Question Analysis

Distinguishing between topic and issue:

- Topic: Broad area/aspect of life in which
events, situations take place. Usually
characterised by factual, technical
terms/names of broad areas we encounter in
human life.
- Issue: A problem/situation people are
debating/arguing about WITHIN the topic
area. Usually characterised by verbs.
A clear understanding of these terms
Strengths & weaknesses: Referring to the inherent/theoretical qualities of any given
object/person/
e.g. Strength of 3D printing: Cheap
Benefits and drawbacks: The outcome/impact of applying the above strengths & weaknesses in a
specific context
e.g. Benefit of 3D printing: Reduces cost of medical treatments/procedures
Promise versus peril: The long-term; broader/wider potential/implications of applying qualities
of object/person.
e.g. Promise that 3D printing brings: It may revolutionise the way surgeries are carried out and bring
a great reduction in both cost & risk in years to come.


Does modern technology always improve the quality of peoples lives ?
TOPIC word
Cutting-edge,
more current
examples/points
of discussion
TOPIC phrase
Tangible:
- Income per capita,
life expectancy,
mortality rates,
safety & security,
education levels,
cost of living, job
security, material
well-being, access
to sanitation, etc.
Intangible:
- Stress levels,
happiness levels,
political freedom, etc.

LOADED word
(Absolute)
ALL the time,
100% of the time
in ALL cases
ISSUE word
To make better,
to bring +ve
change, to bring
progress
Present tense,
so focus must
be on current
issues/examples
Rephrased version: Does modern technology bring positive change/progress to
our standard of living ALL the time, in ALL aspects of our lives?
Do you agree that technology brings more promise than peril for
the future?
TOPIC word
It didnt say
MODERN, but
due to the
context of this
question, you
definitely need
more cutting-
edge, more
current
examples/points
of discussion
LOADED word
(indicates
comparison)
You are asked to
weigh/assess which
has subject of
comparison has
more
weight/credibility
based on your
judgment
ISSUE phrase
Promise: NOT just
mere
strength/benefit,
must look at the
long-term
POTENTIAL, HOPE
Peril: NOT just mere
weakness/drawbacks
, examine
POTENTIAL, long-
term SEVERE/GRAVE
THREATS
CONTEXT word
Future tense, so
focus must be
on using more
current
issues/examples
to make
PROJECTIONS
into the FUTURE
Rephrased version: Do you agree that technology has the potential to bring more
hope/+ve development than grave threats in years to come/in the long-run?
Q1. Does modern technology always improve the quality of
peoples lives?

- This question focuses on debating whether the outcome of
using technology is definitely an improvement in the quality
of our lives ALL THE TIME.

- Focus is on debating the phrase ALWAYS IMPROVE

- So you should NOT be listing merely strengths &
weaknesses of modern technology or just
benefits/drawbacks in a vacuum.




Lets use one example from the previous
lecture to demonstrate what the focus of Q1
should be like
Purely benefits & drawbacks - WRONG MUST LINK THIS BENEFIT TO HOW ITS
IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE
3D Printing: Benefit
Reduces cost of medical procedures and
ensures safer, more effective surgeries.

HOWEVER,
ALLOWS FOR BETTER MEDICAL FACILITIES
& HIGHER LIFE EXPECTANCY

3D Printing: Drawback
This very same technology can now be
used to produce dangerous, undetectable
weapons like 3D printed guns
INCREASES THREAT TO
LIFE/SAFETY/SECURITY
HENCE, it is too extreme to say that the use of technology ALWAYS
improves the quality of peoples lives because that discounts the
duality of technology in the hands of different stakeholders with
different motivations.
Q2. Do you agree that technology brings more promise than
peril for the future?

- This question focuses on assessing, weighing & predicting
based on current trends/usage
- So you should NOT be listing strengths & weaknesses or
just CURRENT benefits & drawbacks.
- You should be assessing if current benefits extend into
long-term solutions/areas for more development? Or is the
general direction more of misuse/abuse/problems of
technology that will cause our future to be full of fear and
danger?

Lets use one example from the previous lecture to
demonstrate what the focus of Q2 should be like
BUT one must not forget that between then and now, societies, governments involved
are aware of the possible perils such technology can bring. These various stakeholders
are already looking into safeguards and laws that will minimise/alleviate the possible
perils that could materialise. Hence, in my opinion, technology will bring more promise
than peril for the future.
Purely benefits & drawbacks - WRONG MUST LINK THIS BENEFIT TO HOW WILL
BRING PROMISE/PERIL FOR THE FUTURE
3D Printing: Benefit
Reduces cost of medical procedures and
ensures safer, more effective surgeries.

HOWEVER,
It may completely change the way medical
examinations are carried out and make
invasive pre-surgery techniques completely
redundant in years to come.

3D Printing: Drawback
This very same technology can now be used to
produce dangerous, undetectable weapons
like 3D printed guns
Given increasing availability/variety; lower
costs of 3D printers in the long-run, this
technology may fall into many wrong hands
like terrorist/rogue groups, violent criminals,
etc. and cause severe problems to our safety,
security. It could also pose great challenges to
law enforcement and crime prevention.