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A Level GP – A Complete Guide to Junior College H1 General Paper (GP)

May 31, 2021 | GP Tuition

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A Complete Guide to JC & A Level GP

Entering a Junior College (JC) can both be an exciting and stressful event for students, where they will be exposed to an extensive syllabus that they are expected to be well-versed in by the end of 1.5 years. In addition, being exposed to what seems like a completely new subject – General Paper (GP) in place of English can be daunting for most. Here at MindFlex, we have compiled an ultimate guide to the A Level GP syllabus, stocked with all the information you’ll need to know about A Level GP; together with free resources that’d help you achieve an A for A Level GP!

1. An Overview to A Level GP

Under the A Level curriculum, GP is a compulsory subject to be taken by students in place of the English language subject. Essentially, A Level GP bears many similarities with English, with the written examination format largely following that of the PSLE and O Level English. In addition, A Level GP also aims to allow students to develop the ability to think critically and construct coherent arguments through concise and accurate language. A Level GP also exposes students to a wide variety of global and local issues, allowing students to be more in-touch with the real world. This allows students to build a strong foundation in the key understandings of the fast-changing world in order to meet the demands of higher education and the workplace in the future.

A Level GP poses challenges for most students due to the need for a good foundation in the English language, as well as the need for immense amounts of general knowledge of global and local affairs. Hence, it is pivotal for students to grasp a good foundation in both the English language and the skills required in the A Level GP examination during their JC1 year, in order to further build on their skills and knowledge in the second year, which will allow them to do well for their A Level GP. 

In addition, doing well in A Level GP is crucial if the student is intending on applying to local universities either to be exempted from the Qualifying English Test (QET), or to apply for undergraduate degrees such as Law, Public Policy and Global Affairs, Economics, Psychology and more. 

Here at MindFlex, we have over 7,000 experienced A Level GP Tutors who will be able to help you ace your A Level GP. Request for GP Tuition with MindFlex today!

2. Objectives of A Level GP

The aim of A Level GP is to enable students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world through fostering critical awareness, as well as to develop skills for critical thinking, effective communication and evaluation.

Paper 1 (Essay)

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diverse range of topics
• Analyse and evaluate topics across disciplines 
• Express understanding and critical and creative thinking 
• Formulate cogent arguments

Paper 2 (Comprehension)

• Comprehend text(s) in detail and as a whole
• Identify and infer information
• Summarise and evaluate information
• Make observations of trends and relationships
• Apply understanding and interpretation in tasks derived from the text(s)

Use of English

• Usage of good spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Employ a variety of linguistic styles and expressions suitable for the context
• Use and demonstrate understanding of a range of vocabulary
• Clear presentation of information

More information can be found under the SEAB Syllabus .

3. A Level Exam Format

A Level GP consists of 2 segments – namely the Paper 1 (Essay) and Paper 2 (Comprehension). In addition, a portion of the mark allocation for each paper is also dedicated to the use of language . 

Here’s a guide to what the A Level GP paper is about!

3.1. Paper 1 (Writing)

50 marks, 1 hour 30 mins

Content Marks: 30

Language Marks: 20

The A Level GP Paper 1 comprises 12 questions of different topics. Topic areas are derived from issues drawn from across disciplines or issues of local interest and global concern. Examples of topics may include: social media, society, politics, law, culture or marriage. Students are required to pick 1 out of the 12 questions and write a 500-800 word essay. View the A Level GP 2020 Essay Questions for examples of questions.

3.1.1. Challenges Faced in A Level GP Paper 1

As with any other open-ended essay-based paper, students might find it difficult to brainstorm ideas or express their ideas coherently. In addition, added difficulty is placed on the A Level GP Paper 1 due to the need for a wide range of general knowledge and content required to do well. Students are required to be well-versed in the topic in order to generate ideas and arguments for their essays. In addition, sufficient writing skills are required for students to frame their essay and put forth their arguments coherently and clearly with appropriate language and vocabulary.

3.1.2. How To Score Well for A Level GP Paper 1

In order to do well, students are encouraged to be well-versed with global and local issues and current affairs, as well as to invest time and effort in consolidating a content bank with issues and arguments across different topics. Extensive in-depth understanding of key issues discussed in society presently will also be helpful in helping students do well for the A Level GP Paper 1. Above all else, students should also have a strong foundation in the English language as well as possess appropriate essay-writing skills. Here at MindFlex, our experienced A Level GP Tutors have years of teaching experience and are well-versed with the GP syllabus to provide concise and guided support for students in their GP essay.

3.2. Paper 2 (Comprehension)

Content Marks: 35

Language Marks: 15 (a separate but holistic score based on entire script)

In Paper 2, students are required to answer various Short-Answer Questions (17 marks) based on one or two text(s). The Short-Answer Questions will cover the understanding of the comprehension text, including literal and inferred meaning, as well as vocabulary. In addition, students are also expected to answer a Summary Question (8 marks) and Application Question (10 marks), which requires students to possess technical and analytical skills in order to answer the questions well.

3.2.1. Challenges Faced in A Level GP Paper 2

In Paper 2, Time Management has been proven to be something that many A Level English students struggle with as there are many different sections with questions of varying lengths. In particular, the Application Question is usually deemed as the most difficult and time-consuming section of the Paper 2, and it is usually also the last question. Hence, students tend to spend too much time on the front of the paper, leaving the Application Question only to the end – resulting in the lack of time available to complete the question and hence compromising the quality of the answer.

3.2.2. How To Score Well for A Level GP Paper 2

Here, practice and exposure are needed to ensure that students are well-versed in the various sections and are able to critically analyse and make meaning of both the text(s) and the questions. Students should also aim to get sufficient practice through attempting past-year papers under timed conditions to simulate examination conditions, in order to ensure that they are able to complete the entire paper in time. Lastly, having a comprehensive knowledge on general and current affairs or knowledge on a wide range of topics can also come in handy for students in the Application Question.

4. A Level GP Tips and Resources

The sheer amount of content mastery required for A Level GP is definitely a lot for students. Furthermore, students might also be caught up with extracurricular activities or other A Level subjects, which makes studying for A Level GP even harder. Here at MindFlex, we have compiled a list of key study tips and free resources, perfect for giving you the head start to ace the A Level GP examination.

4.1. A Level GP Tips

1. Start a Content Bank

In order to do well for A Level GP, students are required to read up extensively on global and current affairs and be exposed to different topics ranging from marriage and culture to politics and law. Hence, MindFlex recommends starting a content bank. This can be done through either a hardcopy notebook or an online one. Upon reading up or researching on a particular topic, students can note down key points, arguments and important issues to note, as well as brainstorm possible questions revolving around the particular topic. 

This way, students will be able to get a good bird’s eye view of the various important topics and issues happening around the world, hence making it easier to study the content for examinations.

2. Craft a Study Plan

Many students struggle with doing well in their A Levels due to increased commitments and the sheer amount of workload for their multiple subjects. Hence, it is crucial for students to plan and allocate their time wisely in order to set aside sufficient time to study in addition to their other commitments and rest time. Students can get started with planning their study schedule through using printables, their school handbook/planner or drawing their own calendar/timetable.

3. Form Study Groups

Multiple studies have shown the benefits of study groups – hence it is no doubt that forming study groups with a bunch of friends or classmates can prove to be advantageous in helping students prepare for the A Levels. Given the rigour and stress involved in the A Level exam preparation, having a study group can help students to clear any doubts and form a healthy, productive study schedule. In addition, students can also destress with the study group at the end of their study session, which helps to promote a healthy work-life balance.

4. Exam Practice

A lot of practice is needed for students to grasp the content and be familiarised with the different question types and skills required – which is why MindFlex has researched a list of free downloadable A Level GP exam papers . By attempting a range of GP exam papers, students can be exposed to different topics and question types which has proven to be beneficial for A Level GP students in ensuring that they are exposed to a breadth of content and skills.

Additionally, it is also advantageous if students are able to take the exam papers under exam settings (ie. under timed conditions) in order to simulate real-life examination conditions. This way, students will be made aware of the speed and accuracy required to do well for their A Level GP examination.

5. Getting Extra Help

Tackling A Level GP can be extremely difficult if not armed with the correct skills and guidance. In addition, given the difficulty in amassing the accurate analytical skills required to analyse and interpret the various GP topics and Comprehension texts, students might require additional guidance that is tailored and customised. Given the subjectivity in marking and grading GP essays, it might also be difficult for students to study the subject on their own.

Hence, getting an A Level GP Tutor might come in handy. Here at MindFlex, we have over 7,000 trained and experienced A Level GP Tutors who have valuable tips and resources that will help improve students’ GP grades. Our A Level GP Tutors also have a wealth of resources, notes and content that will be made available to students to help them learn better. 

4.2. A Level GP Resources

Here, we have compiled our top 9 resources for your child to aid him/her in their A Level GP preparation.

1. A-Level General Paper Model Essays By Themes

The guidebook serves as a good starting point for students who are struggling with their GP Paper 1. With 30 model essays from a wide range of topics, students can extract key concepts and ideas from the model essays, which will be extremely beneficial in preparing for their Paper 1 examination.

Excel in your GP Paper 1 with this guidebook.

2. A-Level General Paper Understanding Singapore Issues

Written by the same author as the guidebook before, this guidebook is solely focused on unpacking Singapore issues that can come in handy for GP essays, which can be used for both the Paper 1 Essay and the Application Question in Paper 2. 

The key to doing well in A Level GP is to have a solid grasp on the key issues in Singapore.

3. GP Study Magazine

GP Study Magazine is a mobile app dedicated to helping students study and revise for their A Level GP examination. It features multiple GP essays and articles from a wide range of topics and issues to enrich students with content for their future essays. In addition, the app also includes many videos, infographics, data and figures to help supplement students’ learning. Furthermore, the easy-to-access interface allows for easier on-the-go learning.

GP Study Magazine is currently only available on the Google Play store .

Take learning on-the-go with this handy app.

Staying focused is something that is a struggle for many A Level students – especially with the large amounts of distractions and temptations posed to them. Hence, Forest comes in handy as an app to help students focus without getting distracted by their phones. It features a well-designed interface that can motivate students to engage in it by planting a virtual tree. While the tree is planting, a timer is triggered and students are unable to use their phones for that situated amount of time, or risk ‘killing’ their tree. Through this gamified interface, it will be beneficial for students who are trying to reduce their mobile phone usage and instead, focus on studying. 

Forest is available on the App Store and Google Play Store .

Stay productive when studying for GP with the Forest App.

As mentioned in our tips, starting a content bank for GP can be beneficial for students. Notion is a note taking app that offers a powerful, database-driven note-taking experience. It has multiple useful features that can make the note-taking experience smoother. In addition, since it can be used online, students can write their notes on-the-go while they are commuting, and be rest assured that their notes will be safe and will not be lost or misplaced. 

Find out more information about Notion on their website .

Notion is an all-in-one note taking app, perfect for A Level GP students.

6. Free A Level GP Notes

Since GP relies heavily on content knowledge and skills, it can be extremely helpful to have a consolidated stack of notes to aid you in studying. Furthermore, having collated content on global affairs can greatly ease the amount of workload required to sieve through the Internet or newspapers for content – this way, students can focus on understanding and digesting the consolidated content provided to them.

Download free A Level GP notes here .

7. Free A Level GP Exam Papers

We know how expensive extra exam resources can be – so, here at MindFlex, we have collated a list of free A Level GP exam papers that are downloadable, perfect for extra practice or revision. 

Download the A Level GP papers here .

8. A Level GP Tuition

Nothing beats an extra pair of hands to guide your child in their learning. Engaging in effective tuition classes can help you improve and gain an even greater interest in GP as a subject. Hence, it might be beneficial to seek help early from an A Level GP Tutor in Singapore.

9. MindFlex GP Home Tutors

We completely understand the hectic school and study schedules of JC students. This is why home tutoring might be a more suitable option to ensure that students are able to study comfortably. MindFlex has over 7,000 A Level GP Home Tutors for you to choose from – all of whom are experienced and will be able to help aid students in their GP. Enjoy high-quality guidance and education at the comforts of your own home with MindFlex’s A Level GP Tutors. 

Request for a MindFlex A Level GP Tutor today!

5. Conclusion

The A Levels are undoubtedly one of the most stressful and rigorous examinations for students. However, it is still important to realise that the A Levels are a crucial stepping stone for one’s future. Apart from doing well, it is also important for students to learn the correct mindsets and transferable study skills in order to do well in their further studies. 

Here at MindFlex, our A Level GP Tutors strongly emphasise on holistic education that is relevant in the fast-paced and ever-changing environment. By focusing on transferable skills, students will be able to gain genuine interest in the subject and learn important life skills and expand their mastery on general and current affairs, helping to mould them into ambassadors and future citizens.

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5 Tips for Writing a General Paper Essay that Will Score You an 'A'

Students often fall into two camps when it comes to how they approach the General Paper (GP) essay. The first group believes religiously in spotting questions and the power of the memorised template essay. However, tweaks to familiar questions by crafty examiners can negate the template’s effectiveness, and what if the spotted questions fail to turn up altogether? The second group is the opposite, and regard GP as a subject they can breeze through without much studying. Just choose any question that looks easy or interesting, write what comes to mind and hope for the best, right? Sadly, the best is rarely achieved. You have probably been in one or even both of these groups at some point. Neither approach is entirely wrong or correct - they wouldn’t exist if they didn’t work to some extent. However, if your goal is to write a GP essay that will score you an A, then you will need more than an approach that works to some extent. 

Here are 5 tips from The Learning Lab that will help you improve your writing and your chance at an A for the General Paper. 

1. Read the Questions Carefully

You get a total of 12 questions to choose from for your GP essay. Take a moment to read all of them carefully. While you should choose a topic that you are familiar with or passionate about (e.g. tech, government legislation, foreign affairs, generation gaps), avoid choosing a question immediately just because it seems familiar. As your teachers would have told you, some questions are traps! You may have studied the Cold War and the demise of the Soviet Union in A-Level History, but that doesn’t mean you have the arguments and examples to adequately answer if communism is dead today. 

Conversely, you may find that some of the general knowledge you have absorbed in preparation for the exam can be applied to a question on a less familiar topic, and provides the breadth of examples that markers look for. A good practice is to shortlist two or three questions before you start planning, just in case you hit a snag when formulating your argument and need an alternative.

2. Plan Out Your Essay

Planning out your essay is essential for many reasons. Firstly, it helps you avoid the perils of jumping straight in with a template argument or no argument at all, only to realise after an hour that you haven’t really been answering the question. The subject may be called General Paper, yet your essay should be anything but. This is also when you spot the trap questions and steer clear. Secondly, it allows you to structure your points and counterpoints in a logical flow to best support your thesis statement and overall argument. Thirdly, planning enables you to take stock of the examples you have to back up your points.

Ask yourself:

Do you have enough to substantiate each point? 

Which example is better used for which point?

 Are there obvious gaps that you can’t think of a way to fill, and should you quickly go and look at another question instead?

3. A Clear and Concise Introduction is Better than a Stylish One

A good introduction in a GP essay does its job and quickly moves both you (the writer) and the reader on to the meat of the essay. It sets up your argument clearly and provides a preview of what is to come. Under timed conditions, style that piques the reader’s attention is a bonus. Remember that a complete essay with all points substantiated and a conclusion will always score better than an incomplete essay with an impressive and memorable introduction.

You should also avoid giving too detailed a description of your points in the introduction. A good rule is to keep the introduction as short as possible: you should not write much more than an opening sentence, a thesis statement, and a sentence to link your introduction to your first point. 

4. Link Your Arguments Together and Stay on Point

This is often the difference between an average essay and a good one, and between a good essay and an excellent one. The highest-scoring GP essays are not the ones with the most distinctive style or the most flowery language, but the ones with the tightest arguments and structure. Everything you write should aim to answer the question, so that your thesis statement, points, and examples mutually reinforce each other and your overall argument. Signposting is your best friend: leave the examiner in no doubt of which piece of evidence supports which point and why, and use keywords from the question and your thesis statement repeatedly. 

If a favourite example of yours doesn’t quite fit the argument you are crafting, cut it. Unlike Mathematics or the Science subjects where plonking down some calculations or facts could earn you some marks, in GP, it’s better to keep your examples on point rather than try to show everything you know.

5. Pay Attention to Grammar and Spelling 

While you don’t have to be Shakespeare to ace the General Paper exam, you do need to communicate what you have to say clearly. If you have followed the previous 4 tips to the letter, the last thing you want is to distract your marker from your compelling argument with basic spelling or punctuation errors. Writing essays under exam conditions can often be a mad rush, but it’s wise to slow down a little to make sure you don’t spell words wrongly or leave them out by mistake. And of course, if you happen to have time to spare after finishing, do read through your essay again!

Nurturing Independent Thinkers and Writers 

The ability to write clearly is an asset for students even when they move from the classroom to the working world, as effective communication is what greases the wheels of the corporate world.

At The Learning Lab, we want our students to go beyond simply learning how to read and write. Our teachers work closely with students to instil in them the fundamental principles of good writing. Find out more about our writing programmes here . 

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If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 6733 8711 or  [email protected] .

The Learning Lab is now at  8 locations . Find a location that suits your needs.

If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at  [email protected] .

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GP Essay Collection: 2020- 2022

In need of quick hacks for your A Level GP Paper I? Grab a set of our bestseller Essay Issues for all your Paper I needs!

Each issue covers all 12 A Level essay questions from the past year, explaining key writing skills and providing clear essay samples to guide your writing practice.

Topic Library

Skills bank.

The Complete List of GP Topics & Themes

Are you running out of time to prepare for your examples required for your GP essays? Are you looking to form an effective strategy to tackle your Paper1? if yes, read on and explore our recommended Thematic Essay Strategies (TES) on handling your essay paper.

1st, 12 questions will be set, of which you only answer one. This will allow GP essay exam candidates like you the chance to express an informed, critical, creative and relevant response.

Table of Contents

Most Common GP Topics for Essay Paper 1

The most common topics are: 1. Historical, social, cultural, economic, political and philosophical topics 2. Science including its history, philosophy, general principles, current developments and applications 3. Mathematical and geographical topics 4. Literature and language 5. Arts and crafts 6. Topics of local interest and global concern, as stated from the GP Syllabus (Code: 8807)

Now, the above topics is by no means exhaustive. We can easily go into subtopics for each of the main 6 topics. For example: under the General Paper topic of Literature and language, we can go deeper into Mass Media, , Music, Media, Film, etc. Or, under the topic of local interest and global concern, we can zoom into Singapore only, Gender (Women), Environmental (Animals, Water & the Sea, Land Use, Pollution), etc.

So you get the point, and that preparing by topics alone isn’t going to help a lot.

General Paper Themes for Essay Exams

What’s better than preparing by topics? Answer: You can prepare by GP themes! That is, by group several topics into a theme, you can more easily craft a relevant, creative and balanced response.

Below are sample essay questions inspired by the essay questions in this year’s prelim papers, as they have been modified. As promised, they are organised them into themes for your easy perusal and reference. The following themes are grouped and selected based on their frequency in the A Level GP exams as well as they broad enough to cover a variety of questions.

The major themes to focus on are:

a. Arts, Language & Mass Media b. Economic & Political Issues c. Science & Technology & Medicine d. Moral Dilemmas & Personal Experiences (aka Values, Philosophy or Individuals) e. Social & Economic issues f. Crime & Punishment g. General. 

In addition to grouping topics into themes for easier and effective preparation of your essay exam for GP, we can also prepare by question type. This involves your exam techniques and your experience of handling certain categories of exam questions. For example, the following list are common question types:

Type 1: Questions attempting to make a causal link between topics or themes

Some questions establish a relationship / / maybe even causality between two issues and hence you would need to identify that relationship and either agree with it or refute it. For such qu estions with 2 issues or subjects, the link between the two issues is the focus of the  essay. Do NOT have a separate discussion of the 2nd issue.

Examples: 1a: Technological advancements always bring about social equality. How far do you agree?  1b: he world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.’ Discuss. 1c: How prepared are we for climate change? Discuss this for your country. 1d: Medical science has been so successful that people now expect too much of it.’ Comment. 1e: Advertisements are often entertaining, but they rarely affect consumer choice.’ Do you agree? 1f: Should poorer countries develop their tourist industry when the basic needs of their own people are not being met? 1g: ‘Instead of speeding up the pace of life, we should be slowing it down.’ What do you think?

Type 2: Questions that target … ‘in your country’…

2.1: Is there value to historic sites in your society? 2.2: How prepared are we for climate change? Discuss this for your country. 2.3: ‘Freedom of expression is a luxury we cannot afford.’ How far is this true in your society? 2.4: Choose a sport and account for its popularity in your country: Golf 2.5: Choose a sport and account for its popularity in your country: Tennis 2.6. Which period in the history of your country appeals most to you? Give reasons for your choice. 2.7: Would you plan the layout of your neighbourhood differently?

Type 3: Questions that require … ‘in your opinion’…

3.1: What do you consider is a meaningful life? 3.2; What do you consider to be a rich life? 3.3: “Give me the country life, any time.” Comment. 3.4: Discuss the benefits of keeping a diary? 3.5: What factors would you consider when choosing a job? 3.6: If you were asked to set up an exhibition, what would you choose to exhibit and why? 3.7: It is better to live a short, exciting life rather than a long, uninteresting one. How far is this true?  3.8 “Leisure activities are a necessity, not a luxury.” Do you agree? 3.9 “The place for animals is in the wild, not in zoos or circuses.” Comment.

Type 4: Knowledge-based Questions

Such questions assume that students have an in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of the topic areas to be discussed in the essay. These KBQ tend to add in absolute words such as : never, solely, only, always, etc. Hence, commonplace knowledge will allow you, the GP student to pass, but obviously reflects nothing more than mediocrity. Knowledge must be showcased not just through a range of evidence but also through the differing conclusions one con draw from the some piece of evidence.

Examples: 4.1: Can the trade in weapons ever be justified? 4.2: Is sport too closely linked with money these days? 4.3: Discuss the view that too much faith is placed in statistics.

4.4: To what extent are small businesses preferable to large ones? Inevitably this question appealed to candidates who studied Economics. but it also proved to be a discriminator in identifying candidates who could make effective use of their General Paper skills and those who merely regurgitated theoretical arguments and unexplained Economics jargon, such as ‘economies of scale’ and ‘merit goods”.

Abbreviated forms, such as SBEs (Small Business Enterprises) and MNCs (Multinational Corporations) were not uncommon. These must be explained. Furthermore, very tortuous attempts were often made in the introduction to define small and large businesses.

4.5: Can small countries have a significant voice in world affairs Focus on the following: Switzerland, Vatican City, Luxemburg & Singapore

4.6: Is effective farming possible without science? Candidates drew upon the distinction between subsistence farming and that which was more of an industry, often tailored to meet modern demands of population and choice. Similarly, there was an awareness of organic farming, with its benefits and drawbacks. A good range of examples was incorporated to illustrate the impact of science on agriculture: the development of seeds, fertilisers, alternative means of producing crops and so on.

Sample Set A Paper 1 for general paper (Essay Questions)

1. How far should the actions of leaders be determined by public opinion? (Political issue)

2. Which factors currently pose serious threats to the development of your country and which provide exciting opportunities? (Economic, Environmental, Social, Cultural, ‘In-Your-Country’, etc)

3. Why are increasing numbers of people turning to religion in both less developed and developed countries? (Social, Economic, etc)

4. Can we be too concerned about safety and hygiene? (Science, Environmental, etc)

5. In your opinion, are most scientific research is conducted in the wrong areas for the wrong reasons? (Science, Social, Economic, ‘In-Your-Opinion’,)

6. Has commercialism ruined film as an art form? (Mass media, Arts, Economic, ‘Causal-link’)

7. Do you agree that aid should never be given to countries with poor human rights records? (Global issue, Economic, Political, etc)

8. ‘Gambling is a vice which should never be condoned in any civilised society. What are your views? (Social, Economic, Philosophy)

9. “We are overfed with information, but starved of wisdom.” Is this a valid assessment of modern technology’s impact on mankind? (Technology, Mass Media, Social, etc)

10. “Education is the best vaccine for violence.” Do you agree? (Social, Arts, Language, Mass Media, etc)

11. Is the United Nations still a relevant organisation? (Global issue, politics, Economic, etc)

12. Does history really repeat itself? (History, Social, Environmental, Economics, Political, etc, aka General Question)

Sample Set B Paper 1 for general paper (Essay Questions)

1. Give the public what it wants.” How far should the media be guided by this motto? (Mass Media, Social, etc)

2.Why does children’s literature appeal to readers of all ages? (Social, Langauge, Economics, The Arts, etc)

3. Have ceremonies and rituals lost their meaning in your society? (Economic, Religion, Social, Cultural, ‘In-Your-Country’, etc)

4. “Along with great power comes great responsibility.” Discuss the relevance of this observation to the roles and responsibilities of scientists today. (Science, Social, Economic, etc,)

5. To what extent, if any, should works of art be subjected to censorship? (Social, Arts, Language, Mass Media, etc)

6. In your opinion, what can be done to make the citizens of your country more politically aware and active? (Political, Youth, Social, etc)

7. Is a world without poverty an impossible dream? (Global issue, Economic, Environmental, etc)

8. ”No pain, no gain.’ How far is this true of life in general? (Philosophy, Personal Experience, Value, Economic, Language, etc)

9. ‘Politics is the art of compromise.’ Discuss. (Political, Global, Regional & Local issues, Social, etc)

10. Do we place too much faith in technology? (Technology, Environmental, Science, Economics, etc)

11. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Comment on this assessment of the last century. (Political, Global, Regional & Local issues, Social, Economic, etc, aka General Question)

12. What purposes should prisons serve in an educated and enlightened society? (Social, Language, Crime, etc)

As you can see from the i) list of topics, ii) the combination of topics into themes, iii) the questions types, as well as the iv) sample question paper, the essay exam paper can be set in many ways.

So what’s your strategy? Our recommendation: prepare a bit of each!!

Specifically: make you you have solid content knowledge with relevant and updated examples on 2-3 TOPICS . In this way, in term so the content marks, you will score a high one. Next, make sure that the topics you pick they are bale to merge into further themes, so that no matter how the Cambridge examiners mix and match the topics, you have enough scope and depth to provide a sound, elaborate and balanced answer. Finally, do an extra preparation with one that targets just Singapore (“ in your country “) and/ or offers you the opportunity to go deep in your opinion . 

Need more help? Let our GP revision pack boost your score with lesser effort now. Click here to accelerate your GP success .

Happy revision!

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

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GP Model Essays – Film & Media

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GP Samples Essays – Governance

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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

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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?...

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• Sep 15, 2021

5 best essay introductions for H1 GP

Grappling with the essay portion of the A-Level General Paper is no stranger to all of us. Regardless of whether you’re an Arts or Science student in JC, many Singapore students find themselves struggling to make their essays stand out from the thousands of other essays. The introduction is arguably one of the most, if not the most important part of your essay. The introduction is what hooks the marker. It is what sets your essay apart from the rest. The first paragraph isn’t just the introduction to your essay - it’s an introduction to yourself as a writer and your capabilities. Many teachers have claimed that markers will be able to gauge the performance of candidates’ entire essays once they’ve gone through the quintessential introduction. And so with that being said, coming up with a banger of an introduction would be key to clinching that ever-elusive distinction. It might seem easier said than done, but here are the 5 best GP essay introductions compiled by the top GP tuition center in Singapore. Buckle up as Zenith dishes out some of the most crucial JC GP tips and tricks to adopt into your GP essay toolbelt!

Start with a quote

If you are struggling to come up with something creative to start your GP essay with, one of the safest options would be to start with a relevant quote. With many popular sayings being thrown around in our day-to-day lives, it wouldn’t hurt to add one into the introduction of your essay to set the tone of what is to come in the following paragraphs. It could be one as mundane as “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” if your essay is centered around the topic of health, or it could even be as complex as quoting a particular Confucius proverb (in English, of course!) Doing so may serve to give the examiner a brief take on your stance on the question and could also add to the quality and concreteness of your essay. Additionally, this would also kindle a sort of connection with your A-Level GP marker, especially if the quote is one that they are familiar with. You could even impress them with an obscure but relevant quote. For example, if you are touching on the topic of mass media, you can even include a quote such as ‘When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say.’ from George R.R Martin’s novel “A Clash of Kings” to address the issue of censorship. With that being said, be sure not to overuse this technique! Remember that in certain circumstances, less really is more, so make sure to employ this method moderately to ensure that the impact of whatever you are citing doesn’t get diluted. Zenith’s top GP tuition program offers personalized feedback to help with looking through your essay to ensure that you’re employing this technique adequately and not excessively, so reach out and get your work checked so you know you’re on the right path!

Include statistics

Another useful tip to recommend to Singapore students who feel that they lack a bit of creativity would be to include relevant statistics in your introduction. The more of a “wow” factor the statistic has, the better! This would not only be a great shock factor to immediately grab your GP marker’s attention but would also prove testament to how much you have prepared for the A Level GP examination - to the point that you’re able to throw in data like percentages and years to the tea. For example, if you are going to touch on the topic of media censorship in your essay, try to include statistics like how in 2013, Chinese authorities employed more than 2 million people to monitor social media sites and to block access to topics deemed as sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Throwing in relevant statistics into the introduction not only paints an image of the issue’s severity but also adds to the overall credibility of your essay. It assures the A Level GP marker that your argument is nuanced and built on facts, not fluff. The downside of this, however, would be that the information you decide to bring in as evidence has to be accurate and real - not something made up on the spot. Make sure that you are well-prepared if you are intending to weave statistics into your introduction. You should have done your readings and your due diligence prior to your H1 GP examination. Zenith’s JC GP tuition program pushes students to think critically about the world around them, creating numerous opportunities to turn real-world events into snippets of statistics that would be immeasurably useful in your JC GP essays.

Introduce anecdotes and rhetorics

If you want to set yourself apart from your peers, include a short and succinct anecdote to induce relatability. Bring in instances that people would normally be able to relate to. For example, should your essay be touching on the topic of the excessive use of mobile phones, introduce a scenario where you found yourself falling prey to spending excessive hours on social media platforms. Introducing relatable and shared experiences engages your GP A-Level marker and also successfully hooks them to your essay because of how they may empathize with the situation you’ve presented too. Increasing their engagement and grabbing their attention would set you aside from the many scripts they have already gone through, thus setting your JC GP essay up for success. Another way you can achieve this would be to throw in rhetorics. Employ rhetorical questions to get your marker to think more about the issue at hand. This actively engages them with the issue you are addressing and can even direct them to get a clear sense of where your GP essay is heading. Even a one-liner such as “Did you reach for your mobile phone and scroll through it this morning?“ would get them to reflect on their actions that may effectively increase their engagement with your essay.

Be different

Imagine being one of the A-Level GP markers. After going through script after script of information-loaded GP essays, coming across one that is able to appropriately include humor where necessary would be a breath of fresh air. You most definitely should not include knock-knock jokes in your essay because you still want to ensure that it is an essay that is examination appropriate but being able to make your marker smile would greatly improve their mood which would work in your favor. Be satirical even, but make sure to not overdo it. If you would like to err on the side of caution, the usage of plain irony would be sufficient enough to be the differentiating factor. Zenith teaches our students to directly contradict popular traditional sayings and try to juxtapose them with what is truly happening in the real world during the GP tuition program. The point is - dare to be different. Being normal is probably the typical route chosen by many Singaporean students because it’s the safest, but that also serves to be a double-edged sword. Opting for the conventional route limits the ability of your GP essay to be unique, making it more challenging for you to stand out. If you can bring forward a different perspective, dare to do so! Just make sure that you have the facts and statistics to back yourself up in the rest of the paragraphs to come.

Define keywords and set the general scope

Should you find yourself unable to employ any of the aforementioned tips discussed, the most basic and essential thing you should remind yourself to do during the A Level GP paper would be to define the keywords in your introductory paragraph. After selecting the question you will be tackling in the exam, break down the keywords. Explain your interpretation of them and share your general views and consensus. Be sure to also provide the general scope and direction your essay will be taking. Are you leaning towards agreement? Or will you be adopting a more neutral, balanced argument, bringing forward different instances where it might or might not hold true? Whatever it is, should you ever find yourself blanking out in the creativity aspect during the A Level GP exam, it is essential to remind yourself to at least execute this well because it makes sure your essay remains relevant and provides the basic framework. Be sure to do this even if you decide to employ other techniques because it indicates your understanding of the question and demarcates how you will be directly engaging with the question. The H1 GP tuition program offered at Zenith focuses on inculcating the skills of unpacking essay questions. As the top GP tuition in Singapore, Zenith does this by spotlighting keywords and comprehensively unpacking them together as a class.

A race is not won during the first few seconds but a good start is important to stand a winning chance. Take your H1 GP essay as a race. A good and solid start would put you in great stead of scoring and executing your essay well so remember to delegate sufficient time and effort into the introduction. As a popular writer once said, “There’s no point having a fantastic middle and an earth-shattering ending if the beginning fails to engage your reader. Without a decent beginning, you have no reader.“ Keep these tips in mind and go forth in your quest of crafting memorable GP introductions.

We hope you’ve found these A-Level General Paper tips useful. Click here to be part of Zenith’s JC GP tuition program today!

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GP Essay #15: Is technology the solution to the problem of global poverty? 

             “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” This claim, made by acclaimed British science fiction write, Arthur C. Clarke aptly encapsulates the potential benefits that technological advancements bring about and points to an optimistic picture of the endless possibilities of technology in solving many of the world’s problems. One of the more pressing issues that has taken a toll on governments and the public across the globe is that of global poverty. The World Bank estimates that 1.37 billion people live on less than USD1.25 a day, and 2.56 billion live on less than USD2 a day. With the proliferation of technology and its ability to provide greater access to remote areas, cheaper machine, food production, microfinancing and education, technology has seemingly lifted many out of poverty. Yet, it is not without problems such as being too technical to be handled as well as causing wage depression, and even unemployment. It may also be limited by extenuating circumstances, attributed to poor governance and lack of education, making technology a less effective solution to the problem of global poverty. Given the complexity of global poverty, it would be wise to consider a multi-pronged approach in tackling the problem, instead of solely relying on technology to perform its ‘magic’ as described by Arthur C. Clarke. 

            While people in developed economies tend to have access to shelter, food, and education, the same cannot be said of their counterparts living in developing nations. The emergence of technology like genetically modified crops and information technology have reconstructed the way people in developing countries can step out of their poverty cycle and experience a new lease of life. Food security within impoverished communities has been established with the introduction of the Green Revolution, which refers to the series of research, development and technology transfer initiatives that increased agricultural production around the world, beginning most markedly in the late 1960s. This movements saw the development of high-yielding varieties of cereal grains, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, modernisation of management techniques, distribution of hybridized leads and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to farmers. The highly significant development of new ‘high-yielding’ wheat cultivated was made possible by advances in molecular genetics. These cultivates, together with other agricultural technologies were introduced to man developing countries including Mexico and India, where nearly a quarter of the population was suffering from malnourishment as a result of poverty and rampant food shortage. The crops distributed to them had undergone DNA modification and were able to resist pests and diseases, and to grow at a faster rate, eventually increases the yield, helping to alleviate the problem of global poverty. Nevertheless, this cutting-edge technology has also received its fair share of criticism as it relies on high-cost machines to increase work efficiency, and this is counter-productive in a sense that, compared to manual labour, these machinery are favoured by companies, and the increased competition is driving the less productive, poor farmers out of the agricultural industry. Even if they were to be employed, it is highly unlikely that they would possess the knowledge or have the experience to operate them. Such technological advancements may also breed avarice among the wealthy, as they choose to patent the crops, rendering the poor helpless when they are unable to pay exorbitant prices for the seeds. As such, the poor would find themselves lagging being in terms of development and would not be able to improve their living standards. Hence, it is evident that while technology has the potential to aid the poor by increasing access to basic necessities, it is unfortunately hampered by several other factors, preventing its effects to be maximised. 

            Apart from ameliorating the dire effects of the hunger problem, technology, in the form of new media has contributed significantly to combating poverty. The recent advent of the Internet has changed the world dramatically. It functions as a platform for people to reach out and connect with others through a variety of media; it removes physical and geographical barriers. This has made it possible to bring together people from various cultures, regardless of where in the world they may be. The colossal influence that the internet and social media platforms has over the world has been tapped on to support for the needy, be it through donations, volunteer or direct provision of supplies. For example, the Singapore Red Cross has its own website and Facebook page which allows netizens to consistently keep tabs on the humanitarian programmes currently and make online donations or to rally charity campaigns. Other non-governmental organisations also make use of Facebook, Twitter or YouTube to increase global awareness on the issue of global poverty and they garner support. There is no doubt that by employing such forms of media platforms, there have been vast improvements in the level of aid provided to the poor, as exemplified in the case of the Haiti earthquake in 2010, where social media platforms were instrumental in engaging various humanitarian organizations in delivering supplies to the nations and providing the funds for restoration projects. The ‘One Laptop per Child’ campaign has also attempted to integrate technology and education, to emphasize people from poorer communities to take greater ownership of their lives by giving them opportunities to learn through a small computer called the ‘XO laptop’. This durable, low-cost gadget is wireless and has a powerful screen that can be read in direct sunlight, making it portable for children who go to school outdoors and for those who live in remote region. Although the plan to promote self-empowered education was promising, on hindsight, there were many doubts that arose regarding the development of the initiative in rural areas. For example, in Peru, over 800,000 low-cost laptops were distributed to children, but the direct benefits were not felt due to a myriad of problems, from ill-prepared rural teachers who were unable to fathom, much less teach, with the machines; software bugs that were not fixed affecting the learning; to the lack of electricity in the rural areas and schools to power the laptops. These concerns mar the alluring prospect that technology could potentially eliminate the problem of poverty, and highlight the importance of addressing the other issues that exist on the fringe of the main issue of poverty, such as providing basic infrastructure reassessing the government. 

            As aforementioned, the quality of the government has to be assessed before tackling the problem of poverty, as the reality is that the existence of corruption within most bureaucracies of developing countries makes the elimination of poverty an intimidating task. A country led by inept leaders generally suffers from greater instability and has poorly developed infrastructure. Under their governance, there is mismanagement of resources, resulting in poor and inadequate public services such as healthcare and education, which are vital aspects for a country’s development. In addition, even if technology were to assist in providing aid in times of need via social media platforms and the Internet, the donations and resources channelled from developed countries to the developing countries might not directly help the poor who need them the most. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, a significant proportion of food, medical, and monetary aid failed to reach the victims of the disaster as the Indonesian military looted the essential supplies to sell them in the black market at inflated prices, while the government pocketed the money. The ineffectiveness of technology in eradicating poverty is further reiterated here, what aid offered to poorer countries can be siphoned by the leaders to improve their wealth and status. Therefore, apart from technology, a call for action is certainly required in this instance, to exterminate corruption and put in place proper policies to ensure that aid is rendered to the poor, lest the impoverished be mired further in poverty. 

            Next, international alliance and collective will play a major role in improving the current state of poverty. Various governmental and non-governmental organisations at national and community levels can work in tandem to tackle some of the major issues faced by the poor, such as healthcare concerns, and the lack of basic education, as these will eventually go a long way in assisting them to secure jobs, equipped with skills and also in the pink of health. Furthermore, by providing the poor with basic necessities, they would be able to utilize technology appropriately and to its fullest capabilities. UNICEF has been building national capacities for primarily healthcare. Around 270 million children, just over 14% of all children in developing countries have no access to healthcare services. As such, a global leader in vaccine supply, UNICEF purchases and helps distribute vaccines to over 40% of children in developing countries. It has also provided oral rehydration salts for 10 cents per packet to children suffering from dehydration. This two-pronged approach in engaging government aid families is still adopted by UNICEF today, reducing child mortality for those under 5, by almost 50% to date. Initiates to promote education have also been taken as they are key signifiers of positive economic development. The MacArthur Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation and the Human Dignity Foundation are collaborating through partnership in strengthening Innovative Practice in secondary education, issuing a second call for proposals to support lifelong learning opportunities and life skills for underserved youth between the ages of 12 and 19 in East Africa, Nigeria, and India. It is an indisputable fact that in the long run, education would serve well in providing people with better economic opportunities, higher agricultural productivity and cultural thinking skills to help them revenge their current plight and escape the straitjacket of poverty. Clearly, such measures would stand poverty-stricken people in good stead and enhance their quality of life, making it far more effective solution to the problem of global poverty. 

            With all of the above in mind, it must be noted that ever since its use to prominence in the early 20 th century, technology has been a key aspect in our day-to-day lives, strengthening communications, and bringing work productivity to levels unparalleled in the last century. While technological developments have indeed contributed to mitigating poverty to some extent, the presence of other factors such as corrupt governments and lack of basic education and infrastructure impedes its progress in making a profound difference in the lives of the poor. As such, technology alone cannot be the only solution to the problem of global poverty, because if the root causes of poverty are not addressed, technology can and will only play second fiddle to the battle of poverty. What the poor require is not the complete removal of technology from their lives, nor is it the bombardment of technology in their society. They need to be exposed to technology at a gradual pace, along with other complementary external aid and reform actions, such as increased education and communication in the government. Essentially, a more calibrated approach towards tackling the problem would produce a desired outcome in the decades to come. 

2022 A-Level General Paper (GP) Paper 1 Essay Questions

Analysis of the 2022 A Level General Paper Paper 1 essay questions will be out soon! For those who took the paper in 2022, you may also check back after your A-Levels are over.

1. Consider the view that people imprisoned for crimes should lose all their rights. [Crime & Punishment / Rights & Ethics]

2. Does religion still have a role in the modern world? [Religion]

3. ‘Dramas on television or film are never as effective as a live performance.’ Discuss. [Media]

4. Assess the extent to which different age groups in your society are valued equally. [Equality]

5. To what extent can individuals shape their own lives when the world is so unpredictable? [Miscellaneous]

6. Too many historical figures are famous for the wrong reasons.’ Discuss. [History]

7. ‘The results of scientific research should be available to everyone ‘How far do you agree? [Science / Ethics]

8. Examine the claim that music without words lacks both meaning and appeal. [Arts]

9. Since the extinction of species is a natural phenomenon, is there any point in trying to prevent it? [Environment / Animals]

10. ‘Consumerism is more of a curse than a blessing.’ How true is this of your society? [Economy / Environment]

11. Consider the view that mathematics is of little interest to most people as it is too complex. [Mathematics]

12. ‘It is not winning, but taking part, which matters.’ How acceptable is this as an approach to life? [Miscellaneous]