A-Level General Paper 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'globalisation' refer to in the context of the General Paper?
- The spread of global fast food chains only
- The increasing interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and peoples worldwide through trade, technology, and migration (Correct answer)
- The political unification of all countries
- The dominance of Western culture globally
Correct answer: The increasing interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and peoples worldwide through trade, technology, and migration
Globalisation refers to the growing integration of the world's economies, cultures, and governance through increased international trade, FDI, technology, migration, and communication.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes 'critical thinking' in essay writing?
- Accepting all information at face value
- Analysing, evaluating, and synthesising information to form reasoned, balanced judgements (Correct answer)
- Writing very long essays
- Only presenting one perspective
Correct answer: Analysing, evaluating, and synthesising information to form reasoned, balanced judgements
Critical thinking involves questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, considering multiple perspectives, identifying logical fallacies, and forming well-reasoned conclusions.
Question 3: What is the role of the United Nations (UN)?
- To enforce military rule globally
- To maintain international peace, security, and cooperation through multilateral diplomacy and international law (Correct answer)
- To manage global trade only
- To govern all member states
Correct answer: To maintain international peace, security, and cooperation through multilateral diplomacy and international law
The UN promotes international peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and international law through bodies like the Security Council, General Assembly, and specialised agencies.
Question 4: What does 'sustainability' mean in the context of environmental debates?
- Economic growth at all costs
- Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Correct answer)
- Preserving the environment by stopping all development
- Replacing fossil fuels with nuclear energy only
Correct answer: Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Sustainability (the Brundtland definition) means meeting current needs without depleting resources or damaging systems that future generations will need — balancing economic, social, and environmental goals.
Question 5: What is meant by 'fake news' and why is it a concern?
- News that is uninteresting
- Deliberately false or misleading information presented as genuine news, undermining public trust and rational decision-making (Correct answer)
- News that covers trivial topics
- News from foreign sources
Correct answer: Deliberately false or misleading information presented as genuine news, undermining public trust and rational decision-making
Fake news is deliberately fabricated or misleading information spread as news. It undermines informed decision-making, erodes trust in institutions, inflames divisions, and can influence elections and public health decisions.
Question 6: Singapore's General Paper values which type of response to issues?
- Extreme, one-sided views
- Balanced, nuanced analysis that considers multiple perspectives and context (Correct answer)
- Purely personal opinion without evidence
- Summary of facts only
Correct answer: Balanced, nuanced analysis that considers multiple perspectives and context
GP rewards balanced, well-reasoned essays that consider different perspectives, use relevant examples, acknowledge counterarguments, and arrive at defensible conclusions — not extreme or one-dimensional views.
A-Level General Paper 1
What does 'globalisation' refer to in the context of the General Paper?