The most important role of a parent is to teach their child moral
values. Discuss.

Possible Points to discuss the role of a parent to teach their child moral values

  • consider the various roles of a parent in their child’s development
  • discuss the extent to which teaching moral values is the most important role
  • make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward about the most important role of a parent.
  • what is meant by ‘moral values’ depending on cultural, social and individual outlooks
  • the importance of acquiring moral values for interaction with others preparing for later life
  • children learning values from parents by example, teaching, reward and punishment, and exposure to real or fictional role models
  • socialisation occurs in many contexts, not just within the family circle
  • important parental roles include providing safety and security in various contexts
  • parents supporting their child emotionally and intellectually to fulfil their potential
  • parents having to care for themselves not just their children
  • different family models may be considered, as may different stages of a child’s development.

News media must always tell the truth. To what extent do you agree?

Possible points for discussing news media must always tell the truth

  • show an understanding of the concept of truth in what we read, hear and see
  • discuss circumstances where the media might be justified in not telling the whole truth
  • make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward about news media must always tell the truth.
  • versions of the truth may depend upon the political and social attitudes of those involved in the media
  • sensationalism and rumour-mongering being the economic mainstay of many media outlets
  • untruthful/partial news should be condemned as likely to limit people’s access to facts and their understanding of issues
  • accurate news being important in keeping people safe and informed
  • facts and figures reported can be checked objectively using other sources
  • opinion and analysis being subjective appeal to people of different persuasions
  • popular morale may be upheld if the whole truth is not revealed by governments under certain circumstances
  • it being, to a degree, up to consumers of news to develop a critical approach to sources and fact-checking.

Assess the extent to which music can influence a person’s life.

Possible Points to discuss the extent to which music can influence a person’s life

  • explore the relative appeal of alternatives to music
  • make a judgement, based on a consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • music being a universal language, to be shared with others, bringing people together
  • music can influence by affecting a person`s mood, whether they are happy or sad and can be a consolation
  • music sparking the imagination and creating a world of its own
  • music being used in times of celebration and sorrow, conveying feelings that may be hard to articulate
  • music having a spiritual dimension; many religions use music to draw people together
  • music being less influential in people’s lives compared to other influences
  • music just being a background noise to other activities, such as homework or dining in a restaurant
  • music being disturbing, offensive and encouraging inappropriate behaviours and attitudes.

Illustrations and pictures are as important as the written word in communicating ideas. Discuss.

Points to discuss for the importance of illustrations and pictures in comparison to the written word

  • consider how illustrations can communicate ideas and concepts as much as the written word can
  • explore areas where illustrations/pictures are more or less effective than the written word
  • make a judgement, based on a consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • the evident pleasure children take in the illustrations in so-called ‘picture books’
  • the damage that might be done by encouraging children at an early stage to be wary of illustration
  • the richness of language used in interpreting illustrations and pictures
  • how difficult or painful ideas can be expressed in illustration
  • how the illustrations that accompany poems, stories and plays increase enjoyment and appreciation
  • interpretation of paintings demands an eye for detail and mood
  • how body language needs to be read visually and is often subject to misinterpretation
  • graphic novels, and comics, rely on the visual as well as the written to convey ideas and subject matter.

Evaluate the importance of ‘the hero/heroine’ to readers of fiction books.

Points of discussion for the importance of the hero/heroine to readers of fiction

  • consider the importance of ‘the hero’ to readers of fiction books
  • show an understanding of other appealing elements of fiction books to their readers
  • make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • ‘the hero’ having ideal qualities which the fiction reader can admire and attempt to emulate
  • ‘the hero’ being engaging and likeable, so the reader is carried along with the story, caring about the outcome
  • heroic actions or characters may be lacking in the reader’s daily life, so fiction fills the gap
  • heroes of children’s literature, in particular, teaching universal moral lessons and acting as role models
  • ‘the hero’, for example in tragedy, may have a ‘fatal flaw’ and thus be fascinating, realistic and relatable
  • villains or anti-heroes being more appealing, interesting and engaging, depending on the genre or setting
  • heroes not always being fully believable, with idealised behaviour, thoughts and actions
  • other elements of fictional books may appeal to readers more.

Evaluate the effectiveness of public transport provision in your country.

Points of discussion for the effectiveness of public transport provision

  • review the current effectiveness of public transport system in their own country
  • consider the environmental and accessibility concerns involved
  • make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • the possible differences between public and private ownership of any transport systems in their own country
  • the necessity to tackle the environmental issues caused by pollution due to ineffective transport systems
  • those antiquated infrastructures are not fit for today’s travel needs
  • the use of greener alternatives to the current transport systems and their issues of cost and availability
  • safety concerns for passengers and pedestrians whilst using public transport
  • the efficient movement of people being necessary for economic purposes
  • the investment in new routes and networks to reach more remote areas
  • the reliability and availability of the transport service to different regions.

Examine the extent to which information and communications technology is having a negative impact on your country.

Points to discuss negative impact of information and communications technology

  • assess the productive uses of information and communications technology (ICT) within a society
  • evaluate scenarios where the use of ICT may not be positive
  • make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • how ICT is having a positive effect in developing systems, procedures and methods
  • the benefits of ICT in the enforcement of the law
  • the use of ICT as a form of communication enabling remote meetings
  • the use of ICT within medicine and science as a tool for treatment, research, and the evaluation of data
  • how the overuse of ICT can cause a sense of being monitored and curb freedoms
  • the unreliability of some systems and platforms where data is lost
  • ICT being used to improve business efficiency and responsiveness to the market
  • the lack of the personal touch that ICT can bring.

Assess whether a one-party system is an effective form of government

Possible points for discussing whether the one-party system is effective

  • show understanding of a one-party system and its working
  • consider the advantages and disadvantages of the one-party system
  • make a judgment based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • the one-party system is an effective and stable administration enabling long-term plans to be made without disruption
  • continual economic progress where there is no tension between rival parties
  • all power being concentrated in the hands of one leader
  • there being unity and discipline in a country without opposing factions
  • disallowing any form of free expression or opposition to the views of the state
  • fears of a dictatorship and the end of democracy and debate
  • social freedoms being crushed stifling individuality and personality
  • the reality that opponents of this system are not tolerated.

Studying local history is as important as world history. Discuss.

Possible points for discussing the importance of studying local history

  • discuss the concept of the history of people, places and events at a local level
  • consider the importance of studying local history compared with national or world history
  • make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
  • local history writing, records and archives having immediate interest and relevance
  • local history recording people’s lives and experiences that relate to world events
  • the celebration of culture, society and language of smaller groups
  • local history being an immense source of pride and a useful local resource
  • local history enabling the young and future generations to understand their forebears
  • the writings of highly enthusiastic amateurs, with a direct connection to the area and subject matter
  • problems arising around interpretation and emphasis at a local level
  • local history being seen as unimportant in the context of international events.

Countries with poor human rights records should not be allowed to host international sporting events. Discuss.

Possible points for allowing countries with poor human rights records to host sporting events.

  • consider why certain countries are deemed to violate human rights
  • evaluate the importance of hosting international sporting events in a range of countries
  • make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward about allowing countries with poor human rights records to host sporting events.
  • hosting these events being profitable and creating employment for all kinds of people
  • the possible endorsement of morally questionable actions by nations and governing bodies
  • those countries which feel their status is reflected in sporting achievement
  • events being unjustifiable when citizens lack rights or live in extreme poverty
  • there being a strong case for excluding countries which tolerate forms of cheating
  • those countries which make positive changes in order to be internationally acceptable
  • contact with sportspeople and spectators having a positive impact on the home population
  • human rights being a contestable issue for a variety of social and cultural reasons.