Author: VidS

‘There are circumstances in which curiosity might endanger scientific progress.’ Discuss.

Possible points for and against the claim that curiosity might endanger scientific progress.

• May does not consider the implications of research without guidelines
• May create Frankenstein’s monster
• May have their own agenda, instead of the needs of society
• Could release dangerous organisms into the world
• Without curiosity we would perhaps be denied a variety of discoveries, explanations, etc.
• Weaponry

How far has music, art or theatre influenced your outlook on the world?

Points for music, art or theatre influenced your outlook on the world.

• “the world” may be interpreted in several ways; an international, local, intellectual or
• music, art or theatre from a philosophical perspective
• Gender, generation, political leanings, may be relevant
• The influences may be external; concerts, galleries, visits to the theatre
• The influences may come from home entertainment; CDs, Internet, TV, Radio
• Without examples the higher mark bands cannot be accessed
• Allow various art forms; dance, ballet, film for example
• Consider commenting on lack of access to a wider culture
• Evaluate the effect of personal experiences on how to view the world is shaped

To what extent can sport foster a sense of community beyond the events themselves?

Possible points for can sport foster a sense of community beyond the events.

• The Olympic spirit
• Encouragement of harmless patriotism
• Antidote to racism and other forms of discrimination
• Informal opportunities for world leaders to meet
• Can be a spur to economic development
• Encourages sharing of enthusiasms and interests
• Can produce appalling forms of exploitation
• Can engender xenophobia and hooliganism
• Can provide opportunities for unscrupulous politicians
• May result in feelings of national humiliation
• Adds to the dominance of strong nations
• Is an expensive distraction

The world faces many global challenges. Choose one, and explain why it ought to be taken more seriously.

Possible points for the world faces many global challenges

• The gap between the rich and the poor
• Environmental issues; oceans, air pollution and so on
• Religious conflicts
• Nuclear and/or chemical warfare
• The world faces many global challenges in form of various health issues – for example, decreasing efficacy of antibiotics
• Extinction of species
• Population growth
• Cyberattacks
• Illiteracy
• Tensions between developed and less developed countries/regions
• The drugs’ trade
• Migration


The question asks for one challenge to be identified. This challenge should be clearly stated but that does NOT preclude mention of related matters. The list of challenges cited above is not exhaustive and there may be other equally valid examples used in the essay.

‘Noise pollution is a real threat to the quality of life.’ To what extent is this true in your country?

Points for and against noise pollution is a real threat

• Depends on living environment (busy road/noisy neighbours/apartment living/flight paths/night-time noise/dog barking)
• Noise pollution is a real threat as it can cause stress/depression
• Whether the noise is constant or intermittent
• Whether there are any enforceable laws
• Examples from your country
• It could be that air pollution is a greater threat, particularly in large cities (wearing protective masks)
• Some people might think noise enhances ‘quality of life’ (night-club/sporting events)
• Depends on personal tolerance

Scorpion venom may be used to cure cancer in the future. Evaluate the importance of species’ preservation.

Points for/against importance of species’ preservation.

• Their edibility; good for the environment, improve animal welfare, reduces the risk of disease in humans
• Reduces the need to provide animal feed
• Insects produce more protein at a lower cost both to the environment and to our pocket
• To feed cattle we need grain, fertiliser, land, and water
• Insects can be fed with our own waste products
• Importance of species’ preservation can help to reduce greenhouse gases
• Insects do not require an abundance of water
• Improvement in animal welfare – killing insects humanely is easy
• We do not have so much in common with insects as other species – therefore reduced risk of disease – swine flu, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease etc.
• Danger of ingesting pesticides
• Dealing with the disgust factor
• Pollination
• Dealing with the mosquito
• Good for food security
• Antibacterial properties of honey
• The venom of a tarantula is more environmentally effective than conventional insecticides
• Centipede venom as an alternative to morphine

‘Religious education should be a part of the school curriculum.’ Discuss.

Points for/against religious education should be a part of the school curriculum

• Religion should be taught in the home, not at school
• Some countries go by the principle of separation of church and state
• Religious education can lead to segregation and stereotyping
• Not all families are religious
• Time could be spent on other subjects
• Does not always meet the needs of a multicultural society
• Children could be taught in ways that disturb their own legitimate beliefs
• Some parents send their children to “faith schools” in spite of not being religious themselves.
These schools sometimes have the reputation of being well-disciplined and promoting high
achievement
• It can increase divisions in a community and a nation
• Perhaps the teaching of ethics and morals, as an alternative
• The local place of worship can provide education, out of school hours
• Knowledge of different religions can develop a greater understanding of others