Unit 6: CHALLENGE AND CHANGE

Topics:
Venice: Rise and Fall of a Great City-State

2002 Qn 4:
(a) To what extent was the success of Venice from the 9th century onwards due to capable leadership? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) ‘The discovery of a new sea route to the East in the late 15th century was a disaster for Venice.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (13m)


2005 Qn 4:
(a) How far was it the discovery of the new trade route to the East that destroyed Venice’s trade? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) Was its political system more a help than a hindrance to Venice? Explain your answer. (13m)

Unit 5: LOOKING AHEAD

Topics:
Sustaining Singapore’s Development in the 21st Century

2003 Qn 2:
(a) How far can research and development transform Singapore into a knowledge-based economy? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) Are developments in other countries a greater threat to Singapore’s future economic progress than constraints within Singapore itself? Explain your answer. (13m)



Good Governance in Singapore

2003 Qn 4:
(a) How far can practising meritocracy ensure an effective civil service in Singapore? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) Is social cohesion more crucial than effective political leadership in ensuring that good governance will continue in Singapore? Explain your answer. (13m)

Unit 4: GROWTH OF NATIONS

Topics:
Singapore’s Industrial Development 1960s-1980s
No question under this topic appeared before



Education: Case Studies of Singapore and Switzerland

2006 Qn 4:
(a) How far does the introduction of National Education contribute to the fostering of social cohesion in Singapore’s schools? (12m)



Health Services: Case Studies of Singapore and Welfare State in Britain

2006 Qn 4:
(b) ‘The idea of a Welfare State is wrong.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (13m)



Population: Case Study of Singapore
No question under this topic appeared before



Housing: Case Study of Singapore

2002 Qn 3:
(a) To what extent is Singapore’s public housing programme due to the need to maximise land use? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) No longer in syllabus

Unit 3: CONFLICT AND COOPERATION

Topics:
Conflicts Among Nations

2004 Qn4:
(a) To what extent were ideological differences between North and South Korea the cause of the Korean War? Explain your answer. (12m)


2005 Qn3:
(a) How far is competition for scarce resources the reason for conflict between countries? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) Was the intervention of the USA more a help than a hindrance in resolving the Korean War? Explain your answer. (13m)




Diplomacy and Deterrence

2004 Qn 4:
(b) Here are three types of diplomatic relations:
Bilateral Relations
Regional Relations
Membership of the United Nations Organisation
Which do you think is the most important for Singapore? Explain your answer. (13m)

Unit 2: HARMONY AND DISCORD

Topics:
Sri Lanka

2003 Qn 3:
(a) How far were the citizenship rights a cause of the conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) Was the economic impact of the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict more damaging to Sri Lanka than the political impact? Explain your answer. (13m)


2005 Qn 2:
(a) How far was language policy the cause of the conflict between Tamils and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) Was the LTTE more a help than a hindrance to the Tamil cause? Explain your answer. (13m)




Northern Ireland

2006 Qn 3:
(a) How far did competition for employment explain why Catholics in Northern Ireland started the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s? (12m)
(b) ‘Britain was wrong to send its army to Northern Ireland.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (13m)

Unit 1: BIRTH OF NATIONS

Topics:
In and Out of Malaysia (1963-1965)

2002 Qn 2:
(a) To what extent was the merger with Malaya in 1963 due to Singapore’s desire for independence? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) ‘Singapore’s separation from Malaysia was a disaster.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (13m)


2006 Qn 2:
(a) How far did concerns with economic survival lead to merger between Malaya and Singapore? Explain your answer. (12m)
(b) ‘Separation from Malaysia was wrong for Singapore.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (13m)

For ALL Social Studies students

Hi guys!

I've arranged the past year 'O' Level exam questions according to their themes and topics.
In the event you want to specialise in any topic, do have a go at the past year questions to test your own understanding of the topic.

Cheers,
Mr. Siah