January 2020 — Gp Lah!

GP Essay Questions 1/100

GP essay questions collection past year. Here are all the GP Essay Questions from past year prelims.

To what extent do young people in your society show an interest in their culture and traditions?
‘The key to eliminating poverty is education rather than aid.’ Do you agree?
How important is play in your society?
Should every country have the right to use nuclear technology?
Is a world without conflict a realistic aim?
Should countries solve global problems when their own problems are not dealt with?
Consider the view that artists should be given absolute freedom.
To what extent should our personal lives be the concern of the government?
Is it justifiable for countries to rewrite history to suit their needs?
‘Businesses value profit more than the planet today.’ Comment
How far should the progress of science be guided by ethics?
Should the elderly in your country be fearful of the future?

Why should we be concerned with current affairs when most of them will soon be forgotten?

After all, ignorance is not always bliss. In the words of Dalai Lama, “Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.”

People spend hours watching news and debates on CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera, in an effort to keep abreast of the current socioeconomic issues. Current news provides us with much needed information about the issues people are facing around the world. The news of today can also help us in understanding the incidents which may happen in the future. Thus, it is important that people follow the current affairs because if we do not pay attention about the decisions which are taken around the world it will have a negative impact on countries, economies and common people.

People who hold the view that people should not be concerned about current affairs often suggest that it is a waste of time. These news pieces are short-lived and may not influence the people on a global level. In a world of technology, we are bombarded with news that is transient and short-lived in nature. However, just because, a current event might not have relevance in the future it does not mean that it is not important today. Being aware of current affairs is necessary because some issues can affect us as well and can also pose a threat. For example, the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat is something one needs to be aware of. That is because only awareness can help in prevention of the disease. If people are not aware of the coronavirus news, then they might risk their lives as well as the lives of others. Current news can help us to take precautionary messages and can save hundreds of lives. An example of this can be the news about Ukrainian Airlines plane being accidentally shot down by Iran which prompted other airlines to avoid airspace near Iran and Iraq. Thus, current affairs news can be a life saviour for many and people should keep themselves updated about current affairs.

Current world news not only makes people aware about threats but also about opportunity. In a globalised world, current affairs can also open up avenues for people to understand current market trends. One example of this is companies profiting from selling masks and hand sanitisers at exorbitant prices because of the ongoing, coronavirus threat. Another example can be of Just Inc., a food and beverage company which makes plant-based egg products which received multiple inquiries and from Chinese food companies seeking animal-free protein sources amid the coronavirus outbreak. The impasse between Russia and Saudi Arabia over the price and production of oil or the ongoing spat between India and Malaysia regarding the palm oil create opportunities for forex and commodity traders as well as businessmen. Thus, by keeping in touch with current news, people can profit and succeed in life.

Though most of the current events would be forgotten in the future, it does not mean all news will meet a similar fate. The events that affect people today can also have a lasting impact on people and the world. For example, Indian mission of Chandrayaan-2 of sending an orbiter, lander, and rover to Moon’s southern hemisphere will be remembered by many in the future. Similarly, Joseph Schooling winning Singapore’s first-ever Olympic gold would always be remembered even by the future generations. People who are sceptical of following current may argue that today’s current news does not have much significance. However, if people do not follow current news then they might remain unaware about significant events that occur around the world.

In conclusion, people should be interested and concerned about current affairs because these news pieces inform, alert and raise awareness among millions of people. If people follow current news, then they can also exploit opportunities to gain profits and make informed choices. One has to be aware about the surroundings around the world. After all, ignorance is not always bliss. In the words of Dalai Lama, “Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.”

How well are the demands of the economy and the environment balanced in Singapore?

Singapore has gained a reputation for itself on an international platform as a country that is strong both diplomatically and economically. Some quarters believe that the economic benefits have come about by compromising on the environment. Under the great leadership of the incumbent government, Singapore has over the last five decades ensured a balance between the environment and economy.

To boost the country’s economy, Singapore has invested significantly in infrastructure required for global markets. Singapore does not produce crude oil, however, it is known as a major hub for oil refining and trading. Oil refining and processing has a direct and immediate effect on the environment. Southern islands have been cleared of native populations and combined to create large petrochemical refineries and storage facilities. High levels of carbon emissions are a natural consequence of this activity which ultimately leads to climate change.

While the above has impacted the economy, the petrochemical industry has created thousands of jobs not just in the field itself, but also in complimentry industries like construction. The government has balanced the pollution generated in building the economy by investing in greenery. Thousands of trees and bushes have been planted around the small island. Even today one can see exotic trees and flowering bushes across the country and justifies its name as the Garden City. With no natural resources, the economic plan of the government has allowed for economic groth despite costs to the environment. The government has tried to mend this issue by regular tree planting to off-set carbon emissions.

In recent times the government has taken conscious efforts to build policies that protect the environment. Singapore has created a well-connected public transport system ensures that people commute using these transportation systems travel in comfort and reduce carbon emissions. The government has created cycling paths for the convenience of cyclists. In building new homes, Singapore government insists on having plant life in the form of green roofs, vertical gardens or even walls made it lush green grass and plants. Thus, while the country has made significant economic progress, it has not forgotten the importance of environment and is trying to strike a balance. The economy and the environment is well balanced in Singapore.

Singapore is extremely resourceful in finding balance between environment and economic growth. Growing concerns about climate change and global warming has prompted Singapore to continuously drive in the right direction of protecting the environment. A notable example of this can be an important tourist attraction, Gardens by the Bay, which has an innovative design and is considered a masterpiece in eco-friendliness. Recently, there also have been developments that the gardens will adopt a technology which can convert garbage into energy which can enhance plant growth. Similarly, many public parks in the country contribute significantly to the environmental health and also boost the economy. Unlike cities like Shanghai, Saigon and Santiago, Singapore is not plagued by the issue of air pollution. Singapore has good quality air and a high-quality life which make it clear that Singapore does have great balance between environment and economy.

Not only locally, Singapore has addressed the issues concerning environment on an international level as well. For example, during the forest fires in Indonesia, the National Environment Agency, helped to detect fire in 450 hotspots in three provinces in Indonesia. Singapore also offered fire-fighting assistance to Indonesia. This shows that Singapore as a country is not only addressing environmental issues on a national level but also on a global level. Apart from that, Singapore is also a signatory to the Paris document which asks for carbon and green house gas emission cuts. This again illustrates that Singapore, takes environment seriously and tries to strike a balance between economic needs and environmental needs.

There is no doubt that Singapore takes environmental concerns seriously. The country makes conscious efforts to mitigate the damage caused by economic endeavours. Though Singapore is not perfect in many aspects regarding environment, the country takes significant steps to become eco-friendly. This is evident from the fact that its carbon emissions are lesser than of the other developed nations.

Higher education is no longer necessary for success. Discuss.

For a majority of people, higher education undoubtedly remains key to achieving success. Not only are degrees badges of acquired skill, they are sometimes even status symbols. In addition, the experience of going through higher education often proves to be greatly important if one seeks a successful career. Higher education still plays a vital role in the pathway to success.

It is easy to see why there has been increasing optimism of attaining success through means other than higher education. First, the rapid growth of online courses offered by Coursera and Phoenix University have led to the argument that the advent of the Internet has made it such that individuals no longer need higher education to obtain the skills they require for their jobs. Second, people often lament that despite obtaining degrees, they are unable to find work, and cannot pay off college debts they have accumulated. Third, mass media platforms have recently painted pictures of how individuals like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg reached the very peak of what it means to be “successful”, without ever needing the support of higher education. This leads to the claim that higher education has lost its ability to deliver some measures of success. These three arguments present the case that higher education is no longer necessary for success.

However, it is overly assertive to claim that the skills that people learn from university education are irrelevant, even with the aid of the Internet. Instead, it is more reasonable to believe that higher education provides greater opportunities for learning. Though it may be possible to obtain the same access to information, it is only at universities that individuals of similar interests are able to gather in a classroom, exchange thoughts and ideas with each other, and learn under the tutelage of professors at the forefronts of their fields. Comparatively, those who do not attend higher education do not have that same opportunity to ask peers or professors for help when they run into problems understanding the content taught. Especially for specialised fields like biotechnology and law, the skills and knowledge necessary for the future remain largely accessible only to those who have undergone higher education. From this, it is clear that university graduates have greater propensity to gain skills and knowledge than non-graduates.

In addition, the university degree itself is a badge of acquired skill, reassuring employers that these employees have learnt the content, and are able to handle the work assigned to them. This means that graduates are more likely to be hired than non-graduates, which often translates into higher salaries. Furthermore, the trust that employers have in graduates’ ability to perform better often translates into greater financial remuneration. Today, bachelor’s degree holders can expect median lifetime earnings of about US$2.3 million, as compared to US$1.3 million for workers with just a high school diploma. Ultimately, higher education does in fact bring about greater financial success for graduates.

It is also fallacious to argue that higher education has stopped being a necessary part to being successful just because there have been exceptions to it. Not only were Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates intellectual geniuses and visionaries who had foreseen and grasped business opportunities, they were born into circumstances which ultimately facilitated their success. Courses offered at universities could not offer advice to these entrepreneurs embarking as pioneers of a new field. On the other hand, an overwhelming proportion of individuals do not enjoy the same kind of privilege, be it financial or intellectual. Hence, for most, the likely route to success is higher education, which sets them apart from other job applicants.

In fact, for most occupations excluding degree-blind jobs such as entrepreneurship and advertising, higher education plays an integral role in assimilating graduates into their future workplaces. Upon entering the workplace, university graduates depend upon the ties they had developed to help them along, and this often stems from their higher education experience. For example, specialists often depend on the referrals of other doctors to obtain a base of patients. In such a situation, getting to know others who are in the field is incredibly important for one’s career advancement prospects. Thus, higher education is not just about the content and skills involved, but also the relationships graduates develop with each other. The social advantage that higher education offers hence allows graduates to get a leg up over non-graduate.

In essence, higher education remains necessary for success. This is not to say that all graduates are necessarily more successful than all non-graduates, because of the multitude of factors involved. However, university graduates do indeed benefit greatly from higher education, a crucial factor contributing to being successful.