Types of Application Questions
Cambrid
ge 2007
In the final sentence, the author writes that 'by giving up all claims to individual freedom, we will
discover the best way to achieve it.'
JJC Prelim 08
HCI 07
Cambridge
2003
Cambridge
2005
In this article, Chan Wai Leong gives an account of what he calls the 'gender revolution'.
Cambridg
e 2006
Cambrid
ge 2009
a) Questions that require evaluation of authors' views:
1. How far do you agree with the author’s views on work and leisure? 2.Illustrate your answer/own
views by referring to the ways in which you and your society regard work and leisure.
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree with his views? 2. Support your answer with examples
drawn from your society's experience of the 'gender revolution'.
1. How far do you agree with his view? 2. How free do you want to be?
Having reviewed the apparent inevitability and compensating benefits of aggression in the past,
Arthur Woolgar suggests some reasons why aggression may play a much reduced role in the
future.
1. How convincing do you find these reasons, and 2. do you consider the gains would outweigh the
losses if aggression ceased to be a central feature of human behaviour?
2 passages on Animal Rights
1. With which of the author are you most in sympathy with? Explain the reasons for your choice. 2.
How relevant are the views raised by both authors to Singapore society?
The writer contends that it is the duty of governments of all developed nations to extensively
subsidise “complex culture”.
1. To what extent do you agree with her arguments?
2. Discuss the relevance of the issues and ideas raised in this passage to your own country.
In Passage A, Trevor Turner describes the manifestations of narcissism in society and discusses
the possible reasons for it. In Passage B, Lakshmi Chaudhry examines how new media has
fostered narcissism in people's lives.
1. Which author do you find more convincing? 2. To what extent are these views relevant to you
and your generation? Justify your views using material from the passages as well as your own
experiences and observations.
IJC 07
ACJC 07
Cambrid
ge 2008
b) "Relevance" Questions: Link to your observations of the context (e.g. your society/modern
society/you and your generation). Is it existent? Prevalent? Consider the underlying attitudes of the
people towards such issue, does it matter to them? Significance?
Anna Banatvala thinks an understanding of history is essential, whereas Lee Min Yen thinks
history has no value.
1. How important is an understanding of history for you and your society, and 2. how far has your
view been challenged or confirmed by these two passages?
The writer of Passage 1 discusses the problems that have arisen as a result of affluence, while the
writers of Passage 2 suggest solutions to these problems.
1. To what extent is the world today plagued or afflicted by affluenza? 2. How far are people in your
generation willing to re-examine their priorities and values to combat affluenza?
Layard analyses the relationship between happiness and materialism while Schumaker discusses
the elusive nature of happiness in a modern consumer society.
1. How far do you agree with the various notions of happiness expressed in the two passages? 2.
Does your society consider itself a happy one?
Compiled by Mrs Amy Kah-Toh
1
YJC 07
TJC 07
JJC CT
08
Sale contends that a smaller community is healthier while Fairle finds such communities
suffocating.
1. Which view, in your opinion is more relevant to modern society? 2.What are your
recommendations for your country, and why?
The writers of both passages raise social, economic, political and moral issues which relate to
freedom of expression.
1. Identify and discuss at least one issue from each passage and explain why these issues would
be of particular concern to your own society.
2. How far do you agree with the opinions of both writers in relation to the issues you have chosen
to discuss?
Both Salecl and Gerzon claim that we live in the age of anxiety.
1. In your view, how real is the problem of anxiety today?
YJC 07
MJC 07
c) "Suggestions" Questions: Ensure suggestions are logical and feasible; do not repeat suggestions
made by authors
The Economist argues that the pursuit of meritocracy can both be “a source of unhappiness” and
“a cause for celebration.”
1. To what extent do you agree with this view? 2. What are some measures a government can
implement to alleviate “unhappiness” arising from the practice of meritocracy?
Sale contends that a smaller community is healthier while Fairle finds such communities
suffocating.
1. Which view, in your opinion is more relevant to modern society? 2. What are your
recommendations for your country, and why?
Cambridge
2004
Cambridge
2002
NYJC 07
SRJC
07
d) ***There are many other types of AQ, the most important thing is to understand the question
requirements and ensure that you answer them accordingly!!! It’s not always about agreeing or
disagreeing with the authors!!!
Malik supports genetic research whereas Fukuyama emphasises its dangers.
1. With which author are you in greater sympathy? 2. How much would you want to ‘play God’?
Both writers discuss how harmony can be achieved in societies with diverse cultures. Amartya Sen
believes that we need to recognize the plurality of our identities. Mark Easton argues that there
must be a balance between respecting differences and drawing strong links between the different
groups.
Using material from both passages, 1. identify two problems raised by the writers and discuss how
far you agree with them. 2. Assess the effectiveness of how your society deals with any one of the
problems identified.
The attempt to discourage Singlish raises two issues: 1. How far such an attempt is practical and
likely to be successful, and 2. to what extent it is to be welcomed.
Give your views on these two issues, illustrating your arguments by referring to both what you have
read in the article and your own experience.
Victoria Sherborne argues strongly in favour of choice, whereas Tim Parks has grave reservations
about the benefits it is supposed to bring.
1. Do you regard the increased degree of choice available to you and your generation as broadly
beneficial or harmful?
Compiled by Mrs Amy Kah-Toh
2
Compiled by Mrs Amy Kah-Toh
3