Resources19 October 20269 min read

2026 General Paper (GP) J2 PRELIM ESSAY QUESTIONS for Paper 1

Dear illum.e fam,

As we work towards your A Levels, you may wish to plan the following questions on a quick-fire and consult your teachers.

We can see the much deeper trend towards how to handle the wide breadth and depth of various topics without the need for close and rote memorisation as we have been sharing in class! For J2s, do refer to our mother of all lectures/ revision lecture which works on your conceptual understanding.

ACJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

“The fear of migrants is exaggerated.” Comment.
In today’s world, should there be any restrictions on access to military technology?
How far do you agree that museums are more important than ever in your society?
“There are no heroes in politics today, only villains.” Discuss.
To what extent should the media shape public opinion rather than reflect it?
In a world that is rapidly changing, how far can companies afford to be loyal to their employees?
Assess the view that it does not matter why people exercise, as long as they do.
“Recent trends have made the raising of children an overwhelming task.” How far is this true in your society?

ASRJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

How far do you agree that change in your society should be driven by its people rather than its government?
“Education is the most important solution to social injustice.” Evaluate this view.
Given the competition for technological dominance, how realistic is international cooperation?
Examine the claim that social media has ruined the arts.
To what extent has the commercialisation of sport undermined its values?
“Taking risks matters more than playing it safe in the modern world.” Discuss.
Assess the view that not enough is being done to hold the powerful accountable for their actions.
“Money solves all problems.” Is this true in your society?

CJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

“The right to privacy should be sacrificed for national security.” Comment.
Evaluate the claim that might is always right when solving global conflict.
To what extent has success in life become more about money than passion?
Assess whether the arts continue to matter in societies driven by science and technology.
“Books offer us little use other than entertainment today.” How far do you agree?
“Youth is wasted on the young.” Is this a fair assessment of young people in your society today?
“Individuals can do nothing meaningful to solve environmental problems.” Discuss.
“There is no point in being charitable.” To what extent is this true of your society?

DHS GP Prelim Essay Questions

Is nostalgia merely appealing but serves no useful purpose?
“Only smaller states find international organisations relevant today.” Discuss.
Do the arts really bring about meaningful social change in your society?
“In an age of rapid technological advancement, we have pushed the boundaries too far.” Do you agree?
“Attending live sporting events has lost its appeal in the digital age.” Discuss.
How far is it acceptable for a government to fully exploit energy resources when the interests of other countries are at stake?
Examine the claim that modern technology has made crime prevention harder and not easier.
How far do you agree that the government bears the greatest responsibility in meeting the needs of an ageing population in your society?

EJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

Assess the view that it is difficult for artists today to earn a living from their work.
“Despite greater access to information today, people’s understanding of current issues has not improved.” Discuss.
To what extent should the state be responsible for helping citizens with financial struggles?
“There is a lack of appreciation for the value of sport.” How far is this true of your society?
Evaluate the view that modern technology can no longer be effectively controlled.
Consider the view that protests do more harm than good.
“Traditional gender roles in parenting are becoming less relevant.” How true is this of your society?
When domestic needs are urgent, should a country still be expected to fulfill its international commitments? (compare illum.e 2024)

HCI GP Prelim Essay Questions

“Education gives us the map to progress.” How far is this true of education in your society?
Are we steering recent advances in science and technology in the wrong direction?
Examine the claim that peace is still attainable today.
“As long as individuals are environmentally conscious, the planet can be saved.” Discuss.
Assess the view that greed is an inevitable feature of modern society.
“The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.” (Thucydides) Is this the case in global affairs?
“Banning youths from using social media brings more harm than good.” Evaluate.
“Without the government’s support, the arts will disappear.” Is this true in your society?

JPJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

How far do the arts influence the way individuals think?
To what extent are human rights sufficiently valued in today’s world?
Assess the view that innovation is best driven by private companies rather than governments.
“People can only be truly happy if they are free to make their own choices.” How far do you agree?
Consider the view that strong leaders do more harm than good.
How far do international organisations remain crucial amid global instability?

To what extent are individual lifestyle changes the most effective solution to environmental problems?

“There is a lack of appreciation for the value of sports.” How far is this true in your society?

NJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

“Migrants should be welcomed only if they can contribute economically.” How far do you agree?
Can there ever be too much optimism?
How far do you agree that environmental protection is more of a political problem than a scientific one?
Assess the claim that traditional beliefs are nothing more than mere superstitions in today’s world.
Evaluate the claim that sports bring out the worst in people.
To what extent is the pursuit of continuous technological advancement a desirable goal?
“We are victims of our own success.” How true is this of your society?
Do the arts truly reflect the diversity of your society?

NYJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

Are international organisations still relevant today?
How effective has the government been in promoting social cohesion in your society?
Evaluate the claim that it is difficult to trust those in power today.
To what extent should governments regulate artificial intelligence?
“The dominance of global entertainment platforms has made local media irrelevant.” Discuss.
“The development of cities inevitably damages the environment.” Is this true of your society?
To what extent has consumerism improved people’s quality of life?
“Society has become more self-centred in the modern age.” Do you agree?

RI GP Prelim Essay Questions

To what extent should governments regulate the development of emerging technologies?
“We should invest more in sports rather than the arts.” How true is this of your society?
“Countries should always welcome migrants.” How far do you agree?
“We communicate more but understand one another less.” Is this a fair assessment of today’s world?
To what extent do you agree that efforts to address climate change are doomed to fail?
“People care too much about material success.” How far is this true of your society?
“No government should prioritise economic growth at the expense of social welfare.” How far do you agree?
How far do you agree that conforming with social norms is more beneficial than challenging them?

RVHS GP Prelim Essay Questions

“The greatest dangers posed by technology are those that we cannot see.” Discuss.
In times of crisis, can investment in the arts be justified?
“Global challenges can only be solved through global cooperation.” How far do you agree?
To what extent should scientific research be guided by ethical concerns?
Should diversity always be valued in your society?
To what extent is a future without fossil fuels realistic?
“First world nation with third world citizens.” Is this an accurate assessment of your society?
Have we become used to ignoring what matters?

SAJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

Consider the view that suffering has no value.
How far does the media distort public perceptions of crime?
Is the promise of a better life in your society an illusion for the majority?
“When everyone is an artist, nothing is art.” Discuss.
“Governments are not doing enough to protect young people from online harms.” To what extent do you agree?
Assess the view that modern environmental challenges are a result of innovation rather than neglect.
“The state should not have the right to tell its citizens how to spend their money.” Discuss this with reference to your society.
Has drone technology truly made our world better?

TJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

“Technological advancements have made people more fearful about the future.” How far do you agree?
Assess the view that fiction exists only to entertain.
“We expect too much from governments.” Do you agree?
How far are sporting pursuits given adequate support and recognition in your society?
“Migration is the solution to demographic challenges.” Discuss.
Evaluate the claim that the state should not regulate the media during times of crisis.
Is forgiveness the best way to deal with injustice?
“A city without soul.” How true is this of your society?

TMJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

Nations should place greater emphasis on global rather than national issues. Do you agree?
Social media has changed the way leaders exercise power today. How far is this true?
Evaluate the claim that artificial intelligence is a threat to human creativity.
Is it possible to protect the environment when modern lifestyles prioritise personal comfort?
In the digital age, protection of personal privacy is desirable but not realistic. Discuss.
How far is risk-taking essential for success in your society?
To what extent is charity able to solve the problem of poverty?
Consider the view that sporting events do little to strengthen social cohesion in your society.

VJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

“Scientific development is driven by the desire to help people.” How far is this true today?
To what extent has technology increased our appreciation of the arts?
Should your society do more to protect the young from the effects of social media?
“The environmental costs of sport competition today can no longer be ignored.” Discuss.
“The loss of privacy is a small price to pay for security.” How far do you agree?
To what extent does your society need broader definitions of success?
Examine the claim that immigration today brings more problems than ever.
“We should always forgive those who wrong us.” Is this good advice?

YIJC GP Prelim Essay Questions

“The arts have become more accessible but less meaningful today.” How far do you agree?
“The possession of nuclear weapons cannot be justified.” Discuss.
“It is getting harder to live a simple life today.” To what extent is this true of your society?
To what extent is society justified in fearing developments in artificial intelligence?
“The desire for convenience is changing society for the worse.” To what extent is this true?
Assess the view that privacy is no longer a realistic expectation.
Given the need to safeguard national interests, to what extent should social media platforms in your society be regulated?
“The poor suffer the most from the consequences of environmental damage.” Discuss.

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chau king

7 November 2026

I've seen a noticeable improvement in my daughter's English, especially in comprehension and summary writing, which she used to struggle with in Sec 1. Her school teacher has also praised her for her overall improvement in the subject in Sec 2. While her EOY scores may not be exceptionally high, she is now performing in the higher band. More importantly, she has become much more confident in English, and that means a lot to us as parents. Really grateful for the patience, guidance and encouragement that have helped her make such meaningful progress. Thank you so much!

Steph Tan

19 October 2026

Students who are hungry to get A’s ……You have found the Best English Tutor Mr Andre. Thank you so much Mr Andre for being such a wonderful tutor to my son Zander Toh! You gave him the confident that achieving A’s in English is possible! We truly appreciate the time and effort you put into helping him improve. Your guidance has made such a positive difference to him. Thank you for your encouragement and support — you're amazing Mr Andre!

18 October 2026

My english has improved from a B to an A for eoys after joining Illume. Ms alyssa has reviewed my work carefully and gave detailed feedback on where i can improve on specifically

yuwen

11 October 2026

Mr Liew is able to make class work easier to understand by focusing more on the important parts of the lessons. I’ve learnt new things from the classes especially for paper 1

Harish

9 October 2026

Mr Liew is a very helpful and dedicated GP teacher who has really helped me improve in GP. He explains concepts and new topics clearly and is always willing to guide his students. Really grateful to have him as my teacher.

Tan Si Hong

5 October 2026

Ilume review I’ve been attending illume since the start of my jc journey and I feel that they have helped me tremendously for my gp. Mr Liew is very competent and enthusiastic who know a lot about the subject. They actively mark your work live in class which I felt that has helped me greatly to improve my writing skills.

SH Tan

Illume review I’ve been attending illume since the start of my jc journey and I feel that they have helped me tremendously for my gp. The teachers are competent and enthusiastic who know a lot about the subject. They actively mark your work live in class which I felt that has helped me greatly to improve my writing skills.

Jolin

4 October 2026

Mr Chia has been an incredible support since my child joined his classes at the beginning of the year to prepare for P6 English and the PSLE. His guidance and encouragement have helped my child improve significantly over the past months. We truly appreciate his patience and clear guidance on how to avoid common grammar and synthesis traps. My child can now answer with confidence. Thank you so much, Mr Chia, for your unwavering dedication, encouragement, and hard work during this critical year!

Hannah P

My summary was able to reach 12 out of 15 thanks to teacher Alyssa. She is an amazing teacher who helps give personalised feedback to each student. She makes us think through our answers carefully to correct ourselves. Thank you!

Nicole Tan

The teachers here are very helpful and there is one on one guidance in classes .Ms Alyssa will provide you specific feedback while walking around the class and providing details about my writing. This help to improve my grades by a lot.

Peng Kiat

2 October 2026

Ms Ong goes through her lesson while explaining clearly so that it is easy to understand. She also provides useful feedback on the work so we can improve.

Alena

1 October 2026

i started gp tuition at illum.e a few months ago and have found lessons to be rather useful, esp with the help of mr liew! i love his lessons because they are always highly entertaining, and the best part is that he breaks down the framework needed into very simple steps, while also checking in with to ensure that i understand and am able to keep up. another thing i particularly appreciate is that he is very honest and direct with his feedback; if there is a point that needs reworking, he will clearly outline the steps i need to refine my work. even my friend who joined mr liew's class at another outlet thinks he's goated. i wld highly recommend mr liew's lessons :))

29 September 2026

GP initially seemed like a rather dull and boring subject to me but illume somehow managed to make me genuinely interested in it. lessons in illume are very well organised and cover every aspect of GP from content to skills, which really helped me to build a stronger foundation and approach GP questions with greater confidence. furthermore, the tutors are professional and can tell that they genuinely care about all their students. i had a particularly good experience with my GP tutor, Mr Liew. besides explaining everything in the curriculum clearly, he also brings in his own valuable insights thru a wide range of case studies from different countries, including some of the more niche examples that I would not have come across otherwise. it's just very commendable that he's able to go beyond the curriculum by adding in his own insights and this is esp helpful for someone like me who doesnt really read widely for content. shoutout to the admins too they were also very helpful and friendly! they were always willing to assist with any administrative issues and did their best to resolve them efficiently and quickly which made the overall experience so much smoother and more convenient for students. overall, i’ve had a really positive experience with Illume and if you’re looking for a GP tuition centre, i’d definitely recommend considering illume!

Nilavan George

Trust me when I say this but illum.e is the right choice for you if you need greater clarity and in depth understanding on what you are studying. I started attending GP tuition under Miss Yin Xuan around two months ago hoping for a change in my understanding of the subject. Before joining, I had many doubt which is always normal when deciding on enrolling in a tuition centre but after two months, I have realised that I have gotten great value in these few lessons. I have learnt the many different GP essay and keyword types and what aspects you are supposed to talk about for each one. I have also learnt on techniques to help score more in paper 2 instead of losing them unnecessarily; tips that I feel were overlooked or not placed enough emphasis on in school. Miss Yin Xuan makes her classes engaging rather than a boring lecture by talking about personal experiences and showing us real life incidents regarding the topic we are discussing on the Internet instead of just telling us. She also does not get annoyed if we fail to grasp onto something; she will repeat until it's drilled into your memory. Her feedback after marking work is also very detailed and personalised thus ensuring that students get the best help possible. All these are what makes Miss Yin Xuan and illum.e exceptional and why I recommend that people give this a shot!

Maximus T.

I have been with illum.e since the start of Term 3 2025. Specifically, I have been learning under Ms Yin Xuan since March this year. Although no miracles were performed, I would very gladly say that their GP and English tuition has helped me a gain a deeper understanding of the subject. Be it through meticulous methods on how to craft essays to arguments, or just going through topical themes in general, their tutors and materials have been very thorough. It has also helped spark a greater interest of the subject for me. Ms Yin Xuan in particular is an extremely engaging and relatable tutor with her elite Gen-Z humour and quirks. Thanks to her, I look forward to GP classes almost every week. In general, all the illum.e teachers are really nice, and qualified! Very grateful to have enrolled here🫡