Childhood is the best period of one’s life.

“Childhood is the best period of one’s life.” Do you agree?

1. Describe briefly how many people treasure their childhood.
2. Describe why childhood is the best period of one’s life.
It is filled with fun and play.
The child has no responsibilities or worries.
3. Describe why childhood may not be the best period of one’s life.
This is true of children who are abused or exploited.
There are also children who live in extreme poverty and who have to shoulder the responsibilities of adults.
4. Briefly conclude that any period of one’s life can be good if it is approached with the right attitude.



Many a time, I have longed for my childhood days. This is especially true at times when I would like to escape from the torture of examinations and homework. Furthermore, my childhood was filled with countless memorable moments that I would love to relive. Many, who have happy childhood memories, would also, I am sure, feel the same.

Childhood is a period which is associated with fun and play. The child hardly cares or knows what the adult thinks of him. He frolics with his childhood playmates in the sand, mud or water. Through his mother may chide him for his pranks, she may, secretly in her heart, wish that she too could be as carefree and happy as her child.

Children normally do not have any major responsibilities to shoulder. Political, economic, social and family problems do not disturb them. They may be confused because they can not comprehend the problem, but most of them will not go through heartbreaking moments over them.

However, the above beautifully painted childhood phase is not true in the case of all children. There are children who are abused and exploited and who suffer from dire poverty. In Ethiopia and other poor countries, children are afflicted with many diseases and continually suffer the pangs of hunger. They have to shoulder the responsibilities of adults, looking for food and taking care of their younger siblings.

These cases, however, may be considered as exceptions. Many still feel that the average child’s life is much merrier. Adult life is filled with responsibilities. Yet, responsibilities need not be viewed negatively. There are many joys that come with responsibilities. For example, I always experience great joy and satisfaction when I do well in my exam after studying hard for it.

Therefore, in my view, childhood can be looked back upon as one of the best periods in one’s life. With a positive attitude, a person can experience happiness in any period of his life.

Watching cartoons can be harmful.

“Watching cartoons can be harmful.” Do you agree?

1. Briefly talk about the attraction of cartoons to both adults and children.
2. Describe the disadvantages of watching cartoons.
Some promote violence.
Too much time may be spent on watching cartoons.
3. Describe the advantages of watching cartoons.
Some are very entertaining and not violent.
It helps the viewer to develop a sense of humor.
4. Briefly conclude that watching cartoons is not harmful if a person can separate reality from fantasy.

Almost every child develops a natural attraction to cartoons. Even some adults find it difficult to lose their taste for them. Yet, do cartoons cause more harm than good?

The answer to the above question depends on which cartoons one watches. One major concern of parents is that some popular cartoons, like the Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Superman all promote violence. Several cases have been reported of children who jumped to their death while trying to emulate Superman.

However, some argue that the cartoons impart good moral values because the good guys always win. This illustrates how good triumphs over evil. However, about eighty per cent of the viewing time concentrates on glamorizing violence. As a result, children may think that problems can only be solved through physical force. In addition, many children neglect their studies and other activities when they get carried away watching too many cartoons. However, some cartoons can be rather entertaining and are not harmful at all. Many cartoons are rather humorous too. These are especially enjoyed by adults who find them very entertaining after a hard day’s work. such cartoons help to cultivate the priceless gift of humor. They also help one to be more optimistic, relaxed and cheerful.

Therefore, not all cartoons are harmful. In fact, many children who watch violent cartoons do not necessarily become violent. This is because they know how to separate reality from fantasy.

Examinations should be banned.

“Examinations should be banned.” Discuss.

1. Briefly describe the existence of examinations in educational systems.
2. Describe the disadvantages of having school examinations.
Examinations may not be an accurate reflection of a student’s ability.
Some students may perform better without pressure.
3. Describe the advantages of having examinations.
There is no better substitute to assess a student’s ability.


School examinations are something which most students dread. Yet, there is hardly any educational system that does not set examinations.

Many feel that examinations should be banned because they test the students’ memory power rather than their analytical or reasoning powers. Such examinations require students only to memorize facts regurgitate them during examinations and conveniently forget them soon after.

Passing examinations could also sometimes be a matter of luck. Lucky student who spots questions accurately will probably do better than one who just studies his books. Moreover, there are some students who perform better when they are not under pressure. These students may panic and perform poorly under examination conditions.

Though reasons for banning examinations may be many, there remains one basic explanation as to why examinations have not been abolished. That is, all educational systems need a standardized method of testing the students’ understanding of what they have learned. No one has thought of a better substitute in that respect. Whether examinations test a student’s memory power or analytical power depends very much on the type of questions asked. Therefore, there is no need to abolish examinations. Rather, examinations could be set such that they truly test the student’s understanding. Some even argue that the students’ ability to withstand pressure during examinations do reflect a certain form of capability.

Furthermore, students need examinations to act as a form of motivation to learn. If examinations were banned, many would become complacent and would not do their best.

In conclusion, it can be said that examinations should not be banned because of the need to assess a student’s ability.

Boys should be taught cookery in school.

“Boys should be taught cookery in school.” Do you agree?

1. Briefly describe the stereotyped roles of boys and girls.
2. Describe the advantages of teaching boys how to cook.
It teaches boys to be independent.
Cooking is a creative and educational activity.
It prepares boys for married life.
3. Explain why it should not be made compulsory.
Boys might develop hatred for it if they are not interested in cooking.
Boys might not be serious about lessons.
4. Briefly conclude that knowing how to cook is a necessary basic skill.


Most Asian societies shun the idea of boys doing any household chores. This is because, for many generations, only girls helped their mothers in the kitchen. However, times and values have changed. Perhaps, boys could be taught cookery in schools as an elective. Unmarried men, single parent families and men living on their own are common in a modern society. Thus, teaching boys cookery in school would certainly ensure that they eat proper meals. This is especially important since employing maids and eating out are both becoming more expensive by the day.

More significantly, cooking is a creative, challenging and educational activity. Learning about food and nutrition is also an important step towards healthy living. For instance, not many boys know that a deficiency in calcium can cause bone and teeth problems. Once they are aware of things like this and they are able to cook, they will be able to ensure that the ingredients in the dishes they prepare contain the nutrients that they require.

Knowledge of cookery could also prepare boys for married life. Married man who are able and willing to cook, can help lessen the burden of their wives.

Despite their advantages however, I personally feel that cookery lessons should not be made compulsory for boys. This is because if boys do not have an interest in cookery, they might eventually hate cooking if they are forced into the kitchen. Moreover, young boys, by nature, tend to be playful. Thus, they may be unhygienic while handing food. This may lead to contamination of food resulting in food poisoning. Carelessness and playfulness may also result in accidents in the cookery room.

Thus, a good suggestion would be to teach older boys cookery on a voluntary basis. The main aim of education is to prepare the student for life, and teaching cookery is an invaluable step towards achieving that aim. It would be imparting a necessary basic skill to the student – the art of survival.

Keeping pets is wrong.

“Keeping pets is wrong.” Do you agree?

1. Briefly describe the types of animals kept as pets.
2. Give the good points about keeping pets.
Pets are good companions
Keeping pets develops good qualities.
3. Give the cons of keeping pets.
It is cruel to restrict the freedom of animals.
Owners may not be responsible people.


“A dog is a man’s best friend.” People all over the world keep dogs and other kinds of animals as pets. The more popular pets in Singapore are dogs, cats, birds and fishes. In some countries, people even choose to keep snakes elephants and lions as pets.

From the point of view of most people, keeping pets is not an evil deed at all. In fact, keeping pets nurtures desirable qualities in the owner such as responsibility, care and love. Young children are taught how to take proper care of their pets. They save their pocket money to buy bird seed, worms or other necessities for their pets. Further more, keeping pets can be educational. It stimulates great interest in the particular pet. Pet owners also read and discuss much about the pets they own.

In my view, however, it is wrong to keep pets. Man assumes that animals do not have much intelligence and hence have no rights. He just assumes that animals like being kept as pets. This is especially true in the case of caged birds. By nature, birds are meant to fly. It is most pitiful to see a creature that can fly around the entire globe being imprisoned in a cage.

Keeping pets is even more wrong when people fail to take proper care of their pets. Many pet owners do not ensure that the cages, fish tanks or dog kennels are clean at all times. Sometimes, they even forget to feed their pets. I strongly feel that the very act of caging animals and depriving them of freedom is a form of evil.

Solidarity

Write a story with the title: “Solidarity”

1. Describe how the students of Secondary 2C lacked the motivation to excel in anything.
2. Describe how their form teacher told them a story to inspire them to work together as a class.
3. Describe in detail how the class then worked together by forming various committees and working responsibly.
4. Describe the result of solidarity in the class.

Three classes were judged to be the top classes of the form. However, Secondary 2C was not on the list. Some of the students felt downcast. They felt that they would never be able to excel.

Mrs. Chen, their form teacher, however, had great faith in her students and felt that they only lacked motivation.

Just before beginning her lessons that day, Mrs. Chen told all her students how a single stick could be broken easily but when a number of them were bound together, it would be impossible to break the bundle of sticks. The students realized that the moral of the story was a guideline for them to put into practice.

As soon as class was over, the class chairman, Thomas, called for a class meeting. He divided the class of thirty-five students into seven equal groups and delegated each group with a special task. There were to be four academic committees, one discipline committee, one social affairs committee and last but not least, one counseling committee.

The academic committees were put in charge of one or two subjects each, and it was the members’ responsibility to collect relevant notes, question papers and model answers. The discipline committee’s duty was to enforce the policies agreed upon by the class as a whole. The members of the social affairs and counseling committees were to organize social activities, and to help those who were facing any personal or family problems, respectively. This plan for solidarity turned out to be a roaring success. The class felt great fervor and excitement in performing the tasks assigned to them. In the process, they interacted more with one another and got to know one another better.

By the time the final examinations were near, the class had a large collection of notes, ideas and model answers to rely upon. Most importantly, there was a strong bond of friendship which was charged with sincere interest for one another’s welfare. After the examinations, none of the Secondary 2C students was even interested in the results of the class evaluation. They knew, in their hearts, that they were winners.

An unsolved mystery

Write a story with the title: “An unsolved mystery”

1. Describe how three boys were going to camp and how one of them felt that something terrible was going to happen.
2. Describe how they passed by a ruined castle and how Hans suddenly took a different track and went towards the castle.
3. Describe how Hans’ friends followed him to the castle.
4. Describe Hans’ strange behavior and how Bob went for help.
5. Conclude with an unexplainable mystery.

James had a strange foreboding. For no rhyme or reason, he felt that something disastrous was going to happen.

Hans Davidson, Bob Hester and James Clifford were setting off on their summer holiday trip again. This time, they were going to camp at Fraser’s Forest, a developed island resort off Singapore. The camp site was located at the outskirts of the dense forest which covered most of the area.

As they were following their tour guide, Hans suddenly spotted an old and partially ruined castle in a distant clearing. Always the most curious among the three, he suggested that they take a closer look at it. Before either Bob or James could protest Hans had taken a different track and was heading for the castle. The other two ran after him, to try to persuade him to turn back and to remain with the rest of the group.

When he got close to the castle, Hans quickly walked up the stone steps and tried the handle of the front door. The door did not budge. The window frame next to it, however, could be lifted easily. He climbed in and the other two who had just caught up with him, followed suit. None of them wanted to reveal the fear they were feeling.

Amazingly, Hans seemed to know his way about the inside of the gloomy and dusty castle. He walked straight on, as if in a trance, and kept muttering, “I feel I was here when the castle was being built”.

“But how can that be possible? That must have been centuries ago!”, James exclaimed.

Hans did not seem to be aware of the presence of his friends. He proceeded to walk up the old marble stairs. Both James and Bob tried to prevent him but he pushed them aside roughly. James hastily instructed Bob to run off and get the other campers to help while he stood watch with a pounding heart.

After what seemed like an eternity to James, several holiday-makers climbed in through the open window and rushed towards James who stood stupefied. He told the others that Hans had not come down despite his repeated cries for him to do so.

Everyone immediately rushed up, but Hans was nowhere to be found. Then they heard a loud scream from the attic. A few men had found a skeleton in an ancient looking coffin. Dust-ridden but well carved, the coffin looked quite plain except for the words printed in gold – “Hans Davidson”.