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 causes and mobilise support for societal change. People are gradually relying on the arts to raise public awareness on pressing issues. National Geographic explorer, Asher Jay, started an artistic campaign, ‘Message in a Bottle’, to spread awareness and urge people to act on the problem of increasing plastic pollution in the sea. It is an effective way to get the issue across to the public when compared with the mundane broadcasting ways. Another example is the film ‘Out In The Cold’ that features the homeless on the streets, presenting them from a different perspective that allows the masses to be more aware of this common yet unspoken group of people. The public is more informed about such issues through the arts and will be more inclined to societal change. The arts reinforce one’s sense of belonging to one’s homeland in today’s globalised world. In a pluralistic country like Singapore, where there is an increase in migrant population, Singaporeans may fear a dilution of culture. The arts allow locals to enrich their cultures while retaining their national identities. For instance, ‘Grandmother Tongue’ is a heartbreaking play that explore s our dialects that are gradually losing their relevance. It allows the audience, especially the older generation, to be immersed in a play which highlights how our identity is bound with the language. Local director Jack Neo, produced the series ‘Ah Boys to Men’, which feature the mandatory National Service that all our Singaporean sons go through, providing a sense of familiarity where audiences can relate to the scenes featured in the film. People feel connected through such platforms as they share a common identity with the rest. Hence, the arts are of practical use to instil a stronger sense of belonging in the people. Given the heavy censorship deployed by the government, the arts allow people to discuss and spread sensitive subjects that are not wid ely discussed. Especially in a conservative country where issues that are condemned and deemed inappropriate are heavily censored, it is necessary to have an outlet that allows people to channel their feelings. Local writer Cyril Wong, who is known for his expressive works, helps people in the LGBT community explore their sexual identity. Literature allows one to ponder over thought-provoking issues and allows one to express oneself freely. ‘Theatre for the Oppressed’ features people who are excluded from society and discusses taboo topics like racism and

3 LGBT issues. ‘The Noose’, a show that gained popularity in 2007, was applauded for discussing society’s happenings in a lighthearted and entertaining manner through the exaggerated accents and acting. Hence, I believe that the arts allow people to truly express themselves and even allow others to relate to the message that is being carried across by the artists, making it highly effective. Some critics may argue that the arts have no pragmatic benefits in countries where pressing issues should take precedence. This is especially so in developing countries like Vietnam and Cambodia where people are more focused on bread and butter issues, the arts should be their least concern. However, I stand by the belief that the arts provide psychological support for the people. In Nigeria, people who have been traumatized by the violence wrought by Boko Haram, a terrorist group operating in that country, undergo art therapy which has proven to provide comfort for them. Another example would be the elderly who may be neglected. Some may argue that the government should be placing priority on their needs especially for some who are living alone. However, the ‘Theatre for Seniors’ programme allows them to express their lone liness and fears, and enables them to interact with people in a similar predicament. Therefore, while there is no doubt that countries should be prioritising issues such as poverty and diseases, the arts should not be completely neglected as they do provide a certain level of psychological comfort. All in all, I espouse the view that the arts are of practical use as they enable creative thinking and act as a medium to champion social causes while spreading important messages to the public. The arts allow an economy to progress and foster a stronger sense of belonging to the country. Although there may be issues that a country should place greater emphasis on, it is unfair to deem the arts as having little practical use. Anthea Ang 19A302 Remarks: An essay that covers a wide range of ideas, issues. Well-illustrated, though there is too much focus on Singaporean examples; examples should be from a wider field. _________________________________________________________________________________ Q1 Consider the claim that the arts are of little practical use. (TMJC JC1 MYE 2019) The arts may be beautiful forms of self-expression and entertainment. However, they serve little to no practi