November 2018 — Gp Lah!

How far can it be argued that wildlife tourism and zoos are the only ways to protect wild animals?

Observing animals in conservation areas and zoos can encourage practical concern for their cousins in the wild
Tourism can be vital for local economies
As last resort zoos can keep populations of wild animals that may disappear in the wild (provided zoo’s have the expertise)
Zoos cannot retain the genetic variability of a wild population
Threatened species need to attract cash to justify their protection and existence
There can be zoos without bars (but this is a weak argument since even with open spaces, a zoo is enclosed)
Opportunity for scientific research
Questionable when animals are simply kept for the entertainment of the public
The assumption of species superiority
Animals have consciousness, sentience, and intentionality
Their “natural” behaviours have to be recognised and catered for
The captive breeding of threatened species
Intense viewing of creatures can interrupt feeding patterns and cause stress
Captive animals can provide a genetic “lifeboat” for those in the wild
Opportunities to adopt an animal

‘The most effective learning takes place away from school.’ How far do you agree?

what do we learn outside school which is not generally available at/in school?
definitions of what constitutes ‘learning’ – informal/formal learning, ‘academic learning’, general life skills, etc
role of parents, grandparents, siblings, peer groups
rites of passage
importance of personal initiative – finding things out for oneself
homework is done outside school
how and what children might learn from the internet at home
the social environment in the school is essential for the working world

‘Sport is a greatly overrated activity.’ How far do you agree?

For and Against Points for Sports is Overrated Activity

health advantages of sport
ways in which sport might allow us to indulge competitive streak/combat etc. in ‘safe’/controlled environments
sport’s role in international politics
limitations of sport as a leisure activity (what it can’t do compared to more intellectual activities etc.)
what we mean by ‘sport’ – a very wide category; are some sports more/less ‘overrated’ than others?
coverage of sport in the media (e.g. at expense of other more pressing and important concerns)
views about financial outlay and costs

To what extent are Shakespeare’s works still relevant today?

Keywords: ‘To what extent …?’ and ‘still relevant’.

• Shakespeare keeps the reader/listener engaged: explores pertinent issues: challenges thoughts/opinions: plot, characters and themes are cleverly interwoven: emerging themes and ideas are timeless
• human flaws/faults, dilemmas and relationships transcend time
• characters being human is fallible, e.g. Macbeth being too ambitious and Hamlet struggling to come to terms with the death of his father
• love, friendship, betrayal and vengeance are timeless themes
• a voice is given to those marginalised in society, e.g. females in the later sixteenth/early seventeenth century
• the enrichment of the English language, e.g. Shakespeare is the most quoted author in the Oxford dictionary
• examples: ‘all’s well that ends well’, ‘the world is my oyster’ and ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’
• the entertainment value and range of subject matter, e.g. war, religious conflict, racial prejudice, class division

How important are brand names to consumers?

a range of techniques, including promotions, strap-lines and advertising are used to persuade us to buy (Read Article)
peer pressure influences conformity to consumer norms
role models and celebrities are used to endorse products
some consumers resist brand name marketing strategies
many consumers assume that brand names offer the best products and service and, therefore, remain loyal to the brand (Read Article)
many see brand names as a reflection of lifestyle choices.
Study on Car Buyers