(1) The ABSOLUTE question [Analysis of 2000-2010 GCE 'A' Level questions]

FACT: Absolute questions have come out every year, often in multiple questions.

This question type is highly recommended for those of you who frequently fail your essays, because simply adopting the correct structure for this question type should prevent you from failing.

1a.

Absolute

[See these posts - [1] [2] – for tips on how to approach absolute questions]

2010

• ‘No politician’s reputation can survive the judegment of time.’ How true is this? (2010)
• ‘The book has no place in modern society’. Discuss (2010)

2009

• ‘Only educated people should have the right to vote in elections.’ What is your view? (2009)
• Should every country have the right to carry out unlimited scientific research? (2009)
• ‘Contemporary music has no artistic value.’ Is this a fair comment? (2009)

2008

• Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (2008)
• ‘Nowadays, the pleasures of reading can never compete with the pleasures of visual entertainment.’ To what extent do you agree? (2008)

2007

• ‘The view of the majority is always right.’ Do you agree? (2007)
• ‘Mass production inevitably means a loss of craftsmanship and quality.’ Is this true in your society? (2007)
• ‘The word failure should never be used in education.’ Discuss. (2007)

2006

• ‘A picture is always more powerful than mere words.’ What is your view? (2006)
• Does modern technology always improve the quality of people’s lives? (2006)
• ‘Women will never enjoy the same rights as men.’ Do you agree? (2006)

2005

• Is effective farming possible without science? (2005)

2004

• Do the past and present offer any guidance for the future? (2004)

2003

• ‘A good leader must always look beyond the needs of his or her country: Do you agree? (2003)
• Should medical science always seek to prolong life? (2003)
• ‘The only worthwhile form of discipline is self-discipline.’ Discuss. (2003)
• Can the media ever be relied upon to convey the truth? (2003)
• ‘Statistics measure everything but prove nothing.’ Discuss. (2003)
  [Note: The absolute term is “nothing”. Although “everything” seems like an absolute term, in this context, the question doesn’t really expect you to consider whether statistics literally measure everything; “everything” is used figuratively in this case]

2002

• Is there a case for keeping animals in zoos? (2002)
• Can the trade in weapons ever be justified? (2002)
• ‘Science and religion will always conflict.’ Discuss. (2002)
• Should the police have unlimited powers when dealing with crime? (2002)
• Is friendly rivalry ever possible? (2002)
• ‘A work of art can never be valued just in financial terms.’ Discuss. (2002)
• ‘Conformity should be the main aim of all schools.’ How far is this true? (2002)
  [Note: Also a comparative question. Also note that the combination of the absolute term and comparative term makes this question more demanding.]

2001

• ‘A film has one purpose – to entertain.’ Using examples, consider this view. (2001)
• ‘History can never be anything more than an intelligent guess at what the past was like. The reality is inevitably lost for ever: Do you agree? (2001)
  [Note: Also an “anything more than” question]
• Should advertising be restricted in any way? (2001)
• ‘Computers and mobile phones have made us all worse at talking to one another, not better!’ What do you think? (2001)
  [Note: Also a “two clauses” question]

2000

• Is it always important to succeed? (2000)
• ‘Science never provides solutions – it only poses more questions.’ Is this a fair comment? (2000) [Note: Also a two clauses question]

1b.

Anything more than /

nothing more than /

merely

[These can be treated the same way as absolute questions. See these posts - [1] [2] - for tips on how to approach absolute questions]

2010

• Can mathematics be seen as anything more than a useful tool in everyday life? (2010)

2003

• Is History anything more than the study of warfare? (2003)

2001

• ‘History can never be anything more than an intelligent guess at what the past was like. The reality is inevitably lost for ever: Do you agree? (2001)
  [Note: Also an absolute question]

 

2000

• Is a preoccupation with the past merely an escape from the present? (2000)

 

1c.

Atypical absolute

[See this post for tips on how to approach atypical absolute questions]

• ‘The prospect of a Third World War is now unthinkable: Do you agree? (2002)
• ‘In the modern world, image is everything.’ Discuss. (2000)
• ‘The most worthwhile jobs are those with the least financial gain: Do you agree? (2001)

[Note: These are atypical absolute questions because the question does not require you to consider the absolute terms literally. For example, “unthinkable” can simply be interpreted as “exceedingly unlikely”, and “everything” as crucial or very important; in other words, these “absolute” terms are used figuratively or hyperbolically in the question. However, scripts that engage with the figurative meaning and go further to consider an absolute angle – e.g. “everything” as most important - may do better, depending on the atypical absolute term in question.]

1d. 

Double absolute

[See this post for tips on how to approach atypical absolute questions]

• Can prejudice ever be eliminated? (2011)

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