usage of the preposition "further' is
particularly useful as it explains that you are
making a new point on the same subject matter.
Mcfronald's. however, he is likely to feel very differently. He learns that money is usually
the fruit of hard, exhausting workj tHe learns that the pieces of paper he takes from his parents
Comment [WU13]: The juxtaposition of the 9-
were the product of his parents' b ood, sweat, tears - and sacrificd / // hour shift balances nicely with the word play of
"blood. sweat, tears and sacrifice." Examiners
can see when the essay is well-worded and
structured. You will be credited for such work.
~ndeed, one's relationship with 0 e's family is one of the most precious things in life. We
often devote too much time to OlU studies and too little to developing healthy relationships
Comment [WU14]: Remember, you are
!e:!1lIls~9 .!lQ<! ~aJ·~c!.fo!, __ / / /
with our family. 0-.-J~La!i21!slliPJ~_i~r:.~ pLa~~ ltJ1..e~<!s_t2!>~~1y'iI!ei~d-, graded on the relevance of the points you raise.
This particular one is very important. Family is a
if it is to flourish. If we mistreat itr or neglect it, it will be in very poor shape; it could even vital discussion point.
die. Hence if we reflect on the way we relate to our families. the way that we treat them, we
might find that we tend to take them for granted because we assume that they will always be
-~ there for us. We might find that w:e hurt their feelings carelessly and callously, and fail to
appreciate them for the unconditidnal love they give us.For instance, when our mother asks
us whether we would like to have!IUJlCh at home, we often just offer a cursory, indifferent
reply as our minds are more fOCLlSFdon our friends and hobbies. If we are open to learning
outside of school, we can team ho "precious the love of our familyis and how much more
l
sgexamguru.com- /
steadfast their love is than the often transient and superficial affections of our so-called
"friends" 1 Comment [WU1S]: Again, avoid where
possible. In this case it is "ok" but if you have a
real-life example on hand it would be better.

In sum, we students should always remember that school is only the institution of formal
education, one that can never fully prepare LlSfor the life that is to come. With its theoretical
emphasis and hypothetical eme+. school lessons can only go '0 far to teach us how to live
in this world. While we should b~lpositjve about learning in the classroom, we should also
seek to learn from tbe world and be inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action.

~~
\

-1j

examguru 17
 Adapted and edited from Chua Jun Yan- 13A01A

The problem of waste Js plagued our societies. How fur is recycling a solution to this crisis?
With the rise in tOrld population and consumption. the problem of waste has
worsened. In our attemp} to curb this problem, solutions such as recycling, using oflandfills
and incinerators, educat~onal campaigns and regulations have been widely adopted. In my
opinion, recycling is ce~ainly one of the answers to the problem of waste. However, inherent
problems such as the high cost of recycling and advanced technology have made recycling
economically unfeasiblel especially for the less developed countries. Nevertheless, recycling
as compared to other ways to minimize the problem of waste is much more environmentally

4 friendlier and is least ob~ectionable. As such, Ifeel that recycling must be adopted and used
in tandem with other mebures such as educational campaigns and laws. These solutions

--1
,-
- would then be able to co plement as well as suppl~ment the limitations of recycling, making
1

the approach to the problem of waste a more effective one.

Recycling can be a feasible answer to the problem of waste but it is mainly targeted at

1 developed countries that possess the necessary advanced technology and are able to afford
the high costs associated with recycling. Despite the advancement in technology, recycling
today is still an expensi~e tool as compared to other measures like land filling and

i incineration. Therefore to less developed nations, recycling is simply economically

unfeasible. According tolthe Genuine Progress Index, a research group that has spent a
decade monitoring the recycling programmes in Nova Scotia, recycling cost the province

.6;,
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US$18 million a year more as compared to throwing the waste into landfills. Similarly in
California and New Jersey, local public utilities authorities have reported that recycling cost
the country over half a million dollars more in 1995. Hence to the less developed countries,
~
recycling is simply beyond their reach due to the population's generally low average income,
I
preventing them from affording recycling programmes in their budgets. Even though
B. '~
recycling may be a feasible answer to the problem of waste to the developed countries, this is
certainly not the case fO~ the less developed countries. In this light, technology must improve
to reduce the cost of recycling before it can be embraced even by less developed countries.

1 Recycling can bel a viable solution to the problem of waste in the environmental sense
because, relative to other methods, it creates less pollution and is more sustainable over a
-i longer period oftime. Oyer the years, the magnitude of environmental degradation has
increased, and with global warming, recycling, a method that is environmentally friendly
seems least objectionable as compared to other conventional forms of waste treatment. For

1 example, incineration re~eases huge amounts of carbon dioxide as well as other toxic gases
into the atmosphere, acc~lerating global warming and adversely affecting our health.
Similarly, land filling can result in water pollution and affects the ecology negatively.

1 Greenpeace, a world env~onmental research group, discovered that the major wells in the
Philippines contained a 9igh level 0 f metal content beyond the safe drinking limits set by the
World Health Organisation. This unfortunate pollution would not have occurred ifnot for the
-'J .'

landfills situated near the wells. The metals buried in the landfills managed to dissolve and
seep into the ground water, causing water pollution. In this light, it is rather clear that
..:J recycling is a much bette[ tool to solve the problem of waste. This is because studies have
shown that for every ton lofpaper recycled, 17 small trees are saved and air pollution is
greatly reduced. An exa ple to illustrate the environmental-friendliness of recycling can be
I

-i
l examguru 18
~I
)

seen in the success of recycling programmes in the United States. The country managed to
save 1.3 million tons of iron ore, 8.2 million trees and successfully reduced greenhouse gas
emissions by two million metric tons in 2004 due to the nationwide recycling programmes
that the country implemented. Therefore, in my opinion, recycling is certainly a good answer
to the problem ofwaste bspecially in today's world, where environmental conservation is
increasingly embraced by most countries.

Recycling is certainly one of the viable answers to the problem of waste in countries
with limited land. Recycling as compared to landfills takes up less space and is therefore
suitable for countries wi~h a small land area. A good example to illustrate the influence of
physical factors on the croice of measures to the problem ofwaste is Singapore. Singapore
has a limited land area but an escalating quantity of waste. There was a 2.09 million tonnes
increase in the amount o(waste from 1970 to 2005. To make things worse, the lifespan of the
Pulau Semakau landfill if Singapore is expected to last till only 2030, and this is provided
that the present generati~n does not generate more waste per capita. Hence the country
t:]-
.-
,.... implemented the National Recycling Programme in 2001 to minimize the amount of waste
i disposed to the limited IJndfills, prolonging the lifespan of the landfills. By 2004, the rate of
I
participation by househo~ds in this nationwide programme has more than tripled to 51%.
Therefore from the example of Singapore, it is evident that recycling is indeed a feasible
answer to the problem of waste since it occupies less space as compared to conventional
measures like landfills. Hence recycling is certainly one ofthe solutions to the problem of
waste in developed countries that has limited land area.

Although recycling is one of the least objectionable answers to the problem ofwaste,

sgexamguru.com
it has to be used in tandem with campaigns and laws that tackle the root ofthe problem - the
excessive wastage of resources. The over-consuming societies of the developed world will
continue to waste more r1esources excessively if recycling is not encouraged, made more
convenient or appealing rs an option. In Singapore for instance, the National Environment
Agency (NEA) organizef road shows and puts up posters to encourage recycling. In addition,
NEA together with the Srgapore Environment Council implemented 'Bring Your Own Bag
Day' to further strength;, their activities. An additional 10 cents is charged on these days for
every plastic bag used, d the money collected is used for environmental projects. Similarly
in China, the govemmen has taken a step further to ban the use of disposable plastic bags
nationwide due to the mJssive problem of accumulated unbiodegradable waste caused by
I
plastic bags. In the UK., the British government has passed a bill indicating that charges
would be imposed on single-use carrier bags unless retailers take action voluntarily to cut
down on the ballooning pollution caused by the use of plastic bags. These are just some
examples to illustrate the idea that in order for recycling to be effective, consumers have to be
educated and informed on the consequences of excessive wastage ofresources and how they
can playa role to minimize the problem of waste. Furthermore, law and regulations should
also be introduced and passed to prevent the problem of waste from intensifying. Other
complementary measures would be to make using reusable bags and the recycling of
materials more attractive, such as saving costs on bags or even making recycling bins more
accessible. Hence while I agree that recycling is one effective answer to the problem of
I
waste, it has to be used simultaneously with educational campaigns and regulations as that
would complement recy11ing and mitigate its limitations.

, \ Recycling is certt,inlY a good solution to the problem ofwaste. However, we must

acknowledge that due to :he high costs and advanced technology needed for recycling,

examguru 19
-j

developed countries are II~hereforein a better position to embrace recycling as compared to far
less developed countries • Although recycling is suitable for small countries with small land
l
area and is more environmentally friendly, it does not eliminate the underlying cause to the
problem of waste. Henc6 recycling should be implemented together with educational
campaigns and regulations for it to be most effective.

sgexamguru.com

examguru 20
 1
-t

Adapted and edited from Bernice Yong- 13S03N

How realistic a goal, is it to achieve increased prosperity for all, in your society?

"oploted '" a theme park for the "~; and a metropolis where E,~ and W est do meet,
Singapore has become one of the l!lOSt advanced and affiuent nations in the world today. L -- Comment [WU1]: Since we are talking about
Singapore. it would be important to set up a
current and personal impression so the
Singapore has embraced globalisa ion and opened its doors proudly to foreign talent and examiner can comprehend your view of the
country.
capital, and succeeded so emphatically that we now have the world's highest concentration of
millionaire households - at 17 per11ent. [But beneath the shiny exterior of landmark
skyscrapers and luxury cars, lies a darker reality: the poorer members of our society
Comment [WU2]: The juxtaposition of poor
clambering to make ends meet. ~!l
PI<ie_L!Q.
~c_hJ.~v~.!lle_goilL
Qf:..iQ~r~'ls~Q
P!:.05I2eJ'!!2::
fOJ'_all:..~{~__ -- and rich is necessary in order to elucidate that
there is a reason to achieve increased
need not only to grow the economlc pie but slice it more equally. ~"hisis exactly what the prosperity for a/l in your SOCiety.We have to
remember that if it is deemed as a 'goal' there
government is striving to do. DeSptte the immense challenges we face, J believe that must be a reason for why it is so.

Singapore has what it takes to achieve these goals with a high degree of success. Hence I
believe we can realistically attain ~reater material well-being for the great majority of our
population, but not all L -- Comment [WU3]: It important to state your
thesis so that the examiner can comprehend

i
your POV.

!while Singapore has reaped the b nefits of globalisation with its highly open economy, we
Comment [WU4]: Thesis point. Refer to page
are also constantly buffeted by the fierce and growing competition that it brings.L~rQ~rgi..!lg -- 54 lect notes XII

sgexamguru.com
economies like Thailand, South Africa and Brazil constantly nip away at our heels, climbing
the value chain and threatening to eat our lunch.Many multinationals such as HGST, a US-
based hard disk drive manufacture]', have closed or downsized their factories in Singapore to
Comment [WU5]: The idea of economic
move to a lower-cost locatior[ ki~ "! £~l~'i~a:'l~~I~all~l:.&e_t~
~t~~ ~b~a~_of~l"!:.e_c.9!.rp~t.iti~1..t9 »>
competitiveness as Singapore has a population
veering to work in industries that are less blue-
even maintain the size of our pie, I~t alone expand it.Il?l!tJi..tt!~ ~ipg'lP_o!~12~!!e.:,>§<?:~_e!1<;iI!Jir~K
_, collar or in the secondary industry.
competitive advantages that other' ountries find very hard to replicate, Besides the " Comment [WU6]: Here we analyse the
E1 raised problem in the introduction
-1 aforementioned clean and capable aovemment, security and stability, outstanding
infrastructure and strong rule of la1"" we are also free from natural disasters. A multinational
can set up its headquarters or semifonductor plant here without fear that it will be shattered
by an earthquake.Furthermore, Si~gaporeans are in the unique position of being fluent in
both English and Asian languages ~ueh as Chinese, Malay and Tamil, and can thus act as an
_ Comment [WU7]: Again discussing the
invaluable bridge between East anb West Ij.~n_c~1b~'.:.e_l~t~~gC!.l!.b! ~{s:S9Jl_(~o_n!i!!l:!e_
~11..a~ t.9 _ pretext that was set up in the introduction
through the introduction of bilingualism
grow the economic pie.

Furthermore, our government is very determined to slice the pie more equally and reduce
inequality, While there is some truth to the claims that the government had become rather
insensitive and unempathetic to tllJ poor in recent years, tile disappointmgelection result for
the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) at the 2011 General Election - where the PAP
retained power but with the lowestlvote share since independence of 60.1 percent - has
propelled the government to redist ibute wealth much more aggressively and create greater

examguru 21
 Itis possibleto discuss
prosperity for the majority. Jt..1T~p.m
. UI~x"c~~t_ \~~altb~·~dj~ttj~L!ti.olljJ.9Li"i~~,!r~Ng!l~~t.?~tOS ~~~
Comment [WU8]:
Singapre gov's care package. Where the
surpluswealthissplitamongstthe population;
on big houses and cars and more ~enerous subsid ies for everything from public housing to prioritising
thepoorergroups.Meanstestingis
yet another good example.
preschool education. hea lthcare a nd utilities.

/What if, in our eagerness to red.ist~ibute wealth, we destroy our strong work ethic and bring
our government to bankruptcy or lc,.ar-b.ankruptcy, a fate that has befallen several European
Comment [WU9): Youmayuse questionsto
welfare states? Jt..jt~t:.~I!,jr~ £e_C~l!t ~'!.r!!,_~~ Ila..v~..?~eJl_OJ1.s:~il~o..?I!~r9~s..1!ali.9~~
~u.s:I:!.?~ ~~~ provoke critical thinking as a thesis statement
(P9 531ectnotes4) butrememberneverto
Greece and Spain succumb to the folly of populism and brought to financial ruin. Sceptics leaveittooopenedended.
may paint this depressing picture for Singapore, but our country remains highly committed to
preserving our work ethic. We arJ a nation of immigrants, and the values of hard work and
thrift which our ancestors espousjd have been cherished and inculcated from generation to
generation. This pragmatism is evidenced by parents' deep reluctance to let their children
become professional athletes as tJde monetary prospects are still poor for career athletes in
Singapore. Further substantiation rs provided even by the way Singaporeans vote in elections.
Despite widespread d isgruntlell1e~t with the PAP over soaring housing prices, overcrowded
~ buses and trains and the escape o:lthe terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari from a high-security
J prison, Singaporeans still voted t~em back into office and extended their hitherto 52-year rule
because of their proven track recotd and the still-patchy quality ofthe opposition parties.

sgexamguru.com
With our hard-nosed pragmatism, [the people are highly unlikely to demand that the
government introduce overly populist policies that would seriously erode the incentive to
work hard and ruin the nation ecohomically.

IHowever, it must be conceded thar greater prosperity for every last member of society is just
,I L . 3~~ _~~~ Comment
!>~t~,-e~l!~v~!!~r~
something that exists only in one'r fantasies. -l]~e£eJ~ il~~ay~ ~ !ril~O:::-<2f!
[WU10): Itis important
to debunk
absolutoutestatement.Keywordsinthe qn
the work ethic. Hence a highly w1lfarist system will ultimately sap an economy of its vitality \...i_nc_lu_d_e_w_or_d_s_lik_e_"a_II_"o_r_"e_
-----'
and shrink the economic pie. A close examination of the Scandinavian states makes this very
apparent. Even countries like Denfl1ark and Sweden, so fiercely proud of their cradle-to-grave

4 welfare systems. are starting to ask serious questions about the sense and sustainability
such policies. Youth unernployme it has remained stubbornly high in Sweden at over 20
of

percent in recent years. And hidden by the unemployment statistics are among the world's
highest proportions of people on disability pensions, even though the Scandinavian countries
have among the best health indicarors in the world. Clearly. these legions of welfare
recipients are unlikely to enjoy greater wealth due to the limited capacity of the state to
~
J increase their entitlements. ~,\lrea~IY'the citizens 0.1' Nordic countries pay some of the highest
taxes in the world. In any country there will always be people who are lazy and do not wish
to work. With almost zero natural resources. Singapore can afford even less than other
countries to indulge indolent indiv iduals with over-generous welfare benefits and hence, itis
Comment [WUll): A Comparisonto Norway
not possible to achieve greater prosperity for such individuals] ~~ ~ is a primeexamplebecauseofNorway'sprime

--] economic status.

examguru 22
 -J
,.a.
I
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In summation, it is well within Singapore's capability to achieve greater prosperity for the

1 great majority, but not everyone. fhile we are an extraordinary country that has overcome

-,
great odds, we remain subject to tIle same laws of economics, society and human nature as
other countries. As we have develfped as a country and ascended Maslow's hierarchy, we
have steadily aspired to attain loft er goals such as social equity and equality. Nevertheless,
we are very aware that a geographically-challenged country like ours must keep its feet on
the ground and maintain that resolute pragmatism that built the foundations for our success
1 today.

-,
1
1
1 sgexamguru.com
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1 examguru 23
~I
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Adapted and tdited from Karan Vijay Baswar an- 13AOZA

The best government intereres least in the life of the people. Is this true?

Mark Goyder (Director of 10m or row's Company) once said "Governance and leadership are the yin
and the yang of successful organisations." The lives of citizens can be paralleled against these
"successful organisations" and accordingly success will be granted in the face of government
intervention. It is prudent ror one to view the government as a platform for making beneficial
decisions with regards to the arts, education, economy and religion rather than a hindrance. Hence,
the best government will ~e someone who can provide the highest quality of life for its citizens and
this can only be achieved through playing a towering role over the life of its citizens. While some
may argue that excessive Jovernmental control may stamp out creativity in society, their myopic
perspective fails to account for the result of excessive creativity and the societal conflicts it may
usher in.

In an idealistic scenario, th1ebest government interferes minimally in the life of its people and hence
nurtures the growth of the arts into its true form- as an impetus to challenge societal norms by
promoting creativity. somt liberal quarters of society discern that in order for art's liberalistic nature
to blossom, it must be emrncipated from the grasp of government control, especially in the form of
censorship. What is conventionally accepted today in society is constantly being challenged by the
free and abstract nature of arts. This transcends to societal levels encouraging people to be
receptive to new ideas which may step across the threshold of accepted norms. For example, when
King Lear was staged in sirlgapore, Sir Ian Mckellen was warned by the Singaporean censorship

sgexamguru.com
board that he could not appear onstage naked as they felt "society was not ready to handle such
non- conservative approaches." This decision triggered a local outcry leading to a heated debate of
censorship within singapofe. Such a reaction testifies society's receptiveness in challenging societal
norms and through the aforementioned outcry censorship reforms were actually implemented.

However, this argument iJ over- simplistic in assuming that the life of citizens will be enriched with
limited governmental con+ol in the arts. In light of excessive liberalism in the arts sector, there has
been the rise of more offensive and unorthodox art forms. This is categorised as fringe art- art which
exists on the periphery and conventional definitions of art. The horrors of fringe art can be seen
from Vargas "work" wherel he starved a dog by tying it to a pillar during an exhibition in the name of
art. In such cases where arf begins to inflict damage to others, it undermines its concept of being a
common human endeavoulr and warrants government intervention; to discern what is socially
acceptable and vice versa. fhrough the aforementioned argument, the government's role cannot be

potentially offend many. l

sidelined if not, the arts will merely become an unfiltered

In terms of education, an 01'erbearing governmental

display of expressionism which could

presence is the key to success. Education today

is characteristically paid fo~ and administered by governmental bodies. T he result has been an
indiscriminate extension 0' governmental responsibility. As of 2013, Singapore's Ministry of
Education, received an impressive $5.6 billion for public schools out of the Singaporean budget. The
impressive figure demonstrates the vast extent of government funding invested in creating a
developed education syster' Without the government shouldering the educational financial burden,
who would, on behalf of thr entire country? Furthermore, a politically and economically stable

examguru 24
 society is impossible to acrieve without widespread acceptance of common values and a degree of
literacy on the part of most citizens. Education contributes to both. Hence it is imperative to ensure
such traits are groomed inl students by making education accessible to all. Most governments
worldwide ensure that cofPulsory education corresponds with at least with the country's minimum
employment age. For exarrple in Norway, a highly academically competent country, enforces a
school leaving age at 16 while minimum employment age at 15. This ensures that at the very least,
the government has educated its citizens till a secondary education- giving them basic academic fend
for themselves in the ecoriornv. If there was little intervention from governments, there would be
clear divisions in educatior and the strive for meritocracy would crumble in the face of affluence -as
only the rich would be able to afford school. This could compromise the country's entire economic
structure as literacy rates [:1 ould fall.
~
! Moreover, only through h avy government influence can economic success blossom. Governments
must have autonomy over economic decisions in order to chart the economic path within their
country via strategic decistons. An example of a successful economic strategic decision was the shift
in china's economy from a centrally planned to a market economy under Deng Xiaoping. In spite of
protests from some conSejVative factions, he pressed on with his reforms promising that economic
perestroika would bestow itself upon China. His unrelenting passion for the reforms has
undoubtedly led to the unrrecedented growth rates of China today- making it one of the world's
most prosperous economies. From the case of Deng, we can see that there are benefits in allowing
the government to interveJne and enforce their own input. In retrospect, without his changes,
China's economy would st111be very much primitive and backwards. Further, the government is also

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required to ensure that e1ployment is at high levels, and that there is price stability. Additionally, a
government should adjust tax rates and spending, in order to speed up economic growth rate.
Evidently there is a multit~de of duties associated with economic growth and only a politically sound
body would be able to perf.0rm such a role without its citizens having to be concerned with the
threat of malpractice or co1rruption. In most countries that body should be the government. In line
with this argument, it can be also observed that the notion of economic power dwelling in the hands
of the government is not +scure, as many thriving economies worldwide today such as Singapore
and even the United States have adopted a statist economy.
I
In conclusion, the best government must be prepared to interfere the most in the lives of its people
to ensure unconditionally that the welfare of its citizens in all respects are catered to. It is clear that
many societies today still regard the government as a policy maker with great autonomy and rightly
so. It is in the vision of the government to ensure the best for the country. As citizens we should not
protest more governmendl control if we want to desire to reap the benefits of a better quality of
life. As long as the governfent remains pure and uncorrupted while working alongside to cater for
the interests of its people je should do our best to support their agenda.

~J.J

examguru 25
 Adapted and edited from Adrian Tan Jia Liang- 13S06B
I
Discuss the evolution and importance of education in the modern world.

Education is an itportant tool that is applied in the contemporary world to succeed, as it

mitigates the challenges "hich are faced in life. The knowledge gained through education enables
individuals' potential to be optimally utilized owing to training of the human mind. This opens doors
of opportunities enables inhividual to achieve better prospects in career growth. Education has played
a paramount role in the mbdern industrial world. This is attributed to the fact prospective employees
must be qualified adequately to perform various tasks effectively. Industries entail resources that are
sufficiently equipped Wit~ the modern technology to suit the needs and wants of the society. This
thus, makes education to ~ecome a norm for services in all industrial sectors. The primary skills and
the ability to apply the SkilrSis the basis for evaluating the market.

Education trains the human mind to make the right decisions. From learning about past
decisions and mistakes, wcl can figure out what the best path to take is in certain situations. Education
helps people make the rigKt decisions because it encourages them to be thinkers. An educated person
can think of the positive and negative effects of every decision that they make and, more likely than
not, they will make betterl decisions than an uneducated person who does not know how to reason
would. All humans have some reasoning ability, but only the educated can reason and make decisions
I
in the most efficient way. This is because their reasoning skills have been fine tuned. For example, an
educated person may use ~is or her knowledge of science to fix a chair or to determine why their
metal baseball bat is rusting. For another problem, an educated person might draw on their knowledge
I
of English and logic to help them form an argument. For an educated person, these tasks would be

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very simple. But, for an u~educated person, these tasks would prove very difficult, if not impossible
for some.

An uneducated pe~son will have many difficulties in his or her life because he or she does not

the most important values tf

possess the ability to reason as well as educated people can. The training ofthe human mind is one of
education.

Education opens ,ur minds to the outside world. It allows us to gain knowledge of other
cultures and to learn more labout our own culture. An uneducated person is shut off from the outside
world. Because he or she cannot read or write, the uneducated person cannot gain wisdom or insight
from books, magazines, or other mediums. Someone who is uneducated will not have knowledge of
current events and will become isolated. On the other hand, an educated person will gain knowledge

,
1 of the outside world and will be able to apply this knowledge to events in his or her own life. Instead
of being isolated, an educa~ed person will be opened to new ideas.

Education helps to I solve many of the world's problems. It is a simple fact that countries with
higher literacy rates generally have higher standards of living. Why is this so? It is because the
countries with higher literacy rates have citizens who are better educated than the countries with lower
1 literacy rates. One of the Jeatest sayings dealing with education is this, "Give a man a fish and you
feed him for a day. Teachl a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." This quote can be
applied to education. For example, if we make small donations to troubled countries, then in reality
we are really not helping them out very much. But, if we help to establish a strong education system,
then the citizens will gain rbasoning skills, be opened to the rest of the world, and ultimately will have
a higher standard of liVingf Educated people can help society in many different ways. An educated
people will be able to com unicate ideas with each other better because they will know how to read

examguru 26
 and write. Also, the know~edge gained from education will help everyone in their careers because they
will better understand wh1t they are doing. Furthermore, education helps society because an educated
people will be able to help improve the society they currently live in by applying their knowledge to
the problems that they e! counter. Education is necessary to increase the economic, political, and
~~ social development of any country.

Education has played a major role in the modern life to all individuals in the society. It has enabled
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values. It is through education that Technological advancement has been realized enabling

-1 communication and produ tion of cost effective products and services to the society at large.

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 Adapted and edited from Abigail Katherine Goh- 12S05L

In the 21" century, i1 the suffering of minorities a relevant phenomenon?

Kenichi Ohmae's clevrrly titled book "The Borderless World" elucidates the rise of
globalisation coupled with the relentless progress of technology has merged to allow for the
transgression ofthe wo~ld'S physical geographical boundaries in the 21st century. Migration
rates have increased, e~abling heterogeneous societies to be established all over the world.
Many minority populations lament the perceived discrimination and suffering they face in
societies which cater to I the majority for convenience's sake. However, in the midst of their
self-pity, they fail to recpgnize the myriad of opportunities and advantages available to them,
by virtue of being the ~inority. Minorities do not necessarily always suffer as the onus is on
-1 them to turn their situattn around and gain the upper hand.

Governments and authoi~ties do institute policies which favour the majority simply because it
is more convenient to ~o so. However, if the minority are able to harness their community
1 spirit and work around the system, they are the ones who stand to benefit. In Malaysia, the
Chinese make up a relatively large racial minority, constituting 15% ofthe population. Yet,
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the Malaysian govemment has insisted that the school curriculum be taught in Bahasa
~ Melayu, including sUbjdcts such as Science and Mathematics. The Chinese are deprived of
the opportunity to le~ their native tongue, and have to grapple with a foreign language.

1 Their community leaders recognize the value of preserving the Chinese language among
future generations, andl,hence, set up Chinese community schools which have produced
trilingual students profi9ient in English, Chinese and Bahasa Melayu. As a result, the Chinese
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have an upper hand in language skills. Now that the Malaysian government is back-pedaling
on its language policy and introducing subjects taught in English, Chinese students have an
advantage and are able to outshine Malay students. As such, minorities are not necessarily
1 constrained by rigid, unfriendly policies as they prove themselves to be resourceful enough to
transcend such restrictioF to turn the tables on the majority.

1 Governments will implerent policies that protect the minority, because it is the majority who
will re-elect the gove~ent in democratic societies. This shortsighted concept would lead to

-9 a well-fed, complacent Plajority, and allow the hungry dissatisfied minority to exploit the
situation and succeed. The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir, implemented
the 'bumiputra' or 'princes of the land' policy during his tenure. This policy gave Malays

1 priority when entering universities, starting businesses, owning land and a whole host of
other processes. His ami was to give the native 'princes of the land' a head-start in life, and
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ensure they would have comfortable livelihood. Naturally, the implementation ofthis policy
~. led to the disgrunt1emen~ of many Chinese. Meanwhile, the Malays were content and satisfied
J that their government wfuld provide for them, and settled back to enjoy their blissful lives.
The discrimination spurred the Chinese to work even harder than before, and gave them a

1 strong motive to succeed. They grabbed whatever remnant opportunities the complacent
Malays had passed on, bd made the best of them. In present day Malaysia, it is common
knowledge that the richest and most successful people are the Chinese. Dr. Mahathir himself
has expressed regret at tie implementation of his myopic policy, and before stepping down in
2003, slammed the Ma]ays for their lack of hunger and desire to succeed. Therefore, for
minorities, the sufferingj prejudice and discrimination they face can be a form of motivation
to improve their lot in sobety.

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 Although governments and societies tend to favour the majority, most want to be seen as
tolerant and accepting olf diversity. Nobody likes to be accused of discrimination. Minority
populations could explo~t this potential source of embarrassment, and manipulate government
policy and societal perc~ption to be more considerate and pliable toward them. In France, a
Muslim schoolgirl was ~ehement in her fight to be able to wear her Muslim headscarf to
school. She saw it as ar expression and celebration of her faith. Muslims are a religious
minority in predominantly Catholic France. Her story attracted international attention, and
placed France in the glare of the media spotlight. It was revealed that while the Muslim girl
was not allowed to wear her headscarf to school, practitioners of other faiths were not
permitted to accessorisel themselves with such open displays of their faith either. However,
France was desperate to maintain an esteemed profile in the eyes of the world. Neither the
French government or tfe French people wanted to be seen as intolerant and elitist, and the
French courts fmally relented and allowed the girl to wear her headscarfto school. Therefore,
minority groups can le~erage on the media-consciousness of most governments to secure
recognition of their rights.

Minority populations can find safety in numbers by banding together to establish

communities with strong bonds among members. This will lead to the forging of community
spirit, and create a heafwarming enclave that gives support and strength to its members.
Homosexuals are a sexttal minority in the human race. They have long been discriminated
against by proponents or family- first' movements, Bible-toting Christians, and anybody and
everybody who finds their behaviour unnatural. However, in San Francisco, America,
homosexuals have estab~ished their very own community, to create an environment where all
its members can feel comfortable in, and engage in their activities without fear of hate crimes

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and discrimination. The~ organize Mardi Gras parties, and celebrate their diversity, providing

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protection and support f r all its members.

Unfortunately, minoritiel still remain an easy target for violence and discrimination. It is easy
for the majority to band together and blame the minority for a myriad of perceived crimes.
This sad story has repes ted itself many times in history, from the farms of the American
Southwest to the ghettoes and slums of Nazi Germany. Most recently, it has emerged in
Singapore, when junior Minister Balaji Saladisavan blamed homosexual man for the AIDS

i scourge. It is sad that S~Ch discrimination and intolerance still exist, but it is likely that as
society matures as a whole and accepts heterogeneity as a mark of a progressive community,
minorities will not be prejudiced against and hated, but rather welcomed and celebrated.
; Minorities do have a historic legacy of discrimination, and in some instances it continues to
this very day. Yet, they I must use their own resourcefulness, diligence and quick wit to be

,
1 able to turn their situation into an advantage. The oppression and discrimination showered on
them should only serve t i motivate and spur them on to succeed.

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 ~'I
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Adapted nd edited from Lim Teng Kuay- 14S06Q

A country that fails to 0len its doors is setting itselfup for failure.

As Tadashi Yan1i, president of Fast Retailing once said "I don't believe globalisation
is bad. It's criticised fro a western perspective, but if you put yourself in the shoes of people
in the developing worl , it provides an unprecedented opportunity. Countries in the world
today are largely inte connected, whether through trade relations, cultural exchanges,
-1 I

multinational cooperatio on world issues like the environment and natural resources. These
interactions among co ntries have built closer ties and improved the relationships 0 f
countries. The questionji fwhether a country that fails to open its doors is setting itselfup for
1 failure is a debatable one. Opening doors can be defined as accepting foreign ideas and
integrating a country . ItO the global community, be it is economically or by culturally.
Failure of a country isefmed as not achieving economic, political or social stability in this
)':9.:... essay. I would agree to la large extent, using China, North Korea and the Eastern European
countries as case stUdie~ However, using USA's and Cuba's context, the above statement
may not be necessarily t e.
1 A country that f ils to open its economy and integrating itself into the global economy
-l is likely to be setting itF,elf up for poor economic growth. Without any economic relations
with the outside world, ~he economic activities of that country are limited to its own territory
only. An example WOUllbe China before its opening up to the world in 1978. Before 1978,

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China was a closed ec nomy and there was hardly any import or export of goods and
services. Inflation was rampant and the Chinese suffered economically due to mass
unemployment. After 0 ening up, the economic policies implemented by Deng Xiao Ping
promoted economic activities with other countries and subsequently foreigners started to
~ invest in China. Jobs we e created and the economy became increasingly prosperous even till
today. China's entry int the World Trade Organisation also allowed China's GDP to grow

1 by double digit each ye in the 21 st century. The comparison between the time before China
opened up and after it has integrated itself into the global economy showed us that isolation
from the global economy is detrimental to a country's economic stability.
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A country that JailS to discuss regional issues with other countries may be setting

; itself up for political in,~~ability.When a country does not have the alliance and cooperation
from countries to disc~ss issues of importance, it may be creating enemies for its own
government as the country is often regarded to be irresponsible and anti-social. An example

-1 would be North Korea'~ refusal to go to the negotiation table for nuclear weapons. After its
testing on missiles, countries such as China and USA have been persuading it to have a
meeting with them to r0ice out their concerns and discuss plans for control of nuclear
weapons. However, Norh Korea refused and stated that they have no obligation to do so.
This issue has created t1ension among the countries in the region and further worsened the
impression and relationf North Korea has with the rest of the world. The stubbornness of
North Korea to coope ate with other countries has caused its government's image and
reputation to tarnish s verely and it can be predicted that the government will meet
challenges and pressure from the other countries regarding the legitimacy of their rule over

i North Korea.

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 A country that fails to accept new ideas into its society may risk having social
instability in the long run. When a country limits the interaction of its country with other
countries for vested intrrest, dissatisfaction and angst may spread among the people. One
such example can be seen from the situation of the East European countries during the Cold
War under the rule of ~ornmunism. During the Cold War, their governments restricted their
citizens' communication with the democratic Western Europe in these communist states.
They were not allowed ~ccess to goods from Western Europe for fear of ideological contact
with democracy. The people then suffered economically due to inferior goods and most
importantly, they sufferfd psychologically due to their desire to break out of communism.
Their anger and desperation resulted in a revolt against their governments, with the fall of
Berlin Wall signifying tre fall of Communism in 1989. This historical event has proven that
when a country fails to integrate itself with the other countries and fall back behind in terms
of standard of living, it ~s causing tension in society to accumulate and eventually the social
instability will lead to tie downfall ofthe government.

However, it must be acknowledged that a country can be successful in some cases

even when it fails to bpen its doors, especially in economic terms. When a country's
economy is too open, t~e market forces of any other countries can have a significant impact
on it. The example used would be USA after the financial crisis due to Lehman Brothers.
USA has always been 9ne of the most open economies in the world and has been actively
trading with many countries. However, after the fmancial crisis, the Obama administration
actually implemented protectionist measures and wanted their citizens to buy more of
domestic goods to boos~ the economy while their trade import decreased significantly. This
policy ensured that U~A's economy can revive slowly but denied other countries of

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opportunities to gain pr~fits by selling their goods to USA. It showed us that when a country
cuts off some trade connections with the rest of the world and focus more on being self-
sufficient, it can actuall~ cause the country's economy to grow much faster in the short term.
This proves that failing Ito open a country's doors may not necessarily mean failure for the
country at all. Nonetheless, it should be recognized that USA did not fully cut off all its
economic ties with the rest of the world and thus this example is not an extreme measure by
the country.

Another example to show that when a country fails to open its doors, it may not be
setting itselfup for failuje would be the Cuba's healthcare system. Cuba is a communist state
and hardly has any interaction with the rest of the world. When the Obama administration and
the Chinese government lis still discussing over how to improve the healthcare system in their
countries, Cuba has one rf the best healthcare systems in the world already. All Cubans have
easy access to healthcare services and do not have the problem of not being able to afford
their medical fees. This proves that even if a country does not integrate itself into the global
community, it is not derlied of the ability to be successful in their governance and policies
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too. Nonetheless, it shou~d be recognized that Cuba is a relatively small country as compared
to USA or China and t~us it may have been easier for Cuba to succeed in its healthcare
reforms. Besides, we d~1know of Cuba's other domestic problems such as poor economic
growth which does not showcase that Cuba is a successful country as a whole.

In the world today, it is quite impossible for countries to not come together as one and
solve issues ofimportanct1e. I believe that a country that fails to open its doors will most likely
to set itself up for failre in the future. Even though there may be cases which prove

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otherwise, given the technological advancement and the rapid population growth, the policies
1] may fail to counter these changes and be increasingly 0 f no use if they remain static.

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