A-Level essay questions, organised by year

To what extent are science and technology able to solve the problem of waste disposal?

How desirable is it for a country to provide free healthcare for all its citizens?

Evaluate the measures taken in your society to deter crime and punish criminals.

'Education today should involve more than the study of academic subjects.' How far do you agree?

Assess the view that it is always right to challenge injustice.

'Online advertisements use increasingly sophisticated methods to target consumers.' To what extent does this bring more harm than good?

'Humour is essential for an individual's well-being.' Discuss.

'There is a lack of appreciation for the value of music.' How far is this true in your society?

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

'Fossil fuels should no longer have a part in the production of energy.' Discuss.

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Regret for past actions is vital for progress.' What is your view?

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

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

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

Consider the view that people imprisoned for their crimes should lose all their rights.

Does religion still have a role in the modern world?

'Dramas on television or film are never as effective as a live performance.' Discuss.

Assess the extent to which different age groups in your society are valued equally.

To what extent can individuals shape their own lives when the world is so unpredictable?

'Too many historical figures are famous for the wrong reasons.' Discuss.

'The results of scientific research should be available to everyone.' How far do you agree?

Examine the claim that music without words lacks both meaning and appeal.

Since the extinction of species is a natural phenomenon, is there any point in trying to prevent it?

'Consumerism is more of a curse than a blessing.' How true is this of your society?

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

'It is not winning, but taking part, which matters.' How acceptable is this as an approach to life?

How far is the pursuit of happiness the most important human goal?

'Scientific advancement breeds complacency.' How far do you agree?

'Power these days lies more with the people than the politicians.' To what extent is this true?

To what extent has social media devalued true friendship in your society?

To what extent is charitable giving desirable?

'Films are concerned with escaping from the problems of everyday life, rather than addressing them.' Discuss.

'What an individual eats or drinks should not be the concern of the state.' What is your view?

Is news today reliable?

'The arts are nothing more than a luxury.' How far is this true of your society?

'Staging major sporting events brings nothing but benefits to the host country.' Discuss.

Are global tourism and travel still necessary when everything can be experienced or achieved online?

'Advertising is largely about persuading people to buy what they do not need.' How far do you agree?

How reliable are statistics as a guide for planning the future?

To what extent is human life in general about the survival of the fittest?

'Individuals achieve sporting success, not nations.' Discuss.

'We shape our buildings, but then our buildings shape us.' To what extent is this true of our society?

To what extent can any society claim to be great?

Examine the view that the scientist is concerned only with knowledge, not morality.

Given greater levels of international cooperation, how necessary is it for countries to engage in the arms trade?

Should politicians pursue the popular viewpoint or their own convictions, if they conflict?

Is modern technology a benefit or a threat to democracy?

'An appreciation of music is necessary for a fully rounded education.' How true is this of your society?

In a free society, there should be no restrictions on the freedom of speech. Discuss.

How far can prosperity and uncontrolled population growth go hand in hand?

How far should countries have relations with others whose human rights record is poor?

To what extent should income inequality be a goal in your society?

Science is the only answer to global hunger. Discuss.

Consider the view that social media has more influence than politicians.

To what extent is artificial intelligence replacing the role of humans?

'A leader's responsibility should always be to his or her country, not other nations.' Discuss.

'Religion is an important part of the lives of young people today.' Consider whether this is true in your society.

Does violence in the visual media portray reality or encourage the unacceptable?

Is globalisation to be welcomed or feared today?

Should both parents take equal responsibility for raising their children?

Assess the importance of food within Singaporean culture.

Can fiction teach us anything meaningful about the real world?

How far is failure an essential part of success?

To what extent is the pursuit of continuous economic growth a desirable goal?

In an age of rapid technological advancement, is a single career for life realistic?

'In the global age we inhabit, there is no justification for national boundaries.' How far do you agree?

To what extent is sporting achievement given adequate recognition in your society?

Do handicrafts still have value when machine-produced goods are so readily available?

'People today do not work as hard as they did in the past.' How true is this of your society?

Discuss the view that all countries have an equal responsibility to counter terrorism.

Is pressure a motivating force or a cause for unhappiness?

'Works of art which have been removed from their country of origin should be returned.' Discuss.

'Foreign aid does not solve long-term problems.' To what extent is this a fair viewpoint?

Consider the view that we do not take enough responsibility for our own well-being.

'The past is not dead. It is not even past.' Discuss.

Can the use of animals for scientific research ever be justified?

In your society, to what extent is it acceptable for public money to be used for the acquisition of works of art?

'Rehabilitation, not punishment, should be the purpose of the justice system.' Discuss.

Is regulation of the press desirable?

Do events, rather than politicians, shape the future?

How far is science fiction becoming fact?

Examine the role of music in establishing a national identity in your society.

To what extent are people judged more by their physical appearances than by their abilities?

'Practical ability is just as important as intellectual skills.' How far is this true in your society?

Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective.

'The quality of written language is being destroyed by social media.' What is your view?

'Any adaptation of a novel for a film, television or the theatre is never as effective as the original.' Discuss.

Assess the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society.

'Longer life expectancy creates more problems than benefits.' Discuss.

Considering the money involved, should developing countries be allowed to host major sporting events?

'Human need, rather than profit, should always be the main concern of scientific research.' Discuss.

'Countries experiencing conflict should be left to sort out their own problems.' How far do you agree?

How far has modern technology made it unnecessary for individuals to possess mathematical skills?

'People who do the most worthwhile jobs rarely receive the best financial rewards.' To what extent is this true of your society?

Evaluate the claim that equality of opportunity for females is a desirable, but unrealistic goal.

Assess the view that most natural disasters are the result of human activity.

Is competition always desirable?

'Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone's opinion is of equal value.' What is your view?

How far is it possible for one country to forgive another for its past actions?

How effectively is public health promoted and managed in your country?

'No cause is ever worth dying for.' Discuss.

Consider the argument that the main purpose of television should be to educate rather than simply to entertain.

In your society, how well are the demands of the economy and the environment balanced?

'Parents have no right to impose their own values and beliefs on their children.' Discuss.

'Books serve little purpose in education as technological developments become more sophisticated.' How far do you agree?

To what extent should the arts in your society focus on local rather than foreign talent?

Should there be any controls over the production of energy when the need for it is so great?

When a government's finances for social welfare are limited, should they be directed towards the young or the old?

'Human actions should be based on scientific fact, not religious faith.' How far do you agree with this statement?

'There is no such thing as bad publicity.' To what extent is this true?