(4) The TWO CLAUSES question [Analysis of 2000-2010 GCE 'A' Level questions]

Recommended approach:

STAND: Disagree with either one or both of the clauses.

This is because it typically takes a particularly good writer to be able to agree with both clauses, as agreeing with both clauses means that you must deal with both clauses simultaneously (in the same paragraph).  However, if you disagree with one or both clauses (meaning that your overall stand is a “disagree” stand*), you do not need to deal with both clauses simultaneously; instead, you can deal with them independently, in separate paragraphs. This is why disagreeing is much easier than agreeing. So if you frequently fail your essays, you are strongly advised not to attempt an “agree” stand. Always disagree. 

*There are two possible “disagree” stands. If you frequently fail your essays, please take note of the phrasing for both types of “disagree” stands, by considering the example, ‘Too much attention is given to criminals; not enough to their victims.’ Is this true?

Option 1: Disagree with both clauses

STAND: It is not true that too much attention is given to criminals, and neither is it true that not enough attention is given to their victims.

Para 1: Explain why it is not true that too much attention is given to criminals
Para 2: Explain why it is not true that not enough attention is given to their victims
Para 3 & 4: (repeat above structure)

Option 2: Disagree with one clause

a) STAND: While it is true that too much attention is given to criminals, it is not true that not enough attention is given to their victims. Thus, overall, the statement is not true. 

Para 1: Explain why it is true that too much attention is given to criminals
Para 2: Explain why it is not true that not enough attention is given to their victims
Para 3 & 4: (repeat above structure)

Note: As this is also a “too much” question, you should not take this stand as it is difficult to agree with “too much” (see blog post on “too much”). Thus, for this question, if you choose to disagree with only one clause, you should disagree with the “too much” clause, as follows:

b) STAND: While it is not true that too much attention is given to criminals, it is true that not enough attention is given to their victims. Thus, overall, the statement is not true. 

Para 1: Explain why it is not true that too much attention is given to criminals
Para 2: Explain why it is true that not enough attention is given to their victims
Para 3 & 4: (repeat above structure)

4a.

Two clauses,

(usually) separated by commas

2009

• ‘Air travel should be discouraged, not promoted.’ To what extent do you agree? (2009)

2005

• ‘Too much attention is given to criminals; not enough to their victims.’ Is this true? (2005) [Note: Also a “too much” question]
• ‘Instead of speeding up the pace of life, we should be slowing it down.’ What do you think? (2005)

2001

• ‘Idealism brings disillusionment; realism brings results.’ Discuss. (2001)

2000

• ‘Science never provides solutions – it only poses more questions.’ Is this a fair comment? (2000) [Note: Also an absolute question]

4b.

Two clauses,

separated by “but”

The “but” questions are more interesting because they often allow for more interesting approaches and stands. For those of you who usually do well in your essays, this is something for you to think about.

The “but” in the question usually suggests that the two concepts presented are either (1) mutually exclusive or (2) unlinked. However, these assumptions can be questioned, and this is what makes a potentially interesting angle, as illustrated in the points beneath some of the following questions.

2007

• ‘The arts cannot change the world, but they make it more beautiful.’ Discuss this view with reference to one of the following: painting, sculpture or music. (2007)

Perhaps it is precisely because it changes the world that it becomes more beautiful? That the ability to change the world is (one of the things) that makes the arts more beautiful.

• ‘Advertisements are often entertaining, but they rarely affect consumer choice.’ Is this your experience? (2007)

2005

• Consider the view that the study of mathematics is intellectually satisfying, but of little practical use. (2005)

Could the fact that it is intellectually satisfying make it useful in practical terms? That we derive some practical use from the very fact that it is intellectually satisfying (e.g. because it’s intellectually satisfying, we might pursue it more deeply, and this develops our ability to think logically, which we can put to practical use in our lives).

2003

• ‘Statistics measure everything but prove nothing.’ Discuss. (2003)

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This excerpt from Mr Lim’s post illustrates how you might challenge the “but”:

1. Challenge the relationship established in the question.

‘Movies are fun but useless.’ Comment.

Not only are movies enjoyable and meaningful, they are precisely meaningful because they are enjoyable. How can we discount the value of pulling ourselves away from our 14-hour work days to sit on a couch and laugh our hearts out at a Will Ferrell comedy? It is ridiculous to deem passive entertainment ‘useless’. Play is play because it is not work; we cannot judge movies by the amount of ‘work’ we do whilst watching them. We need our time to unwind, to relax, to recharge so that we can apply ourselves ‘usefully’ at work. That is the value of the time we spend at the cinema or in front of our television screens. It does not matter if we are watching The March of the Penguins or Mr Popper’s Penguins. Whether it is to satisfy our innate curiosities about the larger world or just about a good frivolous time, movies are always ‘fun’ and ‘useful’.