VidS, Author at Gp Lah!

There should be no limits to a country’s surveillance of its citizens. Discuss.

Possible points for limits to a country’s surveillance of its citizens

explore the extent to which a country uses surveillance to observe its citizens
evaluate whether there should be limits on a country’s surveillance
make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
how surveillance is used to monitor people without their knowledge or approval
the moral implications of using spyware and other hidden software on devices
how the use of CCTV is ensuring the safety of a country’s citizens whilst removing privacy
the increasing use of fingerprint and facial recognition devices and their benefits and dangers
how companies are using data to profile and target us without our consent
the use of National Identity cards and the likely disenfranchisement of some citizens
the increasing use of listening devices and Smart items in everyday life
how increasing surveillance has helped law enforcement agencies to protect people.

To what extent is it necessary to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads of your country?

Possible points for discussing the necessity to reduce the number of vehicles

assess the number of vehicles on the roads
evaluate the extent to which it is necessary to reduce the number of vehicles
make a judgement, based on considering the evidence and argument put forward.
the need to reduce pollution and noise, especially in cities and towns
the negative impact of reducing the number of vehicles in terms of taxes,
jobs and technological developments
the constant need to replace road surfaces due to the number of cars
the need to create a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists and commuters
the commercial benefits of pedestrianised zones might include access for supplies and people
reducing the number of cars being bought would have a negative economic impact
many jobs in the manufacturing industry are linked to the number of cars bought each year
improvements in urban infrastructure are often due to increased car usage.

Using a telephone is the best way of communicating. To what extent do you agree?

Discover the benefits and drawbacks of using a telephone for communication.

examine the benefits of using the telephone to communicate
evaluate the comparative advantages of other communication methods
make a judgement, based on considering the evidence and argument put forward.
communicating on the telephone or in-person encourages oral skills, fluency, and self-confidence
calls taking place in real-time with instant reaction and response
using text messages when travelling, therefore avoiding disturbing other people with conversation
enhanced phone technology allowing video messages and a range of other effective methods of communication
verbal communication offering less opportunity for being misunderstood
face-to-face contact allowing parties to experience emotional reactions
how shy and introverted people can communicate more readily than they would in live conversation
in-person communication is more personal and effective as humans are social beings.

Is complete self-sufficiency in countries ever possible?

The notion of complete self-sufficiency was often seen as a myth within the modern world as the contemporary developments of globalisation reveal the hyper-connected world we live in today, where countries are succumbed to the interdependent nature of the global economy. It is not surprising to see that countries across the world are increasingly dependent on one another for their resources and this is also regarded as the norm and trait of today’s world. However, issues such as growing demand and potential import disruptions have surfaced recently, with the notable COVID-19 pandemic threatening many global supply chains and affecting the sufficiency and sustainability of resources within nations. This raises the question if countries should be pursuing complete self-sufficiency to minimise the threats from the external environment and to be able to maintain itself without outside aid or intervention. Even though some nations have pursued self-sufficiency to some degree and have adopted incremental progress over the past decade to provide for their own needs, in practice, self-sufficiency is arguably still viewed to be a relative concept along a continuum that is highly dependent on the global climate. This question raises the debate if complete self-sufficiency is even possible given the interdependent nature of our global economy today. Is there any interests or benefits to aim for complete self-dependency in countries? What are the factors that may influence, shape or limit such possibilities?

Governments should be responsible for funding a nation’s performing arts. Discuss.

• explore why a governments should be responsible to fund its nation’s performing arts
• explore the reasons why other sources should fund a nation’s performing arts
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward that governments should be responsible for funding.
• providing well-equipped venues for performances that would otherwise be unavailable
• ensuring that appropriate funds are allocated to different ventures
• funding would enable performances to go on tour to other areas
• such measures being a source of national pride, encouraging the continuance of national culture
• the high cost of some performances might deflect funding from other important areas
• government funding might make attendance within reach of the less
wealthy
• niche performances can still go ahead even if audience numbers are lower
• a prestigious project could attract other investment and visitors to the country.

To what extent are timed examinations a fair means of assessment?

• consider the extent to which timed examinations are fair
• evaluate the effectiveness of other methods of assessment
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
• timed examinations only assess a portion of the taught content of a course
• how time restrictions limit students’ thinking and ability to develop ideas, adding unnecessary pressure
• revising and cramming means material is stored in the short-term memory
• the added value of work-based and continuous assessment showing what people can really do
• there being evidence that the focus and time pressure in examinations often yield a high standard of work
• the examination being a level playing field where everybody is in the same position and therefore it is fair
• the nature of formal examinations minimising the potential for copying or cheating
• examinations often being marked externally which is fairer than internal assessment.

Consider the view that more scientists than artists are needed in the world today.

This essay explores the comparative usefulness of scientists and artists in the modern world. Knowing that the world today depends heavily on the use of technology for survival, it is not surprising that scientists are seen to be more useful. Artists are considered to be inconsequential to the overall survival of societies as their usefulness is often to abstract to be understood by the laypeople.

It is important to compare and contrast between the functions and purposes of scientists versus artists based on the modern world contexts. The comparisons must be based on recognised criteria. Ensure that the comparison is within characteristics of the modern world.

Evaluate the need for censorship in films and television.

• examine who might censor films and television and why
• consider the necessity for censorship on society and its potential impacts
• make a judgement based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
• the prevention of hate speech and subversion before it is aired
• parents limiting access to some television channels to protect their children
• the effectiveness of the ratings system used in films and music
• the exclusion of offensive and explicit scenes which may offend
• how regimes can control what the entertainment that is available to the people
• the avoidance of creating narratives that are untrue as a form of entertainment
• the management of censorship is fallible with many ways of breaching the laws
• any form of censorship being seen as the stifling of creativity and freedom.