Iraq, Libya, North Korea.

Some categorised the ex leaders of Iraq (SH), Libya (MG), North Korea (KJI) as dictators. Now that they are gone, are those countries and their citizens better off in terms of overall living standards?

There are a whole heap of issues to consider if one wants to answer this question. Firstly, one has to understand what 'dictator' and 'overall living standards' mean? Then, compare what the situations were before and what the situations are in the present day? Alot of knowledge about what has been happening since the 1980s, 90s to the present is needed to fully answer this question.

A Levels

Here's wishing all A Level Students this year the Best of Luck. Hope each and everyone of you does well for every exam that you sit for.

Remember, preparation is key, remaining calm is vital, focus during execution is essential.

Bullying

Why does bullying happen at school, the workplace, on the streets etc?

Well, experts believe that it is to do with a feeling of power that these people like feeling.

Irony of The Media.

Most people would turn to the media (TV news, newspapers, internet, magazines etc) for information regarding world events.

The media, however, has been known to at times over-sensationalise news and events to enable its readers/viewers/audiences to stay interested and to come back for more, so to speak.

So, should people rely on the media to gain knowledge about what's happening around them?

Environment Protection : Selflessness or Selfishness?

Do people who advocate environmental protection, in this day and age, do it for the pure and sincere motive of saving the earth and protecting it from damage and preserving it for future generations or are they just doing it for the sake of their own selfish personal and/or commercial gains?

GP Tuition At Serangoon / Sengkang Area

As I am currently overseas for this period, I would be glad to refer anyone keen on small group GP tuition (about 4 students to a tutor) to a tutor around Serangoon or Sengkang.

Please contact me if you are interested. Thank you.

Aftermath of SG Elections: Some Reactions.

This is an article following the recent Singapore Elections. Readers might want to have a look at it to strenghthen their knowledge of the sentiments of the opposition as well as some of the general public's opinions in the comments section.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/next-ministers-salaries-must-come-down-sdp-154731623.html

GP Tuition Venue Preferences

Thanks for participating in the poll on the top right hand side of this website.

So far, it looks like the overwhelming response is for tuition lessons to be conducted at students' homes.

That seems like the most feasible and convenient place for students to have lessons, as most students are so busy these days with school, homework, and CCAs etc.

Please continue to take part in the poll. Thank you.

Multiculturalism

Over the years, many countries have adopted the policy of multiculturalism. Not all have succeeded in producing a country with more benefits as a result of the policy. The UK has recently declared that they have failed in this area because of the problems that migrants bring to the country. Others like Australia have insisted that it has been an overall success with people of various races and cultures living together side by side in the same country, albeit not without minor problems.

So is multiculturalism a good or bad thing?

French Laws

A new French law banning the Burqa will start on Monday. Read all about it and the potential consequences of such a law being put in place.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/9166141/french-burqa-ban-goes-into-force-on-monday/

The Young In Politics

This example can be used in GP to quote that anyone who has the will and determination could go into politics and lead people. Even someone who is young, in terms of the political environment/arena, can succeed.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110327-270406.html

Today's Younger Generation Too Pampered?

Recently a NS man was spotted with his maid helping to carry his full pack or back pack.

This sparked lots of debate among people, some saying the young are being pampered, while a minority defended the NS man by saying he could simply be injured and needed some help.

What do you all think? Do the young these days lead comfortable, pampered lives? Are they physically and mentally tough like our older generation of people who helped shape the nation?

Please take a look at this link. http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/03/28/ns-man-with-maid-carrying-backpack-sparks-debate/#

Do Women Make Better Politicians Than Men?

This is an interesting article, please have a look, many comments at the end of it too.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8056310/Women-make-better-politicians-than-men-claims-French-finance-minister.html#

GE

With the General Election coming up within the next few months, please pay careful attention to the issues surrounding it.

Try reading up on what the various political parties are campaigning for. This will be useful for general knowledge which can be applied in GP.

Usual issues that are brought up during any election : Healthcare, Jobs, Housing, Transportation, Baby/Child Bonuses, Education, Income/Tax/CPF (more to do with Budget though) etc.

A Level GP Results

I received some good news from my ex students who did remarkably well in last year's GP exams.

There were a few (who were only managing a borderline pass or who usually failed the subject this time last year) who improved alot and got at least a 'C' grade or above.

Well done! Congrats to them!

All The Best in your next step up the education ladder!

What Is GP About?

Some say GP is about English, while others say it is about general knowledge.

Well, it is indeed about the above, but not entirely, one would have to have both the above to do well plus a third skill and that is to combine the above 2 skills and apply them to express an argument or arguments.

This is required for both essays as well as the application question.

The Power Of Influence In This World

To illustrate how much power influence has on the people of this world is simple, just look at the riots and protests happening in the Middle East and North Africa right now.

First it was Tunisia, then Egypt, now Bahrain, Yemen, Libya. People who are frustrated with their governments have always suppressed their feelings untill they see what others in a similar position can do to force their president/prime minister to step down.

Once people witness what others can do, they too want to do it. INFLUENCE in this world can be a very scary thing.

This is something which students can take note of, you can use it in your essays or maybe more in the application question when, for example, you are asked to evaluate something along the lines of 'influence' and its power or effects etc. You need to use materials from the comprehension passage(s) but at the same time you need to throw in some real-life/out of passage examples to demonstrate your understanding as well as your general knowledge.

Bright And Promising A Level Students

Most of you who come to this site are doing the A Levels. There will also be some who are from other disciplines.

Whoever you are, you must always remind yourself that you are a good student and that you can be a bright and promising student no matter what your circumstances are right now.

You could be getting bad grades at the moment, but tell yourself that with that extra bit of hard work, discipline, motivation, and positive energy, you can be among the best. If not the best, at least you know you have tried your best. Never be afraid of failure, if you fail, try again, if you fail again, try again again.

Allow me to share a real life story. I know of a friend's brother who failed his A Levels badly many years back. He repeated it twice during his NS days and finally did well enough to enter university, he looked like a 'goner' but he persevered and studied hard during uni and emerged as a fine graduate. He entered the teaching force as a junior trainee teacher and slowly climbed his way up to a HOD (Head of Dept) at a prestigious secondary school. Who would have put their money on him being where his is today, back then during his A Level time?

Egypt Crisis

Egyptians are fighting one another because of politics. Sad state of affairs in the country.

http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/video/crisis-egypt-12851959

Best Ways To Learn And Master GP

There are many ways people can effectively learn something.

Some like to read alot while others prefer learning through practical methods.

There are yet others who like someone to teach and guide them towards doing well in their studies.

Well, the best thing to do is to, first of all, understand what it is that makes you tick.

If you think that the 'DIY' style is the way to go, and you are confident that you can pick up the techniques by yourself, it is absolutely fantastic.

On the other hand, if you think you need some help with your studies, then find a sibling or a parent or a friend or a tutor. If you do choose a tutor, choose carefully. You have to find a tutor who is not only knowledgeable in the subject but who can also effectively teach you in the way that you can learn. Different people learn in different ways, some prefer to be serious, some prefer to be relaxed, some prefer to be in a fun environment etc etc. Whatever it is, look for the right one.