Category: Outlines

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?

How relevant are the performing arts in education today?

Points for whether performing arts in education are relevant

• Could be seen as expendable when cuts have to be made
• Might have a natural appeal to young children
• Could be argued that other subjects are more important
• Short-sighted view of the Arts particularly in a post-industrial age
• Various career possibilities can be linked to education in the
performing arts
• Confidence in so-called core subjects can be increased through the arts
• The need to maintain cultural traditions
• Therapeutic aspects of a performing arts education
• Encouragement of teamwork
• Some feel that they do not have a natural disposition for performing
arts

To what extent is sport in your country considered as part of its heritage?

Is sport in your country considered as part of its heritage

• Any sport could be mentioned but it must relate to your country
• Relate to competitions, leisure facilities, popularity and media coverage
• Define heritage (tradition, its history/origin, could be football but could
be played for a traditional trophy)
• How unique is the sport?
• There could be no sporting heritage or a lack of interest in sport
• How integrated is it into a country’s culture?
• Perhaps sport is part of a global heritage (world cup) copied by other
countries

How valuable is photography is exposing reality and promoting change?

Whether photography is exposing reality and promoting change

• War photography, for example, Capa, McCullin
• Images of poverty
• Animal survival
• A photograph can say more than words
• However the photograph can lie or distort
• Intrusiveness, for example, the paparazzi
• Historical record
• Vanishing cultures
• Threatened environments
• People can become inured to the images – could be counter-productive

Discuss the view that there are times and places in which music should never be played.

view that there are times and places in which music should never be played.

• Personal devices
• Music should never be played in inappropriate contexts
• Some people may find music, or certain music, appropriate in certain
situations whereas others do not
• Time and disturbance
• While eating
• The view may be challenged
• Enforcement
• Sacred places
• Music can be essential
• Musical genres may be discussed, compared, contrasted

To what extent does participation in sport promote character development?

Does participation in sport promote character development?

• Calls for leadership
• Calls for teamwork
• Requires stamina and endurance
• Participation may be as a supporter
• Can take on aggressive characteristics
• Other activities can also be character building
• Sport has a community function
• Can give hope to youth
• Give confidence to the disabled