TMJC GP Bulletin Aug 2019 (JC1)

1 General Paper Bulletin 2019 (JC 1) Welcome to the first issue of TMJC’s GP Bulletin for 2019! In this edition, we bring you a selection of the essays written by your schoolmates during the recent JC 1 Mid-Year Examination. A big thank you to all the students who have contributed their essays. While these essays are not perfect or model essays, there is a lot of merit in them, and they are clear evidence that even under exam conditions, good quality writing is still possible! While reading these essays, you may find some of the examples and points useful for application to other questions; do be judicious in using such information in a manner that is relevant to the question you are answering. Lastly, you should not attempt to copy and hand them in as your own! All the best for the Year-End Examination! Editorial Team ___________________ Ms Sukhvinder Kaur Mrs Annie Clayton Mr Teddy Tan Mr Max Cheong Contents Q1: Consider the claim that the arts are of little practical use. ………………………………………………………….. 2 Q2: ‘Young people in today’s world are increasingly in danger of addictions.’ Do you agree? …………..… 5 Q5: Assess the view that technology is advancing too fast. …………...………………………………………………… 9 Q6: How well are the needs of the elderly met in your society? ………………………………….…................... 11 Q12: Consider the value of imagination. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

2 Q1 Consider the claim that the arts are of little practical use. (TMJC JC1 MYE 2019) The arts refer to the expression of human creativity and imagination, usually displayed in the form of literature, theatre, and film, among many others. Even though some may not be aware, the arts are part of our everyday lives, providing an immersive expe rience for many and the extensive impact on the people is undeniable. I espouse the view that the arts champion social causes, act as a platform that allows one to actively ponder over issues and instil a sense of belonging in the people. Detractors of the arts may opine that it is only understood by the culturati who can appreciate it. The rest, on the other hand, view the arts to be too abstract for appreciation and lack the means to comprehend it. It is undeniable that the arts may not be gaining as mu ch recognition as before, with a mere 16 to 17 percent of students taking the GCE O-Level Literature in English Examination since 2006, a drastic drop from the 47.9 percent in 1992. In highly competitive societies like the United States and Singapore, many see the arts as an unrealistic prospect to venture into or to make a living. They are in favour of more worthy and prestigious pursuits like Medicine. However, is it true that the arts are absolutely of no practical use? I beg to differ that the world would be better off or even the same without the existence of the arts. The arts can act as a medium to champion social cau