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Student Sample Answer

The arguer believes that examinations should be given less importance in the education system, arguing that they fail to detect certain talents and produce individuals focused solely on memorization. Two logical fallacies identified are the slippery slope fallacy, which suggests that rushing through syllabi leads to negative long-term effects, and hasty generalization, which relies on a single example (Winston Churchill) to support a broader claim. The responder agrees with the arguer's conclusion, advocating for a balanced approach that values creativity and extracurricular activities alongside academics.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
7 views2 pages

Student Sample Answer

The arguer believes that examinations should be given less importance in the education system, arguing that they fail to detect certain talents and produce individuals focused solely on memorization. Two logical fallacies identified are the slippery slope fallacy, which suggests that rushing through syllabi leads to negative long-term effects, and hasty generalization, which relies on a single example (Winston Churchill) to support a broader claim. The responder agrees with the arguer's conclusion, advocating for a balanced approach that values creativity and extracurricular activities alongside academics.

Uploaded by

yanailing05
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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(a)

i) What is the arguer’s position on the issue? (1 mark)

The arguer’s main position on the issue is that examinations should be given less
importance within the education system.

ii) State TWO (2) major premises given by the arguer to support his or her
position. (4 marks)

The first major premise is that some talents and forms of ingenuity would not be
detected by examination radars.

The second major premise given by the writer is that emphasis on examinations is
indirectly producing people who are only trained to study and regurgitate facts
rather than well-rounded individuals.

b) Identify TWO (2) logical fallacies that are made by the arguer. Name each
fallacy and provide justification as to why the fallacy is committed.

The first fallacy committed in the article is Slippery Slope [Identification]. The slippery
slope fallacy occurs when the arguer claims that a seemingly harmless action
performed would lead to disastrous outcomes [Definition]. The example used in
paragraph 3, whereby the arguer states that teachers rushing through to cover the
syllabus, would lead to lower comprehension towards the materials taught. This will
cause weaker students to feel left behind and discouraged. The arguer further asserts
that the weaker students will develop the same lackadaisical attitude later on in their
life as adults. Even though teachers may speed through syllabus, students still have
the responsibility to take the initiative to seek for guidance from their teachers to clarify
the course content covered [Elaboration on Analysis]. A speed run through the
syllabus shouldn’t be significant enough to lead to the chain of events that end up
instilling a negative attitude in students as adults.

The second fallacy committed is a hasty generalization [Identification]. A hasty


generalization is made when a conclusion is drawn from a small sample size which
might not be representative of the entire population [Definition]. The author used
Winston Churchill as an example to support his claim that a person’s real abilities
might not be shown in examinations. However, Winston Churchill is likely to have been
an extraordinary person and more often than not, examinations are highly effective in
testing the abilities of the majority of the population. Citing one famous person as
supporting evidence is insufficient to prove the arguer’s conclusion; the arguer should
have given studies/examples of a larger group of people consisting of ordinary
individuals to make his point [Analysis].
C). Do you agree or disagree with the arguer’s main conclusion? State your own
position on the issue and provide TWO (2) major premises to support your argument.
Write your answer in about 300 words. (21 marks)

I agree that examinations could never be completely removed from the education
system but lesser emphasis should be placed upon the current exam-oriented way of
learning.

This is because an exam-oriented education system places too much weight on


memorization and rote learning. This method of education fails to cultivate critical
thinking and creativity amongst the students. They do not have time to explore and
expand upon the knowledge imparted upon them; instead, they spend this time doing
past year questions and studying the format of examinations which is ultimately of little
use for their future. By making tests less important (as well as some encouragement
from their teachers), students will indirectly be given the freedom to expand their
horizons and look for creative ways to apply their knowledge. Furthermore, they will
be more inclined to be interested in the subjects they are taught, further encouraging
them to develop the “love of learning” and be proactive in studying not for an upcoming
test, but for their own future.

Besides, by making academic exams less important, extracurricular activities can be


considered as a part of the evaluation as it helps to improve student’s ability to diversify
their learning in other fields instead of focusing solely on the academic syllabus itself.
For example, students can improve their leadership skills through activities organised
by clubs and societies. This will train a student to be able to manage real life problems
instead of just studying. After all, soft skills such as the ability to interact and
communicate well with other people is just as important as knowledge in mathematics
or the sciences in the working world. For example, if you have the idea for an
innovation but do not have the means to communicate the ideas to the masses, the
idea would only stay between you and only you. scientific knowledge would not be
useful if there is no one there to adapt these concepts into the real world.
Extracurricular activities are the perfect starting point for students to build their social
networks which will be of utmost importance to them be it for finding a job, getting a
promotion or just having someone to talk to. As the saying goes, whether or not
someone succeeds is not based on what they know, but it’s based on who they are.

(385 words)

Tips: State whether you agree or disagree with the arguer.

State your position clearly

State your premises and elaborate on your premises

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