gp science and technology essays

2023 General Paper (GP) A-Level Essay Questions and Commentary

Just got the list of questions for this year’s A-Level GP exam from my students!

2023 A-Level Essay Questions (Paper 1)

1. How realistic is it for countries to implement a national minimum wage for all their workers?

2. ‘Fossil fuels should no longer have a part in the production of energy.’ Discuss.

3. Consider the view that spending money on space travel cannot be justified in today’s world.

4. Consider the argument that there should be no censorship of the arts in modern society.

5. ‘People who undertake voluntary work do so more for their own benefit than for the benefit of others.’ Discuss.

6. Assess the extent to which all people in your society have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

7. ‘The quality of human interaction is diminished by modern communication devices.’ How far do you agree?

8. To what extent are festivals and national holidays effective in promoting unity in your society?

9. ‘Regret for past actions is vital for progress.’ What is your view?

10. Evaluate the claim that sports personalities make good role models for young people.

11. Assess the view that accurate translation between languages is always necessary.

12. ‘Young people want to change the world because they do not know it is impossible.’ How far do you agree?

Every year, a substantial number of students fail their A-Level GP exam because they are unprepared for it. Some of these students will make the excuse that the paper was especially difficult or that the questions were especially surprising. I have even heard this excuse from the owner of one large tuition centre chain! Alas, these are all poor excuses. Every GP paper that I’ve seen for the last twenty years have been completely doable with the 2-year curriculum that we follow.

The examination is not the problem. The problem lies with the way students prepare for and approach the examination. From my conversations with private candidates who finally come to me for help with GP the second time around (retaking their A-Level exam), a few common themes have emerged.

(Note: These are the pitfalls that these students fell into before, not after, they come to me for help. They failed the last time because they received poor help or no help at all.)

Misguided question analysis: missing the forest for the trees!

They learnt question analysis techniques that appeared useful but actually harmed them on the day of the examination. In many cases, the techniques they employed encouraged them to take an overly pedantic approach towards examining the questions. Many such students focus excessively on matters like “question type”, on identifying “double-barrelled” questions, and on ensuring that they identify all of the “question requirements”. These are strictures invented by overzealous teachers, a bunch of unqualified undergraduate tutors and overweening tuition centres. They encourage students to apply formulaic approaches that dull the mind and blunt their analysis. Such students end up missing the forest for the trees. From my experience, this is one of the biggest reasons why students do poorly even in spite of substantial effort and a good grasp of the English language. Unfortunately, many such students are lulled into a false sense of security by the good grades they get in school, grades that do not always reflect the reality that Cambridge is more concerned about substance than pedantry.

To be clear, we do cover question analysis techniques as well. The key difference is that the techniques I teach are always rooted in a discussion of the real-world context and designed to actually help students make sense of a question rather than follow a set of arbitrary rules. (Some examples of this below.)

Inflexibility in brainstorming: no good points to write!

A lot of students are simply hopeless at brainstorming, not because they do not know anything, but because they limit their brainstorming to one or two topics per question. Those who do so inevitably find themselves without a sufficient number of points and examples. This is, again, the unfortunate result of a certain pedantry that is characteristic of the Singapore education system and reflected by an obsession with “doing” practice papers (the doing of practice papers has extremely limited pedagogical value since a practice paper is designed to assess, not teach).

Conversely, if students are willing to abandon their preconceived notions about the exam and see the world as I teach it through essential concepts, enduring contentions and interdisciplinary case studies, they will very quickly see that many questions are completely doable, even with just two years of our classes. Quite unfortunately, many students insist on either relying completely on themselves (a recipe for disaster at their age) or on the cram-school style classes they get at various tuition establishments, where the goal is to do as many questions as possible rather than to achieve any kind of meaningful preparation. If this is you, I humbly suggest that you might be better off joining my classes now rather than after you discover that you have to retake your entire A-Level examination because you failed your GP paper.

Trying to spot questions and taking a one-topic approach

Every year, I tell students that I do not and will not spot questions for them. This is not because I am bad at spotting questions nor is it because I am afraid to stand behind the questions that I spot. Rather, it is because the entire premise of spotting questions is flawed. The premise underpinning this entire endeavour is that questions are always about specific topics. For instance, some will say, “this is a politics question” or “this is a technology question”. And when there are no environment questions, as appeared to be the case on the surface for the past few years, they say, “there is no environment question”. But this entire one-topic approach is fundamentally flawed. Cambridge essay questions are never only about one topic and there is often room to discuss topics that one can draw connections to after examining the question more thoroughly, using the approaches that I teach.

This year, there were again many questions seemed to only be about one thing, but that actually touch on many other issues as well. For instance, space travel is not merely about the topic, “Space”, or the topic, “Science and Technology”. It is also about inequality, the environment, ethics, international relations, and even politics! Unfortunately, many students arbitrarily limit their essays because they take the one-topic approach that question spotting is based on. They then lament that “the topics I studied for didn’t come out” and that there were no media or politics questions this year. But that is complete nonsense. These students were simply poorly taught. This is precisely why question spotting is such an odious practice. Put simply, question spotting teaches students to impose arbitrary limits on how they can apply their knowledge. It tells them that other things that they have learnt, on other topics, are not related to the question at hand. The end result is that these students endure a disproportionate amount of suffering for what is really the result of poor guidance.

This temptation to spot questions is so great that every year without fail, students and parents ask me what questions I think will “come out this year”. Alas, the results of even trying are so perverse that I refuse to engage in this odious practice myself. Does this then mean that my students fare worse? By no means! On the contrary, they perform far better because they are trained to try and apply all of the essential concepts, enduring contentions and interdisciplinary case studies that we learn in class to each and every question. And every year, the end result is stunningly positive. Using only what I have taught in class, students are able to answer at least 8 out of 12 questions in any given year. To me, this is what it means to prepare students for an examination. Question spotting is a cop-out, the refuge of laziness and ineptitude. Students must be prepared for all possibilities or they are not prepared at all.

Too much rote memory: memorising points and examples is a recipe for disaster!

Virtually every student who sits for the A-Level GP exam would have done some form of preparation beforehand. Unfortunately, while most students are quite industrious, too many of them focus their efforts on memorising points and examples just as they do for Biology, Physics or Chemistry. Come examination day, they tend to find that a lot of the points and examples they memorised cannot be applied. (They then complain that the paper is difficult. It is not; they are simply ill-prepared.) In other cases, students emerge feeling confident, but it often turns out that they applied their points and examples wrongly. The outcome is what can only be described as a bitter tragedy and an unmitigated disaster. The high number of students having to retake their A-Level examinations because they failed their GP paper is testament to the perils of such stubbornness. All this pain could have been avoided if only students directed their energies towards learning essential concepts, enduring contentions and interdisciplinary case studies.

Memorising points and examples is a recipe for disaster because the GP exam is fundamentally different from the Biology, Physics or Chemistry exam. Cambridge examiners have said time and again that the GP exam is not a test of knowledge. It is a test of a student’s ability to develop arguments systematically, support these arguments with compelling evidence, consider opposing points of view, engage in nuanced analysis and evaluation, write clearly and coherently, and most importantly, persuade and convince.

On top of that, every A-Level examination paper is unique. Every essay question is unique. Cambridge never repeats questions. A student can memorise all of the points and examples for the last 10 years’ worth of questions and he will still fail the examination if he adopts this strategy. Given the heavy emphasis today on genuine understanding, critical thinking and clear communication, it is no surprise that students who only know how to regurgitate points and examples fare poorly.

Instead, what students need to learn is how to develop their own points and draw on their pool of knowledge to craft their own examples. They learn these skills most effectively by exploring concepts, debates over contentious issues, and through interesting case studies. They remember these ideas and learn how to apply them best when they finally accept that the GP examination cannot be defeated through rote memory.

• How realistic is it for countries to implement a national minimum wage for all their workers?

Although we do not believe in spotting topics, we often come quite close to it (unintentionally). In the second last week of our classes, we discussed minimum wage as a policy option. We considered some of the arguments for and against the minimum wage, looked at some of the positions taken on this issue by different prominent figures in Singapore, and discussed the political, economic, and moral dimensions of this contentious issue. We also looked at how Singapore addresses this problem through redistributive policies (such as GST vouchers) and through its progressive wage model.

Apart from that particular class, we have also covered the following applicable concepts over the past two years: meritocracy, political polarisation, inequality, robotic automation and artificial intelligence, ethics and morality, human rights, corruption and fraud, offshoring and outsourcing, reshoring, international trade, immigration, monopsony, gig economy, anti-competitive business practices, corporate social responsibility, labour unions and labour rights.

Over the course of the two years, we also examined the socio-economic context within the following countries: US, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Singapore. We looked at issues like inflation, rising property prices, youth unemployment, meritocratic ideals, income inequality, ageing population, debt crisis, and a looming growing property bubble.

Some might object that some of these concepts and case studies are not relevant to the question. That is simply not true. An argument can be made using each and every one of them. We train our students to draw these connections and provide many examples every week.

Interestingly, a number of students suggested on Reddit that this year’s A-Level paper did not contain any politics questions. It always perplexes me when students make such comments. Whether or not to implement a national minimum wage is a deeply contested political question in virtually every country currently suffering from high levels of inequality. To say that politics is irrelevant is like saying that only the economists get to decide whether or not a country should have a minimum wage. Then again, having been brought up in technocratic Singapore, it is little wonder that students might think that way. Alas, this also means that the education system has failed them.

• ‘Fossil fuels should no longer have a part in the production of energy.’ Discuss.

Again, although we do not spot topics, we covered two case studies (COP26 and nuclear power) that were directly pertinent to this question in the week leading up to the exam. This was, again, purely coincidental. Apart from those two case studies, we covered a number of related concepts and case studies over the past two years.

Relevant concepts and contentions: tragedy of the commons and the problem of securing international cooperation, inequality and the ways in which it is perpetuated even through green policies, democracy and the problem of ensuring that successive governments keep commitments made in previous ones, balance of power issues and the opportunism of emerging great powers like China in support green policies, lobbying and the influence of the energy industry, technological ingenuity and the possibilities it can unleash, individual responsibility for making greener choices, greenwashing by an assortment of businesses (including the oil and gas industry), green activism (or alarmism) and its limits, technological determinism and path dependence, techno-optimism and faith in technological developments, the potentially devastating consequences of climate change, and finally, the concept of the tipping point or the point of no return.

Relevant case studies: COP26, nuclear power, 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, climate geoengineering, Mahsa Amini protests in Iran, China-Taiwan conflict, assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, electric vehicles, Israel-Palestinian conflict

Once again, a number of students avoided this question because they considered it a “Geography” question. At the same time, a number of Geography students chose to attempt this question using their (limited) knowledge of Geography. This is doubly tragic.

First, the question is not merely about how long we have until our fossil fuels run out, about detailing the consequences of climate change, or about explaining how alternative sources of energy work.

This question is also about:

• considering the feasibility of all these different options (there’s a whole debate to be had about whether or not we can actually switch to renewable sources),
• examining the trade-offs (solar power takes up arable land, wind power kills birds and destroys the scenery, nuclear power produces highly dangerous waste and run the risk of melting down),
• looking at why different countries remain dependent on fossil fuels (for reasons that appear foolish now, Germany deepened its commitment to obtaining natural gas for Russia for years until the war with Ukraine broke out),
• considering whether the result would be greater inequality (the poor suffer more when energy prices go up),
• about questions of international cooperation and enforcement (how do you get impoverished countries to give up fossil fuels when they remain the cheapest options, if not through financing provided by other developed countries?),
• and about techno-optimism and hype (the very idea of doing away completely with fossil fuels right now is sheer fantasy).

More can also be said about the role that businesses play in lobbying against efforts to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, about the concept of the tipping point or the point of no return, and finally about

Second, the subject known as “Geography” is not as limited in scope as these students think. Many of what I’ve mentioned is covered by Geography courses in university.

In other words, the non-Geography students who skipped this question because it was a Geography question were just as wrong as the Geography students who did this question because they thought it was only about Geography.

But perhaps the most perplexing remark I’ve heard about this question is this: “if you do not compare past and present in every paragraph, your content score will be capped at 18 marks”. (18 marks for content is around 50%) In other words, if you do not follow some inane made-up rule, you cannot get anything above a D. Notwithstanding the fact that Cambridge has never laid down such rules, the reasoning that leads one to such a conclusion is so flawed I can only pity the student who believes it unquestioningly.

This claim that one must compare past and present is made on the basis of nothing more than the question’s use of the phrase, “no longer”. The seemingly inevitable conclusion then is that one must go beyond merely making arguments for and against the use of fossil fuels in energy production today, one must also argue that fossil fuels used to be the dominant source of energy but should no longer be used today (and one must perform this comparison in every paragraph). Unfortunately, this then turns every paragraph into a convoluted exercise in stating the obvious. Such an essay would almost certainly be a shallow, lacking in substance, and far more likely to result in a failing grade.

Quite unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve seen students engage in pointless pedantry and formalism. It is sad enough when students fail. But to fail because you dutifully applied nonsense; that is simply tragic.

• Consider the view that spending money on space travel cannot be justified in today’s world.

When a student does not study for the exam and does poorly for it, he has only himself to blame. But who does one blame when he studies for a topic, then refuses to do the very question that is related to that topic? This year, a number of students lamented the absence of “Science and Technology” questions (presumably because they studied very hard for this particular topic). This was very puzzling. Is not space travel precisely about science and technology? Or must a question contain the words “science” and “technology” to be considered a “Science and Technology” question? Surely not! In this case, it is clear that excessive pedantry and formalism has blinded poorly trained students from seeing the obvious.

A better approach would be to treat this as an interdisciplinary question involving a discussion of not only science and technology, but also issues of inequality, democracy and climate change.

Relevant concepts and contentions: dual-use nature of technologies, techno-optimism and the belief that advances in technologies will always produce positive results, technological determinism and the belief that technologies follow a predetermined trajectory of their own, tragedy of the commons and the problem of governing access to shared resources, sovereignty, international relations, corporate social responsibility, anticompetitive business practices, lobbying and regulatory capture, income and wealth inequality within and between nations, climate change and escapism, philanthropy and democratic control.

• Consider the argument that there should be no censorship of the arts in modern society.

The term “the arts” can be interpreted broadly to include all three types of arts: visual arts (photography, painting and sculpting), literary arts (prose, drama and poetry), and the performing arts (dance, music and theatre). The term “censorship” is pretty straightforward. In this context, the censorship of the arts is the suppression of artistic self-expression and criticism. The issues raised here are issues that students ought to have discussed when exploring topics like politics and media.

Relevant concepts: freedom of speech, censorship, authoritarianism, democracy, human rights, media, subjectivity in art, racial and religious tolerance, hate speech and the assassin’s veto.

There is no need to make too much of the term “modern society”. The term “modern” is itself deeply contested and this essay is not the place to discuss what counts as modern and what does not. Obviously, examples should not be taken from the medieval period, but this does not mean that examples dating slightly further back, say to 1990s, cannot be used. What matters is that these examples remain relevant today and are relevant to the point being made.

Some students suggested that this is an absolute question and that the only possible position to take here is to disagree. This is complete nonsense. The only reason for saying so is if there are no rational grounds for agreeing with the view that there should be no censorship of the arts. But there are. In fact, to write a balanced essay, one must consider those very views. I sometimes wonder where these students get these ridiculous notions from and who has been teaching them all these absurd rules. The view that there should never be any censorship of the arts is, in fact, a reasonable view with many strong arguments for it. To reject it out of hand is an act of sheer ignorance. It is this ignorance that makes it highly probable that such a student would have missed the opportunity to consider some of these arguments. For instance, one argument for never engaging in censorship is that censorship is far more likely than not to be abused by those in power for their own gain. Since there is no way to ensure that acts of censorship are always only done for the good of all, it is better not to censor the arts at all.

• ‘People who undertake voluntary work do so more for their own benefit than for the benefit of others.’ Discuss.

We discussed this topic in our classes on philanthropy (particularly the philanthropy of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg) and on the question of altruism, kin selection and reciprocity. In one of these classes, we considered the argument that evolution can explain altruistic behaviour. In particular, we looked at the idea of kin selection, the idea that people engage in self-sacrificial behaviour because it benefits one’s kin, allowing one’s genes to survive through relatives. We also examined the notion of reciprocity, which is the simple idea that humans understand that cooperative behaviour enables them to increase their odds of survival as a group.

In our discussion of religion, we also examined how religiosity is strongly correlated with volunteer work, looking at the evidence in the United States and the United Kingdom. We discussed some of the reasons why this might be so, and considered the role that religious beliefs play in motivating people to put others first. We also considered some possible objections to the evidence presented.

Finally, in our discussion of quiet quitting, we considered the question of whether workers should go above and beyond the call of duty or whether it was justifiable to only what they were paid to do.

This question was not very popular, either because students were not exposed to these ideas or because they were unable to draw connections to them. Those that did do this question run the risk of misinterpreting the question. To be clear, the question is not about whether people should be altruistic when they undertake voluntary work. The question is whether they are altruistic. This means that students must engage with the idea of altruism and the arguments associated with it.

What students most certainly should not do is split hairs over the term “voluntary work” and waste time agonising over it. The term “voluntary work” can be taken to refer broadly to any kind of work that people do voluntarily. This includes volunteer work as well as work that they do voluntarily rather than because they are paid to or legally obligated to. There is no need to clearly distinguish volunteer work from voluntary work, and most certainly no need to exclude all forms of volunteer work from the essay simply because the question uses the term “voluntary work”. To do so would be to make yourself a victim of your own mindless pedantry and sophisticated ignorance.

WhatsApp us

• OUR PHILOSOPHY
• WHY ILLUM.E?
• OUR TEACHERS
• JC CUT-OFF POINTS
• SUBJECT BASED BANDING
• GP ESSAY QNS
• BLOG ARTICLES
• FREE RESOURCES
• JUNIOR COLLEGE
• AY2024 CLASS SLOTS
• JC ECONOMICS TUITION
• IP LANGUAGE ARTS ENGLISH TUITION
• Lower Secondary
• Upper Secondary
• Lower Primary
• Middle Primary
• Upper Primary
• SOCIAL STUDIES TUITION
• SECONDARY HISTORY TUITION
• SECONDARY GEOGRAPHY TUITION
• 2024 TERM CALENDAR
• PROMOTION AND HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES
• STUDENT & LESSON PORTAL
• AI LEARNING PORTAL
• JURONG EAST
• MARINE PARADE (PARKWAY CENTRE)
• BUKIT TIMAH
• ASK US ANYTHING

A Level General Paper (GP) Essay Questions

Are you ready to tackle the challenges of A Level General Paper (GP) 1 essay questions? At illum.e, we believe in empowering students to embrace critical thinking and express their ideas confidently. Explore our curated selection of information and tips revolving around GP essays. Unleash your intellectual potential and excel in the A Level GP Paper 1 examination with our support.

The A Level GP Latest Syllabus:

The GP 2024 syllabus focuses on developing critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills in students. It aims to enhance their ability to analyse and evaluate a wide range of topics from various perspectives. 

The scheme of assessment for the GCE Advanced Level H1 General Paper Syllabus includes two papers. Paper 1, which is the essay section, comprises eight questions, which we will dive into detail below. Paper 2 involves analysing three passages (approximately 1200 words) for comprehension, inference, analysis, evaluation, summarisation, and synthesis. Questions cover connections between passages, application of themes, and overall understanding. Both papers carry 50 marks each, with a total duration of 3 hours for both papers. The syllabus includes themes such as Society and Culture, Economics, Politics, The Arts and Humanities, Science and Technology, and The Environment. 

The A Level GP 1 Exam Format:

The A Level GP Paper 1 exam format comprises 8 thought-provoking essay questions that cover a wide range of topics from different disciplines. These questions delve into both local issues of interest and global concerns. Students are required to choose one question out of the 8 and provide a well-crafted essay within a recommended word count of 500 to 800 words. 

The essay is evaluated based on:

Content:  30 marks

Use of English:  20 marks

Total mark:  50. 

Paper 1 carries a weightage of 50% and the duration of the exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

We have meticulously compiled a comprehensive selection of essay questions sourced from past A Level exams and reputable schools' prelims and resources. Moreover, our dedicated team of experienced tutors, who are also accomplished assessment book writers, have developed in-house materials and practices to ensure our students receive top-notch resources and guidance.

For a comprehensive list of 2022 Prelim Questions, please visit  2022 General Paper Questions . Here are a few examples of the stimulating questions you can explore:

• "Increased international cooperation has failed to make the world a better place." Do you agree? - ASRJC
• Is freedom always desirable? - ACJC
• Evaluate the claim that the Arts are essential for a civilised society. - ACJC

Engage in critical thinking and analysis as you delve into these essay questions. Practice and refine your essay writing skills to excel in the A Level GP Paper 1 examination.

Note:  We want to emphasise that we do not claim copyright for questions sourced from other schools or external resources. These exam questions can be found on various blogs and websites, and we acknowledge that there are publishers who produce and print these questions for commercial sale.

Past Year A Level GP Essay Questions

Explore a rich collection of past year A Level GP essay questions to enhance your preparation. Delve into the nuances of different topics and gain valuable insights into the expectations of the examination. Follow the links below to access the specific A Level GP essay questions from various years:

• General Paper A Level Questions 2015
• General Paper A Level Questions 2016
• General Paper A Level Questions 2017
• General Paper A Level Questions 2018
• General Paper A Level Questions 2019
• General Paper A Level Questions 2020
• General Paper A Level Questions 2021
• General Paper A Level Questions 2022

A Level GP Essay Questions By Topic

In the A Level General Paper 1 examination, candidates are presented with a diverse range of topics to express their informed, critical, and creative responses. The suggested topic areas encompass historical, social, cultural, economic, political, philosophical, scientific, mathematical, geographical, literary, linguistic, artistic, and global/local issues. These questions require candidates to draw upon their knowledge from various disciplines, showcasing an awareness of significant issues and their implications for individuals and society. The ability to convey sustained arguments supported by examples is crucial.

At  illum.e , we provide resources and question analysis to help you navigate these topics effectively.

Explore the following links for GP Paper 1 essay questions categorised by topic:

• Science and Technology Questions
• Arts and Culture Questions 2022

Additionally, delve into our question analysis to gain deeper insights into the nuances and approaches to tackling GP Paper 1 questions:

• Science and Technology Question Analysis

Prepare yourself for the broad spectrum of GP essay topics and equip yourself with the knowledge and critical thinking skills required to excel in your A Level GP examination. While you’re at it, check out our guide on  how to study for the General Paper  and our library of  GP notes .

Choose illum.e for GP Tuition and Ace Your Paper 1

Are you looking to excel in your A Level General Paper examination? Look no further than illum.e for comprehensive  GP tuition  that will empower you to confidently tackle Paper 1 and achieve exceptional results. Our experienced tutors are dedicated to helping you develop critical thinking skills, refine your writing abilities, and expand your knowledge across a wide range of topics.

At illum.e, we offer engaging and interactive lessons that stimulate intellectual discourse, providing you with the necessary tools to excel in GP essay writing. Our tutors provide in-depth coverage of GP essay writing techniques and strategies, ensuring you have a solid foundation to tackle the exam with confidence. With our GP tuition programme, JC students will also receive individualised guidance and personalised feedback to enhance their performance.

Choose illum.e as your trusted partner in your GP journey and unlock your full potential. Take the first step towards achieving exceptional results in your A Level GP Paper 1.

Top Science & Technology GP Essays Model Answers

Top General Paper Model Essay Answers – Science & Technology

Science and Technology is one of the widest topics of the Cambridge – UICLES – SEAB GCE A-Level General paper exam for JC students in Singapore. It is also one of the evergreen themes as science & tech are always evolving and progressive. Hence , it is a good idea to prepare for this perennial favourite topic, as it will serve you well in your eventual “A” level examinations.

Under this topic are the subtopics of mobile application, internet, social media, mathematics, nuclear and alternative sources of energy,  computer programming, computing, coding, robotic process automation (RPA), internet of things (IoT), cloud technologies, Agile methodologies, cyber security. Not to forget, it can also cross-examined with other topics to form a broader theme such as social issues, work, sports and leisure, economic, political issues, etc.

Here are a few top GP essay model questions and answers for Science & Tech.

Table of Contents

Q1: Discuss the view that when Man learnt to split the atom, he opened the proverbial Pandora’s Box.

Legend has it that when Pandora’s Box was opened, the evils of the world, such as chaos and destruction, were released upon a relatively peaceful world. The only one. good thing that came out of Pandora’s Box was hope and so the same now goes for the splitting of the atom: a lot of trouble with only a few benefits. This brings to mind the question of why Man tried to split the atom if it meant having more problems in an already troubled world. The answer to the question lies in the fact that man did not consider the consequences of splitting the atom. The rea son behind the splitting of the atom was to produce a potent weapon that would end World War Two, a benefit to mankind then and no long-term consequences were considered when American scientists went about doing the i task.

As mentioned above, the atom was split to produce a potent weapon and when this was achieved, it heralded the start of the development of the first atomic bomb in a project known as the Manhattan Project. After the first atomic bomb was successfully developed, two were subsequently dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, on 6th and 9th of August in 1945 respectively. The World witnessed for the first time the massive destruction. wrought by atomic bombs that flattened both cities, and the horrendous after-effects, such as a high increase in cases of cancer and deformities in babies, that lasted for many generations. As can be seen from the above case, the splitting of the atom brought massive destruction, sufferings and sorrow to mankind.

The irony to the whole situation in which nations have started to build more atomic bombs and developed them further into nuclear weapons after the first atomic bomb was dropped, is that instead of serving as agents of destruction, the atomic and nuclear weapons serve as messengers of peace. Scientists, after viewing the destructiveness of such weapons in testing, postulated that a nu clear war would cause such massive destruction world wide that human civilization might be set back for thou sands of years and might even signal the end of the hu man race. With such gloomy forecasts, nations now use their store of nuclear weapons as a deterrent, rather than machines of war. Hence, nuclear weapons may be seen as a means of maintaining peace and preventing wars.

The knowledge that nuclear weapons are the bane of the human race results in popular unrest in countries with a nuclear arsenal and whenever nuclear testings are carried out in these nations or any other countries, a major outcry can be heard coming from both the people and a whole host of nations. As such, many countries possessing nuclear arsenals have signed a pact denouncing clear testing and declaring their stand to stop all near testing in their own respective countries. However,  France broke the pact when French President Chirac announced the decision to continue nuclear testing at Muroroa Atoll in the Pacific, a decision that led to a major onslaught from the whole world, noticeably, Pacific nations such as Australia and New Zealand. The sub sequent testing led to massive riotings and demonstrations.

As destructive as the splitting of a mere atom may be, it presents an alternative energy source other than petroleum and coal and yields more energy than can be harvested by solar power stations using current technology. Nuclear energy is currently being promoted as it is clean and does not directly pollute the environment and is relatively problem-free. The most important thing is that a whole city can be powered by just a few grammes of raw materials, instead of tons of petroleum or coal.

However, as wonderful as nuclear power may be, there lies the danger of a nuclear meltdown. Experts say chances are very small due to the high level of caution exerted, seen in the precautions taken and the highly advanced technology used in harvesting nuclear energy. Despite all this, such a disaster did take place in the Chernobyl nu clear power station in the former Soviet Union in the 1980s. One of the nuclear reactors suffered a nuclear meltdown and exploded, causing massive destruction in areas of land around the station and sending a massive radioactive dust cloud throughout mainland Europe. more recent report said that a similar disaster was also narrowly avoided on Long Island in America.

Besides the danger of a nuclear meltdown, another problem of nuclear power is the disposal of the radioactive waste. There is no way to completely dispose of the radioactive waste except to bury them in tightly-sealed containers underground and wait for the radioactivity of these materials to disappear, a process that normally takes thousands of years. Two dangers lie in this procedure. One is the threat of leakage and two, terrorists can easily steal the nuclear waste which are then sold away to countries as raw materials for nuclear weapons. The latter problem is currently surfacing as Russian mafia members are reportedly selling nuclear waste stolen from Ukraine to countries developing a nuclear arsenal. Another problem is the indiscriminate disposal of the nuclear waste. This problem was seen recently in a playground in Britain where radioactive materials were allegedly buried under it.

20 Though it may seem that for every benefit brought by the splitting of the atom, there are many problems, there is one area where there are only benefits; the medical field. Radiation is used in radiotherapy used to treat cancer. X rays are also fully utilized by the medical field in diagnosis. As can be seen, this is one area where the splitting of the atom solely benefits man.

All in all, what is done has been done. The atom has been split by Man and there is no going back to what had been before. What can be done now is to ensure that no new problems will arise and the existing ones kept to a minimum. It is heartening to see Man using the problems to their advantage as in the case of nuclear weapons as deterrents, and much more can be done. Indeed, it is no time for Man to cry over spilt milk, as Pandora did after she opened the box, but to try to eradicate the problem caused by Man himself.

Q2: “Computer games have great appeal but little value.” Discuss.

What nonsense! Nothing can be further from the truth. According to a survey in the New Paper in 1995, 70% of teenagers interviewed listed computer games as one of the ten greatest inventions in the world, alongside with the telephone, steam engine, wheel, etc. This does not merely show the popularity and prevalence of computer games, but also show that they are highly valued.

It is impossible to justify how it can ever be that computer games have little value. Some people argue that a person may derive hours of satisfaction from interacting with computer games but does zero productive work. Therefore it is of no value. That line of argument is very questionable. Just how is value measured? If no money is made from doing that, then is that activity of no value? Do we not, following this line of thought, consider music and art to be worthless activities too? Pleasurable hours may be spent listening to music, or composing or playing them, but it will all add up to little productive output. A great many may think that music and art do add up to a lot of value (by looking at the number of famous artists and musicians and the amount they earn). Well, look at computer games then. Its annual sales can out-rival even music.

Drawing an analogy to art again, computer games, like art, does not always offer tangible, seeable results. That does not mean that art is of little value. Computer games. like art, are recreational activities that develop the mind. In fact, computer games are more than an art. It is the fusing of art and technology into a cohesive unit, blending the creativity, abstractness of art with the razor-sharp precision and reality of technology. Therefore, computer games should be termed ‘techno art’. It is no wonder that the world embraces it with open arms.

No one will doubt that creativity and thinking skills are valuable skills. Yet some doubt the ability of computer games in imparting these values. A computer game needs tremendous creativity and wisdom in governing a simulated city, to make the economy boom, to fight the rising crime rate, all the fun without the fuss of being a real governor, who faces stress and criticisms. He can also fight wars with China, Iraq or America as the president of Singapore, while leading troops to colonize Mars and the moon. Doing all this in the comfort of his arm chair, free of pressure, he can fully utilize his creativity. and act out his fantasies. The real world cannot provide. this route of escape. Some men, being unable to accept the roles they were playing, simply imposed their fantasies on all other people, resulting in wars, bloodshed, unrest. The enlightened man who becomes a computer gamer also finds that he can finally sit in the cockpit of an F-16 fighter soaring through the sky. On his way to becoming a good pilot, he will boost his level of eye hand coordination and fast reflexes, all of this found in sports, In fact, critics of these fast and furious fighting games should have a go at it, so that they can realise their inferior skills which cause their characters’ noses to be all bloodied. The skills learned from playing computer games are akin to the precision needed in basketball and the fast reflexes needed in badminton.

Schools use computer increasingly nowadays to teach the students in a fun way. They have mathematic pro grams where the player has to calculate sums to save the princess, programs where touching a click will allow the player to know more about certain things. Now, if these programs are not called computer games, no one knows what to call them.

Not only so, computer games are the connection be tween the advanced technology of computer and the entertaining purposes of audio and video equipment. If the computer is not used for fun, why bother with developing greater graphics (more pixels, resolution, etc.)? There fore, because of computer games, all these similar developments can merge. That accounts for the spurt in audio video-computer technology growth in the past decade. As an industry itself, computer games generated billions of dollars in turn-over, so it has a certain monetary value: too. Just look at the number of people owning some sort of computer games.

A point to note is that too much of anything is never good, not even water. A person who drinks too much water can actually die. A game player who plays too much will become addicted and suffer deterioration in schoolwork, career, or relations with people. It is important to note that the self control of that person, not the game, is at fault.

Computer games. Love it or hate it, but those who know better, play it, and benefit from it. Computer games have value like art and music and should not be thought of as useless junk. At the same time, computer games never set out to dominate lives, but are just a companion (again, much like art and music) in the path of life.

GP teacher’s comments; Fresher examples are: e-sports, using games to simulate army training, tactical battels, military strategy planning, etc.

Q3: “The most perfect language of humans is Mathematics.” Do you agree?

For as long as the human race has existed, we have been communicating with each other using various languages (including sign and body languages). Over millennia, the variety and complexity of our languages have grown extremely vast. With the growth of our knowledge, we have developed, or rather, discovered a totally new language, Mathematics. Is it the most perfect language of all? With our limited understanding of it, I would venture to say that it is only perfect for certain purposes.

To start off, what makes a language a language? It is something spoken, unspoken or written, which is used for communication between two or more individuals. Conventionally, human languages make use of symbols. which represent sounds, which in turn represent objects, ideas and emotions: a most inefficient and antiquated anachronism, as a mathematician would claim. But wait, what about mathematics? It too, makes use of symbols to represent things, anything that conventional languages can represent. The beauty of mathematics lies in the fact that it is not us, fallible humans, that created it. It was there since the beginning of the existence of our universe, when ever that was. It is the language of Nature and the rhythm of the stars. We merely discovered it, and will continue to learn about it for a long, long time to come. Therein lies its limitations as far as our usage of it is concerned, for the scope of our understanding is narrow.

Any thought, idea, word, anything used in communication can be reduced to a series of binary impulses: on, off; off, on and so on. This is the language of the computers we have developed. It is also the language that the individual cells in our brain use to communicate with each other. It is extremely simple, fast and efficient. It is also free from bias and racial and emotional baggage. Some people have said that if we all speak the language of mathematics, then we would be in harmony with the universe and at peace with ourselves. Mathematics is also extremely precise and free from all the silly little idiosyncrasies of the other human language. There is no ‘maybe’ or ‘sometime later’ but ‘a probability of 62%’ and ‘2 minutes and 51.3 seconds in the future. There is a well-known poem entitled ‘English is a funny language”, and how true it is! A person would ‘tic-up’ something, but is ‘tied down’ with commitments. In sending instructions to a satellite, we do not tell it to “move a little to your right…. a bit more…. there, stop!” but “fire directional thrusters on port side for 3 seconds, rotate 60° clockwise.” My point is that mathematics as a language reduces greatly the chance for miscommunication, mis understanding, and foolish errors. When scientists sent the Voyager spacecraft to the stars, they included a plaque inscribed with mathematical formulae which could be de ciphered by aliens, if there are any, telling them who we are, how we live, our genetic makeup and our peaceful intentions. Mathematics is the great common language that everyone can make use of to communicate.

However, we must take a look at ourselves before rushing out to propagate the binary gospel. Our brains function and work in a very different way from computers. Our brains process information simultaneously and in a parallel fashion, and when we think, we muddle along, groping around the edges of what we think we want, our neuron synapses firing furiously, and suddenly, voila! We hit upon an idea. This is what makes us capable of creative thought. Computers, however, pass information through a series of logic gates, filtering out what is not needed, before drawing on databanks to form a conclusion. We are also unable to communicate using numbers verbally. The whole structure of society would be upended if we did so. We are not able to communicate at the speed of our brain cells or computers, and as many ideas, when reduced to a string of numbers, would be extremely long, communication would get even more inefficient. Thus, we are not physically and mentally able to communicate directly in numbers,

We must therefore, use the right combination of phonetic and numerical languages to communicate. Mathematics is only perfect for usage in technological purposes, in our communication with machines.

Q4: S cience has become the pursuit of profit, i nstead of the pursuit of truth. How far do you agree?

Interpretation of the quote: The profit motive often has a corrupting effect. So while science used to be the virtuous pursuit of the truth, science has become overwhelmed by avarice.

(Still) a pursuit of truth -Underlying goal or purpose of science to society and individuals is to produce useful models of reality. E.g. social science allows for predictions for complex interactions like economic turbulence.

-Goal of science is not to answer all questions, but only those that pertain to perceived reality. Thus, science is not a source of value judgments, though it can certainly speak to matters of ethics and public policy by pointing to the likely consequences of actions.

-Nevertheless, certain value judgments are intrinsic to science itself: truth, knowledge, cooperation, honesty

Evolution of Science -A useful tool. A growing body of understanding by which one can contend more effectively with surroundings and to better adapt and evolve as a social whole. -Before Industrial Revolution, science had little bearing on people’s daily lives. Today, science has a profound effect on the way humans interact with and act upon nature, largely through new technology.

Eg household items, automobiles etc. -Such inventions have benefitted mankind. More recent developments have questioned scientists true intentions of profit driven motives. E.g. genetic engineering, cloning, IVF

What drives and steers scientific research? Is science only practised for financial gain? -growing economic value of technology and industrial research, the economy of any modern country depends on its state of science and technology. -most countries dedicate a significant amount of annual budget to scientific and technological research. (E.g. Sputnik) -practice of science has undergone remarkable changes in the past few centuries.

-most research is currently funded by government or corporate bodies.

-these economic factors have given rise to fraudulent research practices. (e.g. S.Korean cloning researcher Hwang Woo-suk) -scientific research carried out with funding for private corporations is mostly profit driven.

-another source is charitable organisations. (e.g. in 2003 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded $70m grant to University of Washington for genetics studies)

Q5: Computers are indispensable in modern life. How far do you agree?

For the past few decades, computers have become increasingly important. Previously, they were gigantic machines which performed limited tasks. Now, their uses are varied. Modern life is increasingly linked to these machines.

The computer plays a very important role in the business world. In financial institutions such as stock ex changes, dealers can hardly do without it. Information from banks and stock markets can be transmitted around the world within a fraction of a second. Dealers and brokers are thus fully aware of the actions of their counter parts in different countries. Information with all the de tails is presented on computer screens and decisions can be made directly. Without such linkages through com trading would stagnate. This would affect capital markets and would have adverse effects on national economies.

In other aspects of business communications, computers are also vital. A multinational company can only be properly managed provided the work done by the different branches around the world does not conflict. Again, it is the speed of computers that helps. This ensures in formation that is communicated from one place to an other is not outdated. Moreover, the huge storage space of computers partly eliminates the need for heavy files. Information that is typed on paper can last as long as the paper. However, information stored in computers is more durable as computers do not deteriorate as fast as plain paper.

Meanwhile, government institutions have improved their efficiency tremendously through the use of computers. Once again, the larger storage space gives computer disks an enormous advantage over paper. In Singapore, the National Libraries and the Housing and Development Board can now retrieve and process information at the press of a button. Queries have been reduced as a result. Without such technological advances, the usual complaints would emerge again. These include the wastage of time in searching for files and a huge amount of paperwork. In modern society, a faster pace of work is essential so as to ensure high productivity.

The use of computers has also abolished the necessity of using workers to do dull and monotonous tasks such as the assembling of manufactured goods, and low level clerical work. This has raised productivity and profits since computer-controlled robots can work at the same pace day and night. However, this is also a major cause of the rising unemployment levels in most developed countries.

Although computers are important, it may not be true to say that modern life cannot function properly without computers. Firstly, for instance, computer games are very popular nowadays but do not always have to be part and parcel of life. More healthy forms of recreations such as sports can replace computer games.

Moreover, although computers can improve communications there are also limitations, as computers lack the human touch. Although people can receive information through bulletin boards merely by sitting in front of a personal computer, each user will not be able to under stand the feelings of the other party since there are no face-to-face meetings. In the business world, meeting people is still very important as views and ideas can be transmitted in a more personal manner. The computer is only used when long distances hamper communications.

Even in entertainment, where computers have created stunning multimedia effects (especially in animated movies), the skills of humanity are still needed. The better quality movies are created not by computers but through the hard work of the directors, actors and technical staff. Meanwhile, in manufacturing, robots and computers are only the tools of people. Research and development in design and product improvement come out of the minds of the individual designers. Moreover, creative products (such as jewellery) can never be manufactured through the use of computers since a unique identity is needed for each product. D

In the field of police work, no one can deny the use fulness of computers in identifying fingerprints. Nevertheless, the work of experienced detectives in trying to understand motives and behaviour is most vital. In court, the essential task of convicting criminals still depends on the mind of a human judge.

In conclusion, it has to be emphasized that computers were invented by humans to perform certain tasks that humans have difficulty in doing. The decision-making and thinking processes can never be replaced by the computer as it cannot formulate its own opinion. Therefore, although the computer has contributed much to the progress of human society, people are still the ones in charge. The computer is a tool of a person and he may be able to do without it.

Comments by general paper tutor: the question can be updated to:

-The internet and computers are indispensable in modern life. Do you agree? -Social media is indispensable in modern life. Do you agree? -Mobile phones and apps are indispensable in modern life. Do you agree?

Other areas of discussion: entertainment, games, movies, multimedia, business Stocks, govt, MOE, HDB, CPF, MOH, etc

Also, information, institutions, communications, collaboration, WFH, HBL, replaced workers. fingerprints..

Q6: ‘As Science progresses, mankind regresses’. Do you agree?

Key Terms: As Science advances, what is said to happen to man instead?

. The statement assumes that the developments / enhancements in science and technology, which have elevated man’s stature and standard of living, are supposed to benefit mankind. Instead what does science do?

Question Type: This is a direct argumentative question. Students are thus to provide opposing viewpoints and relevant counter-arguments. They are also allowed to mostly agree / disagree while specifying the conditions for them to adopt the opposing viewpoint.

Approach: The irony of the quote should be tackled throughout, thus both the developments and concerns should be assessed in the same area of science in each case study. To agree, students should not simply list the disadvantages of science. What thus needs to be proven in each paragraph? What do students need to show should they choose to refute the statement?

Possible areas to consider Genetic Engineering: GM Food Science has progressed: GM food brings hope to the problem of hunger and treatment of people facing malnutrition or in ameliorating diseases.

Man regresses: . Instead of using the technology to improve the conditions of the poorer nations. It has provided trans-national corporations an opportunity to maximise their profits and exploit the poorer nations.

. GM food not only has not solved the problem of hunger, its promise. of a technical fix for the Third World’s lack of food conceals the unjust distribution of land and of economic and political power which underpin world hunger today. Even with the risks it poses to biodiversity, man continues to pursue this technology

Genetic Engineering: Cloning Science has progressed:

Genetic engineering has given man the power to modify and improve the genetic codes of living things, including himself, and to treat genetically inherited diseases.

. Developments in stem cell research and cloning have allowed man to tap on the vast potential of stem cells to treat and cure debilitating diseases, as well as for transplantation technology.

Man regresses: . Embryonic stem cell and cloning technologies have led to the destruction of embryos, violating religious and ethical codes on the sanctity of life

. Despite the unresolved social / moral / religious dilemmas and human safety risks raised by these techniques, man continues to fervently pursue them.

If human cloning is finally legalised and be allowed to assume its full form, the ethical implications are tremendous. This marks the end of the sanctity of life and the beginning of mechanisation and exploitation of human life

Knowledge of people’s personal genetic code has led to discrimination like selective employment or possible rejection by life insurance companies.

Medical Technology Science has progressed: Advancements in medical technology, such as surgical methods and development of new drugs, have vastly improved man’s quality of life and prolonged his life.

Man regresses: Abuse of medical technology, such as ultrasound scans and genetic testing. to benefit limited objectives such as gender selection of children and surrogacy for the cosmetic. aethestic purposes or the sake of convenience.

. Also, use of plastic surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, a trend fast catching on even by teenagers in places like the US, Europe, Korea and Japan

Of the $70 billion is spent each year in researching new drugs, less than 10% is spent on finding solutions for 90% of the world’s health problems. Instead of focusing on the developing life-saving drugs for the Third World, the greatest new drug developments in the last decade has been for problems such as erectile dysfunction.

treatments for male pattern baldness and cholesterol control drug.

Drug development has been skewed towards profit, not need.

Abuse of drugs for recreational purposes (eg. ecstasy, subutex) or for cheating in sports (eg. steroids)

Weapons technology Science has progressed: . Advancements in military technology have provided countries with the capacity to defend themselves and deter potential aggressors.

Man regresses: Advanced weapons used in warfare have made destruction swift

and more extensive. Biological and chemical weapons have been used to cause destruction on a large scale

Nuclear Technology Science has progressed: • In view of fast depleting energy sources and rising carbon emissions, nuclear technology is a promising, cleaner alternative source of energy.

Man regresses: Rogue states, when showing defiance towards international cooperation, can only have one purpose of embarking on nuclear programme – to use such weapons against those perceived as threats

Countries such as Pakistan, North Korea and India have channelled massive amounts of funds to nuclear weapon development. despite lacking funds to solve the more urgent need of its impoverished people

Communications technology Science has progressed:

In today’s globalised world that demands we remain connected and where time is of the essence when doing trade, advancement in communications technology promises instantaneous ways for us to reach intended parties and convey important messages. It has fuelled the fast evolving world economy and quickened man’s way of life.

Man regresses: Such a technology has taken away the human element in interaction, resulting in us putting less value on the need for personal communication . Also resulted in anti-social habits and lifestyles

The modern world has often been described as a cold, hard place lacking in human touch

Internet Science has progressed:

• The Internet is now a pervasive force in our lives. It provides the much needed source of diverse information, making available alternative viewpoints to derive a more balanced world view.

Man regresses: increasing incidence of computer crimes, both by individuals and by organised groups (eg. terrorists) to steal personal information, to spread misinformation and propaganda, or hatred for certain races or beliefs as well as ideas of extremism

It has been used to spread international crimes and vice involving exploitation of children and women in the sex trade Unsavoury content can also be found on the Internet, eroding values in the process.

GP tuition teacher’s remarks: A fairly easy question, as long as you have sufficient examples.

Links to other GP Topics : The Arts | Philosophy | “ Repeated Trends ” |  Leisure, Sports & Work | “ Singapore ” | Global & regional Issues| Economics Issues| Politics | Religion | Mass Media |

GP Samples Essays – Moral Values & Truth

by ASH | Aug 22, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Moral Values & Truth? Are you going to prepare this sub-topic of social issues, philosophy, etc as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP examinations? A good choice, as this...

GP Samples Essays – Longevity & Health

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Longevity & Health? Are you going to prepare this sub-topic of Science & Technology, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP examinations.   We at Ace...

GP Samples Essays – Marriage & Women

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Marriage & Women? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP assessments? Bookmark this page, so that you...

GP Samples Essays – Women & Human Rights

by ASH | Aug 20, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Women & Human Rights? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, as well as Human Rights, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking...

GP Samples Essays – Moral Issues & Abortion

Searching for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Moral Issues & Abortion? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, as well as Human Rights, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for...

GP Samples Essays – Science & Health

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Science & Health? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Science & Technology, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for complete full length...

GP Model Essays – Film & Media

by ASH | Aug 11, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Looking for JC General Paper model essays on film and media? Are you trying to write full length answers for this GP topic, but has difficulties finding good real-life examples to apply for Film and Media? Use our well-written model essay for this GP topic on Film...

GP Samples Essays – Governance

by ASH | Aug 10, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Governance? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Political issues, Government, International Affairs, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for...

GP Model Essays – Sports

by ASH | Aug 10, 2021 | GP Essay

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Sports? Still need help to craft an answer that is at least 36 out of 50 marks? See more of our model Sports essay examples here.   Q1: Why do countries place so much emphasis on sport?...

Subscribe Our Newsletter

Later dont say never Jio

GP Essay Questions on Science 7/100

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

• How far should medical resources be used to extend life expectancy?“Science can never provide a final answer to things; it is only a way of studying them.” Do you agree?
• ‘As science advances, the importance of religion declines.’ To what extent is this an accurate claim?
• Is a world dominated by science a dream or a nightmare for future generations?
• Is a sound knowledge of science and technology essential for a well-educated person in today’s world?
• ‘Science never provides solutions – it only poses more questions.’ Is this a fair comment?
• ‘Science and religion will always conflict.’ Discuss.
• Should medical science always seek to prolong life?
• ‘ Medical science has been so successful that people now expect too much of it.’ Discuss
• The more science advances, the more religion will decline.’ To what extent do you agree?
• ‘Science is unreliable, being based as much on theory as on fact.’ Is this fair comment?
• Should every country have the right to carry out unlimited scientific research?
• To what extent is it acceptable for private companies to be involved in financing scientific research?
• How far should medical resources be used to extend life expectancy?
• ‘How inventions and discoveries are used is not the concern of the scientist.’ Do you agree?
• Examine the implications of cloning for the human race.

Get the Reddit app

Wᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀ/SGExᴀᴍs – the largest community on reddit discussing education and student life in Singapore! SGExams is also more than a subreddit - we're a registered nonprofit that organises initiatives supporting students' academics, career guidance, mental health and holistic development, such as webinars and mentorship programmes. Interested in our programmes? Follow us on Instagram (instagram.com/sgexams) or look out for the pinned posts on the subreddit for updates! © Esᴛᴀʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ MMXVII

4 Simple Proven Steps to START Studying GP ESSAY! [A LEVELS]

Hi friends! I am finally back after a short hiatus. I hope i am still in time to share some tips with you for GP, for your upcoming tests! As usual, the full post is here if you want to read some details and also enjoy my memes :) Today i would like to share some simple steps i personally found really helpful when i was starting out my preparation for GP Essays!

It's now March, regardless of whether you're in J1 or J2, you still have a lot of time to make a difference in your GP journey. Start by aiming to do well for the upcoming common test!

Did you know that GP is one of the subjects with the lowest national percentages of A at around 22-25% while most other subjects are above 30% or even above 40%? That means that in the whole Singapore, only about 1/4 or 1/5 of the cohort would receive an A :(

Does that mean it is an extremely challenging subject? Yes and No. Yes because it is difficult and confusing if you just jump into the subject and hope to do well. No because it is actually intuitive and straightforward the moment you understand how to study for the subject. GP seems very broad, so if you don't have a targeted strategy you may struggle with it quite a bit. The good news is GP is really much easier when you understand what needs to be done and I am here to share that with you :)

Here are 4 simple steps to START studying for GP Essay (Paper 1) even if you're absolutely clueless at the moment:

1. Choose a theme that interests you

There are many themes out there in GP but you have to be strategic about it! Choose from those themes that are more major. By major, i mean that they come out for A Levels nearly every year and sometimes even have 2 questions in a year. The themes i personally find important are: Science & Tech | Arts | Media | Politics | Environment | Social Issues. One other themes you can focus on is "In your society" questions, which means you specialise in all knowledge of Singapore no matter in what aspects (be it our work dynamics, green spaces, food culture, city living, diversity, crime & punishment, tech advancements, politics and foreign policy etc). Check out this article if you need some more information about the various themes!

Pro Tip: Pick something from the major themes!

I stress finding a theme that you LIKE . Legit, there will definitely be at least ONE theme that interest you. Liking that theme is very important because it gives you the motivation to find out more about that theme.

You may be wondering what about other themes like education, sports, crime, fashion, poverty? Well i think of these topics as fringe topics that are not as major as the abovementioned ones simply because they do not come out as often . Some of them like education is also particularly challenging and requires a highly nuanced response. So i would recommend picking from the major themes. You should pick at least two themes to work on , but for starters go with one first and dive deeper into it.

2. Look at what questions there are for that theme

The next thing to do is to look at the potential questions that are being asked for that theme. I always encourage students/peers/friends to look at questions because it gives a very succinct and comprehensive overview of what that topic entails. Imagine if you just dive into Science and Tech, you would probably Google that and read what comes up but that becomes a little inefficient since the scope of the topic is virtually endless. Conversely, looking at questions evinces the key topics and concerns surrounding that theme. Once again, you can check out the article i wrote previously to see what types of questions there are.

Pro Tip: Spot the trends across different questions!

Note that questions can be similar. Don't be overwhelmed by the large number of questions. Instead, seek to spot some trends among the pool of questions to see which ones are similar and relate to the same key concern.

3. Read some essays or articles to build content

Once you have identified the key theme and some key issues of that theme, you can proceed to build your content! It's kinda like playing Pokemon where you have to train your Pokemon and expose them to outside gym battles. Similarly, you have to take time to accumulate your own content pool about this topic. The earlier you start, the more solid your content knowledge will be!

Pro Tip: Get content from reading essays!

Model essays are powerful tools because in one essay, it's packed with so many arguments and examples . Check out some model essays here ! The point here is not for you to memorise these essays, but to learn from them. I really mean this, because if you memorise and regurgitate, it may only work if the exact same question comes out. If the question is different even slightly, you would be failing to answer the question and simply spamming content in your essay. From essays, extract the arguments and examples . After that, you could really spend some time thinking about what you just read , how you feel about it, and how it relates to your own opinion. Actively digesting and evaluating what you read is important to train your critical thinking skills and help develop your personal voice (the X factor that differentiates A-grade essays in the exams).

4. Start writing some paragraphs and get feedback!

After all the reading, you need to try writing and answering the questions!

This is really crucial because you can only improve when you try and you can only truly understand when you apply . From all the questions that you have seen, pick one and it's time to show what you have got! It's like going for gym battles with your Pokemon! If you are defeated, don't lose heart, simply get feedback and work on it.

Feedback is extremely important for improvement because otherwise you will just keep repeating the same mistakes. Practice doesn't make perfect, effective practice makes perfect . You have to make tweaks to your own writing every time you practice. Seek consultations with teachers or tutors. Remember, it is very important to have someone give you comments on your work and writing and also provide concrete steps that outline how you can improve.

Pro Tip: You don't have to write an entire essay to practice! You can simply write just one paragraph and that's good enough for you to try and apply what you have read and learned

If you have read this far, kudos to you to taking a step in improving your GP :) The next step is to try out these 4 simple steps! It will surely take time but the sooner you start the easier it gets. I know of many students who wait till 1-2 months before exams before really revising or going for tuition. Honestly, that is not as effective because as you would have noticed by now, GP is a subject that takes time to improve. So go out there and ace GP essays with these steps!

Stay tuned for Part 2 that will be posted a few weeks from now where we will look at another 4 simple steps for studying Compre (Paper 2)! :) And yes, if you are surprised Compre can be studied for, it can! In the meantime, you can check out some of my previous Reddit posts by clicking on my profile or navigating from the above link!

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue

• The TRT Brand
• General Paper Tuition
• IP English Tuition
• Trial Lesson
• GP Testimonials
• IP English Testimonials
• Parents Testimonial
• IP English Essays

GP Essay (Technology)

‘Technology makes our lives easier but at the same time more complicated.’ Do you agree?

The GP essay illustrated below is a sample version of what students who enrol for our JC General Paper Tuition Programme receive. Our tuition programmes are designed to be easily digestible for students of any calibre, read further to find out more.

INTRODUCTION

Technologies address the basic needs of humans and are the fundamentals which set us apart from animals. Man has evolved to be able to use his intelligence to question and investigate his environment and from what he has learnt, apply his knowledge to create tools that give him an advantage over his environment. While technology has no doubt brought about great convenience to our lives, it is incontrovertible that it has fueled extremist activities, destroyed Mother Nature as well as enabled the development of nuclear weapons.

ANTI-THESIS 1

Technology is the panacea for the proliferation of people’s proclivity to indolence.

ELABORATION:

Science is able to identify problems while technology is able to translate these problems into practical solutions for the betterment of mankind. The power of technology has brought about great convenience and it is evident in the average home.

Roomba is a series of autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners sold by iRobot and named one of the best inventions of 2002 by the Times. Introduced in September 2002, Roomba features a set of sensors that enable it to perform its tasks. Running on rechargeable batteries, Roomba roams your house entirely on its own, swooping up dust bunnies and zipping under beds and couches where mere humans can’t reach. Its sensors keep it from bumping into walls and furniture or falling off staircases. When it finishes a room, Roomba beeps proudly and turns itself off.

EVALUATION OF EXAMPLE 1:

Such ease provided by the advancement of technology has indubitably brought about much comfort to our lives. With a click of a button, the Roomba can easily do the tedious household chores for you. Moreover, with a price tag of under $200, it is affordable and can be easily acquired by households.

Nanyang Technological University in Singapore uses driverless shuttles at its campus. The minibus, which is fully enclosed and air-conditioned, can take up to 15 people, with 11 seated and four standing.

EVALUATION OF EXAMPLE 2:

Densely-populated Singapore hopes driverless technology will help the country manage its land constraints and manpower shortages. “The autonomous vehicles will greatly enhance the accessibility and connectivity of our public transport system, particularly for the elderly, families with young children and the less mobile,” Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said.

All these appliances and tech gadgets that have made life easier for us are all products of science.

ANTI-THESIS 2

In less than two decades, the development of technology like wireless Internet, text messaging and smartphones have wildly transformed the way we communicate with one another.

Efficiency in communication brought about by technology can be seen in a practical sense. Technology has definitely made us better communicators in utilizing the resources available to us to communicate with one another in a faster and more concise manner. Gone are the days where lack of an efficient means of communication had brought about inconvenience to our lives.

Prior to the advent of the use of telegraph and radio in warfare, dispatch riders on horseback and runners were used to convey and deliver orders and battle updates to and from unit commanders and headquarters. This provided a slow and inefficient means of communication, causing units whose lines of communication were compromised to be vulnerable to becoming isolated and defeated, as the means for requesting reinforcements and resupply is lost.

EVALUATION OF EXAMPLE:

Today, emails and text messaging made possible by state-of-the-art technology have become a staple and inexpensive means of long-distance communication where messages are delivered to the intended recipient with just a single click or touch of a button.

Time is no longer a constraint in communication, and people no longer have to worry about being separated by geographical boundaries. Be it disseminating information, broadcasting news, or sharing knowledge, technology has unequivocally made it faster, easier, and smarter.

THESIS 1 (REBUTTAL TO AT 1)

More often than not, technology complicates our lives more than simplifies it. The deleterious consequences on the environment as a result of technological advancement is taking a toll on Mother Earth and inflicting serious damages on our lives.

Allan M. Eddison once famously said that “Modern technology owes ecology an apology”. This is true as the advancements in technology have no doubt brought about the deterioration of the environment, complicating our lives.

Our lives today are made more comfortable and convenient with the advancements in technology in producing electrical appliances like refrigerators, fans, air conditioners etc.

However, the increased consumption of power and electricity has led to the depletion of Earth’s natural resources and brought about pernicious consequences. Global warming, which came to widespread attention after Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, is a crisis borne out of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere; the increased rate of its release being the byproduct of the Industrial Revolution and mankind’s subsequent revolutionary lifestyle with factories being continuously built to satisfy man’s desire.

The melting of ice caps due to global warming has also proved to be a worrying issue especially when scientists recently found out that the world’s thickest East Antarctica Ice sheet which contains enough water to raise global sea levels by over 50m, is at risk of melting due to drastic climate changes. Additionally, the fifth Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) report mentioned that for high emissions IPCC now predicts a global rise by 52-98 cm by the year 2100, which would threaten the survival of coastal cities and entire island nations. But even with aggressive emissions reductions, a rise by 28-61 cm is predicted. Even under this highly optimistic scenario, we might see over half a meter of sea-level rise, with serious impacts on many coastal areas, including coastal erosion and a greatly increased risk of flooding.

The rise in sea levels has already caused some islanders to be displaced from their homes. As many as eight islands in the Pacific Ocean have disappeared entirely due to rising sea levels. The low-lying Micronesia and the Solomon islands have fallen victim to climate change, resulting in islanders facing even more challenges.

THESIS 2   (REBUTTAL TO AT 2)

The argument put forth by detractors sounds specious as they fail to consider the fact that the improved transportation and communication channels are available to extremists as well.

It has heightened the vulnerability of societies by increasing their exposure to threats beyond their own community.

With the availability of air travel, terrorists have been able to target their activities on communities in other countries. This can be seen in the 9/11 attack where Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked and crashed commercial planes into the two World Trade Towers in America in a bid to fight against the West, leading to widespread devastation across the country.

2005 Bali bombings and the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing where terrorists were able to carry out attacks around the globe due to the ease of transportation was made probable by technology.

By harnessing the Internet as a tool for communication, the prominent terrorist group ISIS has been successful in spreading its ideology and setting up branches all over the world, which has staged several bombings worldwide. A terrorist planned a Christmas bombing with his girlfriend after he pledged allegiance on Facebook to an Islamic State commander looking for volunteers to carry out lone-wolf attacks, his trial heard. Munir Hassan Mohammed sent messages to the commander in Iraq or Syria and downloaded terrorist publications online, as the couple plotted to make bombs and toxins together.

EVALUATION OF EXAMPLES:

The advancement of communication technology like the Internet has provided an efficacious platform for terrorists to spread their ideologies, thereby expanding their terrorist network. Furthermore, according to a UN report, the US believes that terrorists are now able to share their intelligence with one another and even learn quick ways to make a bomb through videos on the Internet.

Clearly, the advancement of technology has removed precious limitations and opened the door for new threats to enter various countries, thus forming new hazards to the people in their societies.

Technology as weapons of mass destruction fuels a string of complications on people’s lives.

Albert Einstein once said that “I do not know what World War III will be fought with, but I do know that World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”

Technology is highly susceptible to human manipulation and can be used as a tool for destructive purposes, often creating a host of problems and dangers of a disastrous magnitude.

Nuclear power, once thought to be the solution to the world’s dwindling power, has taken on a much more insidious appearance after its destructive potential was revealed.

In the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s, the world was nearly embroiled in nuclear warfare when America and the Soviet Union came head to head in Cuba. Also, in spite of treaties such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) signed in 1968, we have been powerless to stop depraved dictatorships like megalomaniac dictator Kim Jong Un from holding the threat of nuclear weaponry over the heads of many countries in a bid to protect its own security. Not forgetting the deployment of atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima which led to the loss of colossal lives and utter destruction.

Governments have also been relentlessly building up stockpiles of increasingly lethal weapons in accordance to their own national interests. Unmanned drones rain down death from above in Pakistan, helicopter gunships massacre unarmed civilians in Syria, and chemical weapons such as nerve gas are deployed to quell the multitude of insurrections in separatist Russian states.

Technology has therefore increased the capability of man to wage war, threatening to disrupt the delicate balance of peace in our world today.

For every advancement that humanity collectively make as a species, there always seems to be accompanying regression. Technology was meant to benefit us all, and yet all it has managed to achieve is seemingly making the world a more dangerous place. At the end of the day however, we must remember this – guns do not kill people, people kill people. Technology by itself is neither benign nor malevolent, it is merely a tool. It is how we use it that determines whether or not it helps to increase our safety or ultimately undermines it. The end goal we should all strive towards now therefore should not be technological advancement, but rather technological enlightenment. We as a species simply should focus first on figuring out how best to utilize the current technology at our disposal, maximising its benefits, while minimising its detriments. Getting everyone to slow down might be unheard of in the name of progress, but given the current context, it is the only way to make things right. Whether we ride the waves of technology or drown in it all depends on how we utilize it.

© Copyright The Rationale Thinking Learning Centre Pte Ltd, All Rights Reserved. 

No part of this essay is to be reproduced, used and/ or distributed without prior permission from its author. For more information please contact The Rationale Thinking Learning Centre. 

GENERAL PAPER TUITION

About our general paper and ip english tuition programmes.

The Rationale Thinking Learning Centre currently offers you two unique tuition programmes to choose from –  ‘A’ Level General Paper tuition and the IP English tuition. Find out more about our unique approach to our tuition curriculum here .

The preponderance of students in Singapore struggle with mastering the Language subjects. However, the English language is arguably the most important subject in Singapore as it is our lingua franca. Furthermore, the daily use of Singapore Colloquial English (commonly known as Singlish) is exacerbating this problem further. As a language specialist, we aim to tackle this prevalent issue. A strong foundation in the English language is vital to acing other subjects such as General Paper, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, etc. and ultimately getting coveted placements in Ivy League Universities.

Here at The Rationale Thinking Learning Centre, we specialise in coaching our students in the English Language and General Paper. Our specially curated curriculum aims to break down the complexity and technicalities of mastering the English language and General Paper to give our students the confidence to attain their Distinctions.

The Rationale Thinking Learning Centre prides itself in not just enabling our students to score Distinctions for the ‘A’ Level General Paper and the IP English examinations, but we also firmly believe in moulding the next generation to become Global Thinkers. With our carefully curated in-house notes assembled by our dedicated research team, we train and impart our students with the skills and knowledge that are not taught in school. Not forgetting to build up a good character to prepare them for their future careers in the world’s leading industries. For a start, we offer all prospective students of The Rationale Thinking one trial lesson*. More details about our trial lesson can be found here .

Our General Paper and IP English tuition classes are conducted in a well-controlled group. Unlike Science and Mathematics, the IP English language and General Paper requires more than just rote learning of formulas. It is through the cross-fertilisation of ideas while studying for the language subjects that our students are exposed to various ideas, opinions and perspectives – the perfect environment that stimulates critical thinking. This will ultimately aid them in crafting a coherent essay during their examinations. While we aim to provide a broader view of the language subjects, we also refine the curriculum to suit our students’ needs, rectifying their weaker aspects and cementing their foundation before building upon it.

Mr Edwin Wong personally coaches his students for both General Paper and IP English tuition programmes. He is a well sought-after English language specialist, revolutionary thinker and transformational teacher. He has helped numerous students achieve Distinctions in their IP English examinations and their ‘A’ Level General Paper and many of them have gone on to secure placements in competitive academic courses in local universities or obtained Public Service Commission (Overseas Scholarship) with Ivy-League Universities.

Thank you for your interest in our tuition programmes. Yes! We offer all prospective students of The Rationale Thinking Learning Centre one trial lesson* of either General Paper or IP English tuition programme. The trial lesson is chargeable upon official registration for regular classes. Otherwise, your trial lesson will be complimentary. More information and details can be found here .

• 简体中文 ( Chinese (Simplified) )

GP Resources

Paper 1 (essay).

• We will be uploading sample GP essays that cover a range of popular GP topics and address essay questions taken from past exam papers. More than just Content, we hope you pick up Language Skills and Essay Organization Skills through these essays. If you’d like to have more in-depth analyses of the essays and improve your Essay Writing for Paper 1, do sign up for our GP tuition lessons  here  or whatsapp us at 98-333-156!

Paper 2 (Comprehension)

• Here, we will be uploading Comprehension Passages & Questions taken from past exam papers. Even better, we provide you with the Answers too! And you’d like to have more in-depth analyses of the answers and improve your Comprehension Skills for Paper 1, do sign up for our GP tuition lessons  here

‘PAST YEARS’ A-LEVEL EXAMS’

• In this section, we will upload sample Essays & Comprehension Passages & Answers from past year’s A-Level GP exam papers. If you’d like to improve your GP grade for your exams, do sign up for our GP tuition lessons  here or whatsapp us at 98-333-156!

Consider the effectiveness of Science and technology in resolving world problems today.

As the world is rapidly evolving, Science and technology have been increasingly lauded as the most effective panacea to our daily problems, ranging from the most minute of problems such as a minor cold, to more global issues such as famine. While some may swear to the notion that Science and technology is foolproof in solving global problems due to its past successes, I beg to differ. Science has shown itself to be unreliable, as not only is it unable to solve certain pressing global issues, it also brings a host of other issues along with it.

Proponents of the claim that scientific and technological developments are solutions to global problems argue that the reliability of such developments make it successful as a panacea to global issues. Due to the fact that there are many scientists involved in a single scientific inquiry, the experimental data obtained is likely to be reliable due to the large network of scientists available to cross-check the findings and data gathered. The reliability and thus, success of science in solving global problems can be seen through the myriad of drugs developed to cure daily ailments such as a simply cough or cold. The success of science can also be seen by how diseases such as smallpox, which used to be a highly feared, deadly disease, has now been fully eliminated in the human race through successful scientific developments like vaccinations. Because of its reliability and previous successes, science is lauded as an effective solution to our problems.

However, critics may argue that science and technology is not effective as a solution to our global problems as it carries a host of other problems with it, which offsets the aforementioned successes it brought about. As George Bernard Shaw once aptly quipped, “Science does not solve a problem without creating ten more.” Science rarely solves a problem without leaving a trail of blatant dishonesty and shattered morals behind. The problem of a lack of efficient and renewable electrical sources birthed the discovery of nuclear power, using Albert Einstein’s Physics equation. However, nuclear power took on a more insidious nature after the Manhattan project where the first atomic bomb was formulated to stop world war in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing millions of innocent civilians in the process. Upon witnessing the damage wreaked, the pilots of the Enola Gay said, “My God, what have we done?” a sentiment that many will say characterises the use of scientific discovery today. The effects of the use of the atomic bomb was so devastating that even Albert Einstein declared himself an ardent anti-nuclear activist and said that he would have never formulated his equation had he known the use it would be put to. Another example of the use of technology is genetically modified crops, initially designed to solve the problem of famines in developing countries. However, it led to increased resistance amongst pests and even upset the ecosystem, failing to resolve the issue of famine. Hence, science is limited in its ability to provide solutions to global problems as it often leads to the creation of a host of other problems, often worsening the initial situation.

Science is also limited in its ability to solve global problems due to ethical issues, often owing to the selfish, greedy nature of humans. Scientists are ultimately still human, and are motivated by goals such as profit maximisation, sometimes even at all costs. Scientists attempt to solve global hunger issues in developing countries through the invention of genetically modified crops, such as golden rice, eventually backfired due to humans’ inherent greediness and self-centred nature. To satisfy aims of profit maximisation, many companies modified crops such that they were infertile and attached patent rights to them, hence causing poor farmers to have to purchase a new bath of seeds at the end of each season at exorbitant prices. This, coupled with companies promises to farmers of huge profit making opportunities left many farmers in huge debt as they forked over inordinate sums for the genetically modified produce but never reaped the expected profit. In desperation, some of them committed suicide, leading to an increase in farmer suicides in countries like India. Furthermore, in the pursuit of the fame and fortune associated with discovering the next blockbuster drug, many unethical scientists modify their research findings to suit their hypotheses. Korean Scientist Hwang Woo Suk was granted several millions of dollars in order to conduct his supposed stem cell research, only to realise that his results were based on fabricated experiments. As Albert Einstein once aptly quipped, “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” Technology is limited in solving problems due to unethical practices by humans to satiate their hunger for fame and monetary gain often causing initially effective solutions to backfire.

The transient nature of scientific developments, coupled with our rapidly evolving world has quickly rendered many scientific discoveries outdated, posing limitations in solving many global problems. For example, the discovery of penicillin birthed a race between fast-evolving bacteria and creation of newer, stronger antibiotics by scientists. As bacteria are constantly evolving through natural selection and ‘survival of the fittest’, there has been an increasing need for stronger antibiotics to combat resistant bacteria. Any slow-down in the discovery of antibiotics could lead to disastrous outcomes as this could mean that there are no drugs available to cure a certain disease — rendering the disease incurable. Singapore has seen several cases of blindness in patients due to the inabilility of antibiotics to fight against resistant bacteria, as the bacteria have evolved to become so resistant that no antibiotics available are able to cure the disease, resulting in worsening infections of the eye. Thus, due to the transient nature of scientific discovery that quickly renders ‘older discoveries’ outdated and ineffective, it is limited in its ability to solve global problems, as it is only a matter of time before evolution overtakes scientific discovery.

In conclusion, Science and technology are limited in its ability to solve global problems. More often than not, it creates a new set of problems, rather than solving old ones. It is imperative that society stops putting so much faith in scientific discovery and start to become more wary of the detrimental effects it can bring. Though scientific discovery is unlikely to result in a utopian fantasy, we have to ensure that it does not head in the direction of becoming a Faustian nightmare.