March 2021 — Gp Lah!

Nanotechnology has immense potential in medical science. How far should developments in this technology take priority in medical research?

Points for Nanotechnology immense potential in medical science

• Can target specific cells
• Nanotechnology has immense potential in medical science as it can help in attacking cancers
• Tiny robots have been developed that can travel through the
bloodstream attending to damaged tissue or carrying medicines to
specific parts of the body
• Microchip implants can help the paralysed regain use of their limbs
• Nerve cells from the nose have been removed and transplanted to
treat a damaged spinal column
• Microprocessing is an example of nanotechnology – if it has benefits
here why not elsewhere?
• Safety issues when materials are reduced to the nanoscale – they
might replicate alarmingly and congregate in the lungs, for example
• Nanoparticles pour out of car exhausts and these are toxic
• Sufferers from diabetes could benefit – no need to inject – insulin is
released when needed
• The management of treatment for a range of conditions could
become dramatically less onerous

Essay Questions on Education

GP Essay Questions on Education. Have a look at these GP Essay Questions on Education from the past papers.

Do you think that there is any need for change in the educational system in your country?
‘The main function of education should be to enable people to gain employment.’ How far do you agree?
‘Education does not develop individuality but conformity.’ Is such a statement always valid?
‘The word failure should never be used in education.’ Do you agree with this view?
‘Conformity should be the main aim of all schools.’ How far is this true?
‘Only educated people should have the right to vote for elections.’ What is your view?
Is a sound knowledge of science and technology essential for a well-educated person in today’s world?
Does a study of history make you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of the human race?
Is History anything more than the study of warfare?
Nowadays, the pleasures of reading can never compete with the pleasures of visual entertainment.’ To what extent do you agree?
Discuss the benefits and disadvantages which technological developments are likely to have upon education in the near future.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being educated abroad.

To what extent can outside intervention in the affairs of sovereign countries be justified?

Can intervention in the affairs of sovereign countries be justified

• One rule for one, not others
• Types of espionage
• Countries that default on their debts
• The prevention of genocide
• The impacts of the intervention on other countries
• Arbitrarily drawn borders
• Is independence any longer meaningful?
• The authority of the U.N

Account for the continued popularity of documentaries about the natural world.

Reasons for continued popularity of documentaries about the natural world.

• Colourful and scenic
• A fascination with the natural world
• Behaviours in nature can be spontaneous, comic, dramatic, educational
and unique
• The patience and skill of filming captures unique perspectives/close-ups
which could not be seen in real life
• Empathy with nature and protecting the planet
• Depends on interest level in the subject
• Depends on the quality of the filming/narration
• Can depend on presentation/production values/technology
• Entertainment needs are varied but all could hold equal value

‘The attempt to achieve healthy living can cause misery.’ To what extent is this true?

Can the attempt to achieve healthy living can cause misery

• Obsession with self-image can cause misery
• Obsession with dieting prevents the enjoyment of eating (could lead to
anorexia, bulimia, taking dangerous medication, crash diets)
• Obsession with exercise can become physically damaging/time
consuming
• Attempt to achieve healthy living can cause misery can lead to mental health issues
• Dominates all aspects of life so misery could affect relationships/work
• Depends how ‘obsession’ and ‘healthy living’ are defined
• Being overweight and unfit could cause misery. Eating more healthily
and taking moderate exercise could change this. A degree of
‘obsession’ might be needed to encourage a continuous routine
• Obsession can be linked to personality, attitude and insecurities
• Danger of skewed media coverage of health issues and influence of
‘expert’ advice

How desirable is it that people have the freedom to follow any trend or fashion they want?

Points for how desirable it is for people to have the freedom to follow any trend or fashion.

• Clothes, music, hairstyles, art etc. (any fashion or trend is acceptable)
• Freedom of self-expression
• Experimenting with identity
• Experimenting with rebellion
• Sense of belonging to a group
• Peer pressure, especially when young
• The young could see it as independence
• As long as it is legal/free choice
• Could be short-lived (fashions change/develop)
• Not important in the context of other freedoms

The growing demand for air travel puts pressure on our environment. How should we respond to this?

Is it true that Growing demand for air travel puts pressure on our environment

• Escalation of air travel over the last 30 years (airports have to expand to
keep up with demand)
• Budget airlines and flying incentive schemes
• Almost global coverage by air
• Emissions of carbon dioxide, heat and other particulates from aircraft
have increased in recent years
• Environmental pollution at ground level around airports is more
concentrated due to associated transport networks
• Contributes to enhanced global warming
• Latest aircraft are fitted with more environmentally friendly engines
• Major resistance to airport expansion
• Perhaps we should embrace the fact that the world is accessible to
everyone
• Allows tourism/economic development in low-income countries
• Airports are often built in remote areas
• Growing demand for air travel also leads to the creation of jobs
• Response to the statement should show balance but also make an
assessment of ‘how we should respond’, after weighing up all the
arguments.

‘Earnings should reflect the status and usefulness of jobs.’ Discuss.

Is it true that earnings should reflect the status and usefulness of jobs

• Reflects training and education
• Degree of responsibility
• Earnings have to attract appropriately qualified people
• Earnings as a motivator
• How is ‘useful’ defined?
• Supply and demand (scarce tradesmen can become high status and
can demand high earnings hence more useful)
• Diverse vacancies need to be filled and could be considered as of equal
value
• Depends on the traditions, philosophies and regimes of a country
(should a doctor get paid the same as a cleaner as both jobs could be
seen as having equal usefulness)
• High-status jobs (university lecturer) can be relatively low paid as
status/job satisfaction are reward enough
• Where does this place bankers/stockbrokers/bureaucrats?
• Do status and usefulness of jobs go together?

To what extent do modern communications isolate us, rather than connect us, to others?

• May not need to leave the house to communicate
• Lack of physical/human contact
• Can make contact with others in different countries across the world
• Can use network sites for arranging meetings or events
• Real conversation is replaced by the virtual
• The nature of friendship is trivialised
• Re-defines the nature of loneliness