Discussion 1

9/8/2018


Deportation/ Calling 4 million people stateless in Assam India. (Violence n Gov)
 This article shows us how how governments can be put in a catch 22 situation. On how they have to be accountable to their own citizens while at the same time practicing cruelty by separating families.

Their move can also be a cause of violence in a country.


Sing Health Cyber attack (Gov)
So apparently the cyber attack is suspected by experts to be state sponsored by nation threat actors. Across governments, I didn't know there were such backstabbing activities committed discreetly.

Microstamping of guns-violence (Violence and Gov)
Microstamping technology does seem to be the way forward to reducing Gun violence. Why isn't it widely practiced in the UNited States (even though it has been proven to be effective in some states)


Mexican anti-poverty program helping men the most (Poverty and Gov)
When anti-poverty programs are not well thought through, we can be left with a situation where people's standard of living do not improve for the better.


Greece forest fires as a result of corruption (Gov)
It is disappointing to find out that corruption can be tied to environment degradation. In addition, people are inflicted with injuries and resources have to be deployed to evacuate people.

Poor governance can lead to highly corrupted and unregulated country. Nothing is going to change unless the government knows how to stabilise its economy and protect its people.

Sexual abuse endemic in aid sector (Poverty)
21 red cross staff dismissed from 2015 till today for their inappropriate behaviour.
Victims are left pregnant and having an additional burden to care for. They are also more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.
This is due to the lack of whistle-blowing systems.

UK doubling cash handout(Gov and Poverty)
UK has been a very fervent supporter of aid for the world. They have given cash payments to pakistanis and frequently tops them out. They are also careful about who get the money.

However, journalists have found people taking out money from cashcards they recieve from  paying kickbacks to officials. (Inevitable inefficiency in using aid money)

People have been unhappy. Clearly the mail as well.

Local aid workers are not treated equally to International aid workers (Poverty) 
Protection rights, wages and responsibilities are not equal for these 2 groups of people when it comes to taking up the role of aid workers.


https://www.quora.com/What-do-US-citizens-think-about-the-US-military-spending
http://www.theweek.co.uk/63394/foreign-aid-how-and-where-is-britain-s-budget-spent

GP expectations

Is scoring a distinction in GP difficult? It would be a lie if anyone tells you GP is unchallenging, but it is definitely possible to score distinctions and attain a good pass. A well-written GP essay is not only one imbued with a wide variety of exemplifications written by someone well-read and capable of insightful reflection and argumentation. An impressive essay can be written if one attains a flair and personal style which can only be gradually acquired by reading widely over a period of time.

Besides essay writing, one also needs to read, comprehend, infer, summarize and paraphrase phrases and sentences from one to two essays written by journalists, academics, intellectuals, philosophers, entrepreneurs, politicians and leaders in their respective fields. In addition, the Application Question (AQ) at the end of the comprehension paper requires one to relate the main ideas of the particular passage with the Singaporean context, evaluating if the thoughts and opinion are relevant, applicable and valid when seen from a local perspective.

Evidently, vocabulary is of utmost importance as one has to employ a variety of words to express succinctly. A clarity of mind is essential for one to formulate lucid and convincing arguments. With these, one is able to write well and we all know, good writers with insightful views on global and local issues earn recognition and respect. GP is the subject that gives all of us the key to become better writers.

AIm for 25 for content:
A thoughtful response which is consistently argued. The answer shows sustained clarity of relevant and detailed discussion.A balanced discussion which reflects the depth of evaluation and awareness of the issues raised by the question. Apt or appropriate use of illustration which may lack originality, but clearly supports the argument, with most points being effectively linked to the ideas being conveyed. Examples are wide ranging. Fully relevant, addressing the requirements of the question throughout.
*Reading makes practice effective, and Practice makes perfect.*

General paper essay component is a more fact-based paper compared to O Level English writing component. You need to analyze your writing equally as you did and have an interesting hook and end to your essay. However, you need to include much more perspectives in your essay and attack the question with a mature attitude. Identify the debatable issue, locate the relevance of the issue to today's era, define all terms, make your stand clear and you will at least get 30! I am intending to focus on government and politics -includes economics because the topic is versatile. Here is some research:



Impact on countries/global progress/ resolution of inequality

• Idea of Leadership

Corrupt leaders:

• Idea of Technology
• Media and the government:

Trump and media

Eras

Napoleonic era

Orwellian

Digital Age

Players

International Organisations: FAO, World Bank, International Monetary Fund

Agencies:
- National Security Agency

NGOs:

IGOs :OPEC, UN

Leaders:
Donald Trump
Obama
Nelson Mandela
Napoleon
Bill Clinton
Lee Kwan Yew
Vladimir Putin
Bashar al-Assad
Margaret Thatcher
Winston Churchill
Mother Theresa (w criticisms)

Agreements:
Climate Change Agreement

What is your idea of fear? Describe a time when you experienced fear.

A reflective essay...

 Having fear is the adrenaline you experience when you are being chased by a deadly animal who will not concede defeat until either you face it (by killing it), or it eats you up. Fear pushes you to be on your toes to think, in order to save yourself. Fear is ultimately, being afraid of an outcome. As a teenager, I fear losing trust from others. Trust mean a lot to me. Losing trust meant lost of freedom, what people my age will call, life.

The red markings on my paper appeared as scratches onto my heart, the more I look at it, the more I feel torn inside. The four letters, spelling FAIL, got me gobsmacked for almost a good hour. I failed my first test in Secondary School. But how? But why? I questioned silently. 

What will my parents think? My results have been going downhill since mid-years. The countless times I have been told to do my best, try harder next time, were as though I turned a deaf ear to them. I did try my best, not procrastinating. However I guessed, I did not try hard enough. I was told to get my parents' signature beside the heart-wrenching report of my performance. I was doomed.

My phone will be taken away.  The only device which stores my entire social life and keeps me in the loop of my social circle is now going to disappear. I cannot possibly live like this, I have never tried it. The fact that this was not even half of the things I was going to lose, made me feel worse.  

The effect of fear is kicking in, should I contrive an escape? Can I avoid this situation by forging the signature? It was not normal of me to be thinking of such dishonourable ideas. Times like this, I was on the verge of breaking down. My sensible mind would answer no to those questions. After all, I am a student leader. The fear was ineffable.

I was losing the battle to fear. If I cannot kill it, I will have to face it. Cold sweat trickled down my forehead and palms as I walked along the lonely alley towards home. It was never this lonely and solemn before. I took a breath as deep as I could before entering the gates to where all the drama is about to happen, knowing that it might be the last taste of freedom I will ever get, until who knows when. 

"I am sorry mommy. I know you are very disappointed. I am too. I will do better next time."

I should have known this was coming. I should have cancelled my hangout sessions, my youtube sessions on those dates leading up to my exams. At that point, I remembered the childhood story told to me, the boy who cried wolf. Except now I am the girl who cried improvement too many times. "I will do better next time" were meant to be powerful words. But I have turned them into hollow stones to throw as situations like these overtime. It carried no meaning anymore.

The many chances I was given to change before something like this actually happen, I took them all for granted. I would not be let off this time for the fact that I have gone too far. I failed. No more time off to do my own things, no more phones, and my whole 24 hours were on surveillance. I felt suffocated and I deserved it.The outcome was as painful as arrows being shot at my heart, literally. The adrenaline which was once present in my veins has now stopped flowing. The battle with fear was finally over. After the experience, I was sure I never wanted to enter such a battle ever again. 

A book review: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Characters: (main)

Baz "Pitch"
Simon Snow "Snow"
Agatha "Wellbelove"
Penelope "Penny"
Davy "The mage"
Nicodemus
Ebenza "Ebb"
Lucy

I like how I type them according to the order I remember and yet also reflecting how many times they appeared in the book in descending order.

Words I have learnt from this book:

Pouts
Portent
Veil
Coven
Interim
Reforms
Ascendancy
Solitude
Antsy
Winces
Indelible
Melancholy
Laud
Sanctum
Scrounge
Dryad
Improbable
Pious
Mirthlessly
Unsheathed
Bollocks
Outbuilding
Reconnaissance
Breeches
Dicey
Nook
Lulled
Adjourned
Skirmishes
Firmament
Worsegers
Ticced
Ramparts
Entail
Whinge
Skulking
Drawbridge
Kippers
Littluns
Bluster
Hove
Berated-Scold
Antagonism
Crucible
Incantation
Wonker
Calching
Chimera
Throttle
Vindictive
Consortium
Faun
Centaur
Gargoyles
Solace
Thatch of Curls
Snit
Omnipotent
Snarling
Livid
Booby Traps
Snitching
Queerness
Polecat
Dungarees
Fiend
Obliterate
Gobsmacked
Congenitally
Teeming
Slovenly
Sodden
Ravenous
Austerity
Tarot
Ledger
Metastasising
Acclimate
Bloke
Casserole
Pyro
Hitchhiked
Fitfully
Scornfully
Cavorting
Interloper
Collateral (damage)
Grotesque
Brute
Rogue
Grimaces
Wet to my thighs
Gelded
Miasma
Roils (stomach)
Reconvened
Bring the nannies home
Indefatigable
Nigh
Eulogies
Assimilated
Capitalism


Wow... would you just look at rainbow's vocabulary?

Setting:

A magical school of Watford.
Baz's spooky and haunted House.
Wellbelove hospitable family.

What was so compelling about this book:

To be honest, I was surprised that Simon Snow was Gay - homosexual! But thanks to him, Baz was not awkwardly left to love himself:D I especially like the non-cliche romance plot of the book; where the prettiest girl will not always end up happily ever after with the main character in the book.

Also, the suspense of knowing who killed Mrs Grimm-Pitch, turning Baz into a vampire and defeating the Humdrum made love this book till the end.

Smelling Improvement!

Hello world!

Just thought I share a testimony on the huge word- improvement:)

Since 2 weeks ago, I started to read English books, Chinese Books and learnt new phrases, I can really feel that my command of language is getting stronger! What do I mean? I am able to construct sentences and express myself more clearly in writing and verbal. I have gained more confidence in these TWO subject; which thus allows me to have more interest in it. Recall those times when your teacher advised you to read widely? I am telling you right now it works! They were telling the truth...duh>< I guessed it was us who didn't choose to listen! 

I do hope you will start early though! I am already in my final year in school when I finally touched a book. I am crossing my fingers, hoping that by starting now I may still still have a chance to drastically score a distinction in these subjects:D If you're like me-who started really late, try reading more intensively! I plan to have at least 1 book read a week! 

Books can get boring if you don't find interest in the plot of the novel you are reading, hence i suggest you seek recommendations or go by your favourite genre of books! Don't trust your gut feeling when it comes to picking a book! You need to known what you are reading, or else you will not find motivation to carry on reading:) 

So long!